“Now that you’ve been to the academy, you must know what happened with His Highness Ferdin?”

Though Isis’s face wore a smile, his voice was ice-cold. Since becoming an official priest, he had started using formal speech even with his older brother Hellix.

Today, Hellix found his brother’s formality particularly strange.

“Hellix, no matter how focused you are on matters in the west, we must not forget our purpose.”

“…”

“Our mission is to protect Lord Ferdin and find the person the Saint mentioned.”

“I know that.”

“Then tell me. Was Erin Liserth ‘that person’? Why is their engagement still intact? You should have separated them by any means necessary.”

“But…”

“There should be no hesitation in actions taken for the greater good. The Emperor’s interest in her is particularly concerning.”

Deep fatigue was etched across Isis’s face.

“The movements of the monsters are suspicious too. We can’t determine where they keep appearing from.”

“…”

“It feels like we’re just waiting helplessly for an impending tragedy. You know how desperate that is, don’t you, Hellix?”

Hellix sighed at Isis’s words.

The Saint could see the future, but it was difficult for her to prophesy in order to change that future. If she revealed specific details about what was to come, she had to pay a corresponding price.

Hellix had witnessed firsthand, at the previous Saint’s side, exactly how that price manifested. Each time the Saint opened her mouth to change the future, her health deteriorated and her lifespan shortened.

‘And even with that shortened life, she couldn’t live fully.’

Whenever Hellix recalled the Saint’s final moments, he felt terrible guilt.

She often called them to her and told them various stories. She never failed to include tales about the person Ferdin would love.

“In the distant future, he will meet someone. A kind and strong child.”

“When you see that child, can you treat them gently? They have many wounds. Only that child can save Ferdin.”

“The lives of the people from the kingdom in the west… that child will protect them too.”

Hellix and Isis had to find this person based on the clues the previous Saint had dropped.

Erin Liserth, whom he had seen at the academy, seemed somewhat different from the rumors, but she couldn’t possibly be the person the Saint had mentioned.

Having been raised indulgently with a Marquis’s affection, she didn’t appear to be someone with many wounds that the Saint would pity.

Hellix had met the previous Saint the day before she died.

‘She knew she was going to die.’

He still couldn’t forget what she had said while crying.

“What kind of person will His Highness love? What if I can’t recognize them?”

“That child… is a child with many wounds. Though they appear strong, they’re actually fragile.”

“…”

“If only I could be by that child’s side, I would embrace them warmly. If only I could meet them…”

She had said this while embracing Hellix.

“It’s not your fault. I could have told you that you’re a lovable child.”

“Saint?”

“What a cruel fate…”

Those were the last words from her that Hellix remembered.

“Hellix, as you know, we don’t have much time left. The Emperor’s movements are troubling. There must be some scheme behind the engagement of Erin Liserth and Lord Ferdin.”

“…”

“Perhaps we will face destruction without finding the person the Saint mentioned.”

Isis’s face, which had maintained a smile throughout, now contorted. Hellix felt the same way. It was horrifying just to think about.

Just as Hellix resolved to separate Erin from Ferdin as soon as his business in the west was concluded, a commotion erupted outside.

“Sir Hellix is not someone you can meet whenever you please!”

“If you continue this forceful behavior, we’ll have no choice but to call the knights and have you removed!”

Hellix didn’t think much of the disturbance.

There were countless devotees in the west who wanted to see him, and he assumed this commotion was their doing as well.

But he doubted his ears when he heard a familiar voice.

“Sir Hellix.”

A thin yet firm and powerful voice. One he had heard not long ago.

Hellix was so startled that he unconsciously opened the prayer room door. Seeing Erin standing there, he couldn’t help but laugh incredulously.

“Erin Liserth? You must be mad. What are you doing here?”

Hellix glanced behind him. He noticed Isis’s gaze fixed on Erin, unmoving. Hellix had no idea how to deal with Erin. But one thing was certain: Isis wouldn’t think well of her. His eyes were already cold as he looked at her.

Trying to ignore Isis’s stare, Hellix asked Erin, “Why are you looking for me? I have nothing to discuss with you.”

“Please let me accompany you on your mission.”

Hellix’s face hardened at Erin’s words.

“My destination is there too.”

“Do you know what my mission is?”

Erin shook her head.

“I’m not sure, but His Majesty ordered me to conduct my promotion test in the west. It’s a suitable mission to perform in the dangerous place you’re heading to.”

Hellix’s face stiffened upon hearing this. He couldn’t fathom what the Emperor was thinking.

“You’ve come a long way for nothing, but I cannot help with your promotion test.”

With those words, Hellix tried to close the door. But Erin’s hand was faster. She firmly grabbed the door that Hellix had tried to close without hesitation and continued speaking.

“I don’t want your help. And don’t make assumptions. I’ll take the promotion test on my own.”

Hellix’s expression subtly changed as he looked at Erin.

“Then why did you seek me out?”

“Be my witness.”

“…?”

“I need someone to certify that I completed the promotion mission in the west. I thought no one would be better suited for that role than you, Sir Hellix.”

“…”

“Duke Asili wrote me a letter of recommendation.”

Hellix took the recommendation letter Erin handed him. His expression grew complex. Her reasoning made sense. A holy knight might withhold the truth but could not speak falsehood, making him perhaps the most reliable witness possible.

But why ask this favor of him specifically, among all the holy knights…

“This seems interesting.”

Isis, who had been quietly listening to their conversation from behind, stepped forward.

“Hellix, working with Lady Erin might not be such a bad idea. You’re planning to visit that ominous orphanage, aren’t you?”

“What are you thinking? You’re making such a suggestion?”

Hellix looked at Isis with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t mind.”

Hearing Erin’s agreement, Isis moved closer to her. His seemingly empty eyes met hers.

She saw eyes that didn’t trust her in the slightest.

“I’ve heard plenty of rumors about you. Even in this distant west, we’ve heard of the numerous evil deeds you’ve committed.”

“…”

“They say you’re a villain who feels no remorse for tormenting and striking others. How remarkably similar to our cruel Emperor.”

Isis tilted his head slightly. Dressed in priest’s robes, he looked remarkably devout, even holy.

With a kind smile, he said to Erin, “As a priest who serves God, there are many rumors I cannot simply ignore. So I will also accompany you on this mission.”

Isis took another step closer to Erin, then he whispered in her ear, “I’ll observe what kind of person you truly are.”

Unlike Hellix, Isis didn’t naively believe that Erin had come here solely for her promotion test. He wanted to understand what she was thinking.

Why would this woman, apparently favored by the Emperor, come to the west for her promotion test and ask Hellix to be her witness?

Isis wasn’t one to miss an opportunity to observe and keep the Emperor’s associate close.

He slowly examined Erin standing before him. She looked harmless, blinking her large eyes as she gazed at him.

‘If she becomes an obstacle to finding that person… I won’t let her be.’

Isis’s eyes gleamed dangerously.

He was a high priest who punished the wicked. If Erin was acting as the Emperor’s pawn or planning to commit the evil deeds she was rumored for, he wouldn’t stand idly by.

“Let’s meet in front of the temple’s main gate tomorrow.”