Ch.221Chapter 221 – I’ll Raise My Man Myself

After purifying the contaminated land, Eterna began an investigation with the holy knights and priests to determine the extent of the purification.

“Have the holy knights and priests form teams to conduct the investigation. Two people would be too dangerous, so form teams of five or six.”

“Yes, Holy Maiden.”

“Determine how far the purification of the contaminated land has progressed and report back. If you encounter undead hordes, immediately fire a flare into the sky. Then suspend the investigation and prioritize exterminating the undead.”

“We will obey your command.”

Perhaps due to her experience leading people, the holy knights and priests were readily following Eterna’s orders.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of her authority as the Holy Maiden, or because of her experience as the Chief Inquisitor.

…Or maybe it was because of that blood-stained mace in her hand?

Anyway, after the holy knights and priests departed for their investigation, only I, Cheon Hyeryeong, and Eterna remained.

“Now all the people who might interfere with our conversation are gone.”

After confirming everyone had left, Eterna turned to look at me.

Actually, she wasn’t looking at me but at Cheon Hyeryeong standing beside me.

Since Eterna’s eyes always appeared nearly closed, it was often difficult to tell exactly where she was looking when she turned her head.

“That energy I sense from you standing next to Lord Pathos… I feel like I’ve sensed it somewhere before. Are you perhaps from the Cheonma Divine Sect?”

At Eterna’s question, Cheon Hyeryeong flinched slightly.

It seemed she had noticed that Cheon Hyeryeong’s energy came from the Cheonma Divine Art.

Well, for someone who could detect approaching undead hordes, their direction, and even their numbers, tracking Cheon Hyeryeong’s energy wouldn’t be particularly difficult.

“That’s right. I am Cheonma, the current leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect.”

“I heard you gathered the sacrifices needed for Lord Pathos’s resurrection. I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you.”

Eterna knelt before Cheon Hyeryeong and bowed deeply.

If it became known that the Holy Maiden, who never kneels to anyone but a deity, had knelt before someone who wasn’t a god… this would certainly become a major issue.

This was because of the special status the Holy Maiden held, her position within the church, and how her very existence was tied to the prestige of the Sun Order.

Eterna probably knew this as well, which is why she sent everyone away before taking such action.

“There is no need to thank me. As the one who would become his wife, it was only natural that I would do whatever was necessary when told there was a way to save my future husband. And…”

“If I had kept my eyes on him until the end, my lord would not have died. Gathering the sacrifices was also my atonement toward my husband.”

At Cheon Hyeryeong’s words, neither I, Eterna, nor she herself said anything more.

After a brief moment of silence, I was the first to speak.

“Well… as Eterna probably knows, Cheon Hyeryeong here is Cheonma, the current leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect.”

“And also the person who will become my lord’s second wife.”

At Cheon Hyeryeong’s words, Eterna smiled.

“Isn’t the second position not yet confirmed?”

“What do you mean by that?”

At Eterna’s words, Cheon Hyeryeong wore an expression of confusion.

“If I’m correct, Lord Pathos’s first wife will be Regina Blasteria, the Chancellor of Glesius Academy… but I heard the second position hasn’t been decided yet.”

“Oh my. Come to think of it, you’re also one of those vying for a place by my lord’s side.”

“Isn’t that obvious? He’s the only man permitted to me as someone with the status of Holy Maiden.”

Huh?

Wait a minute.

What did I just hear?

“Oh? My lord is the only man permitted to you? How interesting.”

I’m the only man permitted to Eterna?

“Eterna, could you explain what you mean by that in detail?”

“Ah… I was planning to bring this up eventually, and finally the opportunity has come. That’s right, Lord Pathos. You are the only man I, as the Holy Maiden of the Sun Order, can take as a partner.”

“Is that even possible?”

I was surprised that Eterna could take a partner at all.

And for good reason… in the game information, there was never any mention of Eterna being able to take a partner.

In fact, during one episode, she even said, “As someone who serves the deity, I am not permitted to have a partner.”

That’s why I wasn’t particularly pleased when Eterna showed interest in me.

If marriage was impossible anyway, it was better not to start anything from the beginning.

“Yes. According to the regulations of each order, a Holy Maiden can marry a Holy Man or Apostle who serves a deity higher than the one she serves.”

Hmm, I see.

But there’s one thing Eterna is misunderstanding… I’m not someone who serves a deity higher than the Sun God.

“If we’re talking about deities higher than the Sun God, there’s only the Great Goddess Epitrina… but I’m neither her Apostle nor a Holy Man.”

“Well, that’s something I can work on with some effort, isn’t it?”

Eterna shrugged, raising and lowering both hands.

“Holy Men and Apostles are appointed by the church, not directly by the deity.”

“What?”

Wait, so does that mean Eterna wasn’t directly appointed as Holy Maiden by the Sun God either?

“Ah, for your information, I was directly appointed as Holy Maiden by the Sun God.”

…Well, I suppose that’s possible.

“So I thought: what if I could make it so the Great Goddess’s Order has no choice but to declare you a Holy Man or Apostle? That was my idea.”

“Wait a minute…”

If that’s the case, the reason Eterna is bringing this up to me is…

“That’s right, Lord Pathos. The reason I called you here was to help you build achievements so you could be recognized as a Holy Man.”

This is driving me crazy.

To be honest, seeing this level of obsession makes Eterna somewhat frightening.

“Am I really that valuable to you, Eterna?”

“To someone like me who thought I would have to live my entire life without love or marriage, your existence is the only lifeline I can grasp. Throughout history, many Holy Maidens have waited for such a lifeline, but not one has ever grasped it. But I’m different.”

Eterna approached me.

“Now that I’ve discovered your lifeline above me, I’ll do whatever it takes to grasp it. Even if I fail, I won’t leave any regrets.”

“Isn’t it better to regret something you’ve done than to regret not trying at all?”

I couldn’t respond to Eterna’s words.

From what she said, I realized how sincere her feelings were.

“But… I already have someone I’ve promised a future with, and if there’s to be a second wife, that position is also already filled…”

“I don’t mind being the third wife. In fact, it might be better to be the third wife, as any children would have inheritance rights. The first and second positions seem to be decided already anyway.”

But from my perspective, Eterna didn’t seem like someone who would be satisfied with the third position.

“But the second wife position isn’t confirmed yet, is it? So I’m definitely going to claim the position of your second wife. Even if I have to make you a Holy Man or Apostle of the Great Goddess Order to do it.”

“Indeed. That is only natural. I too intend to teach my martial arts to my lord.”

“What? Isn’t the Cheonma Divine Sect’s martial art supposed to be passed down to only one person?”

“It’s fine. I’ll only be teaching martial arts that strengthen the body and provide limitless stamina.”

Hmm. Do I really need body strengthening and limitless stamina?

Well, I suppose it would be nice to have…

“According to the Cheonma Divine Sect’s records, the first Cheonma had fifteen wives and enjoyed conjugal bliss for an entire month. As my husband, shouldn’t you be capable of at least that much?”

“Wow! That sounds like a great idea!”

“I knew you would think the same as me!”

…Hey, what about my opinion?