* * *

Seo Woohyun examined a document detailing the identity of his new fake persona.

He had hesitated to use the name ‘Ciel’again and had cautiously mentioned this to Sihero.

Sihero, unconcerned, quickly crafted a new identity.

“Is it because there’s no such thing as ID cards in this world…?”

When Woohyun scratched his neck, looking puzzled, Sihero offered an explanation.

“I can create various identities for you to blend into any setting, Your Holiness. Priest, nobleman, even royalty—though the latter takes a bit more effort.”

“I wouldn’t know how to act like royalty anyway.”

When Woohyun waved off the idea, Sihero shook his head.

“It’s not about your ability to act, Your Holiness.”

“Then what is it?”

“There are countless nations where I could create a royal identity for you—even as an imperial family member of an empire. However, I worry that once it’s established, some might claim you as their own.”

“Oh.”

Woohyun let out a short sigh.

“Oh, so that’s the kind of trouble he meant…”

Feeling a little awkward, Woohyun continued to go over the details of his new identity, asking questions along the way.

Sihero, moved by Woohyun’s enthusiasm, patiently explained everything in great detail.

“As you know, our Temple only grants recommendation letters to those who’ve completed about a year of service. Without that letter, one cannot use the sacred artifact to confirm divine resonance.”

“Sacred artifact? I didn’t go through that…”

“Well, as someone personally recognized by Erdian, Your Holiness, such procedures were unnecessary.”

“That’s true… But what kind of artifact is it?”

“Would you like to see it for yourself?”

When Woohyun nodded, Sihero personally led him to the artifact’s chamber.

Passing through a grand hallway, they arrived at a heavily guarded room housing the sacred item.

“This is it. We call it the Sacred Basin. When holy water is poured into the hollow and a drop of blood is added, the water turns red if the person has divine resonance. If it remains clear, they cannot become a priest.”

Listening to the explanation, Woohyun stared quietly at the basin.

It was too large to be a dish but too small to be a washbasin, making it an ambiguous size.

Ornate with gold and gemstones, it was stunningly extravagant.

Strangely enough, Woohyun realized he had seen this item before.

‘I’ve seen this in a dream.’

In his previous life, when he went by Ciel, a servant to Prince Erdian, he often caught glimpses of this object.

Back then, Erdian used it…

‘To wash his hands before meals…’

Woohyun let out a chuckle at the thought that a basin once used for handwashing had become a sacred relic over time.

“Was this really made for this purpose?”

Knowing the answer, he still couldn’t help but ask. He hoped it was just a coincidence.

“There’s no exact record of how Lord Erdian used it. According to Temple records, one of our third-generation High Priests discovered its function while preserving it.”

“No one’s ever asked Lord Erdian himself?”

“It’s unlikely many would bother Lord Erdian with such trivial questions. Besides, he rarely descends or answers prayers.”

“…Right.”

Woohyun gave an awkward reply, biting his lip.

‘What do you mean, no one asks him trivial things?’

Woohyun often treated his connection with Erdian like a private chatroom, bombarding him with endless queries—some serious, most not.

Even today, he’d dreamed of Erdian and had half-joked about confirming the dream’s authenticity.

‘Do others pray to Erdian with actual serious topics?’

After leaving the chamber where the sacred relic was kept, Seo Woohyun returned to the Palace of Silence and began learning from Sihero the tasks required of an assistant priest during volunteer work.

Thanks to Sihero’s enthusiastic explanations, Woohyun was able to pick up his neglected notebook for the first time in a long while.

“…And if anyone inquires about your time as a volunteer, simply say, as stated in the documents, that you lost your memory after suffering from a high fever.”

Sihero, unable to outright suggest a life of service to the noble Saint, had come up with the common excuse of amnesia.

“You mean the backstory where I lost my memory and happened to catch Giselle’s eye, leading to a promise of sponsorship?”

“Yes. Moreover, someone you’re quite familiar with will also be joining this round of assistant priest volunteer work. Do you recall the page who served you during your trip to the Duchy of Soznian?”

“Of course, I remember. Is Fin coming along this time?”

“Yes. He recently awakened to a sense of divine power, so I personally provided a recommendation for him to join as an assistant priest.”

“So, Fin and I will be peers this time?”

“From a scheduling perspective, you could say that.”

Sihero’s gentle smile brought a faint pang of guilt to Woohyun.

Sihero was a self-made figure who had risen through the ranks of the clergy, beginning as a volunteer and ultimately becoming the High Priest.

Considering the immense effort Sihero must have poured into his journey—from assistant priest, priest, senior priest, and priest-in-chief to his current position—Woohyun couldn’t help but feel ashamed of himself.

‘I should try harder. Even if I’m just a Saint conveniently cast as Erdian’s lover in a past life, as long as I work hard, that’s all that matters.’

It was at this moment, while Woohyun was staring intently at the document in his hands, grappling with a sense of inadequacy, that Sihero carefully pulled a necklace from a small jewelry box and offered it to him.

“This necklace prevents the wearer’s face from being properly remembered. Since you traveled under the name ‘Ciel’ during your previous trip, I thought it might cause trouble if anyone recognized you.”

“I had considered that possibility, but… do you really think anyone would recognize me?”

“Pardon?”

“Honestly, I was worried at first when I traveled back then, especially since it all happened in a crowded place. But people didn’t seem to recognize me that well. I don’t have such a striking face, do I?”

“…….”

For once, Sihero was too flustered to respond.

“My hair color is common, and while I’ve often been told I look delicate for a man, it’s not to the extent that I’d stand out in a crowd…”

Sihero, contrary to his usual composed demeanor, openly scrutinized Woohyun’s face as if reevaluating it.

However, no matter how long he stared, Woohyun’s features were far from ordinary.

His large eyes, smooth skin, and finely balanced features gave him a youthful and striking appearance for his age.

A face that could only be described as that of a fresh, refined beauty.

And yet, hearing such self-deprecating remarks from Woohyun left Sihero unable to chastise him. Instead, he could only persist in offering the necklace.

“Regardless, you must wear this necklace. If anyone recognizes you as the Saint, they’ll all fall to the ground in reverence and won’t even dare to meet your gaze. While I’ve instructed the clergy and knights within the temple to avoid making a fuss, it’s a different story outside. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Sihero’s resolve to hand the necklace over to Woohyun was unmistakable.

Only after hearing these examples did Woohyun, now feeling a chill run down his spine, hastily nod.

“…No, you’re right. I think I’ll definitely need this necklace. I let my guard down for a moment. I’ll even wear it while sleeping and bathing.”

Woohyun immediately accepted the necklace with its pendant—a sharp, yellow diamond set in a rhombus shape.

“The temple knights’ captain will also be accompanying you on this trip for protection. I’ve provided him with an item imbued with the same effect, so there’s no need to worry about maintaining your disguise.”

The purge of the heretics wasn’t yet complete.

Those excommunicated from the clergy, who harbored grudges and targeted priests, did not align themselves with other gods.

Yet, reports from the temple knights and the Inquisition hinted at troubling signs—heretics across the region seemed to be forming alliances with followers of other deities.

Meanwhile, within the empire, a bloody storm brewed as a major shift in the imperial succession began.

Following Erdian’s wrathful warning to the emperor, the imperial court had descended into chaos.

The emperor, who had previously turned a blind eye to his children sending assassins after one another in their power struggles, finally drew his sword.

He had handpicked elite knights to escort the sixth prince, Habios, once considered practically disowned, and safely brought him back to the empire.

Not stopping there, the emperor had sentenced the second prince, who had sent assassins after Habios, to execution by hanging.

The emperor even sent the second prince’s severed head to the Grand Temple, declaring that he had taken Erdian’s warning seriously.

He publicly announced that any noble family, including the imperial household, who harmed clergy members would face severe punishment.

“Let me make this clear to you alone, High Priest. I have no intention of defying Erdian’s will,” the emperor had said, during a private audience with Sihero.

“If Erdian has chosen a grandchild as the next emperor, tell me honestly. I will follow such divine instruction without question.”

The emperor now had only three potential heirs left: the eldest daughter, the first princess; the third prince; and the oft-abused sixth prince.

He seemed genuinely curious whether Erdian’s fierce warning had a deeper implication.

“No such divine revelation has been given yet, Your Majesty. As you know, Erdian seldom involves himself in imperial affairs.”

“…So, the wrath was truly about priests being caught up in our succession struggles?”

“That’s correct. Erdian cherishes his clergy above all else.”

“If the High Priest says so…”

As Sihero recalled this conversation, he found himself gazing at Woohyun, who had promptly fastened the necklace around his neck.

‘I must ensure this journey concludes safely.’

Watching Woohyun, whose appearance now seemed subtly blurred due to the necklace’s effect, Sihero smiled.

“It appears the necklace is working. Your face seems less distinct than usual.”

“What if Fin doesn’t recognize me?”

“Just make sure to tell him your name in advance.”

“Oh!”

Seeing Woohyun’s mix of sharpness and endearing clumsiness, Sihero began to understand why Erdian insisted on keeping the Saint close.

* * *