"Sobi."

  Norahn's voice called out to Sobi as she hurried towards the entrance. Sobi turned around and bowed her head. Norahn, who had caught up to her unnoticed, approached and said with a worried look,

  "Get some sleep, even if it's just for half a day. I'll tell the Guardian I instructed you to do so," he said.

  Sobi politely declined Norahn's concern. "Thank you for your consideration, but the situation is urgent. How can I possibly have time to sleep? Lady Myeonghyeon is trapped in Nahmgyo, waiting for news, trusting only me. I can't delay even for a moment."

  "There's nothing you can do there. What difference would half a day make?"

  "Your Sanctity."

  "If you're truly concerned, I can send another Emissary ahead. Why are you so insistent on returning yourself?"

  Sobi replied, "I haven't forgotten the deaths of the Emissaries. If Cheon Hwan captured the High Councilor and killed them, I can't ignore her pain. Isn't it an Emissary's duty, as you taught me, to be there for people and empathize with their loss?"

  "An Emissary's first duty is to obey Sahngjon,," Norahn said firmly.

  "Why are you talking about obedience now?" Sobi countered. "Are you suggesting that the High Councilor is being punished for his defiance and should humbly accept it?"

  "Sobi."

  Sobi's eyes, looking up at him with her head held high, were clear and strong as always. Norahn sighed softly and then gestured to the Emissaries standing nearby. After they moved away, Norahn asked, "Who told you that? Lady Myeonghyeon?"

  Sobi simply met his gaze without answer. Norahn composed himself and continued, "I won't deny that I said such things to the Myeonghyeon siblings. You haven't lived long as an Emissary, so I understand how my words might have sounded to you. But as the High Emissary, I can't always say things that are pleasing to everyone's ears."

  Sobi had hoped that the animosity between House Myeonghyeon and Norahn stemmed from a misunderstanding, but Norahn's excuse left no room for misinterpretation. Sobi asked, "Is it still your belief that the late High Councilor's death was Sahngjon's punishment?"

  "Everyone knows that the High Councilor is a man full of unfaith."

  Norahn didn't give Sobi the answer she wanted, and Sobi didn't hide her disappointment. "They were a son and a daughter who lost their father. Now, that father's daughter is about to lose her only remaining family. What exactly is this will of Sahngjon you speak of?"

  "We cannot judge. We are merely fragile beings living in the moment, unable to comprehend Sahngjon's will. How can we, creations who live less than a hundred years, understand the eyes of Sahngjon, who sees eternity?"

  Norahn's persuasion was earnest, but Sobi pushed him away with a pained smile. "Wouldn't Sahngjon embrace even the wisdom of a creature living in the moment with compassion?"

  Sobi bowed respectfully. "I'll be on my way now."

  As she turned to leave, a cold, dry hand grasped her wrist. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked back to see Norahn awkwardly holding her wrist, his touch preventing her from taking another step. "Please," he implored, "regain your strength before you go. I won't stop you after that. I'll even provide guards to protect you on your way."

  He hesitated, his lips twitching a few times before he added, "I'm worried about you."

  "What are you worried about?" Sobi asked.

  "If the High Councilor was truly harmed by Cheon Hwan," Norahn explained, his voice heavy with worry, "do you think you'll be safe?"

  "I don't even know his face," Sobi argued, "nor do I have any reason to be his enemy. There's no reason for him to target me."

  Norahn retorted in a low, urgent voice, "You know nothing about him!"

  Sobi paused, taken aback by his intensity. "Your Sanctity..."

  Norahn's voice was sharp as he pressed her relentlessly. "He killed the Emissaries just for seeing him. Killing is nothing to him. You say you haven't earned his enmity? Do you think the dead Emissaries had some great grudge against him? If he is targeting House Myeonghyeon, Nahmgyo won't be safe either. I can't lose you too."

  Sobi silently faced Norahn, her gaze steady and unwavering. The silence grew heavy with tension, and Norahn, unable to bear her intense stare, finally turned his head away.

  "You knew, didn't you?" Sobi stated.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Why did you know the reason Cheon Hwan killed the Emissaries?" Sobi demanded, her voice growing sharper. "The Guardian didn't mention anything about it earlier."

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  Norahn couldn't hide his flustered expression. "That’s just..."

  "Your Sanctity," Sobi insisted, "look at me and tell me everything."

  "Sobi..." Norahn hesitated. The coldness in Sobi’s gaze gradually replaced with anger. Norahn finally confessed the secret he had been hiding from everyone. "Yes, I knew."

  "Did the Guardian Crimson tell only you?" Sobi pressed, her voice filled with disbelief.

  "I can't disobey her will," Norahn replied. "You know that."

  "How could you..." Sobi's voice cracked, thick with resentment, "after seeing me grieve every day and night?"

  "It might be difficult," Norahn pleaded, "but please understand."

  The more he tried to persuade her, the more pathetic Norahn felt. Sobi was both appalled and saddened by his weakness. Yet, she couldn't leave his words unchallenged.

  "You mentioned her will," she pressed. "What about the Guardian's will? Isn't it the Guardian's true desire to protect all of Wicheong? Is it alright to disregard his will?"

  Norahn gently held Sobi's arms, his eyes pleading for understanding. He took a careful breath, composing himself before speaking in a low, measured voice. "Sobi, listen carefully. I harbor no ill will towards the Guardian. In fact, I admire him as my lord. If I were free from my duty, I too would devote my loyalty solely to the Guardian, just as the High Councilor does. I pray to Sahngjon every day that I may be able to do so. But Sahngjon, has not yet appointed the true Guardian of the Azure Scripture who will fulfill the prophecy. That's what she told me. If..."

  "Are you suggesting," Sobi interrupted, "that Sahngjon's will could lie with Cheon Hwan?"

  "I don't wish for that either," Norahn admitted, his voice heavy with despair. "But if that is Sahngjon's will, we must follow."

  "Follow the one for whom killing is nothing?" Sobi challenged.

  Norahn closed his eyes, unable to answer. Sobi stepped back, her wrist slipping free from his grasp. With a hardened expression, she bowed her head.

  "I must go to Nahmgyo immediately," she declared, her voice resolute. "I'll return with those who came with me, so don't worry about me."

  Without another word, Sobi turned and left. Norahn watched helplessly as she disappeared from sight.

  He stood there for a long time, alone. His gaze followed the path where Sobi had vanished, but only the flickering line of torches against the rock wall remained. With heavy steps, he walked towards the sanctuary of the Ministry. He dismissed the Emissaries guarding the sanctuary with a gesture, leaving him alone in the darkness and silence. He lit the candles on the altar and burned a pinch of Crystal Haze in the incense burner. Dipping his fingertips in the holy water, he anointed his forehead, lips, collarbone, and the back of both hands. Then, he brushed off the back of his white robe, sat down, and closed his eyes.

  A thin smoke filled the air. Yeong's cold voice echoed in his hazy consciousness.

  The end of suffering.

  The end of suffering—that was what he longed for, as the Guardian of the Crimson Star had promised. But there was no end in sight. He struggled to find his footing amidst the weight of his duties. Norahn desperately prayed to Sahngjon for guidance. A long time passed as he kept his eyes closed.

  As his consciousness wandered through a hazy darkness, Norahn collapsed, his hand grasping at the floor. A burning pain surged through his eyes. His pulse quickened. He barely managed to open his eyelids through the pain, and he found himself in a dimly lit cave. Myeonghyeon Ryang was there, unconscious, his lifeless face pale, his clothes disheveled and dirty. He was chained to a rock covered in seaweed and barnacles. Norahn's pulse quickened. He knelt on the floor and bowed, pleading to Sahngjon.

  Merciful Sahngjon, if you have compassion for the Guardian of the Azure Scripture, if it is your will to save his loyal subject, please show me where the High Councilor is.

  Just as cold sweat beaded on his forehead and dizziness began to set in, Norahn's body floated backward, away from Ryang. Soon, he was outside in the bright light. He got up from his prostrate position. A vast mudflat stretched before him, the tide receding. The entrance of a cave was visible in the distance. It was a familiar place. As he recognized where he stood, the entire scene disappeared as if sucked into a single point. Norahn stumbled and collapsed sideways. When he opened his eyes, he saw the floor of the sanctuary. His cheek, pressed against the cold floor, throbbed from the impact. Norahn hurriedly got up. He couldn't delay any longer.

  As he left the Ministry, he ran into Cheongro. Seeing the lingering intense blue light in Norahn's eyes, Cheongro asked in surprise, "Your Sanctity, your eyes... Has Sahngjon given you a new revelation?!"

  Norahn hurriedly replied, "Follow me. We must see the Guardian immediately."

  "Tell me what's going on," Cheongro demanded.

  "Sahngjon has shown me the way to save the High Councilor," Norahn explained, his voice filled with urgency. "He's tied up in Haewol Cave. We must inform the Guardian right now."

  With that, Norahn walked past Cheongro. Cheongro called out to him from behind. "Your Sanctity! Please wait a moment!"

  Norahn stopped and turned around. Cheongro approached him and, looking up, asked, "Would saving the High Councilor truly be a good thing?"

  "What are you talking about?" Norahn asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Sahngjon has given us his will. We simply have to follow it."

  Cheongro leaned closer and whispered, his voice a conspiratorial hiss, "Just because Sahngjon showed you where the High Councilor is, doesn't necessarily mean he wants you to save him."

  Norahn's expression hardened. "It is I, the High Emissary Divine, who interprets Sahngjon's will."

  But Cheongro remained defiant, unfazed by the rebuke. "Your Sanctity," he pressed, his voice smooth and persuasive, "consider this carefully. What if Sahngjon is revealing the Guardian's demise?"

  "What are you suggesting?" Norahn asked back, his voice sharp with suspicion.

  "The Guardian confirmed that Cheon Hwan is alive," Cheongro reminded him. "What if Sahngjon's will favors Cheon Hwan? What if he has set a trap, waiting for the Guardian? You would be leading him to his death. We can't save everyone."

  Norahn's voice was filled with disdain as he dismissed Cheongro's concerns. "Don't you dare manipulate Sahngjon's will for your own good."

  "Why do you speak so harshly?" Cheongro countered. "This is advice offered solely for the sake of the Guardian and Wicheong. Consider his nature. If you tell him what you saw, he will rush to save the High Councilor without hesitation. Do you truly believe the Guardian will survive?"

  Norahn's lips tightened, his resolve wavering under the weight of Cheongro's words. "We must follow the will that has been shown to us," he repeated, his voice firm despite the doubt creeping in.

  "But the will is ambiguous," Cheongro argued. "Sahngjon is merciful. Even if we misread his will this time, he will grant us another chance. Think carefully. What truly serves the Guardian? What truly aligns with Sahngjon's light? The Guardian's life rests in your hands."

  The blue light in Norahn's eyes flickered.