5 episodes
“Why are you showing me the letter from the Central Church?”
“The rumors about this area seem to have reached the Central Church. It was meant to give you the opportunity to be ordained a priest.”
Ethan’s eyes widened.
“Am I not that old yet?”
The Ordination Ceremony of the Pars Church as a priest is for those over the age of 18.
Ethan, on the other hand, was only 15 years old now.
“It is said that the time has been advanced to recognize your outstanding abilities.”
“It’s an honor.”
Ethan smiled, pretending to be shy.
It was unexpected, but welcome.
It was difficult in many ways to hide his identity and increase his power in a quiet monastery.
Above all, there was a restriction that I could not practice to my heart’s content.
But Stella expressed concern.
“But I think it’s too early.”
“Why?”
“I’ll be honest. Living in the Central Church will be very different from living in a small monastery like this.”
“You mean it will be very difficult?”
Stella didn’t answer.
That alone was enough of an answer.
‘You’re pretty tougher than I thought.’
Ethan’s eyes were sharp as he was judging Stella’s thoughts.
‘If you dare bump into it here, it will only bother you. There is no good excuse.’
Ethan chuckled.
“Thank you for your concern. I will consider Stella-sama’s advice carefully.”
“I’m glad you did.”
Stella laughed softly.
One day Ethan will also leave the monastery.
Just like the children who grew up here.
But not now was important.
At least, Ethan didn’t have to worry about getting hit around in the central church at such a young age.
‘The Central Church seems to be more corrupt than I thought.’
Ethan laughed inwardly.
Judging by Stella’s concerns, it seemed certain that the central church was corrupt.
‘If I do my best, I can go to the Central Church sooner than I thought.’
Ethan had a different plan on the inside, unlike the outside.
“Then what should I do?”
“In a few days, a messenger will come from the Central Church. Then you just have to tell me what you want.”
“It’s simple.”
“yes. Because the ordination ceremony of priests places the most importance on one’s will. Unless it’s something special… … .”
Stella muttered.
The last clue seemed to be on his mind.
Ethan shrugged.
“Well, should I forcefully drag someone I don’t like?”
Stella was relieved at that time.
It was a face full of sincerity.
Ethan laughed bitterly.
I felt bad for lying.
After spending 15 years in the monastery, I realized how true Stella was a priest.
Her good heart was at least sincere.
So Ethan sometimes pricked his conscience.
‘Damn it. I’m just like that girl.’
Ethan clicked inwardly in frustration.
Stella got up from her seat and held out her hand.
“Stop talking about this heavy stuff on Holy Day. Shall we go?”
* * *
A small village near the monastery.
It was late at night, but the town was bustling with people enjoying the holy day.
It was then that unfamiliar visitors came to the village.
“Everyone, go home! Some bastards are out there!”
“What?!”
“You have a weapon in your hand! Hide at home!”
“Are you a gang of thieves?”
“What is this on Divine Day, oh my gosh!”
The women hid themselves in the house with their children.
The elders gathered at the entrance to the village.
There stood knights and soldiers covered in seven coats of blood.
Full of shit, they were supporting each other.
The middle-aged knight in the front took a rough breath and entered the village.
The village chief stepped forward.
“Hey, what are you doing in such a remote village?”
“Don’t be too restrictive. I am such a person.”
The middle-aged knight held out a plaque.
“Hey, this!”
The surprised village chief opened his eyes.
A spear and a shield protecting a white tree were drawn on the plate.
Even a rural idiot knew what this was.
These were the Knights of the Temple with great fame on the continent.
“Sea, are you a Knights Templar?”
The middle-aged knight nodded hard at the village chief’s question.
“That’s right. I’ll give you enough rewards, so won’t you give me a place to rest?”
“Wait, wait a minute!”
The village chief turned back and gave instructions to the elders.
“Go to my house right now and tidy up the house. I will hurry up and take the knights with me.”
“Are you going to take me to the village chief’s house?”
“Isn’t there an empty room in my house?”
The village chief lost his son and wife to the plague and was living with his grandson.
The house was also close to the well, so it would be convenient for the knights to stay there.
“And the knights were injured a lot, so I have to go to the monastery to get holy water.”
“William is quick, so let him do it.”
“okay. That would be good.”
The elders supported the knights and took them to the village chief’s house.
The knights’ faces were pale as if they were about to run out of breath.
Jacob wrinkled his face at the sight of such subordinates.
They had been dispatched on some sort of mission from the denomination.
However, he ran into an unexpected crisis and eventually ran away to this place in a mess.
‘damn! There must be dark magic traps there.’
Jacob grinded his teeth.
The magical power of dark magic not only rots flesh, but also hinders natural healing.
It is because of the terrible curse contained in the magic.
“Captain, are you okay?”
Then the lieutenant came and was concerned about his injury.
This is because Jacob was injured while rescuing Suha from a crisis.
“My wounds are nothing. Those guys are more concerned.”
The lieutenant sighed.
“There will be no good wizards or priests in a country like this.”
Only savvy wizards and priests were able to decipher the terrible magic.
However, there was no way for a wizard or priest with that skill to exist in such a rural area.
Jacob let out a sigh.
“Know. First of all, I’m going to reorganize here and hurry to a bigger town… … .”
Jacob caught a young man in the village passing by.
Just in case you didn’t know, I felt like I was grabbing a piece of straw.
“I heard there is a monastery around here.”
“Oh, yes! Even so, I went to the monastery to get holy water. He will be here soon.”
Jacob thought about it, then replied.
“No, holy water is not enough. Call the priest from that monastery.”
At that time, a rumor he had heard somewhere suddenly crossed his mind.
“I heard that the monastery has a child of miracles. Is that true?”
“Ahh. You mean Ethan?”
The rumors were true!
Jacob clenched his fists at the village young man’s reaction.
He barely caught a glimpse of hope.
“Yeah, yes! While I’m gone, I’ll call the kid too. No. I’ll go pick it up myself.”
* * *
The deep night of the holy day coming to an end.
The monastery was full of silence.
That was then.
bang bang!
Someone knocked on the door of the monastery.
The sleeping gatekeeper jumped up in surprise.
He looked out through the small window in the door.
squeaky.
There stood a young man with a torch.
“Who are you?”
“My name is William, who lives in the village below the monastery. Now the knights are coming to town! In the words of the village chief, he said that they were the Knights of the Temple. The knights were injured a lot, and they need the priest’s help.”
“What? Temple Knights?”
“yes! The Knights Templar!”
“No, what kind of temple knights are in this village? Even if I lie, I am.”
“no! The mayor checked the hand. The Knights Templar are certain.”
At the young man’s firm gaze, the gatekeeper took his eyes off the window with a shaky face.
“what? Is it true?”
Then something whitish caught in the corner of his vision.
“Hey, hey!”
The gatekeeper got cold and stepped back.
There stood Stella, the head of the monastery.
“Priest!”
“Come on, open the door.”
Stella gave the gatekeeper a firm command.
The gatekeeper was embarrassed and made an excuse.
“Priest, in fact, I was just about to visit the priest… … !”
“I will hear about it later. Aren’t the Knights of the Temple wounded and in town? Come on, open the door.”
It was as if he had already heard the previous conversation.
‘Damn it.’
The gatekeeper opened the door with a pale face.
Stella looked at William and smiled kindly.
“It was hard to get here. It will be difficult, but please guide me to the place where the knights are.”
“Yes Yes. Sure.”
That’s when William was going down the hill with Stella.
“Stop!”
Someone’s voice came from down the hill.
Stella looked at William.
“What do you mean?”
“Hey, okay?”
Before long, an unidentified person appeared.
He was Jacob.
“Heh heh! I’m not feeling well yet, cool! Let me catch your breath for a moment.”
He lowered his back and clasped his knees, exhaling harshly.
Fortunately, he was able to move like this, and his subordinates were still wandering through the dead of death.
After dying, Jacob greeted Stella.
“It’s nice to meet a colleague who walks the same path here.”
“yes. Even so, I was just trying to find it now. But how did you get here?”
Then Jacob took a polite stance.
“I heard that there is a miracle child here. Could you take the child with you?”
“yes?”
Stella’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
Ethan’s fame was enough to send a letter from the denomination.
But Stella shook her head.
“Ethan is a young boy who has not yet been ordained. Why do you want to take the child?”
“His name is… … ?”
“This is Stella.”
“No matter how talented Stella-sama is, it will be difficult to take care of all the knights who have been affected by dark magic. I was concerned about that.”
“dark… Magic?”
One hundred years after the death of the Demon King, the only people who used dark magic were the Dark Followers.
Stella frowned at something more serious than she had thought.
“Then I don’t understand any more. Why are you trying to bring Ethan into such a dangerous situation?”
When Stella showed an objection, Jacob bowed his head.
“The greeting is late. I am Jacob Anderson, commander of the 5th Templar of the Knights Templar. Off topic, but let me tell you something.”
“… Please tell me.”
“I know it is difficult to remove the curse of magic. But just as Stella cares for the boy, I also care for my minions. A helping hand is desperately needed right now. I hope you understand this earnestness.”
When Jacob compared his relationship with his subordinates like that, Stella couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.
“Even if you say so… … .”
Jacob put on the most pitiful expression on his face.
But Stella tried to turn away from him.
“Neither can I. I am in a position to be concerned about the safety of not only Ethan, but also the children of this monastery.”
Then suddenly a boy’s voice interrupted.
“Stella, please take me with you.”