CHAPTER 14
“…Terius.”
“……”
It was probably just because it was hard to pronounce, but Rosiana eventually said his full name.
“…You may just call me As.”
“Mm, okay. Your name is too complicated.”
Still clinging to her stance that crime is unacceptable, Rosiana scolded Asterios again.
“…She lectured me…”
“What?”
“I was talking to myself.”
As Rosiana tilted her head curiously, Asterios continued speaking.
“You needn’t worry about this being a crime. We’ve already secured proof that Graham was planning a truly heinous crime. One missing high priest is not an issue.”
In fact, abducting that priest had helped resolve the problem.
“This priest is the high sage’s direct disciple. And he was carrying a letter from the high sage.”
“!”
At Asterios’ words, the priest who had been bound and groaning fell completely silent—then began trembling even harder than before.
He couldn’t see them due to the blindfold, but he had long since realized that the two children in front of him were anything but ordinary. Especially when he heard the name “Asterios.”
He nearly fainted.
After all, everyone knew the terrifying “Black Breath of Dreat”—Asterios.
The moment he was kidnapped, the priest had thought it was the worst moment of his life and nothing could get worse.
But now he realized a darker abyss lay before him.
“Mmph! Mmmph!”
Apparently wanting to speak, the priest writhed desperately.
He looked like a squirming white caterpillar.
But he couldn’t speak because he was gagged.
“Do you really have to tie him up like that?”
She had felt sorry for him earlier, but now it was just pitiful…
Then—drip.
Saliva started dripping from the priest’s mouth.
“Ugh! I can’t watch this anymore!”
Rosiana, frowning deeply, shouted at Asterios.
“Untie him now! I order you!”
Only then did Asterios silently untie the priest.
“My… name is Izeph.”
Tears in his eyes, the young priest introduced himself.
His name was Izeph Kiel Cherubim.
Just past twenty, he had become the proud High Priest of Graham’s Grand Temple and was the sage’s personal disciple.
A lover of flowers, trees, insects, and all of God’s blessed creatures, he believed sharing divine grace was an act of mercy.
Having grown up in the temple, Izeph was gentle, pure-hearted, and naturally trusting.
He truly believed that, despite his youthful appearance, Sage Daniel possessed more divine power and wisdom than anyone else in Graham.
And so he had been proud to be Daniel’s disciple.
Up until just a few hours ago, anyway.
“I… I only delivered a letter. That’s all I did…”
Now, the beautiful priest who once loved all living things knelt before Rosiana and Asterios, sobbing and trembling.
He had only been told to deliver a letter from the temple to the archbishop—he hadn’t even read it.
But judging by the current atmosphere, it was clear that his master had been planning something terrible.
Something that would not only enrage Dreat but come at an immense cost.
Still choking back tears, Izeph begged them.
“P-please spare me…”
Rosiana sighed.
“Haaah. I’m not gonna kill you.”
Looking as if he gave her a headache, she patted the kneeling Izeph on the shoulder like she was comforting a child.
“There. Don’t cry. Hush.”
Pat pat.
Dressed in a frilly dress of pink and white lace, Rosiana looked like a little angel to Izeph’s teary eyes.
“Sniff… Y-yes, Saint—no, Your Highness. Snrk.”
As he sniffled and wiped his tears, it was getting hard to tell who was the child and who the adult.
Asterios’ sharp gaze landed on Izeph’s shoulder—more precisely, the spot where Rosiana’s small hand touched his long white hair and robes.
“I’ll believe you had no part in this. But in return, you must use divine power to help stabilize Her Highness’s inner energy when needed.”
Unfortunately, all the priests of Graham were male.
Which explained their desperation to keep divine power within female vessels.
Truly, there was much to dislike about that country.
“Once again—one missing priest will not cause any trouble.”
Asterios held the letter they’d taken from Izeph and murmured softly.
His voice was dry and emotionless.
Back at the temple, Izeph had heard rumors that the Black Breath of Dreat—young Lord Asterios—was a reincarnation of a demon.
Perhaps the rumors were true.
“Reawy? What’s in the wetter?”
“I’ll read it for you now.”
At Rosiana’s request, the young lord began reading in a cold tone.
[To the Honorable Archbishop Parmier,
As per the great will of His Holiness Pope Gregorion Graas of Graham, the time has come to carry out the act.
As it has already been permitted by divine revelation, we see no need for human approval.
As expected, Dreat shows no intention of surrendering the Saint.
Therefore, after stabilizing her divine energy, we shall guide her into God’s embrace.
It would be best to allow her body to grow a little so that she can begin sacred training immediately upon arrival.
Once this outburst is settled, her body shall mature—and we will have joyous news to share soon.
For the glory of Graham and the manifestation of God,
Daniel, Sage of the Grand Temple, offers this with both hands.]
At the end, a red seal—resembling blood—had been stamped.
“Hmm… Yeah, this is damnation.”
Rosiana nodded solemnly.
Claiming the act was already permitted by God—they were justifying kidnapping the princess by invoking divine revelation and faith.
If this letter were made public, it would be the end of Graham.
Within the contents, it was blatantly clear that the high sage, the archbishop, and even the pope had all agreed to and participated in this.
“So… what are we gonna do?”
Sitting on a plush, ornate couch, Rosiana looked up at Asterios, her short legs swinging in the air.
Asterios’ golden gaze lingered on her tiny legs.
‘…That’s still the same.’
Whenever she was thinking hard, she’d twitch her fingers or wiggle her feet.
That cute little habit he had always loved.
Asterios’ eyes grew melancholic as he finally answered.
“We will report the truth to His Majesty the Emperor.”
Gasp!
A small choking sound escaped from the desperate priest Izeph.
“And we’ll use this letter to blackmail Graham.”
Asterios’ golden eyes glinted sharply.
Rosiana agreed and gave a small nod.
“Mm. Yeah. I don’t like cheating and shady stuff. I’m not going.”
“Wise decision.”
Now that Izeph was there to stabilize Rosiana’s divine energy when needed, they could manage for a while.
‘Though… he looks so weak I’m not sure I can trust him.’
Tsk. How can someone so physically frail use divine power?
Rosiana clicked her tongue.
[He is more skilled than he appears. And once the dragon’s power strengthens a little more, she won’t be overwhelmed by divine energy.]
Nox reassured her.
‘Good. That’s a relief.’
“Izeph, show us what you got.”
At Rosiana’s request, Asterios’ golden eyes flashed.
“You’ll need to use your powers properly.”
To Izeph, it sounded like: Prove your worth, or die.
“Th-then I, humbly, in front of Her Highness and the young lord…”
“Hurry! Do it!”
“Y-yes, ma’am!”
Tense and trembling, Izeph brought his hands together in prayer.
Soon, pure and powerful divine energy began to flow from his body.
“Wh-what, you?!”
‘He’s this strong?! Why was he just lying there tied up??’
A whirlwind of blue divine power rose around him. His body even began to shine—strong enough that it seemed like he could’ve easily broken those ropes.
Then—
“Hnggh!”
With a strange groan, Izeph collapsed.
“…Huh?”
Rosiana stared, stunned, at the priest who had gone pale and fainted.
“He’s exhausted himself and passed out.”
Asterios replied dryly.
“Wh-what the…”
Was he… a one-time use?
The burst of pure divine power from the desperate priest?
Exactly one use.
Back at Graham, the elderly priest, High Sage Daniel, and the holy knight Berl were leaving the imperial palace of Dreat.
They weren’t leaving by choice—it was exile.
The high sage couldn’t locate the princess using divine power in just a day.
He was desperate enough to consider magic, but Mage Tower Lord Edwin had already forbidden any magician from assisting him.
“That sly bastard.”
The tower lord had even brought a 30-year-old engagement agreement and demanded to be betrothed to the princess. Now it seemed like he was doing everything to win favor with Dreat’s royal family.
It was outrageous and infuriating—but Daniel had no choice.
Backed into a corner, he had bowed deeply to Emperor Leodian and left in shame, promising never to return unless the princess was safely restored.
“I won’t give up on the saint.”
Clenching his fists, Daniel passed through the palace halls toward the exit.
It wasn’t just being expelled—it was the lost opportunity that hurt.
“Why are they blaming the high sage for the princess’s disappearance?!”
The elderly priest raged with frustration.
“To Dreat, it’s not unreasonable to assume the high sage is hiding her.”
Holy knight Berl calmed the elder. He had witnessed the healing with his own eyes.
He had seen how the sacred light from Daniel’s hands made the young princess disappear.
“Your Grace… can divine power ever send someone somewhere?”
Divine power—imbued with God’s authority—was primarily meant for healing.
But in some rare cases, it could trigger unusual effects.
For instance, saving someone from a crisis, or transferring life force to another…
“I’ve read records of rare cases… but it’s uncommon.”
Could Rosiana have disappeared as a divine reaction—saving herself?
Daniel pondered heavily.
Then—a small shadow appeared before them.
Startled, Daniel looked up.
A boy even younger than his own ten-year-old body… but with ancient, unshakable eyes.
“…Asterios.”
“Leaving now?”
Asterios greeted him with an indifferent tone.
“I hope your journey home is uneventful.”
As the boy brushed past him, Daniel glared at the back of his small head.
‘What was it he warned me about before…?’
He tried to recall.
“Let us hope Her Highness remains unharmed, Daniel.”
Yes—he’d said that.
And he’d looked like he’d kill him if she wasn’t.
‘But now that she’s gone… how can he act so calm?’
The sage’s brown eyes remained fixed on that small, retreating back, glinting coldly.
