The King was enraged.
He stared at the Priest.
"You come into my palace… and tell me you hid information about a dangerous epidemic?"
Priest Caelum smiled, almost delighted.
"Yes. You understand, finally."
Icarus lowered his gaze.
This man's shamelessness knows no bounds.
"And then," the King continued, his voice rising, "you tell me my kingdom will fall."
The Priest nodded.
The King's fury sharpened.
"Are you threatening me?"
Caelum's smile widened.
"Yes."
A pause.
"I am here to threaten you."
The King rose abruptly.
"Guards—"
"Father."
Icarus' voice cut cleanly through the room.
The King stopped.
Looked at him.
"We should hear him out," Icarus said calmly. "There is more to this."
The King hesitated.
Slowly… he sat back down.
Priest Caelum's smile softened—indulgent.
"What would you like to discuss, dear Prince?"
Icarus met him evenly.
"What do you want in return?"
The Priest raised a finger to his lips.
"My lips will remain sealed."
A pause.
"There is only one thing I desire."
"Then ask," Icarus said.
The Priest inclined his head.
"I want your eyes."
Silence.
Icarus stilled.
"My… eyes?"
The Priest nodded lightly.
"More precisely, I wish to see through them."
"To witness your future… from your perspective."
Icarus' gaze sharpened.
"What is there in my future?"
For a moment—
The Priest's smile changed.
Something darker crept in.
"I have seen it," he said softly.
"A truly magnificent sight."
A breath.
"I would like to see it again… through you."
Icarus glanced at his father.
The King's anger had not faded.
If anything—it had deepened.
"Are there benefits?" Icarus asked.
The Priest's lips curled.
"I may share fragments of the future with you."
"When I deem it appropriate."
Icarus paused.
That is… not a fair exchange.
And yet—
"Will you remain silent about what you have seen?" he asked.
The Priest nodded.
"My lips are sealed."
"Icarus," the King cut in sharply. "Do not trust this man."
Icarus turned to him.
"Father… if word spreads of the kingdom's fall, panic will follow."
His voice was steady.
"This is the least I can do to preserve order."
The King's expression wavered.
"And your future?" he asked quietly.
Icarus smiled faintly.
"I will shape it."
A pause.
"And I will stop this disease."
The King looked back at the Priest, his voice cold.
"If any harm comes to my son—"
"I understand," Caelum said lightly. "Do as you wish, my King."
He turned toward Icarus.
"Shall we proceed?"
Icarus nodded.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
"The Blind Prophet" offers you a contract.
CONTRACT
Details: The Blind Prophet may see through your eyes at any given moment.
Benefits:
Silence regarding "The Inevitable Truth" Occasional knowledge of the future
Penalty: Death
Do you wish to accept?]
Icarus' gaze lingered on the final line.
"Will I die," he asked quietly, "if I refuse to let you see after accepting?"
The Priest nodded.
The King stiffened.
"Die? What are you talking about?"
"I will die if I break the contract," Icarus said calmly.
The King's anger surged again.
"You threaten the throne—and now the Prince? I should have you—"
"Father."
Icarus' voice was quiet.
Firm.
"I will accept."
Silence.
The King's expression fell.
"Are you certain?"
His voice softened.
Heavy with something unspoken.
"Do you truly wish to do this?"
Icarus nodded.
"I do."
A pause.
"Just… don't tell Mother."
The King closed his eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
Priest Caelum smiled.
"Very well."
The message flickered again.
[Do you wish to accept?]
Icarus took a slow breath.
Then—
"I accept."
[The Contract has been sealed.
A gentle reminder:
The penalty period has begun. ]