Noel was Leticia’s first wing. She was also much closer to Leticia than to himself.
There was no way Noel could not have felt the shock Ahwin felt.
The problem was that Noel still did not know about Ahwin’s awakening.
Being the only wing of Leticia, it was an unusual situation where the master she had left alone almost got killed in a place out of her sight.
It would not have been strange if Noel had lost her reason and gone on a rampage.
However, Leticia soon got better, so she probably did not go as far as a rampage, but Ahwin could not be reassured at all.
The shock that the master almost got killed would continue to shake Noel’s soul.
Not knowing about Ahwin’s awakening, the possibility of her not being able to endure the anxiety and finally taking drastic actions was very high.
‘Hopefully, it won’t be too late.’
Right after being recognized as a wing by Leticia, Ahwin sent a lower spirit to Noel to inform her of his awakening.
If his calculations were correct, the spirit would arrive in the capital by today or tomorrow at the latest.
If only it could convey Ahwin’s awakening before Noel does something that catches Josephina’s eye.
Then at least, he could buy some time until he arrives at the empire.
‘But if it is late.’
If Noel cannot hold on until the spirit arrives and ends up losing her reason.
It was something he did not even want to imagine happening.
‘Please, please let nothing happen.’
Ahwin tightly closed his eyes. He felt like he was going to turn into worry itself for Noel.
He wanted to throw everything away and rush to the empire, but doing so would only put everyone in danger.
The only thing he could do right now was to pray desperately.
‘Goddess, please, help your chosen wing.’
* * *
The capital of the Holy Empire.
Noel had been investigating the oracle Josephina had received over the past few weeks.
Because she was convinced that Josephina’s weakness was contained in that oracle.
The problem was that all the priests who could testify about the oracle had disappeared.
Officially, they were known to have moved to other regions under the orders of the Saint.
However, Noel had suspected from the start that they had been killed.
‘Josephina would not leave those who could become her weakness alive.’
Sure enough, the more she followed the trail of the missing priests, the more she became convinced that her hunch was right.
After concluding that they were all dead, she was initially very heartbroken.
Because all those who could testify about the oracle had disappeared.
But she pulled herself together.
‘I’m the only one who can help Lady Leticia! I have to gather my strength!’
She could not just give up for the sake of Leticia. After cheering up, she decided to change her investigation method.
‘Let’s go to the priests’ houses first.’
Although the chances were very low, she might still find some clues. Thus, she began to visit the homes of the missing priests under suitable pretexts. That’s when it happened.
“……Ugh!”
“Lady Noel!”
It was when she visited a priest’s house.
While having tea with the priest’s sibling, she suddenly felt a pain as if her heart was being stabbed alive, and her waist buckled.
After that, an indescribable terrible sensation followed.
It felt as if the world was collapsing and her soul was being shattered into thousands of pieces.
Noel could not even breathe properly and just crouched down, trembling.
She only thought that her breath was going to stop.
“Lady Noel, are you alright? Are you conscious?”
Then suddenly, the pain abruptly stopped.
As if the shock that had struck her just before was a lie, vitality surged through her entire body.
Yet, Noel could not feel relieved.
She had realized what caused her change.
‘Something happened to Lady Leticia!’
It was no ordinary matter. It was clear that a terrible disaster had befallen Leticia.
‘Lady Leticia almost died. Someone tried to kill her!’
Noel barely swallowed her scream. It seemed she had to go to where Leticia was immediately.
“Lady Noel, should I call another priest? Of course, it’s nothing compared to Lady Noel’s divine power, but…”
“No… It’s okay.”
“But.”
“I just need to rest a bit. Please, just let me rest for a moment.”
“Alright. Wait here. I’ll bring you a blanket.”
Sitting on a small sofa, Noel wrapped her arms around herself and trembled.
‘I must remain calm. Lady Leticia is okay now. I must not lose my reason. That would only be more of a hindrance…’
Despite her efforts, hot tears streamed down her face.
‘I’m scared… I feel like I’m going to die of fear.’
She was the only one who could protect Leticia, but the distance between her and Leticia was too far.
‘I need to go there, I… shouldn’t be here.’
What if something happens again?
What if someone tries to kill Leticia again?
Her head felt like it was going to explode with anxiety.
If only Ahwin were by her side, it might have been better, but he too was not in the capital.
‘Please, anyone, please help.’
Clutching a thin blanket, she wept silently for a long while.
* * *
When Noel felt a bit calmer, she left the priest’s house.
She needed to rest more, but staying there any longer, she couldn’t guarantee what she might do.
“Lady Noel, wouldn’t it be better to call a priest? Are you really okay?”
“It’s nothing serious. I’m just tired. It seems I’ve overdone it with the preparations for the banquet lately.”
“Oh my. Please rest well when you get back.”
“I will. The tea was delicious today.”
After saying goodbye and turning around, Noel’s expression hardened.
‘Lady Leticia is safe. So, let’s not worry. Calm down.’
She kept chanting in her head. It was of little use. With every step, it felt like her feet were sinking into a swamp.
‘I don’t want to return to the temple.’
Noel looked up with a pale face. The temple stood majestically under the clear blue sky.
‘Because Josephina is there.’
Lately, Josephina had been particularly keen on keeping Noel by her side. The favoritism she had for Ahwin seemed to have transferred to Noel. Until now, she had managed to please her with a smiling face, but today it was impossible.
Far from pleasing her, the moment she saw Josephina, she felt like she would rush to strangle her. Noel clenched her trembling hands.
‘Let’s go somewhere else, even just for today. Even just for tonight.’
Fortunately, Josephina was very busy tonight. A banquet was scheduled to welcome the congratulatory delegation for the national marriage.
The marriage had been some time ago, but the temple was only now holding the banquet because Noel had destroyed it, and it needed to be rebuilt. This was the first time Josephina had appeared in public since the oracle.
Josephina, who had been plagued by all sorts of rumors until now, had made every preparation to announce her well-being at today’s banquet. She would be too busy worrying about other people’s gazes to care about where Noel was.
Thinking it was at least fortunate, Noel staggered away.
* * *
“Kal, isn’t that person one of the Saint’s wings?”
And there were curious eyes watching Noel. Dana, the princess riding in a splendid carriage, narrowed her eyes.
“It seems so. The ninth wing who uses the power of water, Noel. Isn’t it?”
Calisto, the prince sitting opposite Dana, opened his eyes. His cold eyes glanced briefly in the direction his sister pointed. A small woman with brown hair, wrapping herself up, was moving as if she might collapse. Familiar with the back view, disdain flashed in Calisto’s eyes.
“You’re right, sister.”
“Something seems off? Is something wrong?”
“Don’t mind Josephina’s dog, sister. It stinks.”
“Why do you speak like that?”
Dana frowned.
“Stop saying hurtful things. It will become a habit. Are you going to do the same in front of the saint at today’s banquet?”
“Perhaps?”
“Hah, you don’t even dislike being sick, do you?”
“What’s a few words to me? I’m someone who even set fire to the temple.”
Calisto chuckled.
“Compared to that time, what I’m feeling now is nothing.”
Dana sighed, yet her gaze towards her younger brother was filled with pity.
“When will your stubbornness ever improve?”
“It’s not something that happens overnight.”
“I had hoped this time would be different…”
Dana said bitterly.
“It seems you still hope for me to change my mind.”
“Of course. If you admit it, you’ll feel better. I hate seeing you in pain.”
Calisto just smiled without saying a word. Dana sighed deeply.
“I really don’t understand. Being chosen first as soon as you were born… what an honor that is…”
Thud. The window closed. The carriage suddenly darkened. Dana flinched and looked at Calisto. She was startled by his chilling smile. He laughed palely with a white smile.
“Sister, please don’t. I’ve told you hundreds, thousands of times. I will never live as that devil’s dog. Don’t even utter such disgusting words about being first.”
* * *
At the same time, in a room in Heden. Banessa was confessing to Leticia that he had become her wing.
“Ahem, I have awakened as Her Highness’s wing.”
When Banessa twisted his body and said so, Leticia thought she was dreaming. Banessa becoming her wings, it was unimaginable.
“Really? Banessa, you have really become my wing?”
“Yes, um. That is correct. I’m embarrassed, but I was chosen by the goddess… ehehe.”
“Could it be the power you wield…”
“It’s the flame of purification.”
Wing, the flame of purification, it was all too ticklish for Banessa. It was a name that didn’t suit his past life as a wreck at all. Hence, he was embarrassed but his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Leticia. He looked exactly like a large dog hoping for praise.
Dietrian, who had heard about his awakening beforehand, just chuckled. On the other hand, Leticia, the person who should be petting Banessa’s head, was perplexed.
‘How did this happen?’
The wings of the goddess were supposed to appear through the reincarnations of the first high priests.
It was impossible for Banessa, a person from the Principality, to be that soul’s reincarnation.
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