Chapter 412

"

Ah!

" At last, Nasser let out a breath of realization. He had recalled the beastfolk warrior and the elder fairy who had crossed the Inner Sea to the South.

"That's right. Originally, I had planned to head to the capital after this." Miguel, nodding as he spoke, glanced down at the charm in his hand, which had begun to flicker faintly. "But I was told to leave it alone. It said there are already those bound by fate in the capital and that they will help each other make the best choices."

A faint smile played on Miguel's lips as he turned back to Mev. "Sir Philip is already Sir Ian's knight. So when the time comes, he will surely go to serve his lord."

As Mev’s expression shifted to one of surprise, Nasser asked, "Sir Philip? But even if Sir Ian knighted him, official recognition is impossible."

Miguel simply shrugged. "I don't know the details, but I heard that Her Highness the Princess was present as a witness."

"Well then." A smile flickered across Mev's face. "Philip is truly fortunate. To be able to serve a lord like Ian."

"But that also means he's caught the Order's attention—both in a good way and a bad way. It's best to avoid contact with him for his own sake." Nasser added.

"I hadn’t thought that far, but the Platinum Dragon might have." Miguel scratched his chin before continuing. "In any case, it said it would be best for me to travel South with you both. Going alone wouldn't be ideal. I only spent a short time with that tailless beastfolk, and the rest I only heard about in stories. Isn't that right?"

Mev and Nasser, the ones who had told him those stories, both nodded. Right after, Mev turned to Nasser. "I had a feeling we'd meet again someday, but I never expected it to be this soon."

"Indeed. Even with travel time, it's been, what, a little over a year at most?" Nasser nodded before stroking his chin. "We'll need to head West. Do you remember the route we took to slip past the frontier last time?"

"Of course. We'll need to stop by Drenorov to meet Count Westwood. He'll have no trouble making identification documents for us."

"Though I didn't exactly leave the best impression on him. Well, this might be a good opportunity—I can finally offer my apology for my rudeness back then."

"Good. That's an excellent idea, Nasser."

Miguel watched the two exchanging words known only to them, then finally interjected. "So, I'll take that as confirmation that there are no issues?"

Mev turned to him with a brief hum. "Crossing the Inner Sea won’t be a problem. But as for the southern lands themselves, I've never set foot—"

"Oh, that part has been taken care of," Nasser swiftly interjected.

Both Mev and Miguel turned their attention to him as he gave a smile. "Seems you've forgotten about my skin color. Honestly, I'm more comfortable this way, though."

Miguel's gaze briefly swept over Nasser's light brown face. "Weren't you from the Central?"

"I am. But my mother's family is from the South—a lineage that crossed the desert and settled there about a hundred years ago. I ‌am the product of a political marriage meant to forge ties with the central regions."

Nasser stated it as casually as if he were discussing the weather, then turned to Mev, who furrowed her brows slightly. "Since the gods blessed me from a young age, I was free to come and go from my mother's homeland. To reach the desert, one must pass through the South. So, at the very least, we won't be losing our way."

"That's fortunate, but don't speak of yourself that way. Even if you severed ties with your family when you joined the Purification Squad, the blood running through you hasn't disappeared," Mev added.

A small smile spread across Nasser's lips. "Yes, my lord. I'll keep that in mind."

Despite the weight of his past, he didn't argue further—because he knew Mev’s words had been spoken out of genuine care. She knew all too well the pain of a broken family.

At last, Mev gave a slight nod and turned back to Miguel. "In any case, this works in our favor. We'll can all stay at the Southern Front and wait for the day the Platinum Dragon brings down the Wall."

Miguel blinked before shaking his head. "That won't be possible. I have to return to the North—and so do you two."

Mev's smile froze. "Why?"

"I can't abandon the temple forever, can I? Besides, the Platinum Dragon also said it would be best for you both to remain at the frontiers."

"Why that specific instruction?" Mev's brows knit further.

Miguel scratched at his bearded chin before answering. "Well, it said there's no better place to scatter the Empire's and the Order's attention than the frontiers."

As Mev tilted her head in confusion, Nasser, who had been silently rubbing his chin, murmured, "It sounds like the Platinum Dragon doesn't know exactly where Sir Ian will return. It plans to position allies across all regions to delay the Empire and the Order from realizeing Sir Ian has returned for as long as possible."

"So it wants us to create distractions behind the scenes." Mev finally nodded. "By building a force outside the control of the Empire and the Church—small, but impossible to ignore."

"I doubt it intends for us to start a war, but yes. As I suspected before, the Platinum Dragon enjoys weaving plans far more meticulously than most assume. And if possible—" Nasser trailed off, narrowing his eyes with a slight smirk. "It prefers to keep itself out of the spotlight entirely."

"That's a rather harsh way to put it. Yes, it's an intimidating figure, but it's not devious. It is simply wiser and farsighted than any mortal can hope to be." Miguel wrinkled his nose in mild reproach.

Miguel met Nasser’s eyes and continued, "Besides, it's not just sitting back with its hands behind its back. The Platinum Dragon is preparing the most crucial part of this plan. From the way it spoke, it sounded incredibly difficult—dangerous, even. It intends to bear that burden alone."

"I apologize. I meant no insult to such a great being." Nasser immediately bowed his head in a formal apology.

Caught off guard, Miguel hesitated before clearing his throat awkwardly. "There's no need to apologize to me,

ahem

. Anyway, do you have any ideas about what to do next?"

"Of course. The moment I heard all this, a perfect candidate came to mind. Isn't that right, my lord?" Nasser turned to the side, wearing that signature smirk of his.

Mev nodded reluctantly, her gaze carrying a hint of hesitation. "Right. Once we return, we'll have to seek the Bastard King. At the very least, he considers the Empire his enemy."

"We won't be able to establish a unified kingdom in the short term, but perhaps we could form a coalition? If you, my lord, lend your strength. Of course, my meager wit as well—" Nasser abruptly cut himself off.

The shimmering light that had surrounded them flickered out in an instant, plunging the room into dimness once more. The glow from Miguel's talisman had completely faded.

"Finally burned out." Muttering to himself, Miguel glanced at his now-dull talisman before tucking it away with care.

Noticing the stares from Mev and Nasser, he spoke casually. "I know how to activate it, but I have no idea how to turn it off mid-use. So the only option is to let it burn itself out. The first time I tested it, I panicked more than I care to admit,

hmph

. It should recharge on its own in a few days."

With neither of them responding, Miguel glanced between them before raising a brow. "Why the sudden silence? You've both shut your mouths like clams."

"Shouldn't we be more careful with our words now?" Nasser's voice dropped to a whisper.

Miguel let out a short, deflating laugh. "Honestly, the only secret here is what I said at the start. And even that was just a precaution."

He was, of course, referring to the Platinum Dragon’s plan to bring down the Black Wall. And Nasser, of course, knew exactly what that precaution was for. After all, there had always been priests who could glimpse distant visions or receive divine revelations.

"I see." Nasser nodded in understanding.

Miguel continued, "So, are you both set on returning to the frontier?"

Mev nodded. "Yes. If the great one has arranged it, we must follow. It's what's best for Ian and Lucy."

"In that case," Miguel nodded and turned.

With a casual motion, he pushed the plates and cups on the table to the side, clearing space before twisting his body to reach something leaning against the wall.

"My use of the talisman in the test revealed the Platinum Dragon's visit to the High Priestess. So I figured—why not just tell her outright? I said I had something to take care of for Sir Ian and Lucy." Miguel spoke as he casually handled the bundle, untying the knots that held the cloth in place.

"So, I asked her to let me leave the temple with no questions—just to prepare and go."

He placed the long, cloth-wrapped object on the table. It was so large that part of it extended past the edge, but Miguel paid no mind, continuing to loosen the remaining ties.

"And thankfully, she agreed. Instead, she entrusted me with this—telling me to carry it until its rightful owner appears, and to use it when the time comes."

At last, he unfurled the cloth. A long, straight scabbard revealed an unmistakable sword within. The guard resembled a set of balanced scales, and the hilt was long enough to be wielded with both hands. At its base, a weight shaped like flickering flames sat.

Mev's eyes widened as she took it all in, piece by piece.

"This is the broken sword of Sir Ian you left in my care, my lord." Miguel’s voice had turned formal once more as he carefully lifted the scabbard with his right hand, cradling the lower part with his prosthetic arm.

"It was tempered in the sacred fire, and in the process, it was blessed by both the Blazing Goddess and the Stern Goddess. A new holy relic has been born."

Nasser and Mev both widened their eyes at the sword. However, it was only for a moment. Nasser swiftly clasped his hands behind his back beneath his backpack, bowed his head, and stepped back.

Mev, however, kept her trembling eyes locked on Miguel, her lips parting. "You're not handing it to me, are you?"

"It's too long for me to wield properly, and I lack the ability to command the power within it. I am unworthy of it—so, of course."

Miguel lifted the sword, supporting it with both hands as he stepped forward. "On my way here, I heard more than a few stories about the Crimson Pilgrim. If anyone is suited to guard and wield this blade, it's you."

Mev held his gaze for a moment before lowering herself onto one knee with a heavy thud. She bowed her head and extended both hands skyward in solemn reverence. Without hesitation, Miguel placed the sword atop them.

Still bowing, Mev spoke in a voice heavy with reverence. "What is the name of this sacred blade?"

Miguel took a step back and answered, "The Saintess named it

Blazing Judgment

."

"Blazing... Judgment..." Mev murmured the name, closing her fingers around the scabbard.

A faint tremor ran through her hands, a silent resonance spreading from the weapon. Raising the sword slightly in a gesture of veneration, she then finally lifted her head. With her right hand, she grasped the hilt.

Woosh.

A sliver of the blade emerged from its sheath. The surface of the pristine white steel shimmered with a blue, flame-like glow before settling. Nasser, still bowing, let out a quiet breath of awe.

Miguel added, his voice steady, "When the time comes, return it to its rightful owner."

"I accept this duty. And I will draw this blade only when it is truly needed." Mev's voice carried the weight of an oath as she slid the sword back into its sheath. Another clear, ringing pulse resonated through the air. Gripping the scabbard firmly, she stood in silence.

Miguel, watching her intently, finally let out a deep, relieved sigh and took a step back. "That takes a damn weight off my chest."

With that, he slumped into a chair, pressing his prosthetic hand against his chest plate. "To be honest, I've been terrified of losing it this entire time. And I've barely spoken to anyone, afraid I might let something slip."

Nasser let out a short laugh. "So that's why you've been keeping so quiet around people?"

Miguel nodded, looking even more exhausted now that the weight was off his shoulders. "When you carry a treasure that doesn't suit you, the best way to stay alive is to keep your mouth shut. And let me tell you, the frontier is a damn nightmare. If it weren't for Nila, I'd have been dead long ago."

He shook his head in exasperation before adding, "In truth, it wasn't me riding that beast—I was the one being dragged along. It barely listens to my commands. No respect at all, it completely ignores me."

Both Mev and Nasser smiled. Miguel had returned to the easygoing, slightly crude, but undeniably sincere priest they both knew.

"You're exaggerating. We've already heard all about it." Nasser chuckled as he set down his backpack. "You exorcised a phantom all by yourself, didn't you? Blazing in golden light."

"Yes, we thought an Apostle of the Radiant Goddess had arrived. How did you manage that?" Mev joined in, prompting Miguel to scratch his cheek with a sheepish yet slightly proud smile.

He reached into the folds of his cloak and extended his steel prosthetic. "This. The Platinum Dragon engraved a little Mantra circuit into it."