Chapter 15: Week of the Midnight Sun (2)

****

At the center of the Great Hall, Vera bowed to Vargo. All the apostles gathered there except for the Apostles of Abundance and Love, who had been dispatched outside for several years.

“It’s late.”

“Have you finally arrived?”

The deep gaze of Vargo penetrated in a subdued and subtle way as if trying to read something from Vera.

Vera did not avoid his gaze, but instead decided to look straight at him and said,

“I’ll go.”

“…Will you be able to do it?”

“I know it’s unexpected…”

Their eyes met. The ambience grew sharper than ever.

The reason why their conversation was brief was because Vera had previously spoken to Vargo three days ago about this matter.

A request for someone to be accompanied by a paladin. Someone who that paladin must protect. A woman.

As the week of the midnight sun approached, it was easier to learn the identity of the woman Vera said he wished to protect.

There wasn’t any question such as, ‘How did you know?’ that was said to Vera out of curiosity.

As Vera thought, Vargo kept silent about this situation and gazed at him.

In the corner, Rohan, aware of the strange atmosphere, asked the twins a question.

“Twins, why are they like that? Have you heard anything?”

“I’m sleepy. But the sun doesn’t set. So I can’t sleep.”

“I’m a good sleeper.”

“…Yes, that’s great.”

Rohan heaved a deep sigh in response to the twins’ reply. Trevor, who watched the situation unfold from a distance, opened his mouth.

“Sir Vera, will you be fine all alone?”

“It’s not like I’m going out all alone. I’m taking Sir Norn with me.”

“But….”

“Look after the cottage while I’m away.”

Vera dismissed Trevor’s words and looked at Vargo once again.

“I’ll be heading off to the east then.”

“… All right.”

“Please arrange the paladins in advance at the border of Horden. We are likely to be pursued when crossing the border.”

“… I’ll hold my slumber back until then.”

“Then I’ll be right back.”

Vera said so, and after a short nod, he turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

****

Vera headed straight to the temple’s northern exit, arrived at the cottage where he lived, and began preparing for the journey ahead.

His armor was incredibly conspicuous, so he took it off. His blade of choice was plain, being as modest as possible, and he hid the Rosario under his clothes.

After completing a brief armament check, Vera let out a sigh and calmed his thumping heart.

Shortly after that, he recalled the route in his head again in case of a mishap.

‘About four days.’

In that amount of time, he would be able to reach his destination.

There were no issues about whether anyone else would find the saint first.

No group can find her faster than the Holy Kingdom.

Rohan’s power of guidance.

This was why the Holy Kingdom could know the Saint’s location directly from the Gods through him.

This was why the Holy Emperor was the first to find the Saint in his previous life, and also why Vera patiently waited for this day.

“The Remeo Province.”

A small county located southeast of Horden.

Saint Renee was there.

Snap-

He strengthened his grip around the hilt of the sword. His eyes were laid down, and he heaved a deep sigh.

‘…Now.’