The chief mage of the Human Kingdom, also known as the Grand Sage, was now an old man with only two wishes left in his life.
One was to achieve a miraculous breakthrough in the magic he had pursued all his life.
The other was to nurture his once-in-a-millennium genius disciple into a Legendary Mage, but that had been his wish three years ago.
Now, his wish was simply to keep an eye on her, making sure she didn’t stray too far from the right path and cause too much trouble for the world.
At this moment, the Grand Sage, who had just gotten up and was sipping his tea, heard these words.
His hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly.
“Vina, did you get yourself into trouble again?”
Ella, who had come along, couldn’t help but admire his composure in her heart.
She’d thought the old man would spit out his tea for sure.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I never cause trouble,” Vina said earnestly, then walked over and picked up the teapot, looking as if she had just taken a hostage.
“Let’s get back to the point, Old Deng. What’s going on with the Gregory Trial Case? You’re a member of the Supreme Tribunal—surely you know about this, right?”
The Supreme Tribunal had representatives from all walks of life in the kingdom, and the Grand Sage was indeed one of its members.
But he shook his head.
“I’ve heard of the name, but I don’t know the details. That was a secret trial, so it didn’t go through the Tribunal.”
“Huh?”
Vina looked at him, disappointed and annoyed.
“Then what’s so ‘supreme’ about your Supreme Tribunal, anyway?”
“That’s just how it is, little Vina. The Supreme Tribunal is indeed the highest judicial body, but not every trial falls under its authority. For example, the Prince’s case many years ago, or this case you mentioned from two months ago—the key is the nature of the case, not the rank of the court…”
After all, she was his personal disciple.
The Grand Sage wanted to impart some political wisdom—it would be useful to her in the future.
But Vina’s attention caught on a few words.
“The Gregory Trial Case happened two months ago? I thought it was some ancient case.”
“Yes, but it was initiated and concluded in secret,” the old man said with a wave of his hand.
Vina pouted, muttered under her breath, then asked, “Then what is the Silent Sanctuary, and who is Wesley?”
Hearing those names, the Grand Sage set down his cup and replied solemnly, “Gregory is the head of the Silent Sanctuary. That’s why he was secretly tried. Wesley is the only official involved who was pardoned. It’s said he provided something and was protected by other officials. That’s all the information we’ve been given… Where did you hear those names?”
Vina’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry about that. Just tell me—where is Wesley?”
“He was involved in the case, and even if he was pardoned, he can’t escape lifelong house arrest,” the Grand Sage said casually.
“Naturally, since he’s under house arrest, he’s in the Royal Gardener’s Lodge next to the Royal Garden.”
“Good!”
Having gotten what she wanted, Vina turned and grabbed Ella’s hand.
“Let’s go find him.”
The Grand Sage finally noticed that his disciple had brought a beautiful girl home.
“Little Vina, she is…?”
“My girlfriend!”
Without even turning her head, Vina tossed out the words and left.
The Grand Sage sat there, stunned for a long moment.
Finally, he let out a wry chuckle.
“Never a straight word from her mouth. Always trying to rile me up. I’m not as gullible as I was years ago… Oh, right, don’t forget to read that copy of Virtues of Humanity I told you to bring back!”
***
Racing out of the mage’s hall, Ella clutched her bouncing chest and glanced at the little witch beside her.
“Why did you say that just now?”
“What, about your identity?”
Vina leaned in, her peach blossom eyes fixed on Ella.
“What, did your heart skip a beat?”
“…Not really.”
Her heart didn’t skip, but her chest certainly did—from being dragged along at such a pace.
“Then what are you asking for?”
Vina snorted.
“Let’s go. We have someone to find.”
Their target: the Royal Gardener’s Lodge beside the Royal Garden, where Wesley was being held under house arrest.
***
Today, Celes didn’t go to the Investigation Group, because people from the palace could arrive at any time.
The anxiety that had plagued her yesterday had ebbed away in the softness of the night.
Though her problems remained unsolved, the girl’s heart was calm, and she began to consider things from a new perspective.
After a long time in thought, she knocked on the door closest to the stairwell.
“Zero, I’d like to talk to you.”
***
Far away at the Cathedral of Light, several armored guards arrived at the entrance and reported to the doorkeeper.
“We are tracking a suspect. Please allow us, Saintess, to search the premises.”
Before the doorkeeper could respond, a voice came from inside.
“Do you think I would harbor a suspect?”
Leah stepped out, graceful and poised, her face usually gentle but now stern as the noonday sun.
The lead guard gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak.
“We’ve searched everywhere nearby—this is the last place. Please understand, Saintess, these are orders from above.”
“I do not agree.”
Leah took another step forward.
“If you insist on entering, I will immediately call upon all the Faithful in the Capital to defend this sanctuary.”
The scorching midday sun beat down, and sweat poured from the guards’ foreheads.
“S-sorry to bother you.”
With the Saintess standing firm, no order from above, no matter how strict—could force him to barge in.
As they turned to leave, soldiers in the street suddenly mobilized, marching in orderly ranks toward the north side of the city.
‘What would the Goddess of Light think?’
Leah suddenly recalled this question, Vina had asked her during their argument at noon two days ago.
Now, watching the army gather, the girl’s eyes lost their confusion.
“Marian,” she called to the nun beside her, “bring me the clothes, the coronet, and the staff I wore when I was appointed Saintess. And have the guards assemble!”
As for those guards who had just failed and were afraid to return for fear of punishment, they simply turned to join the mysterious gathering forces.
In fact, there was no need to worry.
Half an hour earlier, the Deputy had already mentioned this to Maken:
“Searching the Cathedral of Light is too aggressive. The guards likely won’t dare force their way in, and that little girl isn’t the key.”
“Mm, then let’s not wait for them.”
Maken opened his eyes and looked at the confused faces around the room—as members of the Investigation Group, they’d come here today but hadn’t discussed anything.
“You can all leave. The Investigation Group is hereby disbanded.”
“What?”
“Huh? But Mr. Maken…”
“What happened?”
Maken didn’t explain.
He simply left the room with the Deputy and joined Prince and the dozens of Imperial Guards he led.
“Can we move out?” the Prince asked.
Maken nodded, then reminded him, “Miss Celes didn’t show up today. She might still be at the Camp.”
“I see. We’ll go first.”
The Prince took out a token and handed it to the Vice Captain beside him.
“Go mobilize the Capital’s army. Once you see the signal, surround the Bonfire Camp at once.”
“Understood.”
Meanwhile, at the Bonfire Camp, in the room closest to the stairs, Zero, feeling downcast, received Celes’s visit and finally answered the question from lunch two days ago.
Why did she kill Taidin?
“He was a bad person. And… he had ill intentions toward Ella.”
The assassin girl hugged her pillow, whispering the secret she’d kept in her heart.
“I wanted to protect her too. I want to… be like you.”
The first part was what she’d said before.
The latter was the answer Celes had sought two days ago.
“I understand.”
Celes closed her eyes, recalling the gentle embrace from the night before.
She understood Zero.
“They’ve already figured out it was you, and they’ll probably come to arrest you today. But,” she reached out her hand, clad in Knight’s Armor, “publicly, you delivered judgment to a truly wicked man. Privately, you protected a companion from harm.”
The flawless girl, who always spoke of duty, had finally found a reason that could convince herself no matter what.
“Let’s go meet them together.”
Next to the Royal Garden, Ella and Vina finally arrived at their destination.