The deathly still quiet room was shrouded in darkness, all vitality dispersed. Distant Divine Smoke curled and coiled, guiding the soul toward the Divine Kingdom. And through the ceiling of the quiet room, one could see the lightless night curtain, even the stars hidden away by it.
Creak.
The wooden door opened softly, and a shadow stepped in without a sound. By the faint light from the corridor, he quietly watched the sleeping old man for a while. Then he took two steps forward, crouched down, and carefully checked his breathing.
"Whew..."
Chevali, whose face had always been like a sculpture, finally let out a low sigh. He stood up and solemnly bowed to the High Priest's corpse. Then he left soundlessly once more, taking away the pottery jar with the yellow clay lid.
The wooden door closed again, and time flowed in the darkness. Not until the night had deepened, close to midnight, did a middle-aged personal guard hurry over, preparing to serve the High Priest to rest.
"Family head."
The personal guard Eva stood at the doorway and called respectfully. Inside the door, all was quiet, with no response for a long time. Faint Divine Smoke drifted out through the crack in the door, carrying not a trace of light, just like the shadow creeping over his heart.
"Family head?"
The personal guard Eva frowned. Had no candles been lit inside? He had come from a family warrior line of the Holy City faction, much like Etalic, Elvi, and Esco; his family had served the Holy City's royal house for generations, and only after proving several generations of loyalty could he become one of the High Priest's attendants. At that moment, his heart clenched, an ominous premonition rising within him, and he decisively pushed the door open and