To Rubin’s question, I could only offer one regretful response.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“...What?”
“I mean, I’m not even sure who I’m supposed to help.”
Rubin must have found my answer absurd, but there wasn’t much I could do about it.
The seventh main oracle was absolutely no help in identifying the person I needed to assist.
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[Seventh Main Oracle – Helping the Unfortunate (In Progress)]
Sub-Oracle 1: Reach Belter Orphanage within six hours! (Incomplete)
Time Remaining: 4 hours, 39 minutes, 22 seconds
Sub-Oracle 2: Find the “Worry King” at Belter Orphanage! (Incomplete)
Tip: Ask as many people as possible about their worries. If the person you question is the “Worry King,” you’ll receive a “Target Found” message.
Sub-Oracle 3: Resolve the Worry King’s concerns! (Incomplete)
Reward for Completion: ???
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All the oracle told me was to find and help the “Worry King.” It didn’t mention who that person might be.
I was supposed to figure that out on my own.
“At least it doesn’t sound too complicated... I’ll just ask a few kids about their problems. One of them has to be the Worry King, right?”
Thankfully, the oracle promised to alert me once I identified the right person. All I had to do was go around asking questions.
“Alright, no big deal. Let’s wrap this up quickly.”
Just as I steeled myself for the task, the carriage jolted to a stop.
Luciana, riding alongside us on horseback, approached the window.
“Your Holiness, we’ve arrived at Belter Orphanage. But... there’s something you should see before you step out.”
“Huh?”
Without a word, she stepped aside, revealing the view beyond the window.
The orphanage was quaint and old, but it had been lovingly maintained. A small garden—likely tended by the children—stood to one side.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I spotted it.
“...Is that a royal carriage?”
Parked conspicuously in front of the orphanage was a lavishly decorated carriage, painted in brilliant red and gold.
A lion crest—fierce and majestic—adorned the door.
No doubt about it. That was a royal carriage.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Luciana confirmed my suspicions with a troubled expression.
“It is indeed a royal carriage, Your Holiness. Though why it’s here, I cannot say.”
I felt a pang of unease.
There was only one person who could ride in that carriage.
The current Emperor, Ernan von Frisk.
He wasn’t married, so it couldn’t be an empress. None of his relatives were direct royal heirs, meaning they wouldn’t have access to such a carriage.
In other words, the person who visited this orphanage was, without a doubt, the emperor himself.
Ernan—Bliss’s half-brother. The one who had wrested the throne from him in a bloody power struggle.
“...Great.”
If he was ruthless enough to unseat Bliss, he wasn’t someone I wanted to deal with.
Still, the oracle needed completing. Even if it meant dealing with the Emperor, I had no choice but to go in.
With a resigned sigh, I stepped out of the carriage.
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Luciana, Rubin, and a few Holy Knights accompanied me as we crossed the threshold of the orphanage.
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[Sub-Oracle 1 Completed!]
Sub-Oracle 1: Reach Belter Orphanage within six hours! (Complete)
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The moment we stepped inside, a message notified me of my progress.
With one sub-oracle down, only two remained. I quickened my pace, eager to finish this task before things got more complicated.
But I didn’t get far.
“...What?”
Two swords crossed in front of me, barring my way.
The royal guards stationed on either side of the gate had drawn their weapons and were blocking our path.
One of them spoke in a sharp, commanding voice.
“This is a restricted area. The emperor is currently inside. State your affiliation and wait for His Majesty’s permission before entering.”
I blinked.
“State my affiliation? Are they blind?”
From head to toe, I was dressed in the unmistakable white regalia of the Lucidmiller Order. The golden lily emblem—our sacred symbol—was prominently embroidered over my chest.
Luciana and the other knights accompanying me were similarly attired. We practically screamed, “We’re Holy Knights!”
‘If they’re not blind, then this is their way of saying “get lost.”’
The realization hit me, but I wasn’t about to back down.
Before I could respond, Luciana stepped forward, her tone as cold as steel.
“Lower your weapons in the presence of His Holiness, or I’ll execute you where you stand.”
Her declaration left the guards stunned.
“You dare insult the emperor’s guards? That’s an insult to the emperor himself! You’ll be held accountable for your words!”
The tension escalated, but I couldn’t fault Luciana. It was her duty to protect me, and these fools had drawn their swords first.
‘Do they not realize who they’re dealing with? If the Order decides to retaliate, we could cut off their exclusive supply of elixirs. Let’s see how they handle that.’
Not that I planned to be so petty, but the thought lingered.
For now, I decided to de-escalate.
“Last chance. Lower your swords, apologize, and get out of my sight.”
The guards didn’t budge.
‘Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
Drawing on my divine power, I channeled it into my palm, reinforcing it until it was as hard as steel.
With my enhanced hand, I grabbed one of their swords.
“Your Holiness!”
“Nyke!”
Luciana and Rubin gasped, but I didn’t let go.
No blood spilled. My reinforced palm held firm.
‘Success.’
I’d theorized that divine power could enhance my body just as demonic energy did for monsters. It had taken nights of practice, but the results spoke for themselves.
I tightened my grip, and the sword began to bend. Then I folded it again. And again. Until it resembled a crumpled ball of metal.
The guards paled.
“W-With bare hands…?”
One turned to run, likely to call for reinforcements, while the other charged at me, weapon raised.
A divine power-enhanced weapon clashed against my bare hand.
Ting!
The metallic clang echoed. The guard froze, his face draining of color.
“You should’ve listened.”
I gripped his weapon and crushed it, rendering it useless.
Before he could react, I swept his legs with a divine-powered kick, sending him sprawling.
“Enough!”
A voice interrupted the chaos.
Turning, I saw a young man approaching. Pale skin, golden hair, and the kind of elegant demeanor that only came from a life of privilege.
Behind him trailed a group of royal knights.
I recognized him instantly.
‘Finally showing yourself, Emperor?’
But as he drew closer, I frowned.
‘Wait… Why does he look like that?’