CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

Eternal Blessing

In front of the temple, a place that never knew peace, was crowded with people as always. However, the protesters who had once demanded Bellota’s dismissal from her position as saintess, and at another time demanded Seiden Blackwood’s removal from his holy knight position and a ban on approaching the saintess, were no longer present.

Instead, the space they had once filled was now occupied by those who wished to experience, even indirectly, the prophecy of ‘that day.’

“Seiden of House Blackwood has achieved the prophecy that no one could fulfill in a hundred years and saved the world that was headed for destruction.”

A man dressed in white priestly robes as if he were a priest solemnly recited. In the silence where not even breathing could be heard, someone’s gulp echoed.

“And grant him the qualification to be the man of my most beautiful and holy child, Saintess Bellota Rosebeth.”

As the man finished speaking, heavy sighs and prayers could be heard from here and there.

“That is the word of God and new revelation that has descended upon this Rundhardt Empire after a hundred years.”

The middle-aged man standing right in front of him couldn’t hold back and started clapping. Those around him quickly joined in, and reverent applause echoed in front of the temple. Some, overwhelmed by the new prophecy, clasped their hands together tightly and offered prayers, while others wiped away tears, moved by Seiden Blackwood’s deep love.

However, Seiden’s face, as he passed by, maintained its usual calmness. Because he wore the ring he had taken from Yevar on his hand, the gathered people didn’t realize that the great Seiden Blackwood was passing by them.

Behind him, prayers of blessing for Saintess Bellota Rosebeth and Seiden Blackwood, who had become the empire’s hero, could be heard. The densely gathered people willingly joined in prayer without leaving their spots.

Seiden continued walking. But even beyond the temple front, his story filled every street of the empire.

“So the rumors were true then? About Sir Seiden being in love with the Saintess?”

“What’s wrong with that? Sir Seiden’s love is noble and wondrous! God has proven it! Karen, you should have been at the temple that day. My goodness, I heard the prophecy with my own ears!”

“Hmph, who’s saying anything? I’m just saying that’s how it is.”

Excited noble ladies whispered as they passed by him.

‘That day.’

Seiden too knew well which day these people were talking about. The day he died by piercing his own heart, and was revived solely by God’s mercy. And the day he finally earned the right to love Bellota.

The prophecy that descended before Bellota, Felton, and the knights that day had also come down equally to the capital’s temple during worship, to all believers and priests. With so many witnesses, it was natural for this wondrous story to spread throughout the empire instantly.

“So did the Holy Knight Commander bring the rockdragon’s heart?”

“He must have offered it to God, right? That was the prophecy from the beginning.”

“But I thought the rockdragon’s heart would be something to save the empire. How disappointing.”

“Oh, how foolish. You still don’t understand? The Holy Knight Commander and the Saintess are what will save the empire!”

Young men passed by him with serious faces, speculating about the meaning of the prophecy.

Seiden knew the truth but had not the slightest intention of sharing it with them. Seiden vividly remembered the intense pain of piercing his heart, the labored breath escaping his lips, and finally his vision turning black.

And he also remembered the life force that rushed in like someone had blown a massive wind into him, and his heart beating strongly again, at the moment he thought everything had ended. Even the hard foreign object he felt in his grip when he realized he was alive.

“There was Duke Lylester’s execution yesterday, wasn’t there? Without even a single chance for trial.”

“Still calling that fool a duke. Isn’t it obvious? He dared to blaspheme against God. God personally proved it, so His Majesty the Emperor must have been greatly shocked. Keeping him alive would have been tantamount to challenging God.”

“I heard the imperial family left his body at the foot of Feiren Mountain so nothing would remain. Hah, to think someone of such high power could fall to ruin in an instant, life is truly unpredictable.”

Even the old men discussing Geril’s end passed by Seiden.

Seiden knew everything about their conversation as well. He had personally attended Geril’s execution the day before and clearly witnessed his end. As the old men said, the imperial family was greatly shocked by God’s direct revelation. A prophecy after a hundred years. A revelation permitting the marriage of the saintess and holy knight. It would certainly greatly elevate the Grand Temple’s status.

In this situation, Geril’s evil deeds were a major weakness for the imperial family. Moreover, with proof that he had coveted the throne, the emperor had no reason to keep him alive. Thus, Geril met a futile death.

Seiden’s brow furrowed unpleasantly as he recalled how Geril had struggled desperately to live until the very end. He had been annoying until the end. But finally he was dead, and Geril, who had fallen to hell, would no longer be able to obsess over Bellota. It was a clean ending, so Seiden decided to be satisfied with that.

Having erased Geril’s final moments from his mind, Seiden arrived at his destination. It was Hellers Tower. While the entire empire buzzed with talk of God’s revelation and the rockdragon’s heart, Hellers Tower maintained the same gloomy silence as when he first visited.

Passing through the first floor meant for guests, Seiden skillfully made his way to the top. At the tower’s peak lived a remarkable mage unknown to ordinary people.

“Stop coming here already.”

The remarkable mage spoke sternly as soon as he saw Seiden. Despite this cold reception, Seiden showed no sign of disappointment or confusion, simply walking steadily to the middle of the room.

“I’d like somewhere to sit.”

When Seiden turned to look at Yevar, the dumbfounded mage waved his fingers against his will. A table perfect for conversation appeared before Seiden, along with two chairs.

Seiden took his seat and nodded to Yevar. Though clearly displeased, Yevar had no choice but to sit across from him.

“What is it now? Isn’t everything resolved?”

From that disgruntled voice, Seiden knew the sharp-witted Yevar had figured out much.

Though Yevar lived a life completely disconnected from the temple, as a citizen of the Rundhardt Empire, he couldn’t help but hear the prophecy. What was it again? Ah yes, ‘And to him I grant new life.’

Some foolish people speculated that ‘new life’ was a metaphor for granting greater power to Seiden who had slain the rockdragon. However, Yevar knew the true meaning of that prophecy. This madman had died and come back to life. Yevar would bet his tower on that hypothesis.

Seiden had certainly faced death, but for some reason, God had revived him. At this point, Yevar couldn’t help but notice what Seiden had risked his life for.

Saintess Bellota Rosebeth.

The proof was in the subtle joy now resting on that face that had always been cold and indifferent. The cursed one must have been the saintess. That explained why Seiden had searched so desperately for a way to break the curse.

Since returning from the north, Yevar hadn’t had a chance to meet Seiden, so he couldn’t know how he had found a way to break the saintess’s curse without the Demon God Book. However, Seiden had gone to the Forbidden Land to break the curse and had finally succeeded. Wasn’t the prophecy that shook the empire proof of that? Thus, Yevar had grown completely tired of this deranged holy knight.

“Let’s stop meeting now.”

The usually tireless Yevar’s eyes showed dark circles.

Just thinking about what happened in the north still made him shudder. Since getting involved with this man, his life had been nothing but chaos and misfortune. He hadn’t properly gained any of the things he’d hoped to obtain from him.

However, Seiden casually ignored his words and pulled something out from inside his clothes.

“What is it?”

“An invitation.”

Yevar’s eyebrows immediately twisted in disbelief. Has this man truly gone mad?

“Are you telling me to enter the temple now?”

“Is there any reason you can’t?”

When he calmly asked back, Yevar let out an exasperated sigh.

Of course there was no reason he couldn’t, but the master of Hellers Tower in a temple? What if he gets struck by divine lightning for entering — would Seiden take responsibility?

Grumbling, Yevar opened the invitation. His lips twisted in disbelief as he saw the date engraved on the invitation, which was unpleasantly imbued with holy power.

“It’s tomorrow!”

Seiden just stared at him blankly as if to say ‘so what?’ Seeing this, Yevar’s teeth ground together. This madman! Such rudeness!

“Considering our past relationship, I’ll send a wreath. If you’d like, I could even create a magnificent large bird balloon to release into the sky. Is that enough?”

When Yevar clearly expressed his intention not to attend, Seiden chuckled as if he had expected this.

“Don’t laugh.”

I’m getting attached. Yevar swallowed the rest of his words. This was exactly what Yevar found so unpleasant and unbearable. Not only had he unknowingly grown attached to this madman, but he had saved him with his own hands.

Nowhere in the contract with Seiden was there a clause about saving him when he was in danger of drowning in an unfrozen river. Nevertheless, when Seiden was in mortal danger, Yevar had unconsciously expended enormous magical power to save him. Though the holy knights and priests on that ship had praised him like a god and expressed their gratitude, Yevar himself had fallen into great shock.

What had he, Yevar Ramdel, the cold and calculating master of Hellers, done? Not to mention, saving someone who treated him like a slave with his own hands?

Uncomfortable with this strange emotion, Yevar wanted to end his connection with Seiden. As he firmly decided to make this their last meeting, watching his determined face, Seiden reached into his clothes again.

“Ha! What is it this time? Do you have more invitations……”

Yevar’s irritated response stopped as his gaze fixed on what Seiden pulled out. For a moment, his breath stopped.

“The……”

Finally exhaling, Yevar’s eyes immediately grew wide.

“Th-th-that couldn’t be……”