Chapter 11 – The Child of God (Part 3)

“Where… are you going?”

“To the temple. There’s something I need to check.”

Ria’s face suddenly turned pale. The mention of the temple brought to mind Sir Mikel and, in succession, the dark arts she had deliberately tried to erase from her thoughts.

“Ria?”

“Rune, dark arts… Sir Mikel said the temple of the Empire is no longer a temple. He said it’s been that way for quite some time. But the Holy Kingdom doesn’t know that. After I was captured while escaping, I lost consciousness and was trapped by dark arts…”

Ria clung to Rune’s arm, speaking breathlessly and incoherently. Her endlessly trembling body and dilated pupils vividly displayed the emotions she was feeling.

“Ria, okay. First, calm down, slowly. Alright? Just breathe evenly first.”

Rune immediately embraced her, soothing her while gently stroking her back. She had been fine just moments ago, but for some reason, her eyes were filled with fear and anxiety. Following his words, Ria tried to calm her trembling as much as possible and continued speaking slowly. But it was not easily done.

“The person who kidnapped me used dark arts. Sir Mikel said he couldn’t use it, but he did. So… because of that, Sir Mikel…”

Ria, who hadn’t seen the man tearing the paper, naturally thought he had used dark arts. It was the only explanation that made sense.

“I had no choice but to run. My whole body rejected the dark arts, screaming at me to escape…”

The memory of the dark arts, which had easily taken a person’s life like a noose, vividly resurfaced, and Ria squeezed her eyes shut. Even though she had been far from the dark arts at the time, it felt as if they were consuming her. It was a very… very horrifying feeling.

Hearing Ria’s words, they also recalled the tragedy of the Child of God, and their faces hardened. Their suspicions were confirmed. The power opposing divine strength was targeting Ria, just as before.

“…Who is Sir Mikel?”

Eden, who had moved close to her side, wrapped her right hand with his large hands and asked. The warmth seemed to reassure her, and Ria slowly closed her eyes, then opened them, taking a deep breath as she spoke.

“He was a holy knight from the Holy Kingdom, sealed by dark arts. He said he was the direct shadow of the previous His Holiness.”

“…What?”

Eden asked again, surprised by the unexpected information. It was more of a reflexive expression of surprise than a demand for an answer. Ria hesitantly conveyed what she had heard from Mikel.

“I broke the seal. He said my power was capable of that. He said my power was stronger and deeper than any previous Child of God.”

She didn’t bother to add that her body was weak in contrast. They already knew she was physically frail, and she didn’t want to worry them by mentioning it again.

“He said that the stronger one’s divine power is, the weaker they are to dark arts, except for His Holiness. That’s why he was affected. After the seal was broken, he tried to save me but was caught by the dark arts… I don’t know what happened to him after that…”

Her voice was mixed with tears before she realized it. She felt as if he had died because of her. She should have assessed the situation more carefully before acting, but her foolishness had led to his sacrifice. As tears welled up in her brown eyes, Rune spoke soothingly.

“We’ll try to find him on our way. He’ll be alive. If he was the direct shadow of the previous His Holiness, he would have longevity and abilities, so he wouldn’t have died easily.”

“…Okay.”

“Thank you for telling us. We’ll be back soon. So, Ria, just focus on getting healthy for now, okay?”

“While we’re gone, use Kahin as a shield. If you’re anxious, keep him by your side like a doll.”

“What are you saying…”

“Why not? He’s dependable.”

To ease her worries and fears, Cherta spoke with a playful tone. Eventually, Ria let out a small laugh.

Even though thinking about the dark arts still made her stomach churn, and she worried that the three of them might fall victim to it, she couldn’t keep showing them this side of her when they were trying to reassure her. She couldn’t remain tormented by the dark arts forever.

Ria took a deep breath in and out, straightened her back, and looked at them. She could dispel the dark arts. So even if something happened, she could save them. She would save them. She wouldn’t lose those she had finally reunited with. Her brown eyes sparkled with determination.

“How long will it take?”

“About six days. I’ll try to come back sooner.”

“Be careful. If it seems dangerous, don’t push yourselves.”

In a worried tone, Rune pressed his lips on the top of her head and answered obediently like a gentle puppy.

Although the four men’s gazes were fierce and cold, filled with the determination to protect what was theirs, and their minds were occupied with thoughts of tightening the temple’s leash, as always, those were things she didn’t need to know.

Their desire to protect each other bound their relationship even more tightly than before.

Three days later, Ria was able to move her legs. It was the result of her diligent efforts, as she felt guilty for not being able to see the three men off personally and only watching from the window on the day they left for the temple.

“You’re walking well now, aren’t you?”

“Indeed. To be honest, it’s faster than I expected. It feels almost like a lie that you couldn’t move.”

At Letban’s honest words, Ria let out a small laugh and placed her hand on Kahin’s arm, who was anxiously hovering nearby in case she fell.

“Kahin helped a lot. It wasn’t as difficult as before since it was the second time.”

“Miss…”

Unlike Ria, who was smiling while talking about the time she couldn’t move her legs, Kahin’s face fell into a frown upon hearing it. Who would have thought such a thing would happen again? His heart ached when he thought about her frail body, then and now.

Moreover, her body, which would have been perfectly healthy soon, was now uncertain when it would recover due to this incident. Since hearing that, he couldn’t forgive himself. If only he hadn’t sent her with the Countess at that time…

As he once again fell into the self-blame he did every hour, Ria, who keenly noticed it, pulled his strong arm towards her. Despite her weak strength, Kahin naturally lowered himself easily.

“Kahin, you’re blaming yourself again, aren’t you?”

Even though she was still small, standing on tiptoe, Ria brought her face close to his and spoke firmly.

“The real fault lies with someone else, so why are you making that guilty expression like you’re the sinner?”

“But…”

“If you keep doing that, I won’t talk to you today, Kahin.”

“…No, you’re right, Miss. I won’t blame myself, so please allow me to stay by your side.”

Kahin, who was about to argue, quickly changed his words at her following statement, lowered himself further, and buried his face in her shoulder, nuzzling his head. Ria, who was gently stroking his head, awkwardly lowered her hand when she met Letban’s gaze, who was watching them blankly.

“Kahin has a bit of a soft side.”

She did not know that the gentle man was glaring at him fiercely over her shoulder. Letban had many things he wanted to say, but he swallowed them with a sigh.

“Oh, Young Marquis. I have a favor to ask… Do you have a moment?”

Feeling embarrassed, Ria shifted her eyes and suddenly remembered a thought she’d been having for days, fully withdrawing from Kahin. Kahin, unable to hide his disappointment, quickly brought a chair for Ria to sit, while Letban found a chair for himself and sat down.

“Of course.”

“Thank you. Um, well…”

But even with his willingness, Ria hesitated for a long time. Letban waited patiently without a word. Encouraged by him, Ria finally parted her lips after several attempts.

“I heard there’s a temple in the North.”

Letban, slightly surprised by the unexpected question, quickly composed his expression.

“Yes. But it’s currently closed.”

“Then is entry prohibited?”

“It’s strictly managed by the Marquis family, so you can’t enter without the Marquis’s permission.”

“Oh… Is it the same for just looking around the area?”

“Well, I’m not sure. But what I can say for certain is that if you don’t accompany me or the Marquis, or have a sealed permit, it could raise unnecessary suspicion.”

Letban, observing Ria lost in thought again, eventually asked openly.

“But why do you want to visit the temple?”

“Well…”

Once again, Ria hesitated to answer. She didn’t know how to explain it.