Chapter 287
Chapter 287
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 287
Chapter Title: White Knight (2)
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In front of an apartment entrance.
"Thank you so much for your cooperation, Sister."
"Oh, no need to thank me, Priestess. It wasn't any trouble at all."
"Then I'll be on my way. May the grace of the Lord be with you, Sister."
"Yes, yes. Thank you."
The middle-aged woman standing before the kindly smiling priestess bowed in flustered response to the woman's courteous dip.
With the farewell complete, the priestess in her early thirties headed straight to the parking lot and climbed into the back seat of the waiting car.
Vroom—
Once the car smoothly pulled away, she picked up the tablet beside her and scrolled through the compiled reports inside.
White Knight Investigation Progress Report
-······
-White Knight estimated specs summary. (View details)
-Through returnees from various dimensions inquiring about holy power, the Main God of the Outerica dimension is the most likely source. (View full interview transcripts)
-Assuming a connection to specific patients, investigation of related visitors underway. (Progress: 28%)
-······
"Hmm."
Her head tilted slightly as a thoughtful hum escaped her lips.
As the head of the investigation team dispatched by the Pantheon Korean branch to track the White Knight, she made a note on the tablet before setting it down and closing her eyes.
···He truly is remarkable.
She recalled the lingering traces of holy power still within the now-discharged patient she had just confirmed during this visit, letting out yet another sigh of admiration.
How deep must one's faith be to make something like that possible?
She had already sensed that presence from quite a distance on the day of the hospital attack and been shocked.
But even after so much time had passed, examining the remnants up close brought fresh awe.
The more she investigated, the more respect and reverence welled up for the person in question.
Not just vast in scale, but pure holy power refined solely through devout faith. What kind of saint could draw that much energy from Earth to a place like this...?
She herself was a high-ranking priestess who had risen far in her home world, but even giving herself the benefit of the doubt, she couldn't compare to the White Knight.
If she had to name someone similar in her own world, it would probably be an apostle said to be chosen directly by the god.
I'd love to meet him someday and see what he's like.
In truth, that was the biggest reason she had eagerly taken the role of leading the investigation team.
She simply couldn't contain her curiosity about what kind of character could perform such a miracle.
Of course, beyond mere personal interest, there were practical reasons as well.
Someone of that caliber could truly become the new center of the Pantheon...
The importance of healing abilities meant that priests on Earth weren't just well-treated—they were priceless.
With restrictions on holy power usage, they were even more valuable here than in other worlds.
But the problem lay internally, not with their public image.
"Sigh."
She let out a soft sigh and rubbed her face.
Her smooth, firm skin—thanks to holy power—had been her pride, but the recent stress-induced breakouts were getting on her nerves.
···The faction rivalries are getting out of hand.
In a way, it was inevitable.
Unlike ordinary churches united under the same faith, the priests of the Pantheon followed different gods and doctrines.
Even excluding those worshiping evil gods or holding negative faiths, differing core values inevitably led to friction, complaints, and deepening rifts.
If someone who could earn universal recognition stood at the center in such a situation...
It might turn things around.
That could redirect the energy wasted on pointless faction wars toward more positive ends.
And naturally, that would benefit society as a whole.
We can't let a figure like that get snatched by another country.
Given the Pantheon's nature as a coalition, even the U.S. headquarters was more of a representative body than a true superior authority.
They would cooperate on requests, but no need for blind obedience.
Steeling her resolve once more, she picked up the tablet and scanned the reports from her team members.
How much time passed like that?
Ding!
An urgent message popped up in her tablet's messenger.
And mere moments after she glanced at it casually, her eyes widened.
Screech—!
The car she was riding in, cruising at steady speed, suddenly drifted sharply, changing direction.
Thankfully, no other vehicles were nearby.
Without drawing attention, it floored the accelerator.
Vrooom— Vroooom!
The destination was the site of the breaking news.
A university hospital in Seoul where the White Knight had appeared.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A warm light enveloped the surroundings.
Whoosh—
The glow didn't stop at a few meters around.
Extending beyond the crowded lobby, farther and higher, it ultimately blanketed the entire children's hospital in a soft, beautiful radiance.
It was the manifestation of a miracle, the embodiment of hope.
The incarnation of mercy caressing the wounds of the patients gathered here.
If I'm doing this, might as well do it right.
Unlike its gently warm appearance, this ultra-pure holy power brimmed with immense energy, immediately producing visible effects.
Recovery, healing, and regeneration.
And those present felt those changes right away.
"Ahh—."
"···Lord, thank you, thank you!"
"Whoa! Mommy, this is amazing! It's so warm. Hee hee!"
Reactions varied among those experiencing the long-told phenomenon firsthand.
Some wept endlessly without words, others clasped hands in ceaseless prayer, children burst into innocent laughter oblivious to it all.
Yet amid the diverse responses, one common action united them.
Gazing endlessly at the source of this miracle.
The one standing at the lobby's center, wrapped in brilliant light like a beacon piercing the darkness.
The noble saint in sleek, flowing pure white armor, hands atop the hilt of a magnificent longsword planted in the floor.
The White Knight, Heinrich.
"Ah···."
"······."
The people surrounding him stared in dazed awe at his sacred figure.
Unlike their initial clamor begging for mercy when he first appeared, now none dared approach or speak to him.
They simply admired from a few steps away, as if beholding fine art.
Perfect effect, as expected. Now then, time to...
But just as everyone seemed frozen in time.
Step— Step—
One person moved first.
"S-Sua...?"
Perhaps seven or eight years old?
A tiny girl, dwarfed by her ill-fitting patient gown, trudged forward with unsteady steps toward him.
Leaving behind the wheelchair her father had pushed moments ago.
Oh? In this situation where even adults are frozen, a child moves first?
A middle-aged man hurried after her with short steps, anxiously watching the girl with a mix of worry and感動.
But unable to override her will, he stamped his feet fretfully.
By the time the girl reached Heinrich, she timidly looked up at him.
Her bright eyes sparkling, she spoke softly.
"···Mr. Angel?"
Though her voice rose questioningly at the end, the image matched what she'd imagined from stories, filling her eyes with certainty.
"Did you come to get me because I've been good?"
But her follow-up caught even him off guard.
Heinrich—and the guardian behind her—froze.
"···Can't I stay a little longer? I haven't said goodbye to everyone yet···."
The girl fidgeted with her fingers, peeking up at him.
What flights of fancy filled that little head?
But sensing her physical state despite the prior dose of holy power, he roughly understood the situation.
Hmm.
After a moment's thought while gazing down at her, he slowly bent his knees and crouched to her level.
Matching her eye height, he noticed his helmet reflected in her tiny pupils.
Yeah, if I'm doing this, going all in like this will be even more effective.
With that, he slowly raised both hands to grip his helmet.
And lifted it straight up.
Swish—
Silver locks scattered into the air, freed from confinement.
Scattering the lobby lights and ambient glow, they sparkled dazzlingly.
Gasp!
"······!"
And simultaneously, those holding their breath to watch inhaled sharply without realizing.
Heinrich lightly swept back his silver hair and curved his golden eyes softly, meeting the girl's gaze again.
The exotic handsome features, enhanced by lighting and staging, etched into minds like a fantasy.
Like the others, the girl's eyes widened and mouth gaped; he reached toward her head but paused.
Instead, he retracted his arm, removed the metal gauntlet from his right hand, and gently stroked her hair with bare fingers.
"Hee hee hee···."
The girl giggled shyly at the careful touch.
Heinrich infused his hand with holy power, granting additional treatment and a blessing as he smiled warmly.
"Then I'll wait. Until Sua grows all the way up. Whenever you're ready."
"···Really? Even much, much later?"
"Yes, but you have to keep up with your treatments, okay? Then you'll make it to a hundred easy."
"Uh··· A h-hundred?"
Her eyes darted about at his playful words; she clearly couldn't grasp the number yet.
He chuckled and withdrew his stroking hand.
Nodding to the teary-eyed middle-aged man behind, he slowly rose; the guardian scooped up the girl, bowing repeatedly.
The child waved innocently amid it all.
Somehow, she drew the eye.
An unexpected event, but...
Tucking his helmet under his arm, Heinrich donned his gauntlet again and surveyed the surroundings.
Thanks to her, the promotion seemed even more effective than planned.
Not as massive as the terror incident, but the healing quality should hold up.
To sow confusion in the investigation, he'd naturally drawn eyes and revealed his face. Now only one task remained.
Infusing his voice with holy power, he spoke lowly.
"Warm care to those groaning in pain, a saving hand to those in hardship···."
In Outerica, the Main God had no specific name.
The creator-like Main God simply existed in pure solitude.
But from a dimensional perspective, there was a way to refer to him.
"···May the blessing of Outerica be with you all."
The dimension's name itself served as the word for the Main God.
Thus, imprinting a deep impression with his holy-infused voice, Heinrich smiled softly.
They're here.
Sensing presences converging from all sides, he gathered his energy and drew the holy sword from the floor.
He had no intention of confronting those seeking him just yet.
Not the right time.
Goal achieved, now to heighten the drama by making them sweat more.
Use this attention for natural promotion too.
Blind preaching for conversion is a last resort.
With all eyes on Heinrich now, just dropping hints would have people seeking answers on their own.
Until then, his role was...
Fwoosh—
Just before pursuers burst in, he activated Blessing: Leap and vanished from the lobby.
He reappeared far away, at another hospital.
Thus, like a tease, surprise visits continued several times.
And that evening.
With steady reports accumulating from the first visit.
Domestic internet opinion finally exploded.