An Audience in Flames
I lay on the bed in the provided bedroom, staring blankly at the ceiling, losing track of time. With everything piling up like a storm lately, I hadn't even had a moment to sort out my thoughts, so this quiet time felt truly welcome.
Having lain there too long, my back started to ache, so I sat up and glanced at the table. Ria was by the window, moving the dandelion the Gardener had given her this way and that, as if trying to let it photosynthesize by positioning it toward the light and heat from the Hearth. Each time, it seemed like the light gathered on the dandelion, making it glow brighter and brighter. And oddly enough, it felt like it was moving subtly too. Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked the Gardener about it, but she just said something like, "It'd be no fun if you knew already. Just watch and see," which gave me a headache.
Recalling what the Gardener had said—that it would help when dealing with Outer Gods—I figured it must be something big for persuading them, though I had no idea how. Well, whatever. Watering it every morning wasn't a hassle, and having one yellow flower blooming in this drab room made the atmosphere brighter, at least for me.
Just then, someone knocked on my door.
"Oh, looks like sunlight time's over. Ria, come back now."
Ria scampered back to my pocket, pot in hand. I'd been thinking this for a while, but carrying the pot inside like that... no matter how I looked at it, this pocket wasn't just a pocket.
"Is no one inside?"
"Yes, there is."
"It's the Branch Manager, Black Lion. Tantun."
Why was the Branch Manager here all of a sudden? I jumped up and opened the door.
"Branch Manager."
"Sorry to disturb your rest."
"No, it's fine. What brings you here...?"
Seeing his somewhat troubled expression only made me more uneasy. What? What was going on?
"You need to visit the Hearth tomorrow morning."
"The Hearth? Did the Vice Captain summon me?"
"No, not that."
The Branch Manager shook his head with a smile, as if my reaction was only natural. Not the Vice Captain? Then maybe the Knight Commander? My mind raced with possibilities, but his next words made the world feel like it was slowing down.
"It seems you have an audience with the Princess."
...What? The Princess?
#
And so, at first light, I headed to the Hearth and prepared to ascend to the top under the guidance of Alpha and Beta.
"Please wear this armor when going to the top of the Hearth."
"The Princess's chamber is extremely hot. Without blessing magic, you'd suffer full-body burns at minimum."
In the end, I ended up wearing a rabbit doll mask. I expected it to be uncomfortable, but... it was surprisingly comfy?
We began climbing the Logs tower.
"You two seem totally fine, though."
I looked at Alpha and Beta. They wore no gear like me, yet showed no sign of the heat.
"This is also the Hearth's blessing. Learning blessings isn't a bad idea for a knight."
"Warm even on cold days... cozy."
I see. That explained why the holy knight route was so highly recommended in the community.
Eventually, we reached the pinnacle of the Logs, the heart of the Hearth. It was the place from the trailer when the game started, with the narration saying something like, "Fire warmed humanity, and the Hearth gathered the people."
"Please enter without tension."
"The Princess awaits."
Opening this door in front of me would mean meeting the Princess right away. Why had things turned out like this all of a sudden?
Of course, I knew the Princess had been keeping an eye on me and the criminal trio. She was the one who'd laid the groundwork for me joining the knights in the first place. Maybe she called me to discuss my recent achievements. But even without the Knight Commander around, the Vice Captain—practically the head in her absence—hadn't demanded a personal audience. What wind was blowing to summon me directly?
I stared at the door etched with intricate patterns. Standing still felt like I'd cook in the Hearth's heat, so I approached to knock. But the door opened, and Alpha and Beta shoved me inside.
"Why so slow?"
"Go in."
"Whoa!"
My balance gave out, and I stumbled straight into the Princess's chamber. Those guys. Ignoring my feelings, they waved as if saying good luck.
Annoyance faded quickly as I remembered where I was and hastily corrected my posture to something dignified. Looking around, it really felt like the top floor—through the Hearth, I could see the sky, ash scattering above, and the massive flames producing it. The blizzard and the Hearth's blaze clashing felt majestic, like a battle of elements. I'd thought it beautiful from afar, but up close, it was like beholding a work of art.
I scanned for the Princess.
"A guest?"
A warm, enveloping voice came from within, fitting her title of benevolent Princess. But it echoed from nowhere in the vast space.
"Ah, it's you, Tantun. Come in."
The voice came from the flames. I whipped my head toward the Hearth, and upon seeing her, my jaw dropped.
"...Princess... are you?"
"Yes, that's me. Surprised? My apologies for meeting you in this hideous form."
That wasn't what shocked me. Her hair was like finely braided silk. Delicate, doll-like features, perfectly proportioned. An artistic, statue-like figure down to her curves. Super Coward Mode let me see it all. The flames had burned away her clothes, leaving her essentially naked.
"This Hearth burns me to operate, so I appear like this... Oh? What's wrong?"
Admiration was short-lived; reality hit, and I dropped to my knees, bowing my head.
"I greet the Princess."
I tried to hide my emotions, but my flushed cheeks betrayed me. The city's highest authority greeting me naked? No way.
"I don't know the custom, but raise your head."
Raise my head?! Seeing her shameless form, it had to be the mode's doing. I focused on her face, from shoulders up. Staring steadily, her flawless beauty was striking. Comparing to the forcibly altered Outer Gods felt off, but she rivaled their idealized forms.
One thing caught my eye, though: a heart-shaped mark near her collarbone. Too embedded for jewelry—maybe a piercing?
Damn, my gaze kept slipping downward.
"...Urgh."
I'd been staring at the heart mark, and her troubled voice snapped me out.
Oh no. Too obvious?
"S-sorry!"
"No! It's not that..."
She waved her hands frantically in panic, then mumbled hesitantly.
"...It's a bit gross, isn't it? I wondered if it'd be okay to summon you like this. Don't mind it—it's a natural reaction..."
Was the "gross form" she meant the heart mark? Why gross? Unless it was mode-filtered, Outer God-related. But even then, calling it gross felt off.
"No, I think it's a beautiful mark."
I gave my honest impression. Better than mumbling awkwardly; it might lighten the mood.
Her eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled warmly.
"Thank you for saying so, Tantun."
No, really. Arguing wouldn't help since I didn't know its true form.
Now relaxed, she picked up clothes by the Hearth, turned, dressed, and offered me a chair. In the eased atmosphere, I sat, and she sat across, propping her chin on the table.
"I heard from the Vice Captain. Defeating the Observer, toppling Candle on the way back, even rescuing the Knight Commander."
"...Well, yeah, if you put it that way."
True, but phrased like that, it sounded exaggerated. That's why hype was scary. Controlling my twitching lips, she grinned mischievously.
"And though not in the Vice Captain's report, I sensed one of your achievements."
"W-what was it?"
"Vanquishing another Greater Outer God."
My brain froze. How did Princess sis know? It wasn't even in Rondan?
But she calmly laid out evidence.
"I can sense Outer God presences. Power to fell the Observer, a Greater Outer God vanishing suddenly, then you returning. That's reason enough, no?"
As expected of Rondan's pinnacle guardian—her acuity and senses were unmatched. Staring blankly, she chuckled with her eyes.
"That dazed look confirms it, right?"
"...No words."
"Why hide it?"
Why? No proof. The Knight Commander as witness? She'd forget her last meal, let alone testify.
"Fascinating. Normally, people boast about such feats."
She looked puzzled, then grinned.
"But you can't hide anymore. I caught you."
I hadn't meant to hide, so I scratched my head sheepishly.
"Jokes aside, I called you for a favor..."
What could it be? I focused intently.
"Truth is, I'm half-Outer God, half-human."
Eh... what? Stunned by her bombshell, I looked up. Her flushed cheeks, tense eyes...
Then it hit me—Leydan Tantun's crime.