For the heart - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24

“No. The priestly order that had taken the oracle book was attacked by bandits on their way back from the Imperial Palace and all were killed. The oracle book disappeared as well.”

The oracle book had disappeared.

And due to a bandit attack, no less.

Casian deliberately made a regretful expression.

“Was that the only oracle book?”

“Yes. Oracles don’t come down frequently, you see. It contained nearly a thousand years of recorded oracle history.”

“How unfortunate that an oracle book recording Arsed’s long history has disappeared. There must be very few people left who remember that such a noble heritage existed in Arsed. Still, it’s fortunate that someone like you remains, teacher. I’m grateful to God for guiding us to you like this.”

At Casian’s words, Haren smiled with deeper wrinkles forming on his face.

“I too am truly proud to meet someone who still holds reverence for God in their heart. Even when I was serving as Seregwan’s attendant, Arsed was…”

Haren went on at length about his time serving as a Sevian Priest’s attendant for over 30 years, how peaceful Arsed had been back then, and the pride he felt as an Arsed citizen during the previous Emperor’s reign.

Casian listened attentively to his words.

However, Nina’s mind was filled with thoughts about whether the oracle book that had supposedly disappeared in the bandit attack might still exist somewhere, so his words didn’t properly register in her ears.

“The Sevian Priest was a truly wonderful person. The day before that terrible day, somehow knowing what would happen, he told me to leave the Grand Temple. If I had stayed there… I probably would have died too.”

As if the events from 20 years ago were unfolding before his eyes, his words trailed off quietly like a murmur to himself.

“He told me to return to my hometown and gave me all the money he had, even giving me the Saint’s portrait. He earnestly entreated me never to lose it, saying that someday it would hang in a temple again… But it seems unlikely that a temple will be rebuilt in Arsed before I die.”

At Haren’s bitter words, both Casian and Nina’s eyes widened.

“You have a portrait of the Saint?”

“Y-yes…”

When Nina suddenly stood up with a fierce light in her blue eyes and asked, Haren stammered in confusion.

Casian quickly seated Nina back down and smiled.

“My wife takes deep interest in everything related to her father. You seem quite startled, so please calm down, dear.”

Casian called Nina “dear” while maintaining long eye contact with her.

It would be troublesome if Haren took offense and refused to show them the portrait.

“Could you possibly show us that portrait, teacher?”

“Of course. No one shows interest in it anymore anyway.”

As Haren disappeared into the inner part of the house, Casian and Nina exchanged glances.

They had found a way to confirm the Saint’s face, which they couldn’t even have imagined.

* * *

Nina and Casian returned to the inn very late at night.

The Saint’s appearance they had confirmed was quite different from what both had expected.

“Even though she looked like a young child, she was already well over 60 years old at that time. She was truly a benevolent and wise person.”

“Had you met the Saint before?”

“Of course. The Saint was always at the Grand Temple, and I, as the priest’s attendant, also lived at the Grand Temple. I saw her for nearly 30 years, and she always looked the same. She was truly a Saint.”

The Saint’s appearance in the portrait, despite being over 60 years old, was like that of a young girl.

Flawless white skin without a single wrinkle, short light purple hair, and mysterious eyes that mixed light purple and silver-gray similar to her hair color.

Even though it was just a painting, those eyes seemed to hold endless silence and the weight of years.

‘If they recognized the Saint who appeared after 20 years, it means she looked no different from the portrait we just saw.’

Nina plopped down on the bed and glared into empty space.

‘As soon as we return to the Imperial Palace, I need to secretly find someone to paint a portrait. How long will it take to find an artist skilled enough to paint according to our description? And how much longer until the painting is completed…’

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Nina, who had been thinking about finding the Saint using her portrait, suddenly felt her head become light and looked up.

In Casian’s hands, standing before her, was the wig she had been wearing.

The long, flowing hair had become increasingly uncomfortable as time passed. While riding horses, it had blown around so messily that it was beyond salvageable.

She had intended to throw off the wig as soon as she entered, but her thoughts had deepened, leaving her sitting there in a daze with that disheveled appearance.

As Nina, now deprived of her wig, looked up, Casian bent down and drew closer.

His softly curved lips and gently creased eyes were clearly a smiling face.

The kind of face one might have when looking at something incredibly beautiful.

His large hand smoothed down Nina’s disheveled hair and gently tucked it behind her ear.

Nina’s body stiffened at his unbelievably tender gesture.

“It really doesn’t suit you.”

But the merciless words that followed about how it didn’t suit her immediately brought her back to her senses.

Smack, Nina swatted away his hand that had been near her ear and bolted upright.

“I, I was uncomfortable with it too!”

A dress and a long-haired wig on top of that. She knew well enough that it wouldn’t suit her.

But there was no need to say such things directly to someone’s face.

Nina swept past Casian, grabbed the shirt and pants she had taken off, and went into the bathroom.

“Oh my. I’ve hurt her feelings.”

Casian tossed the wig he was holding into the trash can.

While it was true that he couldn’t take his eyes off her appearance in the long hair and modest dress, Nina was much more beautiful when she looked like herself.

When her short golden hair was revealed, it finally felt like he was seeing the real Nina, and he had unconsciously smiled while touching that golden hair.

Though Nina seemed angry at his abrupt words.

Chuckle, Casian laughed with his shoulders shaking.

Whenever she, who usually wore only expressionless faces, occasionally showed emotion, it was strangely amusing and endearing to him.

Though he instinctively felt this was not a good sign, he deliberately ignored it.

* * *

That dawn, Nina and Casian rode through the night to join the knighthood heading toward the capital.

Upon reaching the capital and entering the Imperial Palace, a bright-faced attendant came running out.

“Commander! Welcome back! His Majesty is waiting for you!”

Since the news of Nortanica’s fall had been sent via magical letter, the Emperor must have been waiting eagerly.

As usual, they entered the audience chamber directly, where the Emperor, Empress, and Lillien were all present.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor, the light of Arsed and glory of this land.”

“I heard you conquered Nortanica. Did you bring the declaration of submission as well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed brighter than ever as he faced Nina.

It was a question that showed no concern for the well-being of his daughter who had returned after conquering Nortanica, which had resisted fiercely even with magical forces.

Nina took out the declaration of submission from her chest and handed it to the attendant.

The Emperor’s face brightened as he received and examined it.

“Hahahaha! Truly befitting Arsed’s war machine! I knew you would succeed when you spoke so confidently.”

“She must have been lucky. Perhaps her determination to keep her commander position was strong.”

The Empress, who had been gently fanning herself, spoke with a frown.

Lillien, sitting beside her, merely bit her lips tightly as if suppressing her boiling anger.

But such words couldn’t reach the Emperor’s ears. He was in better spirits than ever with continental unification now within reach.

“Now we just need to bring those troublesome Six Small Nations to their knees.”

“I will conquer them as quickly as possible.”

“You must. That’s how you can prove your worth. You understand, don’t you? Not for a single moment—you must never forget the oracle.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Nina answered while clenching her molars tightly.

How long would he continue to deceive her with that false oracle?

Just then, an attendant entered the audience chamber and announced.

“Your Majesty, the Monster Hunting Squad has just arrived.”

“Is that so? What did they capture alive this time?”

“A hellhound called Kushis, they say.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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