Chapter 77
Lord Mateus, the preparations for the Mass are complete.
A priest approached Mateus as he walked through the corridor. Nodding with a book of doctrine in one arm, Mateus made his way to the grand chapel. His steps were slow and silent, steady and unwavering. Yet, his mind was preoccupied with the story he had heard from Cedric, who had recently returned to the temple.
‘…To save the temple, Yulia went to the Grand Duke’s side of her own will.’
Though it may have been a forced choice, Mateus believed it was still Yulia’s decision—one that undoubtedly involved her own will. Thus, he wasn’t overly worried about her current situation.
‘However…’
The only concern now was her health. The divine energy that had periodically returned to him from Yulia had abruptly ceased at some point. This meant she was barely holding on with only a sliver of divine energy left. Under normal circumstances, she should have long since perished after losing all her divine energy, yet she had endured far longer than expected. Cases where divine energy was directly tied to one’s life force, like Yulia’s, were exceedingly rare—but not unheard of. However, historical records showed that most who experienced this died shortly after, unable to sustain themselves once their divine energy began to deplete.
But according to recent information, there was one exception. A story from centuries ago told of someone on the brink of death after losing all their divine energy, only to miraculously survive. The holy water of High Priest Calosa, one of God’s proxies, had been absorbed into their body just before death, completely renewing their life functions.
Records from centuries past described high priests as beings with unfathomable power, said to communicate directly with God—divine entities incomparable to today’s priests. Other accounts suggested these high priests, wielding power close to divinity, were all killed to suppress their influence. Yet, some priests disagreed, believing such beings would not have been so easily slain. They argued that these high priests, aware of the fear they inspired, might still be alive, hiding their presence somewhere.
Mateus was among those who believed this.
‘Their lifespans would also be on an entirely different level from ordinary humans.’
If even one of God’s proxies still lived… the problem could be easily solved. The only issue was finding them—like searching for a needle in a desert. Still, he had no choice but to investigate as far as possible.
Mateus owed Yulia a debt. He had a duty to ensure she found happiness, no matter what it took. Taking a deep breath, he finally arrived at the chapel. As a servant opened the door, someone urgently grabbed him.
“L-Lord Mateus!”
A young priest, trembling as if frightened, clutched his arm. Then, unexpected words spilled from the priest’s lips.
“Grand Duke Caesar… has come looking for you.”
“The Grand Duke?”
Wide-eyed, Mateus immediately sensed something amiss. Instinctively turning, he ignored the curious glances of the waiting congregation and hurried after the young priest.
With a bad premonition, Mateus followed him into the corridor. There, standing alone at the end, was a tall man in a deeply hooded robe, cradling a frail woman in his arms.
“…Lady Yulia.”
Only then did Mateus faintly sense Yulia’s presence—so faint he hadn’t noticed it earlier. Hearing footsteps, the Grand Duke turned to look at him. He stood there as if unaware of his own disheveled state, his shirt sleeves stained with blood.
Mateus’s heart sank as he rushed toward them.
They moved immediately to Mateus’s private quarters. Fernand carefully laid Yulia on a simple cot. Her face was deathly pale, her breath still, her body unmoving. The only sign of life was the faint beating of her heart.
“…She vomited blood and lost consciousness. Since then, she hasn’t breathed,” Fernand muttered, his face ashen.
Listening silently, Mateus studied the area around her heart with calm, detached focus—or more precisely, the thin veil of divine energy wrapped protectively around it. A trace so faint only he could sense it, barely sustaining her heart. That was why, despite her halted breath, her heart still weakly pulsed.
“With your divine energy… can’t you do something?” Fernand whispered desperately.
Lifting his gaze, Mateus met Fernand’s hollow, trembling eyes—eyes that had seen hell a thousand times on the way here.
“…My divine energy alone cannot fully heal her.”
To prove it, Mateus lowered his hand. A blue healing light emanated from his palm, settling over Yulia—only to dissipate into the air without penetrating her body.
Fernand bit his lip and grabbed Mateus’s shoulders.
“Then… can someone else’s divine energy do it?”
“……”
“Tell me how. I’ll do anything…”
His grip crumpled Mateus’s white robes. Watching him, Mateus lowered his eyelids as if weighing something.
“Two conditions must be met.”
Finally, he spoke with resolve.
“First, Lady Yulia must endure as she is now.”
The divine energy shielding her heart wouldn’t easily fade. Its flow and density suggested a protective will.
…She will likely remain in a coma for a long time.
“The second… is nearly impossible.”
Mateus studied Fernand’s face as he waited in silence.
Nearly impossible. But with the Grand Duke’s status and military power, there was a sliver of hope.
“We must find a high priest—one of God’s proxies.”
“…God’s proxies?” Fernand repeated, forcing the words into his mind.
“Yes. They existed centuries ago, but I believe some still hide somewhere on the continent.”
Taking a quiet breath, Mateus clenched his hand and continued firmly.
“If found, they can regenerate halted bodily functions. They could restore Lady Yulia’s condition.”
At this, a flicker of light returned to Fernand’s deadened eyes. As he looked down at Yulia, Mateus added,
“However, their whereabouts are unknown.”
“……”
“But I can narrow down possible locations. Though the search will still be vast…”
“I’ll turn the entire continent upside down if I have to,” Fernand murmured, carefully holding her limp hand.
Meeting his gaze, Mateus calmly closed his eyes.
“Then time is the critical factor now.”
Whether Yulia could last until a high priest was found was the key.
Fernand looked up, their eyes locking in the air.
“Time… will help her. It seems God has granted her one last, extended chance.”
Mateus spoke with determination.
“So do not worry for her. I will shield her with divine energy, ensuring no one disturbs her.”
“…Very well.”
With a stiff nod, Fernand gazed at Yulia once more. His eyes burning, he tightly squeezed her hand—then slowly released it and stood.
Nothing was clear yet. But there was no time to dwell or analyze.
For now, all that mattered was saving Yulia.
