Episode 171
Elonia brought Lucius to Artius’s room.
Aaron, who had been keeping vigil by Artius’s bedside, quickly stood up and greeted her.
“Your Highness, you’ve returned.”
“Yes. Have there been any more unwelcome visitors?”
“No. But it’s quite late… And this young man—”
Aaron asked cautiously. He must have been surprised by the sudden change in Cielun Luneus’s hair and eye color.
But explaining the situation wasn’t their priority. Treating Artius was. That was why they had dragged their exhausted bodies here in the middle of the night.
Elonia spoke,
“Lucius, please.”
“Yes.”
Lucius slowly approached the bed. He gently placed his hand on Artius’s arm, where the dark purple veins had spread up to his shoulder.
Aaron watched, puzzled, then his eyes widened as a bright light filled the room.
Tap, tap.
Artius opened his eyes, disturbed by the sound of dripping water. He looked around, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings.
“A cave?”
Cold air filled his lungs, turning into mist as he exhaled. He looked around again.
Tap.
The dripping sound returned, coming from a sharp stalactite hanging from the ceiling.
“Why am I here…?”
He should be at the Imperial Palace.
Just then, another drop fell, a few steps away. Curious, he walked towards it, and another drop fell, further away.
It was as if the dripping water was guiding him.
Artius, mesmerized, followed the sound, drawn towards an unknown destination.
He didn’t know what he was looking for, but he felt compelled to follow.
He reached a large river.
Across the river, he saw figures, and his heart leaped with joy. He reached out, though he knew they were too far away.
“Philia.”
He called out her name, his voice filled with longing.
Not only Philemon, but also his parents, and his baby sister were there. They were all waving at him, except for Philemon, who stood with her back turned.
He called out again.
“Philia, please look at me.”
She remained still.
“Philia.”
Artius felt a pang of desperation. How could he make her turn around, make her speak to him?
He noticed an old boat moored by the riverbank.
Just as he was about to step into it,
“Go back, Artius.”
Philemon finally spoke. Artius froze, confused.
He had finally found her, and she was telling him to go back? His heart sank. He clutched his chest, his voice filled with pain.
“Why?”
“…”
“Philia, I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
She remained stubborn, refusing to turn around. Tears welled up in Artius’s eyes.
“How can you tell me to go back when you’re right here?”
He regretted not being by her side when she died. The guilt had haunted him ever since.
He feared she had died alone, lonely.
He wanted to be with her, right now.
But her voice, cold and sharp, cut through his grief.
“Are you planning to sadden our child?”
Artius finally snapped back to reality, lifting his head.
“Elonia.”
Why hadn’t he thought of her sooner?
All his family, except for Elonia, was dead. And being here meant he was hovering between life and death.
They were across the river, but he wasn’t. He was still alive.
‘I have to go back.’
But how?
There was only the boat, which would take him across the river, not back.
The dripping water, which had led him here, wouldn’t guide him back.
Just as he was desperately searching for a way back, Philemon’s voice, soft and gentle, reached him from across the river.
“Don’t worry, Artius.”
She slowly turned around, finally facing him.
“You can go back.”
She smiled, a radiant smile that seemed out of place in this dark and gloomy cave.
And then he heard a faint cry.
“…ad!”
He turned towards the sound.
“Dad!”
It was Elonia’s voice. Philemon, as if pushing him from behind, urged him,
“Go on, open your eyes. Elonia is waiting.”
Ah, right.
He was still unconscious. Opening his eyes would end this sweet dream.
Before opening his eyes, Artius cautiously spoke his final words to Philemon.
“…Philia.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come back when I’m old.”
“…!”
Philemon’s eyes widened.
Artius, looking down, his voice filled with uncertainty, asked,
“I’ll be keeping you waiting for a long time, and I’ll be old and unattractive by then… But please, can you wait for me?”
Philemon’s lips parted slightly, her expression surprisingly vivid and human for a dream.
She bit her lip, trying to hold back tears, then nodded firmly.
“Yes.”
She smiled, her eyes filled with warmth.
“I’ll wait.”
Artius, hearing her answer, smiled like a boy who had just received the greatest gift in the world.
And he opened his eyes.
For Philemon, and for their child.
“Dad!”
A loud cry, almost deafening, greeted Artius as he opened his eyes. He slowly opened his dry lips and called out her name.
“Elo…nia…”
“Dad, are you awake?”
Artius slowly nodded. His body felt stiff, as if he had been lying down for a long time, but he reached out and stroked Elonia’s hair.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Elonia’s face crumpled.
He seemed to always make the women he loved cry. Just as guilt washed over him, his eyes widened.
He had spotted Lucius.
“Why is he here?”
Artius asked, his voice hoarse. Elonia helped him sit up and replied,
“Lucius healed you.”
“…Me?”
Artius’s eyes widened in surprise. Lucius lowered his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
Come to think of it, Lucius had returned to his original appearance. What had happened while he was unconscious? Artius asked urgently,
“How many days have passed since I collapsed?”
“A little over a week.”
Elonia replied, then quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I tried to protect Ravanta in your absence, but I failed.”
“What…”
Artius’s face turned pale. Was Elonia hurt? But she looked fine.
Elonia recounted the events that had transpired while he was unconscious.
“I’m sorry. I should have killed him. It’s my fault…”
Fortunately, her apology wasn’t about what Artius had feared most.
He shook his head and gestured for Lucius to approach.
“…?”
Lucius hesitantly approached the bed and knelt down. A large hand rested gently on his head.
Lucius’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s. Elonia was also surprised.
Artius, his eyes filled with kindness, slowly stroked both their heads.
“You’ve both been through a lot.”
“Dad…”
Artius smiled reassuringly at Elonia, then turned to Lucius.
“And Lucius.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for saving Elonia and healing me. I’m truly grateful.”
“Your Majesty…”
He had never expected to receive thanks from Artius.
Artius, his eyes filled with determination, said to them,
“Leave the rest to the adults now.”
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Church of the Resurrection God in Ravanta,
“Ugh…”
Tristan groaned, healing the injuries Lucius had inflicted upon him.
“Tristan, are you alright?”
Felix asked. Tristan nodded weakly.
He wasn’t alright, but he couldn’t worry his beloved. He had to remain strong, unwavering, to maintain Felix’s faith.
He cursed inwardly.
‘Damn it… If only I could return to Heilan.’
He couldn’t leave Ravanta, thanks to whatever Lucius had done.
‘It was once my power…’
Without his followers, without the Calamity God’s power, Ravanta was hell for Tristan.
He needed to regain his divine power as soon as possible.
But how?
He and Felix were trapped like rats.
Just as he was gritting his teeth in frustration,
“This won’t do, Tristan. I’ll send word immediately and summon the army to Ravanta.”
Felix, having made a decision, proposed. Tristan shook his head.
“Your Majesty, that’s too dangerous. They’ll track the Holy Power.”
“But you can’t recover your strength here! We need the faith of the soldiers!”
Felix knew why Tristan couldn’t recover his strength. He was only able to maintain his form because of the small amount of faith he had accumulated in this place.
“Tristan, you can let your guard down in front of me.”
Felix held Tristan’s shoulders firmly.
“No matter what happens, you’re still a god.”
“Your Majesty…”
Tristan, surprised by his unexpected words, felt a flicker of warmth in his cold heart.
He had thought Felix, being so calculating, would be disappointed by his weakness.
But Felix had accepted him, even in his weakened state.
Felix took out a hidden communication crystal and contacted the Heilan Royal Palace.
“This is a royal command. Send the army to Ravanta immediately.”