Night of the Ritual
"Let me go!" Tollin shrieked, struggling desperately to break free, but Jack did not budge.
"You must return to the manor." Like a broken clock, Jack merely repeated the same words, continuing to bind Tollin's hands.
"If we leave things like this, Lord Flin is in danger!"
Only when the Young Duke's name echoed through the alley did Jack's hands pause. But he had not changed his mind.
"The one putting the Young Duke in the most danger right now is you, Tollin. Do you wish to turn him into a criminal?"
Hearing Jack's pained voice, Tollin wanted to laugh in his face. Fool. What did any of that matter now?
Someone had been targeting the Young Duke for a long time. Seeing how even the Temple had joined hands with them, the Emperor, the Empress, or perhaps both, surely knew of this.
And now, even his final, desperate plan to help the Young Duke escape had been thwarted by the First Prince's interference.
Now that he was completely helpless, he couldn't just sit around wasting time at the manor.
"I never expected this from you, Tollin. If I had known you were the type of coward who would run away to save his own skin, I would never have stayed with the ducal house," Jack muttered, dragging Tollin along.
Unable to tolerate any more wasted time, Tollin thrashed wildly again.
"Damn it, I don't care about my own life!"
Not once had he feared for his life. From the moment he received the letter from the Temple, he had resolved to throw his life away.
Today, Tollin had planned to kill the Young Duke and then take his own life.
Rasiah Abaran had unintentionally prevented an act of arson today. He would go to his grave never knowing that he had stopped a massive blaze from engulfing the capital—a fire so great that it wouldn't have been strange if the entire Temple burned to the ground, several priests died, and an imperial heir perished.
But to Tollin, Rasiah's interference was nothing short of a disaster that blocked the final path to saving the Young Duke.
No one could escape the eyes of the imperial family in Abaran. Their eyes were everywhere, and their willing servants overflowed in every corner. The entire Empire of Abaran moved under their command like a single, massive organism.
Even if they fled such a place, there was no way the Young Duke could survive.
If survival was impossible, then they had to embrace death.
Thus, Tollin's choice was to make the Young Duke a dead man to the world.
The old building where the ritual was to be held was constructed primarily of ancient wood. It would have burned fiercely enough to draw everyone's attention, allowing Flin to escape. Priests would have lost their lives, but Tollin didn't care about such things.
As long as he could kill the Young Duke in front of as many witnesses as possible and temporarily divert the imperial family's gaze, no sacrifice was too great. He only needed to buy enough time for Flin to cross the border.
Tollin glared death at the loyal knight of the Fidus family who was obstructing him.
"Are you planning to make the same choice as Agoni Fidus?"
Tollin desperately searched for any opening in the resentful eyes looking down at him.
"The First Prince said he would hold us responsible for the disappearance of the Selby family's third son. We can still find the young lord now."
At Tollin's lie, Jack's eyes finally wavered.
"Jack. Think carefully. If you take me to the Temple—if you give me just one chance—we can leave a future for the Young Duke."
Only one thing in Tollin's words was true: leaving a future for Flin.
"Jack, it's the Night of the Ritual. The imperial family is at the Temple. If I truly do anything foolish, I will gladly accept my judgment on the spot."
"...Fine. But if you show even a single suspicious sign again... you won't be able to blame me for whatever happens next."
Jack decided to believe Tollin one last time. The loyal knight of Abaran was also a friend who cherished the Young Duke.
Two men, a priest, and a child. It was a rare combination, and Jing swallowed a sigh as he felt the passing glances of the crowd.
"We've passed the capital gates. Where should we release this priest now?"
Gael found it irritating that Jing spoke of him as if releasing a wild animal, but since he desperately wanted to be free of these madmen, he nodded vigorously.
"He's still useful. Having him around will make it easier to slip into the Temple," Ratel said. He was surprisingly thorough with his planning.
Jing looked at the despairing Gael with pity, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
"Do you think there are other children captured in the Temple?"
Ratel rolled his eyes at Jing's question before nodding. Seeing his half-hearted response, Jing was certain the boy had another motive.
"I cannot enter through the front gate openly. The reason... well, you might already know."
No matter how low he pulled his robe, there were too many people in the capital's Temple who would recognize Agoni Fidus.
"I will investigate the Temple tower first, so you search the main building. That way—"
"No," Ratel cut him off. "From here on, I'll go alone. So, Jing, you can go your own way now."
Jing had to double-check if he had heard correctly.
"Are you telling me to leave now?"
"Yes. Whether you go to meet the son you've been searching for so desperately, or if you have someone else to find, do as you please."
Jing narrowed his eyes, unable to comprehend why the boy who had stubbornly clung to him since Comiel Village was suddenly changing his tune.
"Why the sudden change? You acted like you'd follow me to the grave."
"Because I don't need you anymore," Ratel replied flatly and rudely. "Now that I have this guy, I don't need a guide."
He shook Gael by the scruff of his neck to demonstrate. Jing considered advising him that treating a priest that way in public wasn't wise, but decided against it. Ratel was not the type to listen anyway.
"Will we meet again?"
"No. I have no more business with you, Jing. Our paths are different."
Jing stared into Ratel's unwavering eyes, then spoke somewhat impulsively.
"Don't you think I know too much for us to part ways like this?"
Jing couldn't understand why he was making such a disadvantageous statement when he had finally gained his freedom. Perhaps it was because the young man before him was someone who constantly threw himself into danger.
"It doesn't matter. Everyone will find out soon enough anyway."
It was a warning that he was about to cause all kinds of trouble in Abaran, but for some reason, Jing didn't feel like stopping him. He let out a small chuckle.
"So you don't want me to tag along?"
Once again, Ratel did not answer. Jing did not press further. Ratel was strong enough, and it was true that Jing deeply missed his family at the Duke's manor. Moreover, he thought he vaguely understood why Ratel was trying to send him away.
Jing extended his hand to Ratel.
"Find me anytime."
He didn't specify where, and Ratel didn't ask. However, Ratel simply left Jing's hand hanging, turned around, and walked away.
Jing stared at his retreating back for a moment before turning on his heel.
Midnight was approaching. It was the start of the ritual, and the perfect opportunity to strike while everyone's attention was divided.
Click. Clack.
The sound of heels striking the floor echoed down the empty hallway. Meltin's expression was stiff as she walked, breaking the vacuum-like silence. Yet, there was no hesitation in her steps as she headed toward the room at the end of the corridor.
Countless candles lined the walls, flickering as if urging her forward, illuminating her path. Her steps, upon which everyone's fate rested, finally came to a halt. Meltin stood before the weathered door.
Even though she knew exactly what lay inside, she always felt a slight tension before opening it. But confident that her heart would never beat as wildly as it did today, she slowly turned the doorknob.
Splash.
The blue water filling the shallow floor of the room soaked Meltin's shoes. Out of habit, Meltin slipped off her shoes and stepped carefully.
Wading through the blue liquid, Meltin finally reached the blue rock situated at the very back of the room.
She slowly placed her hand on the stone, which emitted a brilliantly transparent glow. Her hand trembled slightly. She knew there was no turning back now.
Meltin closed her eyes tightly and focused on the sensation at her fingertips. Her Manis was drawn in, absorbed greedily by the blue rock. As if responding to it, the liquid filling the room began to glow.
Soon after, the priests who had been waiting for this day poured out of the Temple. Among those heading toward the nobles' estates, a few individuals lay hidden—those with different purposes and different destinations.
Thud.
The Young Duke of Fides looked at the door, which had been flung open without a knock, in disbelief. He thought he had grown somewhat accustomed to the unprecedentedly poor treatment he had received since arriving at the Temple, but it seemed there were still new depths of rudeness to discover.
As if mocking his thoughts, the priest who entered shattered the absolute bottom of insolence.
"Don't just sit there like an idiot, get up!"
Bellowing, the priest roughly grabbed the Young Duke's arm. At this behavior, which transcended mere rudeness and bordered on madness, the Young Duke's expression turned ice-cold.
Flin Feedus violently shook off his hand.
"What do you think you are doing? Do the priests of the Temple lack even the most basic common sense?"
The priest flinched momentarily, intimidated by the child's fierce aura, but a sneer quickly spread across his face.
"You don't seem to grasp the situation yet. Everything you've enjoyed until now is utterly useless, you foolish brat."
"What do you..."
Amused by the Young Duke's rising anger, the priest bowed mockingly.
"Now, let us go, final heir of the Fidus family. It is time for you to undergo the ritual."
Giggling, he grabbed Flin by the collar this time.
"Unhand me this instant!"
"Don't you get it yet? There is no one left to help you!"
Unable to tolerate this atrocious treatment, Flin was just debating whether it was worth committing sacrilege to punch the priest when a voice intervened.
"Put the Fidus child down."
A sharp, youthful voice cut between the priest and the Young Duke.
The priest, who had been thoroughly enjoying himself, spun around to see who dared interrupt him.
"Who goes there!"
But the moment he saw the intruder, the color drained from his face.
Leaning against the doorframe was a small child. The problem was his hair—a dazzling, brilliant platinum blonde.
Faced with the unmistakable proof of imperial blood, the priest didn't even stop to think before tossing the Young Duke aside.
"Ugh...!"
Whether Flin groaned in pain from hitting his back or not, the priest was busy groveling on the floor.
"I-I beg your forgiveness! I have committed a mortal sin. I failed to recognize Your Highness..."
"Enough. I don't need your apologies, so get lost."
The young imperial waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.
A look of conflict crossed the priest's face. "B-but, I was ordered to bring the Young Duke..."
"Ordered by whom?"
Flin Feedus watched blankly as the priest nervously eyed the young imperial. The man seemed to be struggling to find an answer. When he remained silent, irritation flared in the young imperial's eyes.
"Why are you still groveling here instead of getting lost? Are you defying my order?"
"No, no! Of course not!"
The young imperial narrowed his eyes at the frantic reply.
"Since you're persisting so stubbornly, I'm quite curious to know who gave you that order. Why don't you tell me?"
"T-that is..."
Once again, the priest couldn't bring himself to speak.
Sighing, the young imperial pushed himself off the doorframe, walked over to the priest, and ground his foot down on the man's hand resting on the floor.
"Are you deaf? I said there is nothing left for you to do here. If you want to keep your life, why don't you run along and grovel to whoever gave you those orders?"
Gasping for breath like a drowning man, the priest scrambled to his feet the moment the young imperial lifted his foot and bolted out of the room.
Flin Feedus stared blankly at the young imperial who had suddenly appeared and saved him.
Platinum blonde hair, golden eyes, and something distinctly inhuman hidden within them. He was undoubtedly of the imperial bloodline.
Why would an imperial help me?
Struggling to comprehend the situation, Flin snapped back to reality under the cold gaze looking down at him.
"T-thank you, Your Highness."
Flin stood up and bowed politely, his hands trembling slightly.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the young imperial paid no attention to Flin's state.
"Why are you just standing there like a fool?"
"Pardon?" Flin blurted out, caught off guard.
"Good grief, it seems the Fidus line gets stupider with each generation."
The young imperial scowled, gesturing toward the wide-open door with his chin.
"You need to make a decision. Will you stay here and wait for help, or will you escape through the adjacent room according to your loyal servant's plan?"
Flin's eyes widened at the sharp yet informative explanation.
It was just as he said. He could escape right now. However, unsure if he could take an imperial's words at face value, Flin hesitated, staring at the young imperial.
"Still standing there like a statue? Is the next heir of the Fidus family a simpleton?"
At the sarcasm, the Young Duke snapped to attention.
The adjacent room held clothes and valuables. In the basement was the warehouse where the Fidus family's offerings were stored. Tollin had repeatedly explained those two locations for a reason.
Having connected the dots, Flin bowed deeply to the imperial child.
"Thank you for your mercy. I will surely repay this debt one day."
The boy dashed out the door without hesitation.
"No need to thank me. The debt has already been repaid," El muttered softly, watching his retreating figure.