98. Prince of Prophecy

Migration was an enormous problem. Perhaps even more than offering human sacrifices. A complex and difficult change to accept.

If Prince Arshama was fake, if everything he said was a lie, there would be no need to migrate.

“The false prince said this land has lost its strength. That one thing is true.”

If they weren’t going to migrate, they needed to appease the people in another way.

“Offer sacrifices. This land will revive, and your position will remain secure.”

“But, but……”

“It’s not you who will die anyway. It won’t be your family either, just some devout person. By God’s will.”

The shaman smiled kindly like the Holy Mother appearing before believers.

‘Here, let me show you the easy path. The path prepared by the devil is always simple.’

God and the devil come together.

The shaman wasn’t surprised by the miracle of the suddenly appearing prince. When the devil moves, God always tries to interfere with the devil’s intentions.

This time, God’s messenger must be Inkheart. That guy who kept interfering with the sacrifices.

‘Using the prince story in reverse, quite clever. Still no match for me though.’

God relies on human goodness, while the devil believes in human evil.

As long as there is evil in human hearts, the devil has nothing to fear.

The shaman finished speaking and headed to her secret temple.

Before an idol that looked different from the god the mountain tribe believed in, the shaman prayed.

‘My god, your greatness is needed. Without pain and suffering, humans cannot be ruled.’

The idol responded to the prayer of its most loyal believer. Disease once again covered the mountain tribe’s village.

* * *

“The temple has cured the disease!”

“The prince’s tent just tells us to drink herbs and wait, but the temple cures immediately!”

“This prince is fake! The temple is truly miraculous! They say if you just offer blood, people immediately regain strength—a miracle!”

A new disease appeared again.

This disease was peculiar. Some developed fever, some skin diseases, and others abdominal pain.

The symptoms varied, but there was a common thread.

While Anette and Inkheart pondered the cause of the disease, the temple had already completed treatment. The symptoms didn’t matter. Anyone who went to the temple, offered blood, and received the shaman’s prayer would recover immediately.

People wavered again at the “miracle” shown by the temple.

The temple says that prince is fake, so who should we believe?

“People are so simple. Visual animals. Just days ago they said they’d follow the prince, but did you see them throwing tomatoes at our tent today? What a waste in times of food shortage.”

Since it’s a waste, I should eat it. Arshama picked up a tomato, wiped it on his clothes, and took a bite.

“It’s not surprising that malnourished people catch any disease, but the current one is suspicious. Everyone has different illnesses. It’s literally like a disease demon.”

The voices for “sacrifice” were growing louder again instead of “migration.” Inkheart tried to meet the chief but was rejected. A bad sign.

“And they say offering blood cures immediately…… Ah, in Inkheart territory, isn’t there a treatment method that involves bloodletting?”

“I drove that out. I don’t believe in such things.”

“Yeah, bloodletting is taboo in Hershma too. But here they cure diseases with it.”

“Remember what people said when they stormed our tent before? When they asked if we were crazy for feeding them iron powder.”

〈Suddenly falling ill is suspicious! You foreigners are spreading disease!〉

〈You brought bad diseases from outside!〉

As our treatment methods gradually showed effects, the temple sent people to spread slander.

“At times like this, it’s a temple disease that only the temple can cure.”

“Thanks to that, people returned to the temple.”

Arshama’s eyes met mine. No words were necessary.

“Suspicious.”

“A reply has come from the temple.”

Just then, Inkheart entered, lifting the tent flap.

On one arm was a large hawk, which let out one sharp, loud cry.

Looking at the letter attached to the hawk’s leg, it was a messenger hawk.

“The temple? At a time like this?”

Seeing my expression harden thinking it was that temple, Inkheart clarified.

“Not the mountain tribe’s temple, but the kingdom’s temple. Since the time human sacrifice discussions began, I thought this wasn’t right, so I’ve been in constant communication with them.”

Inkheart read the letter.

“‘The exchange method you described, offering blood as sacrifice to gain power, is demon blood magic. Based on your testimony, Inkheart, the temple will dispatch forces to eliminate the demon forces.'”

Inkheart said.

“They would have departed simultaneously with the letter. The army should be coming up the mountain now.”

“An army is coming up?”

Arshama’s expression was peculiar. I had never seen his expression darken and flash like that before.

“They’re planning to eliminate us? Our mountain tribe?”

“I’ve been trying to persuade them against that all this time. But if the mountain tribe’s choice is ultimately sacrifice, there’s nothing more I can do.”

“Even the people offering blood are ultimately victims deceived by the shaman! You can’t wipe them all out, Inkheart!”

“How do you expect me to save people who stand to protect demons with misguided beliefs?”

“Haha. You sweet-talked us saying you came to help the mountain tribe, but behind our backs, you were planning to attack if things went wrong!”

The confrontation between the two was about to intensify.

“Both of you, stop it.”

“Of course you’d take Inkheart’s side! You’re not from the mountain tribe, not even half like me……”

This conversation would only lead to more fighting. I tried to mediate, but their opinions showed no signs of reconciliation.

Eventually, I walked out of the tent, leaving them behind.

* * *

From Inkheart’s tent, located in a remote, elevated area, the village center was fully visible.

For instance, the temple.

My heart fluttered when I saw the temple, but I didn’t know why.

Sylphid had also come outside and was watching the temple. He showed no interest in his contractor fighting inside the tent. The voices inside hadn’t diminished.

「It seems they’re not even trying to hide it anymore. It’s strange I didn’t notice until now.」

“Notice what?”

「Ah, can’t you see it clearly with your eyes?」

As Sylphid blew wind into my eyes, I could see the temple again.

Demonic energy. The uneasy feeling in my chest was due to demonic energy. Undeniably thick demonic energy was rising from the temple.

「With the situation like this, how long will those fools keep fighting among themselves? The enemy doesn’t seem willing to wait any longer.」

“Inkheart, Arshama!”

This was no time to be fighting among ourselves. My steps were desperately urgent as I ran back into the tent.

Seeing is better than hearing a hundred words. That’s what Arshama once told me when introducing himself.

After showing them the demonic energy so thick it was pitch black, Inkheart and Arshama finally stopped fighting, seemingly recognizing the seriousness of the situation.

The fact that the enemy wasn’t even hiding the demonic energy anymore meant they were fully prepared to start something.

In the end, Arshama agreed to let Inkheart bring the army to the mountain tribe’s village.

The army that had departed after receiving Inkheart’s letter was already waiting at the base of the mountain. Given the ominous flow of demonic energy, they needed to come here quickly.

However, the distance from the mountain base to the mountain tribe’s village was considerable, so they needed rapid mobility to arrive in time.

An exceptional spirit mage can enhance an army’s mobility with wind. Just as I moved more nimbly with Sylraphe’s wind.

Immediately, Inkheart used spirit magic to relay the news to the knights and set them in motion. He began using wind to increase their mobility. Arshama also helped with his pathfinding abilities.

“Heh, receiving help from foreigners’ abilities in the mountain tribe’s village. It really feels strange.”

Despite grumbling, Arshama guided the army along the fastest route.

With Inkheart’s spirit magic and Arshama’s pathfinding abilities combined, the temple’s army arrived at the mountain tribe’s village with incredible speed.

Clack, clack, clack!

Silver armor gleamed under the jungle’s green vines. It was the Temple Knight Order, something unseen in the peaceful era a thousand years later.

“What a terribly thick demonic energy.”

The priest shuddered.

“What on earth is happening inside?”

“Whatever is happening, there’s nothing to fear.”

Inkheart answered, covering himself with a hood to block the demonic energy.

“Whether you believe in your god or their god. God never wants evil to triumph in the end.”

Inkheart raised his hand before the army.

“Target the temple first. Protect the elderly and children, and if there are weakened people, have them drink the holy water we brought.”

* * *

It had been four days since Anette disappeared. The northern mountain range continued to scatter only snow indifferently, and the situation had worsened.

“Under normal circumstances, we should turn the army back now.”

“If we delay any longer, we’ll lack food for the return journey.”

Darius let such words go in one ear and out the other. The damage to the troops seemed to mean nothing to him.

If the soldiers hadn’t witnessed him standing at the very front, slashing monsters like a madman, he would have appeared completely out of his mind.

“Your Highness, yesterday’s monster ambush caused casualties among your soldiers……”

But when Count Spinel reported with a grave expression, even he couldn’t avoid responding.

“So.”

He said.

“My wife’s life or death hasn’t even been confirmed, so what?”

“……It’s been four days.”

“For four days I’ve killed monsters, and Anette’s body hasn’t appeared.”

“A person dies if they’re in snow for four days.”

When Count Spinel met Darius’s bloodshot eyes, he felt a chill run down his spine.

A sword might fly at me now.

Count Spinel unconsciously placed his hand on his sword hilt. But Darius didn’t draw his sword.

Instead, he suddenly shouted into the air as if realizing something.

“Sylphid.”