Chapter 12.2

“I can’t believe this. Why did the connection suddenly cut off?”

Lusell, sitting in front of Miragium’s door, carefully examined the communication device.

Meanwhile, Garzen, who had been yanking and shaking the doorknob, frowned.

“It’s still a prototype, isn’t it? Maybe that’s why. But more importantly, hurry up and open this door. Nobody knows when they’ll be able to get out once inside!”

“Pardon? But Your Highness, you know this door can’t be opened just by undoing the lock. If it’s clever Miss Brienne, she’ll surely find a way out soon, so let’s wait a bit…….”

“Wait?”

Garzen kicked the door with a thud.

Lusell, still trying to fix the device, flinched and stepped away from the door.

“Y-Your Highness! Kicking this door is about the most inefficient and dangerous thing you could do……. Aren’t you afraid of Demekia’s god?”

“Of course I’m afraid! But why is it that only that mage gets to go in and I can’t?”

“I don’t know, but maybe it’s because of the soul-binding magic…….”

“That’s so unfair!”

“Pardon……?”

Lusell’s face darkened, looking flustered.

“Surely you’re not jealous of Sir Herace just because you can’t pass through this door, are you? Please focus, Your Highness. The more urgent the situation, the more you must stay calm.”

“Ha, jealous? Calm?”

Garzen snorted and glared at Lusell.

“Talk sense, Lusell. And, as the son of the Marquis Bartshire family that guards the temple, don’t you think you should be trying to solve this problem quickly? Don’t just fix the device—solve the real issue. Who put such a dangerous place in the middle of the temple? And where are all the knights?”

At Garzen’s unreasonable complaint, Lusell’s mouth fell open.

Miragium had been here for hundreds of years, and the Grand Temple had been built around it.

Besides, this was a place you couldn’t even pass through without the Deputy Priest’s permission.

“Will talking about that solve anything? And if you’re so unhappy about the Door of Destiny being here, why not hurry up and become Crown Prince! At least surpass the First Prince, or even the Second Prince! You’re the one who needs to step up now. Even after all that trouble in Rontiano, you barely got any results…….”

“What? Why are you suddenly bringing up the other princes? Lusell, why do you always think that way…….”

Garzen frowned, about to snap at him.

“Ah, wait!”

Lusell hurriedly put down the device, dropped to his knees, and fumbled through his bag.

All sorts of things spilled out onto the marble floor as Lusell searched.

He finally found the rolled-up map.

“A wide field……! And a big tree by a well!”

Lusell’s face lit up.

“……What?”

“I thought there must be a reason we got this map! Your Highness, I think I’ve finally found its use!”

“Wait, is that the same map from earlier?”

“Yes! The one you brought back from Rontiano!”

“I knew it……! You really are a genius, Lusell!”

Garzen, finally relaxing, plopped down in front of Lusell. The two looked at each other, their faces bright as if they’d never argued.

“Genius is an exaggeration, Your Highness. This is all thanks to you bringing the map back then. I only thought of it because of what Miss Brienne said.”

And it was Garzen who insisted on bringing the communication device in case they got lost.

At that moment, Lusell felt more proud of his lord than ever.

“No need for all that. What matters is that you’re the subordinate I need. Right?”

Garzen tapped Lusell’s shoulder and spread the rolled-up map on the floor.

“So, this is where the young lady is?”

“Yes, since this is also the base of Hamartia, who follows Riela, it seems accurate. We’ll need Miss Brienne to explain the torn parts…….”

Lusell pointed to the drawing of the big tree.

“At least we know Miss Brienne was here earlier.”

“Then now…….”

Garzen’s gaze shifted to the device lying next to the map. Lusell nodded.

“First, we need to figure out why the device isn’t working. We need someone who can fix it.”

“All right, I’ll go out and call that mage right now.”

Garzen jumped up and ran back the way he came. Lusell called after him.

“I’ll wait here, Your Highness! Hurry back!”

* * *

As Brienne followed Sally, she encountered several people.

“Miss Riela, thank you so much last time. My child has gotten so healthy thanks to you.”

“Me too. I prayed every day at the place you suggested, and everything worked out like a miracle. Miss Riela, you really are a blessing sent by Demekia’s god.”

“Congratulations on your wedding, Miss Riela! Please continue to take care of our village.”

While being greeted by that unfamiliar name, Brienne had to work hard not to let it slip that she wasn’t the real Riela.

Luckily, her unusual clothes drew everyone’s attention, so their curiosity focused on that.

Everyone she met asked about her clothes, and Brienne replied with a polite smile, saying they were worn in the Celestial Realm.

She thought it was a ridiculous lie, but the villagers accepted it easily.

Among those who worship the gods, just the word “Celestial Realm” seemed to make everything understandable.

Meanwhile, Brienne checked the device several times to see if the light would return, but it stayed silent.

Hopefully, it wasn’t broken for good.

Brienne sighed.

What should she do now?

Not knowing what actions were required, even breathing felt cautious.

If Lusell was right, she needed to resolve her original sin.

‘What exactly is my original sin?’

She felt frustrated, not having received a more detailed explanation.

First, she needed to find Herace, since he was supposed to be here…….

“Tsk, looks like another outsider has wandered in. On a day like this, no sense at all.”

Suddenly, Sally, who had been hurrying, stopped and clicked her tongue. Brienne looked up in surprise.

She’d smelled something burning, and saw a nearby fire—someone was burning logs.

But……

There was a man kneeling in the middle of it all.

“W-wait, who’s that tied up over there?”

“That man? He’s probably an outsider. Ugh! How do those rat-like people get in here? They’re always getting caught.”

“Outsider?”

“Yes, a foolish outsider who doesn’t believe in Demekia.”

Sally tilted her head, as if surprised by the question.

Brienne quickly turned toward the man.

Shining silver hair and deep gray eyes. The man tied up among the burning logs was definitely Herace.

He was looking at her.

“S-Sally! Please, untie that man.”

Brienne grabbed Sally’s wrist, stopping her from walking away.

“Him? That man……?”

Sally looked at the villagers guarding Herace, confused.

“Why the sudden interest? Do you know him?”

Brienne hesitated, glancing at Herace again.

She knew she couldn’t leave him like that, but hadn’t thought of an answer.

But if she didn’t reply quickly, she’d be suspected…….

Instinctively, Brienne spoke.

“He’s not an outsider.”

“Not an outsider? Then what?”

“……He’s an angel.”

“What?”

Brienne swallowed.

“I can feel sacred power. If you don’t believe me, go check his face up close. He’s an angel sent from the Celestial Realm.”

She had to make use of Herace’s dazzling face, even in this state.

“You’re Herace, right?”

Brienne whispered carefully as she untied the ropes around Herace.

She couldn’t help but wonder if this was all so unbelievable that maybe Herace wasn’t really Herace.

But thankfully, Herace nodded.

“Yes, Brienne.”

He even called her by that precious name.

It was a short moment, but in a world where everyone mistook her for Riela, hearing her real name nearly made Brienne tear up.

Brienne stood frozen for a moment, until Sally called from afar.

“Miss Riela! Are you all right? Why are you suddenly taking on such a difficult task yourself…….”

“I’m fine, Sally. Just wait a moment, please?”

Brienne hurriedly answered and helped Herace up.

“Why were you tied up? What about your magic?”

“……I couldn’t use my power. The moment I passed through Miragium’s door, my mana circuit shut down.”

Herace whispered quietly, sensing the situation.

“Is that true?”

Herace nodded.

Brienne grew serious.

‘It must be because of Demekia’s divine power.’

Divine power renders magic powerless.

If Brienne hadn’t encountered Herace, she shuddered to think what might have happened to him. Yet, even while staring at the fiercely burning logs, Herace’s face remained calm, which left Brienne feeling puzzled.

Could it be that he already knew this place was an illusion?

“Herace, did you also see a white bird in front of Miragium’s door? And this key?”

Watching Sally closely, Brienne discreetly showed the key from inside her sleeve. Herace shook his head.

“I simply followed you inside, Brienne. No one else could enter.”

“You followed me?”

“Brienne, your soul led me here.”

‘The choice was mine.’

Herace added in an even softer voice, looking at Brienne with a beautiful smile.

It was Brienne who had lied, calling him an angel, but for some reason, she couldn’t help but feel as if there really were wings behind his back.

“Miss Riela, you really must go now.”

Sally, who had been staring at Herace in wonder, took a few steps closer.

“Is this person coming with us?”

She seemed both wary and expectant. Brienne was dumbfounded.

Weren’t they about to burn him as a foolish outsider just moments ago?

Brienne’s grip tightened on the rope she’d brought, just in case.

“……He’s coming with me. After talking to him, I think he was sent by my father.”

That meant he was a guest sent directly by the god of love, Leosus.

When Brienne brought Herace along, Sally nodded.

“All right. But please walk quickly.”