Fortunately, the intense rain started to stop. The Huizeniac delegation made hasty preparations to return home.
Adelia recalled the information she had received from Eustaf while riding in a carriage bound for the Teleport Hall.
They are people who follow chaos……
Are they attempting to revive chaos by exploiting the disaster? The situation will worsen if Eustaf and the Pope are right. The disaster is not the end.
“What is Chaos?”
Berg opened his mouth cautiously after hearing Adelia’s sighing murmur.
“Do you know the era of Setramang?”
“Setramang?”
Yes, it alludes to the period of time just before the world’s completion when it is in utter chaos.
Adelia concentrated on Bishop Berg’s unfamiliar story.
“At that time, the world was still very unstable, and the gods were too worn out from creating the world to intervene, so a lot of the negative emotions that we are experiencing now, like jealousy, greed or anger, and helplessness, came into being.”
He continued to explain. It was like listening to a myth or a legend. It felt strange, but it was preceded by a reluctant feeling.
An era in which survival is the only priority and there are no laws or ethics.
What kind of person would I be if I had been born and raised in that time period? Perhaps it would be difficult to live even just for a day. Having no minimum ethical standards would be more detrimental than I expected.
“That’s when chaos appeared.”
“Chaos…”
While the gods were absent, chaos greedily consumed the world and eventually started to question the legitimacy of the gods. In fact, many scholars believe that chaos was the real god of the Setramang era.
“I can roughly see how chaos and the setramang are related, but what would happen if chaos returned to this world?”
Berg couldn’t easily answer Adelia’s question, so he opened his mouth cautiously after much thought.
“I don’t know that either.”
It was an inadequate response. But she didn’t hold it against him. Chaos has been sealed and gone for a long time, and she hasn’t experienced it herself.
“Perhaps even if chaos is resurrected, it won’t be a big deal.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Chaos actually originated from intelligent creatures. So chaos will not be a problem. However, the lives that will be impacted will be a problem. Perhaps the Setramang era will be reborn. Humans will be at the center of chaos in this era.”
Adelia clenched her fists in response to Berg’s words.
“You’re saying that humans are, after all, the problem.”
Instead of responding, Berg simply remained silent.
Adelia sighed and looked out the window. The sound of a cool breeze helped to clear her complicated mind a little.
“Whatever it is, the most important thing is to prevent the relics from falling into their hands. To do this, we must travel to the sacred ground where the Pope is rumored to be.”
The sound of rain drowned out Adelia’s voice. Berg and Ivan, on the other hand, could tell. Her voice had weight to it.
Ivan, who had been quietly listening to Berg and Adelia’s conversation, said lightly.
“Whenever you find yourself in a challenging situation, you can quit.”
Ivan’s words held Adelia’s attention as he spoke. She felt as though she had heard this before.
Ivan shrugged and added with a natural look in response to Adelia’s gaze.
“You are not responsible for all this.”
Responsibility. As he put it, Adelia was feeling responsible right now. She was already far too involved in this. It’s too late to leave.
Perhaps Ivan was more aware of this than Adelia. However, the explanation for his statement was clear.
To allow Adelia to lean on him at any time.
Adelia’s lips, which had always been stiff, softened. Perhaps this is why her feelings for him became genuine at some point. He appeared to be watching over her from behind. This conviction made Adelia very happy.
“Thank you.”
Adelia could now only say one brief word to show her appreciation. This fact could not be more unsatisfying.
I think the carriage has warmed up a little.
Berg coughed loudly and exaggeratedly flapped his hem.
“Hmmm.”
He yearned in his heart. He hoped the carriage would reach the imperial capital quickly.
***
Has Berg’s fervent wish been fulfilled? The delegation’s carriage arrived in the capital ahead of schedule.
Adelia’s group intended to travel to the holy land as soon as possible; they stayed briefly in the Blue Flame Mansion before departing.
“Let’s go to the Blue Flame Mansion to rest before we leave for the Holy Land; do I need to see your Majesty?”
“It doesn’t matter. I already sent a messenger separately, so that should suffice.”
Ivan spoke indifferently, and Adelia simply nodded and waited for the carriage to arrive at the mansion, unconcerned.
But then something strange happened. Knights in platinum armor bearing Imperial Knights symbols stood in front of them.
“His Majesty the Emperor has issued this order. Please come with us, Viscount Yurpheon.”
Adelia returned her gaze to Ivan, puzzled as to what was going on. He also frowned at the emperor’s knights, as if he hadn’t expected it.
“What exactly is going on?”
“Your Majesty has requested that I bring the Viscount of Yurpheon.”
“Hmm, he asked you to bring her?”
So don’t worry, I’ll transport you comfortably.
Having so many knights present was a very positive attitude.
“Can you explain why?”
“Of course, but I think you should listen to it when you get to the Imperial Palace.”
Adelia was quick to pick up on the fact that something was wrong. What made the Emperor summon her? In addition, the knights are dressed as if they want to show off their attire to everyone.
Of course, I can’t say no.
Adelia is formally a member of the principality’s aristocracy, and although the principality was a part of the empire, it enjoyed some independence. As a result, Adelia was able to conceal herself in Ivan’s shadow.
The emperor and Adelia, however, were already in the same boat. And she was thinking about this obvious play.
“All right, let’s go.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Ivan declared that he would follow Adelia’s lead without consulting her first.
“Then I’ll…”
“Oh, Bishop Berg is going to stay at the mansion.”
“What?”
“I thought it would be better if only I and Ivan went to the palace.”
As Adelia pointed out, it could have been difficult for him, the Bishop of Vishna, to visit the palace without prior authorisation.
Berg was well aware of this, but he couldn’t help but feel a loss of strength in his shoulders.
“……I see. Have a safe journey. I’ll be waiting.”
Adelia entered the carriage with a small smile, and the carriage bearing the Huizeniac royal crest quickly raced toward the Imperial Palace.
**
Adelia was a part of the delegation and was still in the kingdom of Sadin at the time.
Giorgio Valkyr reached for his sore head from drinking all night. His headache wasn’t just the result of a hangover.
“Damn it, I can’t believe Selcred ended like that. Does that witch-like woman have divine power?”
It made no sense. When she took the saint’s test, she certainly did not demonstrate divine power.
“It had to be some kind of evil ruse, or else…….”
She could never have such divine power, there is no way.
Giorgio let out a loud sigh as he rubbed his face roughly.
“It must have been some kind of trickery.”
At the sudden voice, Giorgio leaped to his feet and tightened his guard. Giorgio was the type of person who placed the highest value on his personal security.
When the family’s heir, Berkian, was born and Hestine was mentioned as a saint, he strengthened his escort to protect himself. As a result, Giorgio’s escort was close to a fortress made of iron. Nevertheless, he was met by an apparition.
Giorgio couldn’t stop himself from panicking. Without his permission, an intruder entered. There must be guards stationed throughout the mansion to protect him!
“Who are you?” exclaimed Giorgio as he turned to face the intruder. But his sharp demeanor quickly gave way to befuddlement. The intruders were a mix of people he recognized.
Three people are dressed in deep black robes. One of them was already familiar to Giorgio.
“Aren’t you Peloche? How dare you come here so recklessly….. Ackk.”
Giorgio’s breath was choked by an intangible aura. Giorgio’s lips turned blue in less than 30 seconds. The energy that was squeezing Giorgio vanished as soon as his consciousness began to fade.
“Be courteous; we are not the type of people who should be treated carelessly.”
Giorgio exclaimed angrily, “Heukk… W, what’s wrong with you all of a sudden; what have I done wrong?” He was alarmed when he noticed the priests in black charging at him out of nowhere.
“It’s your first time seeing my face like this, right?”
The man, who was quietly watching the situation behind Peloche, took a step forward and said. Giorgio frowned at the voice he heard for the first time.
Finally, the man took off his hood.
