Unexpected Obstacle
Unexpected Obstacle.
Hotel Darkness was letting out joyous screams from the endless stream of guests flooding in. Every hotel near Saint Prosa Week was packed, but Hotel Darkness had something special. Rooms were going for sky-high prices with bribes piled on top of bribes.
Especially around my room—it was like winning the lottery. Great nobles were constantly shelling out huge sums to take over rooms from other guests.
The reason was simple. My three lovers were all Great Saintesses, so they wanted to bask in their aura.
The only problem? Most of those great nobles were doddering old geezers. Thanks to them, I was stuck sharing the floor with wrinkly fossils and middle-aged has-beens.
"Good day, Lord Baekmyeon."
As I stepped out of my room, an elderly noble greeted me politely. Ah, I really hate this world where money buys everything. Those guys could probably buy a ticket to heaven if they flashed enough cash.
Damn. Next time, I gotta book somewhere else. There are plenty of fresh young noble ladies around—what a mess this is.
But even another hotel wouldn't help much. It'd be crawling with geezers in no time anyway.
I brushed past with a quick nod and headed outside.
Waah, so crowded.
The streets were buzzing. Hawkers called out to pilgrims everywhere, and local girls chatted away while shopping.
As I strolled along, soaking in the city vibe, a sleek black luxury carriage rolled by. It looked headed for Divinum Cathedral, with a white cat crest that rang a bell.
Hmm. Looks like a Yosrahim Empire noble house crest... who was it again?
Suddenly, the carriage pulled up beside me. The door opened, and a freckled young woman stepped out.
"Lord Baekmyeon?"
"Huh? Who're you?"
"It's Izel."
Izel? Oh, right—Hubeo's disciple, the plain girl always trailing Erisa. I'd seen her briefly at the Imperial Noble Academy and the magic steam locomotive demo.
"Ah, Izel. Where you headed?"
"To Divinum Cathedral."
"Oh? You participating in the Holy Hall event too?"
"Yes."
I gave her a once-over and lost interest. She was cute enough, but not really pretty. Even dolled up for the event, she couldn't change her plain looks.
"Alright, go get 'em. Do your best."
"Yes. See you later."
As Izel turned to board the carriage, I called her back. She was tight with Erisa, Hubeo's crush—perfect for helping out.
"Hold up."
"Yes?"
"I'm heading to Divinum Cathedral too. Got room for one more?"
"Of course. Hop in."
The middle-aged butler eyed me suspiciously as I climbed in—plain clothes and a mask probably screamed "shady." But after Izel's intro, he deflated.
I was one of the most powerful people alive.
The only one above me was maybe my uncle, the Yosrahim Emperor. Every other king was beneath me. Harsh, but true.
Might makes right.
If I wanted, I could topple any nation.
As the carriage rolled out, I turned to Izel.
"So, Izel, what's your family?"
"House of Bohun Marquis."
Now I remembered. Famous for swordsmanship, and her grandpa, Bohun Marquis, was a renowned Master swordsman in the Empire.
"Nice. So why the magic department instead of swordsmanship?"
"I take after my mom—kinda frail."
"Fair enough. How's your progress?"
"Still a trainee."
That meant not even a 1-Cycle Mage yet. Common, but it screamed no magic talent. With talent, you'd hit mage status by her age.
"Trainee, huh... Not much aptitude for magic, then."
Izel hung her head.
"Yes."
"Switch paths now. No point forcing what doesn't work."
"But I love magic."
"Love doesn't make it happen. Stick to what you're good at for success. This way, you won't even land a decent marriage. Nobles obsess over bloodline talent. Sure, beauty might draw eyes, but you're not standout there either. Gotta push with talent."
I laid into her hard. From a noble society's view, she was a dud bride prospect—no magic gift, average looks. She needed a new talent to shine, or kiss good matches goodbye.
"Yes..."
Her shoulders slumped. Glancing at her, I added,
"But life's full of jackpots."
"Huh?"
"Become a Guardian, and talent or looks won't matter. You'd be swimming in holy power—top noble houses would beg for you as a daughter-in-law."
Her face brightened a bit.
"Right?"
"But it's no sure thing. Lotteries are lotteries—big dreams, mostly duds."
Her expression darkened again. Thousands entered yearly; only about 20 became Guardians.
"Yes..."
"Makes me lucky, though. Everyone I've blessed got picked by a Divine Relic—all Great Saintesses or Guardians. No exceptions."
Izel's eyes lit up desperately.
"R-Really...?"
"Yeah. Pretty wild."
She swallowed hard. She wanted Guardian status bad—instant fix for everything.
Hubeo had become his house's heir right after, or he'd still be fighting for it.
We arrived at Divinum Cathedral, and the carriage stopped. The butler opened the door and stepped out.
"Miss, this way."
Izel got out, and I followed. We passed a quick Purity Knight check at the gate, registered at the office, and headed down the Path of Repentance. I pulled Izel aside to a quiet wall—she was praying devoutly.
Now alone. Perfect for a private chat.
"Izel, wanna help me out? Got something urgent."
"What?"
"My buddy likes a girl, but he's too spineless to confess. Can't just watch—gotta help."
Her eyes trembled.
"Professor Hubeo...?"
"Yep."
"Who does he like?"
"Erisa. Your bestie."
Her face went sheet-white. Hands shaking, body frozen.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. Didn't know?"
"N-No..."
Her voice quivered. Something off—I stared her down.
"No way... You like Hubeo?"
"..."
No answer. Looked spot on.
I couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief. Hubeo was my best friend since childhood—no plain Jane like her could aim that high.
I glared sharply.
"Who do you think you are, eyeing Hubeo? Over my dead body."
"But..."
"Tch! Need a reality check. Should I visit your grandpa soon? Won't be friendly."
"Sob..."
Tears welled up; she sniffled pitifully.
But I didn't care. Hubeo was drawing girls lately, but not her.
A concubine? Sure, I'd cheer. But marquis daughter? No—for his true love and the future, I had to shut this down now.
"Need cash? Name a price to back off. Want Guardian? I can make it happen. Marry into a top house, life's set. Deal?"
"No! Sob!"
She burst into tears and fled across the path.
I watched her go, rubbing my face. Unexpected roadblock.
Hubeo was soft-hearted and indecisive. If Izel pushed her feelings, he'd waffle between them, missing the perfect confession window of Saint Prosa Week.
Had to crush her hopes somehow.
That morning, I attended the Holy Hall event planning meeting. Attendees: 5 from Light faction, 5 from Darkness, 5 neutral, plus me—16 total.
From the top seat, I eyed the Light faction committee. Hubeo stood out, glaring with a twisted face.
Heh. This guy's putting in real effort. Good for him.
Hubeo had nailed the angle.
Even if Erisa wasn't Pereiro Duke's ideal daughter-in-law, Guardian status changed everything. Chosen by a god, not just a duke's girl.
No magic talent? Duke would bless their love anyway.
"Let's begin."
An elderly committee member stood.
"This year's Holy Rite applicants: 4,336 total. Up about a thousand from average—expect a tight schedule like last year."
"A thousand more? Why?"
"Last three years birthed six Great Saintesses. Knight and merchant houses are showing big interest."
"Trendy, huh."
"Yes, but fewer than last year."
Trends fade. No new Saintess last year, so the hype dipped.
"Got it. Breakdown by faction?"
He checked his notes.
"Light: 1,647. Darkness: 1,192. Neutral: 1,497."
Light led, as expected—Yosrahim Empire's the powerhouse.
"By time slot?"
"Day: 2,603. Night: 1,733."
"Day's heavier."
"Yes. Tried shifting some neutrals to night, but tradition respects personal choice."
I nodded.
"Stick to tradition. Just hustle more daytime."
"We do. With you leading daytime, no issue."
Me guiding daytime applicants. Perfect—boosts Erisa's odds.
I knew how to get chosen by a relic. Hubeo too.
"Fine. Guide order?"
"By turn—lead your group when it's your slot."
Even better for making Erisa a Guardian. Just align her slot.
Hubeo raised his hand.
"I'll take Light faction fourth slot."
I checked the applicant list. Frowned. Math whiz my ass—wrong slot for Erisa. Needed third.
But no sweat. If I took first, he'd shift to pair with her. My group makes five into six.
"I'll take Light first."
Hubeo's face crumpled.
"Hey, you handle Light, who's doing neutral?"
"Why? Light's the biggest."
"Daytime neutral peaks too. Top committee like you should help them."
I shot neutral committee a menacing look.
"I gotta?"
They waved frantically.
"We're fine!"
I turned back to Hubeo.
"See? They can handle it."
"You... seriously?"
He boiled over.
Double-checked the list—my math was solid.
"Told you, it's right. Just go with it."
"You..."
Mindful of eyes, he just stammered, no more fight.
I pushed the meeting on. Guides weren't all—pick Path of Penance escorts, discuss cleanup post-meals too.
Unexpected Obstacle. End