Chapter 22: The Unspoken Burden and a Looming Conspiracy

“If anything troubles you, you can always tell me. I’ll do my best to help you solve it.”

Helibea declared solemnly, her hand resting gently on Xiamiya’s shoulder.

“Sister…”

Xiamiya felt a surge of emotion at Helibea’s words.

Instinctively, Xiamiya wanted to confide in her sister about the Starfall Palace and her status as a Demonic God candidate. Surely, if she could voice the immense pressure weighing on her heart, she would feel a great deal of relief.

Yet, no sooner had the thought arisen than a vividly remembered warning echoed through Xiamiya’s mind, forcefully dispelling such an impractical notion.

The words were Youka’s stern admonition.

–”Demonic God’s First Precept: You shall not reveal any matters related to the Demonic God’s trial to anyone. Should you transgress, Master, your points will be reset to zero, resulting in immediate death. Furthermore, anyone who learns of this information will also perish.”–

In her memory, Youka’s voice had been as flat and emotionless as ever. However, the warning it carried pierced Xiamiya’s heart like a sharp blade.

Back then, immediately after becoming a Demonic God candidate, Xiamiya had naturally considered seeking help from others. Yet, bound by this strict precept, she had never dared to utter a single word about it.

After all, Youka and her kind were simply too terrifying.

****

Though deeply grateful for Helibea’s concern, Xiamiya swallowed her words, keeping them unspoken.

Then, under Helibea’s watchful, solemn gaze, Xiamiya plastered on a carefree, cheerful smile and playfully waved her hand.

“Hehe, Sister Helibea, don’t worry yourself needlessly. I’m perfectly fine~”

“Are you truly alright? You weren’t bullied while you were in the Holy Sanctuary, were you?”

“Of course not! The Priests were all very kind to me~”

“Is… is that so?”

“Mhm, mhm.” Xiamiya nodded repeatedly, her smile unwavering.

“In any case, there’s no need to worry, Sister Helibea. I’m doing wonderfully.”

As she spoke, Xiamiya glanced at the attendants trailing behind Helibea, their arms laden with numerous official documents. Understanding the situation, she scratched the back of her head and spoke tactfully.

“Sister Helibea has just returned, so you must have a lot of matters to attend to. In that case, I won’t bother you any longer. I’ll head back now…”

****

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Xiamiya quickly departed from the Sun Crown Palace.

“Xiamiya…”

As she watched Xiamiya’s figure recede into the distance, Helibea’s eyes openly betrayed her profound worry.

A hint of disappointment and heartache even flickered within her crimson eyes.

It seemed she grieved Xiamiya Seraphiel’s unwillingness to open up to her. After all, it was clear to anyone with discernment that Xiamiya Seraphiel was troubled, undoubtedly harboring secrets she wished to conceal from Helibea.

“What could it be? Is she unwilling to tell even me?” Helibea murmured, perplexed.

A faint, peculiar glint, almost imperceptible, flashed within her crimson eyes.

Just then, the heavy thud of military boots striking the ground slowly reached Helibea’s ears.

“Hm?” Her brow furrowing, Helibea slowly turned her head, looking behind her.

What met Helibea’s crimson gaze was a man of towering, robust build.

He stood an astonishing two meters tall, his physique akin to an unyielding fortress on a battlefield, exuding an aura of immovable solidity. His short, meticulously trimmed hair was a deep, inky green, each strand seemingly designed to complement his warrior’s demeanor. Most striking was his single eye, the other covered by a black eyepatch, which lent him an air of mystery and fierce intensity.

He was clad in gleaming silver-white Theocracy armor, each plate shimmering with a cold luster, reflecting the light and shadow of a battlefield from every angle. This armor was not merely a defensive shield; it symbolized his noble status and formidable power within the Theocracy’s military. Indeed, this man was the Holy Royal Palace’s General of the Guard.

The Grand Commander of the Star Cross Knights.

Jakarin Bayena.

Accompanied by a ripple of potent holy power, this formidable warrior stood behind Helibea, his body ramrod straight, his aura immense, like an insurmountable statue of a war god.

Yet, facing such a formidable and imposing figure, Helibea immediately shed the benevolence from her face, adopting a stern expression. Within this gravity, there was even a hint of displeasure.

“Jakarin? Has Father King’s brief illness caused you to forget even basic etiquette?”

“Etiquette? My apologies, Your Highness Helibea.” Unfazed by Helibea’s sharp question, Jakarin met the First Holy Princess’s gaze directly.

“The Star Cross Knights pledge allegiance solely to His Majesty the Holy King. We have no obligation to bow to anyone else, even if they are of the royal family.”

“Is that so? But surely you haven’t forgotten that the Star Cross Knights are also required to show respectful deference to the designated heir.”

“Indeed, such a regulation exists.” Jakarin nodded noncommittally.

“However, Your Highness, the Holy King has yet to formally name an heir, has he?”

“You rogue.” Helibea’s eyes narrowed slightly.

For a moment, a subtle scent of gunpowder seemed to permeate the air.

Fortunately, after several seconds of silent confrontation, Helibea withdrew the chill from her eyes. She then spoke directly, without preamble.

“What business brings you to me?”

“I am here, as per my duty, to deliver a report. If His Majesty the Holy King is resting, then I must present it to you first.”

“What report?”

“A report concerning last night’s intruders.”

“Intruders…” Helibea murmured the word, her expression growing serious once more.

“Have you discovered anything?”

“Somewhat. The intruders wielded Bakabi Moonblades, also known as Reaper’s Blades—weapons favored by the Scythe-Fiend Tribe among the northern barbarians.”

“Northern barbarians? The Blazefrost Nation… so this invasion truly is connected to them? Those ruffians are constantly plotting expansion, eyeing our mines and farmlands, and have long harbored ambitions of marching south. They likely intended to seize this opportunity to assassinate Father King, provoke internal strife, and then launch their full invasion.”

“Well, I initially thought the same.”

“Initially? What do you mean?”

“It means that now, I no longer believe that to be the case.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Their objective wasn’t His Majesty the Holy King. While those individuals commanded Heavy Combat Puppets and possessed considerable strength themselves, the barrier surrounding the Sun Crown Palace was erected by the High Priest. How could a barrier set by a Heavenly Realm expert be so easily breached? Though the Blazefrost Nation is barbaric, they wouldn’t commit such a foolish and overreaching act.”

“But according to last night’s report, those individuals actively attacked the Sun Crown Palace.”

“That was merely a feint.” Jakarin cut off Helibea’s words without ceremony, continuing his explanation.

“It was to tie up the main forces within the Holy Royal Palace, drawing them all to the vicinity of the Sun Crown Palace. Only then could they achieve their true objective.”

“Their true objective? What was it?”

“To kill Her Highness Xiamiya.”

“Xiamiya?” Hearing Jakarin’s words, Helibea’s eyes abruptly constricted before she spoke, utterly bewildered.

“Why do you say that?”

“Among the intruders, the beings with the strongest auras. Their residual presence lingered near Her Highness Xiamiya’s residence. In that secluded Snow Lotus Palace, besides Her Highness Xiamiya, there are no other significant figures, are there? Doesn’t that make their target quite obvious? It was to assassinate Her Highness Xiamiya.”

“Why Xiamiya? She is clearly just an ordinary young girl, utterly devoid of power.”

“Who can say?” Jakarin waved a dismissive hand.

“Right, Your Highness Helibea, I made a few other discoveries during last night’s invasion.”

“What are they?”

“Last night, the participants in the invasion were not solely from the Blazefrost Nation. There were also… those fanatics who worship the Sin Lord.”

“W-what?!” At these words, Helibea’s eyes abruptly constricted, her grave expression becoming undeniable.

“People from the Abyss of Sin Tower? Are you mistaken, Jakarin? Why would those individuals target Xiamiya without reason?”

“Well, it is quite peculiar. Perhaps it’s because… Her Highness the Third Holy Princess is a Child of Curses?”

“…Jakarin… I will ask you again. Are you certain they were from the Abyss of Sin Tower?”

“I am certain. In fact, many of our soldiers were killed by those beasts, and their corpses still bear the distinctive, curse-laden magic unique to them.”

Jakarin stated, his tone resolute.

As he spoke, Jakarin seemed to recall something, suddenly adding, and casting a sharp gaze at Helibea.

“By the way, Your Highness Helibea.”

“What is it now?”

“The outermost defensive barrier of the Holy Royal Palace—’St. Lawrence’s Aegis’—is a grand magic of transcendent tier. Logically, even with assistance from the Abyss of Sin Tower, those intruders should not have been able to pass through without a sound.”

“Are you implying…”

“Someone within the Holy Royal Palace is colluding with the enemy, intending to harm Her Highness Xiamiya. For the safety of the Holy Royal Palace, we must conduct an internal investigation.”

“…” As these words sank in, Helibea’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a chilling intent to kill slowly seeped from them.

‘An internal investigation, then…’