They didn’t know what had happened.

But it was certain that Saint Malik was responsible. Malik’s power exceeded any divine force they had ever seen.

While divine power could only help people, Malik’s abilities had no limit.

The most terrifying was his ability to seize human consciousness.

With just a glance, people lost their consciousness. They sacrificed their lives to fulfill Malik’s desires.

If Malik weren’t confined to this space, he would have become the new god of this continent long ago.

He was stuck here, in the middle of the temple, within a magical barrier. The priests couldn’t determine whether it was fortunate or unfortunate.

The only fact they knew was that if they opposed Malik, they would die.

“Ha… If my body were in better condition, I wouldn’t have slipped at such a trivial thing.”

Malik made a face as if he had eaten something wrong.

“Since it’s noisy, get that one out. And you, continue what you were saying. What did the royal family say?”

“They have exercised the right to refuse the trial.”

“What does that mean? So the indictment is useless?”

“Yes.”

“What, there’s such a thing? We went through all that trouble to make false witnesses, but if the royal family refuses, that’s the end?”

“Well… that’s the law… Even the nobles were given indictments, but it seems useless. The Emperor is more resolute than we thought.”

“Ha, a useless guy. Even when the mark has disappeared, he’s like that? Isn’t he curious?”

“We don’t know that, Your Holiness…”

Malik flicked his wrist again.

The tin cup rolled on the floor and returned to Malik’s hand, now filled with fresh wine.

Malik sipped the wine and wiped his red lips.

“Is the Duke sure about that? He said the Emperor hasn’t checked the mark since the engagement ceremony. Is he really satisfied with just seeing it once?”

“Duke Fielion confirmed that the Emperor and the Empress have not formally met. The Empress is also afraid of revealing the disappearance of the mark and prefers abdication.”

“So, the Emperor is protecting the Empress?”

“It seems so, Your Holiness.”

“Why?”

“We don’t know…”

“Ha… annoying.”

Malik threw the tin cup again and sprawled out on the sofa, flicking his nails into the void.

“Why is he holding onto the fake? …Could it be the real one? No, it’s the fake. I replaced it a long time ago… Ah, wait. Did it change without me knowing?”

Suddenly rising from the sofa, Malik gestured to the priests.

“Go pick some guys with light butts. The journey is long, so pick young and strong ones.”
The priests asked with puzzled expressions.

“By a far place… where do you mean?”

“Delarta.”

“Delarta…?”

Most of the priests didn’t even know the name of this small kingdom with which they had no interactions.

“Such a place exists. As priests, you can travel anywhere on the continent without a pass, can’t you? Send someone. Go and see how a woman who looks exactly like the empress is living.”

“Exactly… like her, you said?”

“Yes, why do you keep asking?”

“Ah, I understand. However, even in a small place, finding a person based solely on appearance is an extremely difficult task, Your Holiness.”

“Why are you so talkative? What would be the best place to hide someone?”

“Pardon?”

“Where am I hiding now?”

That seemed to suggest searching the temples in Delarta.

“…I understand.”

While they had to follow orders, most often they couldn’t grasp the purpose behind Maleek’s actions.

It was the same for this trial.

They knew he was plotting against the royal family and the empress, but they didn’t expect him to be so reckless as to expose the temples. The highranking priests were nervous that the Emperor might blame the temples for the actions of the royal foundation.

But Maleek was incomparable, even to the Emperor in his restlessness. With a flick of his wrist, he could break their necks right now.

“Ah, and one more thing.”

Maleek twisted his neck as he spoke, clutching his shoulder. A spinechilling sound emanated from his neck.

“Some interesting events will happen in the capital soon. Spread some rumors.”

“What kind of rumors do you wish to spread?”

“The Empress is a fake and the Emperor has gone mad… Ah, exaggerate the rumors a bit. Say the Emperor will burn down the empire. Or, say it was a divine command.”

“A divine command would make the temple too responsible, Your Holiness…”

“What?”

Maleek’s eyes flared up.

The priests took hesitant steps back.

“Talking about responsibility, you’re quite cowardly.”

Maleek flicked his finger.

And then, a wall of the sealed room began to crumble.

“You won’t have time for idle talk soon. Just do as I say. The royal family is in such a mess they won’t have the mind to blame anyone.”

“Ah, I understand… I understand…”

A wall broke open.

Light seeped in from outside, illuminating Maleek’s back.

“Uh…!”

“Ah, that…,”

The priests opened their mouths in astonishment, looking with disbelief.

His back, touched by the light, seemed to sprout wings. They were large, black wings. Not feathered like a bird’s but bareboned like a bat’s.

Had the sun shone directly, the priests would have seen the horns protruding from Maleek’s forehead.

The appearance matched precisely with the ancient records of demons from the dawn of the continent.