An old man who brought an urn knelt on the ground. He hunched his shoulders, trembling as if he had committed a crime.

As Benjamin approached and stood up, the old man flattened himself out. Though he was terrified, he began with a bow.

“Emperor, I see Your Majesty.”

“Have you committed a crime?”

“I don’t know what to do with myself, having met Your Majesty in my humble state.”

Benjamin examined the old man’s shabby appearance. His old clothes were torn and ripped here and there.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t agreed to meet you?”

“I didn’t think that far.”

Benjamin looked at his worn and crumpled hands and asked,

“……A farmer?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How long have you been farming?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been farming since my parents’ time, taking over their work. I cultivate a small field. The farm is small too.”

Benjamin examined the old man’s nails. They were the nails of a farmer.

“Did you look after the remains?”

The old man bowed his head deeply.

“I, an old man, could not leave the royal adult in the cold field. That’s all.”

“Why?”

“I have served the empire for 70 years. I was sorry I couldn’t even host a simple funeral in my worthless place.”

Benjamin looked down at the old man and replied.

“The Empress Dowager has returned to the imperial palace thanks to you. We will not forget this favor, even in the imperial palace.”

“No, Your Majesty. It’s not something I did to receive a reward. I will be punished by heaven. Please, withdraw your words.”

The old man trembled. As if he was really going to be punished. It was clear from his demeanor.

The old man had procured an urn that was unfit for his status to host the remains.

The actions referred to as worthless were not merely frivolous.

“Chief Eunuch, come here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Did you find it?”

The chief eunuch bowed.

“Give the old man grain and clothes. Provide ample firewood, and send someone to look after his comfort.”

“ThThank you, Your Majesty.”

“The imperial family will not forget this. Chief Eunuch, bring warm and comfortable clothes and take care of the old man.”

The old man shed tears. Indeed, it was not something he had done to receive compensation.

His hands and feet trembled. The old man collapsed and wept in a stifled breath.

After the old man left and the shadow approached the reality hall,

The wind blew behind the screen. The Deputy Chief, Hanelri, walked out from behind the reality hall.

Having sensed his presence in advance, Benjamin brushed his hair back and turned around.

“Can I not go straight back to the temple?”

“The Pope has allowed you to return slowly.”

Hanelri let her long golden hair flow. The silklike fluttering reached below her waist.

A figure fitting the saying that she was loved by the gods.

One could sense dignity in every gesture.

“A clear soul, indeed.”

“Can you see that?”

“Often in those who have lived long lives. Transparent energy allows me to see their character.”

Hanelri hid a bottle of wine inside her priest’s robe.

“Do priests drink?”

Hanelri pretended not to hear and opened her robe.

“It’s okay if the Pope doesn’t know.”

Hanelri hid another bottle of wine in her priest’s robe and muttered quietly. “The Pope probably won’t strip it down to here.”

“The Empress Dowager is sleeping peacefully. Her soul seems to have found rest. Perhaps she has regained her peace beside the clear energy.”

Benjamin cast his gaze out of the window.

“And.”
Hanelle raised her eyes as if filled with emptiness. Her unfocused eyes turned towards Benjamin. Her voice, tinged with divine power, echoed as if resounding.

“Someone who has no one by their side has placed a person there. You have bestowed that side to me.”

“A prophecy? I know that prophecies must not be uttered aloud, is it okay?”

The temple prophesizes, but prophecy must not be uttered aloud. If one arbitrarily touches causation, they receive divine punishment.

“It’s a prophecy, but it’s not a prophecy.”

Hanelle resumed her steps as soon as she finished speaking.

(This is a time separator.)

Hanelle took out a bottle of liquor from her bosom. The young priests were shocked at the sight of her drinking the liquor by the bottle.

“Po, Pope, if His Holiness sees…”

“If you keep your mouths shut, nobody knows. Any loosemouthed wretch will be hung upside down on a tree…”

Hanelle stopped as she was bringing the bottle to her mouth. It was because of the Pope, who was looking down at her with a demonlike face.

“You are all twisted up because I sent you on an errand!”

Hanelle flung the liquor with her divine power.

“Your Holiness is old and obstinate.”

“Do you know if it’s honorific?”

“High blood pressure doesn’t listen to divine power either. Be careful with your body as you age.”

Hanelle walked out alone. When she brushed her mouth, blood oozed. She spat the blood pooled in her mouth.

“Did you say something you shouldn’t have said again! Did you utter a forbidden prophecy!”

“I can’t say a few words as I please… It’s done.”

Hanelle was born with the strongest divine power in this generation. Hanelle sees the future through prophecy, but her prophecies are accompanied by taboos.

For example, Hanelle’s tongue was cut for the things she said in the imperial palace.

‘You must not interfere in external affairs through prophecy.’

When Hanelle took a step, a small bell rang in her ear.

“It will heal soon. Tsk.”

“I sent you out to look broadly outside, not being bound by the teachings of the temple… You went to the imperial palace as soon as you returned and your tongue was cut!”

The Pope grumbled and clicked his tongue.

“Did you send the Empress Dowager off well?”

“Yes. Then I will return to my room.”

“Hanelle…! Leave the liquor and go. I saw another bottle in your bosom. What are you going to become when you grow up…!”

The Pope took the bottle and suddenly left. The temple, with its white marble buildings, is utterly dull.

The teachings are oldfashioned, and the laws are outdated.

“I saw a soul howling in front of death.”

It is a past that has gone by, and a future that will not come. It is a soul that has lost its way. Please console it well.

Hanelle muttered only when she was alone. Her voice sank low and resounded quietly.