How a Former Pastor Lives in Another World

10

Duel

The reason Ray chose the relic storage was simple.

To melt the storage, larger and containing more iron than any other relic, and forge as many weapons as possible.

Moreover, he knew from experience that an object forged from a relic was itself considered a relic.

Knew from experience?

In other words, it was something he had done before.

“Ray Anderson, you insolent fool! To melt the brass star of the cathedral on your own whims!!”

“No, they were going to replace it with a new one anyway! Ouch! Ouch! It hurts! Is it right to beat a brother of faith like this!”

“If you’re my brother, then I must have erred in raising a sibling!!”

Putting past memories behind, Ray realized that the tactics of his past life worked well in this world too.

Didn’t the vampire hunters of Rome hunt vampires just fine with silver arrows forged from the melted silver cross of Milan Cathedral?

An object forged from a holy item remains holy, a fact proven across worlds.

“You, you just melted the relic on your own!”

Aaron trembled with rage.

All these weapons were made by melting relics?

“An object is just an object. If necessary, one should know how to melt it down to create something new.”

“You madman…!”

Aaron looked at Ray with disgust.

Even someone of common blood shouldn’t think of melting relics to make weapons!

“Do you realize the history imbued in that relic! The storage that became a relic through its history!”

“Lord Soltera will understand, for He has bestowed the power of an iron chariot even upon a donkey’s bone. So what does it matter if the form of what’s already given is changed?”

What nonsense!

Aaron, who had grown up clinging to the Bible and under the tutelage of cardinals and holy knights, was appalled by Ray’s unorthodox faith.

Just as Aaron was about to unleash a retort to that radical claim, someone burst out with a booming voice from the rooftop of the dormitory.

“All trainees! Assemble at the training ground!!”

The building’s acoustics carried an overwhelming volume that everyone inside had no choice but to hear.

***

Even after the audition ended and the dormitories were assigned, no one came looking for the prospective members for quite some time.

It seemed they were given ample time to adapt, with no news for a while, until suddenly, a gathering was called.

The prospective members, who poured out in a rush, were greeted by a man walking in.

Jake, the senior knight of the Armed Special Service’s Paladin Order, bore a starkly different demeanor from the gentle clergy.

A scar running down his left eye and a wound stretching from his nape, the extent of which was unknown. Surely, his past battles were etched within as well.

“Greetings, comrades. I am Jake, an instructor of the Paladin Order.”

Oh!

A paladin…!

Cheers and excitement erupted, but Jake’s expression remained unshaken.

With a clap! His applause sent out a shockwave of sound.

A thunderous noise sufficient to silence everyone.

“I am here to explain what you must do and train for as armed pilgrims.”

Jake spoke lightly, observing the members who focused on his voice.

“But before that. I must assess your aptitude.”

“Aptitude?”

At someone’s question, Jake laughed fiercely.

“It’s quite simple. Let’s fight.”

A test of skill through sparring.

As prospective members of the armed institution, it was time to showcase their abilities.

“Why didn’t you look at this during the exam?”

Jenny asked, raising her hand.

Jake responded promptly.

“The first and second exams were merely to discuss basic qualifications. If combat training were a test, then the brothers from mercenary backgrounds would have been the outstanding passers.”

At his words, the members with mercenary backgrounds flinched.

Indeed, the entrance exam had been disadvantageous for mercenaries.

Unlike other successful candidates who had walked the path of proper clergy, those from mercenary or soldier backgrounds especially found the second exam challenging.

“Do not consider it unfair. To become a rightful armed pilgrim of the nation, acquiring power is the priority.”

It was a statement that faithfulness was the foremost condition.

As Jake’s words convinced them, the mercenaries hung their heads in understanding, and he explained their advantage.

“You, who have lived off the streets despite being humans of the slums, have deep enough faith to pass. Though not with flying colors, your conditions are favorable.”

“Ah…”

“Come to think of it, that might be true…”

Jake planted his sword into the ground and looked around at the members.

“Now, let’s begin. Who will step forward first?”

“I will!”

The first to raise her hand was Jenny from the Axe Sisterhood.

Jenny, who had boldly confronted the noble Aaron, lifted her halberd.

‘To think a woman could lift that heavy halberd.’

‘She already knows how to use holy power. With the blessing of the sun, it would be perfect.’

In this world, holy power spans across enhancing physical abilities, manifesting powers, overcoming demons, and healing.

Even those without powers, the faithful are usually healthier and more robust than others.

“Sister Jenny. Let’s see your skills.”

“Yes!”

The two stepped into the center of the training ground.

Everyone watched with keen interest.

“Of course, the instructor will win.”

“The Axe Sisterhood. It’s a famous place.”

Amidst the murmuring members, Ray cautiously asked Aaron.

“Brother Aaron. Is the Axe Sisterhood that famous?”

At that, Aaron gave a look as if to say, ‘You don’t know?’ He was quite an annoying fellow.

“The Axe Sisterhood is a convent that has produced saints. Haven’t you heard of Elizabeth, the Orc Slayer with the twin axes?”

“Don’t expect too much from a country deacon.”

“Tsk.”

Aaron seemed annoyed to explain, but soon added a sincere explanation.

To summarize:

200 years ago, it is said that orcs invaded the city.

As the city burned, men died, and women were at risk of violation, Sister Elizabeth heard the command of God.

[Take up my axe and drive away those vile beasts.]

Elizabeth, without hesitation, took up her twin axes and dashed out at the divine command said to be delivered by an angel herself.

It was the moment the legend of Elizabeth, the Axe Saintess of Twin Axes, began.

“And so, Sister Elizabeth was recognized as a saint, and the Axe Sisterhood remains to this day, nuns in arms perfecting their axemanship.”

‘Sounds like a plausible tale.’

Such occurrences weren’t uncommon in Rei’s past lives.

Like dragging a dragon to the church after beating it to near death,

Or the story of beating a demon senseless on Mount to save a believer who had been doomed to surrender their soul in a pact with the devil.

If there’s a problem that can’t be solved with strength, one must consider if they simply lacked enough of it.

Having cleared his curiosity, Rei focused on the sparring.

Because Jennie, with a spirited yell, charged at Sir Jake.

“Yaaah!”

Her shout was a different kind of battle cry from the deep roars of men.

And unlike the cries of other women, the halberd Jennie wielded was ferociously savage.

Whoosh! Whirr!

Yet, Sir Jake skillfully deflected Jennie’s axe blows.

Even with one hand sealed and using only a wooden sword.

“Indeed, a holy knight. Your skills are different.”

“Sister Jennie, too, shows the form of one well-trained over a long time. But still, not a match for a holy knight.”

Rei saw it too.

Rei had a wealth of combat experience from past lives.

Sister Jennie was certainly a trained axewoman, but there was something clumsy about her.

Her axe lacked killing intent.

More precisely, it was hesitation.

It’s human to hesitate, even against demons or monsters in human form.

And Jennie was facing a real person.

The natural hesitation of possibly hurting the opponent was evident in her axe swings.

The young master of the Lincoln family, a venerable vampire hunter lineage that had even produced a president, had exactly that look.

‘A lack of real combat experience.’

In the end, Jennie’s halberd was knocked away, and Sir Jake’s wooden sword struck her abdomen.

“Kyah!”

It might have been a mere touch, but in a real battle, it would have led to a fatal wound.

Instructor Jake was about to call it quits at this point, but in that moment, Jenny’s palm shone brightly.

“The power of healing?”

Literally, the power of healing.

Jenny healed the abdomen where she had been hit and smirked.

“So, this doesn’t count as a loss in a real fight, right?”

“Indeed. I’ve heard about your significant healing abilities, but why didn’t you join the ‘Healers’ Guild’?”

“Personal reasons!”

Jenny lifted her halberd high and plunged back into the fight.

Even as Jake landed several effective hits afterward, Jenny brushed them off with her healing power.

Once she used the power of healing, she charged forward stubbornly, assuming she would be hit.

Her demeanor was so much like that of a berserker that it was almost nauseating for the onlookers.

“Pretty face, but there’s a fierce side to you.”

“Shouldn’t take the sister lightly…”

But that didn’t last long.

Unable to make Jenny concede with ordinary strikes, Instructor Jake’s sword thrust up to her chin.

“Uh…!”

Even if it was a wooden sword, it almost pierced her throat.

In a situation that would send chills down anyone’s spine, Instructor Jake stopped the sword precisely.

It was a feat impossible without an absolute difference in skill.

“No matter the power of healing, you can’t block an instant death.”

“Uh, um… Right?”

“Well done, Sister Jenny.”

“Thank you… for the guidance.”

“Next.”

Jake’s gaze turned towards the members.

He seemed intent on taking on everyone present by himself.

One by one, they stepped forward, but all they did was confirm the overwhelming difference in skill.

Lord Jake wrote the evaluation reports for all the members without breaking a sweat.

Aaron managed to hold his own against Lord Jake for a good five minutes, but it was far from enough to surpass the bastion of the paladins.

“This time, it’s my turn…”

Just as Ray was about to step forward, Sir Jake halted him.

“Brother Ray, you shall spar after the sun has set.”

“Is it because of the power I possess?”

“Indeed. When neither is under the sun’s blessing, a true assessment can be made.”

“Hmm…”

It wasn’t a bad condition.

After all, Sir Jake himself was under the Sun’s Blessing, which granted him a buff several times stronger than a paladin’s might.

The problem is…

‘I can be blessed even at night.’

Should I mention that?

***

There were as many as a hundred trainees.

Sir Jake, a paladin of the Order and the instructor of the trainees, sparred with each of them, evaluating their skills.

Most were novices. As applicants to the armed institution, they had undergone some training, but they lacked real combat experience.

It was expected for young acolytes, yet many barely met the minimum standards.

‘Indeed, they are all young. Focusing on potential, it can’t be helped.’

Those from mercenary backgrounds were of a higher caliber.

Even if it was just brawling, they had real combat experience.

They had trained well to survive, and more importantly, they didn’t hesitate.

The problem was that their motivation was ultimately a life as a cleric, more stable than that of a mercenary, hence their divine energy didn’t accumulate well.

No matter how much combat experience one had, the essence of the armed institution was the acquisition of power.

Just as Sir Jake, blessed by the sun, was facing a hundred in succession.

‘Still, Aaron, Jenny, Henry are at a level that could be deployed immediately.’

All three were well-trained, though inexperienced.

There’s no need to mention the prestigious Graham family, and both the Granville Monastery and the Axe Sisterhood are renowned for their martial monks.

Famous for their rigorous training before going out into the world, the two representatives of the monastery received high praise this year.

Apart from them, many of the excellent passers lacked combat acumen.

They would be fine in the choir or healing center, but aspiring to join the Paladin Order or become Inquisitors would be a difficult path.

“Lastly, Ray Anderson.”

Sir Jake called for Ray Anderson last.

The subtitle of the wallpaper called Ovello Cathedral.

Information about Ray Anderson had recently become a hot topic within the Vatican.

“They say he killed a sorcerer. And all by himself.”

Sorcerers and witches.

Those vile beings who contract with devils to wield magic.

It was only recently reported that the plague which led the priest of Ovello Cathedral to death was a curse spread by a sorcerer.

But more astonishing was that the curse spread by the sorcerer was lifted by the young subdeacon of the cathedral, Ray Anderson.

He killed two apprentices of the sorcerer in a surprise attack and then murdered the sorcerer head-on.

Indeed, it was worth the active recommendation of the inquisitor.

“The test content was also exceptional. He executed the heretic on the spot without any attempt at conversion, and during the prayer meeting, he burst into tongues and even received the blessing of the Holy Spirit.”

Then what exactly is the ‘quality’ of Ray Anderson?

If he has gained the power of hymns, he is certainly qualified to join the Solarion Choir, but he himself has refused to join.

Then, does he bear the blessing of the sun, so it’s joining the Order of Holy Knights?

It would be natural, but since Ray has never revealed his intentions, it’s unknown.

“Ray Anderson. Bring that brother into our Order of Holy Knights. He’s undoubtedly a natural talent.”

It was a story earnestly entrusted by Sir Velvet, the senior knight of the Order.

Is it just the Order? The Choir, led by Principal Ivela, openly made a recruitment offer, and the movements of the heresy interrogation agency Eclipse are also unusual.

At least the healers haven’t moved, but it’s natural since you can’t join without the power of healing.

Has there ever been a newcomer who caused such a stir among the armed agencies?

Sir Jake was feeling a tremendous interest in Ray Anderson’s abilities.

“Ray Anderson. I heard you recently gained the power of hymns.”

“Yes, I was fortunate during the prayer meeting.”

“Hmm, have you figured out what kind of power it is?”

At that, Ray shook his head.

“Alright, but you have to try out all the power you have. Start with what you can use.”

At Sir Jake’s words, Ray tilted his head.

“Do you mean to sing a hymn here?”

“Yes, let’s check it out.”

Sir Jake smirked.