It should have been a moment of triumph, but a heavy silence hung over the blood-soaked deck. Yeong, the Guardian Crimson, stood amidst the carnage, her expression serene, her bearing noble. Beside her lay a long sword, its blade stained with dried blood. Sobi, unable to comprehend the scene before her, crumpled to the deck, her hands gripping the railing. Sobs wracked her body, her cries trapped in her throat. Even when she heard Norahn approaching, she couldn't bring herself to look up.

"Help her," Norahn commanded the Emissaries.

The Emissaries rushed to Sobi's side, gently lifting her from the deck. She stumbled as they led her away, her legs weak with grief. Norahn, his heart aching for her, couldn't follow. He had to face the Guardian Crimson. He approached the railing. Her eyes, reflecting the blue light emanating from his own, held no surprise or fear. They recognized each other, their shared connection transcending words.

"Send word to Wicheong," Norahn commended the Emissaries. "Tell them the Guardian Crimson has been found and is returning with us. The rest of you, find another search vessel and ensure their safety before returning."

"Yes, Your Sanctity," one of the Emissaries replied, bowing his head.

Norahn, with the help of the remaining Emissaries, climbed onto the deck. He carefully navigated the blood-soaked planks, approaching Yeong. His robes brushed against the congealed blood. He stopped before her, extending his hand, and knelt.

"Come with us," he said. "We will take you to the Guardian of the Azure Scripture."

Cheongro and the other Emissaries followed suit, kneeling before Yeong. After a moment of silence, Yeong reached out and took Norahn's hand. Her touch was cold, like the sea breeze, sending a shiver down his spine. He gently pulled her towards the railing, leading her off the ship. Most of the Emissaries remained on the coast to attend to the dead, while a small group, led by Norahn, returned to Wicheong Palace. Yeong remained silent throughout the journey.

──────────

The room was quiet. The only sound was the soft crackle of the burning incense. Seong watched the wisps of smoke curl and dissipate into the air. In the solitude of his chambers, a familiar sense of helplessness washed over him. Wicheong Palace had never been this busy. Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, Seong felt strangely detached. The Emissaries Divine were scattered across Birahng, searching tirelessly, while Ryang poured over stacks of documents, coordinating the search efforts and managing the resources of the merchant company. Seong, meanwhile, could do little more than observe. Most decisions were made by Ryang, leaving Seong to merely finalize them with his seal.

His uncle and mentor, Myeonghyeon Seung, had taught him and Hwan that this was the role of a king – to listen, not to speak. Hwan had scoffed at those teachings, earning only disapproval from their uncle. Seong, however, had taken them to heart, and they had ultimately led to his selection as the Young Guardian and, later, with his father's passing, the Guardian. But a nagging doubt lingered in his mind – was I chosen not for my merits, but for my shortcomings? Whenever these thoughts plagued him, his mind would drift back to that fateful night, the night his uncle died and Hwan left. It was a memory that had haunted him for the past four years, and he knew it would continue to haunt him until his dying breath.

"Your Luminance."

A voice from beyond the door interrupted his thoughts. Seong couldn't identify the speaker.

"What is it?" he called out.

"The High Emissary Divine has sent me," the voice replied.

Seong sat up, stretching his stiff neck. He pulled on a robe, covering his bare torso.

"Enter," he commanded.

A young Emissary Divine entered, bowing respectfully. His face was flushed, his chest heaving. Seong assumed Norahn had sent him.

"Do you have news?" he asked.

"The Emissary's Office has found the Guardian of the Crimson Star," the young Emissary replied.

Seong let out a sigh of relief. To find the Guardian before the Dahnian fleet arrived was a stroke of good fortune. He couldn't help but smile, a sense of hope blossoming within him.

"Is the High Emissary returning?"

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Yes, Guardian. He sent me ahead to inform you. He will arrive shortly."

"Then we must gather everyone," Seong said.

The Emissary hesitated. Seong, sensing his unease, waited for him to elaborate.

"Your Luminance," the Emissary finally said, "there's a... complication. We cannot present the Guardian Crimson to everyone. For now."

The color drained from Seong's face. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

"The High Emissary Divine has requested a private audience upon his arrival," the young Emissary replied.

"A private audience?" Seong echoed. "For what reason?"

A sense of foreboding washed over him. Norahn had never requested a private audience before. The young Emissary hesitated, his fear palpable.

"It's a matter of great urgency and importance, Guardian."

"What could be more urgent and important than the discovery of the Guardian Crimson?" Seong pressed. "If it's so urgent, why can't you tell me now?"

The Emissary, unable to withstand Seong's intense gaze, finally spoke. "The Emissaries who were conducting the search at sea... they've been murdered. One of the Myeonghyeon merchant ships we were using was found adrift near the coast. Everyone on board... the Emissaries and the crew... they were all dead. But... we found the Guardian Crimson among them."

His voice cracked as he finished his report, his head bowed in shame. Seong sat speechless. The Emissary, sensing his shock, bowed deeply and quickly retreated from the room.

Alone once more, Seong felt a wave of fear. The descent of the Crimson Star should have been a joyous occasion, a beacon of hope after a thousand years of waiting. But since that night, every event had brought only worry and despair. He sat at his desk, his head buried in his hands. He prayed that the Emissary's report was false, but even if it were true, he knew he had to remain calm and focus on finding a solution. Time seemed to stand still in the quiet solitude of his chambers.

Finally, a knock echoed through the room. Norahn's voice, calm and steady, reached him from beyond the door.

"Guardian, it is I, the High Emissary Divine."

"Enter," Seong replied.

The door creaked open, and Seong's heart sank as he saw Norahn's blood-soaked robes. Norahn's blue eyes, usually so gentle, now burned with an intensity Seong had never seen before. Norahn took a seat opposite Seong. Seong, struggling to control his racing heart, spoke.

"Tell me what happened."

Though he didn't intend to pressure Norahn, his hurried words came out of his own volition and his expression was not properly controlled. Norahn's eyes fluttered pitifully, unable to meet his eyes. He spoke calmly.

"We found the Guardian Crimson on the southeastern coast."

"I heard," Seong replied. "Where is she now?"

"She is waiting in the Ministry’s chambers."

"And how did you get blood on your robes?"

Norahn swallowed hard, finally meeting Seong's gaze. "The merchant ship provided by House Myeonghyeon for the search..."

"I've heard that as well," Seong interrupted. Though he had already been briefed on the situation, the reality of it was still sinking in.

"The Guardian Crimson was on that ship," Norahn continued. "Everyone else... they were dead. There was a bloodstained sword beside her."

"Are you suggesting the Guardian Crimson is responsible?" Seong asked.

"The Emissaries all had sword wounds," Norahn explained. "And the Guardian Crimson... her face and clothes were covered in blood. She hasn't spoken a word since we found her."

Though the evidence pointed to the Guardian Crimson, Seong couldn't accept it. "But why would she do that?" he exclaimed. "Why would the Guardian Crimson kill the Emissaries? The servants of Sahngjon?"

Norahn shook his head helplessly. "I don't know, Guardian. I brought her back immediately, and the Emissaries are retrieving the bodies. I've also sent word for the other search vessel to return."

Silence fell over the room, Norahn's head bowed in shame. Seong buried his face in his hands, his earlier resolve to remain calm crumbling. The reality of the situation was too much to bear. The Guardian Crimson, sent by Sahngjon, had slaughtered those who served Sahngjon most faithfully. It made no sense.

Seong's gaze darted around the room, unable to settle on anything. His eyes flickered over Norahn, taking in the bloodstains on his white robes, the delicate lines of his neck, the gauntness of his face. He felt a pang of guilt for his earlier outburst, for the harshness in his voice.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell," he said.

"It was my fault, Guardian," Norahn replied. "There is no need for you to apologize.."

His gaze was unfocused, distant. Seong, sensing his distress, asked gently, "Are you alright?"

Norahn blinked, confused. "I... yes, I am fine."

"I mean... your mind." Seong said, his eyes searching Norahn's.

Norahn's heart pounded in his chest. He had never been asked such a personal question, never been the recipient of such concern. The unfamiliar warmth in Seong's gaze made him uncomfortable.

"I'm fine," he repeated.

The tension that had been building within him finally broke, and Norahn felt tears prickling his eyes. His usual composure faltered, replaced by a raw vulnerability. He looked up at Seong.

"What should we do?"

Norahn pleaded for guidance, filling Seong with a sense of responsibility and dread. Seong closed his eyes, his heart aching for his Emissary. He had no answers, no words of comfort to offer. The helplessness he had been suppressing returned with a vengeance. In Wicheong Palace, there was only one person he could turn to.

"I'll discuss it with the High Councilor," he said.

Norahn nodded. With a heavy heart, Seong summoned Ryang.