Chapter 744
Voice (1)
After the Supreme God left, I did nothing.
What was there to do? Everywhere was filled with sky and clouds, and it was truly boring.
I organized what to say in front of people and prepared answers to anticipated questions, but that only took a day.
‘It’s actually 6 days, not 3.’
With no need to sleep, one day felt like two. Moreover, without a clock, I lost all sense of time.
Still, the Supreme God said it would be 3 days, so I just needed to endure until then.
‘Marie and the others… ’
But I couldn’t help worrying. More than Marie, I was most concerned about Cecily.
She’s currently pregnant with my child and hasn’t even reached a stable period yet.
If she were to miscarry due to stress… how devastated would she be?
Adelia and Kate would surely suffer from guilt for failing to protect me.
“Ugh.”
I abruptly sat up from my lying position. Even floating in the sky was getting tiresome now.
How could I return sooner? No, before that, how could I explain this situation?
Grandfather Clark probably gave some explanation, but it wouldn’t be good news.
‘Should I get on my knees and beg for forgiveness when this is all over?’
Even though it wasn’t my fault but that bastard Laos who caused this, I still made everyone worry.
Either way, I need to get out of here. Until then, I plan to practice my speech.
‘…But I don’t even know what’s happening right now.’
It’s awkward since I was brought here before I could ask the Supreme God.
‘First… ’
Just as I was about to start guessing the current situation.
Swoosh-
“Huh?”
My body felt like it was being sucked somewhere.
SWOOSH!
“Wh-what?”
Before I could even be surprised, I instantly fell from the sky to the ground.
* * *
While Isaac was meeting with the Father of All Creation, the world remained surprisingly peaceful.
The moment Isaac’s disappearance became public knowledge, the entire world would be turned upside down, but the Marshall family had anticipated this and kept it secret.
Except for fan signing events, Isaac had always maintained an air of mystery, so keeping his disappearance secret was relatively easy.
However, there was no way to dispel the gloomy atmosphere that had descended upon the Marshall household.
“Lady Cecily. The Zenon Festival is ending soon.”
“…”
“Lady Cecily. No matter how…”
“Please leave.”
Kate fell silent at Cecily’s request to leave.
Since Isaac’s disappearance, or more precisely, since Clark returned to his original body, she hadn’t left her room.
Cecily was currently staying in Isaac’s bedroom. And she wasn’t alone—Marie was with her.
“Kate. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t seem possible. Cecily needs more stability right now.”
Marie apologized to Kate while gently stroking Cecily’s hair as she lay listlessly on the bed.
The psychological shock Cecily had received was beyond words. Moreover, she had only recently become pregnant with Isaac’s child.
If she experienced any more stress, the worst outcome could happen. To prevent that, she needed to maintain stability, even if forced.
“…I understand. Please take care of yourself.”
“Ah, before you go, did Luminous leave any message?”
Kate stared at Marie. Unlike Cecily, who was consumed by grief, Marie was facing reality properly.
Instead of just wallowing in sadness, she was doing everything she could in the current situation.
It was clear why she was Isaac’s true lady of the house.
“…Luminous said we would know when the time comes. But he said he doesn’t know when that time will be.”
“I see… I don’t worship either Luminous or Mora, but this time I have no choice but to believe in them.”
Marie smiled bitterly with self-deprecation.
Her beloved husband was in danger, yet she could do nothing. It was truly pathetic.
Of course, there was nothing anyone could do in this situation. Even the gods couldn’t find Isaac.
This was literally a trial imposed on Isaac. All they could do now was believe in him.
‘Can that clueless boy really handle this… ’
Marie was genuinely worried. She could proudly say she had spent more time with him than anyone except his parents and siblings.
While the world might call Isaac a savior or prophet, in her eyes, he was just a naive man.
Though he appeared cold on the outside, he was an infinitely loving husband to those close to him.
The thought of him facing the worst trial of his life made her want to cry.
‘No. Pull yourself together.’
Currently, many people were in despair. Not just Cecily lying on the bed.
Adelia had locked herself in her room and refused to come out, while Leona was holding onto Clark and attempting all sorts of spells.
Arwen was no different. At first, she couldn’t believe it and flew to the Marshall mansion, only to taste despair.
Lina was slightly better. She was trying to act rationally and participated in the Zenon Festival.
But she unconsciously exuded a gloomy aura that worried those around her.
The atmosphere in the mansion was like a funeral home. Fortunately, they had managed to keep the secret from leaking out.
‘I believe in him. Even if he has his clueless moments, he’s never made his people sad.’
Marie touched the ring on her left ring finger.
Though Isaac sometimes showed frustrating aspects, he never made others sad.
Instead, he spoke up for others and exposed all injustices.
There was much talk during the Great Depression, but that bubble should have burst long ago.
So she would believe. It might feel helpless, but nothing is stronger than faith.
“I’ll wait here. What about you, Kate?”
“I… will follow Luminous’s words. With Isaac gone, Luminous is the only one I can follow.”
“I understand. I don’t know what will happen… but I hope for a good outcome.”
“May Luminous’s blessing be with us.”
Kate bowed to Marie and left the bedroom.
Only Marie and the listless Cecily remained in the bedroom.
Marie continued to gently stroke Cecily’s ebony hair before shifting her gaze to the window.
‘The day… is dark… ’
Perhaps it was because of the clouds. Unlike the festival’s lively atmosphere, it looked like it might rain at any moment.
When would Isaac return? Would he really come back at all?
Marie sighed deeply, feeling as if her heart was burning in real-time.
‘When are you coming back, you fool?’
That was all she could think.
* * *
“Sigh…”
Kate, having left the bedroom, let out a deep sigh.
The situation was beyond tangled—it could definitively be called the worst.
Due to Isaac’s disappearance, a thick gloom had settled over the Marshall mansion, and no one could act properly.
No, more precisely, there was nothing they could do. Even Luminous and Mora said they couldn’t find Isaac’s whereabouts.
When they heard that, the reactions of Isaac’s family and lovers were… diverse in a negative sense.
Isaac’s mother, Anna, was so shocked that she collapsed on the spot.
Fortunately, thanks to her usual good health, the baby wasn’t miscarried, and she was now resting.
‘Is waiting… all we can do?’
Even Luminous had only instructed them to wait. He left only an incomprehensible prophecy that they would know when the time came.
She wanted to find Isaac immediately. But he had disappeared without a trace, so they couldn’t even begin searching.
The only suspicious lead was the Kingdom of Ters, specifically Crown Prince Laos. Isaac had always warned that he was someone to be cautious of.
But they had only suspicion, no evidence. It was difficult to pressure a prince, especially a crown prince, under the pretext of heresy.
Above all, “time” was infinitely lacking. Even if Laos was a demon worshipper, the Zenon Festival had already begun.
‘Otherwise, he wouldn’t have done something like this.’
Just as Isaac had targeted the Zenon Festival, Laos must have done the same.
Moreover, hadn’t someone named Nos threatened to reveal the truth during the Zenon Festival?
Isaac needed to return before then, but there was no sign of that happening.
“Haah…”
“Cardinal Kate.”
While Kate was expressing her frustration, someone called from behind.
Having sensed their presence for some time, Kate turned around.
It was a holy knight from the Savior Theocracy, currently serving as an aide.
“Yes. What is it?”
“The ‘painting’ you mentioned has arrived, Cardinal Kate.”
“…”
Kate’s lips drew into a straight line at the news of the painting’s arrival.
Originally, it contained Luminous’s final prophecy. But she wasn’t sure if that prophecy would be fulfilled.
‘…Do not doubt.’
Kate barely straightened her faith that was about to waver. She could feel despair later.
With this in mind, she put on the most gentle smile she could and ordered the holy knight.
“Please take that painting to the designated place. I’ll handle it from there.”
“Understood.”
According to the original plan, there was a set time for Isaac to reveal the truth.
But since he was missing, Nos would likely take his place.
After that…
“Um…”
“Eek!”
While Kate was lost in thought, someone called her from behind.
Unlike the holy knight, she hadn’t sensed their presence at all, so even Kate couldn’t help but be startled.
She barely calmed her racing heart and slowly turned around. Then her eyes widened.
“…Cherry?”
It was Cherry. As always, she had dark, gloomy eyes.
Cherry clasped her hands to her chest and asked with a desperate voice.
“Is… Isaac oppa… still not back…?”
“Ah…”
Kate gave a bitter smile at the question. Cherry was grieving no less than others.
Her eyes, which had brightened somewhat since connecting with Isaac, had darkened again.
Especially since Kate had connected with Isaac at the same time as Cherry, she couldn’t help but feel sorry.
“I’m sorry. There’s still no news.”
“…”
No response came. Only her eyes became more lifeless.
Kate hurriedly spoke up, sensing the atmosphere might become more serious.
“B-but don’t worry. I’m sure Isaac will return.”
“…Really…?”
“Yes. Isaac is not someone who would leave us behind. Surely…”
Her throat suddenly tightened. Kate opened and closed her mouth repeatedly.
What if he really doesn’t come back? What if he doesn’t return and everything goes as the demon worshippers want?
What would her faith mean then? Wouldn’t it be meaningless?
Such thoughts clouded her mind, but Kate barely suppressed them.
It was her mission as a cleric to believe when no one else did.
So she forced a smile and said to Cherry.
“He will definitely return.”
For the first time in her life, Kate’s faith wavered.