Romeo and Rosaline - 33

Rosaline became the only Umbra who remained unharmed by the Incarnation of Kata. However, for precisely the past three months, during the five rotations with the savage Horadins, the manifested presence, for whom she served as a body vessel, did not instruct her to perform any actions befitting her role as a vessel. Instead, she was simply left within their sight, standing like a mere shadow.

Some couldn’t hide their curiosity. Why would he keep her by his side when it was neither for his amusement nor for sharing meals?

It was easy for their thoughts to veer towards licentious assumptions, but their speculations did not reach that point. Whenever such imaginations began to emerge, they returned to the original question as if they had forgotten Rosaline’s existence.

So, why does that Umbra not engage in any activity while they indulge or have a meal?

The only one who didn’t repeat the question was the high priestess Gabrielle, who held a genuine fear and reverence for the Incarnation of Kata, therefore harboring no curiosity about it.

As a result, Rosaline had to endure hearing the question ‘Why does that Umbra just stand there without doing anything?’ hundreds of times, like a broken record. If this was horror, it was even more horrifying.

Fortunately, unlike herself, who was consumed by fear, Rosaline appeared completely normal on the surface. However, her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness that couldn’t be ignored. The gaze lingered beyond that fleeting moment.

“Does it bother you?”

Gabriella, who was asked this question by the Incarnation of Kata, didn’t realize that his words were directed at her at that time.

Being in the midst of a strategic meeting, and also because the Incarnation of Kata typically remained silent during such gatherings, he mainly served as a focal point for the commanders and their knights to report their operations. He was a compliant weapon who listened well on the battlefield.

It was surprising that he spoke, but when their eyes met the crimson gaze, it sent a chilling sensation through their fingertips, as if the blood was running cold. After all, the Incarnation drew a dimpled smile across his cheeks.

It was natural to be scared when a picture on the wall suddenly started smiling, even if it was an innocent face. Scared enough to forget their question.

“Yes…? I’m sorry, what did you say?”

The corners of their mouth stretched. Their ordinary meeting room chair seemed like a throne, with both sides of the jaw resting on it. The gaze of Rosaline, who stood behind him like a shadow, also reached the high priestess. Gabriella tightly grasped her worry-filled large eyes.

‘Rosaline, please don’t look at me.’

They couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but he disliked it when Rosaline directed her gaze towards others. No, it was not just dislike, but at the level that if her gaze even grazed an object, he would shatter it, and if it was directed at a person, he would banish them from the room.

Once, there was an incident where a priest who wanted to be noticed by the Incarnation gave Rosaline a pointless glance. Immediately, the Incarnation of Kata raised his sword and the blade touched the priest’s neck. If Rosaline hadn’t grabbed the hilt and clung to it, the priest would have died.

“Don’t look away when I do, you’re mine, aren’t you?”

And the sound he made was like this. It didn’t matter why the Incarnation of Kata was speaking to the Umbra. No one had died, but the incident had deeply affected the people.

The High Priest, vividly remembering this, lowered his gaze and looked only at his feet. Was the cold not biting in this winter? He was dressed in a flamboyant tunic, with calf muscles exposed in sandals made of straps. The angular muscles of his shoulders, the golden necklace that resembled his hair, made him look like a debauched prince from the southern lands.

“He asked if the Umbra is bothering you.”

The speechless High Priest tightly closed his eyes. If the words that fell from his mouth, if they had originated from him, he would have definitely denied it. But it was not his voice that answered, it was the Knight Commander sitting across from him, who opened his mouth while looking at the High Priest with empty eyes. In that situation, the High Priest had no choice but to tremble like a cornered mouse.

Not only the Knight Commander, but also the Secretary and the Chief of Combat wore lifeless expressions. It was probably because the Incarnation of Kata had used his power.

They don’t know how extensive his power is, but to demonstrate that mere humans are completely under his control in such a way, it can be said that he has a truly despicable nature. Gabriella stiffened and just nodded her head.

“I hope not.”

This time, the voice flowed from Kata’s mouth. Their eyes widened as if they had been frightfully awakened before his words were finished.. The Knight Commander, seemingly having no recollection of the recent events, resumed his speech from where the meeting had left off.

“So, with two more rotations, we will achieve a complete victory.”

He spoke with determination and reverence. The High Priest felt disgusted, but he had no choice but to listen quietly.

“Once the ceasefire is established, Prince William has decided to visit Arsha.”

“Why?”

Kata responded gruffly.

“Am I planning to escape or something?”

Prince William needed Kata to solidify the position of the current monarchy, not only to deal with those who doubted the legitimacy even after his sister ascended the throne, but also to gain the support of the Temple’s power.

However, it was the unpredictable attitude and actions of the Incarnation that caused unease.

“I really don’t know what you’re afraid of.”

Kata casually stroked his chin as if he knew everything.

“Look at me. You all want me to be magnificent, so I am. You want me to be beautiful, so I am. You want me to be strong, so I am. You want me to be ruthless, so I am.”

As he lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest, the dazzling rings on his thumb, index finger, and ring finger sparkled like sunlight reflecting on a river.

“I won’t leave this earthly realm until my mission is complete.”

His words sounded like they were meant for Prince William. To carry out William’s intentions, to remove the crown prince from power and introduce a new king with the support of the Incarnation.

But the king is merely a figurehead for the temple to regain its former glory.

In the anticipation of the upcoming era of a mighty deity, a knight filled with wonderment spoke up.

“Kata, what is your mission?”

As it was the first time Kata had revealed his own mission, the knight wanted to be assured. They thought that everyone present, including the knight who asked the question, would say, ‘the era of Kata.’

“…The end.”

Kata’s vacant gaze was fixed on the wall beyond.

“The end of war.”