I’m the Dying Emperor’s Doctor

Episode 63

“Ah, yes.”

Serena quickly pulled out the artificial mana core from her bag. Seeing the dull, bracelet-like object resembling handcuffs, Raffaello commented,

“It’s my first time seeing such a magical artifact.”

“It’s not available on the market yet.”

“I’ve heard that the Gordon Trading Company is preparing a new product.”

“Ah, so you’ve heard.”

It seemed Jack had convinced Raffaello by leveraging the reputation of the Gordon Trading Company. After all, it wouldn’t have been easy to secure personal favors from the temple.

This opportunity was likely thanks to the connection between the Pherianus Temple and the Gordon Trading Company. While Serina felt a twinge of guilt, she managed an awkward smile.

As Raffaello fiddled with the artificial mana core, he remarked,

“Adding a holy barrier isn’t difficult, but infusing it with divine energy will take some time.”

“I’m in no rush. Please, take your time.”

After all, she couldn’t rush someone helping her out of goodwill.

Her schedule was empty for the day anyway. Waiting leisurely while exploring the temple wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Would it be alright if I looked around the temple while I wait?”

“Of course, if you’d like.”

“Thank you. But I heard today is a restricted day for visitors. I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“As long as you avoid a few specific chapels, it should be fine. Since you know Benjamin, I can ask him to guide you.”

“No, that’s okay. If you let me know which areas to avoid, I can manage on my own.”

The thought of wandering alone with Benjamin made her uncomfortable. She might die of awkwardness. Raffaello murmured with a puzzled expression,

“But the temple is quite vast. Exploring it alone might be difficult.”

He wasn’t wrong. For an outsider unfamiliar with the layout, navigating the temple without assistance would be challenging.

Even a modest temple was a sacred space, and its size was significant. Getting lost while wandering around was highly likely.

Accompanying Benjamin, as Raffaello suggested, would undoubtedly be more convenient.

But having someone around makes it hard to fully enjoy exploring.

Serena wasn’t as sociable as Benjamin. Besides, he was Lydia’s acquaintance, not hers.

She figured it would be much more comfortable to wander aimlessly, even if she got a little lost.

“I enjoy walking alone. If security is a concern, I can stay in the reception room instead.”

“Not at all. Since Mr. Jack vouched for you, there’s no need to worry about security.”

Raffaello waved off her concerns and instead shared a few precautions.

“In that case, just make sure not to enter areas marked with red strings. They should all be marked by now.”

“Thank you. When should I return here to meet you?”

“After the evening prayer would be best. By then, I should have plenty of time.”

“Alright, I’ll see you then.”

“Tsk, there it goes missing again.”

One of the priests grumbled, glancing around. Soon, they spotted a red string lying on the floor.

Whoever the mischievous stray cat was, it was truly a nuisance. Tie it up, and it would undo it. Tie it again, and it would be undone again, doubling or tripling their workload.

Another priest remarked, “Does it matter? No one’s coming anyway.”

“I’m worried the bishop might notice and scold us.”

“Instead of worrying about that, hurry up and tie it again. We don’t have time to waste.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Grumbling, the priest tied the ribbon again, this time securing it firmly before hurrying away.

Little did they know, a gray cat would soon approach, prowling leisurely toward its next target.

Serena soon found herself alone. Raffaello had left, mentioning he needed to prepare for a ceremony.

She wasn’t sure who the ceremony was for, but every priest she passed seemed busy heading somewhere. Serena stopped one of them to ask about the location of the Holy Knights’ training grounds.

“Ah, no one will be there today. They’re all out on assignments.”

“Pardon?”

“Sorry, I’m busy.”

With that brief reply, the priest hurried off, leaving Serena momentarily adrift.

Who could this ceremony be for that even the Holy Knights are mobilized?

Her curiosity was piqued. Just how important was this person for the entire temple to be so focused on one ceremony?

Still, she remembered her promise to Raffaello not to enter areas marked with red strings. She couldn’t afford to let her curiosity get the better of her.

As Serena aimlessly strolled through the temple, she heard a familiar sound.

“Meow.”

Before she knew it, a gray cat darted toward her.

“Ah!”

Startled, Serena instinctively caught the cat in her arms.

“Pie?”

“Meow.”

Pie kneaded her arms enthusiastically, as if greeting her warmly. This cat had always been unusually friendly, unreserved even with strangers.

Despite its fierce appearance, its behavior was more like that of a playful puppy.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Nocturne?”

Pie’s presence meant Nocturne couldn’t be far. But Pie only scratched its ears, seemingly unable to understand her.

Giving up on communication, Serena stroked Pie’s back.

“As if I could hold a conversation with a cat… But if Nocturne is here…”

Serena’s thoughts trailed off. The heavily guarded temple, the restriction on visitors, Jack’s connection to Pherianus…

No way… Could it be?

The thought that flashed through her mind left her uneasy. Just then, Pie jumped out of her arms and bit at the hem of her dress.

“Huh? Do you want me to follow you?”

“Meow.”

Pai wagged its tail gently, as if signaling Serina to follow, and headed somewhere.

Having nothing better to do, Serena followed behind without much thought. Pai walked so quickly that she had no chance to glance at her surroundings.

“Pai! Wait for me!”

Serena grumbled, quickening her steps to keep up. In doing so, she failed to notice the red thread carelessly strewn across the ground.

Despite chasing after Pai immediately, the swift creature had vanished entirely. To make matters worse, Serina had become utterly lost while blindly pursuing it.

‘I can’t face Lord Raffaello like this.’

Determined to find her way back, Serina tried her best to retrace her steps. However, every path seemed to split endlessly, driving her to frustration.

‘Why is it that there’s no one around at times like this?’

Moments ago, she had occasionally passed by some priests, but now there was no one in sight. She didn’t know where everyone had disappeared to, but it was clear the situation wasn’t ideal.

Deciding to leave it up to chance, Serena started walking in whichever direction her feet carried her. She figured she’d ask for help if she was lucky enough to encounter a priest along the way.

The fact that she still had time to spare helped her remain calm.

After walking for who knows how long, she spotted a wide, open plain in the distance. On the plain stood a sturdy swing crafted from a massive tree.

The swing, set in the midst of an open space, carried a quaint charm.

Serena turned and approached the swing. Up close, it appeared smaller than she had expected—possibly designed for children.

Feeling an innocent excitement, Serina reached out for the swing. But at that very moment, a metallic clang filled the air, and her body was forcefully knocked to the ground.

“Ah!”

She let out a startled cry, only to find herself pinned to the floor. In the blink of an eye, a sharp blade was pressed against her neck.

A chilling voice pierced her ears.

“Who dares trespass here without my permission… Serena?”

The icy tone, as if intending to split her apart, abruptly stopped. When their eyes met, Serina was struck by shock at the person before her.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

Standing before her was none other than Azaid, the Emperor of the Croten Empire, who had mysteriously left the palace at dawn.

Azaid’s blue eyes trembled with confusion. It seemed he had momentarily mistaken her for an assassin. Had their eyes not met in time, her head might have already been severed.

‘No way! My instincts were right all along!’

Serena screamed internally. In hindsight, so many things had seemed off.

From Pai’s sudden appearance, to the mention of today’s significant ritual at the temple, and even when Jack introduced her to the Temple of Perianus.

It all made sense now.

‘The ceremony at the temple… it’s for Lady Mydia!’

They had prepared it so secretly that she had assumed it involved someone guilty of treason—or maybe an overbearing family member.

And, as it turned out, her second guess was correct. Given Azaid’s usual temperament, it was obvious he wanted to conduct the ritual quietly.

“Are you alright?”

Azaid tossed aside his sword and helped Serina to her feet. Only then did Serina, who had been holding her breath in shock, finally exhale.

“Haah! I-I almost died.”

She had always thought of him as a frail emperor, but his swordsmanship was truly that of a ruler.

Life really is a gamble. She had nearly lost hers in the blink of an eye while distracted.

Shaking, Serina muttered in disbelief.

“Wow, Your Majesty, your swordsmanship is incredible. Ha… haha. Seriously… wow.”

Her absurdity bubbled over, and a laugh escaped her lips. At that moment, Azaid’s gaze hardened with alarm.

“S-Serena. Don’t say anything.”

“What? What do you mean—ugh.”

Serina tried to question him, confused, but a sudden sting in her throat stopped her.

What was that? Why does my neck hurt all of a sudden?

Dazed, she touched her neck, feeling the painful spot. Only when she glanced down at her hand did she realize why.

“Oh? Blood…”