Chapter 6

It was around the third winter since I had become the adjutant to His Excellency.

By that time, I had gained recognition as an adjutant from those around me. In return, my workload had increased significantly, but to me, it was a matter of pride.

That day, I left His Excellency's side with a firm resolve and set out on a short trip. I told my colleagues that I was going to visit relatives in the capital, but of course, it was a lie.

I secretly went to meet my half-brother, the 20th prince.

At the time, the king was bedridden, and among the princes, the struggle for the throne was intensifying. The most favored were the second prince, whose mother was the queen, the fifth prince, who had a maternal uncle as the prime minister, and the eighth prince, who had the support of the church. The 20th prince was not even mentioned in people's conversations.

But I knew.

I knew how terrifying and how talented this half-brother, who had once been entrusted to the same church as me, was. Ambitious, angry, cold, and warm-hearted. Despite being in a similar situation as me, this man had never once given up.

I also knew that my half-brother, regardless of his birth, was promoting capable individuals and was waiting for the right opportunity. That's why I thought he was the only one.

He was the only one who could make the judgment to not kill her, the "noble lady of common birth," after the war ended.

***

I knelt before my half-brother, pressed my forehead to the floor, and pleaded.

I would do anything. I would be an assassin, a double agent, anything. I would not hesitate to assist in his rise to the throne. If he told me to die, I would die.

── So, please, when you ascend the throne, protect her. Ensure her safety.

My half-brother accepted the deal.

Then, he said with a sigh.

"Coming in with everything on the line from the start, huh? I remember you as a man who was better at negotiation."

I did not respond, only bowed.

I did not know how my half-brother evaluated me, but I knew that my options were extremely limited. I knew that I could not protect her with my own strength alone.

That was the overwhelming difference between me and my half-brother. While I had given up, thrown in the towel, and become bitter, this man had continued to struggle hard. The result was the current disparity. He had subordinates he could command, but I had only myself.

As I was about to bow and leave, my half-brother threw a word over his shoulder.

"But I can't take responsibility for what happens on the battlefield. Your superior is in charge of a quagmire. I even want to praise how well he's holding up. ── But how long can it last?"

I answered without turning back.

"I pray that you ascend the throne as soon as possible."

In the end, it's not the soldiers on the battlefield but the nobles in the palace who can end the war.

I think it's a ridiculous story. I think it's a despicable story. But even so, I can't give up.

I said, as I put my hand on the doorknob.

"Until that day comes, I will protect His Excellency."

I didn't expect a response.

But my half-brother said in a strangely dark voice.

"Is this your true love?"

The twisted tone made me turn back involuntarily.

My half-brother, who rarely showed such emotion, had a hatred that seemed to drip from his eyes.

"The power of the Holy Maiden is a curse. The goddess is probably mocking us. ── But remember, I will end this in my generation. The gods should remain distant from us."

***

This is a story known only to a few in the royal family and the church.

If one thinks carefully about the founding legend, one might realize it.

The goddess granted the knight's wish in exchange for the Holy Maiden's life.

This is the distortion of the legend known to everyone in the country.

The Holy King, the Holy Maiden's sister, left an oral tradition about the Holy Maiden's power.

It is said that the Holy King was concerned about future generations and believed that the Holy Maiden's power would be needed in times of crisis.

However, from the perspective of a future person like me, the Holy King was too optimistic. Or perhaps, too wise. Did she not understand that most people in the world are foolish?

The conditions for activating the Holy Maiden's power, as left by the Holy King, are as follows:

1. One must possess the mark.

2. The one with the mark must have true love.

3. The one with the mark must understand the conditions.

4. True love must be free of any doubt.

5. Ignorance or brainwashing is not recognized by the goddess as love.

6. The goddess will only grant the wish of the one to whom true love is directed, when the one with the mark offers their life in front of them.

... This is like a malicious trick question.

Even if the one with the mark offers their life, the goddess will not grant their own wish.

She will grant the wish of the one to whom true love is directed.

Then, conversely,

Would the one to whom true love is directed really wish to have their wish granted in exchange for the life of the one with the mark?

Even if they did, would true love remain untainted?

Could one unswervingly love someone who chose to fulfill their own desire at the cost of their life?

To ask someone to love you and offer their life... that's fundamentally impossible.

However, most people, including me, are foolish, so after the Holy King's death, experiments to clear these activation conditions were frequently repeated.

About five hundred years after the founding of the kingdom, there were several times when the king's concubines and their children were numerous, as they were used for experiments.

There is one case where the Holy Maiden's power is believed to have been activated, about two hundred years after the founding of the kingdom.

It is the story of an unfortunate 19th princess.

When her guard, a knight, fell ill with a fever and was said to have no hope of recovery, she firmly held his hand and drank poison. Immediately, the knight regained his vitality. Probably, the knight, while delirious with fever, wished to live. The goddess granted this wish, in exchange for the princess's life.

Well, this certainly meets the conditions.

However, the key point in this success story is that the loved one was on the brink of death.

The knight could neither stop the princess from dying for him nor wish for her to die.

Thus, the princess's will and love remained unwavering.

***

Sometimes, I wondered if His Excellency would wish for my death.

I love her. I would die for her. But even so, if she asked me to die, it would be a bit painful. I can't guarantee that doubt wouldn't mix with my love. I'm not a good man.

... After thinking about such things, I always laughed with a touch of self-mockery.

The premise is wrong. His Excellency would not wish for my death.

Even if I revealed my true identity and said I would die for her, she would not nod. Even if I said that my death could end the war, she would refuse. She would say it's wrong, even though she can't explain why. It's wrong. It's unacceptable.

I've seen her like this many times.

That's why I don't reveal my true identity.

I don't want to burden her with the decision. It's better for her to know nothing.

The power of the Holy Maiden, as my half-brother said, is a curse for most people.

I will do what I can. Even without the strength or the accomplishments of my half-brother. Even if I am a shallow person, I can still do my best. It's not a waste.

It will surely lead to something for tomorrow.

His Excellency has made me believe that. So I will do my best, using my small strength to help her, to be a support for her, to do my best.

I truly believed that.

── Yet, why couldn't I protect you that day?

It was almost there.

Just a little more, and my half-brother would ascend the throne. That man could end the war.

Just a little more, and after overcoming a few more crises, the peace she desired would come.

Dust flew. Shouts of anger rose. Screams were heard. Someone called out His Excellency's name.

I cut down the enemy soldiers and rushed to her side.

"His Excellency! Are you alright, His Excellency, ── !"

She was kneeling, her sword stuck in the ground.

As I reached out, she collapsed softly and fell to the ground.

Blood flowed from her body, staining the ground red.

"His Excellency! Hold on...!"

I rushed to her side, knelt, and checked her injuries, gasping.

It was a fatal wound. She wouldn't survive.

His Excellency gasped for breath, and the life in her eyes quickly faded.

There was no time. No hesitation.

I firmly held her hand and pressed the sword to my own neck with my other hand.

"It's okay, His Excellency. It's okay ──"

It's okay, His Excellency. This way, you will surely survive. You have always wished to live. The goddess will grant your wish. It's okay, His Excellency. It's okay.

But, if I could make one request, please don't look at the back of my neck, okay? I don't want to burden you with anything.

It's okay. Even if I die, my half-brother will keep his promise. He is a man of his word. Besides, he likes capable people like you. He might even take an interest in you. But he's not the type to force anything, so it's okay. Ah, you might even be attracted to him. If that happens, I might be a bit jealous.

It's okay, His Excellency. It's okay.

Please, live a long and happy life.