âMaster Roshan, I welcome your return. Her Holiness is in the Hall of Prophecy.â
Nodding lightly at the priestâs words, Roshan hurried to her feet. She was already well past middle age, but there was no hesitation in her movements. Her eyes, filled with flames, were as sharp as ever.
Perhaps her somewhat cheerful appearance could be the result of the existence she had met today.
She was getting impatient, even though she had already been waiting for so long.
Roshanâs footsteps toward the hall were getting faster and faster, to the point that she was almost running. To anyone who knew Roshan, this was quite a surprising scene to witness.
As the gate of the hall of the prophecy came into view, Roshan started running through the hallway, and before she reached the door, the door swung open with a magic spell.
Roshan was met with the back figure of a being with wavy, pale pink hair flowing down all the way to her feet.
âYour Holiness!!!â
Roshan cried out loudly to her.
The person standing in the center of the Hall of Prophecy slowly turned herself around. The overflowing divine power traveled with her as she moved.
The amount of sacred power was so great that even an ordinary person could feel it as they approached. It was even more intense to Roshan, who already had sensitive senses as the head priestess.
Roshan was lightly shaken. Even though she had faced this power countless times, she still felt astonished each time.
âMay the blessing of Goddess Hernia always be with you, Your Holiness. I, Roshan, have returned after completing my duties.â
âOh my, High Priestess Roshan, you have returned.â
On her mature face, her mystical golden eyes sparkled brightly. The first messenger of the Goddess Hernia, the sovereign of the Holy Province of Hevium, underwent a change in the color of her eyes as she completed her awakening.
The being known as the saintess was the host of this grand divine power.
Her eyes, which looked as if they had been embedded with amber-colored gems, turned to face Roshan.
âDid you gain anything from your trip, Master?â
âJudith.â
A small smile appeared on Roshanâs mouth at the familiar way the Saintess referred to her.
Judith was originally one of Roshanâs disciples. She raised her like a daughter from the moment the young Judith arrived at the Hevium when her divine power was discovered for the first time. Eventually, a year ago, the previous saint entered their eternal rest, and Judith had her awakening as a saint.
âHow did it go? Was it her?â
Excitement flashed across Judithâs beautiful face. From that moment Roshan had gone personally to the Duchy of Benvito for confirmation, and until now, Judith had been unable to leave the Hall of Prophecy.
âCome on, Master! Tell me!â
Judith bit her lower lip tightly and squeezed her hands together. Her white knuckles revealed how nervous she really was.
Roshan took a deep breath at the sight of her.
âWhat should I tell her?â
She wanted to say something that sounded plausible, but in the end, all she could get out was a short answer that didnât make sense in the slightest.
âYes-â
ââ¦â
ââ¦Thatâs rightâ
Judith remained silent for a moment. Despite the fact that it was the exact response she had been waiting for so long, she did not have any reactions whatsoever.
Then, for a moment, clear drops began to form at the corner of her eye and trickle down her cheeks. Shortly after, the tears kept pouring out endlessly. But Judithâs face was shining brightly with emotion.
âI found it. I finally found it.â
âI didnât know that there were two children with special abilities.â
âAnd one of them was Herniaâs chosen one.â
Finally, Judithâs lips parted in an empty smile. She lightly brushed her wet and glistening cheek with the back of her hand.
âIt makes me feel so betrayed by Adele for keeping this a secret, even from us.â
âI can understand her in a way, they say, to deceive your enemies, you must deceive your allies first.â
Furthermore, their enemies were no ordinary opponents.
However, while Judith and Roshan were waiting for the right time to step in, Adeleâs two daughters had to live through horrific abuse; a fact that they only learned when they had a priest visit the Chartus family residence last month.
âIf I had known how those children were living, I would have taken them out by any means and any way possible.â
âAnd you would risk it by bringing them to this dangerous place?â
Judith could not answer and kept her mouth shut.