Chapter 31: The Heir’s Dilemma and Whispers of Suspicion

“For the stability of the Theocracy, the selection of an heir—”

However, before Helibea could subtly voice her request, Superion abruptly raised a hand to his mouth, coughing violently.

“Cough, cough… cough, cough… cough, cough, cough, cough!”

“Father King? Are you… are you alright?”

“I’m fine, perfectly fine.”

After wiping a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, Superion spoke with a faint smile.

“I’m just a little tired. So, Helibea, let’s discuss this matter later. I need to rest now.”

“But?! But Father King, this matter—”

“I am tired, Helibea.”

“Yes, I… I understand.”

Seeing that Superion had no intention of discussing the matter, Helibea suppressed her mounting agitation and respectfully lowered her head.

“Please rest well, Father King. Your daughter shall not disturb you further.”

Having delivered her farewell and completed her bow, Helibea walked towards the bedroom door, a sense of disappointment clouding her steps.

****

Just as the First Holy Princess prepared to open the door and leave, Superion, who had just settled back onto his bed, spoke softly.

“Helibea.”

‘?!!’

Upon hearing Superion’s call, Helibea paused, slowly turning to look at her aging father.

“Hmm? Do you have any other instructions, Father King?”

“Your Father King offers you a piece of advice: the people of the Blazefrost Nation are not to be trusted.”

“I know. I would never trust those barbarians.”

“Furthermore, Xiamiya is a good child. I hope you two can get along well.”

Helibea was momentarily startled by this, then a sweet yet perplexed smile slowly bloomed on her lips.

“Oh, Father King, why bring that up? Xiamiya is my younger sister, of course I’ll get along with her.”

“Good, that’s good.”

****

A few moments later, as the bedroom door closed, Helibea hurried towards the exit of the Sun Crown Palace.

Though her face still bore that elegant and gentle smile, her hands were clenched into tight fists.

‘Xiamiya.

Xiamiya.

It’s Xiamiya again?!

That girl didn’t even bother to visit you, yet why are you still so concerned about her?!

The heir’s identity still hasn’t been confirmed, and you’re even deliberately avoiding the topic?

Father King, you wouldn’t truly…

You wouldn’t actually want that Child of Curses to inherit the Holy King’s throne, would you?!’

At this thought, Helibea’s expression grew increasingly grim. An unnerving chill gradually emanated from the First Holy Princess, spreading outwards. Navi’er, the black-haired female knight following behind her, shivered involuntarily.

“Xiamiya Seraphiel…”

Murmuring her younger sister’s name, Helibea’s eyes gradually filled with profound confusion.

“She actually passed the trial.”

The Holy Sanctuary’s trial…

It wasn’t that she hadn’t participated in it herself. Back then, as a peak Fifth Tier cultivator, she had strived for over a year to complete the trial and earn the Goddess of Creation’s recognition.

Yet Xiamiya?

How could a young girl who hadn’t even reached the Third Tier possibly complete it? And not only did she complete it, but she did so in a mere three days?!!

‘What kind of joke is this?!’

The more she pondered, the more bewildered Helibea became.

Not long after stepping out of the Sun Crown Palace, Helibea stopped, gazing sternly at the female knight behind her.

“Navi’er.”

“Present! Your Royal Highness! Do you… do you have any orders?”

“How far along is the investigation into Xiamiya completing the trial?”

“Forgive… forgive me, Your Royal Highness Helibea.”

Navi’er lowered her head in trepidation.

“The Holy Sanctuary is an area managed by the High Priest. We… we haven’t been able to ascertain the situation inside yet.”

Upon hearing this, Helibea unconsciously raised a hand and bit her fingernail.

‘How… how did she do it… Damn it, why is nothing going my way?!’

Helibea felt an increasing headache. It could be said that ever since Xiamiya was sent to the Holy Sanctuary a year ago, all her plans had fallen into disarray; reality was completely different from what she had anticipated.

She had initially thought that Xiamiya, a Child of Curses with rainbow eyes, would almost certainly be purged by the High Priest or the Holy Knights.

After all, anything related to Calamity Demons was eliminated by those extremist fanatics, even if the person held the title of ‘Princess.’

When she herself had been training in the Holy Sanctuary years ago, she had merely commented on how cool some Calamity Demons looked and was punished by the High Priest to stand for three days and three nights.

Now, the High Priest had actually shown such mercy and ignored Xiamiya? And the Holy Knights had inexplicably gone into secluded training one after another, also ignoring Xiamiya? They just let that girl settle down in the Holy Sanctuary?

Helibea had even considered that if Xiamiya simply stayed in the Holy Sanctuary to train and become a nun serving the Goddess of Creation, it wouldn’t be so bad.

But then, that girl actually succeeded in completing the Holy Sanctuary’s trial!

As a member of the royal family, Helibea understood perfectly well what this meant.

—Only those who pass the Holy Sanctuary’s trial are qualified to become the Holy King.—

Now, Xiamiya possessed the right of succession, just like herself.

Connecting this with her Father King Superion’s recent reaction, Helibea felt increasingly uneasy.

‘Xiamiya, do you want to be like Diana too…? If that’s the case… don’t blame your elder sister…’

‘That position…

Is mine.

No one…

No one can take it from me!’

At this moment, Helibea’s resolve for what she needed to do next became even stronger.

‘?!’

“Hmm?!!”

In that very instant, as if sensing something, Helibea’s eyes narrowed abruptly. She swiftly condensed holy power into a dagger and hurled it towards a nearby bush. The next moment, after the bush rustled, a pure white bird fluttered its wings and flew into the air.

Seeing this, Helibea breathed a slight sigh of relief.

“Phew, I thought it was someone… turns out it’s just a White Spirit Bird.”

However, speaking of which, there seemed to be quite a few White Spirit Birds in the Holy Royal Palace these past two days.

****

White Spirit Birds are a type of spirit beast deeply attuned to holy power.

Moreover, the purer one’s heart, the more favored they were by White Spirit Birds. Coupled with their pure white, immaculate appearance, they were once regarded as an auspicious omen by believers of the Goddess of Creation.

White Spirit Birds are rare, seldom seen in daily life.

This was true even in the Holy Sanctuary, where holy power was most abundant.

Yet, Helibea seemed to have seen no fewer than five or six of these rare creatures in the past two days.

“When did the Capital of Truth get so many White Spirit Birds?” Helibea muttered, perplexed.

‘And precisely in such a place… Could someone be manipulating White Spirit Birds to monitor me?’

A sudden unease washed over Helibea.

However, she quickly dismissed this unrealistic notion from her mind.

White Spirit Birds were proud spirit beasts; they could not be tamed by humans.

With this thought, Helibea sighed in relief and dispersed the holy power condensed in her hand.

Just then, Navi’er, the female knight behind her, spoke with a hint of nervousness.

“Your Royal Highness Helibea, there is one more matter I need to report to you.”

“Hmm?”

“General Jakarin has just departed the Holy Royal Palace with a contingent of Star Cross Knights to investigate last night’s attack.”

“What?!”

At this, Helibea’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. The calm she had just regained was shattered by Navi’er’s words.

“Jakarin, that old man, is he truly relentless?!”

Clenching her fists tightly, a cold glint flashed in Helibea’s eyes.

Of course, Helibea was unaware at this moment that her conversation with Navi’er, and her own reactions, were all observed by a White Spirit Bird high above.

****

Meanwhile, back in the Snow Lotus Palace, Youka, who had been leaning against the wall with her eyes closed for a long time, suddenly let out a meaningful chuckle.

“Heh, heh heh…”

Hearing this, Xiamiya curiously peeked out from the wardrobe, looking at the Doll-like Maiden with confusion.

“What’s wrong, Youka?”

In response to the Demonic God’s inquiry, Youka slowly opened her eyes, casting a faint glance at Xiamiya, who was searching for suitable underwear nearby.

“Nothing, Master.”

“Oh~”