I gazed slowly at his outstretched hand, then lifted my gaze. Standing before me, adorned and impeccably dressed in resplendent white and golden attire, was Latvan. Momentarily struck by the presence of someone who had no place being here, I remained silent, simply observing him.

"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Certainly, Latvan had declared that he would not be safeguarding the maiden at this prayer gathering. So why was he extending his hand to me?

With a face devoid of expression, he inclined his head slightly and spoke.

"It is my duty to protect the maiden."

At that moment, I came to understand who Latvan truly was. Despite his disdain for the maiden and the ordeals he had endured, he had returned, determined to fulfill his duty to the very end.

I looked up, meeting his gaze. He was still standing there, waiting for me to take his hand. His black eyes, unwavering, betrayed no hint of hesitation. Once again, the endless corridor came into view. After gazing at it for a while, I finally placed my hand upon his outstretched palm.

Perhaps, someday, this hand would be the one to end my life and that of Evelina.

I slowly grasped his fingertips, feeling a warmth beneath the cold façade. Smiling gently towards him, I spoke.

"I entrust myself to you, Sir Latvan."

Even if the day came when he would kill me, it would be when we reached the end of this corridor.

***

With a resounding blast of trumpets, the prayer ceremony commenced.

The people rushed into the grand entrance of the Daesinjeon like a torrent in the morning. The usually tranquil central square had suddenly become packed with individuals, leaving no room to move one's feet. It was no exaggeration to say that people from every nation on the continent had gathered here.

There were those dressed in attire closest to the imperial fashion, as well as those clad in heavy fur garments that seemed unfit for the still cool season. On the other hand, there were individuals who appeared dressed in light clothing as if they were completely stripped.

Amidst the clamor of people searching for their companions, cries filled the air. Some were already raising their voices, unable to contain their excitement.

The commotion subsided only when the tolling bells announced the beginning of the first ceremony.

"Remarkable."

That was the only thought that crossed my mind as I observed the throngs gathered outside the closed windows.

Even when I first laid eyes upon the grandeur of the Daesinjeon, I was astonished by its size, and learning the number of people who resided within it further exceeded my imagination. But now, I was astounded once again by the crowd that had filled it to the brim.

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Those who attended this prayer gathering did not expect to receive money or material goods from the Daesinjeon. They were individuals who had come here willingly, investing their own money with overflowing faith in the divine.

"To think that all these people came here of their own accord."

I had never counted such a multitude before, and I couldn't even begin to estimate their numbers. Recalling the vast crowds I had seen in the news and roughly calculating, the figure exceeded at least 100,000.

"Moreover, there were even more people who couldn't enter the Daesinjeon."

That meant there were tens of thousands of people who attended this prayer gathering. Soon, the choir began to sing, and their voices spread among the people like waves. The sight of everyone united in song, singing a hymn known throughout the continent, was awe-inspiring.

Observing everyone with solemn faces, eyes closed, singing in unison along with the hymn, made me reconsider the position of the gods, the saints, and the Daesinjeon in this world.

"The absolute faith and reverence of those living on the continent."

That was the prevailing sentiment among the people of the continent towards the saint. They might question why anyone would believe in gods that provided no practical help in their own lives, but at least in this world, the power of the gods was undoubtedly manifested.

"It is said that demons appear in the lands of heretics."

In the lands of those who do not serve the gods, demons constantly emerge. Although they also appear in the lands of the faithful, the difference in numbers is staggering, and each time, the Divine Knights venture there to vanquish the demons.

"It is said that the swords of the knights are blessed by the divine clergy, as the demons despise divine power."

I recalled the manifestation of divine power I witnessed when the secret passage was opened. Such a tangible display of unquestionable divine power made faith in the gods an absolute necessity in this world. Moreover, since that power was directly related to their lives, it became even more imperative.

Evelina, in particular, struck me as truly remarkable.

People tend to conform to the expectations of those around them. I, too, had lived my life in such a manner.

"When I see how well-behaved you are, unlike other children, enduring such a long hospitalization without throwing tantrums, it's the first time I've seen that."

When the doctor who attended to me praised me in this way, my parents smiled faintly, as if filled with pride. From that moment on, until the moment of my death, I never once threw a tantrum. It was to ensure that I did not deviate from their expectations.

It wasn't something I disliked or found difficult. If behaving in such a manner would make those around me cherish and love me more, and make them feel proud of me, I willingly chose to do so. After all, there was nothing wrong with wanting to appear better to those who loved me.

"But why Evelina?"

I was also afraid of straying from the expectations of the few individuals who held them for me. However, Evelina disregarded the expectations of so many people, or rather, she turned her back on the expectations of an entire continent. Even when she witnessed the disappointment and anger that arose from conflicting expectations, she did not change her attitude. No, she became even more twisted.

In a way, it seemed remarkably brave. If I were to imagine that the people gathered over there were all cursing and blaming me, it would send shivers down my spine.

While I was lost in my thoughts, I heard the sound of two knocks on the door from outside. In response to the sound, Lathba, who was in the room with me, opened the door. The divine clergy waiting outside bowed their heads and spoke.

"The final ceremony of the day is about to commence."

"I understand."

At last, the moment had arrived. The faces of the officials betrayed a palpable tension.

"Until now, everything has been fine," one of them remarked.