Chapter 22 - Supreme Power

Chapter 22 – Supreme Power

“Is Shinsu common in the West?”

Dia shook her head at Ronée’s words. “It can’t be.” In a somehow surprised voice, she said, “The most recent Shinsu from the West Continent, who had been an archmage of the royal family about ten years ago. His name was Pell.”

“An archmage…?” Ronée asked, tilting her head slightly. As Nabel said, if Shinsu was a person who is full of divine love, it was expected that he is a mage.

However, Ronée was not a wizard.

“Yes. His Shinsu was a lion, and he defended the Iver family with powerful magic. If only he hadn’t been mutilated…” Dia trailed off, unable to continue.

Ronée stared at her. She could see why the Shinsu were revered by the people.

“Maybe after his death, the Miltan revolted?”

It made sense. It happened ten years ago, coincident with the death of the mentioned Shinsu, so it was likely correct.

Dia nodded slightly. “Yes, his messenger, the lion, was able to use really powerful magic.” For a brief moment, she paused. Then, she said, “Like the Archmage Pell, I want you to protect the Iver family with Shinsu.”

“If it is possible, I will…” thought Ronée.

If it was indeed possible, there was no reason for Ronée to refuse. Bell was powerful and she wanted to protect her savior, too.

Suddenly, Bell poked out from her shadow, and Ronée let out an embarrassed laugh. Did you notice that we were talking about you?

“Oh!”

“She….”

Several bystanders were surprised to see Shinsu and immediately bowed their heads as if a king stood before them.

Bell yawned in Ronée’s arms. Kwaaang.

Pairs of expectant eyes were staring at the fox and its owner. They recalled the once powerful archmage who had defended the House of Iver. They expected the same power.

“But I can’t use magic.” Ronée murmured. She thought it would be better if she made her incapabilities known rather than fail their expectations.

She was afraid to be abandoned. To be precise, it frightened her that the people she treasured would turn their backs on her. Everyone in the East Continent did. Ronée didn’t want to experience the same thing again.

“It doesn’t matter.”

The chief maid’s remark surprised Ronée.

“……?” Ronée looked back at her.

“I heard that the owner of Shinsu, Pell, disliked mages…”

Wasn’t he protecting the royal family with powerful magic? Ronée thought, but her assumption seemed to be a little wrong.

“Mr. Pell wasn’t able to use magic, either. Instead, he made use of Shinsu’s supreme power. Can you see the tower over there?” Dia pointed out of the window. In the palace, there was a tall tower, surrounded by a long staircase.

“The 9th floor over there is Shinsu’s seat. It’s the ninth step of the tower that reaches the gods.” Dia told Ronée, whose eyes were wide open. “Hence, Shinsu is the most powerful in existence.”

Hence, Ronée, a master of Shinsu, deserved ultimate respect from the people. She was a master of definite power.

*

Nabel was in his office. He had spent about a month traveling to the East. That was the soonest possible, including the time for the preparations to rescue Ronée.

There was still a lot he ought to take care of. The palace had not completely eradicated the blood of Miltan in it.

[There are still supporters of the House of Miltan in the palace. Particularly, the Duke of Lowood, who had been kept an eye on, is discreetly carrying out his plans.]

Nabel read the report and muttered, “I should have brought sister after everything was safer…”

But he couldn’t delay any longer. The temple, which had been in turmoil by frequent attacks, ended the civil war for the first time in ten years.

And the first time she tried to deal with Count Leeda, Young-ae, who was named ‘devil’.

Nabel leaned back slightly on his chair. In the beginning, the devil’s luck was nonsense.

No matter how noble they were, in the Eastern Continent, even the highest of rank in the temple may not have known the existence of Shinsu. It was ironic, they were serving the same god after all. Perhaps, it was the reason that Count Rieda had summoned a heresy inquisitor.

As soon as Nabel heard the news, he set out for the East Continent. He could not afford to risk Ronée’s life. In the end, his judgment proved to be right.

[And after checking, the heresy interrogators killed at that time are not in the temple. Assassins of an unknown affiliation were confirmed.]

In other words, the heresy inquisitors weren’t from the temple. Nabel believed it was someone else’s trick. The real objective of the fake heretics must have been to kidnap Ronée to a place where nobody knew.

Nabel, whose eyes were fierce, continued to read the report.

[As your Majesty’s expected, the temple was not aware of heresy interrogators.]

Then, those in need of power sought Ronée. It was a clear fact, Nabel thought. And at the present time, there was only one place where strong magic was needed.

“Nesha.”

Knight Nesha, who was waiting outside, stepped inside immediately as his name was called.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please give me a command.”

“Obtain as much information as you can on the House of Miltan and the Eastern Continent.”

It was Nabel’s speculation that the House of Miltan was affiliated with another master, who might have helped in overturning the House of Iver.

After he had read the contents of the report, Nabel burned the letter. Bringing Ronée under the care of the House of Iver was an excellent choice before it was too late.

“I don’t want to be alone again.”

It was what Ronée had wished for. So, Nabel believed and followed his instincts. It frightened him to think of Ronée’s suffering. Nabel closed his eyes.

“And….”

Several more orders were issued to Knight Nesha.