Norahn gazed down at Ryang's closed eyelids. His face was peaceful, as if in a deep sleep, but even Ung's gentle touch to his forehead didn't stir him. Ryang lay still, looking like a young boy lost in slumber, a stark contrast to the sharp-tongued man Norahn knew.

  The physician had withdrawn, leaving only Ung and Norahn in the room. The silence hung heavy, the air thick with unspoken anxieties. Sensing Norahn's unease, Ung spoke softly.

  "I was surprised earlier. I didn't expect such resolve from you."

  Norahn, his gaze lowered, replied, "We all shared the same desperation."

  Ung merely smiled enigmatically, his thoughts hidden from view. Norahn asked, "Do you share the High Councilor's opinion?"

  "He has many opinions," Ung replied evasively.

  "He believes I am unyielding to the Guardian."

  Ung shook his head firmly. "That's not true. You misunderstand him. It's no secret that the High Councilor's faith is weak and he harbors resentment towards the Ministry. But I've never heard him question your loyalty. Ryang, the High Councilor, is merely wary. After all, you were once the Sanctuary of Emissaries Divine before we sought refuge here in Birahng and established the Ministry of Emissaries Divine."

  "I understand his concerns," Norahn admitted. "But such vigilance and caution are merely human arrogance before Sahngjon. Whether we are revered as the Sanctuary or relegated as the ministry, an Emissary is an Emissary. And it is the Guardian of the Azure Scripture who conveys Sahngjon's light through them."

  Ung chuckled. "Let's not speak ill of the sleeping too much," he said, but his smile was tinged with sadness. He gently stroked Ryang's forehead and hair.

  "He is simply asleep, isn't he?" Norahn asked, his gaze fixed on Ryang's pale face.

  "He is prone to illness," Ung explained, "but he's always recovered quickly. Perhaps because he abstains from bad habits."

  "He will recover this time as well," Norahn affirmed.

  Ung's eyes filled with concern as he looked at Ryang. Ryang's shallow breaths barely stirred Ung's weathered hand. Ung's lips parted slightly, and he swallowed hard, as if holding back a surge of emotions.

  "I should have continued his sword training," he lamented.

  "Don't blame yourself," Norahn consoled him. "Even if he had continued his training, do you think he could have protected himself from Cheon Hwan? If Cheon Hwan had been determined, no one could have escaped. Not even the Emissaries."

  Ung managed a bitter smile. "Then perhaps I shouldn't have taught him at all."

  Norahn was speechless, meeting Ung's remorseful gaze. Ung continued.

  "I'm not even sure if I taught him right. At some point, Hwan started learning things I never taught him. When he held a sword, he was more like an acrobat than a warrior. None of us wielded a sword like that."

  "Do you regret it?" Norahn asked.

  Ung sighed deeply. "I know it can't be undone, but yes, I do."

  "They say you were the one who cherished him the most," Norahn observed.

  "It's true," Ung admitted.

  "Why?"

  Instead of answering, Ung exhaled slowly, a faint smile gracing his lips. Norahn didn't press him, allowing the silence to settle between them.

  "His evil deeds are not your responsibility," Norahn reassured him.

  "No," Ung countered, his voice filled with self-blame, "I've always been a sinner. To Myeonghyeon Seung, and to the mother of the twins. The Guardian defied my pleas and went out to save the High Councilor, but I failed to protect those I cherished. Those I should have protected. It was my duty before Sahngjon..."

  "There are still many people you need to protect," Norahn reminded him.

  "Everyone say Hwan inherited his mother's face," Ung said. "I remember her face clearly. She died without knowing she'd given birth to twins, but her closed eyes seemed to beg me to care for her two sons. I've failed, with even just one of them turning out this way. To her... to Sahngjon... I don't know if I can ever be forgiven."

  "Sahngjon cannot forgive sins that don't exist," Norahn said gently.

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  Ung chuckled. "I've said too much to the High Emissary Divine."

  "It is also my duty to listen on behalf of Sahngjon," Norahn replied.

  Ung simply smiled and gently stroked Ryang's forehead again. The silence was broken by a knock on the door. An Emissary entered and addressed Norahn.

  "Your Sanctity, the Guardian Crimson requests your presence."

  Ung turned to Norahn. "I'll stay here. Please go ahead."

  "Shouldn't you rest, High Commander? The Emissaries can watch over him."

  "No, I'll stay with him."

  Norahn took a deep breath and stood up, bowing to Ung. "I'll be back shortly. If anything happens, please call the physicians outside and inform me immediately."

  Ung nodded silently, and Norahn hurried towards Yeong's quarters.

  Norahn announced himself from outside and cautiously entered the room. Yeong stood motionless in the center, surrounded by bowls of water of various sizes. He approached her, hands clasped, and bowed his head.

  "Did you summon me?" he asked.

  "What did you see?" Yeong asked without preamble.

  Norahn was taken aback. "What do you mean...?"

  Yeong's gaze met his, her eyes sharp and intense, making him flinch. "You must have seen something before today," she stated.

  Although only Cheongro knew about the vision he had a few days ago, Norahn was frightened by the unwavering certainty in Yeong's voice. He concealed his fear behind his lowered eyelids.

  "I don't understand what you're talking about."

  Yeong's expression hardened at his denial. "You have but one duty," she reminded him.

  "Guardian Crimson—"

  "Today, we witnessed Sahngjon's choice. But there's someone who should have seen it first: you. Didn't Sahngjon grant you a vision?"

  Norahn remained silent. Yeong's certainty intensified.

  "I ask again. Didn't Sahngjon grant you a vision?"

  Water droplets began to rise from the bowls scattered around the room, filling the air. Surrounded by the shimmering light of the candle flames refracting through the droplets, Norahn, his face pale, confessed,

  "He did."

  Yeong's eyes narrowed. "You had but one duty."

  As she spoke, the water droplets suspended in the air surged into Norahn's nose and mouth, suffocating him. His slender fingers clawed at his throat as he collapsed to the floor, gasping and gagging. His eyes bulged, bloodshot, the veins in his eyes rupturing. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, Yeong withdrew the water from his body. He lay on the floor, struggling for air, water dribbling from his open mouth. Yeong walked towards him, her footsteps echoing in the silent room.

  "I... I wanted to protect the Guardian," Norahn choked out.

  "From whom?"

  "'I just—!"

  Yeong filled his lungs with water again. She looked down at him, his body writhing in agony, and said in a low, chilling voice,

  "Judgment is not your place."

  As the blue light in Norahn's struggling eyes began to fade, Yeong released her suffocating grip.

  "What did you see that made you want to protect Cheon Seong?" she demanded.

  "The High Councilor..." Norahn gasped, his voice raspy, "He was bound in the cave."

  Yeong's eyes narrowed. "When did you receive this vision?"

  "Three days ago."

  "If he had been in that cave for three days," Yeong scoffed, "he would already be dead."

  "It was definitely three days ago," Norahn insisted. "I thought the Guardian would rush to save him if I told him. I couldn't let him walk into a death trap."

  "You were trying to save your lord?" Yeong questioned, her voice laced with suspicion. "Not trying to kill the High Councilor?"

  "I had no such intention," Norahn pleaded. "I thought the High Councilor was already dead. Even I was confused when I read Cheon Hwan's message today. Sahngjon has never shown me the future before."

  Yeong was silent. Confusion flickered in her eyes as Norahn looked up at her with his weary gaze. He quickly lowered his head again, unable to meet her cold stare.

  "If you have forgotten the duty that every High Emissary Divine has upheld for thousands of years," Yeong warned, "let this pain serve as a reminder. If you ever again conceal a vision from Sahngjon, you will curse the day you were born."

  "I will never forget," Norahn vowed, his voice trembling.

  "Prepare for the wedding as soon as the High Councilor awakens," Yeong instructed. "It's time you had an heir."

  Norahn struggled to his feet, his body weak and shaking. He bowed his head to Yeong and stumbled out of the room. His legs trembled with each step, and he faltered several times. The Emissaries, unaware of what had transpired, rushed to assist him, but he waved them away.

  Cheongro was waiting near the entrance to Ryang's chamber. He hurried towards Norahn, his eyes widening at the sight of his drenched clothes and pale face.

  "I was waiting for you," he said, his voice laced with concern. "I heard the Guardian Crimson summoned you."

  He eyed Norahn with suspicion. "Your Sanctity, why are you soaking wet?"

  "She has ordered me to prepare for the succession," Norahn said.

  A twisted smile spread across Cheongro's face. "Ah, yes, the very thing I've been advising you about. You need an heir. It's a bit overdue, but surely she didn't do this to you because of that? Why the sudden order?"

  Norahn hesitated before answering, "She knew."

  "What do you mean?"

  "She knew I would receive a vision before the Guardian awakened."

  Cheongro's eyes darted back and forth as he quickly pieced together the events. "Will she tell everyone?"

  "She didn't say that. She simply ordered me to prepare for the wedding. The Ministry has made a grave mistake."

  "More like... your mistake."

  Norahn's eyes widened in alarm. Cheongro smiled reassuringly.

  "Don't worry, Your Sanctity," he said. "Besides her, only I know that you concealed the vision."

  The blue light in Norahn's eyes flickered, but Cheongro remained calm, his smile widening. He took Norahn's hand and kissed it gently.

  "Only I know."