NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33
The location of the Holy Sword Aldebaran has been confirmed.
Moreover,
we have detected that a person known as ‘Edanant von Hohenberc’ is wielding the Holy Sword Aldebaran.
What on earth should we do about this current predicament?
High-ranking priests representing the Holy Kingdom gathered in the conference hall.
By the vibrant crimson robes, it was evident that the summoned high-ranking priests were second-tier cardinals.
“This is unprecedented! An outsider has laid hands on the Holy Sword!”
“But isn’t he the brother of the hero Maximilian? He’s not a complete outsider. He’s said to have defeated evil Meiros and cultists, so let’s consider that in our judgment.”
We must immediately retrieve the Holy Sword.
No.
Let’s hold off on a decision for now and observe the situation.
The opinions of the cardinals were sharply divided and clashed fiercely.
The dominant claim was that the discipline of the Holy Kingdom must be strictly observed, but the flow changed as Edanant von Hohenberc, confirmed as the Holy Sword user, began to eradicate the cultist forces that had hidden within the Valtarian Empire.
“Aren’t we in an unprecedented crisis where both the hero and the saintess are missing? If we were to retrieve the Holy Sword in such circumstances, it would only boost the morale of the cultist forces!”
“How about recognizing Prince Edanant, who has succeeded in the purge, as the new hero…?”
Isn’t the vacancy of the hero and the saintess a critical situation?
Let’s put Edanant von Hohenberc at the forefront. He’s not only a blood relative of hero Maximilian but has also achieved remarkable feats. We can trust him.
As such claims emerged, the cardinals who had maintained a principled position stood up like a swarm of bees. They were the faction following the Holy Sovereign and the second saintess Beatrice.
“What is this nonsense? The ownership of the Holy Sword belongs solely to Your Majesty!”
“Just because he has accomplished feats doesn’t mean he’s exempt from the strict discipline!”
The cardinals of the Holy Kingdom showed signs of acknowledging Edanant’s achievements, but when it came to the issue of transferring ownership of the Holy Sword, most maintained their principled stance.
That’s because Edanant was an unbaptized non-believer.
Had he been a devout believer, the cardinals would have thought positively about him. The fact that he hadn’t received baptism worked against him in the eyes of the cardinals.
Why hadn’t he been baptized?
That became a new point of suspicion.
The Valtarian Empire accepted the Holy Kingdom’s proposal and worshiped Earth Mother Gael as the Creator Deity from an early stage. Therefore, most nobles, including the Emperor, were believers of Earth Mother who had been baptized.
Receiving baptism right after the coming-of-age ceremony was a common culture, making the cardinals find this suspicious.
“Could it be that Prince Edanant has irreverent intentions…?”
“What are you talking about? Prince Edanant is the chosen one of the Holy Sword.”
To resolve the doubts, Edanant must receive baptism.
He cannot forfeit that.
As the debate continued, the cardinals put forth a compromise that instead of forcibly transferring the ownership of the Holy Sword, Edanant must receive baptism from a priest dispatched by the Holy Kingdom.
No one raised any objections to that compromise.
Only a person who has received sacred baptism would rightfully be granted the Holy Sword bestowed by Earth Mother.
*
If you want to claim the ownership of the Holy Sword, you must receive baptism.
Zebeline voiced the Holy Kingdom’s demand, feeling the irrationality of reality.
Forcing someone to believe in a religion was no different from military priests enticing recruits with hamburgers and cola.
It would have been better if the Holy Kingdom had threatened to demand tithes. I would’ve gladly given them that petty cash.
Of course, I’d complain endlessly with my mouth.
“Do you know? In the past, they used to conduct baptisms by submerging believers in cold rivers. Now it’s simplified to just pouring water on their heads.”
“Yes, I know.”
Submerging the body in the river is called immersion baptism, while sprinkling water on the head is called aspersion baptism.
How could I not know that?
I had seen the priests of the Holy Kingdom presiding over baptism ceremonies many times. For reference, I had also witnessed the scene of Maximilian receiving baptism.
Responding with an exaggerated gesture, I didn’t want to answer seriously to Zebeline’s playful inquiry.
That made Zebeline burst into giggles.
“I heard that citizens of the Valtarian Empire, regardless of class, receive baptism along with their coming-of-age ceremony… Prince Edanant is quite unique, isn’t he? Is there any particular reason why he has been avoiding baptism until now? Perhaps some unavoidable circumstance?”
“……”
Is she trying to fish for information?
Zebeline asked with a bright smile.
I paused for a moment.
The first saintess’s blue eyes shone meaningfully.
I wondered if the saintess had chosen the wrong profession. Instead of a solemn saintess, wouldn’t a mischievous shepherd girl suit her better?
‘I feel like I said something similar to some kid before…’
A sense of déjà vu suddenly struck me.
Maybe the playful yet lively image of the saintess reminded me of someone.
Strangely, the memory was hazy.
It was only three years ago, yet it felt distant.
“I have an allergy to holy water.”
“Pfft!”
The silver-haired girl covered her mouth and laughed. Meanwhile, the holy knights escorting the saintess showed displeasure as if they disliked jokes.
“It’s a joke. If it’s the Holy Kingdom’s decision, of course, I must follow.”
“Wise decision.”
After leaving the villa, I conversed with Zebeline as we walked through the streets.
Every time the silver-haired girl and the holy knights in full armor appeared, attention gathered from all around.
Phew.
I hope there’s no fake news circulating again.
A playboy who bewitched the imperial princesses is now targeting the saintess…
If a newspaper spreads such false news, I’d think of channeling The Bomber Gale and launching a bombing.
“The cardinals of the Holy Kingdom will likely seek to recruit Edanant starting with baptism. Given the significant power vacuum left by the disappearance of the saintess party, it’s only natural that a ‘new hero’ is needed, right?”
“Now that’s going too far with your jokes. How could I ever replace my brother?”
I had no intention of accepting the Holy Kingdom’s proposal.
Moreover, I had no plans to leave the empire.
I merely wished for tranquility.
Since the disappearance of the saintess party, things have only worsened.
Once I entered the Holy Kingdom filled with high-ranking priests, the risk of being exposed would increase drastically. Therefore, I subtly declined Zebeline’s meaningful suggestion.
“…I knew Edanant would respond like that. I felt somewhat prepared, but being outright rejected is a bit disappointing.”
“……”
Zebeline sighed deeply.
She looked like a girl who had confessed and been rejected.
Didn’t she need to be that disheartened?
Isn’t the Holy Kingdom, the unparalleled power comparable to the mightiest Valtarian Empire? If Zebeline announced a holy war, countless holy knights of the Holy Kingdom would risk their lives.
“Before receiving baptism, one must memorize basic prayers… Do you happen to have them memorized?”
“Not at all, I’m completely unfamiliar with them.”
“I can’t believe someone is lacking in faith to this extent. It’s really unfortunate for the saintess of the Holy Kingdom.”
“…I’m sorry.”
It was incredibly embarrassing, but I didn’t even know the short prayers that even children could recite.
I felt like an idiot.
Was this how Rue felt, always running around?
When the moment came to recite the prayers, I’d probably freeze up. As I openly displayed my embarrassment, Zebeline smiled kindly and said she would help me.
*
The kind saintess offered to extend a helping hand to guide the deficient savage.
Missionary work is also a saint’s duty.
Zebeline said this and headed back to the villa with me.
I never expected I’d receive private tutoring from the saintess.
If the priests who revered the saintess as a demigod had seen this scene, they would have cried tears of jealousy. They were fanatics who had rushed out to beg for her teachings as soon as Zebeline arrived in the empire.
“Now, lay down. I’ll read it for you.”
“Um, that’s a bit…”
“Ahem! Are you intending to refuse my goodwill to teach you?”
“……”
The beautiful silver-haired girl sat down on the soft carpet.
After that, she patted her thighs.
Faced with such blatant insistence, I had no choice but to concede. With an uncomfortable heart like I couldn’t sit still, I lay down and committed the unholy sin of placing my head on the saintess’s lap.
“Good, well done.”
The sacred maiden smiled warmly and gently patted my head. Every time her soft hand glided over my skin, I couldn’t help but cringe.
What’s happening here?
What on earth is this situation?
I blinked my eyes and assessed Zebeline’s demeanor.
I thought it might just be her playful teasing, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Zebeline was genuinely smiling with happiness.
Her cheeks, flushed like a peach, were telling me all I needed to know.
“I wanted to return the favor of the lap pillow someday… and it seems like the opportunity has come.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just found it amusing watching Prince Edanant staring blankly.”
“……”
The silver-haired girl spoke with a voice lost in thought.
Her hand, stroking my head like a dandelion swaying in the wind, overflowed with warmth.
It felt like she was treating a long-lost lover.
Surely we had been strangers until recently, right?
Yet, Zebeline displayed genuine emotions as if we had known each other for a long time.