Chapter 73: Holy Water…? – 2

Chapter 73: Holy Water…? – 2

While some nobles were arguing over the mysterious item that healed Angelo, other nobles, especially those of a certain age, quietly watched the scene.

…To be precise, they were clucking their tongues, pretending to be quiet.

“Tsk! Honestly. Do they even think?”

“…It is a mysterious item, but perhaps because they are inexperienced…”

“Have they forgotten the purpose of this banquet?”

The Duke’s family held this banquet for two main purposes.

First, as the Duke mentioned earlier, it was a declaration that the Duke’s family had resolved its internal issues and would once again influence noble society as before.

And the second was, of course, the introduction of a new patron brought in by the Duke’s family.

Naturally, befitting those sponsored by the Duke’s family, this ‘introduction’ was not ordinary.

It wasn’t just about introducing who the person was, but clearly demonstrating what abilities they possessed.

For example, there was a painter who drew a masterpiece of his life in front of the nobles attending the banquet within 30 minutes, or a warrior who incapacitated a previously summoned Knight Captain from the Duke’s family in just three exchanges.

As such, those sponsored by the Duke’s family revealed their abilities without reservation at this ‘introduction’ event.

Therefore, quite a few nobles were waiting for this ‘introduction’ again.

In fact, the introduction should have happened much earlier, but due to the unexpected duel, it had not yet taken place.

In such a situation, with their minds distracted by an item made by someone else… the calculation was that the Duke’s family would not view this favorably.

“Such a verbal battle in a place where nobles from the Holy Kingdom, as well as other small nations, are present.”

“…The Duke is truly remarkable to remain expressionless even after seeing such a spectacle.”

Not only for that reason, but also because the Duke’s family held a banquet for the first time in over a decade, nobles from the Holy Kingdom and even small nations around the Empire had shown their faces.

A duel breaking out at such a large banquet was almost a national disgrace, and on top of that, they were having such a verbal battle…

If it were any other noble, they would have strongly demanded accountability, asking if they were determined to ruin their banquet… but not the Duke.

He merely looked at the nobles, who, as always, raised their voices at each other, with emotionless eyes.

The funny thing was that the nobles from those small nations were subtly showing interest in the debate, and a priest from the Holy Kingdom was writing something with an incredibly serious expression.

***

Just as the debate was heating up, on the verge of questioning each other’s ancestors, someone stepped onto the podium.

“…May I have everyone’s attention, please?”

And the commotion, which seemed like it would continue indefinitely, ended with a single voice.

A voice as cold and sharp as the Duke’s.

But… the crucial difference was the absence of that characteristic arrogance.

……Of course, to others, it was still an equally suffocating voice.

“Tsk! Consider yourself lucky.”

“You too! With your shallow insight, what are you trying to do…?”

The nobles who had been arguing, or rather, all except Angelo, who were continuing the debate out of pride, quickly shut their mouths.

…Of course, they didn’t forget to jab at their opponents even then.

However, at the subsequent voice, everyone was forced to straighten their posture again.

“Why didn’t you let it play out a bit longer, Duke’s daughter? I was curious how far that petty pride-fueled fight would go.”

“…Was there any reason to further tarnish the dignity of the Duke’s family? Furthermore, it’s about time for the introduction.”

“Yes, that’s also true.”

The Duke’s words were clearly laced with sarcasm.

At those words, the nobles who had been bickering earlier shrank their necks and lowered their gazes to the ground.

Not only the sharp glances coming from all directions, but also the two pairs of gazes shooting down from the podium were too piercing.

“But, is an introduction even necessary? It seems… she’s already done quite well on her own, you know.”

However, with the Duke’s subsequent words and the appearance of the person sponsored by the Duke’s family, all gazes directed at them vanished.

The mysterious young lady, who had overwhelmingly won the duel earlier and was the one who had provided the item that had caused the recent debate, stood beside the Duke’s daughter.

It was even more certain due to her distinctive hair and eye color.

“That makes sense, but… what should we do?”

“…Instead of doing something, I think we should first clarify the debate they’ve been having, misunderstanding things on their own, Duke’s daughter-nim.”

“Yes, that’s also true. In that sense, how about showing them once?”

The conversation between the Duke’s daughter and the mysterious young lady continued, but the nobles were already busy thinking internally.

In particular, Angelo was half-pale… no, rather, he was looking at the young lady with even more fervent eyes.

It wasn’t the gaze of someone in love.

Rather… it was closer to the fanatical gaze of someone obsessed with something.

“…I suspected it from the moment she dueled directly.”

“Then her ability must be to create that mysterious item that instantly healed injuries, right?”

“But that alone isn’t enough…”

“Considering the duel earlier, it’s highly likely she can use magic, not just healing.”

“She has the strength to wield a greatsword like that, can use magic to a certain extent, and can heal like a priest? All in one person? She’s worthy of sponsorship.”

“She seems closer to an unpolished gem… but once fully refined, the Duke’s family will gain another very sharp blade.”

Of course, apart from that, the nobles were quietly voicing their own opinions.

Someone skilled with a greatsword? Common in the Empire. Someone skilled with magic? Also common.

Priests who can heal… are a bit fewer, but they still exist.

However, a person who can wield a greatsword, use magic, and also heal does not exist.

Therefore, the nobles concluded that the Duke’s family had acquired such an all-rounder talent from somewhere.

…Until a giant cauldron was brought onto the podium.

“Good evening, all esteemed guests attending the banquet. I am Lucia, who has received sponsorship from the Duke’s family.”

The nobles leaned in to listen to the beautiful voice that followed.

Even more so because it was a pleasant voice they wanted to hear, not the cold and intimidating voices of the Duke’s daughter or the Duke.

Perhaps because it came after the Duke’s daughter and the Duke had spoken, the voice sounded even better.

“However, some of you here seem to be mistaken, calling the ‘potion’ I made earlier ‘holy water.’

Naturally, a potion is not such a thing. If I could make holy water, you esteemed guests would have seen me in the Holy Kingdom, not the Empire.”

As she said that, the nobles’ gazes focused on Lucia as she held something in her hand.

Those who didn’t know what the item was tried to analyze it, and those who did know tried to confirm if what they saw was real.

“Of course, I did use divine power to make it. It’s called ‘Trace of God,’ isn’t it? If you process this, you can make the ‘potion’ you just saw.

Oh, and if you use other ingredients, you can naturally make other potions too. For example, these.”

Saying that, Lucia took out a potion that clearly felt like fire magic, and glass bottles that felt like lightning magic and ice magic, respectively.

Nobles who knew a bit about magic nodded slightly at the sight, and those who didn’t let out small gasps.

Even if they couldn’t wield magic, they could still feel mana, so they could sense that the liquid in those glass bottles was extraordinary.

And… they could also speculate that if they used those potions, even they, who couldn’t wield magic, could use magic.

…Of course, there were also nobles who were in an uproar.

“…Where did she get such a precious item…?”

“Summon Alfredo immediately and have him investigate the source of that item!”

The ‘Trace of God’ that Lucia pulled out was by no means a common item.

No, it was so rare that it was one of those items you couldn’t buy even with money because it simply wasn’t available.

It meant it was an item that couldn’t be easily obtained, even with the Duke’s family’s sponsorship.

And… it was also an item that could be used to easily make exorbitant profits.

Therefore, merchant-class nobles were quietly, but quickly, giving orders to their servants.

***

“……Inform the Cardinal. It’s a Class 1 situation.”

“Yes, Bishop-nim.”

Of course, there were others who were busy for entirely different reasons.

The priest, who had been busily writing since earlier, handed what he had written to the attendant beside him and let out a small sigh.

“Lucia… such a pretty name, yet doing such hateful things.”

The man in a priest’s robe, imbued with a sanctity symbolic of the Holy Kingdom, muttered softly.

His eyes were fixed on Lucia, who was demonstrating how to make ‘potions’ using the incredibly precious ‘Trace of God’ in real-time.

“Well, her ability to handle mana seems to be top-notch, so a little ‘edification’ might be good.

It seems the Saintess also needs a change… perhaps the next Saintess could be made quite easily.”

Of course, his voice and gaze were far from divine.