chapter_0023

Chapter 22 : Big Change

“It’s been a while, Elena.”

“…Have you been well, sister? And mother too.”

“You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”

So…This is Elena Glacia.

And this is the Arcana mother and daughter…But they’re family??

Then the one the Marquess of Arcana married… could it be…”Have you seen Father?”

“What would I even do if I saw that man? I did try to approach him first out of old times’ sake, but he ran off in a flash.”

It seems the older sister went to the Arcana family, and the younger sister to the Glacia family.

Count Glacia.

“.…”

I remembered half-killing his Holy Knight in the past.…Maybe he didn’t want anyone to notice that his Holy Knight wasn’t what he used to be.

But what’s even more surprising is that the Marquess of Arcana and Count Glacia were once married.

Though she was a bit older, the Marquess was still an incredible beauty — fitting as the mother of these two daughters.

She looked so young, barely appearing to be in her thirties.

“But… they know each other? They seem pretty close.”

At Reyna’s question, Ruan looked uncomfortable, and Elena didn’t miss that reaction.

“We’re getting to know each other from now on.”

“From now on?”

Outwardly, he was a man known for his brutal massacres.

Someone ridiculed and scorned by many.

And now she wants to start getting to know him?

Suspicious, to say the least.

As Reyna narrowed her eyes, Elena followed up with a question.

“And you, sister? You and Mother — what’s your relationship with this man that you’ve been chasing after him like this?”

Heleshia and Reyna both stared intently at Ruan.

“Ruan. Have you sorted out your thoughts?”

“Mom. We agreed to wait until Ruan was ready to speak first.”

“But I think he’s had more than enough time by now…”

“Oh, come on! Don’t say stuff like that. You know when you pressure someone, it just makes them not want to do it even more.”

“Reyna. Leave this to me now.”

“Huh…? Wait — what are you planning…? Mom? Mom?! At least tell me first—!”

Ignoring Reyna’s protests, Heleshia walked toward Ruan with an air of dignity, her heels clicking with every step.

Ruan watched her approach with awe.

Does the Marquess not age?

The Marquess of Arcana was the Emperor and my master’s sole point of contact.

That’s why, every time Violeta wrote a letter, the Marquess or Lady Reyna had to deliver it to me personally.

Of course, I burned those letters in front of them every time.

It was my way of showing my commitment to severing all ties and dedicating myself fully to my training — and also a sign of my cold resolve for Violeta’s sake.

I also felt guilty making the Marquess and Lady Reyna go through such trouble because of me.

But still, they came — every single time, even for the smallest reasons.

For six whole years.

And in those six years, the Marquess of Arcana hadn’t aged a day.

“Ruan… Do you… not like my daughter?”

The dignity from earlier vanished as she suddenly blushed, her voice soft and hesitant.

It was almost… pitiful.

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then… could you tell me what part of her you don’t like?”

“It’s not a matter of like or dislike. If I were to marry Lady Reyna, what would happen to the reputation of the Arcana family?”

“.…”

What?

At the word “marry”, Elena’s eyebrows twitched violently.

A few months ago, the princess had broken off her engagement with me at my father’s funeral.

With so many eyes watching, the rumors had spread through the capital like wildfire.

Not long after, just days before I left for my training, the Arcana mother and daughter had suddenly shown up at the Duke’s estate — bringing a marriage proposal with them.

It was truly flattering that they thought so highly of me — enough to come all this way in person — but that didn’t mean I could just accept their proposal without any consideration.

So, of course, I refused.

I did refuse.

But it seems they still haven’t given up.

“We already told you it’s fine. No matter what happens, we don’t care.”

“…Are you serious?”

Surely they saw how disastrous it would be to marry me — Knosius had made that abundantly clear.

“Of course. Reyna and I have always been sincere.”

They hadn’t seen the whole picture, only fragments — but what they saw was still quite a lot.

As a Saint of the Holy Light level, Heleshia was capable of seeing much more than most.

And that’s why neither mother nor daughter could ever give up on Ruan.

Because in the chaotic world soon to come, the safest place would be right by his side.

After saying that, Heleshia — looking almost embarrassed — ran back toward Reyna with a shy, girlish gesture.

“Reyna, why don’t we call it a day? We’ll be busy early tomorrow too, so you should get some rest.”

Truthfully, Reyna wanted to refuse and stay by Ruan’s side a little longer.

But just as her mother said, she was completely exhausted from spending the entire day measuring other people’s Holy Seals.

“Ugh… I guess I don’t have a choice… See you tomorrow, Ruan!”

“Well then, have a good time, you two. We’ll get out of your way.”

And with that, the two women swept out as suddenly as they had come.

“Are you really going to marry my sister?”

Elena’s sharp eyes bore into Ruan, her face fierce and demanding.

If they’re family, why didn’t they just take this one with them too?

“Answer me. Are you going to marry her or not?”

“Ah—no, I’m not.”

Finally satisfied, Elena’s face relaxed into a bright, triumphant smile as she turned away.

The cool night breeze, the beautiful view of the capital’s lights, the fragrance of fine wine in her hand — and the presence of a man she had feelings for.

It was the kind of atmosphere that could give anyone the courage to take a bold step.

Closing her eyes, Elena savored the gentle tension in the air.

Meanwhile, Ruan watched her for a moment before quietly stepping into a shadowed corner of the terrace, out of view from the banquet hall.

After a brief silence, Elena — still turned away — finally voiced the words she had kept locked in her heart.

“Then… what about me?”

Even with the courage the wine gave her, she still couldn’t face him directly.

She drained the last sips of wine from her glass and asked again.

“I think we’d be a good match. What do you think?”

When she turned around to gauge his reaction…Ruan was already gone.

“Ha… unbelievable.”

Left alone on the terrace, Elena muttered softly to herself.

“He’s not even trying to hide it anymore, huh.”

***

The second day of the Holy Seal Measurement Ceremony for the Viscount families passed without much incident.

And then, the third and final day arrived.

On this day, nobles from the Count, Marquess, and Duke families would have their Holy Seals measured.

Unlike the numerous Barons and Viscounts, the number of higher-ranked noble houses decreased dramatically.

“Lady Elena Glacia, of the House of Count Glacia. Please step forward.”

“Oh-ho. The White Snow Blossom takes the stage right from the start.”

“White Snow Blossom?”

“Indeed. I wonder just how powerful the Holy Seal of the most beautiful woman in the northwest will turn out to be.”

As she ascended the stage, the first person Elena’s eyes met was her sister, Reyna.

The two sisters had been locking horns for two days straight over the sensitive subject of marriage — and their eyes flared up once again, blazing with fierce rivalry.

But after a moment, Elena began to feel the futility of it all.

With a soft, knowing smile, she broke eye contact — and instead turned her gaze toward Ruan.

And then she smiled directly at him.

“Sh-She smiled.”

“The White Snow Blossom… smiled.”

“But… who did she smile at?”

During the first two days of the ceremony, Elena hadn’t shown warmth or kindness to anyone.

So even this tiny change drew the attention of every noble in the audience, their curiosity flaring.

But amid the crowd’s excited murmurs, only two men watched Elena with cold, dangerous eyes.

Darkin Lunamic and Cedric Layton.

Coincidentally, both of them knew exactly who that smile had been meant for.

Over the past two days, after each day’s events, they had both sought Elena out.

And they had both seen her with Ruan.

They had seen that radiant smile — the kind of brilliant expression that blossomed like a fully bloomed White Snow Blossom.

A smile she had never once shown either of them, no matter how hard they tried to win her favor.

And yet, she showed it so easily to Ruan — a man with no Holy Seal, no divine power, and a reputation as a vicious criminal.

Their blood boiled at the thought of being bested by someone so unworthy.

And so, the same dark thought crossed both their minds.

They would crush him in the Holy Seal Measurement Ceremony — completely and utterly.

They were determined to impress Elena with their natural-born Holy Seals.

But their plans started to go off track from the very beginning.

As the Stellar Measurement Stone measured Elena’s Holy Seal, it began to shine with a brilliance never seen before, illuminating the entire grand banquet hall.

The light was so intense that everyone watching instinctively shielded their eyes and bowed their heads.

“Ugh…!!”

“Ah! It’s so bright!”

“This… this is…!!”

“It’s Radiant Star level!!”

“Radiant Star? Then… the White Snow Blossom has a Radiant Star-level Holy Seal?!”

Reyna announced the results of her younger sister’s Holy Seal measurement.

“…It’s Radiant Star level.”

The brilliant pillar of light connecting Elena to the constellation was undeniably that of a Radiant Star-level Holy Seal.

A powerhouse had appeared right from the start.

Even Darkin and Cedric couldn’t hide their shock.

“…Tch…!”

“Hmm…!”

They had naturally assumed that Elena’s Holy Seal would be a step or two below their own.

They believed their superior divine power would serve as an advantage in winning her favor — but that assumption had crumbled.

Still, they reassured themselves.

Even if Elena’s divine power was exceptional, it didn’t mean Ruan’s was.

In fact, Ruan likely had no divine power at all.

After several more measurements, it was finally time for the Marquess families.

“Darkin Lunamic, heir to the House of Marquess Lunamic. Please step forward.”

Darkin walked confidently onto the stage and stood before the Stellar Measurement Stone.

Once again, the stone began to shine.

Though it wasn’t as brilliant as Elena’s, it was still far brighter than anyone else’s so far.

Reyna, observing the moonlight-like Holy Seal connecting Darkin to his constellation, announced the results.

“It’s Myriad Star level.”

Hearing the result, Darkin cast a smug grin at Ruan, sitting right at the front, before stepping down from the stage.

After the Marquess families, it was finally the turn of the Duke houses.

“Cedric Layton, heir to the House of Duke Layton. Please step forward.”

As Cedric walked onto the stage, the audience erupted into thunderous applause.

Cedric, ever the showman, wasn’t about to let the attention slip by.

He performed several exaggerated bows — completely unnecessary — and then flashed a mocking smile directly at Ruan.

Ruan, unsurprised, showed no reaction.

When Cedric finally approached the Stellar Measurement Stone, it began to shine once more.

“Hmm…!!”

“That’s quite bright…!”

“As expected, Cedric is on another level.”

Reyna hesitated as she examined Cedric’s silver-hued Holy Seal.

Radiant Star?

No… Myriad Star?

The results were ambiguous.

It wasn’t quite bright enough to be Radiant Star level — but it was far too luminous to be just Myriad Star.

As Reyna struggled to decide, a hint of personal bias crept into her heart.

Memories of Cedric’s cruel treatment of Ruan two days prior resurfaced in her mind.

“…Myriad Star. It’s Myriad Star level.”

She could have called it Radiant Star.

But she didn’t want to.

Though Cedric looked a little disappointed, he still seemed satisfied overall.

As he stepped down, he threw a final smug grin at Ruan, flaunting his results.

With Cedric’s measurement complete, only one person remained.

The grand finale of the entire Stellar Measurement Ceremony.

The Empire’s most infamous criminal.

“Ruan Serkatia, heir to the House of Duke Serkatia. Please step forward.”

Ruan rose from his seat with a faintly weary expression.

“Hmm. Looks like this is finally wrapping up.”

“Are you heading straight back to your territory after this?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s been so long since I’ve been in the capital — I plan to enjoy myself a little before heading back.”

“Lucky you… My wife’s already nagging me to come home on time.”

“Tsk tsk. You’ve let your authority as the head of the household slip.”

Even before Ruan had fully climbed the stage, the nobles were already beginning to rise from their seats, chatting amongst themselves as though the ceremony was over.

The contrast with Cedric’s entrance — met with roaring applause — couldn’t have been starker.

Only a tiny handful of people looked at Ruan with any sympathy.

The vast majority, especially Darkin and Cedric, watched him with open ridicule.

Despite the bitterness, Ruan also felt a touch of relief.

Once this was over, this miserable ceremony would finally end.

As he approached the Stellar Measurement Stone, Lady Reyna — standing nearby — gave him a small, playful wink in secret.

As Ruan stepped onto the stage and approached the Stellar Measurement Stone, Lady Reyna secretly sent him a small, playful wink.

It was nothing more than a simple gesture, but it lightened the cold heaviness in his heart.

“…Thank you, my lady.”

Thanks to her, some of his tension eased.

Determined to get this over with quickly, Ruan strode forward.

But even before he reached the stone, it began to shine — far brighter than anyone had expected.

This was the beginning of something unprecedented.

“…Huh?”

“What… is this…?”

“W-what’s going on?!”

The few people who had kept their eyes on Ruan the whole time were wide-eyed with shock.

The Emperor, the Imperial Princess, the sisters Heleshia, Elena, and Reyna — even Darkin, Cedric, and all those who had stayed just to mock Ruan’s downfall — were stunned.

The light emanating from the Stellar Measurement Stone was far more brilliant and dazzling than any light it had produced over the past three days.

The entire grand banquet hall erupted into murmurs.

“But… wasn’t his Holy Seal supposed to be broken?!”

“I—I can’t even see!”

Reyna was flustered.

Despite the stone’s overwhelming radiance, the color of Ruan’s Holy Seal wasn’t visible.

She couldn’t tell if this strange phenomenon was a problem with the measurement stone — or something to do with Ruan himself.

But no one was more shocked than Ruan.

He stared in disbelief at the stone, which was shining brighter than anything he had seen in the hall.

“Isn’t it only supposed to shine like this if the Holy Seal is connected…?”

For a brief moment…Could it be because of the Phoenix’s power sealed inside me?

As his mind raced to figure out what was happening, an unexpected sound came from the stone.

Crackle.

Pzzzzt…!

“…Huh? What’s that sound…?”

CRACKLE!

The stone began to tremble violently, fine cracks spreading across its surface.

“W-what now? Why is this happening…?”

And then — a terrifying realization flashed through his mind.

The Stellar Measurement Stone was a pure holy relic, brimming with divine energy.

But the Annihilation Flame sealed within him was a force that destroyed divine power.

In other words, the stone was unable to withstand the presence of the Annihilation Flame.

“…Oh no…!”

But it was already too late.

The massive stone, radiating its brilliant light, fractured further until —BOOM!

It exploded.

The deafening sound of the blast echoed through the grand banquet hall.

“Damn it…! No…!!”

Ruan desperately unleashed the Annihilation Flame, trying to disintegrate as many of the countless stone fragments as possible.

But there were too many.

He couldn’t catch them all.

And then.

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

“GHHHHAAAAAAHHHH!!!”

Only two piercing screams of pain rang out in the hall.

Darkin and Cedric.