Early morning at the temple dedicated to the goddess Ashir.

From a distance, this place, resembling a small forest, was surprisingly warm despite being winter.

To such an extent that even swallows, preparing for winter, had built nests on newly bloomed flower buds, making it an unreal place.

In this place, the most conspicuous, as always, was the tall, white temple standing in the middle.

With purity and tranquility resembling white porcelain, this place stood out today, probably due to unexpected guests.

The procession of esteemed figures, including the Emperor of the Empire, the Prime Minister, the King of Karzeph, Princess Ferendel, and other dukes, was heading towards the large prayer hall. As the door to the hall firmly closed, the priests who had been guiding outside could finally breathe.

“Whew, I was really nervous! To actually see these incredible figures in person…! Oh! Morudo, did His Holiness experience such a meeting once?”

As the young priest following the high priest spoke with sparkling eyes, Morudo, who was with him, smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, sir. It wasn’t on this scale back then, but today, there are surprisingly many imperial soldiers.”

“That’s right! I heard the request came from the Empire. Is something significant happening on the continent? Perhaps because of the black contamination?”

“Hmm, who knows.”

Morudo, troubled by the curious young priest’s excessive chatter, responded with a faint smile.

Unfortunately, as the one who took on the role of gatekeeper, he had no choice but to accompany him. Regrettably, the young priest talked too much.

Among the approaching group of priests, someone approached and spoke.

“His Holiness has instructed you to wait.”

“Yes, understood.”

With his reply, Morudo politely lowered his head.

Checking the signal at the door to stand up, he found his eyebrows furrowing.

The intense light emanating from the priests who had approached closely stimulated him.

And upon closer inspection, his face lost its color.

“No, that’s…!”

The sound he let out echoed in the completely white and solemn corridor.

It was not a typical action for Morudo, who had always been calm.

“Shh! High Priest Morudo, please be quiet.”

“But, but that is…! Isn’t it a relic…! Isn’t it the last remaining piece of the prophecy? Is this truly at the command of His Holiness Ahilun? Has the approval of the high-ranking priests really been obtained?”

Unable to calm down even at his words, Morudo poured out many questions. His intense excitement even made the young priest take a step back, glancing nervously.

Then, the high priest who led the group whispered urgently to calm him.

“Don’t make a fuss. It’s all part of the plan.”

‘It’s absurd. To use that?’

Even with his words, Morudo firmly shook his head, blocking the door.

An awkward standoff between those on the same side unfolded in front of the solemn waiting room.

However, as if trying to quell such disturbance, a presence emerged behind him.

“Now, please enter.”
With the sound of the tightly locked door opening, it was a signal to enter.

The priests forcibly pushed Morudo, who was blocking the way, out of the door.

And as he stood there dumbfounded, the person at the forefront sighed, looking down at the pitiful sight.

“Is it done now? Anyway, there’s no one left to interpret, so you can use it wherever His Holiness needs.”

Interpret. His words awakened Morudo from his dazed state.

To anyone, relics held significant value, but to him, it was for a different reason.

It was an old companion with an unknown fate, the last item that reminded him of his childhood friend.

Taking out what was hidden deep in the underground of the temple meant using it, and now the last item that would evoke memories of her was disappearing.

“…….,”

He gazed sadly at the closed door and lowered his head.

But then, the sound of footsteps from somewhere.

The priests’ shoes, all made of soft leather, made a sound that wouldn’t be audible unless you were an outsider.

As the sound rhythmically resonated through the marble, the gatekeeper, who had forgotten about his mission, raised his head.

However,

“……!!”

Morudo, upon identifying the subject, instinctively covered his nose with his hand.

It was her who had turned this place, the most pure and immaculate, into something like the insides of a giant monster with torn limbs.

A few years ago, he unconsciously remembered that encounter in the temple corridor.

The first prayer room in the temple.

Under the giant statue of the Ashir goddess made of crystal, representatives of each country stood facing each other around the perforated round table, as if restraining each other.

Eldarion Empire, Ferendel Kingdom, Karzeph Kingdom, Hasnas Kingdom.

In addition, several dukes participated at the table, observing as if they were guests.

When the small trumpet sound echoed, the meeting began.

The Emperor of Eldarion, the host country, opened his mouth while looking at something.