Chapter 45
The sound of the Asrahan string instrument slowly reverberated through the air.
Bathed in melodies that felt like a forgotten kindness brushing gently over her body, Maia trembled, overwhelmed by painful thoughts.
“Madam.”
Beside her, Marquis Renessa quietly called her name. Snapped out of her daze, Maia refocused on reality.
A woman with blue hair—the Grand Duchess of Adelstein—was entering the hall.
The vow ceremony had begun.
The Grand Duchess wore a golden mask covering her delicate face, and over her left shoulder, a flowing cloak was fastened with a vivid red gemstone buckle, its fabric cascading over her entire body.
Beneath the draping cloak that covered her upper body, she wore trousers typically worn by apprentice knights.
It resembled the attire of ancient warriors, now seen only in fairy tale illustrations.
The legs and feet usually hidden beneath a sweeping dress were now exposed.
Tap.
She stopped before a high platform reminiscent of an altar.
Gripping a dagger hidden at her waist with both hands—blade pointed downward—she brought it close to her chest.
The glint of the sharp blade seemed as though it could slice through her skin and cleave her heart in two.
“Until this heart is torn apart and I can no longer move even a single toe.”
From beneath the mask, her pale blue eyes fixed on the platform with a solemn intensity.
“Only after driving out the children of the rift that devour all life will I rest.”
The silence was so profound that the sound of approaching footsteps, previously unnoticed, now gently echoed through the hall.
Maia turned her gaze toward the platform.
From her vantage point, she could just make out the entrance to a black arched chamber behind a sheer violet curtain—where Rihi emerged, looking down at the Grand Duchess.
He was attending the ritual as a representative of the Tower Master.
“And you, born from the providence of fate, a being of infinite and complete transcendence brought forth through pain…”
Maia watched them, overwhelmed by indescribable emotion.
“Though the path is full of hardship and sorrow, it is also one that cannot be exchanged for anything else. A path that, though sung as a dirge by future generations, will ultimately end as a hymn.”
Step by step.
Rihi descended the tall platform.
Toward the Grand Duchess, who now embodied the only and eternal partner of Rua’r.
“I earnestly ask with all my heart that you walk this path with me.”
His movements were immaculate, without the slightest disturbance.
Standing before the Grand Duchess like a divine envoy, Rihi slowly extended his pale white hand.
“…!”
The Grand Duchess raised the dagger as if to divide her heart—and took it into his hand.
Drip. Drip.
Blood trickled from Rihi’s grasp, staining the dagger.
Drops of crimson fell to the floor, leaving vivid marks.
The stark contrast of colors made Maia feel dizzy.
“—If you so wish.”
Rihi’s tightly sealed lips parted, letting out a noble voice.
“I shall walk with you. In all your trials, fears, and sorrows, I will always be by your side. And in your fleeting moments of joy and glory, my eyes will record it all.”
He declared, his eyes shimmering with unknowable emotion.
“Gathering all of it together—I grant you my eternity.”
Above the platform, a figure cloaked in shadows behind the black veil silently observed them.
Rihi, his hand soaked in blood, reached out. The Grand Duchess grasped it firmly.
Standing together, they looked up at the veiled figure.
“Since ancient times, the vow between Adelstein and Rua’r has promised to transcend even death. Today’s ritual reaffirms this oath—I have witnessed it with my own eyes.”
The figure spoke.
Maia looked up at him, overcome with emotion.
She had heard this voice just two days ago—it was Hiperion Rua’r.
“Rua’r will protect Adelstein for all eternity, and Adelstein shall rule this land forever. The moment this balance falters, calamity shall come. I, Hiperion Rua’r, declare this warning to the world once more.”
As his voice faded, violets began to fall from the sky like rain.
Maia dazedly stared at the stunning sight of purple petals drifting down.
Plop—
Suddenly, a tiny flower landed on the tip of her nose.
Maia gently lifted it with her fingers and gazed down at the small, fantastical bloom that seemed to contain an entire story.
Eternal friendship.
Could such a thing really exist?
She looked up again.
Hiperion Rua’r had vanished without a trace.
“This concludes the vow ceremony.”
Left behind, Rihi solemnly declared the ceremony’s end.
Maia let out a shallow breath.
Attendants rushed forward to remove the Grand Duchess’s mask and cloak, while Rihi gazed down at his still-bleeding hand with an unreadable expression.
Maia took a step toward him.
But she was quickly blocked by a crowd—attendants, Lord Terzen hurriedly speaking to Rihi, a group of mages, and the approaching Grand Duke Aetherna. Reaching him seemed impossible.
“Are you alright?”
“Huh?”
Startled, Maia turned to see Marquis Renessa watching her with concern.
“I’ve seen countless ceremonies like this and rarely feel moved, but witnessing your reaction… It stirred something long-forgotten in me.”
“Ah… I’m fine.”
Did I really look that lost in thought?
Feeling embarrassed, Maia covered one cheek and replied softly.
“Haha, there’s no need to be shy. Still, a bit of rest wouldn’t hurt.”
“…Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
She couldn’t talk to Rihi right now anyway.
Taking the marquis’s advice, Maia decided to return to her room and rest.
A few hours had passed since the ceremony ended. Night had fallen outside the Tower.
The Tower never allowed outsiders to stay long. By tomorrow, she would have to leave. After just one month, it already felt distant—returning to the Holy City.
“…Before I go.”
She wanted to see Rihi.
Maia pressed a hand against her still-throbbing chest and exhaled.
In that moment, as the Grand Duchess held the dagger and Rihi caught it with pale hands—he had looked exactly like Hiperion Rua’r.
The real Hiperion had only appeared after their vows.
Emperor Adelstein and Tower Master Hiperion Rua’r.
They were the heroes Maia had admired more than anyone.
In her youth, isolated from her peers for many reasons, Maia had immersed herself in books and their stories.
Among those stories, these two figures always appeared—guiding the heroes, symbolizing sacred values.
Especially the Emperor Adelstein and the first Archmage Hiperion Rua’r, who stood at the heart of the journey.
Their bond—pure, unshakeable by rumors or malice—was what Maia had longed for.
So she admired them, craved the kind of relationship they shared.
Learning that Rihi was the Tower Master’s closest retainer had shocked her—it was an extension of her childhood admiration.
Even after experiencing the bitter failure of first love and adopting a strictly logical approach to life, the one ideal she still clung to was Hiperion Rua’r.
Though, now she couldn’t help but feel a bit foolish—thinking perhaps Rihi’s arrogance had been influenced by his master.
But how could someone she revered as a god keep such a secret while staying so close?
He’d seen and heard everything—how much she admired him.
“…He said not to wander.”
Maia muttered, pushing aside her lingering resentment.
She wanted to share this overwhelming feeling with someone—anyone.
She knew where Rihi’s room was. Though Hiperion had been there once…
Would he still be there now?
That was days ago. He likely wouldn’t stay long in one place.
Even if he were there—based on their last meeting, his demeanor had been surprisingly calm and gentle.
Honestly, Rihi seemed more hot-tempered than his master. Maybe she was wrong to blame the Tower Master for Rihi’s attitude.
Maia stood up with little concern, waved off the attendants who tried to follow her, and walked alone.
The Tower was eerily silent. Only the sound of her own footsteps echoed in the corridors.
How many steps had she taken up the spiraling staircase?
“—So why must I do such—”
A familiar voice floated down the hallway.
…Hiperion Rua’r?
Maia furrowed her brow and cautiously approached Rihi’s door.
It was definitely his voice.
So he hadn’t left? He was still in Rihi’s room?
Maia leaned in to listen—
Unaware that she’d regret it.
“Didn’t Hael take over the last few decades because you couldn’t stand the cringe?”
Rihi’s lazy tone was unmistakable.
“That’s true, but…! Just how long are you going to keep this act up?”
The response came from—
Wait.
Maia’s pupils dilated.
Yet the conversation continued, the speakers oblivious.
“…You don’t understand how unstable that kid is. If I reveal who I really am…”
“Face reality. Lies only breed more lies. What seems like true love will eventually reveal itself as deception…”
The relaxed tone of Rihi—the respectful, earnest voice replying…
“Please listen to my counsel, Lord Rua’r.”
The same voice she’d heard two days ago—Hael Terzen had called this man Hiperion Rua’r.
“Ah…”
A dazed sigh escaped Maia’s lips.
A primal realization swept through her body.
Click—
Without thinking, her hand turned the knob and flung the door open.
The golden eyes that met hers were the last thing she ever wanted to believe in.
“You…”
Maia whispered slowly.
“You lied to me.”
