Chapter 19: 6-1. Misunderstandings and Understandings Are a Letter Apart
***
After Maria’s lecture ended, three people gathered at the cathedral: the Glass Knight, Nex, and Chartines.
“Phine, no matter the circumstances, bringing an unknown spirit all the way here was a mistake.”
“..Sister Char, you’re mean.”
“A disciple of Sir Drake? Isn’t that a first?”
The purple-haired man, having gathered some information about Licht, asked her.
“You didn’t know..?”
“That old man even turned you down, Phine.”
As he read through the scribbled parchment, he clutched his head again.
The paper briefly outlined Licht’s background, and the seal—depicting a dragon split in half—confirmed he was a disciple of one of the Ten Greats.
“That’s right.”
“At least this means he’s not affiliated with the Hero Church.”
Phine nodded slightly. Watching this, the black-haired nun seemed relieved.
“..Kkamang was scared.”
“Wait, Princess.. Did you name that spirit?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of naming sense is that, Phine?”
“It’s Licht’s junior’s spirit. Can I really do that?”
At her words, the white ears inside the helmet drooped a little.
“I don’t like when things disappear.”
She was reminded of the fact that the spirit, who had been with her just moments ago, was now gone. She was pondering if there was any way to prevent it.
“Char. The wolf spirit talked to my sparrow.. and it seemed fine.”
“Kkamang.”
“Yes, Kkamang said… it would protect.”
“What..?”
Nex spoke to Chartines in a tone that suggested something was off, and even the Glass Knight tilted their head in confusion.
“So, Char. There’s nothing to worry about. As long as it’s good, that’s enough.”
“Nex, I’m curious—are spirits always like that?”
“They’re not simple beings, but they do have clear likes and dislikes.”
“It’s no lie.”
‘Protect’ was too abstract a word, so the black-haired nun asked a question. Who was supposed to protect whom, exactly?
“I’m just… worried Phine might face something like that again.”
“There are spirits that pretend, but… would a newborn one do that?”
“Right. It was kind.”
Although Chartines revealed her inner sadness with a sorrowful expression, Nex remained calm. There was already enough reason to be calm.
‘Considering my phoenix wasn’t scared, it must be a pretty strong emotion.’
Is it an emotion related to protecting the one called the Nameless Saintess?
He recalled the strange question someone had asked him on the terrace that morning.
That seemed the most likely. He had shown anxiety, trembling both in his hands and voice. While he couldn’t see his expression because of the helmet, he was certain.
‘The atmosphere had completely changed from when they were swearing.’
But the current saintess was the second generation, Chartines.
Someone must have lied to the junior. The reputation of the vampire saintess wasn’t good. Someone might have fabricated stories to target Char.
“Phine, you can’t trust all men. They’re wolves!”
“Nex-oppa is..”
“I’m a fox, so it’s fine.”
“Stupid sister.”
While the two women bickered, Nex thought deeply. It was dangerous to speculate any further—he didn’t have enough information.
‘But to impersonate a saintess… they’ve got guts.’
It didn’t seem like they were making a pass at her. If they were targeting Char and approached Phine, the spirit would have attacked them.
They would have been perceived as rivals or enemies.
But they had clung to Phine instead. Had they ever been part of the Empire? If their parents or relatives had worked for the royal family, that could explain it.
‘The emotion of wanting to protect can arise for many people. Given that my spirit isn’t aggressive toward the junior, it makes sense.’
Moreover, Char was a vampire priestess. They couldn’t have been unaware of that.
For people of this world, seeing a vampire could evoke strange feelings or prejudices.
‘They didn’t even react to the eyes or fangs.’
“..From what I can see, they’re not a bad person. I’m sure.”
“No matter how sharp you are, you know you can’t outwit them, right, Nex?”
“Still, they’re clever.”
Many people are terrified at the sight of a vampire. When Nex first met Chartines, she had been persecuted.
But the junior hadn’t acted that way.
“They didn’t say a word when they saw Char. Trust me. It’s rare to meet someone like that nowadays.”
“That’s true. But if they harm Phine, I’ll get angry.”
“Licht is… peculiar.”
From these observations, Nex didn’t believe that the Dark Knight Licht would do anything bad.
“Spirits have a way of understanding each other, Char. Like how you and I—Ow! My bones! Stop it!”
“This man! How did you! Become such a fox..! You say whatever you want in front of Phine!”
“Stupid. Nex-oppa.”
The man tried to reassure the saintess with a foxy smile, but it backfired.
Her fist, cloaked in holy power, struck the man’s back.
“Princess! No, Phine! Save me! I’m going to die!”
“I don’t know. Other people.”
The Glass Knight turned away from the scene.
The barrage of punches must have hurt, as the man’s stiff mask of expression cracked, showing a teary face.
“Aaagh! Char, Char! Healing doesn’t fix everything!”
“You’ve been acting like this in front of the junior, and even at the church last time! You need to be disciplined!”
For about ten minutes, Nex Aureus’ screams echoed inside the cathedral. His clinginess had finally caught up with him.
Watching the ridiculous scene unfold,
‘If what they said is true… why did Kkamang come to me?’
Phine had a sudden realization as she thought about it.
‘Was it because it’s also a wolf… protecting its own?’
Once again, their understanding had completely missed each other.
Phine misunderstood it as the spirit following the pack instincts typical of wolves.
***
As soon as I woke up in the infirmary, I headed to the next lecture hall. I had skipped lunch and missed Kainel and Ariel.
I couldn’t use my spirit, my magic didn’t work, and the only thing I could rely on was my swordsmanship. I ran between the buildings, thinking how harsh this world was for me.
Already late, I slipped in through the back door and sat down.
“Licht, you’re late.”
“I’m sorry.”