In a bed too cramped for two people to lie on, I waited until dawn while listening to the sound of the fire burning in the fireplace and the sound of Ranieros heart.
His regular heartbeat and the intermittent crackle from the fire sometimes led me to a nap.
But, every time that happened, Seraphina, with an empty face, would stand there like a gatekeeper and stare blankly at me. She was holding something in her hand and was about to hold it out to me.
Not wanting to receive it, I woke up suddenly after.
Every time I opened my eyes, Ranieros body also flinched. He called my name as if to confirm, Angie? though his voice was clear without any sign of drowsiness. Hearing him calling my name relieved my tension. In my dream, he was cruel and heartless, but the voice calling me now was different therefore, this was reality.
I answered.
Yes.
Then, Raniero said nothing more.
Still, we couldnt stay like that for long since he had to get out of the bedroom before the sunlight could see through the small window. It was because he had to approach the border of the demons from today so we got up before 6 a.m. and adjusted our clothes.
As I looked in the mirror and saw that my left cheek was swollen, I brushed my cheeks with my fingertips. It was a sign that Raniero had woken me when I stopped breathing while sleeping. My gaze then followed the fingertips sliding from my cheek to my chin.
Noticing something, I removed my hand from my cheek.
There was a scratch on his neck.
I glanced down at my nails in silence. The dark red trace was caught in an unpleasant way and looked up at him.
As I thought of Raniero, who was holding my hand so tightly that I couldnt move it, I clenched my fists and hid my fingernails before brushing his hair and washing his face with water from a basin brought by a priest. The sticky blood stains under my fingernails were also scrubbed away.
After breakfast, I went out to get some fresh air, and my eyes met the grandfather archbishop.
Smiling awkwardly, I slowly greeted him.
When the grandfather archbishops eyes turned to my cheek, he frowned as if he had misunderstood something.
Did you feel better after last night?
And asking such a question.
I smiled vaguely.
Yes. Archbishop, did you have a good day?
Even though Raniero treated the Archbishop of the Temple of Tunia casually, I couldnt bear to. Meanwhile, the Archbishop heard me and his lips trembled.
Im relieved by the help of the godson of Actilla.
You can trust the subjugation.
I replied, brushing my hair to cover my swollen cheeks.
Where are they going today?
Oh, its northwest.
He looked me in the eye, then quickly softened.
Well arrive at the old sanctuary within today. Its very close to the border, but now its the land of demons.
Old sanctuary.
Suddenly, my stomach felt tight though I made an effort to smile.
Are you going to take it back?
Yes. If we can turn it back into the land of Tunia again today, morale will rise.
A proud smile spread across the old face.
It was the idea of the most faithful paladin. Its very surprising to see the young peoples deep faith.
It was obvious without asking who the most faithful paladin was. Listening to his words, I just nodded and said, I see. Regrettably, grandfather archbishop that paladin had other plans. Not only that, but he also didnt even have the slightest bit of faith
The moment when I listened to the archbishops subtle boasts with the thought that theres no need to explain as usual, a clear voice was heard from behind.
Empress!
As I glanced back, it was Raniero with his hair tied back, wearing his chain armor. It was the first time I saw him wearing armor. At the same time, it dawned on me that I had come here with the purpose of supporting troops.
Gazing straight at me, Raniero approached me as if the Archbishop didnt even exist. He looked down at me with a frown on his brow.
Could you go?
I blinked my eyes.
Raniero seemed to think that my wandering in the nightmare yesterday was due to travel poisoning. Truthfully, it wasnt that it was because of the ripple caused by Edens words.
Would it be better to stay here?
I quickly rolled my head. I was definitely tired. And the same would be true of Cisen, but
Somehow, the sanctuary bothers me.
There was no change in the thought that there would be nothing special with a high probability, but when I came here, one in ten thousand made my mind distracted again.
What if there was something there?
Ha this damn worry. This Would be a disease, too.
Of course, if there were something to see there, Eden would deliver the information to me, but then I had to wait until the subjugation team returned. Thinking so, I sneakily asked a question to the grandfather archbishop, who was standing like a borrowed barley sack.
How long will it take to come back?
It would be around two weeks.
Two weeks?
No, that would be frustrating! How could I wait two weeks when I knew that they would be at the old sanctuary by the end of the day?!
Wait, even though they will arrive at the sanctuary today, the expedition will last about two weeks?
Want to read more? Up to [25] are available on :
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our server~!
Please consider sending some love either through the translators Ko-fi or by leaving a rating/review for this series on novel updates~!