chapter 19
4. Island Lumentium – 08
So, the game was decided. As expected. My duel with Lucian ended with my victory.
“…hahaha.”
However, it was a victory that only hurt. I accepted the duel, thinking that if it was at the level of such an arrogant youngster, I would be able to play with it with one hand. But I never imagined that Lucian would ever reach the level of a master. In that sense, was my overconfidence in myself, not that guy?
I was about to lose No, it’s practically the same as being defeated. The only factor that allowed me to win against him was that he was careless.
“…..”
Lucian said this to me. you are strong So I won’t be careless. He said that he would use all his power to deal with you. And it wasn’t a bluff. Lucian thoroughly carried out his word.
But at the last moment, the guy finally caught his guard. After concluding that the match was decided simply by using my right foot, he tried to finish me off with the strongest technique he could use. Other than that, it must have been clear that he wanted to conclude a romance that was worthy of a knight. And, that was the defeat.
“…a bastard child. It’s cool.”
The guy recklessly used a great technique on the subject of not understanding at all what principle the flowing star was a swordsmanship. And the cost of carelessness was devastating. The guy’s skills were used against me, and he ended up lying on the ground like that. As a result, it was close to luck that I was able to win. If we fight again, it won’t come out like this.
“Sir Cain!”
It was then. Arya, who had been watching the duel from far away, ran to me.
“…aria.”
I tried to greet Aria with a smile as she ran towards me. It was because it reminded me of Arya, who was begging me not to get hurt before the duel. It must have made you worry more than you thought, so you should be prepared to hear nagging.
But that was the time.
Peeing-
“Big, huh-”
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My legs loosen without my knowledge. It was momentary, but my mind went numb. When I came to my senses, I was kneeling on the floor.
“Cain!”
I see Arya running towards me with a look that looks like she’s about to cry. Blood flowed endlessly from my nose and mouth.
“…this.”
It was a reward for dealing with unmatched strength with an untrained body.
“Cain! Are you okay? Are you seriously hurt?”
“…Aria, I’m fine. This is just because I was beaten by that bastard earlier.”
So I tried to make a joke about kicking that guy lying there, but things didn’t go smoothly. The truth is, I wasn’t feeling well at all. My eyesight had been spinning since before. I couldn’t properly focus on the aria in front of me. At this rate, I wouldn’t be in a position to curse at that guy Lucian who was roaming around on the ground.
“…Ha, Arya. I’m sorry, but go to those grumpy men over there with knives and ask them to call a doctor…”
“No, I don’t think there’s any need for that.”
A voice I’ve heard so many times cuts off my words. Before I can say anything, someone puts a hand on my back.
[The goddess shines her own covenant on those who fear her.]
Faat-
A holy word is recited. Centering on the hand on my back, a holy light radiates out and embraces me. At that moment, a warm energy from the light begins to fill my whole body.
“…Ahh.”
All remaining wounds in the body begin to heal rapidly. No, it wasn’t just a wound healing. It was an unrealistic sight, as if a clock had been wound upside down. The sight of the open-mouthed wound being ‘restored’ to its original form in an instant was enough to make the viewer feel awe.
‘Oh My God.’
Indeed, it was a tremendous divine power. With this level of divine power, it was enough to match the saintess 10 years later. Was there another person in the world who possessed such great divine power besides the saintess?
“Looks like some healing has taken place. Move your limbs.”
Just as he said, I tried to move my right foot, which had been trampled on by Lucian earlier. Pain was not felt. My current physical condition was the same as before the duel with Lucian.
“Are you feeling okay? Cain?”
“Ah, thank you…”
The moment I turned my back and looked back, my face hardened involuntarily. The person I thought I would never meet here was standing behind my back.
Her face was the same as 10 years later without any change. Light purple hair that reached her waist, two beautiful eyes that looked like they were studded with emeralds, and her gorgeous yet well-groomed features. …And a meaningful smile that you can’t quite understand. sure She must have been someone I knew well.
I called her in an idiotic voice without even realizing it.
“…saint?”
****
Saint, Ariel Thiers.
A woman who was born with the most powerful divine power in human history and was called the incarnation of a goddess. The first servant whose faith in the goddess reached the end of the sky and was bestowed with the ‘power’ by the goddess herself to prove that she was her child. At the same time, the best cleric and strongest shield that the church boasts.
It is said that the power she received from the goddess, ‘Guardian of Luminous Light’, instantly banishes her from the present world, thereby dispelling all evil principles. And I was well aware that there was no exaggeration in those words. Because at the time of the final battle with the witch, the saintess’ ‘Guardian of Radiance’ was the first-class contributor who kept the expedition’s life alive several times against the witch’s absolute attack.
However, it is all a story of the future. As far as I know, at the present time, she has gained a reputation for her unique and tremendous divine power, but has not yet been given the title of ‘Saint’. Also, I knew that she was currently staying in the Emperor’s Kingdom, the headquarters of the cult, so why did she appear in a place like this?
The saintess put on a relaxed smile on her face, as if she knew that I was shocked to see her.
“Oh, what a saint. I think it’s too much of an overkill for me. I’m just one of many priests in the Order. Oh, my name is Ariel Thiers. Just call me Ariel.”
“…sorry. It seems you’ve been confused for a while. Castle… no, Ariel.”
“Whoops, I’m kidding. Cain has nothing to be sorry about. So there is no need to bow your head like that.”
Saying that, Ariel comforted me with a truly benevolent smile. If others saw her, they would have been moved by her gentle and warm heart and would have shuddered, but not me. In the past and now, for some reason, I felt uncomfortable with a woman named Ariel. That relaxed, gentle smile only seemed to me to be something completely incomprehensible.
“Hey, Ariel. Would it be all right if I ask you a question?”
“Yes, anything. Cain.”
I pose a question to Ariel, who just smiles while looking at me.
“Why are you here? According to rumors, Ariel doesn’t come out well in the Empire, but…”
“Yes? Does Cain not like that I am here?”
Saying that, the saintess tilted her head slightly.
“No… that’s not…”
it’s weird The Saint Ariel I knew was a woman who hated loud noises and liked to live quietly in a quiet and still atmosphere.
I think the combination of a noisy and crowded banquet hall and Ariel is the same as putting mint on top of chocolate. Which means it doesn’t fit very well. However, I couldn’t talk about the knowledge I gained from the future, so I scratched my head and tried to sort through what I had already said. But that was the time.
“You spoke well, Duke Estelle. That’s what I wanted to ask too. I was very curious as to why she was here.”
In an instant, my body stiffened on its own at the voice I heard from behind. Why did that woman start a fight with someone else as soon as she appeared again? I managed to turn my momentarily stiff neck to look at the princess. And the next moment, I was stunned in a different way from seeing the saintess at the banquet hall.
‘Oh My God.’
The princess was wearing a dress. What she was wearing now was a snow-white dress. The chest part of the dress was cut deep, and the upper part was clinging to the body, subtly highlighting her beautiful curves. Also, the black girdle tied around her waist clearly showed off her slender waist. I was stunned by the splendor, like a single flower, and stared at the princess.
‘…I’m really going to turn around.’
I like it or hate it, but I know it well because I’ve been wearing it for the past year. The princess has a personality that hates things like exposure. She was so tightly wrapped throughout the expedition that I could only see her face and hands as bare skin. But for such a woman to wear such a dress? Is this a sign that the damn world is finally doomed tomorrow?
As I was contemplating the end of the world, the nobles around me couldn’t hide their surprise when they saw the princess. But even for a while, they hid their expressions and bowed toward the princess to greet them.
“Meet the Moon of the Empire.”
“Meet the Moon of the Empire.”
Everyone in the banquet hall bowed and greeted the princess. However, to be arrogant, there was one person who did not bow toward the princess right here. That person’s true identity was none other than Ariel. Ariel just stared straight into the face of the princess without erasing the relaxed smile from her lips.
“…Huh?”
The princess looked at Ariel as if laughing. And Ariel, too, did not turn a blind eye to such a princess. Just like that, the gazes of the princess and Ariel collided in the air. Both women do not take their eyes off each other.
“…You’re cheeky. Ariel Thiers. According to rumors, I heard that he has a benevolent heart that looks down on all people, but seeing it in reality, it seems that the rumors have been greatly misrepresented. Can you do service for others with such a stiff back?”
“You are talking too much. We are the ones who have already given everything to the Goddess. Don’t you know that the phrase “bending over all peoples” is the same as saying that you don’t bow down for just one particular person?”
At those words, the princess’s eyebrows rose. Actually, Ariel is right. In principle, priests do not have to bow down to those in power because they serve the gods. Yes, in principle. Few clergy practiced the principle in practice.
“…that’s interesting.”
The corner of the princess’s mouth went up. Actually, it’s an interesting response. In proportion to that, the smile across Ariel’s mouth also deepens. And I, who was caught in the middle of that battlefield, was on the verge of going crazy with anxiety.
“It’s so much fun. Ariel Thiers.”
The princess took her gaze away from Ariel and suddenly looked in my direction.
“Duke Estelle, what do you think? Who do you think is right? As an honorable aristocrat of the empire, I would like you to tell me your opinion.”
At the princess’s sudden question, all the gazes of the nobles around me also flew to me. They, too, were looking really curious about my answer.
“…..”
Involuntarily, I look towards Ariel. It’s really unbelievable, but Ariel was the only person who could save me in this situation. When I look at her with a desperate look, Ariel gently nods as if she understands everything.
“That’s right, Cain. Whose side are you on? Please make it clear here.”
“…..”