Chapter 401.1
“Are you certain three Anikas entered the prayer room today?” Sang-je furrowed his brow.
“Without a doubt, Your Holiness,” the priest confirmed. “My own eyes witnessed it.”
Before Sang-je could inquire about their names, a subtle shift in Pides’ presence caught his attention. Pides, who received seeds more frequently than any other knight, allowing Sang-je to sense his movements with exceptional clarity, hadn’t budged from the hidden prison in over a month. Regular reports detailed Pides’ diligent execution of his duties, slowly building a sliver of trust within Sang-je.
Is the teleportation magic failing? he thought. Pides, when reporting, would come to the Holy Palace. Yet, the current movement indicated a departure.
Sang-je summoned a priest with a sense of urgency. “Go to the hidden sanctuary immediately. Find out what’s happening.”
As the priest scurried out of the Holy Palace, Flora was trapped inside the carriage. Panic clawed at her throat as her frantic knocks on the walls met only silence. Unlike carriages for nobility, this priest’s transport lacked windows. A single, unopenable one graced the ceiling, offering a sliver of light against the oppressive darkness. The door handle remained stubbornly unyielding.
Fear morphed into a storm of questions. ‘Why is Sir Pides… is that even him driving? Did the devil’s minions trick me? Does His Holiness know? Is this punishment for defying God’s will?’ Flora’s mind reeled. Clasping her hands, she muttered, “What should I do?”
A sudden deceleration jolted her. She peeked out, then cautiously knocked on the wall again. “Sir Pides?” No response. Her voice sharpened with urgency as she pounded and shouted, “Sir Pides! Are you there?”
Pides, slumped in the driver’s seat, buried his face deeper into his hands with a heavy sigh. Despite the frantic knocking and calls from behind, he remained motionless.