The collapse of the Solzerion Empire and the Gweishion Church happened in the blink of an eye. Before a thorough investigation into the massacre at the temple could begin, the miracles of the Hebenism revealed themselves across the nation, turning Hebenism into a recognized religion. The tragic incident at the Gweishion Church, now converted to Gweishionism, was quickly forgotten.

Therefore, MidAndel, which should have been filled with mourning tears and endless processions, became desolate, and the once splendid temple turned into ruins. In front of it, a man kneeled down, clasping his hands in prayer.

“Gweishion will always be with us, finding comfort in a peaceful rest where there is no more suffering.”

As the central region representing the North, Andel was never devoid of snow at any time. A faint breath escaped through the lips of the praying man. The breath, which didn’t turn into tears, seemed to condense sorrow so much that anyone who saw it felt a palpable sense of reverence. A thick cloak fell over the man’s shoulders.

“Shall we go now?”

It was Yurisien. Despite the heavy snowfall, Yurisien, without using an umbrella, knelt beside Benjamin, who was staring blankly at the temple, and spoke again.

“The sky is getting darker. There might be a snowstorm soon.”

“A snowstorm…”

Benjamin, exhaling a heavy sigh, suppressed a bitter smile and rose from his seat. The green eyes, which usually looked as if they could see through everything, appeared more sorrowful than ever.

“It’s not your fault.”

Yurisien reached out and gently stroked Benjamin’s cheek. Benjamin closed his eyes and buried his face in Yurisien’s hand. The cold glasses bridge was chillingly cold. Yurisien thought it felt like Benjamin’s frozen heart.

“If I had been a bit more… a bit more assertive.”

He hadn’t anticipated the tragedy at the temple. However, he hadn’t expected their deaths to become a personal tragedy either. Witnessing Benjamin blaming himself multiple times was also difficult for Yurisien. Knowing this, Benjamin blurred the end of his sentence.

“No, it’s just a useless assumption.”

Moreover, there was no time to mourn now. Although the temple was another parent and sanctuary for him, what could he do? The deed was done, and the enemy was clear. Even in the moment when Benjamin would feel sorrow and exhaustion, Greta would be preparing for another move. Whatever that might be, Yurisien had to stop it.

“Shall we go back? There’s no time to stay here.”

It would have been good to try to persuade him once more, but regretfully realizing that, Benjamin left with Yurisien.

In the carriage, while reading the documents handed over by Mitchell, Benjamin immediately spoke to Yurisien.

“The most effective way is to reveal that those who seem to have just ‘returned’ are actually undead.”

The main point Hebenism emphasized in its evangelism was the ‘return’ of precious people. Those who met their lost loved ones and experienced the miracle instantly fell into Hebenism. They willingly fell into the false illusion. It had to be prevented. Benjamin, reading the documents, spoke to Yurisien.

“But there’s no suitable way. Forcibly exposing them might lead to strong resistance.”

Dealing with the undead was tricky, but not entirely impossible. They had already dealt with Adele and Kendall. However, that was presenting a second farewell to those who had once again embraced their precious ones due to the miracle of ‘return.’ Losing those they had just met, and having to ‘kill’ them again, was a grim reality.

“Those who agree will be very few.”
Yurisien was skeptical. And so was Benjamin, who had spoken. A brief silence settled between the two. The sound of papers being exchanged continued with a rustling noise. When the silence lingered, Benjamin opened his mouth again.

“Come to think of it, has there been any communication from the Rat King?”

“No.”

Yurisien’s expression darkened in an instant.

“The communication has been cut off. I’m waiting for now since it’s been severed since yesterday, but if there’s no contact by tomorrow…”

“Are we suspecting betrayal?”

A clear tension passed between Benjamin’s eyebrows. It felt like falling endlessly after deviating from the track once. Time and fate seemed to be at stake in front of Benjamin, determining how far the situation could worsen. Benjamin turned his head and looked out of the swaying carriage window.

“It looks like a snowstorm is really coming.”

The snow-covered ground was only good for getting lost, and later, it would turn into a filthy mess as it transformed into slush. The thought that the place to stand on was gradually disappearing couldn’t be pushed away.

The highest hill in the capital of the Solzerion Empire. A woman standing at the top of the hill, a place nobles wouldn’t bother to visit, and even if they did, they would take a carriage. She was moved and muttered ecstatically.

“Really… it’s true.”