Seiden had experience in finding and dealing with such a source before. Seven years ago, the source he found was a monster called a deckdragon. Seiden had absorbed its magical power while splitting its body in half, reaching the level of Swordmaster.

As a result, the magical power of monsters in the northwest was reduced by half, and consequently, the large-scale subjugation war came to an end. If they could find and deal with this place as well, they could reduce the damage to the northern region by half.

The northern region of the Rundhardt Empire was a harsh place where the cold cut to the bone, and the earth’s energy was inconsistent and temperamental. However, it was also a place where rare and precious magic stones were buried like mountains.

Yet the reason the empire hadn’t easily found it was because the source of demonic energy was suspected to be in the harsh north, specifically in the Rubble Mountains. If one headed there without thorough preparation, they would likely freeze to death before finding the source of demonic energy.

“So they’re telling us to go scout directly and find the exact location of the source.”

Even while delivering the emperor’s orders, Felton snorted, seemingly finding it absurd.

“Ha, it would take over half a year just to circle the Rubble Mountains. The imperial family knows this too. So this is purely……”

Felton couldn’t finish his words and clenched his fist, but Seiden knew what he wanted to say. The current imperial family’s honor had been tarnished by Geril’s affair, and the emperor was showing his displeasure toward the temple that had humiliated a member of the imperial family in public.

The Grand Temple’s chances of finding the source in that location were approaching zero, with no information other than it being in the north. The imperial family would likely use this opportunity to paint the Grand Temple as incompetent while sending a warning.

Seiden could bet that shortly after the scouting party returned empty-handed from the north, the imperial family would find and announce its exact location.

“They even ordered us to subjugate a certain number of northern monsters. They say it’s needed for research. His Holiness tried to refuse the order somehow, but as you know, the situation isn’t good.”

Felton murmured seriously.

Even without hearing the details, it was clear that the imperial family had bound the temple’s limbs with pressure while issuing the order. The temple had no choice. Though Seiden had gone on several subjugation missions to the north before, the situation now was completely different from then. Now Bellota was his first priority.

Seiden stared blankly into space as if thinking about something. Then Felton added,

“The priests will have to join this scouting mission too. Since it requires holy power.”

Felton bit his lip, seemingly unsure of the best course of action. He needed Seiden for this reconnaissance. The north was filled with fierce high-level monsters, making it impossible without the Holy Knight Order led by Seiden.

However, since they didn’t know how long it would take, they couldn’t leave Bellota here, nor could they take her along to such treacherous terrain. Seiden simply ended his troubling deliberation.

“The Saintess will not accompany us.”

Felton looked at him in surprise.

“And I will return in two weeks.”

Seiden’s face was resolute as he said this. By now, Felton knew that the man before him was someone who absolutely kept his word. However, completing the reconnaissance and returning before two weeks was theoretically impossible. Unless they had an incredibly skilled mage with them. But the cost of having such a mage accompany them would be enormous.

Even the Imperial family had attempted several times to form an alliance with the Mage Tower for northern subjugation missions, but negotiations always fell through because the Tower’s demands were excessive. If even the Imperial family found it burdensome, there was no way the Temple could afford it. Moreover, the Temple strictly did not form alliances with the Mage Tower.

“But Commander……”

As Felton hesitated, trying to ask about his plan, Seiden had already turned away.

“We must prepare to leave immediately. I’ll hear about it later.”

Then he vanished before anyone could say another word. Felton could only stand there, staring blankly at his retreating figure.

* * *

As Seiden said, the reconnaissance group’s northern expedition was decided for two days later. It was truly a massive reconnaissance group that included not only the Holy Knight Order but also priests.

Naturally, Seiden did not include Bellota in the reconnaissance group. When Bellota heard the news, she simply acknowledged it without adding any words. This was likely because she too had developed firm trust in Seiden through the series of events.

Of course, even for Felton as a priest, the events that occurred during the banquet two weeks ago were astonishingly surprising. It was amazing enough that he thought to transfer Bellota’s holy power into Seiden’s body to delay her curse, but he even exposed all of Geril’s schemes. How he discovered that the holy relic was fake and that the Cadlack family’s holy relic had been stolen was beyond comprehension.

For some time now, Seiden had stopped sharing everything with him. He presumed it was because Seiden’s wariness had increased since it all involved Bellota. While Seiden’s caution wasn’t hurtful, it was sometimes frustrating. Especially at times like this. Just how did he plan to return from the north within two weeks……?

He probably wasn’t planning to survey the entire Rubble Mountains. That would be impossible to complete within two weeks. Surely Seiden must have a specific area in mind. If only he knew the destination……

Lost in these thoughts while walking through the dark temple corridor, Felton unconsciously stopped when he heard voices from around the corner.

“Someone sent an anonymous message indicating the source of magical power.”

Felton’s eyebrows tensed at the familiar voice. Concealing his presence, he peeked around the corner to see Seiden and Kabillon conversing under the dim torchlight.

“Really? Where is it?”

“Near Serita Gorge, they say.”

“But anonymous…… can we trust it?”

“They included definitive evidence. We’re heading straight there. Is the ship ready?”

Kabillon nodded with a tense expression.

“Yes. After using the gate to reach the north, we’ll travel by ship from the unfrozen river’s entrance. Damn, isn’t it ridiculous? They push us to suffer while graciously providing a gate……”

Kabillon muttered with obvious displeasure.

Until now, the Imperial family had never supported the Temple with gates. Even when they went to Selento for subjugation, it was Geril who obtained the gate permit, and without him, they would never have allowed it. Yet now they were acting as if they were showing mercy to the reconnaissance group.

Kabillon sighed.

“I should prepare for Serita Gorge. Should we inform the priests of this?”

Seiden answered firmly to his question.

“No. Don’t leak the destination to anyone yet. If the Imperial family finds out, they’ll interfere.”

Kabillon nodded as if reaching understanding.

“Ah, that makes sense. Understood.”

The two men began to move. Felton, feeling like a criminal, quickly hid behind a shadow. He heard the knights walking away after their secretive conversation. Felton’s expression grew solemn as he unintentionally learned of their destination.

* * *

“……What?”

In a room littered with empty bottles, Geril, who had been holding his throbbing head, looked up sharply at the shadow’s message. The shadow calmly repeated the information they just obtained. A strong smell of alcohol permeated the large unlit room.

“The Holy Knight Commander has accurately identified the source of demonic energy. They will head north and go straight to the gorge where the source is located. This information was just obtained.”

For a moment, Geril’s face went blank. Then, as if doused with cold water, he snapped to attention and let out an incredulous sigh. How the hell did that bastard……? As bewildering questions swirled in his mind, pure white rage rose to his throat.

“That bastard again……?”

That holy knight was trying to ruin his plans again. It was Geril who had informed the Emperor about the location of the source in the north. To be precise, it was the dark mages in league with him who had revealed the location.

Either way, Geril needed to find a card that could turn around the Emperor’s anger toward him. So Geril tearfully offered up his last card.

“Your Majesty, there is a suspected source of demonic energy in the north. I have found its exact location! If the Imperial family stops it, we can turn public opinion around! Since I caused this situation, I will resolve it all!”

The demonic energy source card was something Geril had been saving to use when he finally won Bellota’s heart and ascended to the throne. However, in the current situation, he couldn’t afford to wait until then. If he didn’t turn this situation around quickly, it was clear he would have no more chances.

Geril informed the Emperor of the source’s location and also revealed strategies to use it to break the Grand Temple’s authority. It was also Geril who made the Emperor order the Temple to form a reconnaissance group and scout the north.