Chapter 15: The Broken Candleholder (5)

Revencio handed the finely powdered poison to the Imperial Physician Rossmann. It was the noble poison that would send the emperor to eternal rest.

Rossmann’s face turned pale as he looked down at the poison on the table. He soon spat with what remained of his teeth and protested.

“…Father Revencio, are you asking me to poison His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Poison in a holy temple, you say? I merely wished to relieve His Majesty’s suffering. If he were to lie down for a moment, he would be embraced in the gentle cradle of the gods. What’s there to worry about?”

Revencio’s eyes narrowed sharply. To have someone, who was struggling with discernment in their feeble state and declining the position of Imperial Physician, lecture him.

“Who was it that placed you in the position of Imperial Physician, despite being treated like a quack 30 years ago? If you consider me a true friend, I trust you will keep your promise.”

“…I still can’t do it. Cough, cough!”

“Rossmann, you’ve neglected His Majesty’s chronic illness for nearly twenty years, treating it as an incurable disease, and now you’re saying you’ll wash your hands of it? If your actions are revealed, you’ll have no excuse, even if you are thrown into prison for the assassination of the emperor.”

Revencio again pushed the finely powdered poison to the edge of the table. Rossmann reluctantly picked up the powder with trembling hands.

“It’s not a lethal dose, but it will… very slowly start to show its effects.”

Yes, you won’t be able to refuse. After all, both you and I are just cunning humans.

Rossmann, who had been bowing his head in guilt, tentatively spoke up.

“The temple is quiet, so it seems the news hasn’t reached yet.”

“What news?”

“I didn’t see it with my own eyes, but I heard that the black-haired guest has demonstrated her divine power. They say that as the guest shed tears, dozens of birds flew into the palace.”

Divine power, a very alluring word. Saliva began to pool in Revencio’s mouth. He stuck out his tongue and licked his lower lip as he spoke.

“Although we are treating the guest as per His Majesty’s orders… if she has divine power, the situation changes.”

The face of the black-haired girl wasn’t something he could overlook, but it was on a completely different level compared to Abigail Millaire, whom he had carefully selected.

However, if a remarkable appearance and wondrous divine power were present, making her a Saint would be a mere formality.

“We need to conduct a divine power verification.”

In truth, Revencio didn’t care who the Saint was. What mattered was a means to make himself pope, a divine Saint statue that would place power in his hands. That alone was sufficient.

* * *

Early in the morning, Edwin was summoned to the central temple. He returned to the monastery only after sunset. There was no exchange of pleasantries; they simply exchanged glances in silence.

“The divine power verification has been scheduled.”

Breaking the heavy silence, Edwin spoke. It was expected. Through the broken window, dozens of crows had soared in. The flock of crows circled above Sua’s head until her crying stopped.

I neither marveled at nor was disturbed by the strange sight before me. I simply held tightly to the trembling hand of Abigail, who was gripped by fear.

“It seems the emperor didn’t personally intervene this time.”

“I heard that the emperor’s condition rapidly worsened since last night.”

Despite his efforts, he had ultimately lain down on the circuit designed by the gods.

“How is the divine power verification supposed to be conducted?”

“Divine power verification will be conducted at Lake Deleta.”

Lake Deleta was the location where, 300 years ago, the Saint had appeared. The scriptures recorded that a woman had emerged from the lake, walking on the deep waters like a feather.

“At first, they wanted to conduct the verification at the Serpent’s Pit, and I tried to dissuade them, but things have become more complicated. I apologize.”

Edwin lowered his head dejectedly. He recalled faint memories of the past. He had been bitten by a venomous snake with its fangs crudely removed, suffering from severe paralysis for a while. However, his life was not in danger.

“If she cannot rise from the lake, she will sink beneath the surface.”

In history, Saints had always exhibited extraordinary abilities before their deaths. They survived disasters like fires or earthquakes alone. The gods did not permit the death of a Saint unless they sacrificed their lives for the people.

The black-haired Saint would surely rise to the surface, and Abigail would…

“I’m sorry. If I had not declined the bishopric position back then, I might have had the strength to confront Revencio.”

Edwin repeatedly apologized. His golden eyes, which had always steadfastly watched over, were now consumed by anxiety.

Why is it that you always apologize even though you have done nothing wrong?

“Father, there is no need to apologize.”

I narrowed my eyes into thin crescents as I looked at him.

“I’ve come up with a way to get Abigail to rise to the surface.”

Father, I’m not careless enough to make the same mistake twice.

“We need a little preparation to put it into action… Will you help?”

That look again. Whenever I made a request to Father Edwin, he would always smile painfully.

“Alicia. Sometimes I really don’t want to grant your requests.”

Father Edwin was perceptive. With just a flicker of emotion in his eyes, he already knew what words I would utter.

But I knew. He wouldn’t be able to refuse my request. I knew he wouldn’t be able to stop me with his bitterly twisted lips.

* * *

The day of the divine power verification had arrived. The weather had been clear with not a cloud in sight for days, but today, the sky was filled with dark clouds. It seemed as though it might rain any moment.

“…It looks like it’s going to rain.”

If God truly exists, would He be looking down on me from behind those dark clouds… Would He have any pity for me?

“Then I’ll take the carriage with Abigail.”

The carriage from the central shrine surrounded the palace. I had instructed Abigail to ride alone in the carriage, so I needed to board the carriage she was in before we departed for the lake.

“I’ll be going now. See you later, Father.”

Father Edwin’s large hand rested on my head.

“…Remember what I said.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips as he whispered softly. Edwin, you’re truly kind. I nodded silently in response.

Turning away, I began searching for the carriage where Abigail was boarding. Through the rows of carriage windows, a butterfly brooch sparkled. Without hesitation, I opened the carriage door.

“…Alicia.”

Abigail, wrapped in a white veil and dressed in pure white, sat alone inside the carriage.

As soon as I locked the carriage door tightly, the carriages began to proceed in a line towards Lake Deleta.

“Alicia…”

Carefully lifting the veil, I revealed her face, which had become even more gaunt in the past few days. Dark makeup had streaked with tear marks.

“…I was so scared. It was so terrifying.”

In the jolting carriage, I held her tightly. Her small shoulders trembled violently.

“Abigail, I won’t let anything put you in danger, no matter what happens. Trust me.”

Abigail nodded with a sorrowful expression.

“Last night, Father Revencio came to see me. He said if he could be made pope, he would help me complete the power test safely.”

Despicable Revencio. Knowing that Abigail had no power, he was trying to exploit her fragile heart to seize power.

“…And what did you say?”

“Alicia, I didn’t respond to keep the promise I made to you.”

If she had agreed to Revencio’s deal, she might have passed the power test safely. But she chose silence to honor the promise.

To think that such a frightened girl was willing to face death for me.

“You did well.”

I cupped her tear-stained cheek in my hands. Abigail, I will not simply watch you fall into the cold lake and perish alone.

“…Now, let’s quickly change your clothes.”

If the gods wish to take your life, I will gladly offer my own in exchange.