Episode 125
Life within the temple was unbearably tedious, and time crawled like a snail. Though my mind was weary, my soul, having experienced this countless times, adapted quickly, moving fluidly through the motions.
Days were spent receiving infusions of divine power and enduring nonsensical brainwashing sessions.
Today was no different. I sat quietly in my room, waiting for Heron to make his move.
‘Well, it’s a familiar room. A boring, stifling cage.’
As I acted increasingly listless and compliant, I could feel the watchful eyes on me lessen their scrutiny.
They probably wouldn’t kill me. They knew it was easier to use an obedient tool than to destroy it.
‘I wonder what Cesar is doing. I doubt he’s patiently waiting for me.’
I was worried he might come all the way here, looking for me. I hoped not.
Just then, a soft breeze brushed against my cheek. It wasn’t a gentle draft from under the door; I recognized this energy.
—It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
A gentle voice greeted me casually. I nodded slightly, and the Spirit King of the Wind, a playful smile in its voice, approached.
—I’ve distracted the guards. So you can speak freely.
“Thank you for your help.”
As I expressed my gratitude, the Spirit King fluttered around me, as if surprised.
—Aren’t you angry that I tricked you? Strictly speaking, I helped that bird, not you, and now your souls are merged.
“I’m not angry; I understand. That bird was a coward. It only appeared before me when everything was almost over, when it was certain I would succeed.”
—It only had one chance. That bird longed for freedom, but at the same time, it wanted a place to belong. I wanted to help it with everything, but I couldn’t give it a place to belong. I couldn’t grant its greatest wish.
I felt a bitter wind blow.
A bird could fly freely anywhere, but without a place to call home, it would just wander eternally.
‘A place to belong and someone waiting for me.’
Those sweet words weren’t shackles restricting my freedom, but a warm, comforting nest where I could rest.
“I’ve found it now. Even if everything crumbles, I have a place I want to return to. Someone waiting for me, someone who loves me. It’s a warm and cozy place that makes me want to stay forever.”
—That must be the place you’ve chosen to protect.
“Yes. I think so.”
That bird must have also considered this place its home at first. It must have wanted to stay here, surrounded by those who loved it, in that warmth and happiness.
But human greed had shackled the bird’s feet, preventing it from flying away. From the moment they tried to exploit the bird’s love, this place became a cold cage, not a warm nest.
“It doesn’t want to protect this place anymore. It said it wants to end everything and finally experience freedom and happiness.”
—Follow me. Even the one who summoned me can’t maintain my presence for more than half a day. But before that, I have an interesting story to tell you.
“An interesting story?”
—Yes. Aren’t you interested in a bit of sweet revenge before you leave?
The Spirit King of the Wind’s energy was pure and clear, yet its words were quite the opposite, and I blinked in surprise.
“Sweet revenge?”
—Yes. A parting gift, if you will.
I should have finished my task quickly and returned. Cesar was waiting, and I had to bring an end to this tiresome ordeal to truly enjoy my happy ending.
But ever since that bird’s soul merged with mine, not only had my curiosity grown, but my suppressed resentment towards the Holy Kingdom was also demanding to be released.
So, in the end, I only had one choice.
“How?”
The spirit smiled gently and explained,
—By spectacularly ruining the annual Divine Ceremony.
The High Priest was suspicious of Duke Clovis readily returning their sacred artifact.
To so easily hand over the valuable, useful artifact after being so possessive… it didn’t make sense.
But the scene he witnessed upon his return pleased him.
He felt a thrill, seeing the heartbroken sacred artifact, betrayed and choosing to return to the place it hated.
The more her spirit was broken, the more her light dimmed, the stronger the Holy Kingdom would become, its influence expanding.
And it seemed like the Crown Prince was willing to overlook their deal with the Second Prince since they had helped heal the injured knights.
The Crown Prince, who valued logic and pragmatism, would probably let the matter rest, since openly challenging the Holy Kingdom, practically an inviolable territory, over an unofficial matter would be problematic.
“Everything is proceeding smoothly. We’ll officially announce the existence of our sacred artifact after the ceremony.”
Then, some of the priests who had been quietly listening started murmuring.
“But we’ve kept its existence a secret until now!”
“That’s right. And there haven’t been any problems. I don’t understand why we would suddenly reveal a potential weakness.”
The High Priest, displeased by their objections, calmly addressed them,
“There are too many rumors about the monsters suddenly disappearing at the Empire’s hunting competition. We can’t keep its existence a secret any longer.”
“That’s true, but…”
“And His Highness the Crown Prince is also aware of its existence. It would be beneficial to establish its ownership before he becomes Emperor.”
He also knew this declaration meant the sacred artifact would never be able to leave. The High Priest smiled, imagining the artifact’s despair upon learning this.
“That’s true.”
“We’ll follow your instructions, Your Holiness.”
“As you command.”
As soon as the priests agreed, he declared the day he would shackle the bird’s feet, clip its wings, and completely confine it to a cage.
“We’ll officially announce its existence on the day of the annual Divine Ceremony.”
The day known as the Day of Miracles, the perfect opportunity to flaunt the Holy Kingdom’s power.
It was the day when those suffering from incurable diseases were allowed to enter the Holy Kingdom.
The ceremony involved bestowing divine power, concentrated in a special jewel and incomparable to even the High Priest’s, upon the chosen ones as a divine blessing, to ensure their absolute obedience to the Holy Kingdom.
It was also a way to generate income through under-the-table deals and gain political influence in various countries.
The stolen sacred artifact, having hatched and grown capable of wielding divine power, its rebellious spirit now subdued, was wasting away in its room, so the timing was perfect.
Everything was proceeding smoothly, heralding the Holy Kingdom’s golden age.
A chilling wind, like the arrival of early winter, swept through the priests. But no one found it strange, since the Holy Kingdom was located in the north of the continent.
They were just dreaming of future glory.
“The wind can hear everything. And yet, they’re so disliked by spirits, despite being the closest to the gods…”
Beings created by the gods naturally possessed a high affinity with nature and received the love of spirits.
But these people, who leech off borrowed divine power without any effort, wielding it for their own gain, wouldn’t be loved by spirits.
“Don’t you agree, Heron?”
Everyone was busy preparing for the annual Divine Ceremony.
Perhaps taking advantage of the loosened security and trying to appease me, the High Priest had assigned Heron, the one I had specifically requested on my first day, to attend to me.
“All debts must be repaid. Spirits don’t love those who leech off others without any effort. They’re more likely to be disgusted.”
His words were sharp, but I didn’t feel any sympathy for them.
I thought about the date and spoke,
“Tomorrow, right? The day they bestow my divine power, stored in a jewel, upon the chosen ones, calling it a divine blessing.”
They were certainly resourceful. To concentrate the divine power that permeated this land, which was originally mine, into a jewel and use it on those they deemed worthy.
“That’s what I heard.”
“It’s ironic. Those who borrow my divine power are limited because of their impure bodies. But the divine power stored separately, not through their bodies, can perform miracles, so they exploit that.”
The words “sweet revenge” echoed in my mind. And I remembered the bird’s request.
‘Destroy them, so they can no longer abuse divine power.’
‘I will. No matter how good something is, it becomes poison in the hands of evil.’
They had held a weapon for far too long. It was time to take it back.
“You’re right. They deserve to be punished. That’s why I’m following your plan, but Duke Clovis will be furious if you get hurt.”
“That’s to be expected. I’ll try not to do anything reckless. But isn’t it exciting?”
“What is?”
“To see them crumble at their most glorious moment.”
“Those are words befitting a villain.”
“Well… it’s fine.”
I smiled brightly and replied,
“The person I like is also a villain. Although I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything bad anymore.”
I imagined Cesar chuckling and replying that I was the villain.