Chapter 231 – What are You?
The massive main gate of the imperial palace opened higher and wider than usual. While only the first locking mechanism needed to be released for people and carriages to pass through, the second mechanism had to be unlocked for large and delicate objects like the light of the oracle.
“Clear the way in front! You might get hurt!”
“Move the horses slowly. More slowly!”
“My, the one from the Carbó Temple is much larger than the others.”
“Wasn’t it smaller than this at the New Year’s gathering?”
“It’s Carbó, isn’t it? Carbó. The temple that’s been with us since the founding. It’s fitting for its name. Keep pushing steadily! Mage, the left side is tilting. Apply force evenly, please.”
Swish!
Something covered in multiple layers of thick cloth and secured with ropes entered the palace, crawling like a creature. White-robed high priests surrounded and protected it. Despite their arduous journey, not a speck of dust was visible on them. They moved in perfect unison, making one wonder if there were really people under those veils.
“Those must be the high priests. They said Carbó, right?”
“If it’s the Carbó Temple, isn’t that Lady Dilaina’s family?”
“I’d like to ask for their prayers. I wonder how long they’ll stay in the capital?”
“We’re lucky. We get to see the procession of high priests too.” freewebnσvel.cøm
The imperial citizens who had stepped aside whispered excitedly. It was truly a rare sight. Most temples were located in remote areas, and unless there was a special event like a war or disaster, they were sacred places inaccessible to the public.
Creak.
“Come now, those waiting to enter the palace, please step back and wait.”
“Please step back. Please wait!”
“Oh my, I take back what I said about being lucky. We’re locked out! If I’d known, I would have come earlier.”
“How long do we have to wait?”
“Until the Ministry of Magic receives the light of the oracle. They’ll be here soon, so don’t worry. It won’t take long.”
Boom! Creak!
The gatekeepers said this and then completely closed the main gate. They began verifying the identities of each high priest and recording them on the entry list.
The same went for Dilaina’s subordinates and the mages. They handed over their identification cards with tired gestures, reporting their return.
Clip-clop!
At that moment, the sound of hooves was heard from afar. Sure enough, it was the flag of the Ministry of Magic. The blonde boy galloping at the front skillfully pulled on the reins and looked down.
Whoosh!
“Lord Ian.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The mages who approached whispered quietly. They had tried to delay their arrival as much as possible, preferably after the general assembly, but they had failed.
There was a limit to how much they could damage the carriage wheels, and above all, if the light of the oracle were to break in the process, wouldn’t that be disastrous? Dilaina’s subordinates gritting their teeth had also played a part.
“It’s fine. You’ve done well. It must have been tough from Stone Mountain to here. All the mages who went out to support, go in and rest. We’ll take over from here.”
Ian patted their shoulders reassuringly. As he did so, the cart that had been floating about 3 centimeters in the air slowly touched the ground. It was a measure to make pulling the carriage easier and to prevent shaking and impacts.
“Lord Ian. How high should we lift it? Should we keep it at 3 centimeters?”
“Yes. It’s dangerous if we lift it too high. Four people should apply force simultaneously from all sides.”
Whir. Whirr.
At Ian’s instruction, the mages moved in perfect coordination.
A high priest approached them. Like Abidel and Makael, not even a fingertip was visible, but her bent back suggested her age.
“Greetings. I am Lily, the Grand High Priest of the Carbó Temple. It’s a pleasure to meet you like this. May God’s blessings be upon you.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Ministry of Magic. You must be tired from your long journey. May God’s blessings be upon you.”
As Ian placed his hand on his chest, the Grand High Priest bowed her head slightly. Simultaneously, the high priests standing behind her also greeted in the same manner.
“But while I understand about the cart for the light of the oracle, why don’t you have carriages?”
“While waiting at Stone Mountain, we thought about moving by carriage, but all their wheels broke down. If it weren’t for the swift help from Lady Dilaina and the Ministry of Magic, we would have been in real trouble. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. We requested it, so it’s only natural. Abidel and Makael, who arrived earlier, are currently waiting in the Ministry of Magic. Before that, who among you is the high priest who received the oracle here?”
Of the two oracles that were said to have been between Abidel and Makael, one was guarding the temple, and the other had come along, so they must be among this group.
The Grand High Priest asked curiously.
“Why do you ask that?”
“There’s something I need to confirm with Abidel, Makael, and that person. Grand High Priest, you should join us as well. The rest of the high priests can rest from their journey in the prepared quarters.”
…It was strange, but there was no reason to hide it. The Grand High Priest glanced back slightly, and the person standing in the middle stepped forward.
“I am Ranco. I received the oracle before High Priest Makael. It was about the earthquake in a nearby village.”
“Nice to meet you. Now, we don’t have much time, so let’s move.”
They didn’t know what was going on. Why hadn’t Abidel and Makael come out to greet them? There was much to ask, but the Grand High Priest and Ranco decided to follow Ian for now.
“Load the high priests’ luggage onto the cart and move it to the Ministry of Magic.”
“Please enter the carriage. High priests, this way.”
“Welcome. Please come in.”
Mages other than those in charge of the light of the oracle welcomed the high priests. They had to clear the area quickly so that the imperial palace gates could be reopened and citizens could come and go. Everyone was bustling about, trying to tidy up the scene.
Clip-clop!
Neigh!
Splendid carriages were racing excitedly towards them. Judging by the vigorous whip-cracking, it was clear that the owner inside the carriage was urging the coachman on.
“It seems to be Lady Dilaina.”
“Indeed. They’re quite diligent over there too.”
As Romandro whispered awkwardly, Ian just smiled. The Ministry of Magic, of course, could quickly know about palace entries as they were in charge of security, but them?
Neigh!
Thwack!
As soon as the carriage stopped, Dilaina hurriedly alighted, holding her dress skirt. Although all the high priests wore the same clothes and had their faces covered, she somehow recognized the Grand High Priest and greeted her joyfully.
“Lily!”
“Oh, Lady Dilaina!”
“It’s good to see you. It’s been a long time. You must be tired from your journey.”
Dilaina forgot her dignity and lightly embraced the Grand High Priest. Lily was the one who had personally taken care of Dilaina’s postpartum recovery, and moreover, she held a piece of childhood memory.
Although the relationship between the Carbó Temple and the family was not what it used to be, their shared roots couldn’t be denied.
“The light of the oracle?”
“It’s been safely handed over to the Ministry of Magic, Lady Dilaina. But why have you become so thin?”
“I’ve had a lot on my plate. Arsen!”
“Oh, His Highness Arsen. You look very gallant. God must be pleased to see you. I’m truly delighted to meet you like this.”
Dilaina pulled Arsen to her side and had him greet the Grand High Priest. The Grand High Priest merely bowed her head, but Arsen smiled brightly and offered her a handshake.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Arsen.”
As if to prove a point. Now that rumors of him being a demon had seeped to every corner of the palace, the child wanted to demonstrate his innocence by making contact with the Grand High Priest. The ministers who had alighted from the carriage behind watched the scene, inwardly exclaiming in admiration.
“I apologize, Your Highness. As a high priest, I cannot casually make physical contact with others. Please accept it in spirit.”
The Grand High Priest politely declined.
Arsen’s attitude of having nothing to fear once again solidified the officials’ belief. If he were a demon, wouldn’t this be an extremely dangerous provocation? It was clear that there wasn’t a shred of darkness in Arsen.
“Is that so? That’s a shame.”
Arsen shrugged and approached the light of the oracle. Then, with a clear smile, he placed his hand on the object.
Nothing happened. Being the most sacred object from the temple, if he were a demon, it should have shown some unusual reaction.
But the surroundings remained quiet. With the wind blowing gently, the whole world seemed peaceful.
“Is this the light of the oracle? It’s much bigger than I thought. The one Ian used must have been nothing more than a toy in comparison. Isn’t that right?”
The child looked straight at Ian as he asked, but Ian didn’t answer. Rather, it would be more accurate to say he ignored him. He wasn’t leisurely enough to respond to such petty provocations. More precisely, it would be petty provocations from a ‘demon’.
“Ian.”
Dilaina, who had been quietly observing, called out in a sharp voice. She was already twisted inside from the absurd rumors. And now he’s blatantly ignoring Arsen?
“Yes, Lady Dilaina.”
“I’ve heard the rumors circulating in the palace.”
“There are always many baseless rumors in the palace. I’m not sure which one you’re referring to.”
Dilaina just let out a dry laugh without continuing her words. In front of the high priests, she couldn’t bring herself to mention that Arsen was a demon. Merely uttering it would be shameful and insulting, wouldn’t it?
She leaned in close to Ian and whispered.
“I’d like to behead you right now, but I’ll restrain myself for the sake of our guests who’ve traveled from afar. Now that the light of the oracle has arrived, we can’t delay the mana confirmation ceremony any longer. It would be best to proceed quickly. So, die crushed under the words you spat out.”
“I have no ill feelings towards you, Lady Dilaina. Rather, I’m worried. Worried if you’ll be able to endure once you know His Highness Arsen’s true identity.”
“Until the end-!”
The Grand High Priest remained silent, looking around as if she couldn’t understand what was going on. It wasn’t just Ian and Dilaina. Even the mages and unfamiliar ministers were all exuding a sharp aura.
‘Why on earth?’
If His Highness Arsen was a mana user, wouldn’t this be a blessing for the empire? She had expected flower petals to be fluttering as if in celebration.
But everything was so cold that it would be fortunate if they didn’t freeze to death. The one who broke this thin ice was none other than Arsen.
“Now that the light of the oracle has arrived, we could proceed with the mana confirmation ceremony right away. I’m ready anytime. What shall we do?”
Arsen addressed Ian again with a bright smile. Ian looked down at him. His green eyes gleamed particularly brightly.
“We’re drawing a magic circle under the light of the oracle. It’s not possible today, but if we proceed quickly, it should be ready by tomorrow morning. Your ‘Highness’ Arsen?”
The title ‘Your Highness’ ended with a question. It carried the nuance of questioning whether he was truly of royal blood. But the child continued to smile without showing any displeasure, staring intently into Ian’s eyes.
‘Well then…’
It seemed like he was about to try using his ability. Ian calmly didn’t avert his gaze. As the strange silence between the two lengthened, their respective subordinates rolled their eyes in confusion.
“Well then, excuse me. I’ll notify you of the detailed schedule by this afternoon. What are you all doing? Not moving?”
Ian turned his head abruptly as if it was a waste of time. At this, Arsen’s brow immediately furrowed. Something felt off, didn’t it?
Whoosh!
Arsen grabbed Ian’s arm. Everyone paused in surprise at this sudden action. Ian was the same. He was about to shake off the hand in displeasure when he realized Arsen’s complexion looked strange and stopped.
“…”
“What are you doing?”
“You…?”
Was it not working because he was a mage, and because he was powerful enough to hold the position of minister?
But the feeling was different. A strange sense of powerlessness where he couldn’t even attempt it. Arsen stared at him blankly and then smiled oddly.
“You, what are you?”
It felt just like when he had used it on a member of the royal family, didn’t it?
Ian bent down low and whispered to Arsen. In a very soft voice that only the two of them could hear.
“…And you, what exactly are you?”
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