Flocks of birds fell to the ground, charred black as if struck by lightning. There was also rain with a reddish hue. Fortunately, the composition of the rainwater was found not to be blood, but it was unsettling nonetheless. Eventually, even the sun was completely obscured, making it difficult to distinguish between day and night. Some citizens whispered that the Goddess Amir was displeased with the Prince.

Elios was in a position where he needed to be more cautious than anyone. His actions, the people he met, the words he spoke, his tone, his expressions. Even the food he ate or the way he walked. Everything had to be done with careful consideration. A time when even the smallest flaw was not tolerated. This was such a time.

The coming-of-age ceremony was approaching rapidly, only four days away. During this time, he had been virtually confined to his room except for absolutely necessary matters.

The deterioration of the weather was the beginning of everything. Dark clouds, excessive rain, lightning, and thunder. From precisely that day forward, Snow no longer appeared before people.

Elios was worried sick about Snow.

Literally, sick with worry.

The strange phenomena continued. As rumors began to circulate linking the Prince with these supernatural occurrences, Elios had no choice but to be mindful of his behavior. This meant he could no longer sneak out of the palace as he had done before. He hated his position as the Emperor’s son, unable to do anything.

He knew that the cause of all these phenomena did not lie with him. But that fact made it even harder for him.

He thought, if only it were truly because the gods hate me.

Blood-red rain, a sun that wouldn’t rise, birds falling charred black from the sky. Streets filled with insect corpses. He couldn’t even begin to guess what had happened to Snow.

The Emperor had sent a letter directly requesting a meeting with the Saint. And he was refused. The temple and the imperial family were not equal in status. It was inconceivable that the temple could refuse a direct request from the Emperor. Needless to say, even Elios’s secretly sent letter was politely rejected and returned.

This was no ordinary matter. It was beyond simply being unable to control emotions.

Perhaps the Saint has passed away, unable to withstand the witch’s power. Perhaps the calamity that had stopped is now returning to cover the empire again. Someone uttered such words, and though others retorted that it couldn’t be true, they couldn’t help but look uneasy.

The death of the Saint. The arrival of calamity. When such rumors reached Elios’s ears, he truly felt as if his heart was plummeting. Elios decided to go see for himself, risking all dangers.

Changing his gait, wearing a wig, hiding his height with high-heeled shoes, he left the palace.

♣ ♣ ♣

The security at the temple was incomparably stricter than the few times he had secretly slipped in to see Snow before. Elios gritted his teeth at the level of security comparable to that of the imperial palace. At this rate, he wouldn’t even be able to set foot in the temple, let alone check on Snow’s condition.

Having secretly left the palace, he was in no position to reveal his identity and enter the temple openly. So his only option was to quietly climb over the wall as he had done several times before. However, Elios had not anticipated that the security would be this strict.

Could something really have happened to Snow?

The thought made him feel as if his knees might buckle at any moment. He resolved not to believe anything until he saw it with his own eyes. With such determination, he opened his dark, deep eyes wide.

After circling the massive temple wall about three times looking for a weak spot in the security, someone tapped him on the back. Oh no, had he aroused suspicion by circling the same place multiple times? Even with such thoughts, Elios turned around calmly. Careful not to let his face show as his robe slipped, he deliberately lowered his voice more than usual and said:

“What is it?”

Looking more closely, the person in front of him was also wearing a hood like himself, but it was snow-white, seemingly a type of priest’s robe. Instead of answering, the person abruptly grabbed Elios’s arm and pulled. The priest’s hand revealed under the hood was that of a wrinkled old man. Yet his pulling strength was so formidable that Elios, helplessly caught by the arm, had no choice but to be led along. The person, presumed to be an elderly priest, casually kicked aside the insect corpses that got in the way, clearing a path.

But soon Elios regained his senses and forcefully pushed away the priest’s arm.

“What are you doing?”

Thinking about it, it was extremely strange. Not many people were wandering outside in such turbulent times. Why was this person walking around outside at such a time, and why had he specifically grabbed the arm of a robed prince and pulled him?

“Prince Elios, forgive my rudeness. I will help you meet the Holy Maiden.”

The hearty voice that leaked from under the white hood was one Elios knew well.

“High Priest Verdus…?”

High Priest Verdus slightly bowed his head. Elios asked:

“How did you recognize me?”

Elios was wearing a robe. He deliberately wore high-heeled shoes to disguise his height and walked with a different gait. Thinking that his uncommon orange-gold hair might leak out from under the robe, he had even procured and worn a brown wig.

Snow was important to him, but as a prince, he had people he needed to care for and responsibilities he needed to fulfill. He couldn’t abandon those.

Moreover, even the sun wasn’t rising properly now, making everywhere as dark as if covered by an enormous curtain. No one had recognized Elios as he left the castle. To Elios’s question, the High Priest merely responded with a “ho ho” laugh. Elios couldn’t see the High Priest’s expression hidden under the hood.

With the High Priest’s company, Elios was able to cross the gate with deflating ease. The temple guards, who had been suspiciously checking the two hooded figures, immediately startled and paid respects upon seeing High Priest Verdus removing his robe.

That was how high the position of High Priest was. Though there are limits to comparison, in terms of imperial nobility, he was at least equivalent to a count. With the help of High Priest Verdus, Elios was able to safely enter the temple, but he was still puzzled. So he said:

“When I sent a letter expressing my wish to meet the Holy Maiden, Ceres sent back a polite letter of refusal.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you helping me?”

For Elios, High Priest Verdus was an inscrutable, cunning figure. Receiving his help didn’t feel entirely comfortable.

“Didn’t you say you were the Holy Maiden’s friend?”

High Priest Verdus said. That wasn’t the answer Elios wanted.

“Did Ceres order you to help me?”

“She does not know that you are here.”

Though disguised with a seemingly light tone, there was weight in his words. Having shown his identity to the guards and then deeply covered himself with the robe again, Elios still couldn’t see the High Priest’s expression. Elios felt a terrible urgency, as if trapped in a slowly filling water tank. The elderly High Priest, seeming to understand Elios’s feelings, moved his feet quickly.

Large and small temples flashed by on either side of the two men. Elios didn’t speak further. Whether the High Priest’s help was by Ceres’s order or not, it actually didn’t matter much. His slight suspicion was nothing compared to the anxiety that enveloped him.

Surprisingly, it was High Priest Verdus who first broke the silence that had continued for a while.

“What is the Holy Maiden to you, Prince?”

At this unexpected question, Elios slightly narrowed his brows. It was a question whose intent he couldn’t grasp. Rather, that was what Elios was most curious about. A sharp tone inevitably came up his throat.

“Why do you ask such a thing?”

“Let me change the question.”

“…?”

“Are you in love with the Holy Maiden, Prince?”

Elios almost stopped in his tracks. It was a moment when he was somewhat relieved in a different sense that his face was concealed. He needed to give some answer, but he couldn’t utter a word. It was as if someone was skillfully gripping his throat, preventing Elios from saying anything. After a long while, his voice finally came out properly.

“Is this a question I must answer?”

The voice that emerged had a passionate edge to it, like someone who had finally burst into breath after not being able to breathe for a long time. High Priest Verdus acted as if he had heard all the answers he needed from just that.

“I see. I understand.”

The High Priest briefly stopped walking and looked up at the sky without emotion. Elios also raised his head following him.

There was nothing. The pitch-black sky had something about it that made people feel somewhat depressed. Elios suddenly realized something. Just beyond the temple fence, insects and bugs were strewn all over the ground, but since passing through the Grand Temple gate, none of these were visible. It was evidence that the Saint’s power was still at work in the temple.

Snow was safe. Only then did he feel somewhat relieved.

“What has happened to the Holy Maiden?”

Elios asked. He thought the High Priest might not answer and remain silent.

“She dreamed of the witch, they say.”

But he readily answered Elios’s question. His voice, already low, had sunk even deeper.

“…Are you referring to Freia Nigritia?”

“After telling Ceres about this, she began having seizures the very next morning. Whenever the Holy Maiden shed tears, the surrounding floor would freeze, and icicles would grow from the ceiling. She would mutter words whose meaning was difficult to guess, and she would faint and regain consciousness several times. Neither the priestess who lived closest to her, nor Ceres whom she so trusted and followed, could calm the Holy Maiden.”

“…”

Elios felt a dizziness as if his mind was flashing white. It took a few seconds for the priest’s words to be fully absorbed into his mind.

After that, he truly felt as if his legs might give way. His teeth began to chatter. He hadn’t thought the situation would be so serious. He urgently bombarded the priest with questions.