Chapter 40

The soldiers, who had been moving, flinched and trembled at the sound of a string snapping.

“…….”

Cariel, muttering to himself, fiddled with his lips as he replaced the string.

From the front row, Knight Luke in black armor glanced sideways at the Holy Maiden Alesia, who had just approached his side.

“Will it take more than half a day? Are you planning to walk?”

“There’s some training involved, plus there aren’t any horses we can ride right away, are there?”

“Can’t you see the carriages?”

“But that would tire out the horses, wouldn’t it?”

“…Is this deep concern or unnecessary sentimentality?”

Luke turned his back again and glanced behind him.

Including those operating the supply carriage, there were about twenty people.

They had received a request for help from a small village within their territory due to monster appearances. Since they happened to be free, Luke personally brought some of his troops along.

Though the village did have a militia, it was clear that dealing with monsters was beyond their capability.

Occasionally, unexpected experts emerged from remote villages, but those were rare exceptions.

“It was fortunate that thanks to that young man, we ended without any casualties.”

“What about me?”

The holy maiden pointed to herself and asked.

“…Of course, Lady Alesia was also helpful.”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m an afterthought.”

“That won’t happen.”

Truthfully.

This leisurely opportunity… wasn’t it thanks to her? Or maybe because of her?

In the past, there was only one Holy Maiden.

A symbol of the Order, the messenger of God, and the voice carrying His will—literally, God’s envoy watched over with affectionate eyes.

However, the Order once faced great turmoil over this very issue.

Back then, the situation was reversed, and the pope collaborating with the Demon King was ousted.

The sanctity of the Holy Maiden was dismantled, allowing for a more approachable form.

…One of Hermine’s achievements, where she was even called the Holy Mother.

Thus, the title “Holy Maiden” no longer referred to a single individual.

Currently, six Holy Maidens are officially recognized by the Order.

Alesia ranked fourth among them.

“Thanks to all of you, I’ve been dragged around supervising leeches. It’s pitiful, isn’t it?”

“But isn’t everything still for the sake of the Order?”

“…It’s just that I find it bothersome.”

Alesia tilted her head with a mischievous look.

“Isn’t diligence a virtue for priestesses?”

“You should feed that nonsense to pigs.”

She was firm.

“After all, when you’re working, you can’t slack off even if you want to. Just be diligent during those times. If you try too hard every time, you won’t last long.”

“Is that so?”

“What do you mean ‘is that so’?! Hey? Those self-proclaimed true priestesses who worked hard initially but later became perverts or traitors? There’s a reason for that. Rather than stubbornly clinging to perfection, it’s much better to step down early. Humans trying to act perfect is why they all end up mentally broken. How’s that for an explanation? Am I wrong?”

“…….”

It was quite blatant.

Not hostile or aggressive, but…

“In that sense, that child is also a product of such sacrifices.”

Look at her expression, her gaze.

“…Does that kid really act like someone of his age?”

On this point, Luke deeply agreed.

The ghostly skills displayed while holding off the monsters alongside the village militia were impressive, but…

Apart from that, the boy seemed unusually melancholic.

Moreover, it looked like he wasn’t used to receiving gratitude from the villagers.

Unpredictable outbreaks of multiple monsters.

This wasn’t a result of the current Demon King invasion but rather scars left from an older incursion.

Spontaneous magical surges appear across the continent. When these accumulate, they burst and create monsters. Ideally, these should be monitored periodically, but sometimes the cycle gets disrupted.

Just like this time.

If he hadn’t happened to pass by the village, they might’ve fled for help and met Luke’s group on the way, or perhaps reached another safe haven through the Holy Maiden.

“The movements weren’t human-like.”

“Huh?”

The Holy Maiden hadn’t witnessed it firsthand since she joined late, but everyone praised him highly.

Her healing abilities were extraordinary during the casualty treatment phase, though most critical injuries occurred before Luke and Ruel arrived.

Fortunately, no one died.

So, it must be heaven’s protection, right?

…Otherwise, how could things align so perfectly?

After wrapping up, they continued together because their destinations coincided.

“Besides, isn’t there a festival at Fortress Carriel soon? Many will gather.”

The guardian saint of Baroneurers.

One of the eleven Guardian Knights of the Berke Empire.

During an era when knighthood hadn’t yet been established, when remnants of demons and barbarians freely crossed borders and lines,

An age of distrust where chivalry, faith, and belief had fallen.

When the lord abandoned sick and impoverished peasants suffering from plagues,

He stood alone against hundreds of barbarians to protect them.

And until his dying breath, he drove them back, becoming a hero.

He was the first to call himself a knight and preached the ideals of knighthood.

Though it happened 300 years ago,

a contemporary of Illand, known as the strongest knight of the empire.

Saint Carriel, despite not being the strongest, embodied compassion for the weak, dedication, courage, and sacrifice, setting the standard for the age of knights.

Perhaps that’s why the warrior Ruelde and the Holy Maiden Hermine named their first child Carriel.

Could it have been admiration for those qualities?

“When lost wanderers seek guidance through ancient saints and sages, it’s not uncommon. Our adherence to Lady Irene’s teachings could also be seen as following her path because we don’t know our own, seeking faith in her footsteps to believe we’re on the right path, isn’t it?”

“Your words truly make you seem like a Holy Maiden.”

“Look at this impious fellow!”

As the two bickered and quieted down,

Ding!

Having finished the replacement, Cariel began playing the lyre again.

Sometimes calm, other times thrilling enough to make hearts race.

“Where’d you learn that?”

Alesia now stood beside Cariel.

Since she was mounted, Cariel had to look down at her.

“On my own.”

“Like from gypsies or wandering minstrels? Not from demon kids, right?”

“Yes. I’ve seen them a few times, but I’ve never directly conversed or learned methods from them.”

There was no time for that.

Cariel silently plucked the lyre, leaving the rest unsaid.

In Demon King terms, his consciousness was fried, so further combat training would only harm him.

…Now, he dreams of playing the lyre.

Naturally, his skills improve.

Meanwhile, the Demon King occasionally teaches him guitar techniques. The structures differ from the lyre, adding new fun.

Especially the mana-infused guitar.

It feels downright demonic.

“Yet you’ve never asked me something. Aren’t you curious?”

“Eh?”

Confused, Cariel looked at Alesia, who smirked.

“Why am I following you guys? Don’t you wonder?”

“…Should I be curious about that?”

“…”

Suddenly making him speechless.

It wasn’t apathy, but…

“Then I’ll talk to myself.”

Pouting, Alesia sniffed.

“At the time of the Demon King’s invasion, some quickly sided against the Demon King and allied with humanity, remember?”

“…Yes. Sort of.”

Cariel glanced at the sky but returned his gaze to Alesia.

“Among them were many with strange skills and abilities. And among those… well, this might confuse you, but there are those who can glimpse fragments of the past memories embedded in the land.”

“Is that so?”

“And, as you know, the history of the Age of Distrust still has unclear elements for us, right?”

That’s why.

“Although the Papacy didn’t request it, apparently, they offered to help explore this themselves.”

“…Why?”

Meaning, the remnants of demons want to understand the histories of the saints of Irene’s Order, but since they lack detailed knowledge, they wish to use their abilities to uncover it. Something like that?

“It benefits the Order to push research on the saints, and for them… it helps their artistic endeavors, they say.”

“Artistic… endeavors?”

Cariel glanced toward the sky again.

“After the Great War, their activities have been strictly artistic, technical, and commercial.”

“…”

He had learned this briefly in academy classes.

“Still, you never know, which is why I was sent as supervisor.”

Unfortunately, being nearby at the time was bad luck.

Sighing gloomily, Alesia muttered.

“But since it’s festival season, I might catch a good guy.”

“…”

“Pay attention! This concerns you! I even proposed earlier! Have you already forgotten?!”

“Eh? Me? To me?”

Was that serious? Not a joke?

Confused, Cariel had no choice but to listen to her incessant chatter.

Still, somehow…

…It wasn’t unpleasant.

To the point where he had to desperately stop his lips from curling upward.

Not bad at all.

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