<em>Who could it be?</em> Pides pondered, his curiosity piqued by the mention of Anika. Waiting patiently, he approached her once the priest had departed.


    “Anika,” he addressed her, causing Katie to startle. She quickly regained herposure, her tone turning chilly. “You startled me. It’s rather impolite,” she chastised.


    “I apologize,” Pides responded earnestly, though his next action bordered on rudeness as he scrutinized her face intently. As Katie’s confusion morphed into irritation, a realization dawned on Pides. With a mixture of reverence and resignation, he uttered her name, “Anika Katie.”


    “It seems the knights have grown more impertinenttely,” Katie remarked tersely before attempting to leave. However, Pides seized her arm urgently, prompting her to recoil with annoyance. “What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped.


    “I’m sorry, truly. Anika Katie, I need your assistance. I implore you,” Pides pleaded desperately, his tone betraying his desperation.


    Katie’s expression softened slightly as she scrutinized Pides, recognizing a familiar face. “You seem familiar… Sir Pides. What brings you to me? Or should I address you as Sir Holy Knight?” she inquired, her words tinged with a hint of sarcasm.


    Pides regarded Katie with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. It hadn’t been long since he was bestowed the title of holy knight, and news of it hadn’t circted widely. Katie’s knowledge of pce affairs hinted at a deeper awareness.


    To Pides, Anika Katie had always been a figure on the periphery, seldom interacting with others. To think she was exchanging messages with the Arse family through the priests.


    Pides felt a divine nudge, a sense that this encounter held significance beyond mere chance. Surveying the dim surroundings to ensure their privacy, he broached the subject.“Anika Katie, this matter is not suitable for discussion here. Could you join me in the prayer room tomorrow morning?” he proposed earnestly.


    “Why should I?” Katie responded, her tone guarded.


    “The matter at hand concerns His Majesty the Fourth King and Anika Jin. Your assistance is crucial,” Pides exined, his eyes pleading for understanding.


    Katie hesitated, her gaze flickering with suspicion before reluctantly consenting. She wanted to hear Pides out first. Had it been anyone else but Pides, Katie might have been less suspicious. His long-standing favor with Sang-je and recent elevation to holy knight status were testament to his influence within the pce.


    <i>If he seeks to manipte me, he’ll find it’s not so easy</i>, Katie resolved inwardly. Her life had been one of quiet reserve, purposefully distancing herself from the glitz and mour of the Anika lifestyle, concealing her distrust of Sang-je out of prudence. In hindsight, it had been a shrewd choice.


    However, entering the pce had thrust her into a whirlwind of activity, her once-quiet existence now scrutinized by all. Acting as an intermediary for the Anikas and discreetly conveying information to the Arse family had granted her a taste of influence.


    The taste of power was tempting, yet it wasn’t what Katie desired. Under the guise of letters to her children, she had gradually funneled pce secrets to the Arse family.


    <i>I may end up using him instead.</i>


    ***


    Following the sessful defense spell, Sang-je found himself overwhelmed with a sense of tion, nearly bursting intoughter in solitary revelry. The intricate preparation and execution of the high-level spell had weighed heavily on his mind, bncing the prospects of sess against the looming specter of failure.


    With the spell now firmly in ce, Sang-je savored the newfound security it afforded him, likening it to the sensation of stretching out in bed with both legs unencumbered. The pce had be an imprable bastion, impervious to external threats. Yet, amidst this triumph, one vexing presence marred his contentment: Alber.


    <i>Is she losing her mind?</i> Sang-je pondered, his initial suspicions evolving into irritation. Alber’s incessant interference with the spell had begun to manifest in unwee disturbances, the repercussions of which he couldn’t entirely ignore.


    <i>For a human, she’s held out for quite a while</i>, Sang-je acknowledged, begrudgingly admiring Alber’s unwavering determination. It wasn’t her knowledge or skills that impressed him most, but rather her indomitable will.


    <i>I’ll keep an eye on her for now, and if the spell remains stable, I’ll have to deal with her. Alber, you’ve lived for too long. It’s time for you to slowly make your way to the side of the God you’ve longed for.</i>


    Now that no one could enter the pce within the range of the defense spell, Sang-je ordered all the soldiers surrounding the pce walls to withdraw. Then he stationed soldiers around the walls at intervals and didn’t allow anyone to approach.


    Sang-je chose particrly trustworthy devout followers among those who volunteered to be soldiers of the temple and gave them special tasks. They formed teams and climbed the walls a few times a day to scout outside the pce.


    A few days following the triumphant defense spell, Sang-je received startling news from the scouting soldiers.


    “Did you say all six kings have convened, Your Holiness?”


    “Yes, Your Holiness. The banners of the six kingdoms were seen flying together. What are your orders?” the soldier responded, his voice filled with awe at the magnitude of the moment.


    “The kings have gathered in anticipation of the Holy War,” Sang-je dered solemnly, prompting a reverent reaction from the soldier, who sped his hands in gratitude for being witness to such a sacred event.


    “However, the time is not yet ripe. With the kings assembled, the divine decree will soon descend. Until then, not a soul shall depart from the pce, nor shall any sound breach these walls,” Sang-jemanded firmly.


    “We shall heed your instructions faithfully, Your Holiness,” the soldier pledged before departing.


    Alone once more, Sang-je contemted the implications of the kings’ swift convergence. His thoughts drifted to Mara, the likely source of the leak, and regret gnawed at him for not acting sooner to eradicate his influence.


    Nevertheless, Sang-je remainedposed, trusting in the protective spell enveloping him. Considering the untimely convergence of the kings, he contemted the possibility of seeking their aid to further the cause of the Holy War.


    Summoning a priest, Sang-je awaited the confirmation of the divine mandate. As the priest entered and bowed deeply, Sang-je disclosed the awaited news.


    “The divine decree has been bestowed,” Sang-je announced.


    “I uphold the words of the Great God,” the priest intoned, sinking to his knees in reverence.