#047

“……What?”

Silfir asked, squinting one eye. Arne’s eyes widened.

“I like this human’s cooking. He’s sturdy, seems useful to have around.”

This time, Cullen squinted. He didn’t like that cooking, of all things, was the excuse. Moreover, who would ever believe such a preposterous statement? Silfir seemed to be contemplating how to refute the nonsense the dragon before him was spouting.

“Kiyen-nim enjoys such jokes.”

It was Lasano who stepped in then. All eyes turned to him. The High Priest’s robes, unlike Kiyen’s, were not enchanted; he wore a worn priest’s outfit from the past few days and smiled faintly.

“But it is true that we need Priest Arne. He knows deeply about this curse, and a priest, no matter what, requires two people. If even minor wounds are healed with divine power, this frail Lasano might collapse.”

Kiyen’s expression clearly showed displeasure at the description ‘frail.’ Only Arne asked back with a puzzled face.

“M-me?”

Lasano ignored Arne and continued speaking.

“This is all arranged by the goddess, Duke Exion. In fact, it wasn’t a mysterious assailant who harmed Pellar-nim, was it? I think it makes more sense to find that person.”

Cullen looked at the High Priest with surprise. From the beginning, Lasano had been hostile towards Arne, showing particular contempt for his sin of inaction. Hadn’t Lasano been the one to incite death and even hand over a sword?

As he had thought from the moment they met, the High Priest was an unfathomable person.

And the more he got to know him, the more unexpected facets emerged from that smiling face. He probably, well, he wasn’t in a position to forgive Arne, but it seemed he had decided to watch him. Cullen recalled the expression Lasano had worn when Arne confessed his sins, offering himself up to death. Was it around then?

“Sin does not disappear so easily, Your Highness.”

Silfir said with a blank expression. Cullen also replied.

“For some, a life burdened by sin is a greater punishment than death.”

“It has been too long since I’ve seen such a person. People forgive their sins too easily and live on.”

Silfir’s voice was strangely deep. For a young noble who had lived a comfortable life.

“At least it’s not Arne. He willingly wanted to die, and it was I who forced him to live.”

Cullen said in a voice devoid of any willingness to negotiate.

“If you truly wish to punish him, let him live. Don’t you think it would be more productive for him to atone and do something helpful for the world?”

Silfir rubbed his chin. After a moment of thought, he slowly began.

“Then, a reprieve… let’s call it that.”

“A reprieve?”

“I ask that Your Highness take him with you, and if there is no sign of atonement, that you personally execute him.”

He needed an excuse, after all. But it was the result he wanted. Cullen nodded lightly. Silfir shifted his body slightly and glared at Arne. He declared in a stern and cold voice.

“I sentence you to eternal banishment from my territory. I will personally take in the unfortunate temple children and care for them here, so do not even think of setting foot here again, ever.”

He sentenced Arne to a lifetime banishment from the place he had slept and lived.

“Do not show your face to anyone and leave.”

Arne’s lips moved, and he bowed his head with a tearful face.

“……I understand. I am infinitely grateful for the grace you have bestowed upon me, Marquess.”

“Leave. I do not wish to see your face.”

Arne bowed and stepped back. Lasano moved to follow him as he quietly withdrew. Now, only three remained in the room, including Kiyen.

“It will take three to four hours to prepare what you have requested. It would be best to have a meal in the meantime.”

Silfir said with a sigh. Only when the three were left alone did Cullen ask what he had been curious about.

“Have you investigated the weapon that killed your uncle?”

“Yes. It’s a bow not used in this region, and the material itself is ordinary iron. It seems to have been made by themselves. Kiyen-nim also examined it.”

At that, Cullen turned to Kiyen. Kiyen was focused on a gleaming sundial in Silfir’s study. As if sensing the gaze directed at him, he turned around.

“……Do you like the clock?”

Kiyen made a sound of contemplation at Cullen’s question.

“No.”

“If you wish, I will give it to you.”

It was Silfir’s possession, but Cullen said so first. Silfir frowned. Kiyen shook his head.

“I’ve lost interest. I have my cook, so that’s enough.”

Was Arne’s cooking really that good? He wondered if Kiyen was genuinely saying that, but now it seemed true. Seeing Cullen’s subtle expression, Kiyen changed the subject.

“The composition of the arrow itself is old.”

“Yes?”

“It’s too heavy for anyone to use now, but it was used by humans in the distant past. More than 300 years ago. I saw it in the Imperial Palace armory back then.”

In the Imperial Palace armory? Cullen frowned. Was it related to the faction within the Imperial Palace that had tried to kill him?

His mind became instantly complicated. He wanted to investigate immediately, but the word ‘300 years’ felt vague. For now, it seemed there was nothing he could find out immediately.

“It would be wise to thoroughly secure the castle while tidying up the situation, Marquess.”

Keeping quiet about the parts that were puzzling, Cullen offered only other advice.

“That is the plan. Thank you for your advice.”

“I will take my leave now.”

“I will guide you when preparations are complete.”

Silfir bowed politely.

The four were led to the dining hall. It seemed they had put in considerable effort, as meat and other dishes were served. Although the variety was limited due to the current scarcity of provisions, Cullen didn’t mind as long as it was edible.

Lasano and Kiyen elegantly picked up their cutlery. Cullen, not caring about etiquette, picked up bread. Despite his un-royal behavior, the attendants waiting at a distance watched him with admiration. It seemed strange rumors had spread while he slept.

“You have become beloved in the castle within a day. Cullen-nim, how does it feel to be a hero?”

“It’s annoying, so just eat, Lasano.”

Cullen tore off a large piece of bread. He was so famished that he wasn’t in the mood to talk. Kiyen glanced around the table with an indifferent gaze, his eyes falling on the cake prepared at one side. Kiyen pulled it closer with magic, despite the considerable distance.

Arne hiccuped at the mystical sight. He had seen it many times, yet he still seemed to have trouble adjusting.

“You are too much. Do you know how many times my life was threatened because Cullen-nim wasn’t waking up? Kiyen-nim showed his ferocious side, looking like he would devour me.”

Kiyen ignored Lasano’s chatter and first picked up the flower on the cake with his fork. Cullen forgot about eating his bread and secretly observed him. Kiyen finally ate the flower. He ate something that wasn’t even a mouthful and wore a satisfied expression.

…

He had a thought, but Cullen suppressed it. Conscious of himself constantly looking at Kiyen, he forced himself to reply to Lasano.

“Thank you for healing me.”

“My divine power is completely depleted. Arne-nim will have to carry me around now.”

Arne, who had been frozen without even thinking of eating, quickly responded to that.

“A-are you really… going to take me with you? I have almost no divine power, and I have irreverently denied the goddess. For a lowly person like me to be in Your Highness’s party…”

“You are my cook, so that’s fine.”

Kiyen said. Arne, still disbelieving, looked at Cullen.

“You’ll die here anyway, so it’s better to go together. I never expected to be healed by divine power, so your medical skills will be helpful.”

If a sinner like me can live, why shouldn’t Arne get a chance?

Cullen silently began to eat. Lasano, also hungry, finally closed his mouth and reached for the soup in front of him. Kiyen ate the cake, and Arne, after hesitating for several minutes, slowly picked up a single piece of bread and chewed it slowly.

In the afternoon, as the sun began to change direction past noon, horses and provisions were prepared. Refusing Silfir’s offer of a carriage and knights, Cullen hung his belongings on a horse. Arne would lead the horses carrying provisions and other luggage from behind. It was a remarkably modest procession for a Crown Prince.

“Then, we shall meet again.”

Silfir, accompanied by knights, came out to see them off. As news had spread, there were several knights. Among them was the young knight who had guided the party into the castle on the first day. His gaze lingered endlessly on Kiyen, so Cullen shielded Kiyen.

More precisely, the horse moved in that direction. That was all.

“I am sorry about the matter of the former Duke Exion.”

Silfir looked up at Cullen for a moment, then bowed his head and said.

“It must all be the goddess’s will.”

The conversation ended there. Instead of engaging in tedious conversation, Cullen turned the reins of his horse. Leaving the people behind, he slowly exited the castle. Passing through the recovering city, he surveyed the scene, which was beginning to show faint signs of life, and headed towards the castle walls.

He spotted a group of children just as they were about to leave the castle walls.

“Arne.”

Cullen stopped his horse. Kiyen, having noticed long ago, was staring intently at the right stone wall.

“Someone seems to have something to say to you.”

Following his gaze, Arne turned his head. The children, huddled together, were visible behind the stone wall. They were the children from the temple.

Marie was at the very front. At her expressionless, piercing gaze, Arne flinched and stopped. Guilt washed over his face.

Marie stood behind the children, as if protecting them. When Cullen and his party stopped, the girl hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked towards Arne. A light breeze ruffled her curly red hair. Marie stopped before Arne’s horse.

A slight tension hung in the air. Arne hunched his shoulders and stared intently at Marie’s lips. Like a condemned prisoner awaiting sentencing.

“I… will never forgive what you, the priest, did.”

Arne gripped the reins tightly and replied in a trembling voice.

“……I am sorry.”

The girl continued silently.

“My brother really, really liked you, Priest. Our whole family did. These fools still like you. Ina cried yesterday saying she missed you. That’s why I brought them.”

Tears quickly welled up in Arne’s eyes. The man was quite prone to tears. He lowered his head.

“It’s shameless, but… please take good care of the children. I am truly sorry, Marie. Do not forgive me.”

Marie bit her lip. With strength in her eyes, holding back the tears that had finally welled up, the child said.

“I liked you a lot too, Priest. So much that I can’t completely hate you even now.”

At those words, Arne finally began to cry. Tears welled up above his tightly closed lips.

“What you did doesn’t erase the good things you did for us. The brother I knew would surely know that the people who kidnapped him were more at fault than you abandoning him.”

His trembling hands were visible. Arne listened to the child’s words, unable to breathe, as if he wanted to die.

“Instead of living with hatred for you, I will live well. So, Priest…”

Marie wiped her tears. Her sharp voice bid farewell.

“Don’t do that again, and if there are people like my brother, save them. Don’t live like that anymore. My brother would be satisfied with that.”

Marie turned around abruptly without waiting for Arne’s reply. Her retreating back, though small, was resolute as she walked away. The child will live well.

That was the premonition he had.

Arne rubbed his tear-soaked, messy cheeks and smiled, seeing the children waving at him. With tear-filled eyes, he waved back. Then, smiles bloomed on the children’s faces.

Like newly blooming pear blossoms, it was a white smile.