~ Chapter : 11 ~
A line, neither clearly silver nor gray, was scribbled across her shoulder like a chaotic doodle.
At first, she thought it was some kind of bruise and leaned closer to the mirror. But this was a pattern.
She couldn’t make out exactly what kind, but it seemed to stretch out like a spiderweb in a V-shape, reminiscent of wings.
Whenever the burning pain intensified, the pattern would turn blindingly white, then darken again, repeating over and over.
“It definitely wasn’t here this morning…”
It was a huge relief that she had worn a dress covering her shoulders.
It wasn’t as if a sudden oracle had descended. She had never heard or seen anything suggesting that Teos, Tenia, or anything else could make a mark appear. If she had exposed her shoulder in front of everyone like this, it could have aroused suspicion.
What on earth was this?
No matter how she rubbed it with her hands, or even soaked a handkerchief with water from the cup on the table to scrub, it wouldn’t come off.
It was as if it were engraved…
“Engraved? Impossible.”
There was no way such a thing existed. Engraved with what?
Yet the anxious thoughts that surfaced refused to calm down.
The strange pain she had felt since spending the night.
The sensation that subsided the moment Caliph’s lips touched her.
The pain added to her unmanifested sacred energy, and the inexplicable light.
No matter how she looked at it, the cause was that man.
Her unease, her instincts, all told her so.
Ritia bit her lip. Surely, he hadn’t been so confident because of this. But what if she couldn’t resolve it? What if she couldn’t summon any power? And what if it turned out she really wasn’t Ritia?
The uneasy thoughts came in a relentless stream. Could this time really be the end? Everything she had taken lightly suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
“I should go back and think.”
It was a relief that she could still say she hadn’t fully recovered yet.
For now, she needed to go back…
But Ritia froze, unable to grasp the doorknob.
It seemed like today’s events would be reported to Duke Mont. If she did nothing, she would likely become the first suspect.
Even ignoring Duke Mont, the priest who had helped her earlier could also suspect her.
If rumors spread that someone with a power strong enough to command respect couldn’t use any of it, it would be truly dangerous.
So finding that man should come first.
But how?
She hadn’t asked how to meet him again, thinking she’d never see him after he brought her back.
Why ask? There was no need!
Her bold proclamation of a week seemed meaningless as Ritia now frantically sought a way to find him.
He was the only one who could explain this clearly.
“How on earth do I find him?”
Should she return to the banquet hall?
But the man hadn’t even entered the hall before; they had met outside on the terrace. He had said there was no need to go inside. So even if she went to the banquet terrace now, there was no guarantee he would be there.
Ritia bit her lip again.
Caliph. His face came to mind. She never thought she’d need him this badly.
“Please… please…”
Ritia clasped her hands together like in prayer and tightly closed her eyes.
Just once, just let me confirm he’s alright…!
At that moment, a small sense of relief flowed through her, as if a dam had broken.
That was when the refreshing sensation started returning.
“Haah.”
Ritia exhaled the breath she had been holding and opened her eyes with a shiver.
Trying not to forget the sensation, she spread her palms again.
The white light gathered as if drawn to its own source, clumping together little by little. It flowed like water across the floor before vanishing.
Though a slight unpleasant tingle remained, it was far more refreshing than when she first tried it in the room.
“…It worked.”
She needed to show this in front of others before her power was blocked again. Then, she would look for him.
Ritia hurriedly grabbed the doorknob and opened it, heading back to where people had gathered earlier.
Almost running to return before the power vanished, she met the priest who approached her and gave a light smile.
“Have you rested a bit?”
“Yes, thank you. It was a rare visit, so I was worried.”
When Ritia said she would distribute blessings again, the priest, showing a slight worry, nodded willingly and returned to his place.
Ritia took a deep breath, facing another person in front of her.
“May the blessing of light dwell within you.”
She sprinkled her sacred energy above the head of the man who came for the blessing.
Slowly, deliberately, enough for everyone to see, and for a long time.
After finishing her charitable activities, Ritia could think of nothing but finding Caliph.
Duke Mont was relieved to hear she had completed her duties safely, but ironically, she still could not summon her power once back home.
She subtly described his appearance to Emilia, asking if any noble fit the description, but gained little help.
This time, it was matters at the temple.
She knew that once the Tenia candidates started their activities, there would be many external charity works.
One of the most important tasks was to traverse the empire with holy power, ensuring Teos’ influence was felt widely.
From the central capital, Bistium, to the eastern Terrium, southern Morium, northern Raum, and western Weitas—each region was divided for the candidates to perform their duties.
Those knights drafted to assist the candidates were called the Temes, protecting neglected areas, preventing monster attacks, and seeking the favor of Athes.
Ritia would have to act until she could wield enough power to defend herself. To do that, this problem had to be solved first.
“How do I meet him?”
From then on, Ritia attended nearly every large or small evening banquet.
Having avoided such events previously, the doubled attention was overwhelming, yet she kept searching.
Day by day, one, two, three… almost a week passed.
Finally, on the eve of that week, she leaned against a corner terrace, muttering in frustration.
“Where on earth do I find him?”
No matter how she thought, there was no clear method. She even inspected all the nobles’ lists. The name he had given was likely an alias; she couldn’t even find “Caliph.”
She had only tried to avoid him before, never imagining it would be this hard to find him.
The moon shone brightly.
The week was nearly over.
“Please appear, please.”
Caliph.
Ritia leaned on the terrace railing, clasping her hands in prayer, pressing her forehead against them.
Then it happened.
A firm arm gently wrapped around her waist from behind, and she felt his presence.
“I won.”
A annoyingly relaxed voice whispered into her ear.
He had appeared.
Relief flooded her as she spun around. Just as a flash of resentment filled her eyes, a pale hand grabbed Caliph’s collar like it had seized his throat.
“Why are you only showing up now?”
Ritia shouted, almost screaming.
“Am I too late?”
In contrast, the man was all leisure, his calm tone exuding even laziness, making Ritia boil with anger.
If he knew even a fraction of how nerve-wracking her days had been, he could never smile like this. She had truly spent agonizing days.
“Is that even something to say? You knew everything already!”
They had both consented that one night; Ritia knew it well. But if he had given her even a hint, she wouldn’t have been so anxious.
She had worried about being caught and killed, and the memory of that made her pour out her resentment.
Caliph, holding her hand effortlessly, placed her hand on his cheek. The warmth spread across her hand.
Ritia tried to pull back, but it wasn’t easy.
Meanwhile, Caliph seemed completely unaffected by her frustration, as if her anger meant nothing to him.
“Sorry. I didn’t expect you’d get this angry.”
Ritia couldn’t understand why he was in such a good mood.
Just because he won a bet? Or is that just his nature?
The calmness of his demeanor only irritated her further. Still, deep down, she was relieved he had appeared.
The week would have passed regardless, but still… she needed to use her sacred power tomorrow. If something went wrong again, the duke would surely suspect. Whether Caliph would appear was still uncertain.
Now that she had met him, she needed him to restore her power.
Ritia sighed.
Her power wasn’t completely gone. Judging by the suppressed feeling, he had likely sealed it or taken some measure. Once Caliph released it, she could use it again.
With the curtains drawn, no one would suddenly enter. Ritia kept holding onto his collar, glancing to make sure no one came.
“Shall we move somewhere else?”
At Caliph’s words, Ritia lifted her head.
She hesitated. Would it take long?
If so, though not ideal, it would be better than here.
“We can’t be away for long.”
“It won’t take long.”
Ritia nodded.
Caliph wrapped his hand around her waist.
In an instant, darkness enveloped her, and when she opened her eyes, the familiar surroundings came into view.
She scanned the space—the same place she had spent the night with him.
She had expected him to go near the banquet hall, but why here? Regardless, she would return after regaining her power, so it didn’t matter.
Ritia quickly turned her head.
“Now, give it back.”
