It Was Normally Forbidden to Meet with the Prophetess of the Heavens.

The Prophetess of the Heavens, a core figure of the Holy Papal City, was a being of utmost importance. Every moment of her life was precious, as her time was unlike that of ordinary humans. This wasn’t just a manner of speaking; it was the truth.

There were also safety concerns. The world was full of people desperate for prophecy, and a prediction from the Prophetess of the Heavens was invaluable—something one would want to monopolize.

And now, a rebel leader who had slain a king sought an audience with her? He should count himself lucky that the Holy Sword Corps, her personal armed forces, had not attacked him on sight.

Nevertheless, the Prophetess of the Heavens had chosen to show herself to the world. Once she had made her decision, no one in the Holy Papal City questioned it. They simply made the arrangements in silence.

When permission for the meeting was granted, the hero was elated. The moment he heard he would be allowed an audience, he clenched his fists and beamed with joy.

Yuel, observing this through her clairvoyance, saw it all clearly. She felt a sense of satisfaction for having awoken the Prophetess of the Heavens.

Yet, when the Prophetess of the Heavens took her first steps towards this difficult meeting, her response was tepid.

“I refuse.”

The words inscribed on the plaque were neither cold nor gentle. They were simply a blunt statement of unchangeable facts.

The Prophetess of the Heavens conveyed her words in that same tone, calm and languid, as if she hadn’t even bothered to open her eyes since waking from her nap.

“We have not involved ourselves in worldly politics, and we will not start now. The will of the gods lies not in the world below, but in the heavens above. If that is so, then how dare you ask us to lend you divine glory? We are not merchants, nor are we fools to be exploited.”

“Prophetess, I did not mean it that way!”

“It’s how we see it. So, listen carefully. I’ll put your situation into words from our perspective. Your newly founded nation will not last. It’s already doomed.”

A prophecy. Realizing this, the hero fell silent. The mention of doom made him sway slightly, but he steadied himself and listened intently.

The Prophetess of the Heavens spoke into the silence he had left.

“The Grandiomor royal family possessed power. The power to guarantee safety, even from the strongest assassins. The power to execute without incurring resentment. The power to emerge as the last standing when surrounded by bloodthirsty beasts. In short, the power to be king.”

Yuel recalled the knowledge she had gained since becoming a prophetess: the power the five sovereigns wielded after deposing the human king.

“And so, the Grandiomors became kings. Everyone acknowledged them and served them loyally. But no longer.”

The Prophetess of the Heavens, Maiel, sighed deeply and waved her hand dismissively.

“Well done. You’ve killed an unkillable king. Now, what do you have left besides that record of killing a king? Can you decisively execute subordinates who break the rules? Can you withstand attacks from vengeful remnants? Or create a flawless system?”

She didn’t wait for his answer. She spoke as if she had already seen the outcome.

“You can’t. No matter how hard you try, you die in the chaos, and your country collapses—completely.”

“In what way…”

“How does a country fall? There are too many ways to know all the details.”

Maiel interrupted him.

“Imagine building a sandcastle on a beach. No matter how carefully you build it, it will crumble. However, how it crumbles will depend on your actions. If I see the outer wall falling to the sea breeze and mention it, you’ll reinforce the outer wall, won’t you? You might make it thicker or add support pillars or even build the wall at an angle.”

“…I likely would.”

“But no matter what you do, a few hours later, the tide will wash everything away. Everyone knows that. However, if I told you that, you might move the entire sandcastle inland. Or, you might try building a massive seawall to hold back the tide, regardless of whether it works or not.”

In the end, the Prophetess of the Heavens had prophesied the collapse of the hero’s nation.

“That’s the extent of prophecy. Even if you sought my help, there was no way I could have helped you. You die, and your nation falls.”

Her tone was resolute. The words of death and ruin slipped from the mouth of the prophetess. An ordinary person would have despaired and left, defeated.

But the hero did not.

His strength was neither physical nor political. He raised his head with unwavering resolve.

“I will build the most beautiful sandcastle.”

What had brought the hero this far was his character. His charm, his eloquence—all had made him a bridge between the kingdom and the people. His charisma shone even before the Prophetess of the Heavens.

“Nothing lasts forever. Flowers wither, humans die, and nations decline. In that process, they become ugly, wretched, and pitiful. It’s a law of nature, and we have no choice but to accept it. But…”

At that moment, Yuel met the hero’s gaze, and he smiled—a pure smile filled with hope.

“But the people have risen. A nation born of the people’s will shall be young and vibrant. It may decline someday, but it will shine brilliantly in its youth. We can create a future unseen by any king before. This nation will rise, not by the will of one king, but by the power of the many!”

Looking back, Yuel realized it wasn’t mere chance. The hero had been smiling at everyone from the start.

It was simply Yuel who had been caught in it.

“You can’t. You don’t have that power. You’re a destroyer, not a builder.”

“I understand. But that’s why I’m here! To borrow that power!”

“Even if there were someone with that power, why would they join in building a sandcastle from sand…”

Maiel’s expression turned to one of horror as she quickly turned her head. It was clear that the Prophetess of the Heavens had seen something in the future.

She had seen that Yuel, moved by the sandcastle story, would decide to help the hero.

“Oh no, Yuel!”

“Hero Valiorant! I am Yuel, a prophetess! As a prophetess, I am not bound by prophecy. I can give you a future that no one has ever seen!”

Yuel had witnessed the downfall of the kingdom through her clairvoyance. She had seen the people's rebellion, the legendary duel between the swordmaster and the kingdom, and the roar of the masses.

The Prophetess of the Heavens could not comprehend these things. The emotions that had stirred the people to pull down their rulers, the ideals they had clung to, the fierce battles and dreams.

“Yuel! Oh, you were too young! So very young!”

Observing from a distance was not safe. In fact, seeing everything unfiltered might have influenced her even more deeply.

“Prophetess of the Heavens, please allow this. He has killed an unkillable king. Perhaps he can even create an impossible nation.”

“But it wasn’t his power! Yuel, you know how the Grandiomor king died!”

The Prophetess of the Heavens had tasked Yuel with observing the king’s death. She had done this because, although Maiel knew that the king would not exist in the future, she didn’t know the precise details of his death. That’s why she had relied on Yuel, who could witness it firsthand.

“Yes, I saw it. The Grandiomor king was trampled to death by a mob. It was an accident—a coincidence. That’s how the king died, and thus the plan to enthrone a puppet was foiled.”

“H-How did you…”

As confidential information spilled from Yuel's mouth, the hero was shocked. However, he quickly composed himself and responded with practiced finesse.

“Indeed, no one can escape the gaze of the Prophetess of the Heavens. Until now, I had only faith, but now I understand the weight of your strength and duty.”

Yuel smiled slightly.

The hero did not know Yuel, but she knew him well. She had witnessed almost every moment of his revolution, seeing how tumultuous his story was.

Being admired by the hero felt like receiving recognition from a famous figure. Her heart soared with pride.

Though, in truth, the prophetess would normally be far more esteemed than a mere rebel leader. But Yuel had become deeply engrossed.

“But, Prophetess of the Heavens, he was the one who led the people to the castle. He persuaded thousands of angry citizens and inspired them to risk their lives for him. I believe he can do it.”

“I am honored by your words.”

Buoyed by newfound support, the hero seized the moment to express his gratitude.

Just as the atmosphere began to warm, Maiel shouted fiercely.

“Yuel! You must not help him. He may look grand on the outside, but he lacks the strength to lead a nation!”

The hero seemed crestfallen, bowing his head as Yuel defended him loudly.

“T-That’s why he can lead everyone! There are plenty of kings with strength. But he is unique precisely because he is weak!”

“I cannot see that future!”

Maiel appealed to Yuel.

“No matter how much you help him, you will end up alone, taking the throne of the new nation in place of the Grandiomor king!”

“Prophetess of the Heavens, didn’t you say that the same prophetess is not reflected in the vision of prophecy?”

“Yes! That’s why you need to stay here with me! Only by being close to me, as your guide, can the vision’s future protect you. The farther you stray, the less I can guarantee your safety!”

Only prophecy can counter prophecy. Therefore, the prophetess is free from prophecy. In other words…

“If I am by his side, it means he can escape the prophecy, right?”

In that moment, Yuel was filled with an odd confidence. She may have been overly excited, or perhaps just too young. Regardless, Yuel was extraordinarily stubborn.

Maiel clenched her hands together, her face grave.

“Oh, First Prophetess who blessed me, and the First Prophetess who blessed Yuel, is this also your will…”

After a brief prayer, Maiel sighed deeply.

“Excommunication. Yuel, you are no longer a prophetess of the Holy Papal City.”

Though Yuel was devout, her heart sank at the word “excommunication.” However, she quickly discerned the meaning behind Maiel’s words.

“No longer a prophetess ‘of the Holy Papal City’” meant she was still a prophetess. Being a prophetess was a path chosen by the heavens, so no matter her actions, it wasn’t wrong. The Holy Papal City would not interfere.

“Do as you wish. Use your power as you see fit. The Holy Papal City will have no part in it. Show me a future I have not seen.”

Though she would never admit it, Yuel felt a pang of disappointment. It would be a lie to say she hadn’t hoped for the support of the Holy Papal City. While she possessed extraordinary power, it paled in comparison to the Holy Papal City, whose strength and faith were upheld by a future known only to the prophetess.

But Yuel was a prophetess who could see a future not yet realized, free from destiny. She had faith in herself.

With her clairvoyance, she could spy on all the world’s secrets and knowledge. She could find enemies, guide allies, and bring everything to its best outcome.

She had already identified several individuals who could be of help. They were Taoist masters of a rival sect, but what did that matter if they could aid her cause?

Watching the rebellion unfold in the kingdom, Yuel had often thought how things could have been done differently if she were in command. She would lie in bed, dreaming up scenarios and outcomes.

She truly believed she could immerse herself in the midst of the upheaval and shape everything to be its best.

 

As I opened the door, a sharp, unsettlingly fresh scent filled my nose.

The stone room, dimly lit by a magical light, was strewn with countless urns. On the solemn walls hung small portraits, with a crucifix looming above them.

The setup felt oddly familiar. After a moment’s reflection, I realized the source of the déjà vu.

It was similar to the room where I had met Tyr in Tantalos.

Lieutenant Abby surveyed the surroundings and spoke.

“…Report. This appears to be a shrine. The layout and composition are similar to those of catacombs found beneath other temples.”

“I agree.”

“However, since the tax ruling, all temples except those operated by civilians have been dismantled. Whoever built this likely had ulterior motives.”

“Indeed. Temples that declare the will of God paying taxes is a notion the Holy Papal City would never accept.”

“Correct. So, something doesn’t add up. All Signalers who issued orders at that time knew the facts and proceeded anyway. Why…”

Lieutenant Abby trailed off as she glanced in the direction her magic guided her.

At the center of the room, a woman was kneeling in prayer. She was thin and haggard, clutching something tightly to her chest as if in repentance, like a devout believer fully surrendered to her faith.

The trumpet vine resonated, countless buds blooming all at once toward her. Vines grew thicker around her, and if it weren’t for the sunflowers facing me, Lieutenant Abby might have synchronized with her.

“Your Honor, take my hand for a moment.”

I wordlessly extended my hand. As she took it, holding both mine and herself, Lieutenant Abby approached the woman.

“Signaler Yuel. I am Lieutenant Abby, a Signaler of the Military State. As a Signaler in charge of monitoring and reporting information, I request your cooperation.”

She was the only living person here. Naturally, she was Lieutenant Yuel.

She was also Yuel, the Prophetess of Far-Sight, who had left the Holy Papal City to join the hero.

“There are several points I need clarification on, but first.”

Lieutenant Abby looked down at Yuel and pointed to the object she held tightly.

“What is that, the unidentified male body in your possession?”