Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Disaster is Coming (3)
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I could feel the tension flowing outside the carriage.
It must be because the time to join the castle was approaching.
"You said it's in the middle of battle..."
We had suddenly received word that the enemy's forces had grown larger.
They were holding the defense, but if things continued like this, it would just turn into a meaningless war of attrition.
"What a headache—these damn ghosts."
Undead that neither ate nor tired.
Just as Parmon the old man had said, it was nothing but a pointless war of attrition.
It wouldn't make much of a difference if I joined them alone, but...
"They said they'd come quickly, and they did..."
We had been galloping nonstop.
For days now, except for the time spent sleeping or resting, we had kept running.
Even those rest periods weren't that long, excluding mealtimes.
They were just short breaks to recover the exhausted horses.
And even that recovery was over in an instant.
Give the horses water.
Then restore their stamina with holy magic.
With those two steps, the horses recovered perfectly.
"That's a crazy method."
Everyone was busy, but I didn't have anything particular to do.
Taking care of Luna while resting was about it for me.
A comfortable carriage and meals provided at the right times.
For such an urgent situation, it was surprisingly leisurely.
Best to rest while I can...
"Aabu...!"
"That's right. Put some strength into your brow like that."
"Uuuh?"
Luna scrunched up her tiny forehead.
It was closer to mimicking my expression than concentrating on her divine eyes, but what did it matter?
She was still just a baby.
"Yes! Good job!"
"Kyarruk!"
Luna burst into laughter for some reason, as if it was the funniest thing.
The atmosphere inside the carriage warmed up along with her.
"It seems the Saintess likes Sir Chris."
Luna didn't particularly like being held by others.
Even if she was handed over briefly, she'd soon flail her arms toward me.
"Auu...! Uuuh..!"
"...Again?"
She was truly a cute and innocent child.
The only problem was how she kept eyeing my rattle like this.
Ting-a-ling—
"Kyak!"
She was unbelievably healthy for a baby just a few days old.
She was already babbling proficiently, and moving her body seemed effortless.
"You have to shake the rattle with a reverent heart."
Chup—
"No, not put it in your mouth..."
Early education is extremely important.
Genius children need to be taught well from a young age.
"Shake it while focusing your mind."
Staring intently—
Was she really understanding my words?
Luna's eyes sparkled excessively.
Those eyes definitely couldn't see.
"Is the Saintess really blind? Her eyes move too well..."
"She truly cannot see. The previous Saintess walked around with her eyes closed."
"...How does the world look through divine eyes, they say?"
"It's something that shouldn't be revealed outside, originally..."
Pope Uncle pondered for a moment before speaking.
"They say it appears as multicolored lights. The Saintess used to joke that her eyes were blinded by those lights."
"Lights, huh..."
Luna fiddled with the rattle.
After playing with her like that for a while.
Pope Uncle looked at me with a hardened expression.
"We're almost there."
I knew that already.
A foul stench had started rising from all directions a little while ago.
Sensing the numbers roughly, there were far more than last time.
Both the ghosts filling the sky and those crawling on the ground.
Suddenly, the carriage window opened, and Aluerd's face appeared.
"Your Holiness, we'll clash with the undead soon."
"How is the state of the castle?"
"It looks like a fierce battle is ongoing. Fortunately, there are no undead near the castle gate."
The Pope's gaze turned to me.
"Is it because of those guardian poles you mentioned, Sir?"
His face was utterly serious.
The Pope knew what kind of position this was, after all.
I started to answer but closed my mouth.
"...Is the goddess watching over us?"
I took in the Pope's full appearance.
His face was filled with worry.
This was the first major incident since divine power had vanished from the traitors.
For the Church at this moment, with the Saintess born, it was one of the most important matters.
What we did from now on would determine the Church's path forward.
I flinched.
Did just looking into my eyes give him the answer?
The Pope said nothing more.
Only Aluerd's voice was heard.
"We'll break through the undead and join the castle."
I quietly stroked Luna's head.
Aluerd's voice rang out again.
"This time... we will fulfill our duty as priests."
The words, unclear who they were for, lingered in the carriage before fading.
Soon, a wave of stench hit us.
Kwaang—
Chaeng—
The clamor of weapons swinging wildly.
And a massive shout.
Dazzling lights felt from all directions.
I quietly held Luna close to my chest.
"...Sir Chris?"
Swoosh—
I slowly stroked Luna's back.
"It's still too early, so sleep a bit more, okay?"
Kwaang—
The noise outside the carriage grew even louder than before.
Luna, who should have been sleeping, flinched in surprise.
Did I open my mouth, or did it happen on its own?
A soothing melody flowed from my lips.
"Lullaby, lullaby, our baby."
Chaeng—
"Sleeps so well, our baby."
The situation outside flashed through my mind.
Lights cutting through the murky darkness.
Fluctuating emotions.
Before long, the undead's aura was felt from all around.
Soon, a ear-piercing scream came from the sky.
It must be a banshee's wail.
"I'll block it."
The Pope gathered holy power.
I continued moving my lips, regardless.
Swoosh—
"Front house dog, don't bark."
I flinched.
The chilling scream that had been piercing into the carriage suddenly stopped.
It probably couldn't enter here anymore.
"Back house dog, don't bark. Our baby is asleep."
Swoosh—
It was mysterious, yet felt completely natural.
As if doing something I could obviously do.
Maybe related to how light the rattle felt.
Even the spirit energy moved with perfect ease.
"Lullaby, lullaby, our baby."
I sensed the Pope's body stiffen.
He seemed a little trembling, too.
He must have faintly felt the divine possession.
Swoosh—
Luna's warm body heat flowed through my hands.
Her breathing had become regular before I knew it.
Snore—
Snore—
"Don't worry."
"...."
"Seems like She's pleased this time."
Outside, the battle was still raging.
Priests cutting down undead and advancing toward the castle.
True to those who wielded holy power, they fought the undead with fierce momentum.
If it had just been a display of combat prowess, the deity wouldn't have been satisfied.
"This time, they put their hearts into it."
There was no vainglory.
The will to save people.
I could feel it overflowing around me.
"That's why the divine power has descended."
Swoosh—
I carefully stood up so as not to wake Luna.
"...Sir Chris? It's still dangerous outside. How about waiting until it's cleared?"
It was exactly the right time to go out.
The deity already seemed satisfied.
The Earth Goddess appeared pleased too.
Otherwise, Luna couldn't sleep so peacefully like this.
"Serena, can you help a bit?"
When I turned Luna to my back, Serena's hands carefully assisted me.
Holding a large cloth nearby, I wrapped it around my back as is.
Tight—
The cloth enveloped and tied Luna and me.
With my hands behind, supporting her, it formed a fairly comfortable position.
"So that's why She always carried Her hands behind Her back..."
Lately, I'd wondered why divine possession always made me clasp my hands behind.
It was the spot for carrying a baby.
It perfectly mimicked the body possession posture.
Maybe one of Grandmother's habits.
"Sir Chris! Just wait a little..."
I waved off Pope Uncle, who tried to stop me, saying it was fine.
I understood his worry, but there wouldn't be any real danger.
I didn't know if changes happened while I was unconscious, or if it had been like this before.
What was certain was that my abilities as a shaman had improved.
More than that, something had been bothering me for a while.
"I'm not a knight, so you don't need to call me 'Sir'."
There wasn't a proper title for me, so that's what he used, but...
Shaman and knight were worlds apart.
"Then what should I call you?"
"Hmm..."
I didn't have a set name in mind.
Until recently, it had been child shaman, so titles were still awkward.
Still, if he had to call me something...
"Call me Young Master."
It was about time to pick a proper name anyway.
I should make a signboard for the shrine once I got back.
Clank—
The carriage door opened, revealing the outside scenery.
The sensation under my feet as they touched the ground was vivid.
The moment I raised my head.
The surroundings fell silent all at once.
Ting-a-ling—