The Holy Empire was founded by the Goddess Dinute.
Elixir was a relic containing the soul fragments of the Goddess. It was also the most powerful blessing the Goddess bestowed upon her chosen representative. The current Saintess, Josephina, also had an Elixir.
As much as the soul of the Goddess was contained, the ability of the Elixir was enormous.
Not only was it able to subjugate demon beasts and prevent the desertification of the Empire, but it could also allow the use of Her magic using divine power.
Each and every one sounded great, but that’s not all the true value of Her Elixirs.
The owner of the Elixir becomes the owner of the Nine Wings. That was the Elixir’s strongest power.
The Nine Wings of the Empire.
It was a term referring to nine transcendental beings who could use the power of the Goddess.
Being their sole master meant being able to wield a huge Empire to their heart’s content.
Just like her mother now.
“Why is the Elixir here?”
Leticia picked up the ring with a trembling hand.
Why is this precious thing here? Maybe her mother lost it.
“That can’t be. I saw it this morning.”
The black jewel that glistened on her mother’s white fingers were still vivid. If so, what happened?
“As expected, is this fake?”
From generation to generation, many representatives of the Goddess created fakes to protect the Elixir.
Looking closely, unlike her mother’s Elixir, there was rust everywhere. There was even fine gold in the jewel in the middle.
Leticia let out a small sigh.
“Ah, it’s a fake.”
The black jewel of the Elixir was a vessel containing the Goddess’ soul fragment. If there was a problem with the jewel, the shrine would have been turned upside down right away.
But now, instead of being overthrown, the shrine was full of excitement with the expectation of trampling on the Principality delegation.
‘Even in the future, there has never been a case where the Elixir was damaged.’
Leticia, who was searching her memories, smirked and shrugged her shoulders.
“Yes, that’s how it is.”
Even though she thought it couldn’t be, she must have hoped that the ring in front of her eyes might be real.
If this ring is real, it would be able to protect Dietrian even more.
“But just in case, let’s take it.”
Hesitantly, Leticia slipped the ring into her pocket.
It was in the reliquary, so it might have something useful. Deciding to find out what it was, Leticia quickly went back the way she had come.
And after a while.
The ring in her pocket began to glow faintly.
The light was so small that Leticia, who was hurriedly running, did not notice.
***
At the same time. The delegation from the Principality was unpacking at a detached villa.
The soft bed and covered lodging of their dreams were waiting for them. But the atmosphere of the delegation was indescribably dark.
Because Enoch was dying.
“The doctor won’t come at all?”
“His Majesty went to get the medicine, but…”
“Ha! Will the Saintess give the right medicine? I won’t be surprised if they gave us poison!”
A bitter smile formed on Dietrian’s lips as he entered the villa just at that time. It was as the delegation guessed.
[The Saintess gave me the medicine. It’s an antidote that can cure any poison at once, so make sure the patient takes it properly!]
The Saintess did give him medicine just now.
The name of the drug was Abraxa.
As the priest said, it was a very strong antidote. The poison that harmed Enoch will also be sufficiently cured. If Enoch hadn’t been so young.
Although Abraxa is highly effective, it acts as a deadly poison to those whose growth is not complete.
This was because all immature organs are destroyed during the detoxification process. The poison is detoxified and consciousness will return, but blood will pour out through all the cavities of the body.
They will writhe and die in more terrible pain than the original poison.
If Dietrian had not recognized Abraxa, Enoch would have died that way.
When he recognized that the antidote given by the priest was Abraxa, his breath stopped.
[Is this the antidote given by the Saintess?]
[Exactly! I can’t believe you’d doubt the medicine that the Saintess gave!]
[…that couldn’t be.]
He barely answered, thinking.
What would happen if he strangled the priest in front of him? If he just run to the temple and kill the Saintess.
‘I will definitely die.’
The Wings protecting the Saintess would tear his body apart. He wasn’t afraid of death at all. However…
‘If I do that, the possibility of saving Enoch is completely gone.’
So he had to endure it.
Dietrian swallowed the fireball that was churning inside him and bowed down deeply.
[I’m just appreciating the grace of the Saintess.]
There was not even a hint of agitation on his face when he said that.
The priest clicked his tongue as if he didn’t like it. He walked outside, ignoring Dietrian, who was bowing down.
Dietrian closed his eyes for a moment and slowly exhaled.
Get down on your knees, bow your head.
To protect his people, he could have endured even more humiliation.
Anything could he done.
No matter what…
“Your Majesty, what happened?”
Upon entering the villa, Yulken, who had been waiting impatiently, approached.
“Did the Saintess really give medicine?”
“He gave me Abraxa.”
“Abraxa. Isn’t that poison to Enoch!”
Yulken asked, stunned. He said in a trembling voice.
“So, Enoch will really…”
Despair spread in his eyes as he intuited that it was the end. Dietrian said quietly but firmly.
“It’s not over yet. Enoch is alive. Don’t rush to say the end.”
Yulken lowered his head sadly.
“…understood.”
“Are all the doctors still denying treatment?”
“That’s correct.”
Dietrian clenched his fists tightly. A sharp blade seemed to cut through him.
‘Calm down. I have to endure.’
He couldn’t collapse. The moment he collapsed, it would be all over. Even if everyone despaired, he had to persevere.
When news spread that the Saintess had given Abraxa, the mood of the delegation hit rock bottom.
Everyone was deeply heartbroken, but Banessa’s was the biggest. He blamed it on the trauma of his nephew’s death.
Clinging to Dietrian with his bloodshot eyes, he begged for permission to kill the Saintess.
“I will remain in the Empire. I’ll finish everything. The Saintess and Leticia as well! I will kill them all.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Have you forgotten about the family waiting for you back home?”
“Your Majesty!”
“I will never accept the death of a dog. Stop thinking about unnecessary things and focus on treating your leg.”
“Uugh!”
Banessa let out a bitter cry. The sobbing man was comforted by his colleagues. Looking at his back, Dietrian’s eyes distorted.
In fact, Dietrian also wanted to do what Banessa said. He wanted to run directly to the Saintess and end everything.
But he couldn’t.
Because he is the King. Because he had to protect everyone.
In a desperate situation, he thought of his brother again. If his wise brother had not died and became King. He must have somehow protected all the people of the Principality.
‘He would have. Because my older brother protected everyone he wanted to protect.’
Even though he sacrificed his life to protect his brother Dietrian.
[Do you really have to go to the Empire? I can go instead.]
[Of course not. The Saintess called me, not you.]
[What is it that you want to protect?]
[There is. It’s very precious.]
Seven years ago, the last time he saw his older brother laugh. Soon, the scene changed. His brother’s funeral. People whispering about the empty coffin in front of them.
[Wasn’t the First Prince called by the Saintess?]
[I heard that Prince Julius sacrificed himself to protect his brother.]
[It’s something that His Majesty, the First Prince, and the Queen agreed on…]
[Only the person concerned, Prince Dietrian, didn’t know about that.]
His older brother died because of him.
To protect him, he stepped into hell on his own.
Before his death, his brother sent him several letters from the Empire. Thanks to that, his older brother found out about a girl he met in the Empire.
[The baby lady-in-waiting was very cute today. It’s a problem that the damn Saintess hit the lady-in-waiting again.]
[Do you know what my lady-in-waiting said to me yesterday? She said that she would definitely return the favor to me someday.]
[You should have seen how cute she was when she said that.]
Dietrian’s eyes deepened.
‘I wonder if the promise between my older brother and that handmaid is still valid.’
He wasn’t confident.
Seven years have passed since the relationship between the two was cut off. They were more likely to forget an appointment or, if they remembered it, ignore it.
However.
‘I have to hold on to that.’
In order to save Enoch, he had to use everything that was available. Dietrian strode towards Yulken, who had just left Banessa’s room.
“Yulken, I need to find someone.”
“Please tell me.”
“I need to find the baby maid my brother met seven years ago.”
Dietrian continued.
“My older brother helped her when she was getting beaten by the Saintess and she promised to repay the favor. If she’s still in this palace, she might be able to get an antidote.”
“The maid Prince Julius met, do you know her name?”
“I don’t know her name, but I know her age and hair color. She should be nineteen this year. He said she had very light blonde hair.”
Yulken said with delight.
“Blonde hair is very rare in the Empire.”
“Alright. So you can narrow the scope. She could still be a handmaid, or she could have become a priest. For now…”
Just as he continued his explanation, an urgent voice called Dietrian.
“Your Majesty! It’s a big deal!”
A priest wearing a white priestly robe was entering the detached villa. It was he who gave Abraxa to Dietrian earlier.
Twisting his long mustache, this priest smiled arrogantly. The two slit eyes shone viciously.
“I have come to personally check the effectiveness of the medicine the Saintess gave. Give the patient the medicine in front of my eyes.”
***
While Dietrian was having a private meeting with the priest, the delegation’s anxiety reached its peak.
“He came to check the effectiveness of the medicine? What bullshit! If he was fed Abraxa, Enoch will die!”
“Your Majesty will kill Enoch with his own hands.”
“Bastards!”
Luggage that had not been unpacked was strewn about in the lobby.
And there was a person who looked at them even more nervously.
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