Ch.338Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

# Heroes Are Born of Their Times

No one is born a hero. It’s not education or training that creates heroes, but the world itself.

A chaotic, disorderly world filled with violence.

Those who survive the pandemonium and seize opportunity are the ones who leave their names in history.

The legendary general who led a war to victory.

[…At the summit of the Naroda Mountains, a flag waves on the peak that has been soaked in blood for the past five years! Military Governor Mikhail, commander of the Northern Conflict, stands at the flag-bearing summit, gazing toward the frozen lands of the north. With this, the long border dispute comes to an end, and an era of peace has arrived!]

The pioneer who unveiled the veil of the unknown and sought new paths.

[…Amid tight security from the imperial guard, an ornate carriage is leaving the main gate of the imperial palace. According to our reporters, the owner of the carriage has been confirmed to be none other than the Grand Duchess of the North, Alexandra Smirnov. This is an exclusive report—we’ll now connect you to our reporter on the scene.]

The hero who illuminated the darkest hour by sacrificing themselves.

[…On the 23rd local time, an award ceremony was held at the imperial palace. Many officials from the Imperial Ministry of Defense who participated in the Empire-Magic Realm conflict attended the ceremony. Among the military commanders, three individuals who participated in the Northern Conflict caught everyone’s attention.]

[…This morning, the Kiyen Empire government awarded Major Frederick Nostrum the Friendship Medal. The Friendship Medal, given to diplomats who have worked to improve diplomatic relations between countries, has reportedly never been awarded to diplomats below ambassador rank. Regarding this, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the medal was awarded in recognition of Mr. Frederick’s contributions to resolving the conflict.]

The great leader who ended an era of chaos.

[…The Vatican has awarded the Holy Sepulchre Order medal to St. Veronica and four others. The Holy Sepulchre Order medal is known as the Vatican’s highest honor. St. Veronica is reported to have received a total of three medals, including this one.]

[However, there are ripples throughout religious circles regarding the fact that the list of recipients has not been disclosed and the reason for the medal awards has not been revealed. Some are suggesting that given St. Veronica’s involvement in the Northern Conflict, something major might have happened in the Empire—]

Click.

The radio turns off, and the sound fades. What fills the empty audio is a heavy silence where even the sound of a falling needle could be heard clearly.

Rubbing my heavy eyelids with my hand, I casually tossed my passport bearing the Abas emblem onto the bed.

“…Yes. I just checked in. I got some rest at the embassy. I’ll check the schedule after breakfast and report back to you.”

I turn off the secure terminal after the communication ends and grab my coffee, approaching the window.

A street shrouded in fog. Sunlight breaking through the clouds tickles my skin. The sound of birds chirping continues briefly before white doves pierce through the misty veil and soar into the sky.

As the fog lifts, religious buildings densely packed along the street are revealed.

I take a sip of coffee while gazing at the cathedral bathed in sunlight, then set down my cup.

Early morning. The streets of the religious district.

“…Hmm.”

Not a bad view at all.

## Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

Like the two weeks spent with Camilla, the past two days flew by.

That’s because I traveled between three countries: Abas, Kiyen, and the Magic Tower.

Using warp gates instead of airships or vessels drastically reduced travel time, but there was no way to avoid the mental and physical exhaustion from participating in state-level events.

And on the morning of the third day, I could finally enjoy my first proper rest in three days.

“Good morning!”

As I open the door and head toward the elevator through the corridor, someone jumps out from around the corner, startling me.

It was Camilla.

“Did you sleep well?”

I respond to Camilla’s cheerful morning greeting by opening my mouth wide.

“Aaaargh…”

“Oh my! Why are you making such strange noises all of a sudden? You scared me.”

A weak mumble escaped from my parched throat.

“I feel like I’m dying…”

Abas, the Kiyen Empire, the Magic Tower. Even with magical assistance, I traveled between three countries in just two days.

Anyone who enjoys international travel would understand that crossing borders is extremely tiring. From going through immigration to currency exchange, accommodation arrangements, and adjusting to time differences—all of these demand mental and physical energy.

And considering I had to look after Camilla who was left in Abas, pick up Francesca from the Magic Tower, and cross borders multiple times—how exhausted would I be?

I rubbed my darkened face and sighed.

“At this age, I used to climb mountains in the Middle East, play cat and mouse with warlords, sail from Europe to Africa, and immediately fly to South America… but now that I’m in my late twenties, I can’t handle this anymore.”

Camilla tilted her head as she listened.

“Aren’t you thirty, not late twenties?”

“Shut up, Camilla.”

Anyway, we arrived at the religious district after traveling through three countries in two days. And during those two days, many changes occurred.

It would make my tongue sore to explain everything, but if I had to pick just one thing, it would be the public’s perception of us.

Until now, Camilla had been a veiled existence.

She revealed herself to the world last summer, but for nearly half a year, her abilities remained shrouded in mystery.

This was a protective measure to shield her from external threats, but not everyone viewed this protection positively. As a result, all kinds of rumors circulated about Camilla over the past half year.

That she had issues using her abilities properly, that she had some disability, that she was being exploited by the Abas government…

The rumors surrounding Camilla were as abundant as weeds on a military base hillside in summer. No politician or celebrity could match her in this regard.

Like most conspiracy theories, most were based on pure speculation, but some rumors did approach the truth. For instance, the rumor that Camilla couldn’t properly use her abilities because she would faint.

Of course, there were also baseless claims like her being exploited by the Abas government. I don’t know much about it, but that’s definitely nonsense. Anyway, that’s how it is.

However, after this Northern Conflict, many of the doubts surrounding Camilla were resolved.

Imperial propaganda officers stationed at the front lines eagerly reported her achievements to the media (ostensibly private news agencies, but founded by retired military generals),

Thanks to this, the whole world learned about Camilla’s ability to burn more than half of the Naroda Mountains.

“…Ahem.”

Just then, Camilla cleared her throat and puffed out her chest.

A large medal pinned near her chest began to sparkle brilliantly as it caught the light.

“What?”

“Can’t you see?”

“See what?”

“Argh! The medal! The medal!”

“Oh, the medal…”

I mumbled in a deflated voice.

“I thought it was something else. Yes, well. Congratulations…”

“Eek…!”

Camilla’s face turned red. Rather than looking shy, she resembled a fierce yaksha statue placed in front of a temple, filled with rage.

Regardless, I picked my ear with my finger and blew on the fingertip with a puff.

“What’s the big deal about a medal? I have those too.”

We visited the Empire with Camilla and Francesca for the medal ceremony.

Along with military commanders who distinguished themselves in the Northern Conflict and those who created valiant (propaganda-worthy) stories, we received medals from the Imperial government.

The First Class Knight Medal.

In other words, the Kiyen Empire Hero Medal.

It’s the most prestigious, highest-grade medal awarded in the name of the Imperial family. Being bestowed by the Emperor himself, it comes with many benefits and holds an unparalleled status.

Unlike medals routinely distributed to military generals, the First Class Knight Medal is awarded through strict screening as it’s bestowed by the Emperor.

And at this ceremony, only Camilla, Lucia, Francesca, and Military Governor Mikhail received the First Class Knight Medal.

To this, Camilla pointed at her First Class Knight Medal and raised her voice.

“I worked my bones off for this, and that’s your reaction?!”

“Why should I care?”

I responded as if to say, “What do you want me to do?”

While the others received First Class Knight Medals at this ceremony, I did not. I heard rumors that there was intense debate within the Empire about awarding a hero medal to an officer from a hostile nation, as it wouldn’t look good.

Of course, the same was true from Abas’s perspective.

No matter how much relations had improved to the point of seeking reconciliation, the Kiyen Empire was still the biggest enemy.

I expected to receive at most a medal given to diplomats, but when they suddenly offered a First Class medal, Abas was also put in an awkward position.

In the end, I declined the First Class Knight Medal before the ceremony, and instead agreed to receive the Friendship Medal, which is only awarded to ambassadors from allied nations.

“It’s useless to me anyway.”

First Class Knight Medal or whatever. The truth was that I had no use for it. Would I get a pension? A tax reduction?

And I had already received two medals from the Abas government, so why would I need another?

“I’ve received many other rewards too!”

“What rewards?”

“Hmm…”

Camilla crossed her arms and pondered deeply.

“They offered me a car, but I declined because I can’t drive. Instead, I received several precious gifts. The one I remember now is a watch.”

“A watch? Oh, that.”

I recalled the watch Camilla had been wearing on her wrist just yesterday.

An expensive watch engraved with the emblem of the Kiyen Imperial family. It was a gift she received along with the medal.

She had been grinning while wearing it on her wrist, apparently wanting to show it off.

I responded with an indifferent expression.

“That? We have many watches at home too. A bit more than ten.”

“What kind of watches?”

“They’re called ‘Absolute Watches.’ Gifts from the National Intelligence Service.”

The Absolute Watch. A watch widely known to be distributed by the NIS to those who serve diligently.

It features the emblem of the National Intelligence Service, making it perfect for collectors, but I just kept mine tucked away at home after receiving it.

“Why did you receive that?”

“I was dispatched to the NIS and worked with them a few times, so they gave it to me as a gift. It’s considered a rare item online, but they sell them in souvenir shops, so I just kept it as a display piece.”

“……”

“I think I also received a Blue House watch. Maybe when I got the NIS Director’s commendation? I’m not sure where I put that one. I might have given it to a colleague as a gift when I was transferred…”

As I was recalling the past with an indifferent face, Camilla’s pale hand suddenly appeared in front of my face.

Four fingers naturally curved as if holding a golf ball. And her middle finger fully extended.

Creating a universally recognized hand gesture, Camilla mumbled with a face that looked like she might cry.

“Here, have this…”

*

“……”

“……”

“…Um, Major.”

“Yes, Saint.”

“Has a demon appeared again?”

“No, what demon would appear in the middle of the religious district…”

“Then why does the Hero have a lump on the top of her head?”

“……”

Veronica’s questioning voice, as if she couldn’t understand what was happening, was followed by silence.

Camilla silently ate the breakfast provided by the hotel. The fist-sized lump protruding from the top of her head glowed reddish as it caught the light.

I, who was pressing my burning fist against a glass full of ice, shrugged my shoulders and maintained silence.

Looking back and forth between me and Camilla, Veronica seemed to sense something was amiss and carefully approached Camilla.

“…Ahem. Hero? May I borrow the Major for a moment?”

“……”

“…Uh, um…”

Camilla, who had been nibbling at her food, silently stared at Veronica. Though her expression wasn’t visible due to the angle, Veronica’s face provided the answer.

Receiving Camilla’s gaze, Veronica flinched uncharacteristically.

Visibly startled, she immediately grabbed me and fled the scene.

“What are you doing? I was eating. Don’t you know even dogs aren’t disturbed while eating?”

“Why is the Hero like that? Her eyes look murderous…”

“I don’t know, ma’am.”

I naturally took out a cigarette and headed to the smoking area.

And to Veronica, who followed without suspicion, I calmly asked a question.

“Why did you call me?”

“I have information about the canonization ceremony, future schedules, and a few other things to tell you.”

Veronica took out a mini cigar from her bosom and struck a match to start the conversation.

“As you know, the canonization ceremony and the enthronement ceremony will proceed sequentially with a slight interval between them.”

Lucia’s canonization ceremony and Raphael’s papal enthronement ceremony will be held with a three-day interval.

Three days including events before and after the canonization ceremony, three days including events before and after the enthronement ceremony, and one day of rest and preparation in between.

For a total of one week, the religious district plans to hold two national events along with festivals. To celebrate the birth of a new saint and pope.

And although schedules vary by country, delegations consisting of government heads, ministers, and vice ministers from each nation will stay in the religious district for a week.

Veronica handed me the list of attendees.

“Let’s see…”

I hummed with a hoarse voice as I flipped through the document prepared by the religious district government.

“Abas Kingdom’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister with a delegation of about 50 people, Lushan Federal Kingdom’s King and Queen along with the Crown Prince and his wife, and from the Moritani Continent, many lower-ranking Prime Minister-level officials will attend… The Republic of Fatalia is sending the Vice President instead of the President.”

“They’re sending the Vice President due to domestic schedules. As for the Moritani Continent, you probably know the reason.”

“I do. They’re on bad terms with the religious district, aren’t they?”

With a few exceptions, countries from the Moritani Continent that have religious conflicts have all decided to send lower-ranking envoys.

From the beginning, Moritani is a region where religion and politics are unified or religious leaders have strong influence, so it was widely expected that heads of state and government leaders would not be able to accept the invitation due to pressure from religious leaders.

Moreover, with that religious leader being the ‘High Priest,’ the only existing grand archmage along with the ‘Grand Duke,’ they couldn’t come even if they wanted to.

Still, judging by the attendance of crown princes or equivalent royalty, they seem to be maintaining a certain level of courtesy.

To this, Veronica thought:

“They’re being cunningly diplomatic.”

“Well, that’s true.”

If I were in their position, I wouldn’t attend Lucia’s canonization ceremony and Raphael’s papal enthronement ceremony if the religious leader of my national religion was a grand archmage who had a major conflict with the religious district. There’s nothing to gain from upsetting a 100-year-old monster.

My hand, which had been flipping through the document, suddenly stopped. Sensing something strange, I examined the paper back and forth and looked at Veronica.

“But there are no names from the Kiyen Empire on the list? What’s going on?”

“It’s normal for Imperial personnel not to be on it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have it.”

With a mini cigar in her mouth, Veronica grinned and raised her empty hands.

“The list of Imperial attendees is managed separately by the Pope, not by the Vatican’s clergy.”

“John XVI? Why would that old man who’s on his last legs manage that? Has this happened before?”

Veronica shook her head firmly.

“The Empire has never received special treatment. But for some reason, the Pope himself has decided to keep the list of Imperial officials attending this canonization ceremony and enthronement ceremony.”

The Pope is personally managing the list, she says. And specifically only for the Empire.

The reason is unknown. If Saint Veronica doesn’t know, then no one except the Pope would know.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, I muttered casually while tapping off the ash.

“What, is the Emperor coming?”

“The Emperor? That old man doesn’t have the guts to come here directly.”

“Why? Are there many people in the religious district who dislike the Emperor?”

“Of course it’s because of me.”

Veronica thrust her fierce face forward and clenched her fist.

“The day that old bastard catches my eye, I plan to crush him myself. He ruined my life, so it’s only right that I deal with him personally, isn’t it?”

“Oh my…”

I stepped back in surprise.

It’s overwhelming when she suddenly thrusts her face forward like that.

“Anyway!”

Veronica, who had reached a point where it was hard to tell if she was a saint or a gangster, exhaled smoke mixed with a sigh and composed herself.

“The Emperor will definitely not come to the canonization ceremony or the enthronement ceremony. At most, the Crown Prince or Princesses might attend.”

If a native informant who was born and raised in the Empire said so, it must be true.

After attaching photos to the list and burning the paper, I wrote a report instructing the Imperial branch to collect the missing information.

*

When I got up with a stiff body, the clock was already pointing to 10 o’clock.

I had missed breakfast.

As I was heading out to find a meal, I ran into Francesca sitting in the lobby on the first floor.

“Francesca. What are you doing here?”

“Just taking a little break.”

In the luxurious hotel lobby, Francesca was reading a book.

The paper with strange symbols and formulas drawn on it was impressive, possibly a magic book. As her gaze lingered on the end of a page, the paper naturally turned to the next page.

I quickly looked around and asked Francesca a question.

“Have you seen any suspicious people?”

“I’m not sure what your criteria for ‘suspicious people’ are, but if the person you’re looking for is someone I know, all I can say is that they were busy and went back first.”

She meant that Veronica had returned to the Vatican.

With Lucia’s canonization ceremony approaching, it seems there’s an unimaginable amount of preparation to be done. Veronica appears to be making various efforts for her beloved sister’s once-in-a-lifetime canonization ceremony.

“That fun-loving person working? Tomorrow the sun might rise from the west.”

Coincidentally, there was an article about Veronica in the newspaper on the table. The article was titled “A Young Girl Who Heard the Voice of an Angel,” but I’m not sure if it’s a literary metaphor or a fact. Maybe I’ll ask her about it later.

As I read through the newspaper, I took a seat opposite Francesca.

As Francesca waved her hands, the book that had been floating in the air was neatly placed on the table.

A staff member approached and placed coffee in front of her, perhaps she had ordered a drink. When asked if she needed anything else, I shook my head, saying there was nothing to worry about.

As the fragrant coffee aroma gently spread, I casually asked Francesca a question.

“Will you really be alright?”

“What are you referring to?”

“Attending the canonization ceremony. I was wondering if anyone from the Magic Tower had objections.”

Francesca, who had taken a sip of coffee, answered with a resolute voice.

“No one has.”

“……”

“If you’re worried that people might gossip behind my back for attending the canonization ceremony, I’d like to tell you to put aside unnecessary concerns. Such people have never existed and never will.”

“I hope it was just needless worry.”

As I was muttering casually, I heard the sound of a cup being placed down.

Francesca, who had gently set down her cup, crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand while staring at me.

Then, in a casual voice, she began to speak about something puzzling.

“I think you should be more concerned about Saint Lucia than me, Officer.”

“What do you mean?”

“Earlier, a suspicious person told me this. That Saint Lucia went into seclusion right after meeting with the Pope.”

“…What?”

Lucia went into seclusion?

“Tell me in detail. Why exactly is Lucia holed up?”

“Well, I don’t know the details since I just heard it in passing, but…”

Francesca slightly averted her gaze and blurted out.

“It seems there was a bit of a disagreement between the Saint and the Pope.”

*

Though the sun had risen high, the room was dark.

In a neat bedroom with a massive bed, streaks of light filtered through the curtains and spread across the floor.

Where the light touched, a woman was sitting. Perched on the bed, Lucia, who was about to be canonized, caressed her rosary with a troubled expression.

‘I have something to ask. You don’t need to feel pressured, but I’d like you to answer honestly and without hiding anything.’

The question posed by the Pope who had faced her a few days ago.

‘What do you think of the Magic Tower?’

Beyond her closed eyes, the scene of a vast hall unfolded, and Lucia recalled a memory from the past.