Ch.126Return to the Holy Nation #6

“…Is there a problem?”

The old man’s previously calm eyes trembled, and the dazzling light that had been pouring over his shoulders had long since disappeared.

It seemed like either I or the old man himself had a problem, but I had no way of knowing.

All I had done was ask a single question.

“…Hmm, I apologize. I was lost in thought and caused you inconvenience.”

“Ah… I see. I’m fine, so please don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Then, I shall continue with the blessing.”

The old man, who had been silent for a moment, replied thus, and began to emit light again with unwavering eyes, as if he had found peace.

After that, the blessing process proceeded without interruption, and all four of us, including myself, received the blessing.

Since it was a blessing for a child, there was no sign of any major change, but I felt a slightly heavier sensation in my lower body.

It could be due to fatigue from traveling, but if it was because of the blessing, it would be a remarkably subtle change.

“Lord Zion… Krauser, was it? If you don’t mind… could you spare a moment to speak with me inside?”

The old man, who had been tidying his clothes after giving the blessing, said something unexpected.

His request to go inside suggested he wanted to have a rather lengthy conversation.

Moreover, his previously benevolent face now showed signs of seriousness.

“Perhaps… is there some major issue?”

“I have cultivated some skill in discerning bodily ailments… but that’s not to say that Lord Zion Krauser is ill. This old man simply has some questions to ask.”

“Questions…”

Although it was a blessing given in exchange for payment, the old man had been sincere throughout.

The priests assisting him were the same.

This kind of demeanor wouldn’t come from someone who was just doing their job for money.

Because of this, I believed they weren’t lying or trying to pull something.

“Very well. Please lead the way.”

I nodded willingly, then sent the three ladies back to the inn first.

They showed mild resistance, not wanting to be separated from me, but I made them obey.

It was the result of years of training.

After sending off Helena and the other ladies, I followed the old man to a small room at the back of the cathedral.

The building was so large that we had to walk quite a distance before I could finally sit down.

Clank.

The old man placed a cup of tea with a refreshing aroma before finally beginning to speak.

“By any chance… do you have a connection with the high ones in the heavens?”

“…Pardon?”

For a moment, I almost swallowed air in surprise.

The “high ones in the heavens” the old man referred to were clearly gods, and I couldn’t help but be surprised at being asked if I had a connection with them.

After all, I was sitting here because of that very connection.

Could priests with divine power detect all connections with gods?

If so, that would be quite remarkable.

“By ‘high ones in the heavens’… I assume you mean gods?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“In that case… I must answer no. I’ve spent most of my time in the Krauser duchy, and even when I briefly ventured outside my territory, I never visited places touched by the hand of a god.”

I couldn’t reveal to this old man I’d just met something I’d been hiding even from Helena.

It was probably a transparent lie, but I told the falsehood as calmly as possible.

“But… why do you ask such a thing?”

“Well… it’s because I sensed a divine blessing in Lord Zion Krauser’s body.”

“A divine blessing?”

I asked with wide eyes, like someone who knew nothing.

Perhaps due to having to tell lies occasionally over the years for unavoidable reasons, I thought I was being quite convincing.

If the old man had the ability to distinguish between truth and lies, my acting would be useless, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice and continued with what he had to say.

That was truly fortunate.

“Yes. There are extremely rare individuals born with divine grace, and those who serve the gods can naturally sense it when they touch such a person. This is a story passed down in ancient documents of our theocracy.”

“Ah. So that’s why you paused during the blessing…”

“Yes. I truly felt a different sensation transmitted through my hands compared to ordinary people. It was my first actual experience of it, so I was quite startled.”

It seemed there was a special connection between gods, who really existed, and the clergy who served them and wielded divine power.

Otherwise, there would have been no reason to leave behind the documents the old man mentioned.

“I only learned today that divine grace truly exists.”

“It’s fairly well-known among those who serve the gods, but ordinary people aren’t usually aware of it. By the way, have you ever felt that you were special in some way?”

“Me? I’ve often felt that the people around me were special, but I’ve never felt that I myself was special.”

However.

I paused briefly, then told him about my childhood, which I didn’t really need to mention.

I was curious about how the old man would react to this story, and I also hoped he might tell me something I didn’t know.

“Hmm… I see.”

When I finished the story about surviving poison, the old priest nodded with a sigh.

His reaction suggested that my survival was only natural, which made me feel somewhat embarrassed.

“Those who receive divine grace have distinct differences from others. It could be the robust vitality that helped Lord Zion Krauser withstand poison, and the founding Pope who greatly contributed to establishing our theocracy was the same.”

“Oh. So the founder of the theocracy was also a person who received grace?”

“Yes. It’s written in his memoirs that still remain today.”

When I asked with appropriate interest, the old man readily shared information I hadn’t even asked for.

Thanks to that, I was able to hear an interesting story I had no previous connection to.

Regardless of whether the content was useful, just hearing it felt enlightening.

Then, once again, something unexpected caught my ear.

“May I report about Lord Zion Krauser to the Pope?”

“…Pardon?”

Telling the Pope about me.

That was equivalent to saying he would leak information I didn’t want to share.

It was an extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant situation for me.

The old man, reading my discomfort, hastily added an explanation.

“Our theocracy regards those who receive grace as special. This is because we believe there is always a reason why the gods bestow their grace. Also, for one who serves the gods, just the fact that the divine hand has touched someone directly…”

Urgent yet calm. Seeing this contradiction, I felt my energy drain away.

In short, he was saying that those touched by the divine hand are treated quite well by those who serve the gods.

Although he mentioned that some distinction is necessary because there are evil individuals among them, generally…

“Ahem! I understand. Let’s calm down first.”

“…Hmm. I’ve been rude.”

“It’s not quite rudeness, so it’s fine. Anyway…”

The old man finally bowed his head slightly as if cooling his rising heat, and I watched him, wondering what benefit I could gain.

Since my purpose wasn’t to cause confusion, a relationship where we turned our backs on each other didn’t seem appropriate.

“Please wait a while before informing the Pope. I’ll discuss this with my wives today and give you an answer by tomorrow.”

Thinking too long doesn’t always yield good answers.

As the saying goes about making a bad move after long deliberation, there was no need to drag out the conclusion.

Therefore, I conveyed to the old man that one day would be sufficient.

Fortunately, the old man seemed to agree that time was needed for consideration and nodded readily.

.

It was only a matter of time before it became known that I had received what they call “divine grace,” but I could hide the reason.

The old priest only knew that a god was involved, not the detailed reason, which was natural.

So, as soon as the ladies arrived at the inn room, I told them what had happened at the cathedral.

Acting as if I had just learned about it today.

“Well, that makes sense. You should at least receive grace…”

After I finished the story, Helena muttered with a flushed face.

Her gaze was directed toward my pants, making it quite clear what she meant despite trailing off.

“Anyway, from my perspective, I’d like to meet the Pope directly and talk… what do you think, Helena?”

“I think it’s definitely good. The theocracy won’t fully take our side, but maintaining a connection could be useful. Moreover, since they reached out first, we have a slight advantage.”

There was no need to grasp the hand the old man was extending, but there was no harm in doing so.

Helena suggested that I should meet the old man tomorrow and express my intention to visit, saying that the situation gave us a slight upper hand.

Ellen and Eve seemed to share the same thought, nodding and adding a word each.

“However, if they take one side, their neutrality will be reduced to an empty claim, so it’s best not to expect too much support. Even the people of the theocracy who live according to religious beliefs should be able to understand that much.”

There are limits to the support the theocracy can provide.

They maintain their neutral position using their reputation and influence among ordinary people, but if they take one side, they would quickly lose balance.

This meant that while a person with divine grace might be special, they weren’t special enough to stake a nation on it.

Helena emphasized this fact once more, and I nodded in agreement.

“Then the conclusion is settled. Let’s meet first and decide.”

Despite the rather heavy topic, we reached a conclusion quickly.

Since thinking too much wouldn’t yield an answer anyway, it was wise to face the situation first and then provide an answer.

At least, everyone gathered in this room thought so, leading to this conclusion.

Now that we had reached a conclusion, there was no reason to continue the heavy atmosphere, nor was there any reason not to fool around.

Ellen and Helena seemed to realize this, glaring at each other in a battle of wits before throwing themselves into my arms as if they had been waiting for this moment.

Eve, always composed, seemed to be watching the situation unfold.

After doing what we always did, as soon as day broke, I went to the cathedral where the old man would be waiting and set my condition.

I said it was fine to inform the Pope, but I wanted to meet him directly and talk.

Normally, as a nobleman of one country, especially as the highest nobleman of that country, it’s difficult to meet the king of a neutral country.

This is due to the risk of provoking antipathy and checks from surrounding countries who might think the king is taking sides.

Nevertheless, the old man nodded willingly and said he would convey my request to the king.

Seeing him accept such a weighty matter without reporting or discussion suggested he held a fairly high position in the theocracy.

Otherwise, he would have said he needed time to report or discuss.

“The king has said he will meet with Lord Krauser.”

“That’s good news.”

That afternoon.

The old man delivered enticing news to me as I waited at the cathedral.

He mentioned that from the king’s perspective, they had to meet secretly, but I didn’t mind much.

In fact, it was much better than meeting openly and causing a commotion.

“When and where should I go?”

“If it’s alright with you… could you come here tomorrow at dawn?”

Dawn, huh? It seemed like a perfect time to meet without being noticed, so it didn’t sound bad.

Moreover, it was a time chosen after various considerations, so it felt awkward to object.

It might be a bit tiring, but I would have to endure that much.

“Understood. I’ll come to this cathedral at the appointed time. I would appreciate it if you could inform others in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“I will do so.”

.

After finishing my conversation with the old man, at dawn.

I arrived at the cathedral a little earlier than the promised time and sat in the dark hall, passing the time.

Although it seemed pointless to be doing this in the dark night, I was too lethargic to think much about it.

I regretted not going to bed early, thinking I should have done so if I had known.

This was the disastrous result of my mindless decision to entertain my wives instead of sleeping before having to wake up at such an odd hour.

Is this why people shouldn’t be swayed by desire?

As I was recalling fragments of Buddhist teachings, I perked up my ears at the sound of approaching footsteps.

I could tell they were coming straight toward me as the presence became increasingly distinct.

“Excuse me.”

And finally, as the footsteps ceased,

“Excuse me.”

A stranger’s voice echoed through the darkness from the open door ahead.