Morning arrived faster than Kyle expected.
Sunlight spilled through the windows of his residence, turning the white curtains golden. Outside, the palace gardens shimmered with dew, and the quiet chirping of birds filled the air.
Kyle sat at the dining table with a cup of tea in his hand.
But instead of enjoying the peaceful morning…
He was staring at the letter again.
The elegant purple seal of the Lumina Church looked almost threatening now.
Across the table, Joshua watched him quietly.
Luis Stark stood near the window, arms crossed as usual.
Kyle sighed.
"So… let me get this straight."
Luis glanced at him.
"The Pope of the Lumina Church personally invited you."
Kyle rubbed his forehead.
"Does he normally do that?"
Luis shook his head.
"No."
Joshua spoke softly.
"The Pope rarely meets anyone outside the church."
Kyle groaned.
"Great."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"Most people would consider this an honor."
Kyle muttered under his breath.
"Most people didn't transmigrate into a doomed prince."
Joshua blinked.
"…Transmi—?"
Kyle quickly waved his hands.
"Nothing!"
Joshua looked confused but didn't press further.
Luis studied Kyle carefully.
"You seem uneasy."
Kyle forced a smile.
"Not uneasy. Just… curious."
The truth was far worse.
In the original novel, Tony Carter was terrifying.
Not because he was cruel.
But because he seemed to know everything.
Secrets.
Motives.
Even hidden intentions.
Kyle still remembered the description from the story.
"The Pope's eyes were like clear water that reflected the soul."
Kyle shivered slightly.
Yeah… that guy.
Luis noticed the reaction.
"You can refuse the invitation."
Kyle looked at him.
"I can?"
Luis nodded.
"The church holds great power, but they cannot command royalty."
Kyle thought for a moment.
Refusing might avoid danger.
But it would also create suspicion.
And curiosity.
Both of which were dangerous in palace politics.
Kyle sighed again.
"No."
Joshua looked at him.
"Your Highness?"
Kyle leaned back in his chair.
"I'll go."
Luis nodded slowly.
"That is wise."
Joshua looked worried.
"The Pope is known for his… unusual insight."
Kyle laughed weakly.
"Yeah. I remember."
Both of them looked confused again.
Kyle stood up quickly.
"Anyway! Let's go."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"Now?"
Kyle grinned.
"If I wait any longer, I might lose my courage."
---
The Lumina Cathedral stood at the highest point of the capital city.
Its towering white spires reached toward the sky like blades of light.
Massive stained-glass windows reflected the morning sun, casting colorful patterns across the marble steps.
When Kyle's carriage arrived at the cathedral gates, several church guards stepped forward.
They wore white armor marked with the golden symbol of Lumina.
One guard bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness Prince Kyle Gray."
Kyle stepped out of the carriage.
Luis followed behind him.
Joshua hesitated slightly before stepping down as well.
The guard glanced at Joshua briefly but said nothing.
"We have been expecting you."
Kyle nodded.
"Lead the way."
The cathedral doors slowly opened.
Inside—
The space was breathtaking.
Tall pillars stretched toward the ceiling.
Sunlight poured through enormous stained-glass windows depicting angels and divine figures.
The air smelled faintly of incense.
Soft echoes of footsteps filled the vast chamber.
Joshua's eyes widened.
"It's beautiful…"
Luis remained calm, but even he respected the quiet power of the cathedral.
Kyle looked around.
"This place is huge."
The guard guided them down a long hallway.
Finally they stopped before a large wooden door.
The guard bowed.
"His Holiness is waiting inside."
Kyle took a deep breath.
Alright.
He pushed the door open.
---
The room inside was quiet.
Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling.
Tall windows allowed soft light to fill the chamber.
At the center stood a long wooden table.
And beside it—
A man sat calmly reading a book.
His long silver-blond hair fell gently over his shoulders.
His robe was pure white, embroidered with faint golden patterns.
His features were delicate.
Almost too beautiful.
But his pale blue eyes…
Those eyes were incredibly sharp.
The man closed the book slowly.
His gaze lifted.
And settled directly on Kyle.
Tony Carter.
The Pope of the Lumina Church.
Kyle suddenly felt like he was being examined under a microscope.
Tony smiled faintly.
"Welcome, Prince Kyle."
His voice was soft.
Almost gentle.
But it carried a strange weight.
Kyle bowed slightly.
"Your Holiness."
Luis and Joshua bowed deeply behind him.
Tony gestured toward the chairs.
"Please, sit."
Kyle sat down across from him.
Luis remained standing nearby.
Joshua stood quietly beside the door.
Tony studied Kyle silently.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.
Kyle felt sweat forming on his neck.
Finally Tony spoke.
"You changed."
The words were calm.
Simple.
But they struck Kyle like lightning.
Kyle forced a laugh.
"…People change."
Tony tilted his head slightly.
"Yes."
His blue eyes shimmered with curiosity.
"But rarely overnight."
Luis's gaze sharpened slightly.
Joshua looked confused.
Kyle swallowed.
"Well… I had a headache yesterday."
Tony chuckled softly.
The sound was strangely pleasant.
"I see."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me something, Prince Kyle."
Kyle braced himself.
"Yes?"
Tony's voice dropped to a quiet whisper.
"Where did the original soul go?"
The room froze.
Joshua's eyes widened.
Luis's hand moved instinctively toward the sword at his side.
Kyle's heart slammed against his ribs.
He knows.
Tony smiled gently.
"Relax."
Kyle stared at him.
"How…?"
Tony folded his hands.
"Your aura changed."
Kyle blinked.
"My… aura?"
Tony nodded.
"The church studies souls."
Joshua looked shocked.
Luis remained silent but clearly alert.
Tony continued calmly.
"The man standing before me is not the same Prince Kyle Gray I met before."
Kyle felt like his brain had stopped working.
After several seconds, he exhaled slowly.
"…Am I in trouble?"
Tony laughed softly.
"On the contrary."
He leaned back in his chair.
"I find this fascinating."
Kyle stared at him.
"You're… not going to expose me?"
Tony shook his head.
"No."
Luis finally spoke.
"Why?"
Tony's eyes shifted toward the knight commander.
"Because the previous Prince Kyle had a dark fate."
He looked back at Kyle.
"But this new soul carries a different future."
Kyle blinked.
"You can see the future too?"
Tony smiled mysteriously.
"Only fragments."
Joshua spoke quietly.
"…What kind of future?"
Tony's gaze returned to Kyle.
"A future where the empire burns."
The words hung heavily in the room.
Kyle's stomach dropped.
"…That doesn't sound good."
Tony shook his head slowly.
"No."
His eyes softened slightly.
"But it is also a future where salvation appears."
Kyle frowned.
"Which one am I?"
Tony smiled again.
"That is what I intend to discover."
Kyle leaned back in his chair.
"Wow."
Luis looked serious.
"You summoned the prince only to question his soul?"
Tony shook his head.
"No."
He opened a drawer and placed a small object on the table.
A silver pendant.
Its center held a glowing crystal.
Tony pushed it toward Kyle.
"This is why I invited you."
Kyle picked it up carefully.
"What is it?"
Tony answered calmly.
"A divine artifact."
Joshua gasped quietly.
Luis's eyes narrowed.
Tony continued.
"It reacts to people chosen by fate."
Kyle stared at the pendant.
"…Chosen by fate?"
Tony's smile deepened slightly.
"Try wearing it."
Kyle hesitated.
Then slowly placed the pendant around his neck.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
The crystal flared with bright light.
A warm pulse spread through Kyle's chest.
Joshua gasped again.
Luis looked genuinely shocked.
Tony closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them again…
His expression had changed.
"You see?"
Kyle blinked.
"See what?"
Tony leaned forward slightly.
"You were not sent to this world by accident."
Kyle's heart skipped.
"…What do you mean?"
Tony's blue eyes gleamed softly.
"Prince Kyle Gray."
His voice was calm.
But filled with certainty.
"You were summoned."
And that revelation…
Would soon change everything Kyle thought he knew about this world.