Chapter 108 : Chapter 108

Chapter 108 : Audience (3)

Serel Iagar, the Saintess of the Holy Order, with hair the same glossy blue as Everchen’s.

She smiled as she looked at us.

I maintained my composure, but Bea immediately dropped her gaze to the floor upon seeing her face.

I understood why Bea was surprised.

No matter how much one prepared, seeing the Saintess’s face would elicit such a reaction.

The Saintess was smiling, but only half of her lips were turned up.

The other half of her face was frozen solid, gray and motionless.

Despite that, her face exuded a sense of full benevolence.

‘Can the Saintess speak with God?’

Bea immediately apologized to the Saintess.

“I apologize.”

“It’s alright. I, too, am startled when I look in the mirror.”

However, the Saintess was considerate of Bea instead.

‘The only silver lining is… the Saintess’s illness wasn’t caused by the Demons.’

Most of the recent incidents I’d been involved in were related to the Demons.

No matter how much the Demons were the main enemy of this world, it had gone too far.

If things were like this even when the Dome wasn't open, what would happen when the seal was broken?

Perhaps because I’d been so hounded, whenever I heard something had happened, I immediately thought of the possibility of Demon involvement.

Like a kind of trauma.

So, even when I learned the Saintess's illness was serious, I felt a sense of relief.

The Saintess was currently suffering from a disease called Divine Petrification.

It was a terrible disease that turned the afflicted into solid stone.

In the early stages, the symptoms are not severe, but once more than half of the body is petrified, the condition deteriorates rapidly.

‘I know the cure for that disease.’

Divine Petrification was a kind of occupational hazard.

It was a disease that those who could not receive divine power from the beginning could never suffer from.

Among them, it was a disease that only outstanding members of the clergy could contract.

Divine power is different from Mana.

It is not a power that can be used by gathering the Mana that floats almost infinitely in the atmosphere.

Divine power is a power received only from a god.

No matter how outstanding a priest, they can only handle as much divine power as they receive from the god.

However, outstanding priests are sometimes granted divine power that exceeds their limits by the god.

This is what is commonly called a moment of miracle.

However, no matter how benevolent a god is, they are not beings who bestow miracles without reason.

Miracles always come with a price.

When a priest’s body can no longer withstand the divine power that surpasses their limits, they contract Divine Petrification.

“This is proof that I have worked hard. Divine Petrification is a disease that can only be contracted by a member of the clergy who has dedicated their life to God.”

The Saintess also seemed to clearly know why she had fallen ill.

Although she must have known her body was not in good condition, she made a joke as if to reassure us.

However, it was clear that this was not a laughing matter.

“Saintess, you must stop using divine power from now on.”

The Saintess looked as if she would collapse at any moment.

If the Saintess was the one who could speak with the God of Peace, she needed to be healthy for me to ask her to let me meet the god.

“Lord Polarin, you seem to know about my illness. Even within the Holy Order, few know…”

“The important thing is that you, Saintess, must stop using divine power right now.”

Even now, divine power was leaking from the Saintess's body.

She had not stopped bestowing blessings within the temple.

Once, the Paladin build was popular in the Tune World community.

The Paladin, who demonstrated an absolute advantage against Demons, was considered the only answer.

Thus, the Paladin build became popular like a wildfire, but soon after, the heat quickly died down.

This was because Paladins often had to use divine power beyond their limits and in doing so, they would contract Divine Petrification and their characters would die.

But I knew the cure for Divine Petrification.

I was the one who first shared this cure in the Tune World community.

At that time, I truly became a hero of the community.

However, even after discovering the cure, I no longer raised a Paladin.

The cure’s shelf life was not very long, and I didn’t want to raise a Paladin in a situation where there was no fundamental solution.

“Please stop using divine power.”

I told the Saintess firmly to stop using divine power.

However, the Saintess still replied with a half-smile.

“I cannot. There are still many believers in the world who need me.”

“Even if they can’t replace you, Saintess, immediately, there must be quite a few outstanding members of the clergy in the order.”

“That’s right. The Holy Order has many outstanding priests. But there are things only I can do.”

“What are those things?”

“Unfortunately, our God is too busy to listen to everyone’s voices.”

“...”

“The clergy can use the divine power granted to them. But other believers cannot. I am in charge of listening to their prayers and bestowing blessings.”

“Isn’t that something other members of the clergy can also share to some extent?”

“That’s right.

But if I stop… many people will suffer.”

A heavy sense of responsibility could be felt in the Saintess's voice.

But she smiled as if she was happy to bear that responsibility.

“I am trying to brighten this world even more.”

But I wanted to stop her.

Even setting aside the purpose of needing the Saintess to speak with God, she seemed like a person too precious to lose her life so senselessly.

Although I had just met the Saintess today, a desire to help her began to sprout.

However, I had no intention of letting my help become a temporary stopgap.

“If that is the only reason, you must stop. Using divine power to bestow blessings in this situation is no different from chipping away at your life, Saintess.”

“...”

“You must live, Saintess, so that you can continue to work for the Holy Order and the world, right? If not… is there another place where you use divine power?”

However, the Saintess remained silent.

It seemed there was another place where she was using divine power besides bestowing blessings.

But the Saintess neither revealed its location nor said she would stop using divine power.

I felt sorry for her.

So I spoke with even more force.

“I know a lot about Divine Petrification, and I also know how to make a cure for it.”

At my words, Itilus was more surprised than the Saintess.

He looked at me and asked,

“Polarin, is it true that you know how to make a cure for Divine Petrification? Please, please tell me how to make it.”

Itilus spoke as if pleading.

But the cure’s effect was only temporary.

If a more fundamental solution was not used, the Saintess would contract Divine Petrification again at any time.

“You don't have to tell me where you are pouring your divine power, Saintess. Instead, if you promise not to use divine power, I will tell you.”

“I will somehow convince the Saintess. Please tell me the recipe for the cure.”

“If you promise me right here, I will tell you the recipe. No, I will also help you get the ingredients.”

I didn't want to fight with the Saintess either.

But I felt that the Saintess was somehow similar to me, so I was unconsciously taking a firm stance with her.

The Saintess felt a sense of responsibility to keep this world in order.

That was similar to the attitude I had always tried to have in this world.

But I do not believe that a person’s life takes precedence over duty.

So I spoke firmly to Itilus, one of the Twelve Swords of Adjak.

“But if the Saintess does not vow to change herself, there is no recipe.”

“Ah…”

Bea also let out a low groan, as if feeling sorry.

The Saintess looked back and forth between me and Bea.

“I understand your words, Lord Polarin. But I will not go against my duty.”

“Who on earth created this duty?”

“It is a duty I have shouldered myself. Just as your thoughts do not change, Lord Polarin, neither do mine.”

The Saintess did not look sad at all.

That fact, ironically, made my heart ache.

“Then I have no choice. It was an honor to meet you.”

With those words, I left the Aquiris Temple.

Bea and Itilus immediately followed me.

“Lord Polarin, how about you reconsider?”

“Please, for my sake, tell me the way.”

I ignored their desperate voices and walked on without stopping.

***

Bea and I stayed in the lodging provided by the Holy Order.

Bea tried to persuade me one more time, but when I firmly refused, she said no more.

However, the fact that I had said I knew how to cure Divine Petrification seemed to have spread widely.

Countless priests and paladins came to persuade me.

But the answer I gave them was always the same.

“If the Saintess vows to withdraw her divine power, I will tell you the recipe. Just one promise is enough.”

In fact, the believers probably didn’t believe me outright when I said I knew the cure.

But they must have already tried everything they could.

They were probably grasping at straws, but they didn't have many options.

My heart ached too, but I cruelly sent back everyone who came.

After that, I even refused Itilus's visits and locked the door.

Only the Saintess could resolve this situation.

Late at dawn, the door to my room was smashed open with a crash.

My mind was also in a turmoil, so I hadn't been able to sleep, and I was able to react immediately.

I stared at the open door with my sword in hand.

The person who entered the room was Everchen Iagar.

It was a rude act, but he seemed distraught.

I glared at Everchen and said,

“I only have one story to tell you.

“...I know and I have obtained the Saintess’s permission.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I am a paladin who serves the order and the Saintess, and also the Saintess’s only brother. It wasn't easy to persuade her, but in the end, the Saintess granted my request.”

Everchen looked even more exhausted than when I had met him during the day.

But his voice was filled with strength.

“Now, tell me how to make the cure to heal the Saintess.”

But I felt something strange.

Everchen didn’t seem relieved about persuading the Saintess, but rather determined.

Had he really come up with a fundamental solution?

For some reason, I was sure that wasn’t true.

“Let’s go to the Saintess. I will hear the story directly.”

“It’s very late.”

“If it’s true, you have done a great thing, Lord Everchen. Since you have accomplished such an important persuasion, it shouldn’t be difficult to confirm it to me.”

“No, it is difficult. The Saintess is a patient. She has been hounded by many people trying to persuade her, and she has only just retired to her quarters.”

“Is one confirmation so difficult?”

“Yes, tell me the recipe now.”

Everchen’s eyes wavered intensely.

“Then I will visit the Saintess tomorrow morning after she has rested well. As you said, Lord Everchen, it is very late.”

I had also been hounded late into the night.

I was exhausted, and I intended to tell him the cure as soon as I confirmed with the Saintess tomorrow.

But Everchen had no intention of waiting for me.

“Must you really do this?”

Everchen’s atmosphere changed in an instant.

The gentle paladin was gone, and only a man exuding the aura of a ferocious beast blocked my path.

Shing—!

Everchen’s sharp sword was drawn.

Divine power exploded from him.

Everchen pointed his sword at me.

“Tell me now or there will be blood. I will obtain the result I want, even if I have to subdue you.”

Instead of answering, I drew the Maron I was holding.

“If you can, then try.”

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