Rose had approached the topic of Abaddon cautiously, recognizing the gravity of the secret she had unveiled.
Kate, as an outsider, realized the significance of the truth she divulged and feared how it would anger the emperor.
But to her surprise, Russell's trust in Rose was evident, as he didn't express much discontent with Kate's newfound knowledge.
His focus was on Rose above all else. Even during his conversation with Kate, his gaze was unwavering.
"Your Majesty..."
Kate began, attempting to gain Russell's attention, and gave him an explanation.
But Russell remained fixated on Rose.
"Speak."
"Do you know how to separate Abaddon's soul from Young Lady Rose's body?"
Kate inquired about the most important question.
Russell finally turned his gaze from Rose to Kate.
"The spell that sealed Abaddon suggests that unless the sacred sword shatters the vessel, the destroyer will never return to the world."
Russell paused briefly, narrowing his eyes.
"The vessel likely refers to Rose's body or heart."
He paused.
"I have no intention of causing harm to Rose."
"Indeed, that would be the best outcome, but in case the worst happens and the monster awakens, Your Majesty, you are the only one capable of sealing it."
Kate retrieved a small, inconspicuous hand mirror from her pocket and handed it to Russell.
Russell examined the mirror closely.
"What is this?"
"Your Majesty, according to the legend I recall, Abaddon's body was sealed within a mirror and his soul within a vessel."
Kate explained, pointing to the mirror.
"It may be a simple mirror, but it contains my divine power. It might not offer much assistance, but it could prove valuable in sealing him."
Russell hesitated, realizing the implications. Kate's mirror, if used, would break Abaddon's seal, leading to the worst-case scenario.
He held the mirror close to his chest.
"Let's use this for sealing instead, but, of course... I hope we never have to use it."
Russell's gaze returned to Rose, whose complexion had grown calmer since she entered the room.
It had been some time since the tiara's divine power had been removed, and the moment was approaching when Rose would awaken.
Kate quietly left the room, finding herself face-to-face with High Priestess Heilman standing at the door.
"High Priestess, what is the situation?"
"They sent the candidates to their rooms."
Heilman said with a sigh and gave a firm request.
"I think I need some personal rest time."
Kate chuckled.
"Ha! Rest? I must say, this is the first time I've struggled so much to choose Gloria of Tristan."
Heilman shrugged in reply.
"Well, what's the big deal? I've only been doing this for three years."
The high priestess playfully scolded Kate before glancing at the door, her curiosity piqued by the connection between Russell and Rose.
Wanting to steer the conversation away, Kate spoke up.
"I heard someone collapse before entering the Purification room. What happened to them?"
"Ah! Even if you hadn't brought it up, I was going to discuss it with you."
They both stepped outside, and the high priestess confirmed there was no one nearby before turning to Kate.
"Kate, have you ever met Nina West?"
Kate shook her head.
"Uh... no, High Priestess. As you know, I only returned from the capital yesterday. Today was my first time meeting the other candidates."
The high priestess muttered something Kate couldn't quite make out.
She sensed that something was amiss as she paced back and forth with a furrowed brow.
"I suppose the person who collapsed before entering the purification room was Nina West, yes?"
"Yes, and... no."
The high priest responded cryptically before sighing.
"You better see for yourself."
With Kate in tow, the high priestess seemed to struggle with explaining what she had witnessed as they walked along together.
As the High Priestess and Kate contemplated what to do before they left for Nina West's room, Elliot, who had been wandering the temple, abruptly halted.
"Hmm..."
He mused to himself.
"Rose fainted... Is it because her soul doesn't belong in this sacred place?"
Elliot gazed at the temple, a place brimming with spiritual energy despite a lack of religious beliefs.
His scrutinizing eyes betrayed his deep contemplation, his thoughts drifting to Russell carrying Rose away earlier.
"Is it intentional or something he did unconsciously?"
The memory of Russell's voice calling out for Rose pulled him from his reverie.
Thankfully, no one seemed aware of the cause of the sudden incident.
"I must be truly terrible at concealing my emotions to resort to this."
Elliot muttered as he turned, noticing a shadow behind a temple pillar.
It was someone he recognized well.
"What are you doing here?"
Elliot asked without checking the person's face, sure of his assumption and unsurprised as the individual approached.
"It's been a while, Elliot Proud."
The red-haired Lady Nina West spoke, now transformed into the light-brown-haired Ilya Titonsser.
Elliot sighed.
"Hey, even His Majesty is here..."
He felt the need to give her a word of caution.
"You know if he catches you, you'll be taken to the palace without a fight."
Elliot sneered at Ilya, who had effortlessly dropped her disguise.
And though he tried to intimidate her with the worst-case scenario, Ilya's demeanor remained composed, and she even chuckled.
"There's no need for the Nina West facade anymore. Gloria of Tristan has been born, and in a few weeks, the nation's founding will commence."
Her green eyes gleamed in anticipation.
"So, did Rose Honeywell become Gloria of Tristan? I've been avoiding this place because I was concerned it might affect my soul."
Ilya explained the reason for her sudden disappearance.
"I even infused a bit of my energy into the souls of other candidates, just in case."
Elliot's expression turned frosty as he regarded Ilya, who made a peculiar hand gesture by touching her thumb and index finger together.
He averted his gaze, seemingly seeing something beyond the temple.
"Yes. Rose became Gloria of Tristan as planned."
"Good. The stage is being set. Don't forget, it's on the final day of the National Foundation Festival. You must use the sacred sword to shatter the soul vessel."
"Don't lose sight of your priorities. Bringing down the Imperial family comes first."
"Hehehe, I'm looking forward to it. How could I forget?"
Ilya retorted with glee.
"I'll return to the capital first. The energy in this temple is so repulsive it makes me sick."
With a cheeky remark, Ilya pretended to gag before regaining her composure and walking away.
"Then..."
Elliot crossed his arms, waiting for Ilya to depart. Despite her limited strength, she would have no trouble leaving this place. He was unconcerned about her safety.
Gradually, Ilya's form would fade away, and the temple would be thrown into chaos by Nina West's disappearance.
"It's troublesome when you don't know where someone has vanished."
Elliot muttered as he massaged his temples, contemplating where to pretend to search this time.
"What?"
Ilya, in the process of concealing herself to leave the temple, shot out a question.
Elliot was drawn to the sound and turned his head.
A white ring suddenly appeared around Ilya, where nothing had been just moments before. This unexpected white ring, enveloping her, bore indistinguishable, engraved letters that floated eerily around her form.
"This... This is unexpected."
Ilya remarked calmly, catching Elliot's attention as he tried to locate the source of her comment.
Following her gaze, Elliot and Ilya spotted High Priestess Heilman and Kate.
In the high priest's hand was a white ring identical to the one surrounding Ilya.
It appears that the high priestess has thwarted Ilya's magical escape.
Kate took a step toward the two of them.
"When the High Priestess mentioned your unusual energy, I went to check up on you, but you weren't in your room, Lady Nina. I take it that this is your true identity?"
Though Ilya had assumed the appearance of someone other than Nina West, Kate seemed to have discerned her true self and confidently questioned her.
Ilya, however, directed her response to Elliot, who stood nearby.
"You'll take care of these two, won't you? If I'm caught, you'll be in trouble too."
Ilya spoke to Elliot, watching as his hand rested on the sword at his waist.
Worry briefly flickered across Elliot's eyes before vanishing.
Since I've already been seen with that monster, I can't avoid suspicion.
"Elliot Proud!"
Ilya's sharp voice called out Elliot's name. It was the signal he needed to draw his sword and charge at Kate and the High Priestess without hesitation.
There's no escape now. With these two having seen us, we're done. I need to put an end to this right now.
As the head of the Imperial Knights, Elliot's movements were precise and efficient.
He moved swiftly, like an assassin, claiming the lives of both rats and birds.
His sword arched, poised to sever the necks of the high priestess and Kate, who wore startled expressions.
But before his blade could descend upon them, a sudden impact knocked his sword away. Elliot watched in astonishment as the dagger, a knuckle's length in size, bounced off his blade and fell to the ground.
Its silver handle bore an engraved pattern that looked remarkably familiar.
"That...?"
Elliot stuttered to a stop.
The dagger bore the symbols of the lion and laurel tree, representing the Imperial Family of Tristan.
Approaching footsteps alerted Elliot to the presence of another person.
He called out to the individual in a daze.
"Your Majesty..."
Russell, who should have been with Rose, stood there with a blank expression on his face. Behind Russell stood knights who wore expressions of embarrassment as their Emperor accepted their swords, relieving them of their duty.
Russell aimed his sword at Elliot.
"Elliot Proud, I am arresting you for high treason alongside Ilya Titonsser in the name of the Imperial Family, Tristan Von Whittle."
Russell declared, giving orders to his knights.
His actions revealed neither hesitation nor mercy, as if he had been anticipating Elliot's betrayal.
"Now that things have come to this, I can't wait until the founding of the nation. I will put an end to this charade here and now."
Ilya had anticipated the direction of the situation, so she remained composed. Elliot, in response, heaved a deep sigh. Only Ilya could help him escape.
"How can I get out of here?"
"Let the high priestess release this chain on me, then I can make a run for it, even if it's just for a short distance."
Elliot weighed his options, glancing back and forth between the approaching knights and the high priestess, still entangling Ilya with the white ring.
He cast one final look at Russell before hurling his sword toward the high priestess with all his might.
"Block the sword!"
Russell shouted, and a knight dashed to intercept the blade hurtling toward the high priestess.
Startled by the sudden projectile, the high priestess momentarily lost focus, causing the white ring restraining Ilya to dissipate.
Regaining her composure, the high priestess summoned the white ring once more, but that brief lapse of distraction allowed Ilya and Elliot to vanish in an eerie black light.