Chapter 226

An eerie silence hung heavily over the office. Ian and Jin were both taken aback, but no one seemed more shocked than the two priests themselves. They served the same god, and yet the voices they heard were so different—how could their descriptions vary so wildly?

Makael stammered as he tried to explain.

“Ah, the prophecy of Avidel was given a full ten years ago. Memories can differ over time. Besides, humans often interpret the same thing in different ways. It seems our choice of words caused some misunderstanding.”

Ten years. No matter how divine the experience, it would be difficult to recall a fleeting voice perfectly after so long.

Avidel nodded in agreement, bowing his head. Though his face was hidden beneath his veil, his body language betrayed his embarrassment.

“That’s understandable for humans. But aren’t you priests? Those who dedicate their lives to hearing the voice of the god? I think I need to hear more details.”

“Please ask. We will answer sincerely.”

“Between the prophecy given to His Highness Jin ten years ago and the recent one, was there another prophecy in between?”

“There were two.”

“And who heard them?”

“One remains at the temple; the other is waiting on the rocky mountain.”

“I see. That’s good.”

How could one being produce two different voices? If we bring that person here, the three of us can confront each other and determine whose prophecy is suspicious.

Sensing Ian’s intent, Makael bowed deeply once more and added,

“Minister Ian, I must express concern for the honor of the Karbo Temple. When a message is delivered, the light of the prophecy shines beautifully, so everyone present can recognize it. That was true on that rainy night ten years ago, and again just a few days ago.”

Something clicked in Ian’s mind—a faint, precise fit, like two puzzle pieces slowly locking together. He muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Yes. The light of the prophecy.”

Why hadn’t he noticed before? Why was the “light of the prophecy” used to identify magic users? Ian glanced at Jin, hesitating for a moment.

“Ian?”

“Do you know what else magic users are called?”

“Those close to the power of the gods?”

“Exactly. Those who are close to divine power can all activate the light of the prophecy.”

Avidel and Makael both lifted their heads simultaneously, their expressions unreadable. They looked utterly confused, even a little horrified, but they bit their lips in faint hope. No matter how high-ranking the Minister of Magic was, they could not afford to insult the god or the temple.

“There is only one god, but many who are close to divine power. It’s not just magic users.”

“Ian! What are you trying to say?”

The two priests turned pale. Something close to a blasphemy was being uttered. Something close to divine power but not a magic user? Only one thing came to mind.

“No. Please, don’t say it.”

Their eyes pleaded silently for him to stop. But Ian was resolute, cutting to the heart of the matter.

“Monsters.”

“Ian! That’s sacrilege! This cannot be!”

“Please stop! The god is watching!”

Avidel and Makael screamed and convulsed violently. It was understandable—they had devoted their very existence to the god.

But Ian had just said that one of the prophecies belonged to a monster. It was a wound that tore at their hearts and threatened to consume their souls.

“Enough! I’m leaving! I will formally request to sever ties with the Karbo Temple.”

“I especially suspect Avidel’s prophecy. If these doubts prove true, how will you take responsibility?”

“That was not a doubt but an irresponsible statement! You will bear the consequences, Ian!”

Avidel’s anger was genuine; he ground his teeth fiercely. Jin, startled, flinched but then spoke with authority.

“Who do you think you’re shouting at right now?”

Though brief, the outburst was enough to calm the enraged priests. They closed their mouths tightly and glared at Ian.

The strange silence returned. Avidel and Makael began a silent standoff, their displeasure palpable.

“You two will remain on standby at the Ministry of Magic. We will bring the priest waiting on the rocky mountain here for a three-way confrontation.”

“The temple is not influenced by monsters!”

Avidel’s desperate protest was almost a scream, as if begging Ian to stop with such nonsense.

“The sanctity of the temple prevents even a single step inside! So how could the light of the prophecy have been activated, or the voice of the god imitated?”

“Not a single step can be taken?”

“There is only one entrance, guarded by the holy knights. If anyone is disrespectful, absolutely no one—”

“What if it was someone unborn?”

“…Excuse me?”

“What if, because they were unborn, even the holy knights didn’t notice?”

“Ian, what are you saying…?”

Avidel shook her head and stepped back. Jin caught her gaze, and suddenly recalled the image of Delaina arriving at the temple long ago, her swollen belly like a mountain.

What did the holy knight guarding the entrance say then?

“Wait a moment.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Did Lady Delaina bring anyone besides her attendants?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“Nothing. Sometimes the palace raises all sorts of unusual things. Just checking. You may enter.”

They never asked why the knight hesitated. The priests saw only Delaina’s bare body and confirmed that she carried nothing but the noble future of Bariel.

“Are you saying His Highness is a monster?”

“Speak clearly.”

There were two in that womb: Jin and Arsen. Ian’s tone made it clear he suspected Arsen.

“If not His Highness Jin, then His Highness Arsen? Impossible! If the holy knights didn’t notice because he was unborn, what about after? While Lady Delaina was recovering, you two stayed at the temple. The holy knights couldn’t have missed it!”

The more Avidel argued, the more certain Ian became. Using a newborn’s body to deliver prophecies and wield power beyond limits—it was too much.

“You know the light of the prophecy is meant for His Highness Arsen? He collapsed as soon as he showed magic in Gale’s chambers. Even now, his body struggles to handle it. As a newborn, his power would be even more diminished. To the holy knights, he’s no different from an ordinary human.”

“Listen!”

“Now I understand. Yes.”

Ignoring Avidel’s cries, Ian tapped the armrest of the sofa. Based on what he knew of history, if Arsen was truly a magic user, he wouldn’t be considered part of the royal family.

“…He’s not one of the royal ‘people.’”

Putting aside the cruelty he’d witnessed, there were too many questions.

But if he wasn’t human, if he was a monster, everything made sense. How he entered Gale’s chambers that night, how he was able to bind Philia—everything.

Swiftly, Ian rifled through the desk and pulled out the Roberside Chronicles. He flipped through the pages until he found the passage he wanted. His low voice read calmly.

[Roberside finally faced a single monster. The demon, appearing as a small child, begged earnestly.]

…

[“You deserve to die,” Roberside raised his sword. The demon whispered slyly, “If you spare me, I will hide. But if you kill me, my brothers will take revenge. They will destroy everything you have gained.”]

Jin, Avidel, and Makael watched in stunned silence. Ian handed a pen to Jin.

“Your Highness, would you write the letters Roberside showed you in your dream?”

Roberside showed letters in a dream? The priests frowned but focused on the pen. As Jin wrote without hesitation in the ancient script, their eyes widened.

ᚫᚱᛋᛖᛀᛖ

“Do you know what this means?”

“It’s the script the Karbo Temple has used since ancient times. It’s rarely used now, but sometimes we read old records with it.”

Ian perched on the edge of the sofa, as if he expected this. He gestured for Jin to read aloud. Makael instinctively sounded out each letter.

“A, r, s, è, n, e.”

Jin dropped the pen without realizing it. The last monster Roberside spoke of in the dream was named Arsen.

“Minister Ian.”

“It’s alright, Your Highness.”

Jin embraced Ian, who firmly held the child and gently patted him.

It was all too confusing. If a monster dwelled within a brother born of the same bloodline, what could they do? The monster’s grip had been deep and persistent since the very beginning of life.

‘It’s closely tied to a demon’s curse. It must have come down in the name of the brother. Roberside said it would destroy everything…’

Ian suddenly realized Arsen had been involved in the start of the rebellion. When Xiaoshi attempted a showy assassination, Gale’s genuine bloodletting had caused Marib to act unpredictably.

‘Their intent was to bring Bariel to ruin.’

Ian’s grip on Jin tightened. Jin squeezed his eyes shut, as if trying to banish his fear.

The priests looked at Arsen with hollow eyes, as if they still couldn’t believe he was a monster. Especially Avidel—his complexion was pale and strained, as if the very denial of Arsen’s existence was about to crush him.

“Your Highness. You are the one who carries the glory of the royal line.”

“Hm?”

“That’s why Arsen couldn’t use his powers and resorted to cruel words. For all these long years, relentlessly. Because you truly are the future of Bariel.”

There had been endless whispers beside him, telling him he was useless, cursed, a child who should never have existed. Ian gently touched Jin’s wounds and murmured,

“It’s clear now. I understand everything.”

“If the problem lies with Arsen, then what about your mother?”

“Lady Dilaina…”

For ten years, whenever Arsen had the chance, the first person he targeted was Dilaina. She was the woman who influenced me second only to the Emperor, and in turn, affected Jin as well.

Bang! Crash!

“No! Stop!”

“Have you forgotten your orders? His Highness Jin is inside!”

“Lady Dilaina cannot see His Highness without permission! Please, calm down!”

“Just wait a moment. Inside, still—”

At that moment, a commotion came from outside. From what could be faintly heard, Dilaina had come to the Magic Department. Forgetting the order to keep away, she was there to help the priests. More precisely, to hasten Arsen’s magical power verification ceremony.

“Who do you think you’re touching without permission?!”

With a sharp shout, Dilaina flung open the office door. Behind her, wizards and her attendants were clustered together. Jin blinked slowly and looked up at his mother. It was the first time he’d seen her this close since the trial in Marib.

“Are these the priests from the Carbo Temple?”

“Yes. I am Avidel.”

“I’m Makael.”

“There’s been a problem transferring the light of the oracle, right? What did Lord Ian say? That he’d help?”

The Empress’s tone was too flippant and urgent to be dignified. She glanced briefly at Jin, who kept looking up at her, then turned away as if nothing had happened.

“We’ll send more people from our side. The wizards are busy, and even if they come to help, I doubt they’ll be much use. Lord Ian, that’s fine with you, right?”

Dilaina pressed the point with force. It was more of a command than a request.

Ian flipped over the paper inscribed with the demon’s name and accepted without hesitation.

“Do as you wish. The sooner we get the light of the oracle, the better for us. But the wizards will come along. If any monsters try to cause trouble, it’ll just complicate things.”