ITWGE 03

𖹭 Chapter 3 𖹭

First of all—she had to stop the war.

She had tried many times to end it early, but never once succeeded.

If the war couldn’t be stopped midway, then the rebellion itself had to be prevented from happening.

The rebel forces’ top priority was to overthrow the tyrant Emperor Pero and the incompetent Crown Prince.

To remove those two fools without war, they needed someone capable enough to replace them.

In that sense, Arpessian was a decent candidate.

“He’s the son of an empress who was executed for murder, so he has legitimacy… and since he’s neglected by the Emperor, if taught well, his views could align with the rebels.”

Helicia had seen countless people change across her many regressions.

If circumstances were different, Arpessian might change too.

After all, even when she confessed she had no divine power, he had overlooked it seventeen times.

But because she belonged to the temple, she couldn’t stay by his side and guide him closely.

She needed an environment around him that would lead him properly.

Someone upright, perceptive, and influential.

There were twelve years left until she lost her divine power.

And after that, it took two more years for the war to end.

Within that time, she had to raise Arpessian properly, prevent him from going astray, join forces with the rebels to overthrow Emperor Pero, and place him on the throne.

Then, she would flee the temple and seek asylum.

And she would finally be free.

War always created a need for priests.

During wartime, many outsiders came and went from the temple, and priests were frequently dispatched elsewhere.

That would be her opportunity.

At this time, the Estar Empire was outwardly so powerful that no country on the continent dared challenge it.

Even though it was rotting internally, Emperor Pero worshipped strength and poured resources into the military.

That alone had served as his shield.

There was no way they would mobilize people from the temple just to search for her.

“A saintess without divine power would be nothing but a burden to the temple anyway.”

If everything went according to plan, she could escape this endless cycle of regression.

Holding onto that long-awaited wish, Helicia gazed at the road leading to the temple with hopeful eyes.

Most of the guests attending the coronation had already passed.

The once-crowded road filled with carriages was now nearly empty.

As the ceremony time approached, Lato grew anxious and gestured toward her again.

Helicia, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke in a small voice.

“They’re here, Lato.”

On the now quiet road—

just when it seemed no more carriages would pass—

Clatter.

A carriage pulled by a white horse appeared.

There was no need to check who was inside.

The golden emblem of the Estar Empire engraved on the door answered everything.

The carriage moved gracefully along the unpaved dirt road.

Though well-maintained, it looked strangely out of place against the dense trees surrounding the temple.

The temple’s surroundings were too modest.

The carriage, on the other hand, was too extravagant.

“This kind of carriage has passed by many times… so what’s different?”

Narrowing her eyes, Helicia carefully observed it.

Its exterior was flawless—yet something felt off.

Just as she was about to grasp that vague sense of unease—

Piiii—!

A sharp, high-pitched sound pierced the air.

It was much higher than a normal flute, making her ears ring instantly.

Lato shook his head once and quickly grabbed his sword, focusing ahead.

In his view, a group dressed in black had blocked the carriage.

Their blades gleamed sharply, all pointed toward the Estar Empire’s carriage.

And standing before them—

a small figure in white.

Lato’s mouth fell slightly open.

“Wow, you’re not even priests—did you come to welcome them?”

Helicia’s clear voice echoed through the quiet road.

The black-robed figures didn’t respond.

At a glance, they weren’t a random group.

Their robes were tied at the waist to avoid hindering movement, with leather armor and black gloves—clearly a professional force.

The group remained silent.

Realizing the danger, Lato stepped forward from behind the trees to protect her.

But Helicia subtly signaled him with her eyes, reminding him of the earlier instruction.

Go. Bring the Estar Imperial Knights.

Lato hesitated.

His stubborn gaze wavered, torn between protecting her and following orders.

Even knowing her abilities, he couldn’t move easily.

Helicia gave a slight shake of her head.

Grinding his teeth, Lato finally shut his eyes tightly and ran in the direction the carriage had come from.

Thud.

Only then did Helicia plant the long branch she had been holding into the ground.

With a relaxed smile, she spoke to the black-clad group.

“But why are you dressed like half-burnt charcoal? Not getting enough sunlight?”

She had died many times because she failed to save him.

If the Empire found out about this incident, they would hunt down every last member of this group.

Emperor Pero, true to his tyrant nature, was hot-tempered and merciless toward anyone who threatened the Empire.

At this time, some even admired his brutality as strength.

But in truth, he was simply a man who would rage at any challenge to imperial authority.

“If he’s a tyrant anyway, I might as well use him.”

Originally, Arpessian had been saved by knights who arrived late.

Lato was simply going to bring them faster.

First, Helicia needed Arpessian to develop goodwill toward her.

This was the starting point.

“I just need to hold out until the imperial knights arrive.”

Thinking that, Helicia raised the long branch proudly.

“Look. I broke this branch myself.”

Her short arms stretched upward, but it didn’t look particularly impressive.

Unsurprisingly, no one reacted.

Instead, the trembling coachman behind her called out.

“Child, it’s dangerous… run away while you still can…”

One of the black-robed men chuckled.

“The dignity of the Estar Imperial family is laughable. Your companions to the afterlife are just a dough-like child and a coachman.”

Hearing that, Helicia widened her eyes in realization.

“Oh, you’re right. There’s no guard!”

No wonder something felt off.

She nodded to herself.

“For a carriage with the imperial emblem, it does look pretty shabby, doesn’t it?”

Even if he was a third prince far from succession, royalty was still royalty.

He should have been heavily guarded.

Was it because he was heading to the neutral temple?

As questions piled up—

the black-clad group dragged the coachman down and forced him to kneel.

They completely ignored Helicia.

The coachman trembled beside her and begged desperately.

“Please spare me… I’m just a hired man, I have nothing to do with His Highness…”

Before he could finish—

Slash.

Blood splattered from the blade, staining Helicia’s cheek red.

“…Huh?”

This wasn’t what she expected.

Wiping her face, she saw dark, sticky blood on her hand.

In her past lives, she had always heard the same report:

“The Estar Empire will not attend the ceremony. The Third Prince and coachman were injured during an attack on the way.”

But this—

this wasn’t an injury.

It was death.

The group before her was far more ruthless and decisive than expected.

The blood-stained blade turned toward Helicia next.

“Take this as the result of childish recklessness, little one.”

“No one’s ever called me ‘little one’ before… it’s kind of exciting, mister.”

Despite her light tone, her expression hardened as she swung the branch.

Whoosh—!

It cut through the air with a threatening sound.

The black-robed figures quickly stepped back, startled.

They exchanged glances among themselves, clearly shaken by the unexpected strength.

“W-What is this?”

Thud.

Helicia slammed the branch into the ground confidently and tilted her head.

“Is it hard to see because of your robes?”