Chapter 114 : Chapter 114

Chapter 114 : Audience (9)

When the Holy Order said they would hold a coronation ceremony, I was informed of a plan to invite many influential figures from the Empire and my acquaintances.

At that time, I had thought about which of my acquaintances I should invite.

Several people came to mind.

Keldric, Eidon, Siriel, Kiyot, Blaze, Labella and so on.

Of course, I understood that I couldn't invite everyone.

Since the Holy Order's position was to once again imprint the order's name on the world through this coronation, they would only call those among my acquaintances who had influence on the continent.

When all these circumstances were considered, the first name that came to mind was undoubtedly Tayon.

If he hadn't given me the special recommendation, my appearance in this world would have been delayed even further.

Tayon was the first person in this world to acknowledge me.

He had saved my and Gerd's lives from the Shaber, and he had given me the Branch of the World Tree.

He had also become my swordsmanship teacher while leading the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

When I was in danger fighting Nagelmayer who had escaped from Myeolji, I had also received Tayon’s help.

Adjak had left me a legacy, and my father might be Gerd, but my gratitude and respect for Tayon were always in my heart.

‘…But Tayon is in danger?’

Agamben only told me to refer to the letter for details and immediately left Aquiris Island.

It seemed his purpose in coming here was not to attend the coronation, but to deliver a letter to me.

I wanted to check what had happened right away, but there was no time for that.

“Let’s go.”

Because the very excited Itilus had come to get me.

The journey to the Aquiris Temple with Itilus was chaotic in a different sense.

Itilus repeatedly explained the procedure of the coronation, said that I was the pride of the Adjak family and poured out requests for me to work for the Holy Order.

And so we reached the front of the Aquiris Temple.

Not long after, the Saintess began to conduct the coronation.

She expressed her gratitude to those gathered here and offered a prayer together.

I stayed behind the curtain until it was my turn to appear, but I couldn't seem to concentrate on the coronation procedure.

Then Everchen asked with concern.

“Lord Polarin, is something worrying you? You don’t seem to be able to concentrate at all.”

“I have something to think about for a moment. I’m sorry. I need to focus.”

Everchen didn't speak to me in a scolding tone.

But this event would be important to the devout believer Everchen as well.

I felt sorry for Everchen for no reason and pulled myself together.

The coronation was an important event for both the Holy Order and me.

It was the most attention I had received since coming to this world.

It was important for me to do my best in this event for my own sake as well.

Surely Tayon would want that too.

“Please welcome our new apostle, Lord Polarin Adjak. He is the sole apostle of the Holy Order, upon whom the God of Peace has personally bestowed grace.”

The Saintess, Serel, introduced me in front of the guests gathered at the Aquiris Temple.

After her introduction, I would go out, greet them, and perform the ceremony.

Sigh, I took a deep breath and looked around.

The spire of the temple, soaring high as if to pierce the sky.

On both sides, flags with the crest of the Holy Order and the dragon crest of the Adjak family fluttered.

I hadn't requested it, but the Holy Order seemed to have taken care of it.

Serel was giving a speech from the platform and behind her was an intricate marble sculpture of the God of Peace, and in front, flames flickered from a huge brazier.

The Holy Order called that brazier the Brazier of the Sanctuary and I had heard that it was an eternal flame.

Normally, only embers remained, but when the gaze of God fell upon it, the flames would soar high.

“You must prepare to go out soon. The Brazier of the Sanctuary is burning high, so walk with confidence.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Following Everchen’s signal, I walked out.

Serel welcomed me with a benevolent smile.

The high-ranking priests and paladins of the order, as well as the guests lined up below the platform, all applauded me.

Fwoosh!

The flames of the holy fire grew even stronger.

I didn't know if it was really growing larger because of God’s gaze.

Even if I didn't know the principle, it was a magnificent performance.

As the flames grew larger, I could see the eyes of those below the platform widening even more clearly.

Following the procedure I had been taught, I advanced to the front of Serel.

And then I knelt on one knee.

Serel dripped holy water on my head.

And then, divine power spread deeply from my body.

Joy rose on the faces of the people.

Although I had become an apostle of the Holy Order, I was not a member of the clergy.

I could not spread or gather divine power at will.

For that reason, I was worried that I might not be able to conduct the coronation successfully, but it was a needless worry.

Everchen came up onto the platform, holding a white tray with an item on it.

“The ceremony of bestowing the three divine artifacts of the order will now take place. This is the divine artifact that Lord Polarin Adjak has personally chosen.”

The day before, the Saintess had told me that according to the order’s tradition, one of the three divine artifacts would be bestowed upon the apostle.

She had subtly recommended that I choose the holy sword, but I had refused.

-If I take the holy sword or shield, I will have to greatly change my fighting style.

-In that case…

-I will choose the Celestial Crown.

The Holy Sword Eusebia, the Divine Shield Aeliard, and the Celestial Crown Mutis.

The three divine artifacts of the Holy Order were all mysterious artifacts imbued with special abilities.

Among them, the holy sword was known as the symbol of the apostle, which was why Serel had recommended it, but I had Maron.

Not only did it fit my hand best, but Maron and I also had a promise.

I would wield Maron and sever the head of the new Demon King.

Choosing not to take the shield was an easy decision.

Except when training in Gullok, I had never fought with a shield before.

No matter how good an artifact I got, there was no reason to choose an unfamiliar fighting style.

Adjak, who had the characteristics of a Weapon Master, often wielded new weapons, but I was different.

It was better to push the swordsmanship I had practiced all my life to the limit than to practice a new fighting style with a shield.

“We will bestow the Celestial Crown Mutis upon the new apostle of the Holy Order, Lord Polarin Adjak.”

Serel took the Mutis, which was placed neatly on the white tray, and placed it on my head.

Woooong!

As the Mutis was placed on my head, divine power spread far and wide once again.

“Mutis is a crown that the God of Peace has personally blessed. With this, Lord Polarin is officially recognized as an apostle of the order.”

As an item that significantly increased the Wisdom stat, I could feel my head clearing as soon as I put it on.

That wasn't all.

Mutis was the best artifact in the mental barrier category.

In Myeolji, I would be subjected to countless mental attacks such as confusion and fascination.

Now, I was almost immune to such mental attacks.

Furthermore, I was well aware of Mutis’s hidden ability.

-If the user suffers damage that would lead to death, it blocks the damage once per battle and transforms the user into a divine avatar for 1 minute.

The greedy Adjak had eventually obtained all three divine artifacts, and among them, he had used Mutis’s avatar transformation ability well.

In addition, leadership, that is, the power to lead someone, was also enhanced.

Just by wearing the Celestial Crown, the number of people who were inspired by me would increase.

I straightened my knee and stood up from my place.

And I greeted the Saintess and the guests gathered here in turn.

“I, Polarin Adjak, as an apostle of the Holy Order, will become a light that drives out the darkness for the sake of the order and the world.”

Was it the influence of the crown, or was it because of the occasion?

Even though all those gathered at the coronation were influential figures, I could tell that everyone was concentrating on my words.

“I will eliminate our true enemies, the new Demon King of Myeolji and his servants.”

I stated my purpose with force.

“I will lead so that the world does not become divided, but can unite its strength.”

I also implicitly stated my intention to work to stop the Empire’s ambitions of war.

“Everyone, please pay attention to the path I will take. I will always be at the forefront.”

As the short speech ended, the Mutis glittered with a faint light.

A reverent divine power filled the front of the Aquiris Temple.

Everyone clapped until their hands turned red and some even had tears in their eyes.

I could also see the messengers of the Holy Order moving quickly.

The fact that I had become an apostle of the order would soon spread far and wide throughout the world.

***

“Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t think I will be able to attend the banquet.”

“No, what do you mean? What day is better than today! There are many nobles who want to see you!”

The noble who introduced himself as a duke asked with a puzzled look.

The duke, a devout believer of the Holy Order, seemed to find it strange that I was refusing to attend the banquet.

I was grateful that a duke from a different faction, not the Western Noble Coalition, was showing me great favor, but I had something I had to do right away.

“As an apostle of the Holy Order, the place I should be right now is not a banquet hall, but the front of Myeolji. Please be generous and understand.”

“Hey, what do you mean, understand. It’s not even a question. I understand your noble intentions well. Please go and convey the teachings of peace to those wicked things.”

The duke was happy that the Holy Order had gained a faithful apostle and then left.

Thanks to Agamben, the people of the Holy Order already knew that I would be leaving as soon as the coronation was over.

Many people had also come to guide me to the ship.

“I heard that something might have happened to Tayon. I’m sorry I can’t go with you.”

“No, Lord Itilus, you also have many new duties to attend to. Please assist the Saintess well so that she does not use as much divine power as before.”

Itilus had tried to step down from his position as Grand Master of the Paladin Order, citing his age, but the Holy Order had not allowed it.

Instead, he had decided to become the Saintess’s direct guardian and assist her by her side.

Itilus would be able to do it well.

Before boarding the ship with Bea, I waved to everyone.

It was a short meeting, but healing the Saintess had had its effect.

The renowned priests and paladins of the Holy Order had bestowed their blessings upon me.

Among them, I especially expressed my gratitude to Everchen.

Because he had helped me break through the guardian and had asked the God of the Holy Order if I could become an apostle.

I shook Everchen’s hand firmly and said my goodbyes.

“Stay healthy, Lord Everchen.”

“I heard that you both get very seasick.”

“Ah, that’s right. But since we’re taking a bigger ship than when we came, won’t it be alright?”

“No matter how big the ship is, it is bound to shake. You will need a paladin who can bestow blessings.”

Everchen was speaking indirectly, but it wasn't difficult to guess his intention.

“It could be a difficult journey. Will you be alright?”

“I am already prepared for everything.”

Everchen nodded and said, “From now on, I will assist the sole apostle of the Holy Order.”

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