Holy Kingdom (2)
After receiving the World Tree's Bow, Sung-tae’s plan to change the mood failed when Aria kept stroking it and shedding tears.
His group arrived at the Holy Kingdom without much conversation. At the temple where the Saintess resided, kind-looking elderly men and women greeted them reverently in front of their carriage.
“Welcome back, Saintess.”
“I’m back, priests.”
They were the high priests who attended to the Saintess up close. Watching the warm-faced elders, Sung-tae felt their relationship wasn’t one of superior and subordinate, but more like family.
They all seem like good people.
“Oh…… Saintess. Who is this person……”
“This is the incarnation of Lord Bryunak. Show your respects.”
“We pay our respects to the incarnation of Lord Bryunak.”
“Nice to meet you all.”
Sung-tae greeted the elders bowing toward him. He wasn’t truly a god’s incarnation, but since they already liked him, there was no need to correct them. He played the role faithfully, speaking casually to them.
They came on a trip, so it’s best to relax. Gotta keep up the act while I’m here.
“Then, as per the divine will, we shall revive the World Tree.”
Aria carefully placed the World Tree's Bow on the ground. Kneeling before it, she clasped her hands and began praying devoutly.
“O great one who always watches over us……”
Sung-tae heard her lengthy prayer but didn’t catch a word of it. An astonishing sight unfolded before his eyes, leaving no room to focus on the prayer.
“Oh……”
Radiant holy power poured from the Saintess’s body. The pure white mana, untainted by a speck of dust, shone like the sun yet wasn’t blinding at all. It was a light that lifted one’s spirits just by gazing upon it.
That light was sucked into the World Tree's Bow. The bow brimmed with vitality, as if it could sprout into the World Tree at any moment.
After finishing her prayer, Aria politely reported the results to Sung-tae.
“Incarnation, it is done. I’ve fully restored its depleted life force.”
“Good. Thanks. I’ll deliver it to the elves myself.”
“No, Lord. Aren’t you busy? We can handle it.”
“It’s fine. I want to meet the elves anyway.”
“Understood.”
Aria handed the World Tree's Bow to Sung-tae. As he took it, the World Tree’s voice rang out—audible only to him holding the bow.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I can return to my original form. Just plant me in the soil, and I’ll revert.”
What’s with all the fuss? I was doing it as a side thing anyway.
“……Didn’t you say you came for me?”
Huh? Did I say that? Must’ve misheard. Anyway, will it grow right away if planted?
“I can grow with human aid now, but it’s still insufficient. I’ll slumber to gather more power until you bury me in elven soil.”
A somewhat brazen request from the World Tree. Not even a request, really—just assuming he’d do it. Sensing Sung-tae’s unease, the World Tree made an offer.
“Help me, and I’ll give you one of my fruits when it ripens someday.”
Fruits?
“Yes. My fruits don’t sprout on their own. But place one on a corpse, and it will revive the dead.”
Oh, nice.
Pointless for him personally, but its effect rivaled a legendary item beyond unique grade. Reviving the dead? It might come in handy someday.
Fearing it still wasn’t enough, the World Tree leveraged what it perceived of Sung-tae’s personality with another pitch.
“And if you plant me in the elven forest, how do you think the elves will react?”
They’d call me their benefactor…… benefactor!
He’d forgotten. The World Tree was a god-like existence to the elves. Bringing back their god? They wouldn’t let it slide. He’d be their one and only benefactor, welcomed fervently as their true friend and revered hero.
Alright. I’ll definitely bury you in the elven forest.
“Thank you. Then until we arrive…… I’ll sleep a bit……”
The World Tree fell fully asleep. Slinging the bow on his back, Sung-tae glanced around and thought.
First, I’ll hang out in the Holy Kingdom a bit, then go when I have time.
“Urk.”
Rubert clutched his chest and groaned, leaning against the corridor wall. Even after returning to the temple, the holy power and hero’s power clashing fiercely within him showed no sign of stopping.
“I must…… kill Ignis…… No…… He is the god’s incarnation……!”
The madness in his eyes seemed ready to devour his soul at any moment. That madness mirrored exactly what Leo had shown Sung-tae.
“I mustn’t kill a god!”
His body flashed with light for an instant. The holy power and hero’s power, which had been battling so fiercely, halted as if it were a lie.
Collapsing to the floor in cold sweat, he sensed it wasn’t over yet.
“Huff. Huff.”
The hero’s power had merely subsided for now. It hadn’t given up, and this peace was just the calm before the storm.
“O God……”
Why was this happening? In his agony of contradiction, he cried out to his god. At that moment, Rubert felt compelled toward somewhere, as if possessed. His eyes, devoid of focus, indicated he was moving on instinct.
When he came to, he had arrived deep within the temple.
“This place……”
The temple’s most sacred spot. Guarded 24/7 by holy knights like an iron fortress, it housed the object symbolizing the temple second only to the Saintess.
“The Holy Spear……”
For some reason, all the holy knights guarding it were asleep. Following his guiding instinct cautiously, Rubert opened the door.
And he saw.
And he heard.
“You have come.”
“Ah……”
And he felt relief. That he hadn’t been wrong.
And he gave thanks.
“My child.”
That he had beheld the true god.
His legs gave out, and Rubert collapsed. The overwhelming presence of the god before him filled him with ecstasy and sapped his strength.
“O God……”
“Fear not.”
A gentle, resonant voice transmitted directly into his mind—not through his ears, but as thoughts.
The god’s physical form was invisible. From the silver holy spear, white energy akin to holy power flowed, forming a hazy silhouette. Yet the voice and presence proved it was divine.
Wait. Is this really a god?
Suddenly, doubt crept into Rubert. Hadn’t the god already incarnated and come here with the Saintess? Why manifest again like this? His reason, numbed by ecstasy, began to awaken.
“Doubt not.”
At that instant, the god’s voice washed away his doubts like a massive tidal wave, sweeping clean all irreverent thoughts and seeds of suspicion. The wave erased Rubert’s doubts.
“Your faithful servant, Rubert, greets you.”
“Rubert, only you see the truth.”
“Yes?”
Rubert voiced confusion at the god’s words. The tidal voice softened to a tickling breeze.
“All believe in the false god, yet you alone opened your heart to the truth. The one outside now is no god. He is the embodiment of evil, leading you to ruin.”
“Ah!”
My faith was right after all! A truth even the Saintess couldn’t see. I was correct. He’s no incarnation. He’s the Demon King Ignis, disguised with false mana, deceiving even the Saintess.
Rubert burned with rage, recalling the Demon King who had infiltrated by deceiving the god.
“I advised her, but she wouldn’t believe. All have fallen.”
“You spoke to the Saintess……?”
“But she couldn’t hear my voice. Her faith is lacking. Only the faithful hear my form and voice. She, like the fools, is intoxicated by that power and privilege.”
As her close attendant, he knew she believed in the god more firmly than anyone. Yet he accepted the divine words. As her guardian knight, he knew best the privileges she enjoyed.
“The Saintess lacks faith?”
The Saintess, in a position all revered. Possessing overwhelming holy power that commanded undeniable dignity. Living without worry of money or illness since becoming Saintess young, basking in the respect of her elders.
Perhaps, as the god said, she had fallen.
“All that devout faith she showed…… was it false?”
“Yes. She believes not in me, but in my power.”
A sudden headache hit, and Rubert gripped his temples. The subsided hero’s power surged, pushing back the holy power.
She doesn’t truly believe? But she’s the Saintess? Her holy power shines brighter than anyone’s?
“My servant, you suffer from two powers.”
The god extended a hand, stroking Rubert’s head. The hero’s power and holy power warring within him instantly calmed, intertwining into a vortex before merging into a new, unprecedented force.
“You are most qualified to be my servant. Unwavering faith is precious. With the hero’s power too, you are my finest devotee.”
“Thank you!”
Praise from the god! What holy glory! Rubert’s eyes welled up; tears flowed unbidden.
“The privileges and respect she enjoyed should have been yours……”
“No. Serving you is enough.”
“But I think otherwise. Effort deserves reward. My mercy and love are equal for all. Thus, you deserve others’ respect and love. Yet one with false faith monopolizes it—truly tragic.”
O God, grieve not.
Until coming here, he had respected and trusted the Saintess. Now, doubt sprouted and grew in his heart.
Yes. A woman blind to the true god can’t be Saintess. Mistaking a Demon King for the incarnation? Unfit. The respect she received—she didn’t deserve it.
“Saintess…… no, Aria……”
The seed of doubt bore rotten fruit, reeking of jealousy so foul it twisted the nose.
“You’re unworthy. Everything you enjoy……”
Should be mine. Must be mine. The people’s respect, the highest priesthood serving god. Why do you have it? Blinding eyes with darkness, deceiving all. Mocking god?
“It’s what I should enjoy.”
“I permit you my weapon. Take the spear.”
As if possessed, Rubert gripped the Holy Spear. Not forged for battle, yet as a divine armament, its overflowing holy power seeped into his flesh.
“Go, my servant. Punish the impostor. Claim what is rightfully yours.”
“Yes, O God. This Rubert shall……”
His pupils reflected in the mirror-clear spear tip held no hero’s mission or knight’s nobility—only jealousy toward the Saintess.
“Reclaim what is mine.”
The Holy Kingdom’s treatment of Sung-tae was more modest than expected. Their frugal ways matched how they’d treat a god, ending with rye bread, a bit of meat, soup, and wine to quench his thirst and add a light buzz.
But Sung-tae was very satisfied.
My eyes are feasting.
It had been over a hundred days since arriving in this world. The only beauty he’d seen was Garba, whom he treated not as a woman but as a loyal retainer and family.
So maybe that’s why seeing new beauties lifted his spirits.
Is this heaven?
As expected, the priests living simply had a high ratio of women. Their loose white robes hid their figures, but faces alight with joy at hosting the god’s incarnation were beautiful.
“Lord Bryunak, do you need more?”
“Nah, it was plenty tasty. Thanks.”
“Ah…… O God. Th-thank you!”
Plus, a single word made them blush and beam—entertaining. He wasn’t hitting on them or having lewd thoughts. This was enough. Over a hundred days of forced celibacy had rewired his mind to find satisfaction in small stimuli.
“Incarnation, could you bestow mercy upon your servant?”
“Sure, anytime.”
He had no qualms stepping outside at the Saintess’s suggestion. Mercy? Fine religion. Considerate of people too.
Wait. Mercy? I can’t use holy power!
Too late, he realized his blunder. Divine mercy meant holy power, right? What if a blind man or cripple asked for healing?
“It’s the god!”
“The incarnation!”
Rumors had spread; Holy Kingdom residents gathered around the temple. Feigning calm, Sung-tae fidgeted, fearing a rush of pleas for cures.
“Everyone, calm down. And show respect to Lord Bryunak.”
Thankfully, her words quieted the crowd. Like soldiers following a great general, they parted orderly. Sung-tae scanned them—no one seemed infirm.
“Lord Bryunak, as per your will, we’ve bestowed equal blessings on all.”
“Meaning you heal without money or goods?”
“Yes. God’s mercy must reach all. No one monopolizes it.”
“Then what do you live on?”
“Fortunately, donations from believers elsewhere, nobles, and royals cover our needs.”
Donations, huh. Not support funds.
What if such a church existed on Earth? They’d patent and rake in cash. With her beauty, merch or idol-izing her. Mass-produce temple-branded goods, gild the temple lavishly, sell indulgences.
This world’s religion is the real deal.
Freely giving mercy without reward. That goodness moves people; the powerful donate to help. No pressure from nobles or royals? He’d thought this world valued life lightly. No generalizations, then.
Donations help, but their frugality means no money worries.
“Shall we look around more?”
“Yeah, I wanna see the village.”
“This way, then.”
Guided by Aria, Sung-tae toured the village. Garba followed as guard, but her guardian knight Rubert was absent. Only Garba noticed.
Uneasy foreboding sharpened her senses as she probed surrounding mana.
Something’s off.
Wild instinct innate to wolfkin. It warned fiercely, keeping her on edge.
“Oh.”
“The incarnation, and now an angel!”
Her ill omen proved true. Someone flew against the sun—white wings on a holy knight. A hero in angel form.
Rubert.
“An angel?”
“That’s……”
Sung-tae, Aria, and Garba stared in confusion.
Why was Rubert hovering above, powers unleashed, gazing down?
The moment the question arose, Rubert fired a beam of light—just like his first attack on Sung-tae.
Toward the Saintess’s heart.
“Lord Rubert?”