episode_0222

One year.

A lot has changed in a year.

The continent achieved countless developments thanks to the joy of peace that came so suddenly.

With the war stopped, resources previously spent on the front lines could be focused on the development of the empire.

Thanks to this, the empire was able to live a more affluent life than before.

The smiles never left the children’s faces.

Many cities that were far from the empire and had been impoverished also found themselves better off than before.

In particular, the city of Drax, once a lawless zone, has achieved incredible development.

All the criminals who had been hiding everywhere were arrested, all the shabby houses were torn down, and in their place were numerous splendid buildings and abundant food.

Rumor has it that the warrior and the hero seized the emperor by the scruff of the neck and gave him the order.

It’s a place that holds precious memories with someone.

In that way, many places, including Drax, changed.

The most noticeable change, of course, would be that place.

The Kingdom of Rachel.

A mysterious kingdom where the newly emerged demon race and other life forms coexist.

There has never been a kingdom like this in all of history.

This kingdom, which was created a year ago, had one peculiarity.

That there are two kings.

King Arbes, who governs the demon tribe.

Athena Caladbolg, the king who governs those other than the demons.

It was a kingdom that even the empire could not dare to treat lightly due to the power of the two powerful kings.

A new kingdom that rose like a comet.

But the king’s bedroom is located at the highest point.

This place should be shining the brightest.

It was filled only with the strong smell of alcohol.

“Hey, how about you get some fresh air?”

Carlos waved his hand a few times as he spoke.

“……”

But when no answer came back, Geomseong let out a short breath and opened the window himself.

As the window opened, bright sunlight flooded into the dark, dazzling room.

“…..Close.”

A woman’s voice, infinitely divided.

“I understand how you feel a hundred times, but…she wouldn’t want you to waste your life like this.”

“..Stop meddling and get out, Carlos.”

The cold treatment of a woman who is terribly cold.

But Geomseong looked at her with sad eyes.

“How can this be? My close friend is falling apart like this.”

As the woman staggered to her feet, her dull golden hair flowed down in tangles.

“I’m sorry. I should probably go back to my hometown soon, but I’m so worried.”

“…Wasn’t your hometown the Empire?”

She spoke with empty eyes. Carlos answered with a faint smile on his face.

“No. It’s true that I spent most of my time in the Empire. But I don’t have a hometown.”

“…. Really?”

The interest was fleeting. The woman quickly lost interest and took a big gulp of her drink.

“It’s called Dongdaeruk. It’s a small country on the other side of here. It’s so small and the ocean currents are so complicated that it’s hard to find if you don’t know the way.”

As Carlos snatched the bottle of wine, the woman glared at him with murderous eyes.

“That’s okay, but how about we go together? The culture is quite different from here, so it won’t be bad.”

“Do you think I should go?”

“Haha. Actually, I asked because I expected you not to go.”

Geomseong is showing an unusually hateful appearance today.

But the woman just looked at him with empty eyes.

Because she had no desire to do anything.

“You’re really managing the country well with this kind of appearance.”

“..This is the only treasure Hera left behind.”

At the mention of her name, Carlos’ face slowly darkened.

“…A year has passed. It’s time to let you go.”

Carlos patted Athena on the shoulder with regret.

“I’ll come back next time. I hope there’s a little more life in those eyes then.”

“Just don’t come.”

Despite the woman’s cold words, Carlos just smirks.

Soon he left with light steps.

The woman threw herself onto the bed in the midst of the bitter loneliness that had returned.

I slowly closed my eyes, feeling my hazy consciousness sinking beneath the surface.

“Hera…”

After Hera’s death, they were scattered.

The Demon King, Tyrus, and Sephir were managing the demons in the castle across from them, and he was also managing this kingdom along with them.

Lily and Dania returned to Drax, where they had lived with Hera, and were struggling to fulfill her last request as much as possible.

Ariel did not give up and began to devote herself to research that could revive people.

Iris didn’t think about leaving the prayer room in the main temple for a whole year.

Finally, Marie.

The little girl slept for a long time, curled up in front of Hera’s tomb like a guardian spirit, without missing a single minute.

“I’m sorry, Hera… I guess I can’t grant your request.”

Hera’s last request before she died.

A wish to live happily.

But even now, a year later.

Athena was simply waiting for her coming death.

*

The Grand Hall boasts a grand appearance that can be compared to the imperial palace.

This place boasts a size that cannot be captured with one eye.

It was a place where many people came to repent.

Repentance. Or prayer.

People who come here pray for their deepest desires to come true.

Please, your own voice.

Hoping to reach the goddess.

“Saint… Are you hungry again today..?”

Two priests working in the main temple were quietly whispering and conversing.

What they see before their eyes is a plate full of fancy food.

But sadly, this plate was no longer there. It was a sign that someone had already eaten there.

The only thing that has changed since then is the disappearance of a small piece of bread.

It was a trace of Iris forcing herself to eat in order to have enough energy to pray at least a little.

“It’s already been over a year.. If this continues, isn’t the saint really going to collapse?”

“I’m so worried. I can’t even go in because of the Archbishop’s orders.”

The most powerful person in all the temples within the empire.

He was an archbishop who possessed immeasurable divine power and a character that could not be compared to anyone else.

He established one absolute law in this great temple.

An absolute law without any cause or proper explanation.

No matter what happens, do not enter the saint’s prayer room.

A saint who accomplished the great feat of subduing the Demon King.

She didn’t step out of the prayer room for a whole year.

Outside, there were loud protests to the Archbishop, asking if the saint was dead or if she was seriously ill, but the Archbishop steadfastly kept the door to the saint’s prayer room locked.

“If you ate well, you wouldn’t be this worried…”

“That won’t work. Let me ask the intermediate priest.”

At that moment, when the priests were about to take a step forward.

Udangtang-

In the saint’s prayer room, a small commotion was heard.

“B…did you just hear that?!”

“Saint!! Are you okay?! Saint!!”

A sound heard in the prayer room that had been so quiet.

The priests, fearful that something might have happened to the saint, knocked on the door of the prayer room and called out to her.

“Did you collapse? Saintess! If you’re here, just give me one answer!!”

“…This won’t work. Let’s go in.”

“What?! That’s a law that the Archbishop absolutely forbids! If you break it, it won’t end with you being kicked out.”

“Then what should I do! I’m so worried about the saintess. I’d rather be kicked out than have to make sure she’s safe.”

A priest who was momentarily speechless due to his strong will.

She thought deeply for a moment, then nodded as if agreeing with the priest’s wishes.

“Yeah. What’s more important than the safety of the saint? Let’s go in. ”

“…Okay. Then I’ll open the door.”

One of the priests swallowed dry saliva and placed his hand on the doorknob.

Just then, as she was about to open the door to the prayer room.

Before even opening the door, to be exact.

Rattling-

“Gyaaaah?!”

“Huh..huh!! Saint?!”

The door opened in the direction of the priests.

The Saint’s Prayer Room, which had been tightly closed for a year, has finally been revealed.

“Seo..Saintess, are you safe!!”

The priests stared at her blankly.

Her snow-white hair, much more wavy than before. The shadows that extend deep beneath her blue eyes. Her body, much thinner than before.

Although she could never be said to be healthy, the fact that the saint was alive was the only thing that reassured the priests.

“I…was alive…”

The voice of the saint, shaking violently, was heard.

“Yes…? Who..?”

The priests tilted their heads with puzzled expressions.

But the saint ignored them and started running away in a hurry.

“Oh..oh my?! Where are you going, Saintess!”

But despite the priests’ calls, the saint simply ran on without thinking.

“Hera…Hera!!”

A saint who desperately calls out someone’s name while shedding tears.

The priests could only stare blankly at her as she walked away.

“….Who the hell is Hera?”

“Why are my ears so ticklish?”

Who’s talking about me..?

….hmm.

“I guess it’s just my mood.”