“Brahham is considered a place that even the high priests of Lucerne must visit at least once in their lifetime. The records indicate that the last High Priest visited here 300 years ago. Of course, since the current High Priest has a long lifespan, there have been no visits for the last 250 years, but the renown of those who visit this place remains unchanged.”
“I see.”
After that, the conversation did not progress productively.
Asad continued to exude an air of non-interference in whatever the other party was engaged in, while he extolled the beauty of the city of Brahham.
“There’s much to see here besides the mausoleum honoring Kyrie. To be honest, it’s quite dull to come here solely for a pilgrimage. Although we don’t operate during the day due to the desert climate, there’s an amusement park and a zoo with rare animals. Please visit them while you’re here.”
“Can I order more food? A single pigeon isn’t filling.”
“Of course. Feel free to order as much as you like.”
As Asad nodded with a smile, Shiron ordered the entire menu of the restaurant.
“Sorry, but I left my wallet at the lodging. Is that okay?”
“Ha-ha. Of course, it’s okay. As long as you don’t waste any food, the restaurant won’t ask you to pay.”“Great.”
Deciding there was nothing more to glean from Asad, Shiron decided to focus on the food that was about to be served.
What he grandly referred to as a revelation was, in the end, nothing more than a veiled threat of self-harm.
‘To threaten to bring down paradise without even specifying their plans…’
As the food began to be served, Shiron picked up his fork and knife. The meat was tender and succulent, with a consistent taste. The generous use of spices delivered a savory flavor that tantalized the tongue.
Shiron continued his musings while enjoying the surprisingly delicious dishes. Perhaps the knowledge that the meal was complimentary made everything more palatable.
‘Is seeking Latera related to the survival of this city?’
A spring of inexhaustible milk and honey… The flame that rose from Asad’s fingertips was clearly infused with a dense divine power.
The grace of the hero Kyrie,
Shiron knew it was the spring of inexhaustible milk and honey, the hero’s mausoleum from 500 years ago. This place, called a holy land, generates significant tourism income from pilgrims.
‘The holy power is…’
But he couldn’t make the connection between the holy power and saving Latera.
In the original story, the guardians of Brahham emitted powerful divine power and easily dealt with the monsters that sprung up all over the desert.
The guardians of Brahham were primarily aimed at dealing with monsters.
But an external enemy? Even if Shiron’s knowledge of Brahham was limited, something different from what he knew poked out like an awl from a bag.
‘I’m concerned.’
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
“Is there a connection between Kyrie and the divine power?”
Shiron didn’t beat around the bush.
“They say they just repelled invaders intending to invade Brahham with holy power, but is that holy power also thanks to Kyrie? Not the grace of the Lord?”
“……Hmm.”
Asad stroked his chin, appearing to ponder.
He didn’t seem like a person lacking intelligence, but his actions seemed to openly organize his words and thoughts.
Shiron wondered if this behavior was meant to show vulnerability to put him at ease.
“Brahham is considered a holy land, so are you saying our Lord has bestowed grace upon us?”
“The Lord is fair to everyone. The divine power emitted by priests who performed rituals in Lucerne and those from other regions shows no difference. Your words could be deemed heretical.”
“But this is Brahham.”
Asad responded with a slight smile.
“There are subtle differences in the doctrines of Lucerne and Brahham. While both worship the same god, our theological schools teach that we are more loved by the Lord.”
“Because of the existence of a mausoleum?”
“Yes. That’s the conclusion of our theologians.”
“That’s uncomfortable.”
“But isn’t there clear evidence? People of Brahham can emit divine power from the moment they babble as babies.”
“I’ve heard such rumors.”
“Fortunately, there’s no need to explain. The most logical explanation for these unbelievable miracles… is due to the respect shown to the previous hero over the last 500 years. It would be too repugnant to conclude that we’re simply a special race, wouldn’t it? That would be beyond discomfort.”
“I see.”
“…”
Lucia didn’t touch her plate, only listening to their conversation. Hearing their talk, she couldn’t bring herself to eat.
The people of Brahham have been taking care of the aftermath since Kyrie’s death, generation after generation.
An unrewarded past,
And the desire to be recognized by others. Lucia should have felt a tingling joy from Asad’s words.
‘…I’m not happy.’
Lucia’s heart was uneasy.
Only the words that the paradise would dry up and die swirled in her head.
There was no need to walk from the restaurant to the hotel. Asad went above and beyond, calling a carriage and escorting Shiron and Lucia all the way to the front of the hotel.
“Then, may your night be blessed by God.”
Click.
The door of the carriage closed, and the carriage carrying Asad disappeared into an alley illuminated by ether lamps. They hadn’t paid the fare, which could amount to hundreds to thousands of shillings. As Asad was a resident of Brahham, there would never be a charge for his carriage rides.
Turning his gaze away from the street lamps, Shiron turned towards the hotel. Lucia followed him a bit later.
“It was my first time eating pigeon meat, but it was better than I thought.”
“Yeah, it was delicious.”
Lucia answered while looking at the ground, the words that paradise would dry up and die still lingering.
“I didn’t know if the food was going into my mouth or my nose because of what that guy said, but aside from that, it was tasty.”
“That’s good.”
Shiron responded as he opened the hotel door, not reacting to Lucia’s concern about Asad’s words.
Whether Brahham falls or not, Latera must be retrieved.
That’s the promise… Not just for that soft reason.
‘Subtle elements have unknowingly changed.’
Acting impulsively to survive, he naturally expected the future to change. However, differences popped up in areas where Shiron did not intervene, too embarrassing to even call a butterfly effect.
The existence of Latera.
The strangely high divine power of Brahham’s residents.
And…
‘Lucia can’t face the 1st Apostle.’
Lucia, who had seen the 1st Apostle through the crack of the Alhyeon Room’s door, was pitifully scared. It was clear she would fail before killing the demon god. As he continued his thoughts…
Shiron’s gaze shifted to Lucia, who had now taken his hand resting on her shoulder. She began to move her lips as if she had something to say.
“If there’s something you want to say, feel free to speak.”
As Shiron lightly spoke to Lucia, she opened her crimson lips.
“Is what we’re going to do really going to destroy this city?”
“No.”
“Right? It’s not, is it?”
“Yeah, absolutely not. Even if I were crazy, I wouldn’t deliberately destroy the city.”
“I didn’t think you were crazy.”
Lucia felt a bit relieved by Shiron’s denial.
“It’s just that what that guy said bothers me a lot.”
“Don’t worry about it. To me, it looks like that guy was just scared shitless and bluffed to you.”
“Really?”
“If someone was going to destroy the city, you’d think they’d draw their sword and chase them away, right? But then, after sizing us up, he realized he couldn’t. So, he just spouted nonsense.”
“…”
“You’re the second strongest in the Prient family.”
Click.
Saying that, Shiron opened the door. Lucia, feeling a sense of loss, grabbed the hem of his clothes.
“Who’s the first?”
It wasn’t the separation that troubled her, but the idea of being second best.
“Who else? Our family head, who’s still in the demon realm. Tomorrow, we’ll explore the fortress. We need to rise early, so get a good night’s sleep.”
“Yeah, good night.”
Without turning back, Shiron waved his hand and closed the door. Upon entering the dark room and turning on the light, he moved further inside.
Whirring.
“…”
The wind was palpable.
He was certain he had closed the window before leaving. An intruder? His guard was up, yet he detected no malice. Nevertheless, he couldn’t just stand idle. Bracing for a potential attack, he unsheathed his holy sword.
Whoosh.
Light emanated from the holy sword.
“…What?”
Shiron examined the holy sword in his grasp. The sword, which had no reason to emit light, began to glow spontaneously.
“You’re finally here.”
A familiar voice echoed in the room.
A voice that had no place here.
“Seira.”
Shiron frowned, his gaze landing on Seira, who was seated on the sofa.
“Why are you here?”
“Sorry.”
Seira’s whisper was soft.
The night breeze caused Seira’s silver hair to dance.
“I didn’t intend to come, but suddenly, I felt the need to see you.”
“…A feeling?”
“I had a dream.”
Seira’s gaze was fixed on the holy sword in Shiron’s hand, now shining even brighter.
“In the dream, a friend appeared. A child who made the holy sword glow intensely, just like now.”
Burnt limbs, a body marred by wounds.
The image of a friend whose final moments were unseen due to a curse. Beside them, a girl who reminded Seira of another friend, Yura, looked on.
“A dream?”
Whoosh.
As he voiced his skepticism, the light from the holy sword grew stronger, filling the room with such intense brightness that it was completely engulfed.
“This is…”
As Shiron observed the transformed surroundings, he was overcome by a wave of severe dizziness.
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