I Became the Hero Who Banished the Protagonist chapter 23

23. not very pleasant (2)

My eyelids trembled as I looked at the crown that Bishop Andre proudly introduced. I’ve never seen such a terrifying thing in the original. I remember that there was no content that the main character received this kind of thing. I don’t think I can even touch it, let alone wear it on my head.

“… Are you telling me to wear this on my head and fight?”

After wearing this and fighting, it seemed like it wouldn’t be a problem to have a hole in the scalp. At my bewildered voice, Bishop Andre shook his head.

“Nope. Not all relics are used in combat. So is this crown. This coffin is not an armory. It will depend on how the owner uses it.”

“Use?”

The bishop nodded, placing his hand over the glass coffin. The bishop’s eyes, looking at the crown of thorns, contained a certain expectation and respect. Bishop Andrew lightly grabbed the glass coffin surrounding the crown and peeled it off. The red velvet on which the crown was gently placed looked as if it had been stained red with blood.

“This crown… It is a relic that is said to have been written by a saint long ago. Its exact origin is unknown. There is only speculation that it is vaguely regarded as a thing of the mythical age. As it is a really old artifact, its power will be much stronger than most artifacts.”

It’s not an object from the original work, but if it’s a holy relic that the author actually set up, I think I’ll know what it’s based on.

“In the past, people believed that if they prayed while wearing this crown, their wishes would come true. The crown grants what you wish for.”

What a useless way to pray. I frowned.

“Unfortunately, the crown did not give an answer to those who prayed wearing a crown of thorns. And people stopped looking for crowns.”

Bishop Andrew raised the crown of thorns and handed it to me. I took the crown and looked at it questioningly.

“… Doesn’t that mean you don’t know if you have power or not?”

“Didn’t the hero pull out the holy sword that was considered impossible to pull out and prove its power to the world? This crown will be no different.”

When I still looked somewhat uneasy, Bishop Andrew shrugged and gestured toward the crown of thorns.

“The relic will test the user’s qualifications, so if you’re curious, you can use it.”

The crown of thorns, which had already dried up from the loss of moisture, was surprisingly light. It looked like it would turn to dust if you touched it a little wrongly. Even if I put it on my head, it didn’t seem to hurt that much. I carefully looked up at the crown of thorns above my head. I felt a slight tingle, and then the crown settled over my head. As feared, the thorns did not pierce my head.

“How do you test users?”

“They say the crown gives a test. If you overcome it, you deserve that power.”

With Andre’s explanation, a handful of mana began to enter my body riding the thorns of the crown. It was completely different from that of the holy sword, and it was an unfamiliar feeling of magic. I didn’t want to go against it and let the mana from the crown ride through my body.

“The ordeal… .”

how is it given The words that were about to come out stuck in my throat. It was as if a bolt of lightning had pierced the crown of my head. And I feel like I’m breaking my body piece by piece. I fell to my knees unable to scream in agony.

“[Illroy!]”

“Hero?!”

His eyes darkened and his consciousness gradually faded. I felt the crown on my head slide down and fall to the floor. I fell to the floor, leaving behind the voices of Bishop Andre and the Holy Sword calling me urgently.

—

It seems like I had an old dream.

I wasn’t the me before I was possessed. I was Illroy even in my dreams. On a day of torrential rain, Illroy was standing in the ruins, bathed in the rain. Through the rain, Illroy was looking at the holy sword. The holy sword seemed to be waiting for someone stuck in the rock.

Illroy walked slowly. Then, approaching the rock where the holy sword was stuck, he grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled it up. As if saying that it was destined to be like that from the beginning, the Holy Sword was gently pulled up following Illroy’s hand. Illroy stared blankly at the drawn holy sword.

Then, with a weak gesture, Illroy hugged the Holy Sword and sat down on a pile of stones. The rain was still pouring down like it would devour the world with Illroy.

elegy. Rain pouring down on my ears and head dizzily.

“… Well.”

Consciousness gradually rose. The first sense to return was hearing. I heard a rustle as my head rubbed against something. Then the smell. It smelled of old wood and burning scented candles. The time was late. Blurred, the scenery that appeared to be a church room came into my eyes.

I tried to get up right away, but a terrible feeling of exhaustion weighed down my body, and I didn’t think I could get up right away. I turned uncomfortably and turned my head to the front. The soft, warm feeling on my head and face was very comfortable.

… Wait a minute, texture?

I froze and blinked my eyes. Damn cliché. And the sound of a door opening. Even without turning my head again, I could feel Bishop Andre’s presence entering the room. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t strongly resist the hand that gently pressed my chest, and I relaxed my body again.

“The hero has risen.”

I heard the voice of a woman giving me a lap pillow. One ear was buried in her thigh, and the sound came in a half hum. The Bishop nodded and sat down in the chair across from me. The bishop looked apologetic.

“… this is my fault I never could have imagined that such a thing would happen.”

Yes, a crown of thorns. I put a crown on my head to accept the ordeal, but I lost my mind. Putting aside the recall of the memory, couldn’t I just make it happen? I would die of shame

“What about the crown? If you wish, I can exchange it for another holy relic.”

“[Take it.]”

I widened my eyes at the voice of the Holy Sword.

“There will be nothing more helpful than that in defeating the seven plagues. Most of them are junk that is worse than nothing else.]”

The Holy Sword said something meaningful. In the Age of Mythology, when the holy sword had not yet been pierced into the rock, did they even know what role that crown of thorns played? I frowned as I recalled the agony of the thunderbolt striking my body.

“[Don’t you know you’re not in a position to cover things up?]”

The Holy Sword is right. Because the current me had insufficient power to catch a disaster. I was not in a position to become stronger by covering fire. I sighed and shook my head.

“No, I will accept the crown gratefully. Just in case.”

“Still, I will try to find out if it is possible to support other holy relics. It is difficult to rely on just one.”

Bishop Andre held his chin as if in thought and said that. No, anyway… .

“Could you explain what the situation is?”

I said, glancing at the owner of this lap pillow that gently presses my chest every time I try to get up. Does being with Bishop Andre mean that this person is also the Heretic Questioner?

“I still need to rest, so please lie down.”

“No, this person… .”

Bishop Andrew shrugged and smiled.

“I was going to talk about her in a different way later, but I feel embarrassed to introduce her in this way.”

Bishop Andre looked up at the woman, then down at me.

“While having a meeting with Her Majesty this time, the Holy Land decided to send a representative to the expedition. After internal discussions, she was selected.”

How do you make new friends like this? I had a spasm in my face.

“My name is Marianne Prim.”

Marianne’s voice hummed again. No, it was a name I had never heard of. I remember that in the original work, when the abduction of the saintess was in progress, he was a person who appeared as a mid-boss of the heretic inquisitors on the side of the Puritan Church. Yes, and while competing with the protagonist trying to get the saintess back – she would have been brutally murdered by her throat being cut off.

“… It must mean that she is strong enough to join the warrior party.”

“At least in the Holy Land, there aren’t many people who match her skills.”

The bishop smiled and replied. How cruel is that smile?

“It doesn’t have the same healing magic as Isis, but it will be quite helpful.”

So why is this kind of person giving me a lap pillow over a normal pillow? I protested vigorously with my eyes, but Bishop Andrew pretended not to understand and only laughed. I wish the holy sword would give me some advice.

“[You look so good lying comfortably on those thighs. Do it yourself.]”

The holy sword left only those words and suddenly closed its mouth. For some reason, I felt like crying.

“It’s okay not to worry. She will never disobey your orders like Isis or that mercenary.”

It’s a little embarrassing to say that. I tried to push Marianne’s hand away from my chest again.

“Relax.”

“I’m fine now, so let me get up.”

At Bishop Andrew’s words, Marianne removed her hand. I struggled to regain my freedom and was able to get myself up. His face seemed to go red with embarrassment.

“The prank is very mischievous.”

“Let me just say that it gave her character. Is that something that bothers you?”

I turned my head to Marianne. Silver hair and gold eyes. It was not a combination that could be said to be common. But what stands out is nothing else but a face that shows no emotion whatsoever. Marianne’s face was literally like a statue carved out of marble. There was no blood, or any movement that seemed to be a sign of emotion.

“… Is it the way the Puritan Church raises people?”

“It’s embarrassing if you misunderstand that. Certainly there are bloodless and tearless people in the Puritan Church, and while they may be needed, we never artificially ‘create’ them. Same goes for Marianne.”

Bishop Andrew shook his head and said. In not denying the necessity, it seems that Bishop Andrew already has enough blood and tears.

“Can I ask what that means?”

“It means that people ‘from the beginning’ were raised according to the needs of the Puritan Church.”

I felt like I wanted to stick my tongue out. People who are ‘like that from the start’. Marianne didn’t seem to care at all what Bishop Andrew was saying. Bishop Andrew’s eyes flashed as he looked at Marianne and me.

“Marianne will be helpful. I guarantee. It is sending one of the best forces in the Holy Land, so please do not hesitate and join us.”

I nodded with a puzzled expression. It was impossible to refuse since they were sending sincerity from the Holy Land, and there was a feeling that it was not enough to attack the disaster with three people anyway. If it’s strong enough to be guaranteed by Bishop Andre, it’ll help somehow.

“Marianne, from now on, please follow the orders of the hero.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Marianne then turned to me and bowed her head.

“From now on, we are going to serve the hero Marian. Ha Myung-eul.”

When I couldn’t say anything back, Bishop Andrew dropped a thunderbolt.

“Ah, by the way, it hasn’t been long since I came over from the Holy Land, so Marianne doesn’t currently have a place to stay. Please, if the hero is generous and provides a room… .”

I’m going crazy

—

My appearance now is quite funny. A beautiful woman in a nun’s uniform was walking alongside, holding a wooden crown containing a sacred crown of thorns in one hand, and wearing a holy sword at the waist. Is it like a starter pack for beginners of the Puritan Church? Shindo seems to be quite twisted.

“… On the third floor there is probably a spare room for living. It won’t be very comfortable, but you can use the room.”

“All right.”

Marianne nodded. On the way from the church to our headquarters, I tried to talk to them several times, but I only got answers like ‘I understand everything’ or ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I suppressed the sigh that was about to leak out and opened the door to the headquarters. And, as soon as the door opened, Daphne, who was sitting in the lobby on the first floor, approached with quick steps.

“Illroy.”

Hey, you haven’t been back yet.

It seems that he went out and came back to wait for me. I’m sorry I have to say something, but Daphne suddenly looks to my side and blinks. Daphne’s eyes were fixed on Marianne. The luster in Daphne’s purple eyes began to fade little by little as she gazed at Marianne.

“… But who is this?”

Daphne asked in a cool voice.