episode_0033

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The location of the Holy Sword Aldebaran has been confirmed.

also,

We have now discovered that a person named ‘Edanant von Hohenberg’ is using the holy sword Aldebaran.

How should we deal with the current problem?

High-ranking priests representing the Holy Empire attended the conference.

Through their bright red robes, one could guess that the high-ranking priests who had been summoned like a cloud were cardinals of the second rank.

“This is unprecedented! An outsider can touch the holy sword!”

“But isn’t it said that he is the younger brother of the warrior Maximilian? Not a complete outsider. It is said that he defeated the evil demon and the cultists, so please take him into account when making your judgment.”

We must retrieve the holy sword immediately.

no.

Let’s put the decision on hold for now and wait and see what happens.

The public opinion of the cardinals was divided and they clashed tightly.

The prevailing argument was that the rules of the Holy Empire should be strictly observed, but the trend changed when Edanand von Hohenberg, who was confirmed to be a holy sword user, eliminated cultists hiding in the Baltarian Empire.

“Aren’t we going through an unprecedented crisis where a hero and a saint have disappeared at the same time? If the Holy Sword is recovered in this situation, it will only increase the power of the cultists!”

“What would it be like to recognize Prince Edanant, who succeeded in the subjugation war, as a new hero? .”

Isn’t the current gap between the hero and the saint a fatal situation?

Let’s put Edenand von Hohenberg at the forefront.

He is worthy of trust as he is a blood relative of the warrior Maximilian and has also accomplished amazing feats.

When such claims emerged from some quarters, the cardinals who had maintained their original stance stood up like a swarm of bees. It was a faction that followed the Holy Emperor and the Second Saint Beatrice.

“What are they saying now? Doesn’t the ownership of the Holy Sword belong solely to His Holiness?”

“You cannot be an exception to the strict rules just because you have made achievements and achievements!”

The cardinals of the Holy Kingdom appeared to acknowledge Edanant’s achievements, but most of them stuck to the original theory on the issue of transferring ownership of the Holy Sword.

This is because Edenant was an unbaptized non-religious person.

If he had been a devout believer, the cardinals would have thought positively. The fact that he had not been baptized served as a factor in the cardinals’ caution.

Why weren’t you baptized?

That gave rise to a new question.

The Valtaria Empire accepted the Holy Imperial State’s proposal and worshiped Gael, the Earthmother, as the sole god from early on. Therefore, most nobles, including the emperor, were baptized believers of the Earth Mother.

Since it was a common culture to be baptized immediately after a coming of age ceremony, the cardinals found this strange.

“It could not be possible that Prince Edanant had blasphemous intentions… .”

“What are you talking about? Isn’t Prince Edanant the person chosen by the Holy Sword?”

To resolve doubts, Edenant had to be baptized.

Be baptized by the Earth Mother.

That much can never be compromised.

The cardinals who continued to argue proposed a compromise: instead of arbitrarily transferring ownership of the Holy Sword to Edenant, he should be baptized by a priest dispatched by the Holy Empire.

No one disputed the compromise.

Only those who have received sacred baptism will be granted the holy sword bestowed by the Earth Mother.

* * *

If you want to transfer ownership of the Holy Sword, get baptized.

I felt the irrationality of reality in the demands of the Holy Empire conveyed by Jebeline.

Forced to believe in religion.

It was a decision no different from military chaplains who lure new recruits with hamburgers and cola.

It would have been better if the Holy Emperor had threatened to force people to pay tithes. I would have given that much money.

Of course, you will be constantly complaining with your mouth.

“Do you know what? In the past, baptism was performed by placing believers in cold river water. For now, it’s just a brief pour on the head.”

“Yes, I know.”

Baptism is immersion in the river.

Sprinkling water on the head in moderation is called Jusurye (注水禮).

How could you not know that?

I have seen priests of the Holy Empire preside over baptism ceremonies several times. For reference, I also saw Maximilian being baptized.

Jeveline answered with a shrug in her lively voice.

“When you get baptized, are you served bread and wine? And I’ll give you a slice of ham and cheese. It’s truly benevolent welfare.”

“Wow, I’m really attracted to you. I wanted to be baptized right away.”

Since I didn’t want to give a serious answer to Jebeline’s playful question, I just gave it an awkward look and made exaggerated gestures.

Then Zeveline burst out laughing.

“I heard that citizens of the Baltarian Empire, regardless of class, are baptized at the same time as their coming-of-age ceremony… Prince Edanand is unusual. Is there any particular reason why you have avoided baptism until now? There are unavoidable circumstances that prevent baptism.”

“… … .”

Are you trying to float?

Zeveline asked with a grin.

I closed my mouth for a moment.

This is because the first saintess’s blue eyes sparkled meaningfully.

I guess the saint may have chosen the wrong occupation. For a moment, I thought that a tomboy shepherd girl would have been better suited than a saint who was forced to be chaste and solemn.

‘I think I said something similar to this to some kid before… .’

Suddenly I felt a sense of déjà vu.

Someone might have been reminded of the mischievous yet lively appearance of the saint.

Strangely enough, my memory was vague.

Even though it was a memory that only lasted three years.

“I have an allergy to holy water.”

“Phew!”

A girl with flowing silver hair burst out laughing, covering her mouth. On the other hand, the Holy Knights who followed and guarded the saint showed signs of displeasure, as if they disliked the joke.

“It’s a joke. If it is the decision of the Holy Emperor, of course we must follow it.”

“It’s a wise decision.”

After leaving the villa, I started chatting with Jebeline while walking down the street.

Every time a girl with flowing silver hair and a paladin armed with full body armor appeared, attention was focused from all directions.

Phew.

Surely there isn’t fake news going around again?

The playboy who deceived the princesses of the empire is now targeting a saint… .

If a newspaper spread such fake news, I planned to cause a bombing by possessing Bomb Demon Gale.

“The cardinals of the Holy Empire will try to recruit Prince Edanand, starting with baptism. Because of the disappearance of the saint’s party, there has been a significant vacuum in power. So, of course we don’t need a ‘new hero’?”

“The jokes are also excessive. How can I replace you?”

I have no intention of accepting Seonghwangguk’s proposal.

He also had no intention of leaving the empire.

I just wanted peace.

Ever since the saint’s party went missing, things have only gotten worse.

Just entering the Holy Empire, where there are many high-ranking priests, increases the risk of your identity being discovered. That’s why I roundly rejected Jebelin’s meaningful offer.

“… I thought Prince Edanant would answer that way. I had some expectations, but it was somewhat disappointing to be rejected outright.”

“… … .”

Jeveline sighed deeply.

It was like seeing a girl who confessed hastily but was rejected.

There’s no need to be so heartbroken, right?

Isn’t the Holy Empire of Gael the only force comparable to the most powerful empire, the Valtaria Empire? If Jevelyn declared a holy war, many Holy Knights of the Holy Empire would risk even death.

“Before baptism, you must memorize basic prayers… Are you memorizing it?”

“No, I am completely ignorant.”

“As a saint of the Holy Empire, it is truly unfortunate that there is someone who lacks faith so much.”

“… I’m sorry.”

It’s very embarrassing, but even children don’t know how to memorize short prayers.

I feel like a fool.

I wonder if Lue, who always runs wild like an idiot, felt like this.

When the moment comes to recite a prayer, you will freeze. When he openly showed his embarrassment, Zeveline smiled kindly and said he would help.

* * *

The kind saint willingly extended a helping hand to enlighten the unruly savages.

Missionary work is also the duty of a saint.

Jeveline said so and headed to the villa together.

I never thought I would receive private tutoring from a saint.

If the priests who revered the saint as a demigod had seen this scene, they would have shed bloody tears of jealousy. They were such fanatics that as soon as Zeveline arrived in the empire, they rushed out to ask for teachings.

“Now, go lie down. Let me read it to you.”

“That’s a bit… .”

“Keuhum! Are you going to refuse my kindness in teaching you?”

“… … .”

A beautiful girl with flowing silver hair sat on the soft carpeted floor.

After that,

I tapped my knee.

In the end, I had no choice but to give in to the blatant coercion. He committed the sin of blasphemy by placing his head on the saint’s lap while lying down with a feeling of discomfort that was almost like restlessness.

“That’s right, good job.”

The holy maiden smiled brightly and stroked her head. I flinched at the sensation I felt every time a soft hand touched my skin.

what.

What is the situation?

I blinked my eyes and looked at Jebeline.

I thought it was just a prank to tease me, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Because Zeveline was smiling genuinely happy.

The girl’s cheeks, as red as a peach, said it all.

“I wanted to return the knee pillow someday… Now this opportunity has come.”

“… Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s funny to see Prince Edanand looking at me blankly.”

“… … .”

The silver-haired girl spoke in a voice full of sentiment.

Warmth was overflowing from the hand stroking my head like a dandelion fluttering in the wind.

It felt like I was dealing with a lover I met after a long separation.

Surely we must have been strangers until recently.

Nevertheless, Jebeline expressed her sincere feelings as if she had known him for a long time.