“At Kyle’s voice grabbing the back of my head, I let out a sigh. Why on earth was Kyle Delos so desperate to keep holding onto me?
“Do you still have business to attend to?”
“Business to attend to? What kind of cold words is that between us?”
What kind of relationship did we have? None at all. I hid my tired expression and pressed a hand to my forehead.
“What do you want to say?”
Strangely, I was irritated at myself for caring about what Kyle kept bugging me about. Maybe it was because I felt guilty for deceiving him. After all, if you think about it, it was my fault that those guys were in mortal danger.
“I have one favor to ask.”
“Tell me and I'll decide.”
Since we were about to part ways, I could at least hear out a favor, but I intended to refuse if it was an annoying one.
“I need someone to meet Archbishop Fremlin and deliver this news. He’s our last hope.”
I didn’t know how meeting the archbishop would help. Kyle wore a solemn expression.
“What exactly should I say when I meet him?”
“If it’s Archbishop Fremlin, he can persuade His Majesty to give us one more chance. And if even that is impossible, then we can consider escape. None of us want to be branded imperial criminals and hunted, do we?”
In the end, I sighed reluctantly. Fine, I’ll help just to get those guys out of jail. If they were really executed, I’d never feel at ease. Better to let them live and start fresh. Besides, I didn’t have anything pressing to do right now.
“All right. I’ll do you that favor, and then I’ll be on my way.”
“Thank you, Rishian. I will never forget this debt.”
I didn’t expect any repayment. I was doing it out of guilt, after all.
I left the prison, leaving the party sitting gloomily behind the iron bars. Dawn was breaking, and the surroundings were gradually brightening. This time I began wandering the vast imperial city again in search of the archbishop. I wiped sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand; it was amazing how knights could wear such heavy, cumbersome armor every day.
“…But where should I meet the archbishop?”
Though I had confidently agreed, I felt overwhelmed now that I had to find him. It had been Braden’s idea to find the prison tower and disguise myself in a soldier’s armor.
“Hey you.”
As I walked lost in thought, I heard someone’s voice. Assuming they were calling someone else, I ignored it and continued on.
“Hey, you there, kid! Can’t you follow orders?”
Suddenly something flew and with a clang! hit the back of my head. Irritated, I turned around. A group of soldiers stood behind me, and my heart almost fell out.
“What is this?”
“What is it? Whaddaya mean ‘what is it’? The captain is calling you, who told you to answer like that, huh?”
Apparently the captain of the guard. Realizing I was disguised as a soldier, I hastily bowed my head in salute.
“Sorry, Captain!”
“Don’t think I’m cutting you slack because I’m busy. Come here. We’re short-handed, so stop what you’re doing and fall in with us.”
Damn. I was already dying trying to find the archbishop, and now I had to ‘fall in’?
Still, if I bolted in refusal, they’d make a bigger fuss, so I decided to pretend to obey then slip away, joining the group.
I swallowed a sigh and walked at the very rear of the soldiers when someone slipped up beside me.
“Um, have you met the prisoners?”
Startled, I turned to see Braden looking at me cautiously.
“Braden?”
I hadn’t expected to be so relieved to see that unfamiliar boy. When I greeted him, Braden pressed his index finger to his lips.
“Do you know what’s going on?”
I pointed at the horde of guards bustling off somewhere. Braden glanced around discreetly, then whispered.
“It’s about the soldiers who disappeared yesterday. Someone saw them heading north, and there was also a report of black flames. So everyone thinks they were ambushed by monsters.”
“What?”
They were attacked by monsters, all right. The problem was that the monster was me. Things were starting to get annoying. There was no way I was going into that forest with them to check what I had done.
I thought I’d wait for a chance to slip away, when Braden asked again.
“But why are you still here? Weren’t you just going to see the prisoners and leave?”
That puzzled me too. My plan had been to tell Kyle, then leave the city. How on earth had I ended up with this guard detail?
Suddenly I thought this kid might have a sharper idea than I did.
“Braden. Do you know where the archbishop is? His name was... Frella-something.”
“I know that.”
Braden answered, smiling at me. He seemed to be enjoying the situation.
“Shall I guide you again?”
That’s why I liked quick-witted types.
Following the captain of the guard, we entered an area of houses. People, terrified by monster sightings, ran about in chaos. Taking advantage of the guards being distracted handling the townsfolk, Braden and I slipped away and returned to the imperial city.
“Archbishop Fremlin should be in the chapel over there.”
Following Braden’s extended finger, I saw a building that stood out among the imperial city structures. A massive bell hung atop it, and below it was a circular rose window.
“There are guards at the entrance, but they’re all paladins. From here on, it’s better to remove your armor before entering.”
“Can anyone enter?”
“Yes. A sanctum is meant to be open to all.”
Braden answered as if I were asking the obvious. I felt sorry for owing him so much.
“Thanks, Braden.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m happy if I could help. You’re doing this to save the Hero’s party, right?”
Braden took the helmet I had removed and smiled brightly.
“No matter what anyone says, I trust Hero Kyle. Watching him made me dream of becoming a knight myself. Even if I’m just a lowly soldier now...”
I looked into Braden’s round eyes. He was still a boy, but his gaze held an unwavering conviction. He was sure to become an exceptional knight.
“You’ll be an amazing knight.”
I lightly tapped Braden’s helmet with my fist. His face turned as red as a ripe apple.
“Well then, I’m going.”
After bidding Braden farewell, I removed my armor and headed into the chapel. As Braden had said, the paladins didn’t stop anyone from entering. Inside, many people sat praying. I quietly scanned the silent chapel for the archbishop, Fremlin or whatever.
“Brother, I haven’t seen you here before. Is there something you’re looking for?”
A middle-aged woman approached with a kind smile. From her attire I could tell she was a cleric.
“I’m looking for the archbishop. Can I see him now?”
“The archbishop is quite busy. Unless it’s something very important, you can leave a message with me and I’ll convey it...”
“Tell him Prince Kyle sent me, and he’ll see me at once.”
The cleric stared to confirm the truth of my words, then quietly nodded.
“Then please follow me.”
She led me down the aisle on the right of the chapel, passing several rooms before knocking on the last door.
“You may come in.”
When a voice replied from inside, the cleric kindly opened the door. The room was modest and small for an archbishop’s quarters: a simple bed, a desk, and a bookshelf filled with books.
“What brings you here?”
The archbishop was a much younger man than I had imagined. Despite his plain white robes, his appearance was striking. He smiled gently at the unexpected visitor.
“I’ve come at Prince Kyle’s request.”
“I heard only recently that His Highness returned to the imperial city. Please, have a seat.”
Maintaining his soft tone, the archbishop gestured to a chair. I sat as invited.
“But isn’t His Highness awaiting trial?”
“That’s true, but the situation isn’t favorable. The Crown Prince has declared he will purge Prince Kyle and his companions.”