Chapter 10
The role of the first transcendent being was to protect humans from the beasts pouring out of ‘Gehenna.’ ( Gehenna originally refers to a valley near Jerusalem, linked to dark practices like child sacrifice. Over time, it became a symbol of hell or a place of punishment in religious texts).
So, where do these beasts come from? They emerge from random cracks formed by abnormal energy.
People called these cracks ‘Gates.’
Wherever a Gate appeared, humans could no longer live there.
This was because the area became contaminated.
Everything inside the Gate would die and rot, turning the land into a place of death.
Fortunately, in the original story The Lost Princess, Gates was only mentioned as past events. The story itself takes place in a stable world.
In other words, I had never read about how to deal with a Gate.
Even in this life, before regaining my past memories, I had never encountered a Gate.
It had been a relatively peaceful era.
“But why…”
Why is this happening in Himonas?
In the original story, whenever a Gate appeared, its location was announced nationwide.
Also, Gates never appeared near temples—no matter how forgotten they were.
In short, this Gate should not exist here.
“This is perfect timing.”
“Huh? What do you mean—?”
Theophanes gently led me forward.
The exit had long been blocked by vine-like structures.
He brought me in front of the goddess statue.
“Now, I can show you the full extent of my power. And… this will be an opportunity for you to truly understand.”
With a calm expression, Theophanes kissed the back of my hand.
The Gate, which had been opening slowly, was now fully opened.
At that moment, something burst out.
No, rather than bursting out, it was more like it was born.
The creature had the upper body of a cow and the lower body of a goat. Its fur was soaked in filth like a newborn animal.
And it wasn’t just one—it was several.
The creatures shook off the muck and staggered forward.
Then, they all turned their heads toward me.
And in unison, they charged at full speed.
“How dare you.”
The moment Theophanes murmured those words, a powerful wind blew.
Screech!
Along with a terrible shriek, there was a loud thud.
I had instinctively shut my eyes due to the sudden wind, so I couldn’t see clearly. But when I opened them, one of the creatures had already collapsed.
“Attacking my bride? How foolish.”
The remaining beasts, furious over their fallen comrade, became even more aggressive.
They lunged at Theophanes wildly, but they couldn’t even leave a scratch on him.
He moved gracefully, like petals in the wind, taking down the monsters in an instant.
I couldn’t help but be in awe.
It was overwhelming power.
When humans witness strength beyond their limits, they don’t just admire it—they feel a sense of reverence.
And right now, that’s exactly how I feel.
I was so captivated by his movements that I didn’t notice something behind me.
A warm breath brushed the back of my neck.
Whoosh—
Chills ran down my spine.
I should turn around. But I didn’t want to.
“Screech!!”
Just as I thought I was about to die, something flew past me at incredible speed.
It shot toward the presence behind me.
A blood-curdling scream rang in my ears.
“Hah…”
It was a sword.
The object that had just barely missed me was the sword Theophanes had been holding.
My veil fluttered as the edges were cut.
If I had moved even slightly, I would have been killed—not by the beast, but by that sword.
My legs lost strength, and I nearly collapsed.
But a strong arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me steady.
“Were you very scared?”
When I looked up, Theophanes’ face filled my vision. His eyes were full of concern.
“Ah, no… Thank you.”
Hearing my answer, he smiled as if it was no big deal.
“Now then, my lady. Ah, we haven’t held the wedding yet… So, I suppose I should call you young lady instead.”
“You’re saying there’s something I can do in this situation?”
“Yes. Give me your hand.”
Theophanes took my left hand.
Then, something strange happened.
A moment ago, I felt nothing.
But now, something was flowing through my fingertips, spreading throughout my body.
“I’ll help you for now. But in the future, you should develop your own strength.”
An unfamiliar sensation spread inside me, making me frown.
A deep, dull pain radiated from my heart as if something was squeezing it.
“Keep your eyes open and watch carefully. This is your duty now.”
His voice, no longer playful but chilling, echoed in my ears.
It felt like my body was moving on its own.
Despite the pain, my eyes were drawn to the Gate.
Around it, a large, glowing blue aura began to form.
Slowly, the light took the shape of chains.
The vines that had been blocking the Gate lashed out at the chains, but they vanished before making contact.
Clank. Clank.
The chains rattled as they wrapped around the Gate.
The ground began to tremble as if the Gate was making one last desperate struggle.
The shaking was so strong that it was hard to stay standing.
“We need to find the key.”
“Key? But I can’t do it…!”
Instinctively, I knew it.
The power of Himonas, connected to the World Tree, was the only thing that could close this Gate.
But how could I do it?
I was a failure, unable to manifest any power.
I looked at Theophanes in frustration.
“You’re the only one who can do this. So, you can.”
His face showed no doubt.
Like he truly believed in me.
A wave of irritation rose in my chest.
What made him so sure?
Theophanes wasn’t going to move—he was waiting for me.
I had no choice. I needed to figure out a solution fast.
If I could use a strong power, as Theophanes did…
“A weapon…”
At that moment, an image of a bow from a drama I watched in my past life flashed through my mind.
And suddenly, a bow and arrow, glowing with the same blue light as the chains, appeared before me.
“Well done.”
Theophanes guided my hands, helping me grip the bow.
“Now, hold it firmly. I’ll assist you—just pull with all your strength.”
Biting my lip against the pain in my chest, I nodded.
I slowly drew the bowstring.
My arms trembled, but Theophanes placed his hands over mine, steadying them.
As I pulled back, the arrow grew larger.
“On three, release it.”
I nodded again.
“One, two, three.”
We let go at the same time.
The arrow shot forward, cutting through the air.
The trembling Gate suddenly went still.
The arrow pierced through it. No—it passed through it.
Silence fell.
The bow disappeared from my hands.
The spot where the arrow had passed cracked apart, crumbling into dust.
The chains rattled before vanishing.
The pain in my heart faded.
The glowing dust gathered before me, forming a black key.
As I reached out, the key landed in my palm—and then disappeared.
My body grew weak.
“Wh… what…”
“Can you still stand?”
Theophanes smiled at me.
“Now then, shall we finish our wedding, my bride?”
