Seongguk – Catastrophe

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“The atmosphere inside the Great Temple has been gloomy for days.”

A young priestess muttered quietly as she walked down the hallway.

The elderly priest, walking slightly ahead, sighed upon hearing her words.

“Hoo… The Hero’s birth is something to celebrate, but at the same time, an unexpected event has occurred, so it can’t be helped.”

Just a few days ago, everyone in the Great Temple had been excited about the appearance of The Hero.

But after the shocking incident, everyone now looked depressed.

“I was also incredibly shocked when I heard the news. I’m worried that there might be an internal collaborator even within the Great Temple. If they’ve infiltrated even the Hero Party, could it be that other countries are also…?”

“Don’t worry. I’m planning to formally suggest searching for Demons in each country. Inquiries from diplomatic envoys are also flooding in.”

“That’s a relief then.”

The priestess nodded, seemingly relieved.

“By the way, I heard that The Hero and the spy were in love with each other. Was even that an act?”

“Of course. We must execute her as soon as possible to realize justice. The Hero also has a very unfortunate life. To have his heart so wounded by such an incident before even officially becoming The Hero. I’m worried that his will might be broken…”

At that moment, the elderly priest bumped into a man walking from the opposite direction.

-Thud.

“Who…”

The elderly priest couldn’t help but be startled upon identifying the man.

“T, The Hero?!”

Jade, who had suddenly appeared before them, was standing there.

Moreover, he was exuding a strangely eerie atmosphere.

“Ah, hello…?”

“….”

Jade stared blankly at the priests before suddenly asking them a question.

“Do people in the Great Temple all think similarly about Lena and me?”

“Pardon?”

The priests were reminded of their conversation about The Hero just moments ago.

They hadn’t said anything particularly strange, but The Hero might have been displeased to hear the content that seemed to pity him.

“W, we were just worried about The Hero… We also think that the spy bitch should be torn to pieces.”

“That’s right. We’re really sorry if you felt offended.”

Seeing the flustered priests, Jade shook his head.

“I’m fine.”

As Jade said that, his eyes were bloodshot and his face was gaunt.

‘He doesn’t look fine at all…?’

‘He looks like someone on the verge of death.’

Seeing that, the priests felt a chill run down their spines.

“W, well then, we have somewhere to be, so we’ll be going.”

“Don’t go alone!”

The priests disappeared like a shot in the opposite direction of Jade.

“Ha. What am I doing?”

Jade lamented, watching the backs of the fleeing priests.

He should either go quickly and tell Annie about Lena or forget everything and prepare for the inauguration ceremony.

But all Jade had done for the past few hours was wander aimlessly around the Great Temple.

As a result, he naturally ended up overhearing people’s conversations, just like now.

Most of them were just stories about how Lena should be punished.

Even though Jade had been betrayed by Lena, he couldn’t completely cut her off.

Everyone might point fingers and laugh at this choice, calling it foolish. In the future, they might even doubt his qualifications as The Hero.

But Lena’s existence had already become a part of Jade.

That’s why he couldn’t give up on her.

He can’t give up, but he has to give up.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

He just wants to give up on everything.

After standing blankly for a moment, Jade started walking down the hallway again.

-Thud, thud.

Everything feels futile and empty.

To think that the entire journey so far had been fabricated.

What am I supposed to believe in and live for now?

“The Hero.”

-Thud.

Jade, who had stopped, slowly turned his head to the side.

“Greetings.”

A stranger who had appeared unnoticed was greeting him.

‘I didn’t sense his presence.’

-Clack.

Jade quickly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Even if I’m mentally exhausted, my senses should be sharper than ever.

But I didn’t notice him at all until he approached this close?

‘Just what is his identity?’

Should I just ambush him now…

-Sreung.

“The Hero, there’s no need for that.”

The man raised both hands in the air at Jade’s wary attitude.

“Look. I don’t have any weapons.”

“Then reveal your identity immediately. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to draw my sword.”

“Ah. I apologize. I was late in introducing myself. I’m Daniel, holding the Cardinal Position.”

Daniel extended his hand to Jade.

‘Daniel…?’

The only Cardinal Jade knew was Cardinal Cassios, whom he had met before.

Because of that, he wasn’t sure if the person in front of him was really a Cardinal.

A tall height and an appearance that exuded steadfastness.

It was similar to the impression he had when he first saw Lord Antonio.

But his expressionless face created a strange feeling.

Unlike the benevolent Lord Antonio, Daniel looked very cold.

‘This is inside the Great Temple, so he probably isn’t lying.’

For now, Jade put his sword back in and accepted Daniel’s handshake.

“As you know… I’m Jade, chosen as The Hero of this era. So, Lord Daniel, what brings you here to me?”

“I was simply looking for you because I wanted to meet The Hero. The Hero and I will have many things to do together in the future.”

“Things to do together…?”

“I’m in charge of tracking down and dealing with Demons. So, originally, I should be tracking down a Legion Commander in the Empire right now… But news reached my ears that His Holiness the Pope had received an assassination threat. So, I postponed the mission I was carrying out and rushed to the Great Temple.”

If he was the Cardinal in charge of Demons, then he was someone he would have to cooperate with in the future.

‘Has the news about Lena already spread to the Empire?’

From Jade’s perspective, it wasn’t a good thing.

“I heard that The Hero was going to meet the Sinner in person today. Did you get satisfactory results?”

“That is.”

“Hmm… It doesn’t seem like it was a good ending.”

If he had gotten good results, there was no way he would be wandering around the Great Temple like this…

In the end, Jade couldn’t answer the question properly and hesitated.

Daniel, who had been watching Jade, turned his gaze to Jade’s left hand, which was wrapped in cloth.

“Could it be that the Sinner, feeling desperate, even tried to kill The Hero? There’s nothing to say even if she’s executed immediately.”

“This is an injury caused by my mistake. There’s no need for Cardinal Daniel to worry about it.”

“It’s an important matter. As far as I know, The Hero insisted on Lena’s innocence until the end. But that belief was betrayed.”

“If you came to me to say these things, then I’ll be on my way.”

Jade had no intention of continuing to listen to words that seemed to mock him for believing in Lena.

But Daniel grabbed Jade’s arm.

“What are you doing now?”

“I have something to say to The Hero.”

To come out so recklessly.

Are all Cardinals out of their minds?

Jade disliked the sly Cardinal Cassios, but he felt that Cardinal Daniel was just as strange.

But Daniel didn’t seem to care about Jade’s cold reaction.

“If The Hero has the wrong values, a great crisis will come to humanity. I can’t just stand by and watch that happen. First of all, you shouldn’t trust people recklessly. Everyone has secrets they’re hiding.”

“Then I should start by suspecting Cardinal Daniel.”

“That’s fine too. But you must always remember. You must not show mercy to Demons, and you must punish those who have cooperated with them in the name of the Goddess.”

“I have no intention of forgiving Demons either. I’ve been wronged.”

“No. You can’t do that to Lena, who was your lover. In any case, people’s stories are obvious. People who side with Demons and sacrifice their lives are those who have been wronged by the same humans, and people like me are those who have been wronged by Demons. That’s why we can’t forgive each other even if we know each other’s circumstances.”

‘Lena’s past?’

Come to think of it, I’ve never heard it from Lena, nor have I asked her.

All I know is that Lena was an orphan…

Jade knew almost nothing about Lena before she entered the Academy.

Earlier, he was so confused that he didn’t ask Lena about the most important cause.

“Then, could it be that Lena’s parents were… by Demons….”

“That’s highly likely. I’ve come across many stories. But even if there’s such a story, I can’t forgive her. She sacrificed other people for her revenge.”

“…Cardinal Daniel. Is it possible to postpone Lena’s trial?”

“Hmm. You still don’t understand what I’m saying. If The Hero wishes, it may be possible to postpone the punishment. But since it’s an act of defending the Sinner, good things won’t be said about The Hero. I don’t particularly recommend it.”

“I don’t care. I’ve become curious about Lena’s past.”

Other people’s opinions were no longer important to Jade.

‘First of all, it’s important to prevent Lena from dying.’

He wanted to determine Lena’s treatment after his mind had calmed down, after visiting her again and hearing all the stories.

Daniel pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

Jade couldn’t help but be surprised by Daniel’s reaction. He never thought that Daniel, who seemed like a principled person, would grant such a request.

“You must have been uncomfortable because of my rude behavior earlier, so as a sign of apology, I will convey The Hero’s opinion to His Holiness the Pope.”

“Thank you. It was a little uncomfortable for me to speak directly to the Pope.”

“You don’t have to worry. The Pope is a generous person.”

“Now, I’ll go back to my room.”

Jade bowed slightly to Daniel before quickly returning to his room.

“Please go carefully. You must also get your hand treated.”

Daniel looked at Jade’s departing figure with a pitiful expression.

‘Lena won’t die. Only….’

**

“Pope, I explained everything to Jade as you ordered.”

“Well done.”

-Swish, swish.

The Pope praised Lena, who was naked, and stroked her head.

“Hehe….”

Lena smiled brightly, happy with just that.

“So, what happens to me now?”

“Hmm. Of course, since you colluded with Demons and tried to assassinate me… Lena will be sentenced to at least hanging.”

“H, hanging…? Am I going to die?”

Lena froze at the unexpected word of execution.

‘I feel like her intelligence has decreased because I brainwashed her too much.’

But this isn’t bad either.

The Pope happily watched Lena tremble for a moment.

“Haha, I’m just kidding. Lena followed my orders well, so that won’t happen.”

“T, thank you.”

Lena breathed a sigh of relief.

“By the way, where is this place? It looks like a prison, but…”

Lena looked around at the unfamiliar room.

She had been transported with her eyes covered, so Lena couldn’t tell where this place was.

The only clue that could help her guess the identity of the room was the Shackles hanging on the wall.

“It’s a little cold here because I’m not wearing any clothes.”

“This is a special place for the Holy Knights and priests.”

“A special place?”

Instead of answering, the Pope picked up the Shackles that had fallen on the floor and shook them.

“First of all, you have to put these on.”

“Yes!”

Without any suspicion, Lena started putting the Shackles on her arms with her own hands.

-Clang!

Lena even shook her arms to make sure the Shackles were properly fastened.

“I’m done. But if I do this, I can’t move properly, and I can’t get out of here. Is this okay?”

“Good job. Now, I think you can release it.”

“Huh?”

-Whoosh.

The cube that popped out of the Pope’s arms flashed.