HPV 94

The knights looked at me strangely when I suddenly changed my mind, but they took me back to the temple anyway.

Even in the stillness of late night, the temple building glowed faintly blue. The streets were quiet, and only the gatekeeper stood at the main gate, exuding a heavy presence.

I suddenly felt so small and insignificant. The holy knights stood a little distance away rather than greeting the gatekeeper, as if they expected me—their charge—to explain the situation myself.

‘They’re not going to let me in that easily, are they?’

I was the one who ran away after being told to stay. I’d be annoyed with me, too, if I were in their place. Or maybe it’s just that the procedure is too complicated to re-enter easily.

‘Hurry. There’s no time.’

I was so out of it, it felt like something might attack me from the shadows at any moment. I didn’t know what I had been thinking when I fled the temple earlier, only to end up this anxious now.

Then suddenly, there was a bit of a commotion inside. The gatekeeper looked toward the interior before even glancing at me.

A priest I didn’t recognize suddenly burst out. I was startled when he ran straight toward me with clear recognition in his eyes.

“Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re Lord Riarun, aren’t you? The High Priest said that if you came, we were to skip all formalities and let you in immediately. He even said to wake him if he was asleep.”

My heart swelled. A warm feeling rose inside me, and I quietly lowered my head.

I obediently followed behind the priest—then suddenly, a thin red line appeared across his neck with a sharp sound.

My eyes widened just as red liquid burst forth. My body froze as the priest collapsed before me.

And then, my vision went black.

***

The current queen was hailed as a wise and virtuous ruler both at home and abroad. Whether in her presence or not, her benevolent governance was praised unceasingly.

Following in her footsteps, her eldest daughter and Crown Princess was also widely known for her sharp pragmatism and outstanding character.

The ministers found relief in the Crown Princess’s secure position, all while discreetly keeping an eye on Prince Dodio, who was considered the royal family’s one blemish.

The queen knew how to handle her youngest son—releasing him when she should, restraining him when necessary—ensuring he stayed out of trouble. Dodio both feared and respected his mother, viewing her as someone he could rely on.

The prince longed to leave the palace and find a dance partner for the night at a ball, yet remained wary of his mother’s gaze. He had no ambition for the throne and maintained good relationships with his siblings.

No one expected Prince Dodio to ever bare his fangs at the royal family.

Suddenly, the capital’s gatekeepers dropped dead in silence, not even managing to scream.

Soldiers, unaware of the unfolding chaos, were ambushed and slaughtered one after another. Dang dang dang—the bells of warning sliced through the midnight air.

A man, lying awake in the dark, snapped open his eyes.

The raw stench of human blood. The heavy march of boots from rebels charging toward the palace.

Without even processing the situation, the man jumped out the window and ran through the night, now stained with blood.

—Do your duty. I won’t always be here to clean up after you.

It must have been sincere. If not, he would’ve had no reason to say it.

In that moment, the man realized he had suffered a wound deeper than ever before. Riarun had stabbed him—with his words, or perhaps something sharper. And from that wound, no blood flowed—only despair.

You know this is the way it has to be. A monster should know its place.

Inside him, cruel words churned like a storm. The blade Riarun had driven in splintered into thousands of shards, wreaking havoc within.

Yes, the man was hurt.

Even so, he had to confirm Riarun’s safety.

He evaded the footsteps of armed men—be they royal guards or rebels, he didn’t care—and circled around the battlefield.

As he stepped into the sanctuary of the temple, Banwes felt his skin burn like it had been dipped in acid, and his insides sting like he’d swallowed shards of glass. Still, he pressed forward.

Priests nearby swallowed their gasps and backed away as they spotted him.

“Where’s Riarun?”

The man barked at whoever was nearest.

The priests trembled in fear. Eventually, one summoned enough courage to step forward.

“He left the temple, and on hos way back, he… went missing. He was abducted right in front of the temple. The High Priest had even assigned holy knights to guard her, but…”

Everyone was dead—even the gatekeepers.

What was strange was that the assailants hadn’t entered the temple itself. If they had retreated because touching the temple would be seen as defying Gaoih, then why kill the gatekeepers in the first place?

Smack—a sharp sound rang out.

It was the sound of Banwes punching the priest who had just spoken. The priest bowed his upper body. The other priests shouted at Banwes in alarm.

“…No, it’s alright. The High Priest gave me these instructions himself.”

The priest held his rapidly swelling cheek and waved his other hand.

“The High Priest told me to relay the situation regarding Lord Riarun if this man came. He also said that this man would probably lash out at me, and that I should just accept it—it was only natural.”

The moment the priest realized the High Priest’s prediction had come true, he felt it to his core.

He had been shown immense mercy.

The man in front of him radiated murderous pressure so intense it felt suffocating—and yet he’d stopped after just one blow.

Banwes gritted his teeth and drew in ragged breaths.

The stench of corpses. The thick scent of blood. And amid it all, faint but distinct, was a sweet trace of body scent—Riarun’s.

He would track it.

He inhaled and exhaled with careful control. He was afraid that even a single mistake would erase Riarun’s scent, that he’d lose the only thing he had left to guide him. His entire body tensed with every breath.

“About Lord Riarun—at present, abduction seems most likely. The paladins are searching for him. The High Priest has also sent out those skilled in silent movement to investigate where he disappeared.”

It was a veiled suggestion that Yurichen had gone after him. The priest, drenched in sweat, barely managed to finish his report.

“This is an artifact from the High Priest. He’ll contact you soon.”

Banwes accepted the communication device and turned his back. The priest managed to hand it over without letting their skin touch. Sweat poured down his back.

***

This story now has you as its protagonist.

But whether its ending is tragedy—or something else…

—Hello. My name is Riarun.

A small child greeted him in a bright, clear voice.

—Hancanera. Hancanera. That’s a hard name. I’ll remember it really well.

Hancanera, three years older, looked at him and realized instantly: Rohin is going to choose you.

You were born to be the most beautiful.

—It’s okay if I don’t become the High Priest. I want to see you take that seat, Hancanera. I just know you’ll be amazing.

You, who resonated so well with the wood spirit… your heart was just as gentle.

So young—how did you know I was jealous of you? That I was struggling to bond with the spirits myself? And yet you said something like that.

Even though he could’ve shown even greater affinity with spirits, Riarun stepped back for Hancanera’s sake. When Hancanera ascended to the High Priest’s seat, Riarun stood behind him and applauded.

‘…It’s done.’

Hancanera smiled gently at the followers. Sitting in the High Priest’s seat, he spoke his first command to the people now under him.

—Lock that boy in a dark room.

Riarun kicked and screamed, eventually reduced to hoarse sobbing—and Hancanera was thrilled by it.

When he let him out three days later, those dead eyes, dulled in just a few days, were irresistibly tempting.

—Slap him. Step on him. Anyone who believed Riarun would become the High Priest—if you now follow my orders, I’ll allow you under me.

You were truly beautiful. So much that, even while I hated you with jealousy, I ended up admiring you.

So beautiful, it changed the reason I wanted to be the High Priest in the first place.

—This boy is a demon. We will confine him underground for containment. I ask for everyone’s cooperation.

I became High Priest because I wanted to violate you.

That dazzling child, the moment their insect-like gazes fell on you at a single word from me—it was intoxicating.

Every human carries the desire to tear down and ruin the beautiful. Just look at the way they shoved Riarun into that filthy room like they’d been waiting for the chance.

I loathe how the followers chase the same twisted thrill I do—but I can’t help being drawn to the way Riarun has no one left to rely on.

Hancanera was enraptured. He became addicted to the sight of Riarun being trampled.

By destroying Riarun, he took possession of the one person Riarun had admired—besides him.