Chapter 356
Chapter 356
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Saint and Completer (12)
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[Observation Record of Human 'Professor.']
....Observation was briefly interrupted after entering the royal castle, but with Siode IV, who had been in seclusion, now stepping forward publicly, it can be inferred that an unofficial meeting took place between the Professor and the king.
While patrolling Kingsland's inner castle and pondering the priorities of issues, he dug into the dirt with his hands. Sticky soil mixed with hardened blood. Summarizing his subsequent actions:
* Self-harm
* Self-immolation
* Combat
1. He immediately headed to the infirmary and encountered priests and holy knights from various orders.
"La, Latura, Ro-Haram! We behold the one who guides the light!"
"Latura, uh.... El-Samia? You're from the order of Mercy, right?"
"Yes! Even though we've been confined here for the past half year, we've heard all about what you've done for the saintess! As saints of Mercy, your immeasurable grace—"
"Aaagh! It, it hurts! It's eating away at my body! Cut it off! Someone cut off my foot! Aaaagh!
"Hmm. There are patients here, so greetings later. We need to save lives first. Those with weak hearts, please look away for a bit. Ah, that knife over there. Mind if I borrow it?"
*Crunch!*
*Psssh!*
"Uh...."
"Uh?"
*Pfft—crackle crackle—
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"S-Saint! Y-Your arm!"
+ Inference: Among the Mercy priests, 70% were shocked, 30% turned toward the Holy Knights of Light, wearing expressions of worry that the Professor borrowing a Mercy blade to sever his arm might lead to accusations against them.
+ The Professor is closer to meticulous than indifferent in nature. Judging by that, he seems to subtly enjoy such reactions.
"Hm? Oh, you don't know about the Light folks yet? Uh.... Just think of it as blood with special properties against mute infection."
"We've heard about the Sacrament of Blood, but not like this...."
"Uh, how do we, use it? Offer it at the altar and pray...."
"No? For severe cases, have them drink it. For milder ones, apply it. The infection climbs up from the extremities, so coat from the fingertips and toes upward. Ah, and sprinkle it thoroughly around the infirmary without missing a spot."
"This is totally heresy...."
"Hey now! It's properly the 'Sacrament of Healing.' Embrace new knowledge with an open mind."
There was some minor commotion with the priests and holy knights afterward, but starting from the infirmary, the 'Sacrament of Blood' was performed at densely populated areas like the forge, warehouse, barracks, and mess hall. He wandered around spraying blood from the cross-section of his arm, like a water mage hosing down a burning house.
According to a remark from 'Notum,' an expert in forest shamanism: 'No differences from troll rituals can be found. Grok.'
+ The fact that entirely different abilities have evolved into similar forms might mean there's no fundamental difference between humans and trolls beyond physical appearance. Perhaps it won't take as long as thought for elves to blend into human society.
2. Self-immolation
After the Sacrament of Healing, at dusk. Conversation between the Professor and me.
+ If someone's nearby, he usually initiates conversation first. Inferred as a habit reflecting his personality that prioritizes information gathering.
"Still not enough, somehow."
"You're still drawing blood continuously right now, aren't you?"
"No, just drawing and spraying isn't enough. Maybe because Chamber Maids have put down roots everywhere, but the area eroded by mute blood is too vast. That means there's a ton of mute blood, so I can draw a lot of my own too, but at this rate, it'd take three straight weeks of nonstop bleeding to free Kingsland from infection risk. Not to mention the whole inner castle getting sticky with my blood regardless."
"Effective as a treatment, but insufficient as a preventive measure, then."
"Yeah. Makes it hard to leave Kingsland like this...."
"Why not focus solely on drawing blood without spraying it?"
"Hm? Like stockpiling it like potions and distributing as supplies? That's decent, but...."
"No, literally just emphasize the act of drawing it. Can't you feel how noticeably drier the ground under your feet is compared to elsewhere? Your regeneration consumes mute blood."
"....That's good? Drawing blood consumes nearby mute blood in equal measure, so ramp up the consumption entirely.... Not neutralizing it, but using it up completely.... Nice. That's really nice. Whoa, thanks, Yggdrasil! Great idea!"
Accepting the idea, the Professor moved to the crematorium instead of drawing more blood.
"Ooo.... Latura, Saint of Blood. To still wander like this, enduring pain for others—your form is truly an exemplar for all the faithful...."
"Latura, brother. Let me see.... The fire's intensity suggests it's not ordinary flame.... Ah, Germatal! Come here a sec!"
"Saladin? Sorry, but we've been pouring out Earth's Essence all day, so we need a bit of rest."
"Just a moment, just a moment. Your fire doesn't go out easily, right?"
"It's essence forged deep in the earth where molten rock and iron flow. Can't compare it to animal oil for lanterns. It won't extinguish unless suppressed by magic or some other mystical force. That's why Nullak requested us, knowing that."
"Perfect.... Absolutely perfect....! Then lend me one vat!"
*Splash!*
"....Saladin?"
*Thud thud thud thud—
"Saint! How did you get so soaked.... Th-this smell? Saint! You can't come this way! It's dangerous!"
"Ah, no need to panic. What saints do might look risky to mortal eyes, but it all has meaning."
"Gregorius! Someone fetch the Holy Knight Captain! Elf! Aren't you the saint's companion? Stop him!"
+ At the time, I too was quite emotionally shaken. Not for the same reason as the startled priests, but because that foolish act stemmed from my own suggestion—a massive shock. Perhaps I'm not observing a typical 'human' after all.
"Huff, huuuuh.... Al, alright. Here I goooo....!"
"Oh no, Saint! Where are you going!"
"....Huuuuh! Children, pregnant women, and the elderly, please avert your eyes—!!!"
*Crackle!*
*Thud—
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*Whoosh!*
『Graaaaaaaaah!!! Agh! Uwaaaaaah!』
"Th-this can't be! The saint, the light's proxy, has immolated himself!"
"Th-the saint has ascended in light!!!"
"Waaaaah! Saint! Saaaaint!!!"
A human-shaped fireball screaming atop a massive pyre of logs, and tendrils of mute blood writhing from the surrounding ground like living things, reaching toward him.
Regenerating his burn-ravaged body consumed vast amounts of mute blood, and setting aside the brutality of the act itself, it was remarkably efficient at purging the seeped-in mute blood nearby.
"Professor. Was that intentional?"
"Ughhhh.... Ooooh.... Feels like something's happening....!"
"....Did it have to be this method?"
"It's super effective! My nerves are all melted, so it doesn't even hurt! Can't walk right without sensation, but anyway, this should wipe out mute blood across all of Kingsland, even near the walls!"
"I'm observing you to learn about humans. Please remain human as much as possible."
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....The Professor wandered the capital all night in that fully ablaze state. Siode IV, who came out hearing the saint was doing something again, fainted at the sight; battle-hardened soldiers who'd crossed death's door dozens of times without abandoning the capital fainted; priests from the infirmary who rushed out at news of someone burning fainted.
Only the most devout followers of Light trailed the blazing figure roaming the capital, chanting prayers. The Professor's charred footprints still remain scattered throughout Kingsland.
3. Combat
*Dong—! Doooong—!*
*Bwooooo—*
"An assault."
"Yeah. They said enemy offensives were irregular, but no warning, no formation—just charging in."
"....Sh-should we put out the fire? Even if it's inextinguishable flame, it should respond to other mystic forces—water spirits ought to douse it."
"Uh.... No. Got something I wanna try. I'll head out like this."
"....In that state?"
....I thought it was a joke, but confirming from the walls that the enemy force was a massive wave of low-grade mutes without a single elite, the Professor charged over the walls in his purifying, burning state as-is.
The battle was so overwhelmingly one-sided it served as a reminder that humans like the Professor are the utter nemesis of the mute species.
*Kaboom!*
*Roar!*
"Crack up! In the Light, we handle funerals and cremation at once!"
Unlike usual, the combat was extremely crude and sloppy. Movements sluggish, confirming his claim that his nerves had melted. A fighting style impractical for key battles due to high consumption, yet that very expenditure became an advantage, preventing battlefield contamination in proxy mute wars—
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*Flip. Flip. Flip—
"This latter part hasn't been recorded yet?"
"I was just in the middle of logging when you visited."
"I see. Sorry for interrupting."
*Flip. Flip—
Gregorius examined the 'observation journal' Yggdrasil handed him, a very satisfied expression on his face.
"Thanks for sharing such vital material. The saint mentioned your elf clan was made to learn about humans through records like this."
"I've realized you can't learn 'humans' from mere writing like this, so the original purpose of these records is gone. Now it's just my personal hobby."
"Hobby, huh.... Anyway, thanks for the valuable share. I needed detailed records on the saint's actions, but he seems somewhat averse to Light's tools serving him."
"....You're misunderstanding something, holy knight. I shared the last illustrations because it aligned with my goal of spreading them to elves hidden worldwide. This current record is purely my personal diary—there's no reason to give it to you."
With an elven lightness of touch, Yggdrasil snatched the notebook from Gregorius's hand and dangled it before his eyes.
"....Unless you pay a fair price."
"Elven bargaining. Fitting for an elf who entered the world to learn humans. The price would be improvements in elven treatment, I suppose? Fine. As Holy Knight Captain of Light, I have some sway, so I'm willing to pay that for the saint's close observation logs—"
*Clack—
"Rather than that, I'd prefer money."
Yggdrasil pushed aside the holy knight's outstretched hand like a handshake and gazed at the airship preparing for departure.
『Hey— Yggdrasil! Hurry up and board—! No time!』
Sensing our gaze, the Professor waved his arm, urging her on.
I'd once heard somewhere: unused knowledge is dead knowledge.
"Selling.... the records for money?"
"Yes. Not church bonds—cash. Ideally, imperial silver coins with consistent value across regions."
What I'd learned observing the human 'Professor': Always think twice before acting, always move productively. Even if the process strays from the straight path, it's fine if within conscience's bounds.
"Our kind will soon leave the forest. Cultural differences and lingering perceptions will cause much friction with humans, and from my experience, most human conflicts can be resolved with money. I entered the world to teach elves about humans, realized during travels that elves can't learn humans without entering their world, and concluded that vast sums are needed for their settlement and conflict resolution."
"Money for elves to settle among humans...."
"Yes. Thus, I'll sell this record to you at a premium, even bearing our minor friction."
"....You've learned humans well."
Gregorius recalled the records of the Professor in Yggdrasil's hand, her expressionless face, and Archbishop Norman's heterorace-friendly policies.
『Hey—! Yggdrasil! Get on already—! Is that Gregorius up front—? That bastard's begging to tag along again! If you don't let go of Yggdrasil, next Flame Sacrament you're joining—!』
Gregorius sensed the saint's influence in the elf's brazen haggling.
"....Well, yes. After lingering so long by the Light, its grace must reach even an elf."
*Clank clank—
*Click.
Gregorius drew a metal seal like a token from inside his armor and placed it atop Yggdrasil's demanding hand.
"No cash on hand, so just a token of trade for now. Settlement after you stay by the saint's side henceforth and log his journey to the end. Agreed?"
"....How much for the completed version?"
"As much as you want. We don't measure holy works by value."
....*Scratch scratch—
"As much as you want.... Sign here. I'll warn you upfront: I've learned to forsake conscience a bit for goals."
"Fair enough. I entrust the saint's service to you, elf."
"....That was something I'd do regardless, so I won't record the request, holy knight."
*Pop!
With Gregorius's signature secured, Yggdrasil dashed toward the airship as if her business was done.
"....Latura."
Leaving the saint—who vowed to serve to the end—and the Holy Knight Order in Kingsland, the saint departs.
He said he was boarding the returning airship for some scouting, but taking all companions meant he surely planned something solo again.
"How could embers like me block the great Light's path."
From this Kingsland incident, he felt he couldn't fathom the saint's grand designs. The ability to solo-solve Kingsland's infection—unsolvable by a hundred priests from each order—in just three days, and the resolve to hurl himself into fire for it.
He realized it from the elf's calm hand stopping him as he tried to douse the burning saint. Ah, I cannot serve that one.
"Like Ro-Haram chose the saint, they too were chosen as his tools because they can comprehend him."
Regretting his own inadequacies, Gregorius turned his eyes from the departing airship.
Of course, had the Professor's group heard, they'd have spat double curses: 'We're just used to that lunatic to survive!'
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