Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

People were generally not permitted to meet with the Saintess of Sky.

The Saintess of Sky, a key figure of the Sanctum, was extremely busy and every moment of her time was infinitely more precious than that of ordinary humans.

Why? For the simple reason that she could see the future.

It was not a figure of speech but the truth.

There were also security concerns.

There were countless people in the world who were desperate for prophecies, and the prophecies given by the Saintess of Sky were so valuable that they would want to monopolize them.

Moreover, for the leader of the rebels who killed the king?

He should be thankful that the Crusader wasn’t attacking him on sight.

However, the Saintess of Sky decided to reveal herself to the world.

Once she made the decision, no one in the Sanctum questioned it.

They simply prepared the place in silence.

When the permission for an audience was granted, the Warlord was immensely pleased.

As soon as he heard he was allowed an audience, he clenched his fist and smiled broadly.

And Yuel clearly saw this reaction with her Clairvoyance.

Seeing the Warlord's reaction, Yuel felt proud, thinking it was worth waking the Saintess of Sky.

However, the Saintess of Sky herself, who took the difficult step to come, had a lukewarm response.

“I do not permit it.”

The words inscribed on the epitaph were neither cold nor warm.

They merely stated the unchanging facts plainly.

The message from the Saintess of Sky was like that.

She spoke in a languid tone, not even bothering to open her eyes since waking up.

“We have never involved ourselves in secular politics and will never do so in the future. God's will is not in the secular world but above the heavens. Do you think divine favor is something that can be bought and sold, let alone borrowed? We may not be merchants, but we are not fools.”

“Your Holiness, that is not the case at all!”

“That is very much how it seems to us, so listen. As you wish, I shall give you your prophecy. The country you established would not last long and would perish.”

It was a glimpse of the future to come.

Sensing this, the Warlord closed his mouth.

He staggered slightly at the word 'perish' but managed to steady himself and listened intently.

The Saintess of Sky spoke, using his silence as a backdrop.

“The Grandiomor Royal Family had power. A power that ensured safety even in front of the strongest assassins, power that allowed them to smile while executing someone without incurring resentment, power that allowed them to remain the sole survivor among a pack of beasts ready to devour each other. They had the power to become King.”

The power gained by the Five Sovereigns who exiled the Human King...

Yuel silently recited what she had learned since being chosen as a Saintess.

“That’s how Grandiomor became a king. Everyone acknowledged and served him. Not anymore, though.”

The Saintess of Sky, Mayel, sighed heavily and waved her hand dismissively.

“Wow. You did well. You killed the unkillable king. Now what? Can you firmly execute subordinates who break the law? Can you overcome attacks by the vengeful remnants from the Kingdom? Or can you create a brilliant system for the country?”

She didn't wait for an answer.

Mayel spoke as if she had already seen the answer.

“You couldn’t. No matter how hard you tried, you would die in the chaos, and the country would completely collapse.”

“In what manner...?”

“How did the country collapse? There were so many ways that I couldn’t see all of them..”

Mayel interrupted the Warlord.

“You built a castle on a sandy beach with crashing waves. No matter how carefully you build it, the sandcastle will collapse, but how it collapses will depend on your actions. If I point out that the outer wall will collapse from the sea breeze, you would reinforce the outer wall. You might make it thicker, create supports, or build the wall at an angle.”

“Indeed, I would.”

“Despite that, a few hours later, the high tide will come and reduce all your hard work to a pile of sand. Everyone knows this, but if I convey this truth, you might move the entire sandcastle. Or you might try to build a large seawall to block the tide. Regardless of whether that will work or not…”

Ultimately, the country the Warlord created would collapse.

The Saintess of Sky lightly prophesied the rise and fall of a nation as if she had just addressed the weather.

“Even if you think that it is just a prophecy, the ending would be the same. Even if you came to seek my help, there is no way I can help you. You died, and the country perished.”

Her words were decisive.

Death and destruction flowed from the Prophet's mouth.

A normal person would have despaired and left quietly.

But the Warlord did not.

His talent was neither his strength nor his political power.

With firm determination, the Warlord raised his head.

“I want to build the most beautiful sandcastle.”

What elevated the Warlord to his position was his character, his appealing appearance, and his excellent speech, which further showcased his character.

Because of this, he was chosen by the king and once filled the vast gap between the kingdom and the people by himself.

His talent also manifested before the Saintess.

“Impermanence is rooted in all things in this world. Flowers wither. Humans die. Nations decline and destroy themselves. In the process, they all become ugly, unsightly, and miserable. It is a natural process that none ever wishes for, yet must accept. However…”

At that moment, Yuel and the Warlord’s eyes met.

The Warlord smiled with pure hope.

“The people have risen. We made this nation of our own blood, sweat, and tears, but most importantly, our own will. What was once a tiny spark in our hearts had turned into a brilliant flame that burns bright within each and every one of us. Even if it flickers out of existence one day, the world will surely remember our flame, our light that guided them to a future no one has ever seen!”

Looking back now, Yuel realized it wasn’t a coincidence.

The Warlord had been smiling at everyone from the start.

It was just Yuel who was caught by his smile.

“You will fail. As a destroyer, you don't have that capability.”

“I am fully aware. But, that’s why I came here! To borrow that ability!”

“Even if there was someone with that ability, they would burn themselves in your flame. What fool would willingly join you in your madness…?”

Mayel, who was speaking, suddenly turned her head with a shocked expression.

Surely, the Saintess of Sky had read the future.

“Oh my, Yuel!”

“Warlord Valiorant! I am Yuel. A Saintess! Saintesses are not bound by prophecies. I can give a future that no one has seen!”

Because Yuel, moved by the sandcastle story, had decided to help the Warlord.

She had witnessed the fall of the kingdom with her Clairvoyance.

She saw the struggle of the people rising in frustration, the epic duel Patraxion fought against the nation, and the roar of the people.

The Saintess of Sky must have found it difficult to understand them.

The emotions that the people stirred to dethrone the reigning king, the ideologies they attached to rally their neighbors, the fierce battles and dreams.

“Yuel! Ah, you were still young! Too young...!”

Watching from afar wasn’t safe after all.

Perhaps, it was even more impactful because she received all the scenes without any filter.

“Your Holiness, please permit it. He killed the unkillable king. If there is a chance he can create the impossible country…”

“That wasn’t his power! You’ve seen it yourself!”

The Saintess of Sky had Yuel watch how the Grandiomor king died.

Yuel understood the reason.

In the future Mayel saw, the Grandiomor king did not exist, but she didn’t know how he died.

Therefore, she asked Yuel to watch it for her.

“Yes, I saw it. The Grandiomor king was trampled to death by the rushing crowd. It was an accident, but because of that, the plan to capture and use the king as a puppet failed.”

“H-How do you know this...?”

The Warlord was shocked, hearing confidential information flow from Yuel’s mouth.

But using his well-honed skills he quickly composed himself.

“Indeed, no being under the sky can escape the piercing eyes of the Saintesses. Though I’ve heard of it before, I now understand deeply how powerful and dutiful the Saintesses are.”

Yuel smiled slightly.

The Warlord might not know Yuel, but Yuel knew the Warlord.

She had watched his revolutionary process from almost start to finish.

She saw the intense drama unfold in its entirety.

Being acknowledged by the lead actor of the play she had been watching for so long felt like being chosen by someone she admired, giving her a giddy sensation of joy.

In reality, a Saintess was far more remarkable compared to the leader of the rebels, but at that time, Yuel was deeply engrossed in the atmosphere.

“But, Your Holiness, it was the Warlord who gathered such a crowd and led them to the palace. It was his ability that persuaded tens of thousands of angry people to risk their lives for him. I believe he can do it.”

“I am humbled.”

Having gained an ally, the Warlord chimed in appropriately.

Just as the atmosphere was warming up, Mayel shouted vehemently.

“Yuel! You must not help him. He looked impressive, but he lacked the strength to lead a country!”

The Warlord looked dejected and hung his head.

Yuel, startled, loudly retorted.

“B-Because of that, he can lead everyone! Strong kings are common. But he is unique because of his inadequacies!”

“I do not see that future!”

Mayel appealed to Yuel.

“No matter how much you help him, in the end, you will be left alone to replace the Grandiomor king and become the new ruler of that country!”

“Your Holiness, you said that the other Saintesses do not appear in the prophecy's future?”

“Yes! Therefore, the Saintesses must stay by my side! Only by staying with me can the prophecy protect you. If you stay far from me, I cannot guarantee your future!”

The only way to overcome a Heaven’s Decree was with another Heaven’s Decree.

Thus, the Saintesses were free from prophecies.

In other words,

“So, if I stay by his side, he can escape the prophecy?”

At that time, Yuel was filled with a strange confidence.

Or perhaps she was overly excited.

Or maybe she might have been too young.

Regardless, back then, Yuel was extremely stubborn.

Mayel closed her gaping mouth and clasped her hands together.

“O Saintess of Origin who blessed us all, is this also your will...?”

After giving her prayer, Mayel sighed deeply and murmured.

“Very well… You are excommunicated, Yuel. From now on, you are no longer a Saintess of the Sanctum.”

Being a faithful believer herself, Yuel couldn’t help but feel her heart sink at the word excommunication.

But soon she realized something in Mayel’s words.

Not a Saintess 'of the Sanctum' meant she was still a Saintess.

A Saintess' path was set by heaven. No matter what she did, she would never lose her power/blessing.

The Sanctum would not interfere.

“Do as you please. Whatever you do with that power, the Sanctum will have nothing to do with it. Accomplish it only with Yuel’s power. Show me the future I could not see.”

Yuel felt a bit regretful.

It would be a lie to say she didn’t expect help from the Sanctum.

While Yuel had considerable abilities, she couldn’t compare to the Sanctum as a whole.

The power and faith supporting the Sanctum was anchored in the Saintesses’ monopoly over the future.

But Yuel was a Saintess who could see the future yet to come and was free from predestined fate.

She had confidence.

With her Clairvoyance, she spied on all the world's secrets and knowledge and learned them.

She could see everything she wanted to see.

She could find enemies and guide allies to the right places.

She had already identified several people who would be helpful.

It didn’t matter if they were Taoists from the Order of Gaia, which opposed the Sanctum.

What mattered was that they could be of help.

Watching the revolution in the kingdom, Yuel often thought that if she were in charge, things would have been better.

She often rolled around on her bed, imagining countless scenarios.

With her power, she could step into the midst of the chaos and make everything optimal.

At that time, Yuel sincerely believed that.

***When I opened the door and walked in, an unpleasantly cool scent hit my nose.

A stone room dimly lit by a single magic lamp.

Several ossuaries were scattered about.

The solemn walls were adorned with small portraits and plaques, with a tall cross overlooking them.

This arrangement looked familiar.

Recalling my memories, I soon realized the source of this déjà vu.

It was similar to the room where I met Tyr in Tantalus.

Captain Abbey looked around and spoke.

"...Report. This is a shrine. This layout and arrangement are similar to a columbarium located beneath a shrine."

"Seems like it."

"However, after the tax imposition, all shrines except those run by private sectors were evacuated. The intention behind this place is questionable."

"Indeed. It’s hard to imagine the Sanctum accepting the idea of shrines paying taxes. It would be utterly unacceptable to them."

"Affirmative. Therefore, there must have been an error. All the Signallers involved in the decision knew this fact, so why...?"

As Captain Abbey spoke, she looked in the direction indicated by her Unique Magic.

In the middle of the room, a figure was kneeling in prayer.

It was a thin, gaunt woman.

She held something dearly in her arms, hands clasped as if in repentance.

Like a devout believer fully embracing their faith.

The morning glories resonated.

Numerous buds opened all at once, pointing towards her.

The vines grew even more vigorously.

Had there not been sunflowers watching me, Captain Abbey might have synchronized with her.

“Please, hold my hand for a moment.”

Without a word, I offered my hand.

Holding my hand and simultaneously holding onto herself,

Captain Abbey approached her.

"Signaller Yuel. I am Captain Abbey of the Military State. As a Signaller who manages and reports information, I request your cooperation."

She addressed the only living person here.

Naturally, she was Captain Yuel, the Signaller.

And she was also Yuel, the Saintess of Foresight, who followed the Warlord from the Sanctum.

“There are several questions, but first...”

Captain Abbey looked down at Yuel and pointed at what she was holding.

“What is the identity of the unidentified male corpse in your possession?”