Holy Kingdom – Change (2)

-Help me.

“Help… me…?”

A short but intense phrase.

It blew away all other thoughts Annie had been entertaining.

Because a certain woman who’d say these words surfaced in her mind.

“L-let’s calm down.”

First, I’ll read everything before judging.

Annie steadied her startled heart and continued reading.

-The Pope orchestrated all of this. I desperately need your help.

The letter ended there.

“This is…”

The letter was brief and unkind.

It didn’t even include the sender or recipient.

But Annie couldn’t possibly not know who sent this.

Only one person would ask her for help right now.

“Rena. What on earth is happening…?”

-Tap. Tap.

The round gem of her staff bumped against Annie’s small forehead.

Sitting on a chair while swinging her staff one-handed, Annie glared at the paper.

“…”

Her gaze seemed intense enough to burn the paper.

Of course, this only deepened Annie’s worries.

Annie found the current situation utterly confusing.

‘Wasn’t everything settled with Rena betraying us?’

Yet suddenly she’s asking for help like this.

Just days ago, Annie firmly believed in Rena’s innocence.

Despite the Goddess’s revelation and the Holy Knights’ testimonies.

That’s how much Annie trusted Rena as both friend and comrade.

When she heard Jade would meet Rena, she thought:

‘Soon all misunderstandings will be cleared, right?’

She even hoped everything would resolve and return to normal.

That day, Annie prayed alone in her room for things to work out.

The news Jade brought back… was something Annie didn’t even want to recall.

‘It was… horrible.’

Rena admitted before Jade’s eyes that she’d conspired with demons.

She even attempted to eliminate Jade, the Hero, to prove it.

When Annie heard this, her world seemed to collapse.

Ultimately, even Annie had to abandon Rena.

But out of nowhere, Rena now sought Annie’s help, claiming the Pope orchestrated everything.

“This is driving me crazy. What’s going on…?”

After hurting Jade like that, now she does this?

She clearly admitted conspiring with demons herself.

Given this, Annie could think of two possibilities.

Either the Pope framed everything as Rena claimed…

Or Rena was deceiving and using her.

“Ughhhhh….”

You expect me to decide this crucial choice?

Burdened and frustrated, Annie wildly ruffled her hair.

If the former were true, she’d need to act immediately, but if the latter, she’d be exploited by Rena and demons again.

“Whatever. I’ll trust Rena.”

Surprisingly quickly, Annie made her decision.

The reason was simple.

‘I’ve already been betrayed once, so it’s fine. There’s nothing left to hurt.’

Being betrayed again after already being betrayed would hurt, but she could endure or forget it.

But if Rena was truly suffering under false charges?

If Annie ignored the plea for help in that case…

The regret and guilt would haunt her forever.

Thus, choosing to avoid regret was correct.

‘Alright. First, I’ll discuss this with Jade.’

Since I can’t do much alone.

Annie grabbed the doorknob to go out.

“…Wait.”

A sudden question arose in Annie’s mind.

‘Why send this letter to me?’

Thinking about it, it seemed odd. If needing help, she should’ve contacted Jade first.

A mere 5-Star Mage like Annie had fewer ways to help than Jade the Hero.

Why did Rena ask me instead of Jade?

Who delivered this paper while she’s imprisoned?

Does Rena have helpers?

Come to think of it, must we fight Veronica unnie too? She’d side with the Pope.

One question led to countless others.

Ultimately, Annie released the doorknob.

‘I should keep this to myself for now.’

She judged it right not to tell Jade immediately.

Rena was among the smartest, wisest people Annie knew.

Such Rena wouldn’t ask Annie instead of Jade without reason.

If told, Jade in his current state would likely rage about not being fooled by Rena.

Worst case, he might inform the Pope.

“First, gather information to help Rena.”

Through information gathering, the truth would emerge.

‘Good. I think I judged this calmly.’

Rash judgment might’ve worsened Rena’s situation.

Well done, me.

Annie nodded approvingly at her judgment.

But as she prepared to march forward with firm resolve…

‘What can I actually do…?’

She stumbled at the first step.

She wasn’t a Hero like Jade – just a 5-Star Mage good with magic.

Harshly put, she felt like a sidekick to the Hero.

Holy Kingdom citizens wouldn’t help if asked about Rena.

However.

One person in the Holy Kingdom could fully assist Annie.

Though she never dreamed she’d meet him here.

“Ugh… I really don’t want to see him. But it’s urgent…”

Grumbling, Annie left her room and headed somewhere.

**

-Rain Academy’s top graduate.

-Genius mage.

-Disciple of the Magic Tower Lord.

-Next Magic Tower Lord candidate.

-Rude, arrogant bastard.

The owner of these titles, Ian, adjusted his attire before the Papal Chamber.

‘I’ll finish quickly and return.’

His face showed clear annoyance and irritation at the unwelcome situation.

The reason for his presence here traced back to recent events.

**

Days earlier, Ian had been summoned to the Magic Tower Lord’s chambers.

His former teacher, now Tower Lord, had suddenly called for him.

But the Tower Lord’s first words made Ian frown.

“Visit the Holy Kingdom briefly.”

“…The Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes.”

“Because of that sudden Hero’s appointment ceremony?”

“They sent a formal invitation. As my disciple and potential future Tower Lord, you should attend such events.”

“….”

Ian crossed his arms, pondering briefly.

“So what will you do?”

“Seonsaengnim, must I really go? You know I have urgent matters – completing my thesis on new earth magic.”

The Tower Lord sighed at Ian’s resistance – an expected reaction.

“Hoo… Ian, I’m not sending you just for the Hero. Potion negotiations are ongoing. Someone sharp like you could discern the Pope’s intentions. Potions are vital to the Tower. We should also check their magic stone research.”

“The Holy Kingdom still hasn’t changed its stance? After profiting immensely from potions? Has the Pope gone senile…?”

“Senility would be preferable. I worry he’s plotting something dangerous. Also, meet the Hero while there. You might find someone interesting.”

“I have no expectations. Just some academy dropout playing Hero – probably reckless with borrowed power. I’ve no time for childish games.”

Ian held no interest in Heroes.

He wanted nothing to do with them.

To him, rookie Hero parties during demon inactivity were doomed.

Clearly destined to become pawns suffering for higher powers.

“Truly? The Hero has immense potential. Though you deny it, they’ll surpass you soon. And the world teeters on chaos – the Empire, Beastkin Kingdom, all seeking opportunity. The Hero will stand at that center. You need worldly experience. And humility.”

The Tower Lord acknowledged Ian’s talent but worried about his arrogance.

The world overflowed with unexpected threats.

A personality like Ian’s might shatter upon meeting true calamity.

“The world? I know it well – human greed especially. That’s why I joined the neutral Magic Tower.”

“So you refuse? Should I, Tower Lord, personally argue with the Pope?”

“….”

Ian studied his teacher’s weary expression before nodding reluctantly.

“…Since you ask, I’ll go. Better than sending fools to ruin things.”

“Good. At least you’re polite to me.”

“You’ve earned that respect. For now.”

“F-for now?”

‘Does that mean he’ll disrespect me later?’

Ignoring his teacher’s bewilderment, Ian lightly drew a circle in the air.

-Swish.

A blue magic circle appeared beneath him.

“I’ll return immediately after. Expect something ‘extraordinary’ then.”

“…Understood.”

-Whoosh!

Ian vanished instantly from the room.