The whirlwind of magic gradually grew larger, threatening to swallow everything in the hall.

I know what this is.

‘The magic outburst has begun.’

A true magic outburst.

This magic outburst won’t stop until it consumes everything around it.

“Here, this way! Please evacuate!”

“Don’t push the person in front, stay calm!”

“This way! Hurry!”

The holy knights, who had opened the entrance wide, were guiding the panicked people outside.

The invited guests screamed, pushing, and cursing at those in front and beside them in an attempt to escape first.

That only added to the chaos, delaying the evacuation.

The remaining holy knights, Eden, and Hysterion were dealing with the man in an outburst.

They charged at him with their swords drawn but were blown away by the man’s magic storm.

I looked around the platform.

Celestina and Grand Priest Kalbinur were standing side by side, watching the situation, and were now being escorted to the back by holy knights.

But was it just my imagination?

‘I think I made eye contact with Celestina.’

Come to think of it, Celestina had been looking this way since the lights came back on.

‘No, that’s not important right now.’

Now that the man’s magic outburst has started, I have no way to help.

‘……I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.’

But right now, there was someone I absolutely had to protect.

“Your Grace.”

I turned to look at Cardien, still holding his hand tightly.

He was still unconscious.

The good news is that Cardien’s magic outburst hasn’t started yet.

I quickly looked around.

‘The door is out of the question.’

If we tried to escape that way, we’d be pushed by the crowd and unable to move.

If I were alone, it might have been possible, but……

‘On the other hand, that side is wide open.’

I looked at the entrance to the corridor leading to the private room, which had been blocked by people.

The large oval entrance was now completely empty.

Plus, it was close to our current position.

‘We should be able to take shelter there.’

Alright.

“Your Grace, we’re going that way. Understood? Don’t let go of my hand no matter what.”

I whispered to Cardien, unsure if he could hear me.

I immediately started walking, holding Cardien’s hand.

Fortunately, Cardien followed me obediently.

It seems he hasn’t completely lost consciousness, and the continuous transfer of energy through our hands must have helped.

The inside of the corridor was indeed empty.

I was about to open the door to a private room when I suddenly hesitated and looked back down the corridor.

Come to think of it, I realized where I had seen this corridor before.

‘……I saw it in my dream.’

The dream I had before arriving at the temple.

‘It was definitely this corridor.’

I stared blankly before taking a step toward the inner part.

I know this is an urgent situation.

But if this really is the place from my dream……

‘It has to be now.’

The vision in my dream was clearly trying to tell me something.

Moreover, I remembered that one of my goals was to find clues about Egrid.

This was the perfect opportunity, with everyone’s attention focused elsewhere.

‘I wish I could at least put Cardien in a safe place.’

Currently, I’m continuously transferring my power through our hands.

If I let go, his magic outburst might start again.

Besides, it’s safer for him to be with me now than to be alone.

After walking inward for a while.

“……Found it.”

I stared blankly at the painting displayed on the wall.

A painting depicting Thelia defeating evil.

It’s so vivid that just looking at it sends chills down my spine.

As if it’s a painting of something that actually happened right before one’s eyes.

But……

‘This isn’t the painting I remember.’

I took a breath and let go of Cardien’s hand.

Then I took a step closer to the painting.

Normally, I wouldn’t have dared to even think of touching the temple’s property, but.

‘I want to check.’

Who was that figure in my dream?

And what did that figure want to tell me?

‘It gave me an insight last time.’

Maybe it will reveal something to me this time too.

“Ugh, it’s heavy.”

The painting wasn’t that large, but the frame was quite heavy.

Grunting, I managed to turn the painting around.

Then I stepped back.

Finally, it matched the scene from my dream.

That’s when it happened.

Thud-

There was a sound as if something had settled, and then.

Rumble-

‘The wall……’

The wall rotated around the frame.

I widened my eyes at the unbelievable sight.

Eventually, a space large enough for one person to pass through appeared.

Beyond it was complete darkness.

‘What is this?’

Is it okay to enter?

I hesitated before taking Cardien’s hand again.

A secret space. I don’t know what’s inside, but.

‘It’s too late to turn back now.’

And that figure.

‘What exactly is the identity of that figure?’

What does the figure want to tell me?

A question suddenly occurred to me.

That saying about how holy power can become a curse or a weapon.

‘That’s right, Jeffrey went half-mad when I gave him nightmares according to that.’

And everything that came out in the second dream.

That too became reality and unfolded before my eyes.

Then……

“……A fake can’t become real.”

What exactly does that phrase refer to?

What does it mean by fake, and what does it mean by real?

That’s the only question that remains unanswered.

The fact that a fake can’t become real.

“……Does it mean that the fake is pretending to be real?”

I muttered absent-mindedly, then suddenly remembered and said,

“Your Grace, you need to be careful not to fall.”

Cardien looked at me with a blank gaze and then nodded.

‘Wow……’

I looked at Cardien with curious eyes.

It seems he’s in a half-asleep state as the magic outburst is slowly calming down.

‘Seeing him so obedient is surprising.’

And a bit cute too.

It doesn’t fit the situation, but it’s not often you get to see Cardien like this.

I deliberately spoke in a more solemn voice.

“Hold my hand tightly. So I don’t lose you.”

Nod.

“And be good. No sarcastic comments allowed.”

Nod, nod.

Cardien nodded obediently to everything I said.

‘Like a puppy……’

Cardien’s eyes are naturally languid, so with the coldness gone from his pupils, he looked like a giant dog.

‘Looking at him like this, he really does resemble Vincent.’

Well, they’re just not biological father and son.

But they are family.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if you were this docile all the time?”

I muttered as I descended the stairs.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but I felt his hand holding mine tighten its grip.

‘That can’t be.’

Technically, he’s in a semi-sleep state right now.

So while he might react reflexively, he probably doesn’t understand what I’m saying.

Wait a minute.

‘Isn’t this an opportunity?’

We still have a long way to go down, and Cardien is obedient with his consciousness half-gone.

Isn’t this the perfect time to vent all my pent-up frustrations?

Thinking about it that way, it seemed a shame to waste this chance.

I hummed as I thought about what to say to him.

Before long, my lips parted.

“You know what? Your Grace, your personality is really terrible.”

My calm voice echoed softly in the narrow space.

Once I started speaking, complaints poured out like rapid-fire.