Chapter 107 : Chapter 107

Chapter 107 : Audience (2)

‘The God of Peace? No, how can I meet a god?’

–One who can… speak with gods…

‘Lord Maron! Lord Maron!’

Maron’s voice crackled with static, like noise, and then faded.

In the end, Maron stopped responding without being able to continue speaking.

Maron had told me that this time, he would not turn away if humans advanced into Myeolji.

He had said he would lend me his power when I conquered Myeolji.

However, the current Maron could barely even speak, let alone help me.

Just when I needed the information he could provide, he had fallen asleep again.

At this rate, I would be the one lending power to Maron.

‘…The scale of this is bigger than I thought.First, I need to find someone who can speak with gods.’

Still, the situation was better than when I knew nothing.

In Aquiris Sanctuary, the center of the Holy Order, there would surely be more people knowledgeable about gods than anywhere else.

If there were even one or two among them who could speak with gods, I would ask if I could have an audience with a god.

If it was a god of the Holy Order, which had the most influence on the continent, they might know how to draw out the power of an ancient god.

Fortunately, Father Hans, who brought me here, and Itilus were both favorable to me, so I held out hope that I could find a way.

I asked Itilus, who was also exchanging greetings with Bea.

“Lord Itilus, have you ever met or spoken with the God of Peace?”

“Haha, you don’t know much about clergy, do you? Or you have a grand illusion about them.”

“No, I do not. But I thought it might be possible for a Paladin of your stature. Has the God of Peace ever appeared or responded when you prayed, Lord Itilus?”

“Never. Of course, there are many times when the god’s will is conveyed to me. The divine power used by Paladins is also a kind of god’s will. When acting as the god’s proxy, the divine power explodes more powerfully. But I don’t know if you could call that a conversation.”

Itilus was a clergyman with an important position not only in the Adjak family but also in the Holy Order.

If he had never spoken with a god… Maron’s mission might be more difficult than I thought.

Itilus beckoned to Bea and me.

“Curious about the clergy? Come along, then.”

“Yes, but… where are we going?”

“There are many places to stop by. You are long-awaited guests at Aquiris Sanctuary.”

“Do you not get many guests here?”

“Usually, no. Especially not non-believers. These days, every region has its own parish, so guests rarely come to the sanctuary. Unless someone barges in unannounced, that is.”

“...Haha, I see.”

“Hahaha, just kidding. Let’s go.”

Itilus patted my embarrassed back and led the way.

“First, let’s go to the temple and meet the Saintess. Most people will be gathered there.”

“Can I also see Lord Everchen Iagar if I go to the temple?”

“You know Everchen?”

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors.”

“Ah, you must know him because he’s called one of the Five Morning Stars, like you.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“He’ll be at the temple too. Though he’ll be very busy. I know you’re at an age where you might want to have a bout, but hold it in.”

Itilus called Everchen Iagar, the Saintess’s brother and one of the Five Morning Stars, a ‘child’.

It wasn't because Itilus was being flippant.

Itilus served as the Grand Master of the Paladin Order.

Everchen, being a Paladin, was his subordinate, so he would speak casually.

“...Of course, I have no intention of fighting Lord Everchen out of the blue.”

“Is that so? I was hoping to see you two have a match at least once. A pity.”

Itilus was very different from the other Twelve Swords of Adjak I had met so far.

Tayon was on the reserved side and Balua didn’t speak at all.

‘I thought a Paladin would be incredibly solemn, but he’s a peculiar one.’

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Itilus walked on, even humming a song.

It seemed to be a hymn, given the lyrics about God.

“By the way, both the priest who brought us here and you, Lord Itilus, have mentioned it. Is there something wrong with the order?”

“Hmm, you’ll find out soon enough. For now, just relax. It’ll be hard to get a word in edgewise in front of the temple.”

As if a worry came to mind, Itilus stopped humming and looked somewhat gloomy.

It seemed something was indeed wrong.

But Itilus’s silence didn’t last long.

“I hear a lot of talented kids have appeared in our family, right? Grow up strong and take the title attached to my name with you.”

“A title?

Do you mean ‘Twelve Swords of Adjak’?”

“Yes, it’s a name too heavy for me to bear. Maybe for Tayon, but not me.”

“I was under the impression that you were ranked higher than Lord Tayon, is that not correct?”

“That friend Tayon, I heard he recently broke through a wall. He always worked hard, so it’s a good thing.”

Itilus seemed to hold Tayon in very high regard.

Of course, in my opinion as well, the hero of all the lower autonomous regions and the leader of the Crows, Tayon’s achievements deserved to be praised.

It was an honor for me to have been guided by Tayon at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and to have learned how to use a sword from him.

“Compared to him… I’m just an old man holed up across the sea. Who would challenge a Paladin of the Holy Order? It’s not because I’m strong that I hold this name.”

Itilus wore a bitter smile.

“I have never once not been ashamed of my ancestors’ name. That’s why I converted to religion and luckily, it suited my disposition. But a new era is coming.”

“A new era, you say.”

I remembered when I met the elder of the Adjak family after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

The elder had said something similar to Itilus.

The era of heroes has ended, and we must become the new heroes.

“Yes, a new era. An era is drawing to a close. You can tell just by seeing how many qualified children have been born.”

“There is still much for you to do, Lord Itilus.”

“I will move until I collapse. So follow me diligently.”

Itilus even wiped the smile from his lips.

“Come quickly. To the center of the Holy Order, the Aquiris Temple.”

***

The Aquiris Temple of the Holy Order, to which Itilus guided us.

It was where the tall spire, visible from the sea, was located.

I could feel abundant divine power even upon arriving at this island, Aquiris Sanctuary, but standing in front of the Aquiris Temple, I realized that the divine power I had felt before was nothing.

An absolutely overwhelming divine power was erupting from the temple.

Maron vibrated slightly.

What on earth did it want to say?

Did it mean that the person who could speak with gods, as it had said, was here?

“The Saintess seems to be conducting a ritual. Wait for a moment.”

Itilus knelt in front of the temple, drove his sword into the ground, and began to pray.

Divine power spread from his body.

The endlessly cheerful and seemingly regretful Itilus disappeared.

Instead, only a devout Paladin was present.

Even while kneeling, his aura was as immense as a mountain and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

Bea, too, seemed to sense the unusual aura, and she lowered her voice and whispered to me.

“It’s somehow beautiful.”

“Are you thinking of converting to the Holy Order? I saw a few elves earlier.”

“...I have only the World Tree.”

The ritual continued for a long time, but I waited patiently, feeling as if I shouldn't disturb it.

Ding— Dong— Ding—.

Soon, with the sound of a bell, the immense divine power that had been spreading subsided.

Itilus also rose from his place.

He had knelt on both knees on the dirt ground, but not a single speck of dirt was on his knees.

Soon, people began to pour out.

From priests in white robes to Paladins in plate armor like Itilus.

It seemed to have been a ritual with a large number of participants.

They greeted Itilus with respect.

I could guess that Itilus was a renowned Paladin.

Itilus called over one of the men.

He was a Paladin with a strikingly handsome appearance and impressive blue-tinged hair.

“Everchen, come here for a moment.”

“Yes, Grand Master. You called for me?”

“There are some people I’d like to introduce you to. Say hello. This is Polarin Adjak, who is called one of the Five Morning Stars like you, and this is Elf Commander Bea Hellinger.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Everchen Iagar.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Polarin Adjak.”

“Bea Hellinger.”

At Itilus’s introduction, Everchen smiled brightly.

The smile further enhanced his already handsome features, but at the same time, the dark circles under his eyes were noticeable.

He shook hands with each of us.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Lord Polarin, from Lord Itilus. How long will you be staying in Aquiris?”

“It’s a journey without a set departure date.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. Today is not a good day for conversation. I hope we can talk a lot when we meet again soon.”

With those words, Everchen hurried away.

I wanted to talk to him a bit more, but since the situation wasn't good, I had no choice but to wait for the next opportunity.

Before entering the Aquiris Temple, Itilus quietly informed Bea and me,

“You’ll know it naturally when you see the Saintess, but she is currently very ill.”

“But is it alright to see her? If she is ill, we can visit later.”

I replied in surprise.

I had no idea the Saintess was ill.

It wasn't that I had insisted on meeting her, but I had no intention of bothering a sick person.

“I, too, do not wish to trouble a sick person.”

Bea also said firmly.

But Itilus was even more firm.

“Please do not refuse. This is also the Saintess’s will.”

“The Saintess’s will?”

“The Saintess has vowed to carry out all her duties as usual. She said she wants to fulfill her responsibilities even if it means dying.”

“But you just… let her?”

To me, both the Saintess, who insisted on working despite being ill, and the Holy Order, which let her have her way, seemed equally strange.

“Clergy can be stubborn. From a non-religious person's perspective, many things they do are incomprehensible.”

“...”

“But I am also a clergyman. It’s difficult for a mere Paladin to break the Saintess’s will.”

Itilus’s expression didn't look comfortable either.

But the stubbornness of the clergy that he himself had mentioned was clearly visible on his face as well.

“Please, do not be alarmed when you see the Saintess. Just act naturally, naturally.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Since Itilus had gone that far, I had no choice.

Thus, I resolved not to be surprised when I saw the Saintess’s face and passed through the large temple doors.

It was a fairly wide and tall tower, and as soon as the doors opened, I could see the Saintess’s seat.

Itilus strode into the temple, knelt before the Saintess, and bowed.

“I have an audience with the Saintess.”

Bea and I also followed suit, watching Itilus’s etiquette over his shoulder.

“Welcome. Everyone, please rise.”

The Saintess spoke softly.

At her words, everyone raised their heads.

And then, I saw the Saintess’s face.

‘…Seeing her face, it’s clear. I know what the illness is.’

I stared at the Saintess’s face without showing any surprise.

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