PMEVBO 54

Since returning from the Hayut Castle Tykvana had been busier than ever. She had to shoulder all of Atsula’s duties as well, since he had fallen into a coma.

Atsula’s divine power shock was caused by Lucariel’s divine power. However, she reported to the Pope that it was an accident caused by Atsula’s own divine power going out of control. Such incidents were not uncommon among those who manifested divine power, so the Pope did not make a big deal out of it and let it pass.

‘I dared report falsehoods to His Holiness the Pope…’

For the first time in her life, Tykvana submitted a false report to the Pope. If Atsula were to awaken and reveal the truth, Tykvana would inevitably face severe punishment for perjury. Yet, she could not bring herself to report the facts.

Determining guilt and sentencing individuals to Hell was ultimately the Pope’s exclusive prerogative. But the crime of heresy was different. Heresy could only be condemned after undergoing a trial.

Heresy trials are only convened when evidence of heretical acts is secured. The moment the acts are proven true in the trial, the perpetrator is burned at the stake on the spot. And at that moment, the evidence of heresy was also eliminated. This was to root out any possibility of the forbidden act recurring.

The evidence of heresy did not refer only to physical objects. It encompassed everything that could prove the act.

‘……So if the heresy trial is held and Duke Hayut’s guilt is confirmed, the evidence, the young master, will inevitably be killed too.’

Even though the young master was merely a victim of the heretical acts committed by Duke Hayut.

Tykvana had long harbored resentment toward this very structure of the heresy trial. Thus, using this incident as an opportunity, she began seeking ways to add victim-related provisions to the heresy trial regulations.

However, Tykvana was no idealist; she understood better than anyone what she could and could not do. The most she could guarantee for a victim of heresy was survival. She could ensure Iser’s life, but not his freedom.

Even if Tykvana succeeded in amending the heresy trial regulations, Iser would likely spend his entire life under the order’s supervision within the sanctuary.

‘……At least it’s a relief that the young master seems to be following Priest Nebella well.’

From the moment Atsula fell into a divine power shock, Tykvana resolved to refine and report all facts related to heresy. She couldn’t put Duke Hayut on trial for heresy before the amendments were made.

Furthermore, from the moment Iser decided to remain by Lucariel’s side, she also resolved not to report the fact of Lucariel’s divine power manifestation. Whether he was promoted to bishop after belatedly acknowledging his divine power manifestation or punished for concealing it, as long as Lucariel protected Iser, changing his situation was too risky.

‘If only I could buy at least two more years…’

In two years, the Season of Salvation would end. By then, the exile decree imposed on Lucariel would also expire. Therefore, Tykvana was determined to complete the revision of the heresy trial regulations before that time.

It was about a fortnight after Tykvana had returned to the Imperial Capital from Hayut Duchy when the urgent report arrived.

Massacre occurred at Hayut Castle.

Duke and Duchess Hayut deceased.

Survivors being accounted for.

The moment she heard that urgent report, Tykvana dropped the teacup she was holding. Oblivious to the cup she had personally brought from the Holy City shattering into pieces, she boarded her divine carriage.

The Hayut Castle, seen again after half a month, was little more than ruins. Only the charred walls and twisted pillars hinted at the main building’s former state. Charred corpses littered every corridor.

“…Who on earth did this?”

Fortunately, the annex where Lucariel resided remained untouched, without a single scorch mark.

In this hellish scene, where the stench of rotting corpses filled the air, the first to discover Lucariel was the Pope, Jin.

When Tykvana belatedly entered the room, she found Lucariel collapsed in a pool of dried blood, and Jin quietly watching him.

Beneath Lucariel’s skin, showing no sign of breath or pulse, only the reddened blood vessels faintly glowed. It was the classic symptom of someone in divine power shock.

Ten days had passed since the massacre, and no residual divine power could be sensed at the scene. Yet, outside the Holy City, the only individuals capable of wielding divine power besides the Pope, Atsula, and Tykvana himself was Lucariel.

‘…Did Priest Nebella’s divine power go out of control while confronting the massacre perpetrator?’

But Tykvana knew. Lucariel’s control over divine power was exceptionally precise.

Even when emotional turmoil caused him to lose control of his divine power, Lucariel maintained perfect friend-or-foe identification. It was astonishing that someone possessing such vast divine power could function in daily life without a Tali piercing.

Before parting, Tykvana handed Lucariel a single Tali piercing. It now was in Lucariel’s left ear.

‘With innate talent and a Tali piercing to boot, he shouldn’t have lost control under normal circumstances…’

What on earth happened here ten days ago? And where was the young master…?

At that moment, Jin lifted Lucariel into his arms and murmured.

“Let’s head back now.”

Jin’s face was expressionless as he passed by Tykvana. It was the first time she had ever seen the smile vanish from his usually calm face.

Tykvana dared not question his decision. Without even a moment to check on Iser or the whereabouts of the experiment log, she followed Jin out of the annex.

***

Two months had passed since they returned to the imperial capital with Lucariel.

The investigation into the massacre perpetrator remained at a dead end, but the search for survivors within the duke’s castle had long since concluded. No survivors other than Lucariel were ever found.

Tykvana had personally confirmed the whereabouts of Iser, who should have been staying in the annex with Lucariel. Yet Iser’s body was nowhere to be found within Hayut Castle.

‘Is he still at that hideout…?’

Regrettably, Tykvana did not know the exact location of the hideout. All she could do was pray that Iser remained safe until Lucariel awoke.

Having arrived at the door, Tykvana took a deep breath before knocking.

Knock knock─

“Come in.”

A voice, not the room’s owner’s, came from inside. Tykvana took another deep breath and opened the door and entered.

Jin sat in a chair beside the bed, reviewing official documents. The midday sunlight streaming through the window made his black hair shimmer purple. Finishing his signature on a document, he looked up at Tykvana.

“I greet His Holiness the Pope, warrior of the Creator God Debiamas, representative of Hail, immortal hero, Emperor of the Saints, and Lord of Punishment. May the blessings of Debiamas always be with Your Holiness.”

“Yes, may the blessings of Debiamas always be with you as well. What brings you here?”

Jin asked with a smile that seemed painted on.

“His Majesty has come to see you.”

“Oh? Thank you for letting me know.”

Jin carelessly tossed the documents and pen he was holding onto the floor. His then looked at Lucariel, lying on the bed.

“Could you watch Lulu for a moment?”

“……Yes.”

Tykvana nodded, forcing herself to ignore the jealousy smoldering within her chest. Jin, watching Tykvana, smiled for a moment before slowly rising from his seat.

“Thank you.”

After Jin left the room, Tykvana briefly checked Lucariel’s condition. Lucariel lay on the bed. Only the red veins protruding beneath his pale skin indicated he was still alive.

For the past two months, Jin had handled nearly all state affairs from this very room where Lucariel lay. Though Atsula was also in a state of divine power shock, Jin had never once looked upon him directly.

The treatment Lucariel received was preferential. Yet strangely, Jin never once mentioned Lucariel’s divine power shock symptoms.

‘Could it be… His Holiness already knew about Priest Nebella’s manifestation of divine power…?’

Then again, deceiving His Holiness would be impossible, even if others could be fooled. All divine power in this land was bestowed upon him by God.

Indeed, His Holiness’s favor toward Lucariel knew no bounds. Just as Tykvana sighed softly and gazed out the window,

“Huh, ugh…!”

Tykvana reflexively turned her head at the rough groans that came from behind her.

There, she saw Lucariel sitting on the bed. The crimson veins that had covered his entire body for two months had now vanished without a trace.

But Lucariel’s condition was strange. His pupils were dilated, and his breathing was labored.

“…Priest Nebella? Priest Nebella, what’s wrong?! Are you alright?!”

At that moment, a single tear rolled down Lucariel’s pale cheek.

Tykvana saw Lucariel cry for the first time. Just watching felt like committing a sin, and she froze in place.

“I… I did it all…”

Lucariel gasped for breath, muttering something. But his voice was too small and rough to make out.

Then, an unusual divine power began to seep out from Lucariel.

Crash―!

A storm-like surge of divine power swept through the room, engulfing everything.

The marble floor cracked like spiderwebs, and bookshelves fell sideways. In an instant, windows shattered and collapsed, and papers scattered.

“Ca-calm down, Priest Nebella…!”

Tykvana shouted in shock. The door opened, and Jin walked in.

The divine power emanating from him weighed down the entire area like a mountain. The sheer difference in power caused Lucariel’s raging divine power to gradually subside.

“Our Lulu is overflowing with power the moment he wakes up.”

Tykvana was holding Lucariel’s shoulders. Therefore, the moment she heard Jin’s voice, she knew exactly how Lucariel reacted.

Everything about Lucariel stopped. His breathing, his blinking, even his tears, all ceased. When his gaze finally met Jin’s, an unexpected word burst from Lucariel’s lips.

“…Brother?”