149 – Holy Kingdom of Elderras (1)
“You’ve finally arrived at Eltican. It is a gracious thing. Brother Carmel, this may be your first time here, so let me explain a little…”
As usual, with the boring voice of Priest Barhal, who was riding in the carriage, in the background, the carriage I rode was already crossing Eltikan, the capital of the Holy Kingdom of Elderas.
It was not a fancy city. However, the unique atmosphere of Seongguk was clearly felt.
Buildings built with unique architectural styles,
Crosses and statues seen everywhere,
People wearing priestly uniforms can be easily found anywhere.
And the grand main temple seen in the distance and the larger statue of the Heavenly God carved on the cliff behind it.
This was Eltikan, the capital of the Holy Kingdom of Elderas.
“Priest Barhal, what is your schedule at Eltican?”
I put my thoughts aside for a moment and asked a question to Barhal, who was sure to be the background noise until I arrived at the main temple if left alone.
“It’s a schedule… Actually, there’s nothing to call it a schedule. The Academy cadets, including Brother Carmel, have no plans for a week after the brief welcome ceremony tonight. All you have to do is enjoy the Holy Kingdom.”
It was a known fact.
“However, Seongguk’s staff, including me, tell a different story. “The saint is scheduled to perform ceremonies in the sanctuary for a week, and the priests, including Brother Duran and myself, will be busy, but we do not yet know what schedule awaits us.”
It was said that the future schedule of the people included in the pilgrimage group would not be known until they arrived at the main shrine.
“You still have experience, but do you have any anticipated schedule?”
“hahahaha, none. “It’s a shame, but this is the first time this old man has come along on a pilgrimage.”
Barhal answered, scratching the top of his hairless head, and I looked at Duran next to me.
“I don’t know either. The schedule in Seongguk is decided by the higher-ups, but they prepare a different schedule every time. “We all have busy schedules, so it will probably be hard to see each other for a while.”
“How busy are you?”
“If I were to answer based on my experience so far, I don’t think there will be any time to rest until I return to the academy. So, even if you want to see it, just hold on for a little while, and since you’re here, let’s take a good rest and enjoy it. “Even though this town is boring, there is quite a bit to see.”
Duran shrugged his shoulders and introduced me to places worth visiting in El Tican, and I pretended to be excited by following Duran’s words until we arrived.
In fact, the words Duran was saying were things I had already heard from him.
Nevertheless, the reason why Duran casually said something he had already told me.
‘Barhal.’
Not long ago, Duran saw Priest Barhal reporting what happened in Ijesti to someone through a communication port.
‘I don’t think he’s a bad person…’
That’s what I think of Barhal. He seems to have a story and is hiding something, but he is still a confident person who seems far from the evil people we have seen so far.
‘Who did you report this to?’
Pope? Rust? Or a well-intentioned person I don’t know?
I had some doubts, but it didn’t really matter. Because, no matter who it is, what I do here will not change.
However, since there was no harm in being cautious, he reached an agreement with Duran and was merely conveying incorrect information to Barhal.
****
We arrived at the main temple by carriage and were walking inside the main temple under the guidance of a priest who introduced himself as Dali.
Is it because it is a holy country? There was no such extravagant welcoming ceremony as at Izesti’s imperial palace.
As soon as the Holy Knights who had made the pilgrimage arrived at the main temple, they dispersed as if they had made an appointment.
The cadets were assigned their own accommodations and had free time before the welcome ceremony in the evening.
I was walking with Lily for the last time to finish my duties as a guard cadet.
I said it grandly, but in reality, there was nothing to call it a conclusion. My final mission was to take Lily to the Holy Kingdom’s Crusaders for the pilgrimage ceremony.
“Thanks to Mr. Caramel.”
A calm voice. The head turns to the side. I see Lily’s expressionless face.
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“This journey was quite enjoyable.”
Is he conscious of Dali looking back while walking in front of him? Lily had an expressionless face.
“As you know, that’s the end of Mr. Caramel as a guard cadet.”
Looking ahead, you can see the Crusaders waiting to greet Lily in the corridor at the end of the hallway.
“I probably won’t see you until I return to the academy.”
Lily’s shoulders can also be seen faintly shaking.
“So, I will ask you one last time. “No, please.”
I see a pretty face. You can also see cute, quivering lips.
“Don’t overdo it. No, don’t do anything and get some rest. “I don’t want to smash Mr. Caramel’s head with my mace.”
A voice that conveys sincerity. They told me to stay calm and not set up the dishes because they were in danger.
“I understand.”
Of course I didn’t intend to do that, but I didn’t want to worry Lily too much, so I answered like that for now. I could feel Dali’s gaze as he walked in front of us.
“I will listen to Lily, so take care of yourself, Lily.”
“···There is no trust at all.”
When I answered with a wide smile, Lily narrowed her eyes and glanced at me.
“Oh, and this is a gift.”
I took something out of her arms and placed it in Lily’s hands.
“This guy…”
The identity of that something was a tweet with a lump on her head.
“If something happens… You know, right?”
They told me to contact them through Twitter.
“Then my private life…”
“···You can rest assured that nothing like what you are worried about will happen.”
Recalling the beautiful scenery I saw a while ago, I tried to calm her mood and reassure Lily.
I actually thought so. Last time, I borrowed Tweet’s attention just in case, but at that time, Lily didn’t know that Tweet was my familiar, but she doesn’t anymore.
I was thinking that way.
Food Deuk.
Twitter suddenly went somewhere.
“Ugh…!”
“Uh…”
I was speechless at what happened so quickly.
‘That’s how it went in.’
It was the moment when I learned something I was curious about.
****
Upon arriving at her corridor, Lily suddenly flinched.
“hahahaha…”
Then, one of the Crusaders who were waiting for Lily looked at her face with a worried expression.
“Holy woman, are you in any way uncomfortable?”
“Oh, no. “As the journey got longer, I was a little tired…”
“···I see. Thank you for your hard work in coming this far. Ah, that one…”
The man who checked Lily’s condition looked towards me, then held out her hand to me and lowered her head.
“I guess you are an escort cadet. My name is Michelan. “It’s not enough, but I also serve as the Crusaders’ general manager.”
“This is Camel. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Ah, Brother Carmel… I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you have great martial arts skills for someone of your age. Uh… I guess that wasn’t a lie.”
Michelan, who was putting strength into our joined hands, looked somewhat surprised when I responded casually and continued speaking.
“I feel like I want to have a chat with you, but… It might be a little difficult right now. “Because we also have a duty.”
“I guess so. I understand.”
Michelan looked towards Lily and made a regretful voice, and I nodded and glanced at the Crusaders standing behind Michelan.
Then, I feel some eyes looking at me disapprovingly.
Did Michelan feel that kind of gaze? Michelan smiled hesitantly and continued.
“hahahaha, since they are all brothers who used swords before becoming priests… I think Brother Camel has a desire to win. “It just so happens that we’re planning on having a nice dinner tonight… Well, I hope you’ll understand.”
What does it mean that a good place will be prepared? I tilted my head out of curiosity, but Michelan only smiled faintly and did not answer.
“Then I’ll see you later. “Thank you for your hard work.”
****
After parting ways with Lily, I was guided to my residence and then wandered around every corner of the Great Temple.
The size was grander than expected, so the main hall looked just like I remembered from the game.
‘I took everything I needed to take care of.’
I packed up several items that were hidden here and there and went out through the back door.
You can see a large cliff that seems to reach the sky. I wonder how they were carved, but the statue of the Heavenly God, which occupies about half of the cliff, creates an overwhelming scenery.
‘I didn’t think anything of it when I first encountered it as a game…’
I do not believe in religion. They have denied the existence of God, and still do not trust the words of religious believers.
But, is it because this is the world I live in? As I look at the Heavenly God, who shows his absolute appearance even though he is a statue, I suddenly have this thought.
‘God…’
This is a world where evil spirits and the Seven Deadly Sins exist, so wouldn’t it be natural for heavenly gods to also exist on this earth?
If that were the case, did the Heavenly God really exercise omnipotent and omnipotent power?
Then, why couldn’t the Heavenly God deny unclean beings?
‘What kind of meaningless thought is this?’
After being lost in thought for a moment, I shook my head and lowered my gaze to the floor. Right in front of the cliff, there are several human-sized statues erected.
The gaze that was looking at one statue lowers further. Names and achievements are listed on the monument located below the statue.
As I walked, I looked at those who left their names and achievements here.
From the beginning until now, Popes, Sword Saints, Saints, Crusader leaders, etc.
Many saints of the Holy Kingdom proudly occupied a part of this place.
After rolling my eyes like that.
“···.”
I found a spot where I felt a sense of disparity and silently scanned the ground there with my eyes.
There was nothing there. Even though, due to the structure of this place, there should be a statue of a woman.
It appears that the statue here has been demolished, as some traces remain. To put it somewhat metaphorically, it would have been erased from the Holy Kingdom.
‘Maria.’
It was the former name of Rust, the fourth great saint of the Holy Kingdom and now the sin of lust.
****
It is an evening when the sun is setting and the glow of the sunset is shining through the large windows of Daejeonjeon, creating a background color.
A welcoming ceremony for pilgrims was taking place in the main corridor of the main shrine.
“I think they said it would be done in a small way…”
Under a gorgeous chandelier, you can see an endless banquet spread out on an old-fashioned table.
Tasty meat, refreshing fruits, sweet desserts, and even deliciously colored wine.
In the feast of a full-fledged dinner, people who appeared to be over the age of 100 were hanging out.
“···.”
For some reason, while my expression was crumpled, I heard a familiar voice from behind.
“Carmel, judging by the look on your face, it looks like you don’t really like the fact that Seongguk organized such a fancy party.”
“Duran.”
The owner of the voice that accurately captured my heart was Duran.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you for a while because you said you would be busy. “Can you see it so soon?”
“Well, participating in events like this is part of my job.”
Duran shook his shoulders and laughed, and I looked around, pretending to look at Duran.
As expected, many eyes with various intentions are focused on it.
“Oh, that’s right. “You were the next saint, right?”
“···Seeing you say things like that, I can roughly guess how you’ve been looking at me all along…”
Duran looked upset, and I smiled and offered Duran my hand.
“Still, it’s nice to see it like this.”
“Me too. “The thought of getting away from your bullsh*t for a few days makes me feel like I’m flying.”
We held hands and shook hands.
“Then, have a good time. Cha. Ki. Seong.Ja. “I’m busy so I’ll stop.”
“Okay. Work like a dog. “I’m going to rest for a week.”
“···What an obnoxious bastard.”
When I spoke in a casual tone, Duran left with a tearful expression on his face.
As the natural conversation between friends ends, the many eyes that were naturally drawn to this place lose interest and slowly begin to disperse.
‘If I happen to be reincarnated in the future…’
Wouldn’t it be okay to make my profession an actor at that time?
As I was thinking those meaningless thoughts, I opened my right hand, which had been clenched into a fist.
There was a pocket watch on the right palm where Duran’s hands were held together.
Click.
When I opened the watch cover, there was a note stuck inside, as expected.