The Holy Empire of Planta

The Holy Empire of Planta

— Welcome! — the man behind the counter greeted the next customer cheerfully.

— Oh… oh! — he gasped, mouth slightly open as he stared in surprise at the young woman in front of him.

— Excuse me, do you have these herbs? — she asked politely, handing him a list written on a slightly crumpled, old piece of paper.

— Hmm, just a minute. — After carefully studying the list, he stepped away from the counter and walked over to one of the shelves.

The small, old shop was filled with the scent of herbs and medicines. Dim light filtered through tiny windows, casting a sleepy glow across the room.

After scanning the shelf again, the apothecary pulled down a few pouches of dried plants.

— I believe this is what you were looking for — he said, returning to the counter and handing over the goods.

— Oh, thank you so much! How much do I owe you? — the dark-haired girl asked brightly.

— Let's see... That'll be twenty silver! Come again soon!

After paying, she nodded and stepped outside the herbal shop.

(Wonderful. All the ingredients were easy to get. I should be able to make the ointment with no problem!)

Adjusting the hood of her dark brown cloak, the girl's emerald eyes sparkled as she turned toward the alley's end.

Dahlia — daughter of Count Seneschal — had left the estate behind and snuck into the city.

One of her dearest hobbies was mixing medicines and studying healing. In her free time, she would attend charity events and help the poor. An angel, some would say. Right?

Just as she neared the alley's exit, a scream rang out.

— A child? — she whispered, freezing in place as she caught sight of a disturbing scene.

Several men stood over a frail boy.

— Hey… — her voice caught in her throat, and her legs refused to move, as if glued to the ground.

— Think you can just run off without paying, you little piece of trash?! — one of the men growled, and without warning, kicked the boy in the face.

The child collapsed, unable to dodge. A boot mark smeared across his face. Spitting blood, he struggled to push himself up on trembling arms.

— Hey… — Dahlia managed to speak louder this time.

As expected, the men ignored her. One of them struck the boy again — first in the face, then several times in the stomach.

— Hey, you! Stop that right now! — she shouted, rushing toward them on unsteady legs.

— Huh? — one of the men turned, frowning in confusion.

— I think we can handle this just fine. No need for a lady like you to get involved. — He kicked the child again like a sack of garbage. The boy rolled across the ground and lay still.

— Stop! — Dahlia repeated sharply, rushing to kneel beside the boy.

— Miss, you really shouldn't interfere with—

— No! If hurting a child is your business, then it's mine too! — she glared at him and shielded the boy with her body.

— But lady…

— No!

— Still…

— I'm not going anywhere! — she declared, face firm and serious.

— I said move, you damn bitch! We were gonna let you walk, but now you've asked for it! — one of the thugs snarled, raising his fist over her head. His patience had run out.

Everything happened too fast. Dahlia had no choice but to close her eyes and raise her arms in defense.

Then — a flash of light, followed by a heavy thud.

(What… why is it so quiet now…?) she thought. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Standing in front of her was Izzekiel.

The hero of the empire, the paladin general, loomed over her. His face, as always, revealed little — though this time, irritation was clearly visible.

— Throwing yourself into a punch like that… Are you an idiot? — he muttered. The sword that had moments ago glowed with holy power now looked like plain steel as he slid it back into its sheath.

(He used holy power… So he's a paladin? Then why does he speak so rudely? What a brute!)

— W-what?! N-no, that's not what you think… — Dahlia stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

— You seem to struggle with expressing your thoughts too. Hah… — he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Then, his golden eyes turned toward the boy cradled in her arms.

— Is he alive?

— He's unconscious. His body's extremely weak. There may be internal bleeding — Dahlia switched instantly to a professional tone.

She stood, worry in her eyes as she examined the boy.

— I think his injuries aren't critical. I might be able to—

Before she could finish, Izzekiel raised his hand. A faintly glowing orb formed above his palm and slowly faded as he held it over the boy's head.

— Huh? — Dahlia blinked, momentarily frozen as she watched.

— He'll be fine.

That was all Izzekiel said before turning to look at the unconscious attackers.

— You…

— Hmm?

— Never mind.

(Did I feel holy power from her? No… it must've been my imagination. She wouldn't be in this situation otherwise. Just a trick of the mind.)

Then his golden eyes widened slightly.

(I stayed too long… Where is Jack?)

Realizing he had lingered, Izzekiel turned and began to walk away.

— You're just going to leave?! What about these criminals?! — Dahlia called out, lifting the boy and gently placing him against the wall.

— And what exactly do you expect me to do? — he asked coldly, glancing back with a mocking smile.

— You should hand them over to the city guard! — she insisted, clearly hoping he'd take responsibility.

— Hah… Someone like you needs to learn how to clean up your own messes instead of pushing the burden onto others. That's how people grow. Wouldn't you agree?

Without waiting for a reply, Izzekiel stepped out of the alley. Jack was already there, waiting.

The paladin, normally the embodiment of punctuality, hurried down the street — late for an important meeting because of a naive little noble girl.

When he finally reached the wine bar and gave the passphrase, the bartender — seemingly unbothered by the situation — gave a lazy nod and motioned for them to follow.

They were led to a private door. The bartender, looking just as annoyed as before, turned back toward the bar, leaving them behind.

Without hesitation, they entered. The door groaned loudly behind them.

A spacious, luxurious office — the chamber of the guildmaster.

Despite its elegant décor and refined taste, the room had a cold, lifeless air.

— You're bold to show up half an hour late, even with Haven as your guide — said the young man behind the desk. He looked barely twenty — perhaps even sixteen — but sat with perfect posture and a sharp, mocking smile.

This was Reinhard, head of the Teoharis Guild. He wasn't exactly fond of paladins — or guests.

— I'm a little late. My apologies. Shall we get to the point… Mr. Reinhard? — Izzekiel said flatly, his stone-cold expression making the apology sound anything but sincere.

— Yes, of course. Take a seat.

Reinhard's violet eyes narrowed like a viper's.

— Can you find her for me? — Izzekiel asked, placing a slightly worn and inaccurate portrait of Rachel on the table.

— Hah… — Reinhard scoffed, disappointment dripping from his voice.

(So he came all this way… just to find some girl? What a letdown.)

— Very well — he sighed. — Anything else?

Reinhard, though outwardly charming, was anything but. With soft pink curls and gentle lilac eyes, he looked like a sweet puppy — but in truth, he was sharp-tongued, proud, and as venomous as a snake.

His strange, erratic, and obsessive nature earned him a top spot among the most unhinged minds in the empire.

— Will your guild be able to find her quickly? — Izzekiel ignored the bored tone and asked plainly.

— I assume this portrait is all you have?

— She's a vampire. That's all I know.

— I see. Hah… — Reinhard leaned back with a smirk.

(So it's revenge? Interesting. Maybe she killed someone close to him. If so… what a pity I missed the look on his face.)

His expression turned grim for a moment — then sly again.

Reinhard, the twisted man who delighted in watching others cry, in witnessing pain and transformation — a born sadist.

— Very well. Teoharis will do everything it can to locate her. I expect we'll find her before the Emperor's birthday ball.

— Yes. Find her — Izzekiel echoed, nodded once, and stood to leave.

---l