The Prophet and the Guardian (5)
“Ugh, then let’s get going…”
“Yohanes-nim.”
At that moment, a voice like iron scraping across a plate cut through the air.
The owner of that voice was the unidentified man who always followed a few steps behind Yohan.
Unlike the people in the slums who adored Yohan, they feared this man for his massive, house-like build and his curt way of speaking. Of course, the main reason was the enormous greatsword strapped to his back.
“Any further delay would be problematic.”
The man wore a dark red hood so worn it had faded to brown. Every movement produced a metallic clank, the sound of silver armor hidden beneath the fabric knocking against itself.
“It’s fine, Karl. Those people can’t catch us anyway.”
Yohan turned to the man following him—Karl—and flashed a bright smile.
“And even if they do chase us, you’ll protect me, won’t you?”
He winked playfully.
“My guardian is the greatest knight, after all. Right?”
Karl watched Yohan’s mischievous grin and let out a deep sigh.
“How did I end up serving a colt like this…”
“Haha, isn’t it all God’s will?”
Yohan—no, Yohanes—laughed cheerfully and strode toward the girl waiting ahead.
“Come on, let’s go.”
With the midday sun at his back, he walked majestically through the heart of the slum. An inexplicable aura of holiness radiated from him.
“Faster than I expected.”
I leaned back against the headboard and unfolded the letter.
It had only been a few days since I sent a message to the Golden Goose Merchant Coalition asking for information on the candidate for Holy Emperor.
Yet Somnia’s reply contained an astonishingly detailed profile.
It was hard to believe the information had been gathered in such a short time.
Yohanes Milo
Age: 19
Unanimously selected as the youngest candidate for Holy Emperor in history.
Born in the Leon Holy Kingdom to one of its most prestigious Holy Knight families.
Graduated at the top of the kingdom’s most renowned theological academy, then served as high priest in multiple kingdoms.
Possesses overwhelmingly powerful and vast divine power—capable of handling most disasters and incurable diseases alone.
Appointed candidate at age 18 upon returning to the Holy Kingdom.
Current status: Missing. Wanted by the Leon Holy Kingdom.
Estimated to be traveling the continent with a single Holy Knight, providing aid to the lower classes.
The guardian knight protecting him is among the finest in the Holy Kingdom—exceptional senses, extensive pilgrimage escort experience, and a naturally suspicious nature. All pursuers have been evaded. Tracking deemed impossible. Approximate location only.
Last sighted: slum near the Mondragon Mountain Range.
I stared fixedly at the name on the first line.
Yohanes Milo.
The more I read, the deeper my frown became.
“Currently missing and wanted by the Holy Kingdom?”
It made no sense. The candidate for Holy Emperor—missing? And placed on a wanted list by his own nation?
Why?
Those wanted by the Holy Kingdom were usually charged with blasphemy. Most were minor offenders who had denied doctrine or shown disrespect to priests.
Could Yohanes have done something like that?
It didn’t add up. How could someone who rejected the kingdom’s teachings even be appointed as a candidate in the first place?
Besides, in the Holy Kingdom’s rigid hierarchy, even rudeness from a figure of his stature would hardly warrant such extreme measures unless it involved serious harm.
The internal class system there was far stricter than anything in the outside world of kings and nobles. The Holy Emperor was practically a living god, and his chosen successor was revered almost as highly.
Yet they had issued a warrant for that person’s arrest.
It was genuinely bizarre.
I raised an eyebrow and turned the page. Fortunately, the next sheet contained the exact information I needed.
After absorbing the rest, I set the letter down.
The Mondragon Mountain Range was not far from the empire. If Yohanes’s next destination brought him any closer, it would be dangerous.
Should he be spotted by other priests from the Holy Kingdom or captured by mercenaries hired by the Radcliffe Marquisate, the consequences could be catastrophic.
The fact that the Holy Kingdom had declared him wanted suggested the current Holy Emperor and Yohanes were not on good terms.
The Radcliffe family might be seeking him to earn the favor of the next Holy Emperor… or perhaps the opposite.
If the successor died, the current Holy Emperor’s reign would be extended until a new qualified candidate emerged.
It was only speculation, but Yohanes seemed to be one of those rare priests who genuinely practiced God’s will. Despite his exalted position, he healed the lowest of the low without seeking reward.
He was the complete opposite of the current Holy Emperor—a lazy, selfish, greedy old man facing a passionate, honest, and devoted young one.
Which would be easier to manipulate? The answer was obvious.
Therefore, the Radcliffe Marquisate likely wanted Yohanes removed. A clear-headed young priest would be difficult to bribe or threaten.
Perhaps the Holy Kingdom had even made promises to the marquis in exchange for eliminating him.
There were too many unsettling aspects to the Holy Kingdom. The mutant monster incident, the imperial succession meddling… everything felt off.
I still didn’t know the precise nature of their collusion with the Radcliffe family, but one thing was certain: the two were cooperating, regardless of motive.
Tap.
I tossed Somnia’s letter into the fireplace. The fine paper released a pleasant fragrance as it curled into ash.
Yohanes is a necessary piece.
Whether to make Edwin emperor or to prevent the other princes from taking the throne, I needed him.
But I couldn’t search for him myself, nor could I entrust the task to others as a simple request.
It seemed even the professionals had nearly given up. After all, the Angel’s Breath operatives I had personally sent to their deaths had also failed to locate him.
Then…
I stared at the scarlet flames and clenched my fist.
“...I suppose I have no choice but to call him?”
Unlike Sage or Somnia, he was a figure from my past I had hoped never to face again.
Yet it looked like I would have to meet him.
“No. No way.”
After long deliberation, I shook my head like a madwoman.
“Avoiding that lunatic is the best policy. I’ll find another way to locate Yohanes.”
Calling that bastard should only happen in the most desperate circumstances. Unless my life was on the line, I shouldn’t even let his name surface in my mind.
I tried to erase the name that had risen unbidden.
It didn’t work very well.
“Kieeeek!”
The beast-shaped monster bound by chains let out a horrifyingly grotesque shriek.
Even restrained, it thrashed its head and tail violently, threatening the surrounding knights.
“Your Highness, now!”
At the knight’s shout, Third Prince Edwin leaped upward.
His gleaming blade shattered the monster’s fangs and drove straight through its skull.
“Uwaaaaaah—!”
Cheers erupted from the knights.
Edwin confirmed his strike had landed cleanly and began to raise his sword in triumph—only to lose his balance. He slipped on the monster’s translucent fluids and fell flat.
“U-uh?”
The knights couldn’t contain their laughter at the sight of their prince flailing on the ground, drenched in monster ichor.
“Wahahaha! Your Highness! Your finishing is still a bit sloppy!”
“Hey, stop laughing and help him up! Can’t you see he can’t stand?”
The polite and gentle knights quickly grabbed Edwin’s arms and lifted him, while the more playful ones showered him with applause and good-natured jeers.
“Well done, Your Highness! Though next time you perform a victory pose, maybe check your footing first.”
“Enough with the teasing, you insolent fools. This is exactly why the First Knight Division still calls you barbarians.”
With both cheeks flushed red, Edwin settled among the knights.
While the Third Knight Division members bickered among themselves, he quietly wiped himself down with an old towel.
Monsters… monsters…
Edwin steadied his breathing and sank into thought.
The young prince’s small head was filled with complications.
Rachel had told him in a perfectly calm tone:
“It’s not confirmed yet, but it seems they will soon assemble a large-scale monster subjugation allied force.”
“His Majesty the Emperor appears to intend for all the princes to participate.”
Which meant the subjugation campaign would serve as a critical test to determine the next crown prince.
Can I truly accomplish something so monumental?
He had learned the basics of fighting monsters during the recent joint knight training. Still, all he had managed was driving a sword into the vital point of a half-dead creature.
A deep shadow of worry crossed the young prince’s clear face.