‘Why did he call me…….’

Pope Sebastian, who officiated Ariel and Leopold’s wedding, was a man praised by many for his righteous character and outstanding divine power.

The fact that he called for Liese Willington, a low-ranking priestess, suggested that there must be a reason.

Dressed in white priestly robes, Liese quickly walked towards his office.

At the end of the corridor, a huge door appeared. She cautiously knocked on the door.

Knock knock-

“It’s Liese Willington.”

“Come in.”

An old man’s voice came from inside the room.

Creak-

Liese opened the door and entered. Across the door, an elderly man with white hair was sitting, looking at the papers on his desk.

She bowed her head towards him, but his gaze remained fixed on the documents.

“You called for me.”

“I hear there’s going to be a hunting festival in the border region soon.”

Pope Sebastian Jones stood up and sat on the sofa, gesturing for Liese to sit.

“Well then, excuse me.”

As Liese sat opposite him, Pope Sebastian said with a smile,

“I would like you to go to the hunting festival.”

At such a large event like the imperial hunting festival, there was no place for a low-ranking priest like Liese.

Those with outstanding holy power are mobilized to assist the imperial family and nobles with healing.

‘Me? Why at such a big event…….’

Liese blinked her large eyes in confusion without saying anything.

“It seems you’re curious about the reason.”

“My holy power is so insignificant and lacking that it’s embarrassing to even call it holy power.”

Liese lowered her head.

“I don’t understand Lumiere’s will either, but since He wishes it, we have no choice but to send you.”

Liese raised her head again in response to Sebastian’s tender voice.

“Lumiere’s will?”

Sebastian’s face became serious.

“While I was praying, I received a revelation that Lumiere wishes for you to go to the hunting festival.”

“……Do I need to prepare anything special?”

“It seems we should pray that Lumiere’s intention is fulfilled well. It seems there’s a reason you must go there.”

Last night, Pope Sebastian saw a vision.

It was a scene where Liese Willington, healing those injured by demonic beasts’ attacks, had brilliant holy power shining above her head.

“I understand, Your Holiness.”

What will happen, what she will have to endure, she couldn’t know. But she had a premonition that something big was about to happen.

Liese Willington’s eyes sparkled with determination to fulfill Lumiere’s will.

***

“Hyle! Did you hear the news!”

Hyle looked up as he was polishing shoes in front of his house.

It was Redman from next door.

“What news?”

“They’re holding a hunting festival in Atlan in a few days!”

“Hunting festival? What kind of hunting festival?”

“A demonic beast hunting festival.”

Hyle’s eyes widened.

‘Ariel might have influenced that.’

Not long ago, Ariel married Emperor Leopold Diaz.

He received an invitation to their wedding but did not attend.

Seeing her, who had all her mana taken away, was also painful for him.

And he hoped Ariel could forget everything that happened in Kolnman and start anew.

Of course, Kolnman was going through war-like days due to her absence.

The number of demonic beasts was increasing, and their power was continuously getting stronger.

Since capable demonic beast hunters were rare, demonic beasts often invaded small villages in Kolnman.

From the perspective of Kolnman, Atlan’s hunting festival was good news.

‘I hope she forgets all about her life here.’

Did she miss the stench of blood?

Or was it longing for the times she swung her sword and created huge sword energies?

Hyle smiled bitterly.

“When exactly is it?”

“In four days? Near the border of Atlan? Ha! Wonder if things will calm down after the hunting festival.”

Redman swung his fist in the air, joking around.

“Well, we’ll have to see.”

“Going to check it out yourself?”

“Hmm. Seems like I should.”

Hyle’s eyes narrowed.

It might be good to be prepared for any potential danger.

‘Ariel…….’

In the flowing time, he had helplessly lost people who were precious to him.

That’s why he was afraid to have someone by his side.

Because he never became familiar with farewells.

When he was living such a transient life, Ariel came to him.

Ariel, who boldly sought him out.

She wanted to learn swordsmanship to protect herself.

Hyle took her as his disciple.

“They might need me.”

Redman looked at Hyle blankly, not understanding what he meant.

***

Several days later.

On a day filled with bright spring sunshine.

A huge crowd gathered at the entrance of the Atlan Imperial Palace.

They were people setting off for the hunting festival, as were those who came to see them off.

The interior of the palace buzzed with the chatty sounds of excitement.

“Is this hunting festival being held in the border region?”

“And it’s going to last for three days.”

“They say we’ll be hunting demonic beasts…”

“What’s there to be scared of? The knights of Atlan will protect us.”

However, the worried voices of the madams and their noble daughters were heard here and there.

Ariel, listening to their conversation, felt a bit anxious.

Women hardly participated in the hunting festival, and though they would be hunting cute monsters resembling rabbits or squirrels,

‘I guess they’ve never seen a demonic beast in person.’

Should they witness the knights hunting, it might considerably shock them.

The fear of the demonic beasts would spread.

Ariel’s expression hardened as she stood in front of the lined-up knights.

The white training outfit she wore had the same design as Leopold’s, who was standing beside her.

“Your Majesty.”

“Mm, El.”

“Will it be okay?”

Leopold stroked her head.

“I know what you’re worried about. We’re fully prepared. We’ve set up barriers to hunt safely. They’ll activate if a dangerous situation arises.”

As he looked into Ariel’s worried eyes, many thoughts passed through his mind.

She must be feeling the weight of being a ruler.

‘She must realize the responsibility for the words she has lightly spoken.’

To reassure her, Leopold blinked and nodded his head.

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

Leopold’s words, spoken as if he already knew all her worries, gave her strength. Ariel’s heart warmed.

She looked at Leopold’s face with a faint smile.

Then, a familiar face caught her eye behind him.

Among the dark-robed male priests, one figure stood out prominently, Liese Willington.

She was looking around, gauging the atmosphere.

Her face, tinged with a slight nervousness, was still beautiful and pure.

“The priests from the Holy See have also been gathered.”

Leopold turned his head towards where Ariel was looking and said,

“If there are injuries, they need to be treated. Holy power has an immediate healing effect, doesn’t it?”

I see, so much preparation was done.

She hadn’t even thought that these things needed to be prepared.

As expected, the empress who sits in that position must be prepared for such responsibilities.

“That… right.”

But Liese hasn’t fully manifested her holy power yet.

Why was she deployed?

Ariel tilted her head in confusion.

“The imperial mages will soon open the portal. We’ll pass directly to the border region through the portal.”

“And then?”

“We’ll declare the start of the hunting festival there. I’m thinking of rewarding those who capture the largest and the most prey.”

Rewards…

Her emerald eyes sparkled.

Leopold saw the change in her expression in slow motion.

‘Cute.’

She’s dreaming big dreams, isn’t she?

He restrained a smile that threatened to escape and whispered earnestly into Ariel’s ear,

“I want to grant your wishes.”

Ariel’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Breaking the contract, I wonder if something like that is possible.

‘Dream on.’

It’s impossible. Not in the current situation.

Ariel’s trembling pupils clearly showed her thoughts.

“But breaking the contract is not possible.”

“Ha…!”

I know that, I know.

Ariel’s neat brow furrowed.

Then someone ran up behind Leopold.

“Your Majesty.”

It was Evan.

A face hard to come by even in the palace.

‘Big brother.’

Preparing for the hunting festival must have been physically and mentally taxing; his face looked quite worn.

“Your Majesty the Empress is also here. We have opened the portal. If you’re ready, please go ahead.”

“Let’s do that.”

Leopold wrapped his arm around Ariel’s shoulder.

“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”

Into the portal rippling like a blue wave, the two of them pushed their bodies through.