Living As the Villainess Queen

The following day, Pides chanced upon a conversation among the knights, their voices carrying the weight of reverence for Sang-je. “Now the palace has become a fortress of God that no one can invade,” remarked one, met with murmurs of agreement. 

“It’s an amazing miracle. Indeed, His Holiness…” added another, eliciting nods of affirmation.

As the accolades for Sang-je swelled, Pides discreetly withdrew, feeling a growing sense of unease. He resolved to uncover more about the cryptic discussion he had inadvertently stumbled upon. Turning to alternative sources, he gleaned from a friendly priest that a formidable shield, blessed by the divine, had encircled the palace. Details on how this shield rendered the palace impenetrable remained elusive. Meanwhile, vigilant soldiers patrolled the vicinity, further obstructing any attempts at investigation.

The information left Pides with a gnawing desire to delve deeper. Yet, the risks of venturing beyond the palace walls loomed large. While Sang-je hadn’t explicitly curtailed his movements, discretion was paramount in these uncertain times.

Having recently sworn fealty to Sang-je, Pides found himself elevated to the esteemed rank of holy knight, granted the rare privilege to partake in the invocation of divine arts. Amongst the eighty-nine knights, only a select twenty bore the revered title of holy knight.

Pides’s sudden resurgence, despite prior assumptions of his waning favor with Sang-je, irked his peers. Any conspicuous actions would undoubtedly draw scrutiny, potentially leading to a report to Sang-je himself. Pides harbored doubts about Sang-je’s trust in him, suspecting the leader’s silent vigilance over his every move.

Is it true that no one can really enter? Pides mused inwardly, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon him. If indeed the palace had become impenetrable, it meant total isolation. A deep sigh escaped him as he contemplated the implications.

So… a Holy War has truly been declared. The notion of a blockade surrounding the palace stirred concern within him. He foresaw that the palace’s inhabitants would not tolerate such confinement for long. Yet, if they were convinced that the closure was for their protection, shielding them from unseen dangers lurking beyond, they would likely rally behind Sang-je, blind to the truth.

But what about the king? Within the palace walls, there existed no rival capable of contesting Sang-je’s absolute rule. Though some may harbor doubts, dissenting voices would likely falter against the prevailing belief in Sang-je’s divine mandate.

However, the king stood apart, regarded by many as a figure transcending mortal limitations. Pides speculated that if the king opposed Sang-je, his authority would remain unchallenged. 

Perhaps the king could leverage the knowledge of divine arts I witnessed yesterday, Pides mused, unaware of the gathering storm of kings converging upon the palace. In his mind, the Fourth King naturally loomed large as the potential adversary to Sang-je’s dominance.

The reasons behind the Fourth King’s and Anika Jin’s flight from the palace eluded Pides. He could only surmise that they foresaw the unfolding crisis. Contemplating the Fourth King’s potential response, Pides harbored a glimmer of hope that his words would carry weight. Yet, there was simply no way to avoid Sang-je’s eyes and spread the news to the kingdom. 

Is there a way for the Arse family to reach Anika Jin? Pides mulled over the question in the solitude of the prayer room, but no viable solution presented itself. Visiting the Arse mansion personally seemed unwise, fraught with potential risks.

Lost in contemplation, he exited the prayer room as dusk descended, seeking seclusion on his way to his quarters. Preferring solitude, he opted for a shortcut known exclusively to the priests, avoiding any unnecessary encounters. As he traversed the shadowy corridors, he sensed approaching footsteps and hastily concealed himself behind a nearby pillar. Engaging in pleasantries or ceremonial exchanges was a luxury he couldn’t afford at this juncture.

“I’ve brought the list you requested. You can count on me, Anika,” a voice echoed, catching Pides off guard. Eavesdropping on this unexpected exchange, his curiosity piqued.

“And here’s a letter for my children. If you entrust it to the Arse family as before, they’ll ensure it reaches them,” a voice replied, drawing Pides’s attention further.

Grasping at the significance of the conversation, Pides strained to discern the relationship between the two individuals. Recalling rumors of Anikas’ clandestine dealings with palace priests to obtain goods from outside, Pides pieced together fragments of the puzzle. Friendly priests often served as conduits for news from within the palace, unbeknownst to many of the knights.

The priest’s amiable demeanor and accommodating nature hinted at a lucrative arrangement, likely involving bribes from the Arse family or Anika. It seemed plausible that he acted as a liaison for their clandestine operations, reaping substantial rewards in return.