Meanwhile, far away, the border guards were casually changing positions. They were simply following the Crown Prince’s orders.

“From three-person teams to two-person teams?”

“I’ve been moved from the left side of the procession to the city side.”

“There must be some reason. It’s the Crown Prince’s order after all.”

No one questioned it. Evan, walking alone in a dark corridor, wore a faint smile.

‘If the defense line is disrupted, people will get hurt. Then Kayla will have no choice but to use her holy power.’

His smile gradually deepened.

‘Even brother can’t object on a battlefield where weap*ns lead.’

※※※

Imperial Grand Chapel.

As bell sounds echoed throughout the city, everyone’s gaze turned toward the Grand Chapel. Between the dazzling clerestory windows and marble columns, nobles and ministers gathered in abundance, waiting with bated breath. It was as if the eyes of the entire Empire had gathered for this moment alone.

“The ceremony will begin.”

As the high priest’s voice resonated, the doors opened, and Theodore entered first. Wearing ceremonial attire with gleaming golden epaulets, he looked closer to an imperial crown prince than a hero. Yet his sharp gaze was stronger than ever.

“The bride will enter.”

Kayla slowly stepped forward. The hem of her silver dress sparkled as it flowed, catching the light. People gasped in admiration, but a small tremor reflected in her eyes. Before reaching the center, Kayla paused briefly, and Theodore approached, extending his hand.

“Kayla.”

“… Theo.”

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

Kayla drew in a trembling breath. Theodore warmly enveloped her cold hand. Drawing strength from his warm touch, Kayla moved forward again. Inside the Grand Chapel, filled with gentle hymns and the scent of holiness, the two headed toward the altar. The high priest raised his hand and declared.

“Today, two souls become one under God’s blessing.”

The prayer was recited. Kayla exhaled softly with her hands clasped together. Her fingertips began to grow hot again. Holy power was trying to awaken.

‘No… I must suppress it…’

Theodore squeezed her hand firmly and whispered softly.

“It’s okay, focus.”

That single phrase held her crumbling heart together. As the moment of vows approached, all eyes turned to them.

“Theodore Gloucester, do you vow to love Kayla Raenor forever?”

“Yes, I swear.”

His resolute voice echoed through the chapel. People held their breath.

“Kayla Raenor, do you vow to love Theodore Gloucester forever?”

Kayla gathered her trembling breath and answered.

“Yes, I swear.”

Rings were exchanged, and the high priest declared.

“In God’s name, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

Applause and cheers erupted. Flower petals scattered into the air. Theodore looked at her and smiled.

“It’s almost over. You’re doing fine.”

But Kayla sensed someone watching her. A cold, sharp gaze; Kayla could instinctively feel it.

‘This… isn’t the end.’

※※※

After the ceremony safely concluded, the doors of the Grand Chapel opened and the procession began. Everyone in the streets shouted blessings and scattered flowers. The march continued with Kayla and Theodore at its center. The Empire seemed filled with blessings.

“Long live Grand Duchess Kayla!”

“Long live the Bride of God!”

“Long live Grand Duke Theodore!”

Kayla hid her anxiety and smiled. Theodore firmly held her hand.

“Long live the Empire of Teoran!”

That’s when it happened.

Swoosh—!

From far within the crowd, a sharp arrow flew in. Screams erupted instantly.

“Kyaaa!”

“Enemies! It’s an attack!”

Black shadows sprang out from all directions. The procession turned into chaos. Theodore embraced Kayla and drew his sword.

“Kayla, don’t move!”

The blessed procession, in the midst of brilliant light, was instantly covered in chaos and fear. People screamed and fled, and the attackers cut down even those who were running away. At that moment, holy power began to tremble faintly at Kayla’s fingertips. Her breath quickened, and something seemed to burn in the center of her chest.

“No!”

Kayla cried out with a trembling voice, facing the cruel carnage. However, that light already seemed to be surging unstoppably.

Theodore’s sword cut through the air, slicing an enemy’s neck. The blade continued relentlessly, and the attackers fell one after another before the wolf of the battlefield. Red blood stained the blessed procession. People who couldn’t escape in time all perished under the attackers’ blades.

“Kayla, stay behind me.”

He spoke with a short, firm voice. Theodore pushed Kayla behind his back and swung his sword while wearing a blood-soaked coat. Screams erupted with each trajectory drawn by his sword tip. Blood splattered on the white dress, cruelly defiling the sacred moment of the wedding.

“Arghhhh!”

The sword pierced an enemy’s heart once more. The second strike beheaded an enemy, and the third cut off an enemy’s arm. Theodore raised his sword again, covered in blood.

“Back.”

The enemies approached like a tide under Kalek’s command. However, none could save their comrades who fell by Theodore’s hand. He simply pushed Kayla back with one hand while cutting down enemies with the other. His sword was the wolf of the battlefield and the hero of the Empire itself. Cold and swift, without a moment’s hesitation.

“Your Highness!”

Ian’s voice was heard from afar. However, due to the unexpectedly large number of enemies, Ian couldn’t approach easily.

“Black Knight Order, save the people!”

Theodore shouted to Ian. Kayla swallowed hard, pressed against Theodore’s back. His blood-soaked coat, the attackers approaching endlessly,

and something hot she felt inside herself. It was holy power.

‘No… I can’t let it rampage now…’

But the light of holy power gathered at her fingertips had already begun to fluctuate contrary to her will. The more she tried to suppress it, something was awakening deep in her heart.

“Kayla.”

Theodore’s voice resonated low amidst the smell of blood. Even as a blade fell toward his head, he spoke to her.

“Close your eyes.”

Catching his breath, Theodore blocked the enemies’ swords again. When one aimed a sword, he cut their neck; when another jumped in, he pierced their heart. His sword was merciless. The more wounds he sustained, the colder he became.

“It’s okay. I’m right beside you.”

At those words, Kayla trembled and nodded slightly. But she could feel it. That her holy power was on the verge of going berserk. Her breath rose to the tip of her chin, and something burned like fire in the center of her chest.

‘If I rampage now… people will get hurt…’

White light flickered and bloomed from her tear-wet fingertips.

※※※

Meanwhile, far away, Crown Prince Evan was smiling. From atop a high tower, Evan was looking down at all of this. He needed to make her reveal her light herself, so that no one could ignore her holy power.

“Yes, everyone will desire it.”

His voice was soft and cruel.

“Her holiness, her power.”

Salvation, hope, Bride of God. Evan waited for the moment when everyone would call Kayla salvation, above the burning streets and blood-stained procession.

“Now even Theodore can no longer stop it.”

Evan quietly laughed.

※※※

Someone rushed at Theodore from behind. A blade fell toward him.

“Theo!”

Kayla screamed. However, Theodore avoided the flying blade in one swift motion and cut off the enemy’s arm. Then he turned and sliced their neck. He was a beast moving on instinct alone, having survived blood-soaked battlefields.

“Kayla, it’s okay.”

Theodore reached out his hand. Her eyes were filled with countless emotions. Fear, tension, despair, and death. White light trembling like a heartbeat continued to flicker at her fingertips. He grasped her hand with his last strength.

“They keep… coming…”

She sobbed as she spoke.

“I’m afraid I’ll lose control… then people will…!”

“It’s okay, look at me.”

Kayla trembled, feeling the holy power spreading from her fingertips. Her vision blurred, and the flickering light at her fingertips rose to the brink of going berserk. Kalek’s subordinates tightened their encirclement from all directions. That’s when Kalek revealed himself. Crimson eyes, massive hands gripping a sword. He stood before Theodore, crossing the blood-stained path.

“Grand Duke Theodore.”

He murmured in a low voice.

“I’ve come to take your head. And the Bride of God’s as a bonus.”

Kalek revealed a cruel smile. Theodore took a moment to catch his breath and raised his sword. Blood was flowing from his entire body, but the tip of his sword didn’t tremble for even a moment.

“Your tongue is long.”

Kalek immediately swung his sword. The heavy, swift blade cut through the air and fell toward Theodore. Theodore didn’t dodge. He parried the sword and slashed Kalek’s side in return. Kalek retreated, bleeding. However, his smile didn’t disappear.

“As expected of the wolf.”

When Kalek gave a signal, more attackers swarmed from around them. As the encirclement was about to close completely, Theodore whispered to her.

“Kayla, focus. Trust me.”

However, the holy power rampage was imminent. She was at her limit. Kayla tightly closed her eyes.

‘No…! I can’t…’

At that moment, Theodore ignored the flying blades and embraced her.

“You alone… I will protect no matter what.”