Holy Kingdom – Appointment Ceremony (6)

-Thud!

“Ugh!”

Jade barely suppressed a scream from the burning pain. Looking down, he saw the spear had completely pierced through his leg.

‘Damn it. I can’t fall like this…’

He couldn’t give up here. Jade forcibly lifted his half-broken sword.

But Daniel showed no mercy.

“That’s far enough.”

-Thud!

This time it was his left leg. The pain stole his breath and blurred his vision.

Finally, Jade’s knees buckled.

‘This hurts too much.’

This wasn’t something willpower could overcome.

“Damn…”

-Clang!

Jade lost his balance and fell forward.

“To sever the flow itself… No one taught you that, yet your application of abilities is remarkable.”

Daniel pulled out his spear while looking down at Jade.

“I somewhat understand why the Goddess chose you. Your talent isn’t bad.”

“The Holy Sword… why…”

Jade lifted his head with difficulty. It was none other than the ‘Holy Sword’.

“Ah, that thing?”

Daniel shrugged indifferently.

“It’s a counterfeit.”

“…What?”

“Quite well-made, wasn’t it? You couldn’t tell just by looking.”

“Ha.”

To think they’d anticipated this far. Jade was speechless from the absurdity.

“It was preparation for unexpected situations… Seems my prediction hit the mark.”

The Pope, who had been standing back, approached the subdued Jade.

“I deeply regret it has come to this.”

The Pope stretched his hand toward Jade’s leg. Light flowed from his fingertips, covering the wound as new flesh began to regenerate.

“Why are you healing me?”

“You are the Hero, after all. Your life shouldn’t be in danger now.”

Jade tried flexing his leg slightly but couldn’t move it properly.

“Hoho. Unfortunately, I can’t fully heal you right now.”

“…Do you think I’ll cooperate because of this?”

Despite Jade’s sharp tone, the Pope simply smiled.

“Then I have no choice. You may rest here while I conclude matters.”

Conclude matters. At those words, Jade urgently checked the situation behind him.

Rena and Annie were fidgeting anxiously, clearly debating whether to rush over immediately.

‘This puts Rena and Annie in danger.’

He had to do something. At least distract them.

Jade instinctively stretched his arm to block the Pope’s path.

“Aren’t you afraid of the repercussions if you spare me?”

“Brat, don’t say things you don’t mean.”

Daniel answered instead of the Pope.

“Do you truly wish to die here?”

The tip of Daniel’s spear touched Jade’s neck. A line of blood trickled down.

“I’ll ask again. Are you truly willing to stake your life?”

“…”

-Gulp.

Jade couldn’t answer, only swallowing hard.

‘…How could I be?’

He’d only bluffed because he thought they wouldn’t kill him. Faced with such intensity, he was left speechless.

“Hoho, Sir Daniel, calm yourself. Isn’t the Hero’s spirit remarkable despite his youth?”

“Understood.”

At the Pope’s urging, Daniel lowered his spear and stepped back.

“Me killing the Hero? What frightening words. Those demons over there have blinded the Hero’s eyes and ears.”

“…Watch your tongue.”

When the Pope pointed at his companions, Jade’s gaze turned fierce.

“Frankly, their schemes were predictable.”

The Pope walked past Jade.

“They tried to manipulate the Hero and Saint into opposing me. That was their only hope.”

“You deceived even the Holy Sword, yet still refuse to admit it?”

“It was merely a precaution. I apologize for the deception here. We planned to deliver the genuine article after the ceremony.”

The Pope slightly bowed his head as if apologizing.

Naturally, Jade couldn’t accept this.

“You expect me to believe that nonsense?”

“I understand. You wouldn’t believe anything I say right now.”

The Pope maintained his smile.

“But I cannot allow the Holy Kingdom to collapse because of your choice.”

“…Stop diverting the issue. You created this situation.”

“Look around you.”

Jade turned his gaze to the plaza.

The central plaza beautifully decorated for this day. The crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

All gone without a trace.

The ruined plaza and surrounding buildings. Knights and priests groaning on the ground. The situation worsening as Ian clashed with the Holy Knights.

“The Holy Kingdom and its citizens have suffered greatly because of your party’s choices.”

“How many times must I say – you caused…”

“You should have raised issues through proper procedures. At least not like this. How will the world view you after this?”

The Pope sighed while surveying the surroundings.

“The Holy Kingdom must devote tremendous effort to reconstruction and diplomatic damage control. Moreover, the knight squad dispatched to eliminate remaining demons is rapidly returning. Who do you think will bear that damage?”

“Don’t shift responsibility. You’re saying we should be sacrificed for the Holy Kingdom and your goals.”

Jade scoffed internally.

Proper procedures? Nonsense.

‘He keeps up this act… probably because of distant observers.’

The Pope’s words were pure sophistry. If the ‘brainwashing’ was real, proper methods were impossible from the start.

He knew innocent people would suffer from this. But letting it slide would clearly lead to greater disaster.

‘…Frankly, that doesn’t matter anymore.’

Though sorry to those counting on him, only one thing mattered now – protecting his precious people. For that, he’d abandon being the Hero.

“No matter. We can bridge our differences gradually. For now…”

“His Holiness!”

Daniel quickly pulled the Pope back.

-Crash!

A massive fireball landed where the Pope had stood.

“You’ve gone completely mad!”

Enraged by the sneak attack, Daniel shouted at the sky.

“Do you truly wish to end relations between the Holy Kingdom and Magic Tower?”

“The Pope carries countless holy relics anyway. You’re overreacting.”

Jade looked toward the voice to see Ian slowly descending beside him.

“If you’d just held that Cardinal a little longer… But…”

Ian sighed while looking at Jade.

“Sigh… My mistake was expecting anything from you. We’ll need to adjust plans.”

“…”

Jade tried to explain but hung his head low. With things as they were, he had no excuses.

“Pull yourself together and take this.”

Jade reflexively caught the object Ian threw.

“This is…”

An ornate bottle. Though resembling a potion, it didn’t look like any ordinary product.

“Use it now. Your wounds will heal in minutes.”

Jade applied it to his wounds without hesitation.

“Gah!”

Burning pain flooded him, but he simultaneously felt his body gradually recovering.

‘I’ll be able to move my legs soon.’

As Jade checked his injuries, consecutive explosions sounded.

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dozens of defensive barriers shattered and reformed repeatedly. Ian alone was blocking attacks from Daniel and the Holy Knights.

“Jade, prepare quickly while I hold them off. We must escape now.”

“…Got it.”

Jade noticed Ian’s slightly labored breathing. Though not obvious, his limits were approaching.

“Jade! Are you okay?”

“Let’s get to safety first.”

“You guys…”

Rena and Annie rushed over, supporting Jade as they retreated.

“You told us not to come… but I thought we needed to act.”

Rena examined Jade’s condition worriedly.

“How’s your leg? Okay?”

“Fine. The potion’s amazing. I’ll walk alone soon.”

“Thank goodness…”

Rena sighed in relief seeing Jade’s healed leg.

‘It’s been so long… And… this feels nice.’

The warm touch and gaze he’d missed so much. But the situation was too embarrassing to simply enjoy.

“Rena, sorry. You saw me humiliated again.”

“You did your best. It’s okay.”

“My best… I did. And I promised to protect you. But I always…”

How many times had this happened? Jade recalled countless failures – in dungeons, the Holy Kingdom, now here. Since the academy incident, he hadn’t succeeded at anything.

For all he knew, Ian might have been the one to truly save Rena. Then what was he-

“Sigh, can’t be helped.”

-Peck.

Something soft and warm briefly touched his lips.

“Huh? Wha?”

Jade’s eyes widened. Looking at Rena, she blushed while turning away.

“…This is ridiculous.”

Annie, witnessing this beside them, covered her mouth.

“Ahem… Composed now?”

“Thanks. Suddenly feel energized.”

“Good. What matters is not giving up. Opportunities always return.”

Rena firmly patted Jade’s back.

“And stop this. Nobody wanted you to handle everything alone. That’s how things go wrong.”

“Right…”

But you always tried to shoulder everything alone. Jade swallowed the words he wanted to say.

“Save the tearful reunion for later. What now? Can’t we do anything about the Saint?”

Annie pointed toward Veronica.

“Escaping together would be ideal… but not sure if possible.”

Holy Knights now surrounded Veronica in layers. Retrieving her without conflict was impossible.

“I’ll try once.”

Jade slowly approached Veronica. The Holy Knights stepped forward defensively.

“Hero, please come no closer.”

Even they seemed conflicted – was opposing the Goddess-chosen Hero right?

“I don’t wish to fight. Just want a word with the Saint.”

“Step aside. I’ll speak with him.”

Veronica pushed through the knights.

“Hero. What did you wish to say?”

“Veronica, won’t you come with us?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Veronica shook her head firmly.

As expected. Rena pulled Jade back.

“Jade, it’s unfortunate but unavoidable. The holy relic prevents normal thought.”

“Right, then let’s tell Ian to…”

Suddenly, Jade instinctively covered his mouth.

“Gag?!”

His stomach churned. The scent had changed – cold, dark, revolting. The same sensation he’d felt before the ceremony, now intensified.

Annie panicked, shaking Jade hard.

“What’s wrong? Snap out of it!”

“Fine. Just a moment.”

Jade raised a hand to calm her.

‘…What to do.’

By now, the meaning was undeniable.

Demon. His Hero abilities screamed warnings.

The problem was the energy’s magnitude – surpassing Rasp’a level. A 7-Star Demon. Possibly higher…

More urgently, Jade checked others’ reactions.

‘No one else noticed yet.’

Clearly, even Ian and Daniel remained unaware.

Pope. Holy Kingdom. Politics. Conflict- All trivial now.

“Sir Daniel! Demon!”

Hearing Jade’s shout, Daniel halted mid-attack.

“Demon?”

His expression froze instantly. A Hero sensing demons couldn’t be ignored.

“We must leave immediately! Everyone gather!”

Ian also seemed to sense something, urgently activating a magic circle when-

-Clap.

A dull clap. Everyone froze simultaneously.

From a spatial tear, a man slowly emerged. Two horns on his head – everyone knew their meaning.

Matching exactly this morning’s report.

“Legion Commander… Malus.”

Jade spoke the man’s name.

“Hmm… Truly disgusting air. Just as I remembered.”

-Whoosh.

The sunlit plaza became enclosed by black barriers.

“As reported – the current Pope, Saint, Cardinals…” Malus’ gaze swept across each person.

“You must be the Magic Tower Lord’s disciple, and-” His eyes stopped at Jade, lips curling.

“The Hero.”