Chapter 43
Maybe it was because this was a novel world.
Compared to the place she had lived before, the people here were all above average in appearance.
Of course, as for Iago, who was basically the “male lead” level of handsome, well, that went without saying.
“…I see.”
“Don’t worry too much. You haven’t forgotten I’m a Priestess, right?”
“…Well, yeah.”
“I’ll bring something delicious back after I finish.”
“…Mm, fine.”
Honestly, when it came to her safety, she didn’t even need an escort.
If things went really wrong, she could just blast with lightning—boom, crash. That was still an option.
Thinking Iago’s darkened expression was entirely out of worry for her, Ilena smiled lightly.
Yet even at her reassurance, his face remained stiff, almost as if sulking.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
He would loosen up once he saw her return safely.
With that simple thought, Ilena gave her farewell and turned her horse without hesitation.
Seven burly men followed right behind her.
Iago simply stood there, staring blankly at her retreating figure.
Clang, clang.
The jewelry-laden saddle and the gold and metal ornaments draped over her body jingled like chimes.
Ilena’s destination was none other than the capital’s central plaza.
She purposely urged her horse to move slowly down the main boulevard before the plaza, where crowds gathered.
Behind her trailed seven guards on horseback, dressed just as flamboyantly.
The sight of them wrapped in gold and parading so openly naturally drew all eyes.
“Look over there.”
“Oh my! Aren’t those the ‘Seven Blossoms’?”
“And the one leading them… a noble of the capital? I’ve never seen her before.”
“Her hair… hey, wait. Could it be…?”
The whispers turned into wide-eyed stares.
Pretending not to notice, Ilena kept her pace slow.
Her mysterious sky-blue hair, shifting hues with the light, shimmered every time her horse moved.
Gradually, people began gathering toward the plaza.
Soon it was nearly impossible to ride any further.
“C-could you be… the Priestess?”
From among the gathered crowd, one person timidly raised their hand and asked.
“Step back. This lady is—”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ilena cut off her guard’s warning and answered instead.
The guard—handsome, solemn, and sworn to the heavy duty of protecting a Priestess—was momentarily stunned.
Ilena deliberately brushed her abundant hair back with her hand and beamed at the onlookers.
“I am the Priestess from the North.”
“Heavens!!”
“It’s the Priestess! The Priestess herself!!”
The exclamations spread through the crowd like wildfire.
In no time at all, people swarmed around Ilena and her escorts.
“Priestess, it’s hard to guard you with so many people crowding in,” one knight whispered in distress.
“It’s fine,” Ilena said calmly, sitting atop her horse and smiling warmly at each person.
Actually, this is perfect.
Drawing people’s attention—that was the first purpose of this extravagant procession.
At this very moment, the secret scouting teams she had dispatched were searching throughout the plaza.
Even moving in pairs, there was always a risk of citizens noticing.
So she acted as bait, diverting all attention away from them.
If Iago had known she intended to risk herself this way, he never would have allowed it. That’s why she hadn’t told him.
“Priestess, please… touch my child’s head, just once. My only wish is that he won’t fall sick again.”
“Bring your child to me.”
Receiving the baby from trembling hands, Ilena kissed the sleeping child’s forehead.
“May God’s blessing be upon this child.”
“Priestess! Me too! Please, just hold my hand once!”
“Please, just look this way! Just once!”
Even though she had neither blessings nor healing power, people still stretched out their hands, praying.
Ilena smiled at each one, clasping their hands warmly in return.
Yet, behind that gentle smile, her sharp eyes swept the crowd.
Where are you? I know you’re watching.
That was the second purpose of this parade.
To flush out the culprit circling around her.
Criminals always lurked near the scene of their crimes.
And the terrorist hiding like a parasite in this peaceful kingdom—what he wanted most was her.
Though the announced attack date hadn’t come yet, chances were high he was already watching her.
Now that she’d left the heavily guarded palace, this was the perfect opportunity for him.
So Ilena, while handing out smiles and blessings, never stopped scrutinizing every face.
Criminals always give themselves away.
That peculiar unease, that darting gaze of someone hiding something—she was confident she’d spot it instantly.
Especially amidst these pure, trusting eyes.
Ilena guided her horse slowly, making sure no one got hurt in the press of the crowd.
Fortunately, despite their excitement, the people maintained order.
Adults gladly lifted children onto their shoulders or made way for them to see.
To think someone would try to harm such good people…
Spreading blessings with her hand over the children’s small heads, Ilena led her horse toward a narrower street.
Come on out. I know you’re watching.
On either side of the street stretched narrower alleys.
As she slowed her horse to pass, it happened.
Neighhh—!!
Her horse reared back in fright.
From one alley, a small brown horse suddenly bolted out, nearly colliding with hers.
“Damn it! Who rides that fast in such a narrow alley?!”
There are bad drivers everywhere. Licenses should be revoked.
Ilena muttered a curse under her breath, gripping the reins firmly with one hand and soothing her trembling horse’s neck with the other.
The other rider, clearly less experienced, fared far worse.
Their startled horse reared and bucked, and with a panicked “Ahh—!”, the rider toppled off.
“Are you all right?”
They had fallen at nearly a stop, so it shouldn’t have been serious.
Approaching the spooked horse with practiced ease, Ilena asked.
“Ah, y-yeah. I’m fine… fine.”
The reply was a high, shaky voice.
Ilena turned her gaze to the figure sprawled on the ground.
Odd. Despite the tropical heat, the person wore a cloak pulled low.
The tangled cloak made it hard to rise, but even so, they refused to remove the stifling hood.
“…Did you hurt yourself?”
When Ilena kindly asked, the man stammered, lowering his head even more.
“N-no. I’m fine. I’m not hurt, so just go.”
“Why don’t you take off the cloak? If you’re injured, I’ll pay for treatment.”
Ilena smiled gently, though her eyes probed him relentlessly.
“It’s fine! Just go.”
“It must be hot. At least take the cloak off.”
“I said it’s fine! Just leave me alone!”
“Why?”
Ilena’s smile vanished.
“…Because what you’re hiding under there is a bomb?”
The cloaked figure froze.
Slowly, he lifted his head, and from under the hood, his eyes met hers.
Wild, trembling pupils, darting within hollow sockets.
Bingo.
Ilena locked her gaze on his and spoke darkly.
“It’s you… 210901.”
“Shit.”
Cursing, he abandoned his horse and bolted.
“Ha!”
Ilena spurred her horse without hesitation, chasing him.
“Goddamn it!”
Glancing back, the man darted into a side alley barely wide enough for one person. A horse couldn’t possibly fit.
“Whoa! Stop, stop!”
Ilena yanked the reins, but the galloping horse couldn’t halt immediately.
Before it fully stopped, she leapt down and sprinted into the alley—
But by then, even the edge of his cloak was gone.
“Priestess!!” her guards called from behind, arriving late.
Great timing, as always.
“Everyone, after me!”
The alley opened into three branching paths.
“Huff… huff…”
They were so short, it felt silly to even call it a run.
And yet Ilena found herself breathless after only a few steps.
She realized, with some bitterness, that ever since her depression, she hadn’t run even once.
Her body wasn’t fit for pursuit.
“Guards! Split into pairs and chase down the man through each of the three routes! If you find anyone in a dark cloak—capture him alive!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The knights saluted and rushed off.
Ilena pressed a hand to her pounding heart, staring silently at the three diverging paths.
