“The Karina Empire is truly magnificent.”

It was immediately apparent that the temple wasn’t built just for show.

The building’s exterior was designed in an enclosing form, as if it’s trying to separate from the outside, presenting a noble appearance. The traces of deep contemplation about its utilization were clearly visible in the architecture.

Rose-patterned windows formed the main axis, and Ionic columns supported the entablature.

Moreover, it looked even more beautiful as it was supported by arch formations.

“It’s because His Majesty cherishes the temple.”

Pride was evident on Belrocan’s face as he said this.

“I’ll call a priest. Would it be alright if someone knowledgeable about the temple guides you?”

“Thank you for your consideration. But I’d like to look around alone.”

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

“I want to take my time looking around alone, so please understand.”

Belrocan seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“Then I’ll return in an hour, shall we meet here?”

“Yes, let’s meet in an hour.”

It would look strange to move together with Belrocan, so it was better to move separately.

She knew that word had been sent ahead about her future visits to the temple. However, today’s visit was somewhat sudden, and there wasn’t enough time to request the temple be cleared.

Outside, devotees had visited to offer prayers.

Nobles were likely to have visited the temple as well.

Since some people might remember her face from the banquet, it would be better not to draw attention.

Selvia concealed her power as much as possible.

She pulled her hood down low and headed toward the inner area where priests could enter.

‘It’s incredibly spacious?’

Selvia glanced around and quickly moved her feet.

However, for some reason, she felt like she was going in circles, and there seemed to be no end in sight.

Moreover, unlike before, neither devotees nor the occasional passing priests were visible anymore.

“It seems I’ve lost my way.”

Still, it was fine since she could look around everywhere.

If she didn’t come after some time, Belrocan would come looking for her.

Selvia looked at the large, white temple pillars and tapped the floor with her foot.

“Find places where other energies can be felt.”

However, the shadow remained unresponsive. Concerned, Selvia stared at the shadow for a while, but she couldn’t even feel it rippling.

‘Seems it can’t trace anything.’

Perhaps because the light power felt in the temple was so strong, the shadow couldn’t move.

It was certainly different from the temple in the Kingdom of Delpheron.

With no other choice, Selvia diligently walked around to search.

Even after searching for a while, she couldn’t find what she wanted. Selvia followed the light streaming through the glass ceiling with her eyes.

One of the floor tiles was a different color from the others. As she got closer, she noticed a sun-engraved pattern. It was the prophecy room.

“Found it.”

After carefully checking that no one was around, she cautiously grabbed the handle.

“Ah!”

Along with a stinging sensation, electricity ran through her fingertips.

She stepped back for a moment and watched to see if there would be any other changes.

“It must be a rejection response.”

She had come this far after searching so hard, she couldn’t turn back now.

Selvia carefully reached out and grabbed the handle. If it didn’t work after a few tries, she could give up then.

“……Huh?”

The electricity at the end seemed to weaken.

When she pulled the door again, it opened with a click.

At the same time, she heard voices of people approaching nearby.

“By the way, where did the High Priest go?”

“He disappeared saying he had urgent business.”

Seeing the priests walking from the opposite direction, Selvia had no choice but to enter the prophecy room.

“I wasn’t planning to enter right away.”

Having entered unexpectedly, she looked around the prophecy room.

“So many prophecies.”

She hadn’t seen this many prophecies in the Kingdom of Delpheron’s temple. The clear difference in quantity made Selvia feel dejected.

Selvia looked around the prophecy room, turning her head.

The voices of the priests from earlier grew closer.

‘Surely they’re not coming inside?’

Selvia looked for a place to hide with a tense expression.

Soon, conversation sounds were heard in front of the door.

Click.

As the door opened, she hurriedly hid between the bookshelves where the prophecies were stored.

Thump thump. Her heart felt like it would burst.

“Ah, did you hear? About the child of prophecy?”

“Of course. They say she returned to the Kingdom of Delpheron?”

“They say the imperial palace was in chaos when she suddenly left and the banquet was cancelled.”

“Does the High Priest know too?”

“How would he know? He’s not interested in outside affairs.”

The two shook their heads as they organized the scrolls.

“But didn’t the door open on the first try earlier?”

“Did it? I was distracted talking to you, so I don’t remember.”

One priest turned their head and looked around.

Then they slowly began walking around, checking places where someone might be hiding.

‘Please, please.’

Selvia squeezed her eyes shut. At this rate, they would discover her hiding.

The situation would look suspicious to anyone, and excuses wouldn’t work.

Step, step.

The footsteps grew closer. It was obvious they would encounter her in just a few more steps.

Selvia bit her lip while looking at the quiet shadow beneath her feet.

However, as if God was on her side, the other priest shouted.

“Hurry up and finish! We need to complete our work before the High Priest comes. No one can come here when even devotees aren’t allowed.”

“Is that so?”

The priest turned back, quickly finished organizing, and went outside.

Selvia sat down on the floor, her strength leaving her as she caught her breath.

“That was close.”

* * *

Meanwhile, an argument was ongoing in the Emperor’s office.

Amon spoke to Ratius, who was firmly blocking his way.

“Why can’t I?”

“If I say no, it’s no.”

Amon furrowed his brow at Ratius’s firm voice.

“If you won’t even properly explain why and just keep repeating ‘no’ like a parrot, I have my ways too.”

Neither person was willing to bend their will.

Amon wanted to meet the child of prophecy.

According to the prophecy, there must be some issue, but the silence was concerning. But he had no intention of telling the Emperor about the prophecy. How could he speak to the Emperor about something uncertain?

So he simply said he had something to ask the Queen of Delpheron.

“You said it wasn’t urgent.”

However, this inflexible Emperor showed no signs of backing down.

“But it would be better to confirm quickly if she’s the child of prophecy.”

“She needs rest too.”

Amon’s mouth fell open. Since when did he care so much about others?

Though not as important as the Emperor, he was still the High Priest. It was unthinkable to prevent him from meeting her when he personally sought her out.

However, seeing the Emperor’s stubborn attitude, it seemed they would only waste time arguing.

Just as Amon, who had given up, was about to turn away, something flowed through his body with a jolt.

It seemed someone had triggered the trap he had set in the temple.

Amon had set up a device so the prophecy room wouldn’t open on the first try.

If someone with holy power touched the door, the lock would release.

Then pulling the handle once more would open the door.

However, for those without holy power, they would feel an electric-like sensation when pulling the door after the lock released.

This meant that whoever opened the door now was likely someone unwelcome in the temple.

Deciding there was no need to stay here any longer, Amon stepped back with a somewhat gentler expression than before.

“Did you grant her permission to enter the temple?”

“I did.”

As expected.

A smile spread across Amon’s lips. He was certain it was Selvia who had opened the prophecy room door.

“It seems she was quite curious too. She appears to be quite proactive.”

Amon made meaningful remarks.

Ratius narrowed his brows, feeling strange.

“Please promise not to stop her when she comes to the temple on her own.”

“Very well. I said I would do anything she wants.”

Amon pulled up the corners of his mouth as he stepped back.

“I understand. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Strange, I thought you wouldn’t back down.”

“It seems I’ll only tire my mouth out, so I should go back and do my work.”

“You look very suspicious right now.”

“I have always been like that. I think I’ve been away from the temple for too long, so I’ll go back.”

Ratius still wore a suspicious expression.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Amon’s body gradually began to glow before dispersing into thin air.