Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: The Saint of Valentia (1)
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A few days later, the imperial capital was thrown into utter chaos by a sight unprecedented since the founding of the empire.
“W-What are those massive things…!”
“Giants! The barbarians from beyond the Gray Mountains have come to the capital!”
Amid the citizens' shocked gazes, Giant King Frostmane Ulfgarr—dressed in formal attire as the empire's official envoy—strode proudly down the avenue toward the imperial palace.
The delegation he led carried tribute of the rarest treasures from the north, treasures that dwarfed even those that had overwhelmed the trade post.
Emperor Siegmund, seated upon his jade throne, quietly looked down at the white-haired giant kneeling reverently at his feet.
“King Ulfgarr of the North. I would hear the reason you stand before Us in person.”
Ulfgar bowed his head deeply. His voice was majestic enough to make the entire throne room resonate.
“Great Sun, Emperor of the Empire. The Frostmane tribe of the North refuses to remain foreigners and barbarians any longer.”
“……!”
“We beseech you to accept us as subjects of the empire. We offer all our lands and tribesmen to become Your Majesty's strongest shield. Please take us under your wing.”
Every minister in the palace held their breath.
It was the most perfect declaration of subjugation in imperial history—not a single drop of blood had been shed.
In response, Siegmund slowly opened his mouth.
“We accept your petition. From this day forth, We appoint you as the Grand Duke of the North, overseeing the entirety of the Gray Mountains region. You and your tribe are now Our subjects, and the hardships of you and your people are Our own hardships.”
“We are eternally grateful, Your Majesty!”
And so, without drawing a single sword, the empire acquired vast northern territories and the mighty warriors known as giants.
After pledging loyalty to the emperor, Grand Duke Ulfgarr's next destination was the Papal Court.
Before Pope Innocentius III, Ulfgarr offered a solemn vow different from the one of loyalty he had given the emperor.
“Merciful Holy Father. Our tribe has witnessed a miracle through the 'Salvation of the Saintess.' We saw with our own eyes the children and elders suffering in frozen lands being saved.”
He pressed his forehead to the marble floor of the papal chamber and formally declared his acceptance of the Church's teachings.
“All the people of the North pledge to follow the Church's doctrines and become the Lord's lambs. Please accept our conversion and bestow your grace upon us.”
The pope placed a hand on his shoulder, his face filled with emotion.
“Rise, brother of the North. The Lord has always awaited you.”
In response to the giants' formal annexation into the empire, the pope sent an immediate reply.
It was the official visit of Saintess Lumiel Benedicta.
The news of Saintess Lumiel Benedicta's visit shook the entire North more swiftly and fiercely than even the emperor's edict.
Along the grand trade route paved by the emperor—now beginning to be called the 'Path of Salvation'—the saintess's procession, led by the papal banners, crossed the Gray Mountains.
Saintess Lumiel's golden eyes, upon setting foot in their lands, radiated compassionate warmth even amidst the bitter cold.
“...You have all suffered so much.”
Her eyes saw everything.
The chronic ailments deeply rooted in the giants' bodies, despite the nutritional supplements from mayonnaise improving their quality of life.
Arthritis from the harsh cold, skin diseases from rough diets, and even the lingering damp chill left by ancient dragons.
Ulfgar bowed politely before her.
“Thanks to the saintess's grace (mayonnaise), many children and elders were saved. But our lands remain barren, and our bodies remain frozen.”
Lumiel nodded slowly.
She clasped her hands before her chest. The face of one man flashed in her mind.
'Lord Jonathan...'
His conviction to make everyone happy with delicious food.
His conviction had saved their flesh; now, following his will, she would prove his miracle.
If he was the 'Saint,' she would gladly be his 'Apostle' following his will. As a woman who had devoted everything to him.
“Eternal life and shining flame. Holy Spirit. By the will of the Saint, I pray: Lord, grant mercy upon these people.”
⟨ Prayer of Salvation ⟩
As Lumiel closed her eyes and began to pray, something unbelievable happened.
Six pairs of pristine white wings sprouted from her back, and dazzling golden holy power began to emanate from her body.
The warmth like the sun and the absolute light of life drove away the Gray Mountains' piercing cold.
“Ooh...!”
“I-It’s warm...!”
In the wake of the wave of light, the pains tormenting the giants' bodies began to melt away like snow.
“M-My knees can bend!”
“This wretched rash is disappearing!”
“The chill deep in my body...!”
The lands tainted by the cursed blood of ancient dragons were purified, and the warriors' wounds from that chill healed.
Children's rough skin became soft as a newborn's, and elders straightened their backs.
Tens of thousands of giants, experiencing the miracle in their own bodies, knelt in unison where they stood.
“Saintess!”
“A true miracle!”
Grand Duke Ulfgarr trembled all over as he knelt, gazing at her with eyes full of awe.
He realized it. The miracle brought by the mayonnaise was no coincidence.
“Peach miracle... Salvation of the Saintess...!”
At the name bursting from his lips, all the giants echoed it.
“Saintess, save us!”
“We give thanks for all these miracles!”
Then, from the angel overlooking everyone from the sky with her six pairs of wings came gentle words that reached all.
“Rise, brothers of the North.”
Lumiel's voice rode the waves of holy power, resounding directly in the souls of every giant gathered in the plaza.
“Do not call me savior. I am merely a humble apostle following the one who first opened the path.”
At her words, Ulfgarr and all the giants wore puzzled expressions.
The saintess who had performed an impossible miracle before their eyes calling herself an apostle.
Lumiel read their confusion and smiled softly.
“You have already tasted true salvation.”
“The peach miracle that freed your children and elders from the pains of bitter cold, that breathed life into tough jerky. That is the beginning of all these miracles.”
Lumiel clasped her hands to her chest and continued in her most reverent voice.
“It was not made from my tears or holy power. It was crafted from the sweat, devotion, and conviction of the true Saint who took pity on the weakest and most suffering of this land.”
Saint.
At that word, everyone in the plaza swallowed.
“I was moved by his noble will and merely added a bit of the Lord's light upon the path of salvation he paved.”
“Thus, all this glory belongs rightfully to the true Saint, Jonathan Valerius, who practices the Lord's purest teachings upon this earth. I am but his apostle and your sister.”
Lumiel closed her eyes.
'Ah, Lord Jonathan. You who deserve the reverence and love of all. The one who truly spreads the Lord's will to everyone.'
'Behold, Lord Jonathan. Your noble conviction has reached this northern land, filling hungry bellies and raising sickened flesh.'
'Even this humble miracle of mine shines only by your side, like moonlight beside the sun.'
'To return all this glory to you as your apostle—that is my mission and my greatest joy.'
'So please accept my devotion. My reverence. My one and only Saint.'
The saintess unflinchingly received the blind worship and awe-filled gazes of the tens of thousands of giants directed at her.
And as if returning all that glory not to herself but to her one savior and true saint, she clasped her hands in prayer with the holiest and most assured expression.
The giants were briefly puzzled but soon understood.
If the saintess was the miracle before their eyes, then the name 'Jonathan' was its source.
The one who changed their tables, fattened their children, and ultimately summoned this divine miracle.
“Ooh! Saint!”
“Blessings upon the Saintess and the Saint!”
The northern giants cried out the two names that had saved them at the top of their lungs.
Their rough roars seemed ready to spread from the Gray Mountains across the entire empire.
Only then did Lumiel open her eyes.
Hearing the worship directed at her and Jonathan's name being praised in places she could not hear, she smiled with conviction.
This was his will, her mission.
'Please wait, Lord Jonathan.'
'Until the day the world chants your name, I... will do my best!'