DSB 148

“Come on, hurry. Or are you planning to take someone else as your bride besides me? Then again, there is no law that says if you become Emperor, you must keep only one person by your side…”

“Only you.”

Yutis took Lebel’s hand as he assured him that this was an unchangeable fact.

“That’s a relief then. Let’s go.”

People glanced at the two of them furtively, pretending not to be interested.

“It’s a relief that those two are so close.”

“They said he was sold off… He doesn’t look like someone who was sold, and it seems the young lord likes His Highness, too…”

“That’s why he came all the way to the imperial capital alone when His Highness was kidnapped!”

“With His Highness here, the North won’t treat us carelessly. And that’s exactly how it is.”

Even though Yutis was currently accommodating them, until very recently, the Empire and the North were on guard against each other and attacking one another. Knowing this, they couldn’t help but worry. However, Lebel would surely mediate between them.

“It may be a defeated nation, but it is truly a relief that His Highness has no intention of abandoning the Empire.”

“Maybe this is actually better. We all know. We know what the last Emperor was like. The nobles were busy filling their own bellies and had absolutely no interest in our lives, but the young master… no, the young lord is very different. Even now, he takes care of this and that.”

“Let’s trust that he will govern the Empire well.”

Laughter and whispers filled the streets. The two people involved, however, were completely oblivious to the reaction. Lebel was smiling, and Yutis was staring at him. The people watching them shared the same thought.

That the future of the Empire would be alright.

***

Upon arriving at the temple, Lebel summoned the High Priest without a moment’s hesitation. This was because he had heard that the High Priest held the highest rank in the temple. As Yutis and Lebel appeared, the atmosphere within the temple became tense.

Thanks to the trust built up over their long lives in the Empire, there were still temple members who believed in the former Emperor and the Crown Prince; however, on the other hand, some looked at them with disapproval and said that they had turned their backs on their god.

Aside from that, since the temple had always referred to the northern people as demons, they could not help but feel uneasy about Yutis, a native of the North who, though currently an outsider, might soon become the Emperor.

Nevertheless, the eyes of some priests sparkled toward Yutis. He was the one who received a divine oracle, and the possessor of a holy sword. Above all, when a demon appeared and plunged the world into darkness, the light returned when Yutis appeared.

They could no longer claim him to be a demon. To those who believe in gods, what clearer evidence could there be than this?

However, among them were humans who called the North demons and turned a blind eye to the fact that Biakin was using demonic power. They had to be completely weeded out.

Yutis and Lebel waited for the High Priest at the place guided by the priest.

“Are you feeling all right?”

Yutis carefully observed Lebel’s complexion and asked. Lebel was confused for a moment, then he suddenly recalled that beings possessing demonic energy react negatively to divine power.

“It’s nothing compared to Karon or Luceris. Besides, the angel here isn’t even that strong.”

If he felt the power of an angel like Michael, it would at least be bothersome. And since it was Michael, it would be even more bothersome. After all, he was one of the archangels Lebel remembered. A random angel could not have any influence on him.

Just then, the door opened and someone appeared.

“Lord Lebel, it has been a long time.”

The unexpected appearance of this person surprised Lebel.

“You succeeded.”

Illa smiled awkwardly. His face showed that he, too, had never expected things to turn out this way.

“It just happened this way.”

“I hadn’t heard from you; were you busy taking over that position?”

“Not exactly… but the temple was in turmoil.”

Illa paused to choose his words before adding.

“Starting with the High Priest suddenly losing his divine power, several priests have also lost theirs. Since divine power is originally obtained through a god’s blessing, it is not a force that easily disappears, so the chaos was even greater.”

“You handled it well.”

Although it is called a blessing, it is ultimately a power granted through the love of the gods. Therefore, if that love is withdrawn, the power naturally vanishes as well.

After seeing the smile on Lebel’s lips, Illa was convinced that he was involved in this matter.

“There is a lot of talk about receiving divine punishment.”

“Well, I suppose it is similar. But what does that have to do with you becoming High Priest? Did you receive an oracle?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…?”

Lebel frowned.

I haven’t even received the oracle I requested yet. Are you saying you’re using your power for the sake of a human you like?

However, Lebel could not simply get angry. After all, he was exerting his power for the sake of the very human he loved.

“And aren’t you here, Lord Lebel?”

“It sounds like you’re telling me not to cause trouble.”

That remark did not sound very welcome, so he replied curtly.

“It is Lord Michael’s will. And putting that aside, who knows, I might be able to be of help.”

“You’re good with words.”

As Lebel clicked his tongue in disapproval, Yutis, who had been sitting quietly beside him, suddenly spoke up.

“I don’t think there is a need for a temple in the capital. Isn’t this the place where those who covered up what that demon did were?”

Yutis’s voice was calm, but the distrust contained within it was clear.

“They have all already been expelled.”

“I apologize to god for saying this, but I cannot believe it. If they hid the demon, couldn’t there be someone among them who knows your true identity? Especially since those two wanted my wife.”

Lebel let out a small chuckle. It was soft and out of place in the situation. Without a word, Lebel pulled the anxious Yutis’s hand closer. As the warmth reached him, the tension in Yutis’s shoulders loosened just a little.

“No one knows my true identity. Even if someone who knows were to blab about it, no one would believe it. Not even a demon could do anything to me, so what could a human possibly do?”

“But…”

“Do I have to tell you that you are the only one who can do anything to me?”

Yutis, who hadn’t understood Lebel’s words for a moment, just blinked blankly until he saw Lebel’s playful smile and realized what he meant.

“You will be known as one who carries out the will of a god, so it won’t do you any good to antagonize the temple. It’s not a bad thing that Illa has become the High Priest.”

“We did receive an oracle, but I never imagined I would be suddenly chosen.”

Illa muttered weakly, he still couldn’t believe it.

“Because you played a part too.”

It was Yutis who saved the citizens of the Empire, but it was Illa who stayed up all night treating their bloodied wounds and keeping them alive. With the oracle having been delivered, it was certain that the temple had hastily pushed for Illa’s appointment to regain the people’s trust.

After all, those who had been in the temple before had already been punished and could no longer hold their positions. Since they were the ones who had joined hands with Biakin blinded by power, there was no particular need to sympathize with them.

If only those who truly cherished and served the god remained in the place they had stepped down, it was a natural progression for Illa to stand at the center.

“Ah, as for the treatment of the Crown Prince, preparations are complete. Given what transpired within the temple, there will be no difficulty in publicly exposing his crimes in detail. There is no way for him to survive.”

“You’ve become merciless.”

“How many humans have been sacrificed? It is necessary, if only to honor their souls.”

Illa said firmly, this was the very reason he had become High Priest.

“By the way, what brings you to the temple? If it were just to speak with Lord Michael, you wouldn’t have needed to come all the way here.”

“Here.”

Lebel took a thin document from his bosom and held it out. Illa was speechless for a moment upon seeing it.

“Since you two have already sworn eternity before a god, it shouldn’t be necessary.”

“We must follow human ways. There will be many who covet the one destined to become Emperor.”

Yutis was once called a monster or a demon, but he has now come to be known as a saint. He became the master of the holy sword by the will of a god, and it is said that his other form is due to the guardian of the North.

Just imagine becoming Emperor on top of that. There would be those lurking around, vying for the new Emperor’s favor. Unlike before, there would be many coveting the seat by his side. Since he was from the North, it was only natural that imperial nobles might pressure him by demanding support.

It was not that rulers typically kept only one official wife, except in the North. This was especially true for an Emperor. Of course, Yutis would never do such a thing, but those around him wouldn’t leave him alone. After all, human desire knows no bounds.

Lebel lifted his gaze from the paper, looked at Yutis, and said something. Yutis’s ears turned red.

“Our temple supports you, Lord Lebel.”

Lebel immediately shook his head.

“No. Don’t support me; support Yutis.”

Lebel lifted Yutis’s clasped hand. Then, he carefully kissed the back of it.

“Yutis is destined to be Emperor, and he is my sun.”

He murmured clearly, as if he were swearing to a god who was not present here. He smiled gently at Yutis, who was looking at him, and added:

“Humans call the Emperor the sun. It suits you well.”

Brilliant golden hair, red eyes burning with affection. To anyone, “dun” suited Lebel better. To Yutis, he was light in himself, a presence that illuminated the world simply by his mere presence.