Wendzar asked, “Is that you, Hyushen?” as he heard someone approaching.

“No! I am Marguel.”

“Who?” Why did you enter my chamber?”

“I am the son of the former priest of Cypriox.”

“The priests of Cypriox have no right to have children; that is a violation! In that case, you must be the fruit of the priest’s betrayal, the one they call…”

“And you are the king who is greedy for money… aren’t you?”

“What are you saying?”

“The king of Thallerion is arriving today, and if you help him, all that I know about you will leak out, and you won’t be able to stop it.” Marguel left immediately after threatening Wendzar, exiting through another door.

“What does he know about me?”

Another door opened, and Wendzar was surprised, thinking the stranger Marguel might have returned, but the man had a pale face and a cold gaze.

“Hyushen!” King Wendzar called out, trying to steady his voice. “You’ve returned from the mission I gave you. It seems you took a while.”

“My king, is there a problem?” Hyushen noticed the unusual tension in Wendzar’s voice.

“No. It seems you have some friends with you?” Wendzar pretended not to have expected Hyushen’s companions. “Why don’t you let them in?”

Xerxez entered immediately, removed his hood, and formally greeted the king of Cypriox. Wendzar’s desk was a mess, a sign of the countless mental battles he had faced before they arrived. Ink was spilled on some of the scrolls. The scrolls themselves smelled old.

“King Wendzar!” Xerxez greeted him, looking at him with a gentle expression.

“Xerxez!” It was a political greeting. “Thallerion has come to visit my country!” Wendzar said. “It is really you!”

“My king, I know that King Xerxez has something important to tell you. It is an honor for the entire Sanctimum Oprys that King Xerxez chose to speak with you,” Hyushen said.

“Let’s sit over there in my small space for guests.” King Wendzar pointed and tried to tidy up the scattered scrolls. “I apologize for the mess on my desk. It just so happens that this is my busy time, and with Hyushen gone, I have no one to assist me in this difficult situation.” Some of the scrolls were dusty, a sign they had been on the desk for days.

“King Xerxez, would you like something to drink?” Hyushen asked. Xerxez only nodded, indicating he wasn’t thirsty but then asked his companions if they were.

“This must be the first time Thallerion has visited,” said King Wendzar, as he sat on a soft chair that matched the gloomy surroundings, but there was enough light in the room. The room was cool and free from outside noise.

“Please have a seat, King Xerxez,” Hyushen said. He offered him a seat near King Wendzar.

“I know your purpose here isn’t ordinary, especially since you came here secretly,” Wendzar said, looking intently into Xerxez’s eyes. “Whatever your purpose, I am ready to listen.”

“Do you know anything about a priest who performs forbidden rituals?” Xerxez began. Wendzar and Hyushen were surprised by Xerxez’s opening, sure that he had a profound reason for it.

“A priest who performs forbidden rituals?” Wendzar’s calm was shattered, and his body trembled upon hearing those words.

“Are you referring to the Shadow of the Crux?” Hyushen asked. Hyushen’s understanding was deeper, or his way of speaking was more straightforward, as if he felt no surprise.

“Is there a priest who rebelled in Cypriox and became obsessed with the power of darkness?” Xerxez’s voice was refined, but it trembled, especially as the memory of the monster’s appearance came to his mind.

“Xerxez, why are you trying to uncover the main enemy of the Crux religion?” Wendzar’s voice became clearer. “And why do you know about this? It is a secret that happened throughout the history of Cypriox.”

“My son is now suffering greatly because of the magic used by the monster, and the monster revealed the name of the priest who performed the ritual.” Xerxez sighed heavily, as if grasping for something intangible. “So, I thought that only Cypriox could help me find the root of this magic.”

“If that’s the case, the Shadow of the Crux has indeed revealed itself,” Hyushen said. Hyushen knew the Triangle sect in the Barbarian city was connected to the appearance of these strange phenomena due to the rituals the group performed. He himself had witnessed how they created magic when he went to Barbarian city and pretended to be a traveling priest. “That monster is possibly connected to the ritual invented by the former priest, which is now being managed by the Shadows of the Crux.”

“That story surfaced a long time ago. The priest who violated the religious rules was already punished quietly, and the public was silenced from reporting such an event,” Wendzar said. “So, I think only the inheritors of the ritual are now performing it in secret.” Wendzar said this seriously to Xerxez.

“King Wendzar,” Xerxez pleaded with his whole heart to get the attention of the king of Cypriox. “I, as the king of Thallerion, want you to help me heal my son through the miracle workers of your country.”

King Wendzar sighed. Hyushen also looked at him, waiting for his answer.

“It’s difficult for me to admit to you, Xerxez, that I cannot help you… what will my fellow kings say if I act alone without their permission? It would be as if I destroyed our alliance.”

“But King Wendzar!” Hyushen was surprised by Wendzar’s answer.

“I cannot get miracle workers without their knowledge. And I understand Xerxez’s purpose; that is why he personally came to me to secretly ask for help.” He continued. “The other kings do not want to help unless many people know about it. And above all, they asked for a big price in return.”

“Isn’t the goal of Cypriox to restore the good relationship of Thallerion with the Crux religion? If all they are after is a good show for the people, what is the point of them being kings in our country!?” Hyushen’s brow furrowed, and he pouted in disappointment.

“I know what you want, Hyushen. I know that now that Xerxez is here asking for help, it is an opportunity to mend their relationship with our religion. It is not as easy as you think.”

“I understand your personal reasons, King Wendzar,” Xerxez said. “But even if I owe you a debt of gratitude, just help me find a cure for my son.” Xerxez pleaded.

“For the secret sake of Thallerion and Cypriox, I will help, but not in the same way you want it to happen,” King Wendzar said.

“Anything, as long as it helps my son,” Xerxez said.

“Hyushen, as my representative, accompany Xerxez to your ship’s harbor in Fercelle, and you will approach a man with a scar on his forehead. Tell the man to take you to the island called Scarlet Mist Island.” Wendzar said. “On that island, you will meet a man. He is an expert in curses or magic. Please ask that man to help Xerxez.” He then sighed. “He is difficult to get along with.”

Hyushen agreed, but in his mind, he doubted that something was stopping King Wendzar from helping Thallerion, but even so, Hyushen knew that Wendzar was not the type of king who would not find a way. Hyushen also put on a cloak so people would not recognize him, but at this point, he no longer looked like a priest but a missionary of an unknown country. The cloak Hyushen wore was brown, and a pouch of powder was tied to his waist. A small dagger for his personal defense. King Wendzar gave Xerxez a sturdy bow as an additional weapon for their journey to the island. King Wendzar was implying that the sea they were about to cross was not easy or safe. Hyushen was given a small book to study the location of Scarlet Mist Island. That’s how Hyushen learned that the island was truly covered in mist and possibly had wild animals.

Hyushen and Xerxez stood at the ship’s harbor, observing the large ship docked as people moved inside. Bells were ringing in other parts of the area, and people were noisy because of their business. The sea brought a salty and foul-smelling wind due to the rust on the ship’s metal rails. A white flag with the emblem of Fercelle was waving at the top of the ship. It was afternoon, so the sun was not too hot.

“Sirs, would you like to buy some amulets?” said a skinny child who approached them. The child was a bit dirty, and his clothes were messy, probably because they were no longer in Cypriox. “These are strong against evil spirits!” The child said enthusiastically. The stones attached to the small thread string clattered.

“Amulets?” Hyushen was surprised and folded the book, which he immediately hid in his cloak. He looked seriously at the things the child was carrying and saw that there were engraved symbols on each stone, some smooth and some rough when he held them.

“Yes!” the child said. “These are good protection when you sail the Fercelle sea.”

“Igren, are you interested in those amulets?” Xerxez said, finding it hard to believe because he knew Hyushen was religious, so how could he be interested in things outside the context of the Crux religion? The name Igren was a cover-up for his real name, Hyushen, so people in Fercelle would not recognize or know them.

“You’re right, Hegoriuz!” Hyushen replied, but he signaled to Xerxez that he was just playing along with the child. Afterward, he shook his head at the boy. “Boy, do you understand the meaning of the symbols engraved on these stones?” Hyushen said. “We’ll buy them if you can answer what they mean.”

“Really?” The child said, his eyes sparkling, and he sighed with relief. “How do I even begin…?” he said.

“How much is one of those? I’ll double it if you’re correct.” The truth was, Hyushen didn’t know anything about those symbols.

“Alright, you said it, so just get ready with 50 silver pieces for each necklace. How many do you want to buy?”

“There are five of us,” Hyushen said. The child smiled.

“Are you serious, Igren?” Xerxez said.

“Of course.” He answered Xerxez. “Come on, we’re in a hurry, boy.” He then instructed the young seller.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep