Chapter 12: Children of Divinity

For a moment, Thevon stared at Dhein, as though trying to overanalyze what he had just said. And then, the scion of light spoke.

“You’re right, Lord Theocheirós.”

Besides the looming threat of a possible dragon attack, Dhein had pretty much nothing to worry about anymore. The spirit of truth ended up not giving a clue about Shina’s disappearance and his circumstances. Everything was going great.

He was finally able to breathe—was what he liked to think, but the white haired mage was still standing in front of him.

’If you’ve got nothing more to say, just leave already!’

But to his dismay, Thevon opened his mouth once again and spoke.

“Also, if you don’t mind me asking, why is Lady Wixorn with you?”

Dhein successfully managed to hide his loathing of that question. Thevon continued.

“Are you guys helping each other to find the princess?”

Before Dhein could speak, Zarria had already replied.

“Not exactly. If that was my brother’s only goal, he would have already reached it. He is after something far more important.”

Thevon was visibly confused by her answer. After a moment, Fiorelle spoke too.

“With the help of the great spirit of truth, I have confirmed that Lord Dheinyrus has indeed already solved this case. The princess is not in danger, but there seems to be a purpose for everything that has happened which I need to find.”

Again, confusion washed over the scion of light. Dhein didn’t know what he was thinking, but he was just glad no one had managed to see through his bullcrap just yet.

After being silent for a moment, Thevon spoke.

“So you already know where to find the princess.”

Dhein shook his head.

“No.”

The three were shocked by his answer, especially Fiorelle who knew he was telling the truth. After a short while, he added:

“We needn’t rush. In fact, I am more worried about the latter part of Fiorelle’s vision more than anything.”

Thevon frowned, his gaze not leaving the scion of Divinity.

Dhein continued.

“But, Lord Luxier, I ask of you to not relay any of this to the empire. Even though I can assure you that the princess is in no danger, let the competition proceed as it is, and whoever finds the princess shall be the winner. Also, since the vision suggested that the empire might be hiding a dragon, don’t say a word about it to anyone as well.”

Thevon was silent for a few seconds, staring at Dhein. In the end, he let out a sigh and then complied.

“I understand, Lord Theocheirós. I will keep all of this between us.”

Dhein looked at Fiorelle to see her reaction. That way, he had confirmed that Thevon was truthful about his words. Dhein turned back to him as Thevon continued speaking.

“And before I go, I must tell you one last thing.”

’Gods, finally!’ Dhein celebrated in his mind.

“No matter what, I will win this competition. Whatever this greater purpose that you seek is, do as you wish. In the end, victory will be mine.”

There wasn’t a trace of doubt on the scion of light’s face. He looked like he was merely stating an obvious fact.

With that, Thevon turned around, swaying his white cloak. He began to walk away, vanishing from their sight.

And Dhein was finally able to breathe.

He heard Zarria scoff.

“Tch… What a fool,” she said, glaring at Thevon’s direction.

“Does he seriously think he stands a chance against you?”

Dhein let out a sigh and refused to answer Zarria. Instead, he turned to Fiorelle who was now in a much better shape.

He inspected her before asking:

“What do you think we should do next?”

The girl looked at him and replied.

“In the first part of the vision, that goddess was somewhere dark. But I could more or less recognize the place.”

Dhein raised an eyebrow.

“And where do you think that is?”

Fiorelle turned her head in a certain direction as her face turned gloomy all of a sudden. She then answered.

“The slums.”

Dhein and Zarria followed where she was looking and they saw the most neglected part of the outskirts.

The slums of Olcour capital wasn’t a place of good memories for Dhein and Zarria. Their father took them there once when they were little as a detour. Having lived the best possible life in the city, Dhein and Zarria couldn’t have imagined that such a place even existed.

The people there fought for every ounce of clean water and risked their lives and dignity for a rock hard piece of bread. The children were skin and bones, but the smallest things bring an innocent joy to their eyes. The houses could barely be called as such, some had no roof, no walls, some were just decaying materials assembled together to shield them from the cold and rain.

It broke Dhein and Zarria’s hearts seeing people living in those conditions, but there was nothing they could do.

They looked at each other.

“Shall we investigate there?” Dhein asked.

Fiorelle took a deep breath and then nodded.

“Yes.”

Dhein caught Zarria stealing a glance at him, there was a strange expression on her face. Perhaps, the same sad memories crossed their minds.

“Well then,” he said.

“Let’s go.”

The three began walking and some eyes through the windows stalked them warily. It was odd enough to see a scion of the governing clans walk these roads, but seeing the strongest being in the world in their very own streets might have stirred some fear among the common folk.

Dhein could only sigh. If only they knew who he really was.

After several minutes of walking, they were almost at the end of the outskirts. A wide farming land, a mini forest, a cliff and a bridge acted as a border between the streets and the slums.

The slums were never officially recognized as a part of the city. It wasn’t a legal human settlement. In other words, the people living there weren’t even allowed to stay in those lands.

They were a group of people who came from countries outside of Olcour that either lost a war, or were destroyed by a calamity. There was not a place they could go where they would be safe from monsters and be able to find some food and, in some rare instances, opportunity, to rise from poverty.

The reason why they couldn’t become proper citizens was a little complicated.

Olcour had five religions which all existed in harmony with each other: The Church of Blood, Soul Blanking, Mirror of Heaven, Divine Values, and Rite of Sacrifice.

All of these religions were administered by the Theocheirós Clan. All of its teachings and systems were regulated by them. And unless a person gets marked by all of these religions, it would be impossible for them to become a legal Olcourian.

The people of the slums came from nations with entirely different religions. And no matter how much the Theocheirós clan tried to convince them, they refused the mark of Divinity.

Some wanted criminals also found refuge in this godforsaken place, so some Olcourians also lived in the slums. So, oftentimes, violent conflicts between the two groups would arise.

After crossing the old bridge, the three reached the crowded, disorganized and unhygienic slums. Dhein felt Zarria lightly tugging on the fabric of his suit.

As kids, they sneaked out of the Manor and travelled all the way here everyday for a while. They brought with them the teachings and values of their religions in hopes that the people would accept them and become legal citizens of the empire.

The two tried their hardest to convince them, but all they got were persecutions and disrespect. There was so much loathing that the people refused to even listen to a word they were about to say.

It reached a point where they tried to harm the two. Of course, such people had no chance of hurting them. But when a word about this incident got out, a massacre took place. Divinity Clan’s guards stormed the slums, killed anyone who stood against them and made the same people who had tried to hurt the children of Divinity pay.

Dhein and Zarria regretted it very much. If there was a way to pull the people out of their misery without forcing their religion on them, they would have already done so. But in the end, trying to help them had only caused more harm than good.

Would it have been better if they stayed out of it instead?

’Probably…’ Dhein said in his mind.

Since then, he and Zarria never set foot in the slums. Any help they tried to give were easily detected and stopped by the clan officials. To avoid incurring their father’s wrath, they stopped meddling with the matter completely.

The people of the slums threw furtive glances at them as they trekked the messy roads. Dhein wasn’t sure if they recognized him, but those dark memories had suddenly come back.

From what Dhein could remember, the slums had undergone a considerable change. Some proper buildings were now erected. Some shops, markets, and all sorts of establishments could be found in the slums now. Unlike years ago, when all Dhein could see were trash and crudely assembled tents, the slums had somehow become a decent place for humans to live in.

But that was without taking into account the rich Olcourians setting up illegal businesses in the slums where the law didn’t apply. Injustice also reigned in this chaotic environment. The severe inequality among the inhabitants of the slums was almost painful to look at. While some people managed to acquire a better life, some were pushed even deeper into the pit of poverty.

Soon, Dhein stopped in his tracks. Fiorelle turned to him, confused.

“What’s the matter, Lord Dheinyrus?”

Both he and Zarria looked at the same building. In front of it was where they used to gather a crowd and inform the people and the children about the teachings of Divinity.

It was now a brothel.

Upon seeing where they were looking, Fiorelle’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

“Don’t tell me… the goddess that I saw was…”

Dhein turned to her and then smiled bitterly. Without saying a word, he walked toward the establishment.

Fiorelle turned to Zarria, perplexed. But the dark-haired girl did the same as her brother. Not knowing what to do, she just followed the siblings inside.

Entering the old building, Dhein wasn’t surprised by what he saw. High ranking officials and some rich nobles of the empire were inside, enjoying themselves.

But when the people saw who had just entered, the world seemed to stop suddenly.

All except for one familiar individual.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep