6. Proof of Existence (3)
There are many orphanages in Seongguk.
You might ask why there are so many orphans in the yard when the era of war ended, but there was no such thing as a safe place on this continent. It was because witches and criminals were looking for the flesh of the weak.
Even the system that is said to have the best security has not completely eradicated organized crime.
So it was obvious what the lives of the common people living in the province would be like. It was not uncommon for parents to die at the same time.
At least the orphanage in Seongguk was in a better position.
Cheonshingyo, which emphasizes mercy and love, was also interested in the lives of orphans. In addition to providing financial support, it was to the extent that he regularly inspected orphanages that exploited orphans.
The document the saintess handed me also contained similar content.
“In other words, the trial is suspended on the condition that you go to the orphanage for volunteer work.”
“Yeah, it’s just a reprieve.”
Hmm, I swallowed my saliva and fell into thought.
There are numerous priests and paladins in the Holy Land, but they are usually busy. There was no time to worry about the small orphanages located here and there.
That’s why Seongguk suggested it to me.
Please visit the orphanages around the Holy Land.
In other words, it was service and supervision.
While I was silent, the saintess continued her supplementary explanation.
“It’s a reprieve, but when the volunteer work is over, immunity will come naturally. A rising hero of mankind left after taking care of an orphan in the Holy Land, and I can’t praise him, but I can’t punish him.”
“Then what about my charges?”
“Truth unknown cannot be true, Ian.”
The saintess said that with a strange smile. It was the appearance of a schemer plotting behind the scenes.
In my eyes, even that looked pretty.
“Empire and Seongguk are aware, so they will moderately control public opinion. Still, it’s enough to dismiss the information flowing out as rumors. Then you will come back from a leisurely tour of the Holy Land with me.”
“Are you saying hello to your family?”
“Yes, to be precise, the orphanage where I was born and raised.”
The answer that came back to the words thrown like a joke was too serious.
I was a little taken aback and stuttered. Anyone who knew the saintess’ situation would do that.
“I, that… Didn’t you cut ties with the orphanage?”
“It was.”
The saintess nodded obediently and acknowledged it.
She was the one who struggled all her life to get off the label of ‘orphan’.
Not only did he give up his name, but he also heard that he had little contact with the orphanage he came from. Of course, I heard that there was a lot of support in the hidden line.
The saintess who did that openly visits the orphanage she came from.
I was about to ask if it was okay, but I stopped.
It was a decision the saintess had already made after much thought. It wasn’t a problem for me to argue about.
Instead, I deliberately staged a carefree voice.
“Should I buy some presents?”
“The kids will love it. What a gift from a hero… … .”
Likewise, the saintess, who had been trying hard to pretend to be calm, eventually lost her words.
A sigh escaped from between those charming lips.
“… … In fact, I am also afraid.”
I guess so.
Right after entering the academy, I was quietly ignored by high-ranking nobles. Even I, an aristocrat, couldn’t imagine what the contempt for a commoner or an orphan would be like.
I don’t know, but it must have been unbearable.
Even so, the saintess made a decision.
“You’ve lived as a ‘saint’ for too long. I only lived a life worthy of the job.. And I thought I would continue to do so.”
“But have you changed your mind?”
“These days, I keep thinking differently. Who am I other than a ‘saint’… Did puberty come late?”
Huhu, with a faint smile, her pale pink eyes turned to me.
I felt that the tone, resembling balsam petals, was painful. Even so, it was only a short inspiration from an ignorant swordsman.
“Maybe I got bored. Living as a ‘saint’ is not an ordinary thing, is it?”
“Yes. And as a ‘saint’, I keep thinking about what I shouldn’t do.”
And with a smile, the corner of the woman’s mouth drew an arc.
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Just as the petals hold the morning dew.
“… … So, you have to take responsibility and go with me.”
I didn’t ask why.
The saintess’ warm eyes as she looked at me tickled me.
So I had no choice but to smile bitterly.
I couldn’t run away now.
“I am willing to take responsibility.”
It is a journey of self-discovery.
It wasn’t a bad choice.
**
After that, the saintess’ one-day speech continued.
It was said to refrain from doing anything conspicuous as much as possible during the volunteer work period. I also had no intention of causing trouble, so I nodded my head in agreement.
It was true, however, that curiosity remained.
“What if I have an accident?”
“Then you have to go to court. And according to the old law, you can choose one of the three methods of trial.”
The saintess snorted and said so.
I had vague memories of hearing about the Inquisition in the Holy Land before. However, it was the first time that there were three types of trials.
Regarding this, the saintess gave a kind commentary.
“First, the ‘Doctrine Trial’. Most of them can be seen as going through this trial. A jury of 12 faithful saints and three renowned priests, each responsible for knowledge, charity, and judgment, decides the sentence. For reference, the priest of knowledge is dispatched from Doctrine, the priest of mercy is sent from the Gospel, and the priest of judgment is dispatched from the Inquisition.”
The ‘Catechism’ was a parallel to the Inquisition I remembered.
Does that mean that the rest of the trial also exists?
Before I could even ask a question, the saintess continued her explanation.
“Second, ‘honour trial’! This is a trial to commemorate Arius, a great saint who led the army of Omeros during the War of Gods and Demons in the distant past. If you defeat the paladins staying in the Vatican one after another, you can be acquitted out of respect for that honor.”
“… … .Isn’t that telling you to die?”
It was a far-fetched story.
If you commit a crime, you commit it, but if you win a duel in a row, you will be acquitted.
And the most absurd thing was that the enemy he had to deal with was the Holy Knights of the Holy See.
Since the condition is a ‘win streak’, of course it won’t end with a one-on-one match.
Then there was only one answer.
sounds like dying
I don’t know if it’s one or two, but win against the most elite knights of the Vatican one after another?
It was impossible unless he became a master.
No, even if he was a Master, the chances were slim.
Because in the Vatican, one of the only three Masters in mankind, the ‘Saint’, was holding out.
The voice of the saintess in answering my questions was simple.
“That’s why you said most of them are ‘doctrinal’.”
That was right.
Who would choose a second trial? It’s obvious that I’m going to die of a dog.
I waited patiently for the third option.
“And the final trial is the ‘purification trial’… If you climb on top of the firewood and endure the fire all night, you will be acquitted.”
“No, what kind of nonsense is that?”
The second one was at least a possibility, but the last one was ridiculous.
Does anyone exist who can survive burning all night in a fire?
The saintess left a brief comment on this.
“So, everyone said they were going to be ‘doctrinal’.”
For reference, it seems that the flame that burns sinners is called ‘holy fire’.
It is said that Arus’s liver, which burns evil, ignites it with the embers made by collecting the sun’s light. Therefore, the logic was that the guilty would burn in the fire and the innocent would survive.
I thought it might be a trace left by the era of savagery.
Because the ancient religion had such a cruel aspect.
I made up my mind again while listening to the saintess’ explanation. I will never do anything suspicious.
Right before leaving, the saintess was oddly full of regret.
how long did you wait
Eventually, the hesitant woman’s mouth opened. A light blush appeared on his cheeks.
“that that… Is there anything you want to do? After all, it’s just the two of us… … .”
Then, the saintess glanced at me. Judging by his hesitant appearance, he seemed to be expecting something.
I thought for a moment.
I wanted to add something, but I didn’t have much time. It would be a big deal if I witnessed the saintess leave my room early in the morning.
Wouldn’t it be better to spend the whole day alone with the saintess in a room?
It was nonsense.
As I was trying to swallow a laugh like that, I threw a question that suddenly came to my mind.
“Me, saintess?”
“Yes Yes?”
The saintess had a strangely obedient attitude.
Would it be possible to ask if this is the case? With such confidence, I immediately solved my curiosity.
“Is that statement true?”
“… … ?”
The saintess looked at me with an expressionless gaze.
So I had to ask again.
“That said, he prefers being forced… Ugh?!”
Before I could finish my words, the saintess’ foot trampled on my instep.
Eugjik, the sensation of twisting the skin came through. Because the body was so hard, there was no strong pain, but it was enough to stop breathing for a moment.
Before she knew it, dew formed around the saintess’ eyes.
It was an eye full of shame.
“All, all, you… I will refer you to the Inquisition!”
No, I just wanted to refer to it for later.
I felt unfair, but I did not dare to protest against the saintess.
I did not want to be referred to the Inquisition again.
It was enough to get the notice from the court once.
**
After the saintess left, I tried to read the letter from the future again.
If it wasn’t for the sound of a knock on the door.
There were a lot of disturbances today.
I sighed again, put the envelope into my bosom, and opened the door to receive a message.
“Hey, Ian? Leto told me to come see you right away. Something’s wrong with your sister… … .”
I didn’t even have to listen anymore. I immediately kicked off the ground and started running.
The destination was not far.
I knocked on Leto’s door in less than a minute. And before an answer came back from inside, he roughly broke the doorknob as if he were about to break it.
Fortunately, the door was not locked.
“Lea, are you okay?!”
After that, the sight that reached my retina was Lia, who was prostrated on the desk, weeping profusely.
Next, I saw Leto with a puzzled face, and next to him was a face I hadn’t seen in a long time.
The eyes of the crowd immediately turned to me.
It was right after that that a springy tactile sensation overtook me.
“… … brother!”
Leah, who ran and ran, jumped straight into my arms. I awkwardly hugged my sister and stroked her hair as usual.
Regardless, Lia was just bursting into tears.
“Ugh, Black. don’t abandon me… I was wrong, hehehe… … !”
what else is going on
I looked at Leto as if asking for an explanation, even as I was taken aback by the soft, curvy feel of the woman’s body. Then, suddenly, my gaze caught the girl standing next to him.
She was a beautiful woman with black hair neatly trimmed behind her back.
It was hard to find the same vitality in those tawny eyes, but I was more than happy. Even if it wasn’t, I was just worried.
“Celine!”
Celine, who tied a heavy battle ax behind her back, raised one hand with an awkward smile.
It was just a simple gesture, but I realized.
Something different.
If the momentum in the past was the feeling of an immature foal running amok at will, now it was like a calming wave. The sea is ready to push at any time like a raging wave.
My eyes were wide open.
“You are getting stronger!”
In spite of my admiration, Celine just let out an awkward laugh.
“It’s been a while, Brother Ian. Ahahahaha… … .”
A missing childhood friend has returned stronger.
I smiled brightly as I hugged my sister who couldn’t stop crying.
Of course, without forgetting my anger at the culprit who made my sister cry.
Apparently, the incident that occurred while I was gone was not one.