Chapter 77 – The Great Existence (7)
“It is clear that there are disturbances in the world. While we cannot be certain whether it is the great calamity that brought an end to the past Mythical Era, as some are shouting, we cannot be sure yet.”
The hero and saintess secured by the Order must inevitably be controlled by the Order. If necessary, they would not hesitate to engage in political matters.
Fortunately for the Order, this time both the hero and saintess came from unremarkable common backgrounds. Since they had no notable family background, the Order they were to be under guardianship could effectively use them as vanguards to expand their influence.
“Through true holy water, awaken the powers slumbering in your blood and soul.”
Additionally, a privilege was granted that only the Order could uniquely offer in this world: the ability to forcibly awaken talents using holy water.
With this, both the hero and saintess would become completely bound to the Order, which was the only source of their power.
And thus, the enhanced power of the Order would soon return to the priests who governed it.
‘It’s true. I’m really going to become a saintess.’
In the underground of the Order’s headquarters, in this sanctum that only those permitted could enter at designated times, Melissa, waiting quietly in her clean garments, struggled to maintain her composure, trying to keep her smile in check. At least until the ceremony was over, she had to maintain solemnity and calmness.
This was also what the Grand Priest Deus had told her when he secretly came to visit her the night before.
“There’s no need to wear a pointless mask, Saintess.”
“Yes, yes…?”
Deus, an experienced and seasoned politician with gray hair, saw through Melissa’s mask in an instant, which was just a teenage girl’s attempt at concealment. However, contrary to the shocked Melissa’s expectations, Deus merely grinned instead of scolding her.
“The hero possesses a truly admirable and straightforward spirit. But as you know, this world does not operate solely on principles.”
Realizing that the pure-hearted but resolute hero Ian was not someone he could coax easily, Deus instead approached Melissa. He intended to appropriately use the still-young but ambitious girl as his puppet.
In return, Melissa would be able to get everything she desired. The hero, wealth, and status, all of it.
Though his plan to have her slay her abusive foster parents using the Order’s power was not accepted, Deus subtly hinted at another path.
After all, there were plenty of people in this land who would do anything for money.
“Both of you, enter the holy water. You will awaken your true powers.”
By now, the tedious ceremony had concluded. Only the awakening ceremony, which could be considered the main event, remained.
Melissa, pulling on Ian’s hand, was desperate to throw herself into the blue water at any moment.
“Wait! Hold on!”
However, at that moment, with a loud noise, the sanctum entrance burst open. The Grand Priest Leber, who had suddenly gone missing for several days, appeared.
And in his hand, he was gripping the hand of a red-haired girl.
“What is the meaning of this, Leber! How dare you interrupt the sacred ceremony after disappearing on your own!”
Deus was the first to shout in shock. Yet, Leber calmly explained the situation to his peers, saying he had brought a ‘true’ saintess candidate.
“You all should know. The saintess from the distant myths originally possessed not only the power of healing but also the purifying power to cleanse foes. Even the Order’s first saintess had such powers. Though that power had not manifested for thousands of years, now, in this age, right here! She has appeared!”
Leber blended the facts related to Irilia, which had already been known through legend, into his explanation to his peers.
Naturally, great confusion ensued. The priests, regardless of rank, were agog with wide eyes.
“Don’t spout nonsense. A descendant of the first saintess?”
“To be precise, one could say she is the origin of all saintesses in this world.”
Seeing Deus hesitate, Leber nodded. Even the first saintess they revered was ultimately not someone from the Mythical Era.
“This is the proof.”
Leber did not stop there but demonstrated the power of Maria, the girl he had brought. He forcibly extracted the power using the previously corrupted relic.
Though Irilia did not assist this time, Maria had, during her short time here, strived desperately to control her powers with Irilia’s help.
Thanks to that, she managed to prove the power of purification for a brief moment.
Everyone, already in a stir, gaped at the purified relic. It was indeed a power that could counter the ‘curse’ passed down over a long time, just like the powers of the hero.
“Of course, the saintesses the Order has served over the years all possessed healing powers. According to the laws, the one you brought is indeed a saintess, but the one who can truly be called a true saintess is her.”
Leber pointed at Maria, glancing at Melissa, who had turned as pale as a sheet.
Leber didn’t know what kind of person Melissa was, but since bringing Maria had put her position in jeopardy, he felt a pang of guilt.
“Now, what are you hesitating for? Let all three of you conduct the awakening ceremony.”
Leber intended to finish the ceremony, including Maria. If he established his position as Maria’s backer, he could secretly open the sanctum door and summon Irilia.
Using the saintess and the hero to crush the arrogance of daring allies like Deus, who sought to surpass him, was a bonus.
“No, it’s all a lie!”
However, the situation began to escalate beyond expectations. Including Deus, several priests who were caught off guard by the unexpected events fell into a panic.
‘Leber, that bastard! How dare he!’
Deus’s head was in turmoil with rage, despair, and incredulity. Though he had initially teamed up with Leber to suppress the opposing faction, the sudden display of Leber’s business acumen was the problem.
Where he had obtained the massive amount of gold to suppress the dissenters was unknown, but with that merit, Leber gained trust from the High Priest and quickly became a significant figure. Deus, who had intended to remain a suitable competitor, found himself unable to tolerate being under Leber’s command.
‘So I bet everything on this venture.’
To surpass Leber, he needed to seize the hero and saintess first. In reality, the priests following him discovered the pair first, and now the game was over.
No matter how much Leber may carry an unknown back pocket, revealing outside forces openly was grounds for impeachment. Thus, with the justification and power he possessed, he could emerge victorious.
He could manipulate the foolish and bold young saintess to control the entire Order.
“What are the holy knights doing! Capture those heretics and witches immediately!”
With everything on the verge of collapse, it was only natural that reason would also fly away. Even Leber, who thought other priests would adequately retreat to maintain the balance of power, was caught off guard by the outbreak.
“What is this? Leber, still…”
“Capture them!”
While others were stunned by the sudden flow of events, the issue was that among the holy knights were extremists, including Deus, who had joined forces or were bribed.
Those who had taken control nearby for this ritual were planning to kill Leber and Maria before things escalated further. It happened so swiftly that neutral parties had no time to intervene.
“Who do these bastards think they are…”
Leber, holding his staff, hesitated involuntarily as several holy knights approached, swords drawn, ready to strike him down.
Thinking they couldn’t possibly have the intent to kill him, Leber panicked when he saw the swords they raised gleaming. The murderous intent contained within them was fully charged with the will to massacre the two on the spot.
“Ugh?!”
“Is it an earthquake?”
It was at that moment the ground suddenly shook. Everyone caught off guard stumbled, as did the holy knights who had drawn their swords to strike down Leber and Maria.
“What is going on?!”
They were horrified to find their swords blocked by stone pillars that had spouted from the ground. Simultaneously, their feet were swallowed into the ground that split open beneath them, sinking to their shins.
No matter how much they struggled to escape, it was futile. The ground continued to suck them in. It was evident if they continued, they would be crushed, trapped by the ground from the legs up, so they abandoned their swords and froze like statues.
“What a sight to behold.”
As everyone held their breath, wondering if another earthquake would cause this underground to collapse, a voice quietly resonated through the space.
It was the pristine and beautiful voice of a girl, untouched by dirt.
However, the emotions contained within that voice were filled with disdain and fury.
