15. Exploration (2)
A few days passed.
In that time, Elijah meticulously reviewed his plans for the future. The fact that he could afford such leisure to organize his thoughts was thanks to Kyle, who brought him meals every time. Though the order not to deliver food had quietly vanished at some point and the surveillance had loosened a bit, without him, Elijah would have had to carve out even more time from his already scarce schedule.
When Elijah asked if Kyle was facing any repercussions from the church for showing him such favor, Kyle just smiled and said it was a relief that he could be of help.
"Hoo...."
Elijah let out a small sigh.
Learning through Kyle that there were still people within the church harboring doubts about the incident was a major gain. At least he didn't have to treat the entire church as an enemy.
But the road ahead still looked long.
Finding the priest who had lured him out was a prime example. The only clue he had was a small scar under the man's left eye.
He had casually asked Kyle if he'd ever seen a priest with that description.
Kyle thought long and hard before shaking his head.
If even Kyle, who handled all sorts of menial tasks at the bottom of the knight order and interacted with people throughout the church, had never seen that face...
...It's unlikely he's inside the church headquarters.
That seemed the most logical conclusion. It was something he'd half-expected. If it had been that easy to unravel, he wouldn't have come this far.
So how should he track him down? Elijah sank deep into thought.
......The Gray Merchant Guild.
The largest trading company in the capital, and a shadowy exchange where nearly all the empire's information converged. Back when he was a promising holy knight, he'd often visited for intelligence gathering before dispatches.
Most of the info he'd traded for back then concerned heretics. In other words, there was no better place for finding a person.
Elijah suddenly recalled an old face.
I wonder if he's doing well.
Thinking of seeing his old friend brought a small curve to Elijah's lips.
Sera and Lien were in the meditation room.
Sera knelt on the fine purple carpet covering the floor, eyes closed. A translucent white haze rose from her body.
"Breathe evenly... Don't force it in or out."
Lien said in a low voice.
"Hoo... haa...."
Sera followed her instructions, repeating slow deep breaths. The haze rising from her body began to waver slightly.
"Good. Just like that...."
"Haa... haa... hngh....!"
Pop!
As Sera's breathing grew ragged, a sound like a water droplet bursting echoed. The energy flowing from her had already vanished completely.
"Ah...."
Sera winced slightly and opened her eyes.
It was training to draw the divine power flowing inside her out and shape it into a tangible form. A fundamental step essential for properly wielding divine power.
Holy knights underwent similar training, but Sera's method was a bit different.
That made sense—she was the second Saintess. Normally, she'd have to discover ways to use her power through self-cultivation, but with the first Saintess already there, there was no need.
Lien instructed the method, and Sera closed her eyes, focusing her mind to manifest the divinity. They'd been training like this for a week now.
The goal was to demonstrate her divine power at Sera's investiture ceremony in a few days.
Given the increasingly dire situation at the front lines, the church judged it best to reveal the second Saintess to the entire empire as soon as possible.
"......Let's try once more."
Lien said to Sera, who was hunched over, catching her breath.
Sera nodded faintly and straightened her back. Closing her eyes and concentrating, the hazy aura began to rise from her body again.
Sera, eyes squeezed shut, sweat beading on her forehead. Lien slowly stepped back. She silently watched Sera's shoulders trembling faintly.
'No one to lean on but Oppa.'
Those words had been echoing in her ears for days.
Oppa.
She was the only one who could call Elijah that. Even that haughty princess couldn't intrude on it.
Yet this little girl in front of her had uttered it so casually. So naturally.
'......Then what about me?'
Lien bit her lip.
Elijah's side was rightfully hers. Calling her name, stroking her hair, pressing backs together to sleep at night. His scent, his warmth—they were all supposed to be hers.
Lien recalled the night the princess had come to her. Holding her hand, kneeling to beg.
Lien clicked her tongue inwardly.
'As if she could save Oppa.'
That arrogant princess had done nothing but leave behind her engagement ring.
She claimed she wanted to save her beloved knight, yet she couldn't even abandon her imperial family.
Compared to that, I...
......
Lien swallowed dryly. Elijah's face suddenly flashed in her mind.
For the past five years, she'd prayed to the goddess every day. To return Oppa to her, to let her hold him once more. She'd do anything for it.
And a miracle happened. He came back.
When she first saw Elijah step down from the carriage, her heart nearly stopped.
She wanted to run to him right then. Throw away all her saintly dignity and bury herself in his warm embrace.
To apologize for making him suffer, to tell him everything would be okay now. She wanted to cling to him and say those words.
But she hadn't—only because of the guilt lingering in a corner of her heart.
The Elijah she met after five years was gaunt. A sinner's stigma branded his cheek. If he'd glared at her like he wanted to kill her, or looked at her with hatred, she might have given up.
But his eyes, gazing at her, held faint worry. Warm and gentle, just like before.
That gaze brought her relief.
Oppa is still the same Oppa I knew.
That he hadn't changed at all. That he was still her Oppa.
Lien's chest swelled. Tears welled up. And she harbored a small hope.
Pop!
The sound of a balloon bursting snapped Lien back to reality.
Sera was breathing heavily. Sweat-soaked strands of hair clung to her cheeks.
Her hair, drained of color for days, had returned to a fiery red except at the tips. Seeing it, Lien's brow furrowed slightly.
Seraphina......
The girl wedged between her and Oppa. She didn't know what had happened between her and Elijah.
But she knew the look in Elijah's eyes when he saw her. It was identical to the one he'd given Lien. And she didn't like it.
In that moment, amid thoughts filled with Elijah, a small doubt sprouted in her mind. What did Seraphina think of Elijah? Lien recalled the girl's expression as she chattered about him.
"......"
No way. But... maybe...
Lien stared silently at Sera.
"......Saintess?"
Sera turned and called to Lien. Their clear emerald gaze met her wavering amber one.
Lien flinched for a moment but quickly composed herself.
"......Good work, Lady Seraphina. That's enough for today. You should rest."
Lien said as she rose. Normally, she'd add a benevolent smile, but not now.
Lien fled the meditation room, leaving Sera behind.
The sun was setting outside. Her white robes whispered against the floor.
With each step down the corridor, her mind grew thicker with fog.
'......Why didn't I think of it sooner?'
If he looks precious to me, he'll look precious to others too.
Hadn't the princess already stolen him once? This was her hard-won second chance. She wouldn't hesitate and lose Elijah right in front of her again.
'No. He's mine. The spot beside Oppa is mine.'
Whether Seraphina harbored feelings for Elijah or not—she didn't know yet. But to Lien, whose head was filled with anxiety, it hardly mattered.
Lien's steps quickened. She'd turned back from the annex doorstep dozens of times in the past few days. No more time to hesitate. Before that girl could come between her and Oppa.
'I need to talk to him.'
Before she knew it, Lien was running. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor.
'Oppa will understand.'
Elijah was kind. He'd looked at her with worried eyes. That had to mean he still loved her.
So if they talked. If she apologized and explained everything.
He'd forgive her. Stroke her hair. Embrace her like before and smile gently.
He definitely would. Because that's the Oppa she knew.
'And we'll start over.'
That thought propelled her forward.
The annex came into view. Lien steadied her breath and reached for the door handle. Swallowing dryly, she cautiously pushed the door open.
"Oppa......"