Chapter 66: Holy Empire Bellarun

Their reunion ended briefly.

No, to be precise, it had yet to truly end, but it was fair to say it was already over.

Even as they faced each other, the remnants of their past connection no longer lingered in their gazes.

Emilia had judged her as the victim, and Yuria had accepted it.

Any further argument was meaningless.

— Sway.

As Emilia rose from her seat, her body wavered dangerously.

The 65 days of torment that had shattered her mind resurfaced the moment she faced Yuria.

But she did not fall.

She steadied herself by gripping the edge of the table.

Her legs trembled, cold sweat beaded at her temples.

Even so, she did not collapse.

A single lie had led to 65 days of suffering.

Now that she had confronted that miserable truth, it was time to overcome it.

The tear stains on her cheeks had begun to dry.

Taking a deep breath, Emilia turned and left.

She had longed to see her again.

But in the end, their reunion ended as swiftly as it had begun.

Now that she had heard the truth from Yuria’s own lips, there was nothing more she wished to hear.

No excuses, no justifications, no hidden truths.

To Emilia, none of it mattered anymore.

— Click.

As she stepped out and shut the door, she came face to face with Rossell.

His expression darkened at the sight of the tear streaks on her face.

Taking out a handkerchief, he gently wiped them away.

“…Are you okay?”

He asked.

Was she okay after facing the truth?

Emilia, sadness in her eyes and a faint, uneasy smile on her lips, buried herself in his embrace.

“…Sorry, I broke my promise.”

She hadn’t wanted to cry.

But in the face of the truth behind the false prophecy, she couldn’t help but break down.

Rossell softly stroked her hair.

“It’s okay. We can always make another promise.”

“…Fate is so cruel.”

She murmured against his chest.

Fate, or destiny.

In this fantasy world, such concepts were inevitable, but to someone from modern times like her, they felt nothing but unfair.

“It truly is.”

Rossell responded solemnly.

As someone who bore the weight of his own sins, he understood the cruelty of fate better than anyone.

But he did not speak of Yuria’s fate.

Because to a victim, hearing that their suffering was merely the result of fate would be nothing but mockery—a pathetic excuse for mercy.

So he chose silence.

For Emilia’s sake.

He would not try to convince her that Yuria deserved forgiveness simply because it was fate.

If Yuria must be judged, then as a sinner himself, he would bear that burden.

He refused to let Emilia carry even a fragment of it.

All he could do was support her as she confronted the truth head-on, healing in the process.

“You did well, Emilia.”

Like this, step by step.

Her knees refused to straighten.

Her joints screamed in pain, but to Yuria, it was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.

How long had she been kneeling?

The door creaked open, and Rossell entered.

“Lady Yuria.”

“…When do we depart?”

Despite her ghostly pale face, she immediately asked.

Rossell gazed out the window and answered.

“The sooner, the better.”

The journey to the Holy Order.

If she confessed before the emperor and the High Saint, they might grant her leniency and help contain the situation.

Turning herself in would be far better than being exposed.

Yuria lifted her head.

Her tear-streaked, snot-covered face no longer resembled that of a saint.

“…I will follow whenever you say.”

“Then prepare yourself. We leave soon.”

“Are you accompanying me, Duke?”

“Yes.”

He had to go.

As a sinner himself, he had to plead for leniency on her behalf.

And to prevent Emperor Pelliod from using this as an excuse to interfere in the kingdom’s affairs.

As a Holy Watcher, he had to go personally.

Yuria slowly rose to her feet.

She wavered just as Emilia had.

Rossell instinctively reached out to support her, but she gently refused his hand.

“I… I’m fine.”

She had already received more kindness than she deserved.

She couldn’t describe the relief she had felt upon seeing Emilia’s face today.

To see her return to being a warrior rather than a broken girl.

The relief was overwhelming.

Had she been sold into slavery, forced into a life of degradation, she might have drowned in guilt and bitten off her own tongue.

But the Emilia she saw today was alive.

Radiant, just as she had been on the first day they met.

Her face shone with the same life, the same vitality.

It made her heart ache with joy.

Of course, she had no right to smile about it.

She knew that.

But Rossell—how could she ever repay him?

If he asked her to die, she would do so without hesitation.

“I understand.”

“Then…”

Rossell gave her a small nod before turning and leaving.

“What…? You’re going to the Holy Order with the saint?”

“Yes. I must.”

“Why? Isn’t that dangerous…?”

Rossell informed Emilia that he and Yuria would be leaving for the Holy Empire that very night.

Just the two of them.

No knights, no carriage—only two horses.

They had to move unseen.

They had to escape Akaron’s watchful eyes.

No—more than that, they had to escape the public eye.

If news of the saint’s heresy spread, it would shake the kingdom to its core.

For now, the world had to believe that she was still in the holy tower.

As long as that illusion remained, the blade of justice would not yet fall upon Briccal.

And in the meantime, the demon lord Helroc would continue to take root within him.

Rossell, still wearing his gentle smile, tucked Emilia’s golden hair behind her ear and looked at her warmly.

“Don’t worry. It’s just an expedition. And this is something I must do.”

His words were meant to reassure her.

It could be dangerous.

Even as a Holy Watcher marked by the sacred stigma, he couldn’t predict what dangers awaited on the road to the Empire.

But this was something he had to do himself.

Emperor Pelliod of the Holy Empire wore a mask of virtue, but beneath it lay a man brimming with ambition.

Giving him an excuse to meddle would bring nothing but trouble to the future of the Kingdom of Ellond.

And if harm came to the kingdom, it wouldn’t just affect Rossell, Emilia, and their home—it would be disastrous for all its people.

That’s why this mission had to be carried out discreetly and personally.

He could only hope the divine stigma of salvation would serve its purpose.

“I’ll definitely return. You believe me, right?”

“I do… but I can’t help feeling anxious. Should I… should I come with you?”

Rossell firmly shook his head.

To the outside world, Emilia was still a traitor.

Taking her with him would only put them both in danger.

“I’ll be fine. Don’t you trust me? I’m the great Duke Rossell, after all.”

He teased lightly.

“I do… but…”

Yet, despite her words, Emilia hesitated, unable to shake her unease.

She was scared.

Afraid that he might not return.

Afraid that she would once again be swallowed by loneliness.

Rossell had become her entire world—so precious to her that she wished to be by his side forever.

And now, he was leaving for the Holy Empire with a woman as unpredictable as the saint.

How could she not be worried?

She feared being left alone again.

She feared being locked away in this mansion like a cage once more.

And most of all, she feared that he might get hurt.

Sensing her distress, Rossell took both of her hands in his and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

“This place is your home now, too.”

“H-Huh?”

“That means you don’t have to feel anxious anymore. Even if I’m not here, that fact won’t change. While I’m gone, Gechel and Gellion will take good care of you.”

He had already informed the butler and steward about his journey to the Empire.

He had told them everything, even about the saint.

To Rossell, Gellion and Gechel were like parents—two of the few people he trusted completely.

That was why he hadn’t kept Yuria’s secret from them.

Emilia, slightly reassured, pursed her lips.

She knew she couldn’t keep whining.

If this was something he had to do, then she had no choice but to accept it.

“…Alright. I’ll trust you and wait. How long… will it take?”

“I’ll be riding at full speed, so I should be back in about a week.”

“Hm… A week…”

Emilia lowered her gaze and muttered to herself.

A week.

A short time, yet also long.

But to her, it felt like an eternity.

It was long enough to remind her of the 65 days she had spent imprisoned.

Rossell had become her shield against the raging tides, her umbrella in the storm, her shelter from the wind.

A week without him was unimaginable.

She could barely remember what life had been like before meeting him.

But she knew this was something he had to do.

And she knew it was for the good of the kingdom.

So, she forced herself to smile.

“Alright. I’ll wait for you properly. I’ll eat well, sleep well, bathe properly…”

She sounded like she was sending him off to war.

Rossell chuckled, gazing at her fondly.

It was only a week.

But her wavering eyes made it seem like they were about to be separated for a lifetime.

Her innocence made her all the more endearing.

“Why… Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re cute.”

“…Out of nowhere?”

Flustered, Emilia blushed and turned away.

Just hearing that single word—cute—sent her heart into a frenzy.

Embarrassed, she pulled her hands away from his and turned her back to him.

Then, in a sulky voice, she muttered.

“…Just go already.”

“…Aren’t you going to give me a hug before I leave?”

“Huh?”

Surprised, she turned around.

Rossell stood by the window, arms open wide.

It almost seemed like there was a halo of light behind him.

Was it the sunlight?

Or was it him?

It was probably the latter.

Hesitant for only a moment, Emilia rushed into his arms and embraced him tightly.

Burying her face in his chest, she whispered in a trembling voice.

“Come back safely, Rossell.”

“You wait safely, Emilia.”

Their heartfelt embrace ended, and before departing, Rossell gave Celia a kiss on the cheek as a farewell.

Then, he mounted his horse.

Beside him, Yuria pulled her hood down low over her face.

Together, they rode towards the Holy Empire of Bellarun.

For the sake of resolving this crisis.

For the sake of the Kingdom of Ellond.

For the sake of Emilia’s salvation.