Kiaria slept without movement or breath-sound–deep, unmoving, as though drifting in the after-echo of the tribulation. His true form rested beneath layers of monochrome mist, and above his abdomen the relic rotated in slow, counter-clockwise circles, like a guardian star. Princess Lainsa had forbidden anyone from approaching the room; not even the treasure hunters dared linger in the corridor. Rumors swirled, but no one questioned her order because she was second-only after Chief.
A full day passed.
When Kiaria finally stirred, the relic paused in its orbit as if acknowledging him. He rose with a faint flicker of light; his features blurred, reformed, and he returned to his Shadow Ghost Patron appearance–cape trailing, crescent halo faint behind him.
Without delay he walked to Princess Lainsa's room. Before he even knocked, his voice reached inside:
"Big Sister, I'm coming in–"
Diala did not wait.
The moment she heard his voice, she burst out of the inner chamber with the force of a thrown dagger and slammed into him.
"KIA!!"
She didn't hug him.
She seized both his ears and dragged him inside.
Princess Lainsa blinked, unfazed. Diala, red-eyed and trembling, circled him like a furious hawk checking for wounds.
Her voice cracked. "You… stupid… reckless… liar!"
She pinched his waist so hard Kiaria hissed. Tears stained the corners of her eyes; even her lashes trembled from exhaustion.
"You almost died! Again! And you promised–PROMISED–me and Elder Wolf Saint you wouldn't pull something like this! I should throw you into the river and let the Lion-faced Gulls pluck your hair bald!"
Kiaria looked helplessly at the Princess.
Princess Lainsa mouthed silently, You deserve it.Then she actually laughed.
"Alright, that's enough," she said, wiping her smile. "Both of you sit down. And Diala–have you forgotten? Ghost is not the old Ghost. That cape and crown mean something."
"Change? What change?" Diala puffed her cheeks. "He's still the same idiot. Crown or no crown."
Kiaria folded his arms. "Big Sister, she's becoming arrogant again. Should I test my water pool on her? It's cold. Maybe the phoenix will shrink into a chicken."
"You–!"
Diala snatched a glazed cup, aimed it straight for his head–
Kiaria hid behind Princess Lainsa like a guilty child.
"Come out!""No!"
The two chased each other around the table like children in a noblewoman's parlor.
The Princess pressed a hand to her forehead, half laughing, half trying to maintain dignity. Eventually Diala's anger thinned; she sat beside the Princess, refusing to look at Kiaria. He cautiously took the opposite seat.
"Big Sister," he said quietly, "I have something to ask."
"Perfect timing," she replied, smile fading. "Because I also have something to ask you."
Her voice sharpened. "Kiaria… how did you survive the Life and Death tribulation? We all saw the water drop pierce you. You should be dead. If it's not a secret, tell us."
Kiaria sighed, leaning back slightly. "Part of your question is part of mine. I didn't survive on my own. I was helped… by an Immortal. He called himself Ye Cain. Big Sister, do you know who Ye Cain is?"
Princess Lainsa froze.
"Ye Cain…? Fallen Patron Ye Cain?"
"Yes," Kiaria nodded. "He guided me and lent me strength to break the chains."
Princess Lainsa exhaled sharply, covering her lips with both hands.
"You are… beyond fortunate," she whispered. "Do you know the myth of the Celestial God battle in the Grasslands and the remnants left behind?"
"Yes."
"Then listen well." Her expression became solemn. "Ye Cain was a prodigy–perhaps the greatest in our Empire's recorded memory. The Empire is standing today because his existence once turned the tide of calamity."
Kiaria and Diala leaned forward unconsciously.
"Long ago, Ye Cain refined a droplet of blood essence from the Immortal blood spilled in the Grasslands. That changed everything. He broke through–became an Immortal, then challenged the Relic Trial and became the first Patron in history, titled Son of Hope."
Diala whispered, "Son of… Hope?"
Princess nodded. "But… at the third level of the Patron Ascension Tribulation, he failed. His body was incinerated. Moments before annihilation, he left a message the entire Empire carved into stone:*'As long as even a glimpse of hope exists, the Patron cannot fall.'"
Her voice softened."When you were collapsing yesterday, Chief Azriel reminded everyone of these words. The hunters screamed your title again and again so the heavens would know you were not abandoned."
Diala's head hung. "I… yelled your true name…"She swallowed. "I couldn't hold it in. I didn't care who heard."
Princess rested a hand on her shoulder. "Luckily, no one heard. But you terrified me."
Kiaria chuckled weakly. "I understand now. I lost five senses already… but I heard Dia's voice. Only hers. That pulled me up. Then Immortal Ye Cain appeared. He said I had to awaken all senses–including the seventh–to break the Life and Death Domain. Somehow… I managed."
Princess stared at him, then at Diala.
"You two are blushing," she smirked. "Should I leave the room?"
"Big Sister!" both shouted.
Diala quickly changed the subject, cheeks burning. "What is the seventh sense, then? You said 'emptiness.'"
Kiaria nodded. "Vision, smell, hearing, taste, touch–five senses. Spiritual insight makes six. The seventh is Emptiness. When all senses dissolve and the insight sleeps, only pure consciousness remains. In the dead void, I faced the last barrier–my own reflection. I shattered it. When the pieces merged into me, the seventh sense awakened."
Princess clicked her tongue. "You summarized a near-death ordeal as if talking about breakfast. Truly impressive."
Kiaria grinned. "There was someone I didn't want to abandon. So how could I stay dead?"
Diala kicked his foot under the table.
He winced. "Okay, okay! I have something else to tell you."
They straightened.
"Big Sister, if I said Diala and I carry a trace of Celestial God Immortal Blood… would you believe it?"
Princess burst into laughter.
"No."
Kiaria continued staring at her.
"…No…?" Princess's laugh froze. "Wait–you're serious?!"
Kiaria nodded.
"In the Grasslands, at the tavern–we both absorbed a sealed drop without knowing. Even her beast companion carries a trace. That blood awakened during the relic trials several times."
Princess Lainsa's jaw dropped, then she slammed the table.
"As expected of a blessed child! Fortune clings to you like a stubborn vine. Next time you find Immortal Blood, DON'T forget me!"
Diala tried searching her consciousness, frowning. "I don't feel anything."
Kiaria touched her head gently. "Dia, it's sealed. You can't sense it until your body can endure it. Don't rush."
She nodded, then promptly pinched his cheek again as a reminder to stop being reckless. Kiaria yelped.
The three concealed their identities as usual and stepped out.
Chief Azriel approached with his head bowed respectfully. "Patron–how is Miss Shade?"
"Fine," Kiaria answered.
"May I speak with you alone?"
"Of course."
They entered Kiaria's room. The Chief closed the door, then sat opposite him. His expression was austere–almost unreadable.
"Patron… you are a Blessed Child of the Kingdom, are you not?"
Kiaria remained silent.
Chief Azriel inhaled slowly. "If my intuition is correct… you must be the son of the Grand Preceptor. The missing Prince."
His voice held no accusation. No greed. No fear.
Only calm.
Kiaria said nothing.
The Chief smiled faintly. "Bold question, I know."
He stood, bowed his head lightly, and extended an arm toward the exit.
"As you wish… Young Mas–
Ah, forgive me.Patron."
Kiaria lifted a brow but said nothing.
The Chief waited until Kiaria stepped through the door before following quietly–his respect deeper, steadier than before.
As Kiaria stepped back into the corridor, the air felt strangely warm–alive with a quiet anticipation he hadn't noticed before. Diala and Princess Lainsa waited a short distance away, but behind them… faint murmurs rolled from the lower deck.
Diala blinked. "Ghost… do you hear that?"
Princess Lainsa sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yes. They've been preparing something ever since the tribulation clouds dispersed. I told them to control themselves, but… treasure hunters are treasure hunters. The moment fear leaves, celebration begins."
Kiaria frowned. "Celebration?"
"Don't make that face," Princess lightly elbowed him. "You became a Patron. They're terrified of you–but they're also grateful. And humans… calm themselves with noise."
She motioned for them to follow.
Down the stairs, the sound grew louder–laughter, clinking cups, bursts of awe-struck chatter. When they entered the lower hall, all noise halted for half a breath.
Then–
"PATRON!!!"
The hall erupted.
Treasure hunters of various sects, tribes, and clans stood in a loose circle, cheering with uncontrolled excitement. Tables were stacked with stew bowls, grilled river fish, exotic fruits, cheap smoky wine, even stolen pastries someone must've smuggled in. A half-dismantled string instrument lay in the corner–apparently broken during over-enthusiastic celebration.
The moment Kiaria appeared, every hunter slammed a knee to the floor.
"Patron, thank you for not dying!"
"Patron, forgive our earlier disrespect!"
"Please accept this dried meat! My family recipe!"
Someone pushed forward a clay jug. "Patron, our strongest brew–guaranteed to burn your soul clean!"
Kiaria stiffened. "Ah–there's no need for–"
Princess Lainsa nudged him mercilessly. "Accept it. They'll cry if you don't. Don't have to drink. Just hold it."
Diala whispered, "Kiaria… just smile and nod."
He did. The hunters cheered again. Someone began banging cups rhythmically on a table; another pulled out a drum; a third slapped him for being off-beat; soon half the crowd was laughing.
Azriel approached from behind, face stern but softened by exhaustion.
"This isn't an official celebration," he said gruffly. "Just… relief."
He paused… then lowered his head slightly.
"Welcome back, Patron."
For the first time since the tribulation, Kiaria exhaled–slowly, quietly.
This warmth… this noise… this chaos…
He hadn't realized how much he needed it.
The celebration continued deep into the night.
And so did the sound of hope.