Chapter 14 - Holy Power

"Cursed? That insolent bat placed a curse upon my son? I've never heard of a pathetic bat monster being able to place a curse," Duke exclaimed in shock, his eyes wide and his brows furrowed in disbelief.

"Yes, a curse, It is indeed rare for a creature such as a bat to have such power. This curse seems to be of a malevolent nature, designed to keep him in a state of affliction." The Saintess affirmed with a nod, her brows furrowed in concern.

The Duke's frustration and disbelief were palpable as he grappled with the idea of a bat being responsible for such a curse.

"Duke Everhart, we need to find the bat as soon as possible. We must eliminate him; otherwise, it could become a significant problem for our kingdom if they start reproducing in mass," The Saintess urgently advised, her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"Your Holiness, there's no need to fear. I have already dispatched my army, and that pathetic bat is already dead," Duke reassured with confidence.

"Duke Everhart, if he was truly dead, then this curse should have already dissipated. Are you sure that he is, in fact, deceased?" The Saintess questioned, her doubt apparent in her tone.

"Your Holiness, I am certain. My loyal Knight Captain confirmed his death, and I trust his loyalty more than anything else. Rest assured," Duke replied with conviction, trying to reassure the Saintess.

"If you say so, I cannot disobey your word. If the curse was not placed by the bat, then it must have been done by someone else. Your reputation in the entire Kingdom is well-known; your words cannot be taken lightly," The Saintess acknowledged, her tone respectful and thoughtful.

"But do not worry. This curse is not severe and can be dispelled with my holy power. Please wait outside while I cast my holy magic to heal him," The Saintess reassured with a gentle smile.

Duke had utter belief in the Saintess's power. She was not only a healer but also an apostle of the Goddess. If she couldn't heal someone, then he believed that no one else on the entire planet could.

He simply walked out of the room, giving the Saintess the space she needed to cast her holy magic. Holy magic was a secret art, and only the Saint or Saintess knew the intricacies of this divine craft.

The Saintess skillfully employed her secret art of Holy magic to dispel the curse that had afflicted Sebastian. Then, she beckoned the Duke to enter the room. Together, they awaited the moment when Sebastian would open his eyes. After a while, he gradually opened his eyes.

"Where am I? Father, is that you?" He asked, his voice filled with confusion and vulnerability.

Tears welled up in the Duke's eyes upon hearing his beloved son's words. He reached out and gently held Sebastian's hand.

"Yes, my son, I am your father. How are you feeling?" The Duke inquired with concern.

"Father, what happened to me? Why are you crying?" Sebastian asked, puzzled by the emotions he sensed in the room.

"It's nothing, my son. You were injured while you were in the Dark Forest. Rest for now, and we'll discuss everything later," The Duke reassured him, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and comfort.

Afterward, they allowed Sebastian to rest in his bed, and both the Duke and the Saintess left the room.

As they walked, the Duke and the Saintess engaged in a discussion about Sebastian's health.

"Hmm... it appears that someone deliberately placed the curse on Sebastian, with the intention of causing him direct harm," the Saintess remarked.

The Duke remained silent in response to the Saintess's observation. He couldn't help but suspect that the threat could even come from within his own faction. He chose to listen to the Saintess's words and show his concern through his silence.

"Your Holiness, I am hosting a grand party at my mansion to celebrate my son's recovery. I humbly request your presence at this event. It would be an honor to have you there," Duke Everhart extended the invitation to the Saintess.

"Duke, it would be an honor for me to attend. However, as you know, I cannot leave the Kingdom for an extended period. I have my responsibilities to report and attend to," the Saintess replied graciously, her commitment to her duties evident in her words.

Duke nodded, understanding the circumstances of the Saintess. He held her hand and bid her farewell as she departed in her royal cart. It was known that the Saintess was not allowed to leave the capital of the Kingdom for an extended period, and she needed to return as soon as possible.

After bidding farewell to the Saintess, Duke made his way to his secret chamber. He sat down in a chair, crossed his fingers, and rested his chin on them, deep in thought about the curse that had been placed on his son.

He then summoned the captain of his shadow army, a clandestine force under the command of Duke Everhart. This shadow army operated covertly, gathering intelligence about enemy kingdoms and even within allied kingdoms to ensure that Duke had eyes on everything.

"Raven," Duke called out in his secret room. Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air before him.

"Do you have any information about who might be conspiring to harm my son?" Duke inquired urgently.

"Your Grace, I deeply regret to inform you that our unit has not yet uncovered any leads regarding individuals who might pose a threat to the young master," Raven replied, his tone tinged with a sense of disappointment and concern, his eyes locked onto the Duke's in a show of loyalty and dedication.

"Find any lead you can, Raven. Make it your top priority. And remember, this information must be kept under the strictest secrecy," Duke instructed with a firm yet urgent tone.

"Dismissed," he added, signaling the end of their conversation.

Raven bowed respectfully and then vanished into thin air, leaving Duke alone with his thoughts.