Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Episode 59.
Aiden drove Petra relentlessly toward the Holy Radiance Empire.
Countless thoughts swarmed his mind, but he forcibly shook them off.
He rode until sunset before suddenly halting and looking back. There was no trace of pursuit.
It seemed Saya wasn't following anymore. Aiden gazed blankly at the night sky before urging his mount forward again.
*He had liberated Atlantis and sunk the Duchy. Immediately afterward, he eradicated the Benzegma Sect.
These were the achievements Aiden had accomplished in less than two months.
Though the sect's annihilation wasn't recorded in the scriptures, news of victory spread swiftly.
At the hour when the sun burned brightest, the drawbridge of the Holy Radiance Empire teemed with an uncountable crowd.
The center of the bridge was left empty, while nobles and commoners stood separated on either side, facing each other.
Their appearances and atmospheres were entirely different, yet their expressions were uniformly radiant.
Among the shabbier group, a merchant dressed in relatively decent attire chuckled and said:
"My, my, you illiterate bumpkins. Did you all come here after reading just one line from the scriptures?"
Someone bristled and shouted back:
"Hey now! We may not have eyes to read, but we've got ears as big as rice cakes! What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Hoho, then why don't you recite Verse 27 from the New Testament Chronicles?"
The man who had flared up opened his mouth but soon clamped it shut.
The merchant, now emboldened, glanced around and continued:
"Tsk tsk, living in an era recorded in the scriptures yet unable to recite a single heroic deed. My, my, what a bunch of dullards."
The merchant curled his lips as if bestowing charity and declared:
"Open your ears wide and listen carefully."
After clearing his throat several times, he went on:
"New Testament Chronicles, Aiden Gospel Chapter 17, Verse 17: 'When both legs were severed, his creativity was deemed inferior, and malice grew pitiful.' See? A verse that sticks right in your ears, isn't it?"
Those who didn't understand immediately exchanged glances and nodded as if they had.
Someone among them asked with a puzzled expression:
"So... the hero doesn't have legs?"
Caught off guard by the abrupt question, the merchant scratched his head in embarrassment.
"W-well, how could that be? The God must have restored them. Why ask such things?"
The merchant's explanation was enough to satisfy the crowd. To them, it seemed only natural that God would personally care for His chosen emissary.
From the opposite side, the nobles watched this exchange and shook their heads in disdain.
"Look, my son. That's how those with base blood behave. Doesn't their inability to distinguish heaven from earth seem pitiful?"
"Disgraceful, Father."
"Indeed. Never consider them as people."
The middle-aged noble who spoke thus was Count Caidal Mormont. A factional leader of the aristocracy, he was a powerful lord with vast territories in the northwest.
A potbellied noble approached him with an ingratiating smile.
"Ah, Count Caidal! You're here? Everyone has already gone to the chapel. Shouldn't you head there soon?"
Like Caidal, the other high nobles were waiting inside the Holy Radiance Empire for the hero.
They had gathered from afar to witness today's Sanctified Bloodline Investiture Ceremony and the Holy Blood Transfer Ritual.
Caidal shook his head at the potbellied noble's suggestion.
"I cannot. Isn't this the triumphant return of the hero who has rewritten history? At the very least, we must witness his passage through the triumphal arch. It is only proper."
Baron Gandolla forced an awkward laugh. Count Caidal had a peculiar talent for needling people in subtle ways.
"Hahaha... A hundred times right, my lord. When you meet the hero privately later, I'll casually mention that you said so."
Caidal's face twisted in displeasure.
"Must you continue with this pointless chatter?"
Under Caidal's glare, the baron broke into a cold sweat.
"N-no, I merely—"
"I'd prefer if you vanished from my sight."
At the firm dismissal, the baron floundered before struggling to speak again.
"Actually... I came because I have news to deliver."
The baron watched Caidal's expression carefully as he continued:
"Her Highness, the First Imperial Princess... will also be attending the investiture ceremony..."
Caidal's face momentarily contorted.
Raphelia La Vacheksar. The First Imperial Princess, a woman at odds with the aristocratic faction.
Her reputation was sharply divided.
A hegemon with the makings of an empress—or the seed of a tyrant.
The aristocratic faction spared no effort in promoting the latter interpretation.
They absolutely did not want Raphelia to ascend the throne.
Though displeasure had colored Caidal's expression, it soon returned to calm.
"If you've finished speaking, be on your way."
As a minor member of the aristocratic faction, the baron felt awkward entering the chapel first. He moved to a distant spot and took his seat.
Amidst the murmuring crowd discussing topics related to the hero, the guards' voices suddenly boomed across the drawbridge:
—Aiden, Duke of Triumph (凱旋), approaches!
Boom-boom— The war drums sounded heavily, marking the prelude.
Soon after, the choir began their hymn, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Hands raised high, they shouted in unison:
"Hurrah! Hurrah! Ten thousand years to the hero!"
Aiden passed through the entrance, slowly guiding his massive warhorse forward.
His sanctified armor, its gilding mostly worn away; his disheveled hair; his sanctified spear, caked with filth; his steel boots (poulaine) covered in mud.
This raw, unadorned appearance only made the people's hearts tremble more.
He stood as majestic as a triumphant general, his presence overflowing. Truly, a hero acknowledged by the era.
The people shouted Aiden's name until their voices grew hoarse, cheering and applauding fervently.
Aiden read the floating text. His noble hypocrisy was sharply increasing his divine power.
"H-he is receiving divine revelation!"
"The hero is receiving divine revelation!"
This was one of the superstitions born from Aiden's actions.
His habit of checking his status window had been misinterpreted as communing with God.
When Aiden made a satisfied expression, the people began speculating its meaning.
Later, they might argue over who was right or wrong, only for the interpretation to spread in yet another distorted form.
As he crossed the bridge, Aiden lightly touched the hands reaching out to him.
Thus, he entered the Holy Radiance Empire.
*The Sanctified Bloodline Investiture Ceremony and Holy Blood Transfer Ritual were among the most sacred ceremonies in the empire.
Having gone two hundred years without a hero, the rituals had never been performed.
Thus, both the empire and the church regarded this day as profoundly significant.
Since it couldn't be conducted carelessly, Aiden also had to prepare himself meticulously.
He trimmed his hair and beard and completed his bath.
Instead of sanctified armor, he wore a pristine white robe—the attire symbolizing the Sanctified Bloodline.
A massive sun adorned its back.
His physique carried the ornate robe perfectly, making it seem not the least bit excessive.
Thus attired, Aiden paused before the grand chapel's doors.
The guards announced his arrival, and moments later, the massive doors slowly swung open.
The revealed interior was solemnly silent. Everyone bowed their heads with reverent expressions, offering silent prayers.
Most gathered here were the powers that moved the empire and the Holy Radiance Empire.
Prominent high nobles, the Sanctified Bloodline of heroes, the imperial family with divine blood, saints including the seven holy maidens, and the pillars of the church and empire.
At the center of their gaze stood a platinum altar, casting a soft glow throughout.
The chapel resembled the blue hues of dawn.
The pope, standing atop the altar, looked at Aiden. A majestic voice followed:
"God seeks His emissary. Approach."
Aiden feigned a pious expression and stepped forward. Walking slowly along the pure white carpet toward the altar.
The crowd fixed their gazes ahead, not looking away.
Only when Aiden ascended the steps could they finally see the hero's form.
His broad back obscured the pope.
Aiden immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
"Sanctified Knight Aiden pays homage to His Holiness the Pope."
The pope nodded slowly and opened the scriptures. Then, drawing a ceremonial sword, he placed it upon Aiden's shoulder.
"Let all close their eyes."
After surveying the assembly, he shifted his gaze and began reciting:
In a pleasant, serene voice:
"God so loved the world that He bestowed light upon it. Let the powerful not covet it but only uphold and revere His will. May God's eyes blaze forth in darkness as now, burning away the history of disgrace and guiding us to Him. When they seep into the mortal realm at last, both eyes shall survey the world with God. Sanctus • Vacheksar."
Aiden responded:
"I, deemed God's emissary, pledge my soul and body to cry out against evil and vanquish malice. On the day I fulfill my calling, all glory shall return to God."
The pope turned and lifted the holy grail placed upon the altar.
"Receive the Holy Blood."
He handed the chalice to Aiden.
The people believed the shimmering transparent liquid within to be the blood of Vacheksar.
Aiden tilted his head back and drank it in one go. It had no taste or scent.
The pope spoke again:
"Thus, the hero shall establish a sacred lineage. Live a life that brings no shame to your descendants."
A white haze flowed from the pope's hands.
The light began forming words in an unknown language.
"Aiden La Valenstahl. The ancient words bid you to struggle and agonize. Uphold their meaning—doubt and reflect upon your faith eternally."
Aiden responded and rose to his feet.
His expression was deeply pious, though inwardly, he was thoroughly satisfied with the outcome.
Three years since arriving in this world. Aiden had reached this position far sooner than planned.
It was the second button fastened.
His visit to Arhan's palace, moved up by five years, had played a significant role.
He couldn't help but favor Sain.
Lost briefly in thought, the blue-tinged interior suddenly brightened.
Everyone clapped, blessing Aiden.
Aiden wished the ceremony could end here, but it was only the beginning.
A slew of tedious rituals awaited—baptism, scripture recitations, and more.
The dull time passed excruciatingly slowly.
*Aiden's holy domain was to be established in the Duchy.
The Holy Land Reclamation Expedition was essential for the latter stages, so having Aiden control its forward base was a significant advantage.
They decided to readmit the escaped commoners of the Duchy as the domain's residents.
Though their trials weren't yet concluded, they were likely to be acquitted.
Their oppression was taken into account, and Aiden's destruction of the Black Heart had completely purified the demonic energy.
In truth, Aiden's influence played a major role. When standards were ambiguous, a hero's word could tip the scales.
Many dignitaries visited Aiden's mansion in the Holy Radiance Empire.
Unfortunately, they couldn't meet the hero.
Even after becoming part of the Sanctified Bloodline, Aiden never lingered in the capital.
He continued roaming the frontiers, liberating farms and rooting out demonic cults, amassing further achievements.
Thus, time flew like an arrow.
One cold winter, a year later.
The howls of beasts seeped into the empire on the frigid winds.
War clouds gathered in the north.