Eliya is sensitive.
In every way.
Her childhood as a bastard, forced to be humble, shaped her that way.
She had to read others’ thoughts and feelings while constantly redefining her own situation, reacting appropriately at every moment.
She used to be that way.
At some point, that ability manifested itself as a means to anticipate and manipulate others’ thoughts and emotions.
That sensitivity also applies to magic.
Eliya can sense magical power more acutely than other wizards.
While interrogating Balak in the Confession Room, she sensed magic was about to be cast from somewhere.
And that the location overlapped with her escort knight.
She immediately activated her teleportation.
“Step back.”
Without even properly seeing, she spoke first.
As she raised her head, Judas stood before her.
She had only paid attention to him approaching, not calculating the direction of her arrival at all.
Heat slowly crept up her face.
“Lady? Why are you saying to step back…”
“Be quiet…”
Ordering the oblivious Judas, she turned around.
A priest’s robe.
A hood added on.
There was no priest like that in this temple.
The priest’s hand reaching towards Judas came back awkwardly.
She could feel the lingering energy of the magic he had just been casting.
She couldn’t discern what kind of magic it was.
But there was one thing.
A nauseating feeling that resembled the smell of blood.
She had encountered it several times before.
Dark magic.
“What business do you have with my escort knight? And that too, with a dark wizard who’s hard to meet?”
“…!”
The dark wizard stepped back and cast the magic.
Eliya let it be, despite knowing.
The dark wizard looked around, seemingly not succeeding in his intentions.
“Seems like teleportation isn’t going well?”
The dark wizard turned to Eliya, surprised.
‘Right answer.’
It wasn’t without evidence.
There are few types of magic that can be used in such a crowded place.
If he didn’t intend to kill all the humans there.
If the goal had been mass slaughter, there would have been no reason to approach only Judas from the start.
Moreover, he couldn’t have barged in here unarmed during her coming-of-age ceremony in the Temple of the Sun.
Based on several pieces of evidence, she formulated a hypothesis, believed in its probability, and spoke out, hitting the mark.
The reason that guy couldn’t use teleportation was simple.
As soon as he arrived, she had placed a temporary invisible barrier to suppress his magic.
When she disabled the last barrier that suppressed magic, Eliya had in turn acquired that magic.
“Ugh…!”
The dark wizard turned his body.
For some reason, he couldn’t cast magic.
He thought about running away.
But the moment he made a move.
“…?!”
The world spun around.
It twirled dizzily, and the ceiling seemed to drift far away.
“Cough…!”
His back crashed against the ground.
Breath was choked.
In the agony of his lungs contracting, he shivered and rolled his eyes, passing out.
Just before he fainted, he saw the golden eyes looking down without emotion.
Judas had captured and knocked down the fleeing dark wizard.
“But is he really a dark wizard?”
Judas asked belatedly, and Eliya replied.
“Yeah. I have a hunch, but I’m certain.”
Cutting through the murmuring onlookers, the Temple Knights approached.
Those adorned in mixed ivory and gold armor.
Just looking at their armor made one feel holy energy.
“What seems to be the matter?”
After Eliya briefly explained, they responded.
“We will escort you, Temple Knights.”
Eliya thought briefly.
‘The Temple Knights are affiliated with the royal family. And this dark wizard… he’s probably related to the royal family.’
Eliya had recently received interesting intel from the information guild.
Namely, the connection between the royal family and dark magic.
*
Head of the Information Guild. Yurideke.
Her main job is paperwork.
She tends to leave most of the work to others.
However, that doesn’t mean her skill in digging up information is rusty.
She steps in when needed.
She isn’t confident in combat, but when it comes to escaping, it’s a different story.
Currently, she had come to the outskirts of Bevel Principality.
The closest point to the front line.
Just a few minutes on horseback would get her beyond the influence of the Bevel Principality.
‘This way.’
Yurideke walked, following a distant trace.
It was a forest where even moonlight struggled to seep through, but her purple eyes adapted to the darkness.
She was chasing after dark magic.
Specifically, she was executing a request received five years ago.
Codename: Soaring Chariot of Fire.
A request from Eliya de Bevel.
The instruction was to gather information about forbidden magic that interferes with the mind or memory.
She had investigated from various angles, and today she had come out to witness one of them firsthand.
It was precisely the connection between the royal wizard order and dark magic…
“Ugh…! Please help me!”
Someone cried out ahead.
Yurideke crouched down immediately.
“The wheel is stuck in the mud!”
She hid behind a tree and watched.
It was a wide road between the forests.
It was easy to spot the opponent.
They shone brightly with torches.
There was no need for Yurideke to intervene.
There were many people around the cart stuck in the mud.
“I’ll lift it.”
Yurideke observed them closely.
‘The one pulling the handcart is a priest of the Sun Church. And the one trying to help with the wheel is a knight. The sun symbol engraved on his shoulder….’
That was the emblem of the Royal Knights.
There was not just one royal knight.
Four of them were positioned around the cargo cart in a protective manner.
A cart covered with black fabric revealed nothing of its contents.
One of the knights pushed the wagon.
With a clank! The cart jolted and cleared the mud.
In that moment, the black fabric shook.
The contents peeked out slightly.
A human hand.
Stained with blood and dirt, it exuded no vitality.
It didn’t move at all.
Like a dead person.
The knight stuffed the hand inside and tidied the edge of the fabric.
“Moving out again.”
The procession moved on.
There were five such carts.
Each one was roughly big enough to fill 4-5 bodies.
Yurideke quietly followed their movements.
The forest along the path served as a superb barrier.
Suddenly, the four knights simultaneously placed their hands on their swords.
Right after that, a shadow suddenly burst out from the forest opposite Yurideke and blocked the procession of wagons.
“Gasp, cough…! Knight, knight! Please help me!”
A shabby-looking old man.
There weren’t many types of people who looked like that in these woods.
Lost refugees or the stranded.
Or robbers.
With the intelligence to rob royal knights, he likely wouldn’t survive, so it must be the former.
Yurideke’s deduction was spot on.
“P-please save me! Just to a safe place…!”
The old man’s pleas were cut short.
The nearest knight brushed off his sword.
Blood splattered from the blade onto the ground.
A moment too late, the old man’s head separated from his neck.
Watching the body spurt blood, the knight spoke indifferently.
“Add this one to the cart.”
The priest nodded.
To load it onto the cart, he pushed aside the black fabric.
Yurideke covered her mouth.
A cart full of corpses.
Stuffed haphazardly, the bodies were tangled, in varying degrees of disfigurement.
Without a word, the priest picked up the old man’s head and body.
Among the corpses, the old man seemed mild.
After covering with the black fabric, the procession moved on.
Once they reached a certain open area, the procession of carts came to a halt.
“Everyone, stop. Await further orders.”
One of the royal knights retrieved something from his pocket.
A golden amulet.
Soon after, someone appeared in front of them.
Literally as if they had appeared out of nowhere.
Someone in gray robes.
It was easy to guess the identity.
‘A magician who can use teleportation, and only a few exist….’
The magician counted the carts and then asked.
“How many are there?”
“Total of 22, ah, 23 bodies.”
The royal knight addressed the magician respectfully.
Conversely, the magician was cheeky.
“I told you to cram them in tight, why are there two empty ones?”
“My apologies.”
“Tsk. Fine. Step back.”
The magician waved his hand.
The priest and knight who had brought the cart stepped back a few paces.
And then, both the magician and the five carts vanished at once.
‘Teleportation with other objects….’
Those who can use that magic are said to be among the few in the continent.
No known magicians exist.
Only the widely known Eliya, perhaps.
“Damn it. This is dirty work.”
“Isn’t that what magicians are like?”
The royal knights grumbled while handing a sack to the priest.
It looked heavy and big enough to require both hands to carry.
“This is your compensation. We’ll ask again next time.”
The priests smiled happily and bowed deeply.
“May the blessings and grace of the Sun be with you. Thank you.”
The priest returned the way he came, and the knights began to converse among themselves.
“When you think about it, it’s chilling. Those guys may pray and cry for the fullness of the Holy Spirit while reciting prayers.”
“That’s what helps maintain the empire’s prestige, isn’t it? If only the right people were there, how could the world be so messed up? This is all part of life.”
“That’s true. Well, if that’s the case, they probably lost divine power… Wait, what’s that over there?”
“Hmm?”
One of the knights suddenly began to poke around the edge of the forest.
“What’s wrong? Is there something there?”
There was no one in the spot where Yurideke had been hiding until just then.
The royal knight gazed fixedly at that point.
As if catching onto a clue.
“……”
*
Yurideke pieced together the clues.
A cart loaded with corpses.
The priests pulling it.
The royal knights guarding it.
The high-level wizard who took them.
Yurideke thought.
The wizard who took the carts.
He must either be a dark wizard or at least have a meaningful connection to dark magic.
The best offerings for dark magic are human lives.
Thus, the royal knights and priests dedicated the bodies to that wizard.
Teleportation with objects.
Only a select few magicians on the continent.
Eliya excluded.
Naturally, the magic tower that would attempt to either faint or put it to sleep also excluded.
Yurideke reached a conclusion.
‘The royal wizard order has ties to dark magic…’
The royal wizard order is directly appointed and managed by the emperor.
A second conclusion emerged.
‘What does the emperor intend to do with dark magic?’
As Yurideke exited the forest, a familiar face greeted her.
Her husband, Orphe.
An exceptional knight, he followed just in case.
“Yuri! Are you safe?”
“Yeah. Who do you think I am? I’m fine. I didn’t get caught.”
Yurideke briefly embraced Orphe to ease her tension.
But there was not much time for that.
“What’s the information you verified?”
“I didn’t believe it, but it’s certain.”
“Then the royal family really…”
“Yeah. We must inform the client immediately.”
*
The royal wizard order and dark magic have a significant and direct relationship.
Eliya recalled the information she received from the information guild.
The dark wizard who appeared in the Temple of the Sun.
The Temple Knights aligned with the royal family.
This is because the Temple of the Sun is within Bevel Principality.
The largest two factions serving the Sun Church, Helios and Bevel.
Long ago, Bevel preemptively occupied the Temple of the Sun, expanding its territory, while Helios lagged behind.
But both are the main pillars supporting the Sun Church.
One side couldn’t unilaterally occupy the temple.
Thus, they came to an agreement.
The royal family would nurture those who could become knights to protect the temple.
And indeed, those who could become knights would actually be appointed by Balak.
Although Balak designates them, they would ultimately spend more time close to the royal family.
Thus, the Temple Knights are all on the side of the royal family.
And the Temple Knights seem to be just waiting to take that dark wizard away.
Of course, procedurally, that’s how it should be.
“That’s not….”
Judas felt uneasy and tried to reject it.
However, Eliya stopped him.
Gently taking his hand as if to soothe him.
“Let them take him.”
“Lady…?”
Eliya smiled up at Judas.
A warm smile as if to reassure him.
“It’ll be alright.”
Then she whispered softly into his ear.
Just for Judas to hear.
“Trust your master, me.”
“…Understood.”
“Good. I’ll permit the escort. But you must handle it correctly, without any mistakes. Moreover, since my escort knight nearly faced danger, I need to be briefed on the outcome of the interrogation directly.”
“I will fulfill it to ensure you are not disappointed.”
Judas handed over the fainted dark wizard.
As Eliya watched the receding figure, she smiled inwardly.
The fact that she had implanted a special magic on that dark wizard was a secret known only to her.
The guests murmured among themselves.
Some approached Eliya to inquire about her well-being but hesitated too much to approach carelessly.
It was because they were too close to Judas.
With vivid imaginations, some naturally blushed at the sight of the two whispering closely together.
Meanwhile, Eliya asked Judas nonchalantly.
“By the way, what happened while I was gone?”
“That dark wizard approached disguised as a priest. He said he needed to handle the aftermath of the duel. Acting as if it was normal, I was about to withdraw when you appeared, sensing something was off.”
“Hmm.”
Eliya crossed her arms, looking Judas up and down.
“You weren’t affected by dark magic, were you?”
“I’m fine, so it seems that way.”
“Good… I’m relieved.”
Judas flinched.
A tinge of unease pricked at his heart.
Every time Eliya worried about him, it felt strange.
She wasn’t a murderous maniac, but her twisted past had left her emotionless.
However, every time this happened, he wondered…
Judas dismissed the fantasy and asked the lingering question he had until now.
“By the way, how did you know to come immediately?”
“I sensed the dark magic energy. And, this.”
Eliya raised her right hand.
The ivory-colored ring on her ring finger sparkled.
“I told you it receives your coordinates in real-time.”
Judas finally understood.
Eliya, who could use long-distance teleportation, could find him anytime and anywhere she wished.
The reverse was impossible, however.
“It seems the guests were quite startled. First…”
As Eliya tried to calm the situation, someone approached quickly.
A middle-aged man whom Judas had had to look up to when he first saw him.
It was Balak.
“Eliya.”
He spoke in a solemn tone.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
Looking at him blankly, Eliya smiled.
A cold smile as if she anticipated this.
Answering with an aloof face that seemed to see through everything.
“Sure.”
Judas watched them leave, looking down at his hand.
He felt a tingle in the hand where Eliya had just held.
The faint scent of perfume still lingered as if she were still by his side.
‘What could they be discussing with Balak?’
He was purely curious without much meaning.
In the corner where he waited obediently.
“Um….”
A shy woman approached.
*
Eliya and Balak sat facing each other.
In a small worship room of the temple.
They had erected a barrier so that no one could enter.
Balak spoke directly.
“Is it true that you know the location of Angra?”
“Well, did I ever say such a thing?”
“……”
Balak clenched his fists tightly.
He let out a sigh.
“What do you wish for?”
“Hmm. Could you possibly give me what I wish for?”
“Speak. I need to know to judge.”
“Duke, are you underestimating me? You ought to know how dangerous it is to expose your desires to another, right?”
“……”
Unlike Balak, who frowned deeply, Eliya smiled cheerfully.
A bright yet unpleasant grin.
“How about this? What is your intent and purpose in searching for Angra?”
“If you tell me that, will you answer me?”
“Depends on your answer, Duke.”
Balak’s piercing gaze, which had been fixed on Eliya, dropped.
The once fierce look faded, and weariness soon followed.
A deep sigh ruffled his beard.
The reason he had contacted Angra.
The temporary alliance with the now-defunct Molsin Church.
The plan he had been preparing for a long time.
Should he reveal that?
Balak lifted his head, and his eyes regained their strength.
Resolute as if he had made a decision.
Finally, he opened his mouth.
“That is…”
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