Chapter 415: Proof of Existence (3)
Chapter 415: Proof of Existence (3)
There are many orphanages in the Holy Kingdom.
One might ask why there are so many orphans when the era of great wars has ended, but no place on this continent was truly safe. Demonic beasts and criminals were always on the prowl, hungering for the flesh of the weak.
Even in the capital, where security was said to be the best, criminal organizations could never be fully uprooted.
Thus, the lives of the commoners in the provinces were predictable. It was a common occurrence for children to lose both parents at once.
At the very least, the orphanages in the Holy Kingdom were in better shape than most.
The Heavenly God Religion, which emphasized mercy and love, took a deep interest in the lives of orphans. They provided financial support and even conducted regular inspections to root out corrupt orphanages that exploited children.
The document the Saintess handed me contained a similar proposal.
"So, in short, you're saying the trial will be suspended on the condition that I do volunteer work at an orphanage."
"Yes, though it is only a suspension."
"Hmm," I hummed, sinking into thought.
While the Holy Kingdom was bolstered by numerous priests and Holy Knights, they were generally busy. They didn't have the leisure to look after every small, struggling orphanage scattered across the land.
That was why the Holy Kingdom had made this proposal to me.
They wanted me to travel through the Holy Kingdom and check on the orphanages.
In essence, it was both service and inspection.
As I remained silent, the Saintess added further explanation.
"It's called a suspension, but once the volunteer work is over, an exoneration will naturally follow. Humanity's rising hero spent his time caring for the orphans of the Holy Kingdom—it would be impossible to punish you after that, let alone fail to praise you."
"Then what happens to the charges against me?"
"A truth that remains unknown cannot become a fact, Ian."
The Saintess said this with a mysterious smile. She looked like a strategist plotting behind the scenes.
Though in my eyes, even that looked beautiful.
"The Empire and the Holy Kingdom are both perceptive; they'll take steps to control public opinion appropriately. Any information that leaks out can simply be dismissed as a baseless rumor. Then, you and I can leisurely tour the Holy Kingdom before returning."
"And I can visit my family?"
"Yes. To be precise, the orphanage where I was born and raised."
The answer to my casual remark was unexpectedly serious.
I stammered, caught off guard. Anyone who knew the Saintess's circumstances would have reacted the same way.
"I, uh... haven't you cut ties with that orphanage?"
"I did."
The Saintess nodded readily, admitting it.
She was someone who had spent her whole life trying to strip away the label of 'orphan.'
I had heard that she not only abandoned her original name but also rarely contacted her home orphanage—though she did provide various forms of support behind the scenes.
For such a Saintess to publicly visit the orphanage of her birth...
I was about to ask if she was okay with that, but I stopped myself.
This was a decision she had reached after much deliberation. It wasn't my place to second-guess her.
Instead, I intentionally adopted a carefree tone.
"Should I buy some gifts to take along?"
"The children would love that. A gift from a hero, no less..."
The Saintess, who had also been trying to act composed, eventually let her voice trail off.
Soon, a sigh escaped her charming lips.
"...To be honest, I'm a little scared."
I suppose she would be.
Immediately after entering the Academy, I had to endure subtle contempt from high-ranking nobles. If it was like that for me, a noble, I could hardly imagine the level of disdain directed at commoners or orphans.
It must have been nearly unbearable.
Despite that, the Saintess had made her decision.
"I've lived as the 'Saintess' for so long. I've only lived a life befitting that role. And I thought I would continue to do so forever."
"But you've changed your mind?"
"Lately, other thoughts keep creeping in. Who am I, if not the 'Saintess'? Perhaps I'm just having a late puberty?"
She let out a soft chuckle, her pale pink eyes turning toward me.
I felt that the hue, resembling balsam petals, was somewhat sorrowful. Though, that was likely just the fleeting sentiment of an unrefined swordsman.
"Maybe you've just grown tired of it. Living as the 'Saintess' is no small feat."
"You're right. And as the 'Saintess,' I keep having thoughts I shouldn't have."
Then, she smiled, her lips curving into a graceful arc.
Like a petal cradling the morning dew.
"...So, you'll have to take responsibility and come with me."
I didn't pry into the reason.
The warm gaze she directed at me felt exceptionally ticklish.
I could only manage a wry smile in return.
It was too late to run away now.
"I'll gladly take responsibility."
A journey to find one's self.
It wasn't a bad choice.
After that, the Saintess launched into a long lecture.
The gist of it was that I should refrain from doing anything conspicuous during the volunteer period. Since I had no desire to cause trouble anyway, I nodded in agreement.
However, I couldn't help but feel curious.
"What happens if I do cause an accident?"
"Then you'll have to stand in court. And according to ancient law, you'll have to choose one of three trial methods."
The Saintess snorted as she spoke.
I had heard vague rumors about the Holy Kingdom's religious trials before. But I had no idea there were three different types.
The Saintess kindly provided a detailed explanation.
"First, the 'Doctrinal Trial.' Most people undergo this one. A jury consisting of three renowned priests—representing Knowledge, Mercy, and Judgment—and twelve devout believers determines the sentence. For your information, the Priest of Knowledge is dispatched from the Hall of Doctrine, the Priest of Mercy from The Gospel Hall, and the Priest of Judgment from the Inquisition."
The 'Doctrinal Trial' was exactly like the religious trials I remembered.
Did that mean other methods actually existed?
Before I could even voice my question, the Saintess continued.
"Second, the 'Honor Trial'! This trial commemorates the Great Sage Arius, who led the charge against Omeros's army during the ancient God-Demon War. If you can defeat the Holy Knights stationed at the Papacy one after another, you can receive a verdict of innocent in honor of your strength."
"...Doesn't that just mean 'go die'?"
It was an absurd story.
To think that even if you committed a crime, you could be declared innocent just by winning a series of duels.
And what was most ridiculous was that the opponents were the Holy Knight Order of the Papacy.
Since the condition was 'consecutive victories,' it obviously wouldn't end with a single one-on-one match.
There was only one conclusion.
It was a death sentence.
Defeating one or two might be possible, but facing the elite knights of the Papacy in succession and winning?
It was impossible unless one was a Master.
No, even for a Master, the chances were slim.
The Papacy was home to the 'Saint,' one of only three Masters in all of humanity.
The Saintess's voice was flat as she answered my doubt.
"That's why I said most people take the 'Doctrinal Trial.'"
She was right.
Who would ever choose the second option? It was clearly just a way to die a dog's death.
I silently waited for the third option.
"And the last one is the 'Purification Trial'... You climb onto a pile of firewood and if you endure the flames all night, you're declared innocent."
"Wait, what kind of nonsense is that?"
At least the second one had a measurable probability; the last one was just nonsensical.
Was there anyone who could actually survive being burned in a fire all night?
The Saintess offered a brief commentary.
"Like I said, that's why everyone takes the 'Doctrinal Trial.'"
Apparently, the fire used to burn the sinner was called the 'Sacred Flame.'
They supposedly lit it using a spark created by gathering the light of the sun, the liver of Arus, which burns away all that is foul. Therefore, the logic was that the guilty would be consumed by the Sacred Flame, while the innocent would survive.
It felt like a relic of a barbaric age.
Ancient religions often had such cruel facets.
Listening to the Saintess's explanation, I resolved once again: I would absolutely not do anything suspicious.
Just before leaving, the Saintess seemed strangely lingering.
After waiting for a moment, she finally spoke, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"Um, well... is there anything you want to do? Since, you know, it's just the two of us..."
She kept glancing at me, checking my reaction. Judging by her hesitant manner, she seemed to be expecting something.
I fell into thought for a moment.
Even if I wanted to do something more, there wasn't much time. It would be a disaster if the Saintess were spotted leaving my room in the early morning.
If we could spend the whole day alone in the room, that would be one thing.
But that was out of the question.
As I swallowed a hollow laugh, a question suddenly occurred to me.
"Um, Saintess?"
"Yes, yes?"
She was being strangely submissive.
Surely it was okay to ask now? Emboldened, I immediately voiced my curiosity.
"Is that rumor true?"
"...?"
The Saintess looked at me with a gaze that suggested she had no idea what I was talking about.
So I had to ask again.
"That, uh, you prefer being forced... Ack?!"
Before I could even finish my sentence, the Saintess's foot slammed down on my instep.
Crunch. I felt the sensation of skin being ground down. Because my body was so sturdy, it didn't cause intense pain, but it was enough to knock the wind out of me for a second.
Tears were already welling in the Saintess's eyes.
Her eyes were brimming with humiliation.
"Y-Y-You... I'm hauling you to a religious trial!"
No, I just wanted to know for future reference.
I felt wronged, but I didn't dare protest.
I didn't want to be hauled to a religious trial again.
Receiving a summons from the court once was more than enough.
After the Saintess left, I tried once more to read the letter from the future.
That is, until a knock sounded at the door.
There were so many interruptions today.
Sighing again, I tucked the envelope into my shirt and opened the door to receive the message.
"Um, Ian? Reto said to come find him immediately. Something's wrong with your younger sister..."
I didn't need to hear any more. I immediately kicked off the ground and began to sprint.
The destination wasn't far.
In less than a minute, I was pounding on Reto's door. Before an answer could come from inside, I twisted the doorknob so violently it nearly snapped.
Fortunately, the door wasn't locked.
"Ria, are you okay?!"
The sight that met my eyes was Ria, slumped over the desk, sobbing her heart out.
Then I saw Reto, looking troubled, and beside him was a face I hadn't seen in a very long time.
Everyone's eyes turned toward me at once.
A supple, firm sensation collided with me immediately after.
"...Brother!"
Ria, who had been scurrying toward me, leaped straight into my arms. Catching my sister instinctively, I stroked her hair as I always did.
Regardless, Ria just kept wailing.
"Ugh, hic. Don't abandon me... I was wrong, waaaaah...!"
What happened this time?
While flustered by the soft, curvaceous feel of her body, I looked at Reto, demanding an explanation. Then, my gaze landed on the girl standing beside him.
She was a beauty with black hair neatly tied back.
It was hard to find the same liveliness in those amber eyes as before, but my joy at seeing her outweighed everything else. I had been worried about her.
"Celine!"
Celine, with a heavy battle axe strapped to her back, raised a hand with an awkward smile.
It was a simple gesture, but I realized it instantly.
Something was different.
If her previous aura was like a wild colt running amok, now it was like a calm, settled wave. A sea that had finished its preparations to surge forth at any moment.
My eyes widened.
"You... you've gotten stronger!"
Despite my admiring reaction, Celine only let out a bashful laugh.
"It's been a while, Ian. Ahaha..."
My missing childhood friend had returned, and she was stronger.
I gave a bright smile as I held my sobbing sister.
While not forgetting my anger toward whoever had made her cry.
It seemed that more than one incident had occurred while I was away.