TWRM 157

Chapter 157

The fireworks being held at the Academy were clearly visible even from the capital, far removed from the campus. The same was true from the Temple of the Moon within the city.

While the holy knights on guard duty and priests who had yet to finish their shifts watched the distant fireworks, one man headed toward a secret chamber hidden deep within the temple.

After descending far underground, he arrived at a door. One by one, he unlocked the multiple layers of locks.

Click.

As the door opened, the man smiled brightly and stepped inside.

“Eliza—”

Before he could finish calling her name, his body stiffened at the sight before him.

In the center of a neatly organized room sat a woman in a rocking chair, and behind her, something black flickered ominously.

[You’re late.]

“……What brings you here without even a word of notice?”

Though wary, the man spoke politely. His gaze remained fixed on the woman surrounded by the black presence.

[Do I need your permission every time I come here?]

“That wasn’t my intention.”

As the man bowed his head, a rough, low chuckle echoed through the room.

[It seems you truly like the gift I gave you. This place never changes, no matter when I come.]

The man swallowed hard. If he offended this being, the thing most precious to him would surely be swallowed by that black presence.

[Well, I didn’t come here to joke. Let’s get to the point.]

The black mass sank into the floor, then suddenly surged up from the man’s shadow.

[Tomorrow, we will carry out ‘that.’ Prepare yourself accordingly.]

“I’ve been preparing for this day for years. Of course… there were some obstacles, but you needn’t worry.”

[If you’re that confident, then there’s nothing more for me to do.]

The black presence, still connected to the man’s shadow, spoke as it examined his surroundings.

[It’s fortunate our interests align. I wanted a human to assist me, and you wished for the resurrection of the dead.]

Though his entire form was shrouded in pitch-black darkness, it somehow felt as though he were sneering.

Snap—

With the sound of fingers snapping, the woman who had been sitting like a doll began to move.

[I’m finished with my business here. Enjoy your time with that thing, Gregory.]

The black figure vanished into Gregory’s shadow. Gregory stared coldly at his own shadow, then raised his head when he noticed another shadow overlapping it.

The woman who had been sitting in the chair moments ago was now standing before him.

Gregory pulled her tightly into his arms.

“This is enough for me.”

He didn’t care if he betrayed his god. He didn’t care if people pointed fingers at him. As long as he could protect what was before him.

“I’d sell my soul to a demon if I had to.”

At last, the academic festival had ended. As always, a closing ceremony was held the following morning.

Each year, the Temple of the Sun was invited to lead a prayer, but this time, the Temple of the Moon was also invited, making the event even grander.

As a result, not only students but many civilians attended the ceremony.

Attendance was mandatory for all students, who sat by class. Selina waited for the ceremony to begin with her classmates from Class 1.

“The cooperation between the Sun and Moon Temples—what a rare sight. Don’t you think, Selina?”

Silvia, seated to Selina’s right, chattered excitedly.

Selina nodded with a gentle smile.

“True. Even the imperial family couldn’t arrange something like this.”

“Maybe that’s why there are so many people this year.”

Starting with Sylvester, the students chatted about the ceremony. Selina smiled quietly, then lowered her head when she felt a gaze on her.

[……Are you okay?]

Luna’s words held many meanings. Even after Selina had confided her true feelings to him last night, he still seemed uneasy.

“That’s understandable. The person who took my fate is sitting right next to me.”

Unaware of anything, Silvia sat beside her with an innocent smile.

Selina couldn’t treat her the same way as before now that she knew the truth, but she didn’t harbor resentment either. Realizing that the fate Silvia had taken wasn’t truly hers made her feel lighter.

“I’m fine.”

Despite feeling Selina’s gentle tone and touch, Luna’s expression didn’t ease.

[Are you really just going to stay like this?]

“Then what should I do here?”

[Your fate is right in front of you. You can’t just let it go.]

“Didn’t you say yesterday that since my fate had already passed to Silvia, it couldn’t be touched anymore?”

Luna flinched.

“I’ve lived as Selina for twelve years. And so has Silvia. Silvia Hailers’ fate is no longer mine.”

[Still, it’s unfair! If it weren’t for her and Noxius, you would’ve grown up in the marquisate, showered with endless love! But now—]

“Now what?”

Luna couldn’t continue. He knew.

Selina hadn’t grown up in misery.

“I’m satisfied with my life now. I’ve grown up loved by just as many people as Silvia.”

Waaaah—

Cheers erupted as the ceremony finally began. The white robes of the Sun Temple priests and the navy robes of the Moon Temple priests created a striking contrast.

Selina spotted Priman among the priests. He smiled at her when their eyes met.

She waved back.

“My mom isn’t by my side anymore, but now I have Dad.”

Selina looked down and met Luna’s gaze.

“My parents are only those two.”

Realizing she had excluded her biological mother, Luna lowered his head.

She wasn’t wrong. As long as she was happy, that was enough—yet Luna’s heart remained unsettled.

“Selina, Selina! It’s starting!”

Silvia clung to Selina’s arm with a small squeal. It was her usual show of affection. Selina chuckled softly and let her hold on.

Unlike Selina, who remained calm, Luna glared at Silvia and scanned the surroundings.

“I have a bad feeling.”

To make matters worse, Nox—who was always by Silvia’s side—had been missing since the festival began.

Ignoring Luna’s unease, the ceremony proceeded as planned. Rituals prepared by both temples were followed by a joint prayer.

The solemn atmosphere made everyone hold their breath—until the appearance of the two popes sparked an uproar.

The Pope of the Sun Temple was Dies, Theodore’s father. The Pope of the Moon Temple was Gregory, whom Selina had met a few times in childhood.

Facing each other, the two recited their prayers. After Dies finished the Sun prayer, Gregory began the Moon prayer.

“O you who illuminate us in the darkness where all things sleep, and guide us upon the righteous path. Each night you protect us from evil, allowing us to greet the day in safety.”

His calm, gentle voice echoed through the hall. Many clasped their hands and closed their eyes.

“For the coming darkness—”

Gregory’s voice slowed… then stopped.

He stared blankly ahead, as though struck by something immense.

The sudden interruption caused an uproar among both the audience and the Moon Temple priests.

“No way!”
“Oh my god!”

At that moment, Priman and another cardinal, Modis, stood up. Priman looked shocked, while Modis looked moved.

Gregory closed his mouth, set down the parchment, and turned to the crowd.

“A revelation concerning a Saintess has just descended.”

The hall erupted into murmurs. At the word revelation, Selina looked down.

Luna’s face was stiff. From his expression, it was clear he hadn’t delivered it.

If not the Moon God… then who?

“A revelation?! Silvia, isn’t that about you?”

At Sylvester’s words, Selina turned toward Silvia. Silvia covered her mouth, eyes trembling with emotion.

“So it wasn’t Luna’s revelation…”

Luna had said yesterday that Silvia’s revelation was real—but not from him. That meant this was a false revelation created by Nox—Noxius.

“S- Selina… you were right.”

Silvia wiped away tears, referring to the fortune Selina had read for her.

“Miss Silvia Hailers. Please come forward.”

Gregory called her by name. Under countless gazes, Silvia stepped ahead.

Priests hurried forward carrying a crystal orb.

“That’s a divine power evaluator.”
“They’re checking if she qualifies as a Saintess.”

Theodore and Chris murmured. Selina watched Silvia in the distance.

Her face glowed with anticipation.

When Silvia placed her hand on the orb, brilliant white light flooded the area. Cracks formed across the crystal.

Crack—!

The orb shattered, unable to withstand her divine power. Everyone fell silent.

“So… a Saintess really is a Saintess.”

Chris muttered in disbelief.

“Did I… do something wrong? Is it okay that it broke?”

Silvia panicked, looking at the priests. None could speak.

Gregory approached and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Do not worry. There is no issue.”

He stepped forward and raised both hands.

“Having confirmed her qualifications, we declare that Silvia Hailers possesses the qualities of a Saintess. I hereby proclaim the birth of the Moon’s Saintess!”

Waaah—!

The hall exploded with cheers.

Silvia stood stunned, then smiled through tears. The Moon priests embraced one another, while the Sun Temple offered congratulations.

Selina clapped along with the crowd.

But Luna couldn’t accept this.

The power, authority, admiration, and the brilliant future awaiting Silvia—those were all meant for Selina.

Then Luna spotted a white cat among the Moon priests.

So that’s where he’d been for three days.

Nox met Luna’s gaze and grinned with pitch-black eyes.

Something snapped inside Luna’s mind.

[Satisfied?]

“Eh?”