Holy Kingdom – Appointment Ceremony (2)

On the day of the ceremony, I stood before a massive wall, lost in thought.

“When does it start?”

“It should start soon.”

“Then let’s hurry. We won’t see anything from this far back.”

“This is insane.”

An unimaginable sea of people. I tried weaving through gaps in the crowd, but…

“Move aside!”

“Can’t you see? Wait your turn!”

Hmm… This spot’s clearly hopeless.

‘No choice then.’

I slipped sideways into an adjacent back alley. Carefully scaling the wall, I climbed onto a rooftop.

“Whew… Much better up here.”

If I moved quietly, nobody would notice. Best of all, no more getting crushed by the crowd.

As I leaped across rooftops toward the central plaza, today’s stage finally came into view.

-Thud.

This should do.

Pausing to survey the area, I saw the endless human river stretching all the way to the Holy Kingdom’s central plaza. Literally boundless.

“I expected crowds, but never this massive.”

It seemed every citizen in the city had poured outside.

‘When I had my appointment ceremony… barely anyone came.’

I’d been chosen as Hero during the height of war. Naturally, there’d been no luxury for grand ceremonies.

The Previous Pope, the Saint, a few Cardinals and priests.

After a modest ceremony, I’d been thrown straight onto the battlefield.

Jade was living an extraordinarily lavish life for a Hero.

Not that he hadn’t suffered.

‘Ian won’t be back for a while…’

First step – assess the situation.

I shifted my gaze toward the central plaza and enhanced my vision.

Faces near the center snapped into sharp focus.

Those are nobles from the Rika Kingdom.

Unnamed Cardinals over there.

Oh, the Belheim Kingdom even sent their court mage.

Aetis Empire delegates were expected. That white-haired woman looks familiarㅡ

Shit.

I dropped my vision enhancement and jerked my head away.

“…Did she notice?”

A sudden headache pulsed behind my eyes.

‘When did she come here?’

The Empire’s Sword Saint. White Lotus of the Battlefield.

Of course the Empire would covet a Hero. But sending her? Unthinkable.

If the Empire sided with the Pope today, we’d be screwed.

‘I’d need to go all out against her.’

And my identity would almost certainly be exposed. Having crossed blades before, she’d recognize my swordsmanship instantly.

‘If only things go according to plan…’

Politically, the Empire would likely remain neutral if conflict erupted.

“Ugh… Whatever.”

Ian will handle it. He must have considered this.

I sighed and flopped onto the rooftop.

-Thump.

Honestly, this was annoying.

I never expected such complicated politics in the Holy Kingdom.

Having enjoyed everything here, I wanted to leave. Mountains of work awaited.

“Ugh…”

My lower back felt strangely stiff.

My body should be fully healed, yet my hips still carried the echoes of those days.

‘Using Sensory Block during sex…’

Sensory Block – a technique I’d often used in emergencies.

Useful for enduring excruciating pain during battles.

‘But forcing it on someone else? That’s… extreme.’

He wasn’t right in the head. Unless he fixed his personality and mental state before becoming Tower Lord, the entire Magic Tower would be endangered.

‘Though… I kinda want to experience it again.’

It had been more intense than any ordinary rape.

Sadly, continuing relations with Ian seemed unlikely. We both needed restraint.

If he tried that in front of Jade…

‘Would be the day either the Hero or future Tower Lord dies.’

If our previous activities became known, Ian would bear full responsibility.

Still, traveling with Ian would be ideal.

Jade needed a magic mentor soon.

Annie was cute and talented, but too weak against Legion Commander-level threats.

-Thud.

“Lazing about up here, I see.”

At the loud voice, I turned to find Ian suddenly beside me.

“You didn’t give me tasks. You’re earlier than expected though. The item?”

Ian shook his head, raising empty hands instead of answering.

“…Should’ve known it wouldn’t be easy.”

As expected.

The Pope knew of our existence. No fool would leave such crucial items unguarded.

“Still made significant gains.”

Though the plan failed, Ian wore a satisfied expression.

“Potion distribution restriction documents, secret communications with empires and kingdoms, plans for mass recruitment of Holy Knights and priests. Quite the ambitious schemer.”

“Enough to shake the Pope’s foundation.”

This evidence alone could destabilize the Pope’s position. More than sufficient.

We just needed to prevent public opinion from favoring him.

“But Ian, how’d you infiltrate the Papal Chamber? Shouldn’t be easy.”

I voiced my lingering doubt.

‘I thought infiltration unlikely. The Holy See’s defenses are formidable.’

Even for Ian’s skills, the Holy See was the kingdom’s heart. They’d have countermeasures against mages.

Ian’s answer proved simpler than expected.

“Cardinal Antonio and an Inquisitor contacted me. Said they wanted to help you.”

“Sir Antonio makes sense, but an Inquisitor…”

“Lucas, I believe?”

“Ah.”

Lucas. A familiar name.

The man who’d “pleasured” me through torture during our first meeting. Later struggled to fuck me before the Pope.

‘That old man would risk his life to help?’

Good people still remained in the Holy Kingdom.

I should repay them.

Maybe sacrifice some fun this time.

“Also found something interesting. Not sure if it’s what I think.”

“Interesting thing?”

Ian only smirked at my question.

“You’ll see if things go sideways.”

“…Fine.”

I shook my head in exasperation.

Teasing me then acting like this?

Infuriating, but pointless to press further.

“Checked all preparations?”

“Yes. Verified every position. No issues detected yet.”

“Ian. You’re really disabling the barrier?”

I understood. No alternatives existed.

But neutralizing the Holy Kingdom’s central barrier?

An act warranting condemnation as humanity’s enemy.

Yet Ian’s expression remained unwavering.

“Yes. Proceeding as planned.”

“You realize the danger? Could lose Tower Lord eligibility.”

“Larger events will bury this. Someone might take responsibility, but it’ll blow over. Got a better idea?”

“…Fine. Not my concern. Can’t suggest alternatives anyway.”

Ian wasn’t entirely wrong. Unless the barrier caused additional problems.

Still felt uneasy.

Did Ian know the sacrifices behind the Holy Kingdom’s barrier?

‘Few remember, I suppose.’

Completing the barrier during the Great War required more than technology – countless sacrifices and efforts.

A miracle built by me, my comrades, the citizens.

‘Not overly worried though.’

Full neutralization would be disastrous, but Ian’s preparations would only require about a day for restoration.

“Lena. Get up.”

Ian prodded my side with his foot.

“Ugh… Right. Ceremony’s starting.”

“Stay focused. Appreciate your concern for me, but worry about yourself too. Can’t protect you properly in what’s coming.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll trust that. At least I’ve sensed your responsibility.”

Ian turned toward the central plaza.

‘Wow… Touching.’

Hearing “I’ll trust you” from Ian who always dismissed me?

Monumental progress.

My suffering and mischief paid off.

Then, distant murmurs reached us.

Enhancing my vision again, I focused on the central plaza.

As expected, figures emerged from the northern platform.

Today’s target. The Pope.

“It begins.”

Ian murmured beside me.

Time to end the Holy Kingdom’s prolonged chaos.

**

“My gratitude to all who journeyed here.”

The white-robed Pope continued his speech from the platform.

“Today marks a historic milestone for the Holy Kingdom.”

Finishing, the Pope glanced sideways at a priest.

The priest bowed and gestured somewhere.

“And… the Goddess has sent an agent to eradicate the Great War’s remnants.”

-Dong. Dong. Dong.

Bell vibrations shook the ground, plunging the plaza into silence.

Tens of thousands of eyes fixed on the platform.

-Thud. Thud.

The Hero and Saint slowly appeared on stage.

Jade wore pristine holy garments, eyes filled with determination.

Veronica followed slightly behind in Saint’s robes.

“Hero Jade, step forward.”

At the Pope’s call, Jade and Veronica exchanged glances and nodded.

Jade approached the Pope alone.

A priest presented the Pope with a large box.

-Clank.

The heavy box opened.

The Pope slowly lifted the sword inside.

A blade bathed in pure white light.

Ethereal energy radiated from the sword, shining brilliantly like a star under sunlight.

The Holy Sword – symbol of the Hero.

The Pope carefully presented it to Jade with both hands.

“Jade. You are the world’s chosen hope – its shield and sword. This Holy Sword symbolizes the burden you must bear.”

The Pope’s voice resonated across the plaza.

“With this blade, sever darkness and protect the weak. When the world’s balance crumbles, you shall restore it. From this moment, you are the true Hero.”

Jade bowed before accepting the Holy Sword with both hands.

Turning, he faced the plaza.

Stepping forward calmly.

“I swear upon this sword. And before the Holy Kingdom’s citizens.”

His steady, unwavering voice echoed deeply.

After pausing to breathe, he looked down.

A red-haired girl stood out in front.

Annie. His friend clenched her fists, cheering passionately.

Not just her.

Everyone here watched him alone.

He had to repay their faith.

-Swoosh.

Jade raised the Holy Sword skyward.

“I shall end this world’s suffering. Create a future where none are abandoned. Cut down all darkness threatening humanity, and bring forth the light.”

-Huummm.

Azure sword aura shimmered.

A blade-like vibration engulfed the plaza.

The Hero holding the Holy Sword aloft under blazing sunlight.

The spectacle first silenced the crowdㅡ

Then explosive cheers erupted.

“WAAAAAAAAAH!”

Thousands rose simultaneously, arms raised high.

Jade smiled faintly, whispering:

“…Yes. I am the Hero.”

The fearful academy boy no longer existed.

Here stood the world’s savior.

But that momentㅡ

-KRRRRRUMBLE.

A deafening roar echoed as an intense magic circle materialized above the platform.

“Wh-what’s that?”

“Look at the sky!”

Jade, the Saint, the Pope, every citizenㅡ

All eyes turned skyward at the sudden development.

A red-haired man in robes hovered midair.

He thrust his staff forward as the magic circle blazed crimson.

The formation shifted like a projection screen, amplifying his voice across the plaza.

“Citizens of the Holy Kingdom.”

The man’s voice boomed across the space.

“You all deserve to hear the truth and judge accordingly.”

His staff pointed directly at the Pope on the platform.

“I accuse Pope Praxian.”