15 - Signal
Sir Leonhard stood still in the middle of the street long after the mysterious maid had disappeared into the crowd.
The bustling noise of Forebros surrounded him-merchants shouting, people whispering excitedly about the Saintess, distant church bells still echoing through the city.
Yet Leonhard's mind replayed the brief collision again and again.
The speed. The reflexes. The way she had slipped out of his grip.
A maid...?
His sharp emerald eyes narrowed. "... no."
Leonhard slowly turned toward the direction the girl had run. The linen cloth wrapped around her head had hidden most of her face, but one detail refused to leave his mind.
Golden hair. Not visible completely. But unmistakable where a few strands had escaped the cloth. In the entire Vernon estate, there was only one woman with hair like that. And she had just run away from the Luminaris Chapel.
Leonhard exhaled softly. "... His Imperial Highness was correct."
Without another word, he stepped into the center of the street. Pedestrians paused as the quiet knight suddenly drew a slow breath.
Then Leonhard lifted one hand. A faint, controlled aura surged from his body. It was not explosive or destructive like the aura of battle. Instead, it was thin, precise, like a blade made of wind. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly.
Then, WHOOSH. A narrow beam of pale silver aura shot straight upward into the sky.
Citizens gasped as the streak of power rose high above the rooftops like a signal flare before dissolving into the clouds.
A message, meant for only one person. The moment the aura finished dispersing, Leonhard's body flickered.
And vanished. The pedestrians blinked in confusion.
"Where did he go?"
"... was that a knight?"
"I think that was the Crown Prince's aide!"
But Leonhard was already gone.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Vernon estate gardens. Grand Duke Maximus continued proudly explaining the landscaping. "These cherry trees were imported from the eastern provinces-"
Then suddenly, Zafiel stopped walking. His eyes lifted toward the sky. The faint silver trace of Leonhard's aura had already faded, but Zafiel had sensed it the moment it appeared.
Duchess Darelene noticed immediately. "Your Imperial Highness?"
Zafiel's lips curved. "... Leonhard."
Grand Duke Maximus blinked. "Hm?"
Before anyone could ask further, a faint distortion appeared in the air beside them. Then Leonhard stepped out of it as if emerging from thin air.
Maximus nearly choked. "W-What in the-?!"
Even the Duchess raised her brows in surprise. Teleportation-like movement was not something ordinary knights could do.
But Leonhard merely bowed calmly. "Your Imperial Highness."
Zafiel looked amused. "You found her."
Maximus blinked again. "Found... who?"
Leonhard straightened. "A maid fled the Luminaris Chapel shortly after the Saintess requested to use the restroom."
Maximus frowned in confusion. "A maid?"
Leonhard nodded. "She was wearing a linen cloth wrapped around her hair and face. Her speed was far beyond that of an ordinary servant. I collided with her while approaching the chapel."
Zafiel's smile widened just slightly. "Golden hair?" he asked.
Leonhard nodded once. "Yes."
Grand Duke Maximus stared between them.
"... wait." His eyes slowly widened. "Surely you are not suggesting-"
Zafiel chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm not suggesting anything." His eyes gleamed with unmistakable amusement. "I'm quite certain."
Leonhard crossed his arms. "She ran toward the eastern districts of the city."
Zafiel tilted his head slightly. "Toward the estate."
Leonhard nodded again. "Yes."
Maximus looked utterly lost. "Wait, wait, someone explain what is happening!"
Zafiel looked at him kindly. "Your Excellency."
"Yes?!"
"I believe your daughter has just escaped the Grand Basilica."
Silence.
Maximus stared. Then stared harder. Then he whispered in horror. "... Mariana...?"
Zafiel smiled brightly. "Indeed."
The Grand Duke clutched his forehead. "That child..."
---
Meanwhile, across the city. Chaos. Pure chaos. Holy Knights moved through the streets in organized search formations.
"Search every alley!"
"The Saintess must be protected!"
Vernon knights were not far behind.
"Check the southern district!"
"Block the eastern road!"
Citizens whispered excitedly as the soldiers passed.
"The Saintess disappeared!"
"Disappeared?!"
"How does someone lose a Saintess?!"
Even Aguerico Vernon had joined the search. He stood outside the chapel with his arms crossed while listening to frantic reports.
"A witness saw a woman running down the alley!"
"Was it the Saintess?"
"... we're not sure."
Aguerico sighed deeply. "... this is a disaster."
Holy Knights losing the Saintess in their first hour of escort duty was the type of story that started religious scandals.
Meanwhile-
Mariana casually walked through the estate gates. The guards bowed automatically. "Welcome back, Grand Princess Mariana."
She waved lightly. "Thank you." Then she calmly entered the castle.
No alarms. No chaos. No holy knights. Just peaceful silence.
The moment she reached the inner corridors, she exhaled deeply.
"... freedom." She quickly removed the linen cloth from her face and hair.
Her golden hair spilled down her back again.
One passing maid blinked in surprise. "Grand Princess Mariana? I thought you were ill today."
Mariana smiled sweetly. "I was." Then she continued walking toward her wing like nothing had happened.
Meanwhile-
Outside the city, on a quiet hill overlooking Forebros. Zafiel and Leonhard stood together. The Crown Prince gazed toward the distant Vernon estate. His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. "Tell me, Leonhard."
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness?"
"Did she look frightened?"
Leonhard thought for a moment. "... panicked might be more accurate."
Zafiel laughed softly. The sound was rare. Leonhard almost looked surprised.
"The empire is searching every street for the Saintess," Zafiel said. "And she is probably already back home."
Leonhard nodded. "That is the most likely scenario."
Zafiel's smile deepened. "Interesting."
Leonhard glanced at him. "Your Highness?"
Zafiel folded his arms behind his back. "I expected her to run."
Leonhard raised an eyebrow slightly.
"But not this efficiently." Zafiel looked toward the city where the bells still echoed faintly. "Mariana Cherustine la Vernon." His voice carried quiet intrigue. "You are becoming far more entertaining than the rumors ever suggested."
Far away, inside her bedroom. Mariana collapsed face-first onto her bed. "Mmph..." Her muffled voice groaned into the pillows. "I am never touching holy artifacts again."
Unfortunately for her, the entire empire was already looking for the Saintess. And the one man who knew exactly where she was... was smiling.