NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52.1
The ordination ceremony of priests, said to be bestowed by the God, and the ordination ceremony of knights declared by the Emperor.
And the knighthood ceremony, symbolizing the ‘sun,’ is presided over by the Emperor, carrying the meaning of a ‘great beginning,’ held on the first day of the founding festival at noon.
On the other hand, the priesthood ceremony, symbolizing the ‘moon,’ is presided over by the Pope, carrying the meaning of ‘eternal glory and succession,’ taking place on the last night of the founding festival.
Both ceremonies were significant events for the Holy Empire’s major forces. It wasn’t a mere coincidence that they were appointed on the glorious day of the country’s establishment.
And what does that mean?
In short, it means that spectators flock to the ceremonies to watch.
Well, considering that the country is already in a confrontation with the demons, the ceremonies became a hot topic. This year, especially, it was expected to be particularly noteworthy…
“If they are the Eshua young masters, aren’t they Lady Leah’s younger brothers?”
“Ah! Lady Kaya! I will definitely get to know your siblings and greet you!”
It was like that.
For the energetic knights, Isaac and Shuri’s presence was an opportunity to become acquainted with the sisters, who were their leaders!
“Once again, young knights have gathered in large numbers…”
“It seems that Eshua’s saints are quite popular…”
The attendants preparing for the ordination ceremony sighed.
Eshua was already famous for exceptional heavenly beauty. It wasn’t just a rumor that demons lost their minds and were drawn away when they saw the saints.
‘To create a flaw in the Skeleton King, the Goddess of Beauty specially intervened in appearance.’
The problem was that the target of subjugation didn’t show any response!
Moreover, the Skeleton King, who was supposed to come over, didn’t come at all, and only the people around him lost their minds!
“Wow! Lady Leah!”
“Lady Kaya!”
“Please let me see you at least once!”
Exactly like that.
Even the saintess, leading the paladins in the art of war, were geniuses in martial prowess. It was strange that they were unpopular.
So, the men of Eshua, who were always ordained priests, had to endure the attention of the knights.
“Ah, Eshua men are really pitiful. If you have no ability, you’ll be forcibly taken to a wedding as soon as you become an adult. If you have ability, you’ll die young.”
At this point, even the Skeleton King seemed quite pitiful.
“Hey, among them, the most cursed one is young master Isaac.”
“Oh, a 10-year-old being called a milk-drinker? Although he’s cute, it’s pitiful. What can we do?”
“That’s right. Today, we’ll completely ridicule him again… Huh?”
However, the attendants who were carrying the meal were wide-eyed. It was because of the two men who had just passed by them.
“Di-Did you just see that?!”
“Uh, uh? One of them is Shuri Eshua, and who is the other one?”
“Are you kidding? Who else in this Empire has platinum hair!”
“…Huh?”
“Huh?!”
The astonished attendants couldn’t close their mouths.
And at a similar time, inside the banquet hall.
This year’s graduates, who were about to receive priestly ordination, stood in rows.
Wearing the same priestly robes, they were each chatting freely. The theme was the same for all of them.
“Hey, where’s Shuri Eshua? Is he changing the diapers of his baby brother?”
“Is the younger brother the protagonist of today, entering last?”
This year, there were 500 students graduating from the Sacred Technique Department.
Among them, the faction of the Red Duke was eagerly anticipating Isaac’s arrival.
‘To give ordination to a 10-year-old. It’s too much.’
‘Is he ignoring us?’
However, they couldn’t say anything about Isaac’s skills. After all, the person Isaac saved from the restaurant was from their faction.
If they made the wrong comment, they might end up looking down on the Red Duke, who received help from Isaac.
So, they casually poked someone else.
“You’re the top student, but the attention is on that baby. It must be annoying, Hawk.”
Everyone looked at this year’s top student.
It was a student with green hair. He was an overwhelming genius who had never missed a perfect score on the written exam for seven years.
However, the class president position was taken by Shuri Eshua, who was the second-best student.
And this time, it was Isaac Eshua.
“To be overshadowed by Eshua again, isn’t it unfair?”
“Well, even if there’s dissatisfaction, a village bastard has no right to complain to a noble.”
When they were about to enthusiastically provoke the wind, Naiser Sephet stopped them.
“It’s noisy; get ready.”
“Naiser…!”
Naiser Sephet raised the corners of his mouth.
“I wonder if Eshua can also use sacred techniques, but it looks like he’s just a milk-drinker.”
“That’s right. It’s more like a self-satisfaction that all the focus will be on that infant.”
“Rather, it’s a self-defeating decision to attract attention. After all, wouldn’t everyone laugh when they see that cursed appearance?”
In other words, if Isaac’s name is called and he toddles in, everyone ridicules him.
That alone made this priesthood ceremony meaningful. Originally, Naiser Sephet had no positive feelings towards Isaac.
Already having the worst image of the Blue, and Isaac Eshua?
How can they ever forget what that bastard did to them in the Saintess’s Treasury? Because of that guy, ten years ago, how much trouble did his family go through?
“I don’t know what kind of favor my father received to give a recommendation to the Blue, but…”
That was when it happened.
Bang!
“!”
The giant door swung wide open, and the once noisy banquet hall suddenly became quiet, as if it had never been so.
Students who were enjoying jokes, as well as everyone engaged in conversations, immediately swallowed their saliva and straightened their postures.
Appearing were the Five Faiths, Five Dukes.
In the order of Gold, Blue, Red, White, and Black, the five Cardinals drew an unwavering line and headed towards the high seats.
Everyone bowed their heads as if in reverence.
With a refined black priestly robe fluttering, they moved with fierce yet perfectly restrained steps.
The overwhelming atmosphere automatically made people bow their heads.
‘Those are the Cardinals…!’
‘The leaders of the Five Faiths!’
Having eliminated numerous demon lords in the past, they were now the only ones who could subjugate the Skeleton King.
For young priests, they were truly idols. Well, among them, there seemed to be those who were struggling.
“Why did the Blue come so late?”
Looking at the slightly disheveled Eshua Duke from the Red Duke’s viewpoint, he laughed.
“You weren’t coming until a minute ago, so I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Get lost.”
Disheveled Elai, the head of the Blue Duchy, immediately swallowed his curse.
Damn, what kind of thing was this because of that grandson?
Especially after running that distance in just 23 hours. Considering the unexpected accidents that happened along the way… that damned grandson!
‘If I find him, I’ll pull out every strand of his hair!’
In fact, Lilai, who came together, was currently sitting with a rare disheveled uniform.
Underclassmen who recognized Lilai were surprised, and the first to arrive, Goel, wrinkled his nose at the smell of sweat.
“Aren’t the noble Duke’s people acting without dignity? Not even commoners.”
“That… I’m sorry. I was afraid of being late, so I ran here abandoning my divine beast and even stripped down…”
“Crazy! You ran that distance?”
Surprised, Goel hurriedly offered water, but even in the meantime, Lilai was disheartened. It wasn’t important now that he was tired and sweaty.
‘Isaac, where the hell are you…!’
Just in case, he asked if anyone saw the baby on the way into the banquet hall, but no one had.