Crown of Thorns

Translator : Cuties ––– Editor : WilsonWilson

Rumors speaking of the warrior’s appearance had flown into the ears of the son of heaven, which had finally moved him to take action. To be exact, those ordered by the Son of Heaven began moving toward Evan’s location. Unlike them, the Shadows could move to where they wanted at an instance, sometimes aimed to approach Evan in their physical forms. However, following Ruadhan’s words, it was impossible for them to even get close. It was all thanks to the object that Yohan had brought out.

I was well aware of what the item was. After all, I’ve given it to Evan before. The object, which had been able to defeat the monsters covering the Witch’s Forest on the first day of his first encounter with the Knights, was doing its job well for some reason, even though it should have never been usable again.

I could note that Yohan knew precisely about the object. He didn’t merely recognize the patterns and symbols and then left it by Evan’s side. He kept it, in case Evan’s power awakened, revealing himself to be a warrior. And just as the witch had a charm reacting to Evan’s power, she made another kind of charm that produced a protective shield so that darkness could not approach, and released it using the power contained in the object.

Perhaps the charm had the help of the sorcerer Neriano, but what was more surprising was that Yohan knew various details of the object. Having seen through the fact that the witch’s existence was merely a distraction created by the emperor, he was more insightful than I initially thought and had great knowledge of the long-forgotten past. I thought, maybe he wasn’t just a simple knight, because he wasn’t someone who easily lets go of something he wanted to know without getting to the bottom of it.

“What exactly is this object…?”

Evan was busy looking at the thing that seemed to hold similar properties to the power he used. When the witch kicked him out, he couldn’t hide his hurt expression, but now I feel strange since he didn’t seem to mind me kicking him out again that much.

Perhaps Evan wasn’t as hurt as I thought he might be. It was both pleasant and bitter to think so. And I had to realize once again how selfish and cruel I was to be thinking this. It was a pity to know that my greed, too, was endless, so I tried to control myself, but it still popped out at times like this.

Yohan plainly ordered Evan to pack his things, as if he didn’t care much about his opinion on the matter. As usual, Evan casually asked him questions.

“Are you thinking of moving to the next location?”

“No, the hunt is over.”

Evan’s eyes were wide open. He stood in a dazed stupor for a moment, startled by the unexpected reply. Then, he approached Yohan and asked him again.

“What do you mean the hunt is over? We still have a long way to go.”

“How can you call a hunter a hunter when he turns into a prey? How could you hunt while being hunted?”

“Pardon me?”

Soon, Evan understood what Yohan said. He added with a smile,

“What are you so worried about? I can move the Light at will now. With this power, we will be able to exterminate all the incoming monsters.”

But Yohan’s face was still stiff. He spoke in a dry voice.

“The hunters who are after you may be those who go far beyond my expectations. And…”

Yohan continued, looking at Evan’s clear eyes full of wonder.

“This is not where you belong.”

Waiting to hear more of his explanation, Evan couldn’t take his eyes off Yohan. Turning his head, Yohan muttered to himself as he continued to pack his things.

“It happened sooner than I expected, but we’ll just have to get ready… It looks like it’ll get very busy for a while.”

I realized that it would get busy for me too. The war was still raging on, it was too much just to watch and coordinate the situation, and now we’ll have to chase not only after Evan but also after Yohan. I had to find out what he was thinking and what he was preparing for.

Is Yohan of the same mind as the witch? Or is he going to disrupt her plans?

What should I do if he intends to interrupt them?

*

It was not long before the people sent by the imperial palace arrived. Yohan got on their wagon without a hitch. The same was true of the sorcerer, Neriano. Subsequently, Evan, feeling a complex mix of bewilderment and anxiety, climbed on. As the Commander was away for a while, the remaining members and trainees had no choice but to wait. I watched to see them off, seeped into the carriage, and began to move with Yohan, Evan, and Neriano, as they traveled to the Imperial Palace.

The journey there was nothing special. The thing that produced the shield against the darkness was in Evan’s hand, and its power was not exhausted. All Darkness, except for me, would not even be able to approach this carriage.

Problems arose as we entered the Imperial Palace. I couldn’t get to where the emperor was. No, I could approach it, but once I walked in, I couldn’t get out. The reason why the emperor did not leave it was clear. It was because it was impregnable by all enemies, including myself.

However, it was fortunate that Luella, a believer in Umbra, who entered the palace in the midst of confusion, could tell the way around it. No matter how powerful the palace is, the power of the spell engraved there will inevitably weaken over time. It was clear that the emperor was in the safest place possible and that he kept all the powerful objects close to him. In other words, since Luella uses the power of Darkness, wherever she could approach was outside its sphere of influence. That means I could get in and out of the area as well. And if I give her a little more time, Luella would eventually be able to guess where the emperor would be. If she narrows it down by marking where she can move, his position will be revealed.

So I didn’t have to be impatient. Still, I was frustrated. I didn’t know what the emperor, Yohan, Neriano, and Evan would have to talk about in the place that I couldn’t enter. It got worse as Evan stayed inside for longer.

I waited impatiently for Evan, and only after a long time later, I could see him leaving the palace. I quickly followed behind him, but for some reason, the mood had subsided coldly. As they walked in silence, Evan, Yohan, and Neriano all had a complicated look on their faces. Perhaps the emperor doesn’t believe in Evan? Or is there another reason?

The three climbed into the carriage. But instead of exiting the castle, the carriage stopped in front of another palace a little further off from the Heavenly Palace. And only Evan and Neriano got off. The carriage, carrying Yohan alone, set off again outside the castle, and the remaining two were guided into the palace.

The palace was empty as if no one had lived there for a long time. Only then did I remember. Unlike before, there are no longer that many people living in this big and colorful palace. The Emperor, who values his life and regards others as enemies, was said to have taken his children’s lives by his own hands.

Thus, I recalled that the Son of Heaven was confined only to the Heavenly Palace. The rest of the palaces were almost empty, except for the Central Palace, which is akin to that of a pig’s field. And stretching out around the Central Palace, There are small and large palaces. In there lived the women who did not want to be associated with aristocrats, like Princess Heleina, or who waited only for the day they died of old age.

Usually, the emperor threw his people away to a palace that doesn’t look livable in any way and stays in the center, feeling the noise.

But even that has become rather difficult. The aristocrats who used to eat, drink, and enjoy the palace life are currently busy with the war and do not come to the palace anymore. Perhaps, on the day of their return, they might lead the rebels. It might as well be better to hope that they will never come.

A voice breaking the silence was heard, the footsteps of Evan, Neriano, and their guide resounded.

“You can stay here from now on. I was told to send maids to wait on you, so if you need anything, please let them know. They will provide anything you could ever need.”

He then bowed lightly, turned around, and walked away. Then, he added his next words as if they had suddenly come to mind.

“Oh, if you can, don’t go near the Heavenly Palace, that is… if you value your life. If you need to see the Central Palace, you can ask a maid to show you around. Then make yourself at home.”

Then this time, Evan was the one to speak.

“How long will we be staying here? And what are we supposed to do here?”

He replied with a polite, impertinent smile.

“His Majesty just asked me to bring you here. So you can stay here until His Majesty tells you otherwise. And…”

He paused for a moment and then said with a deeper smile.

“It doesn’t matter what you do. You don’t have to do anything, or you can do anything you want. Whatever works, since you have full authority here. Everyone who has come to this palace has done the same so far.”

That’s how he finished speaking, and he often began to walk away.

I could picture what was going on now. The Son of Heaven values his own life to the point where even his children could not escape his sword. So he can’t trust a warrior, who had suddenly shown up, and leave his back exposed to him, can he? He had to know who he was, and what he’s going to do with him.

He probably planned to keep the warrior by his side and watch him closely. After all, he is rumored to have the power to kill the witch and rid the world from Darkness. I expected this to an extent. However, I was a little taken aback. I didn’t think he would go as far as letting him stay in the palace.

These were the people who, no matter how brave or bright they were, only ended up being used by the emperor, without any consideration, until they burned out. If it had not been for such rumors, Evan’s power would have been considered a great threat and have been buried in the cradle before it could have grown further.

Yohan, who brought him to the emperor’s side, was an undoubtedly smart man. He knew he was a fence and noticed that the emperor would act as a bigger one. The emperor realized that Evan might be of help to him for now, so he kept him alive. However, if other nobles began to look at him as a source of anxiety, it was not clear when and how Yohan would rush in. After all, the witches were not the only ones to hunt Evan.

“What exactly is this? I need to hear an explanation.”

Evan’s voice rang out inside the palace, a little while after the guide disappeared. He asked, handing over the object I had given him to Neriano.

“You didn’t even know what it was? Wasn’t the item yours?”

Evan, who had been flinching for a while, must have realized his mistake. He closed his mouth, biting his lip, and then opened his mouth again.

“No, it’s mine. It was given to me. But I haven’t heard anything about this item. I just heard that it’s mine and that I should keep it. What exactly is this thing? What were you talking about back when we were in the Heavenly Palace? something about charms and holy spells?”

As I expected, that thing seemed to have exerted great power upon meeting the Son of Heaven. It seemed that Evan, who had never been so curious about what the item was, had now realized that it was an unusual thing and now wanted to ask for an explanation.

With his eyes fixed on the object that Evan was holding, Neriano opened his mouth.

“I told you one day. There have been many sorcerers, but there were only two of them. Those people who were dealing with Light used the incredible power of healing, blessing, and purification.”

“I know that. But what the hell does that have to do with this stuff?”

Neriano squinted his half-closed eyes because of his drooping eyelids. The wind made the impression itself feel entirely different. He then clicked his tongue and continued his words.

“Have you felt nothing here?”

“Feel… what…”

At that very moment, Evan shut his mouth with a perplexed look, as if he had just realized something. Neriano’s explanation thus continued. His disciple, who still had a long way to go, didn’t conceal how pathetic he felt at his own ignorance.

“The fact that the past glory days, the most peaceful and beautiful of times, continue to be talked about until this day also means that the power of the divine sorcerers was just as great. I’m sure you felt it. The sacred spells that remain in the Heavenly Palace. One of the two divine sorcerers was too engrossed in conveying his love to the goddess, so much so that he did not show his face. However, the other stayed in the imperial palace, working hard to protect this place and the country. That item is his mark. It’s a sign indicating his identity as a palace sorcerer, and it’s engraved with a difficult spell that most sorcerers can’t even interpret. I had also tried my hand at interpreting it. So it’s a precious item that nearly got buried in this world.”

In great surprise, Evan’s eyes widened, his pupils dilated. Not noticing Evan’s reaction, Neriano gazed far away and muttered to himself.

“The person who gave you this item must have been associated with the Imperial Palace sorcerer. Maybe you’re of the same blood as the palace sorcerer. Otherwise, it’s hard to explain how you can manipulate Light. Perhaps Yohan thought the same, that’s why he kept you by his side.”

Evan audibly swallowed several times. With a complicated look on his face, he managed to utter a few words.

“Why…? Why did he leave me by his side?”

“Because your power may be the only hope to reenact the past glory days once again.”

Evan stared blankly at Neriano. He slowly turned to the object he was holding around in his fingers. He knew he was a warrior. No, he had to know. Even if he forgot the witch, he should not forget what she said.

He should never forget that he was a warrior, destined to drive out the Darkness.

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