The Sacred Covenant (2)
The councilors of Midtemple stared at the altar, their mouths agape.
Over the head of the man who had just completed the Sacred Covenant, a brilliant shower of light poured down.
A dazzling radiance swallowed the temple. It was proof that the Great Ones had accepted his Sacred Covenant.
Ruuuuuumble—!
In truth, everyone knew. They knew this world was racing toward the tragedy of its demise.
Though there had been no specific oracle from the Great Ones, the centuries-long decline of the world was proof enough.
The barriers of the Silk Road were shrinking, and humanity's domain had dwindled to the immediate vicinities of the great cities.
The remnants of a once-glorious civilization had long since become the territory of monsters.
Everyone simply chose to look away. The situation had already spiraled out of control, and they believed that changing anything now would make no difference.
But today, at long last, the prayer everyone had desperately yearned for echoed through the grand temple of Midtemple.
The councilors held their breath as they looked at Gaon.
A hope that no one had dared to dream of in this desperate world. It was the moment that hope ceased to be a mere wish and became a promise bound by the Sacred Covenant of a Sword Master.
"Ah..."
Adelia, staring blankly at the scene, let out a soft gasp.
I knew it.
The seal that had bound her mouth had long since dissolved.
Even the surrounding priests stood transfixed, gazing at the seeker who had just sworn to save the world.
Was this what the birth of a mythical hero looked like? It was a truly sacred moment—witnessing someone dedicate their life to such a noble, grand cause.
...Indeed, it is a covenant worthy of Lord Gaon.
"The thirteenth star has risen over the Holy City."
Inside a dark cavern, a blood-red pattern drawn on the floor cast a faint glow on the surroundings.
As members cloaked in black robes lined the corridor, a woman seated upon a throne replied in a soft voice.
"How interesting."
Although her face was half-hidden in the shadows, it was clear she was smiling.
"I wonder why so many amusing things are happening lately."
"..."
"Not only was the Heavenly Mirror deployed for the first time in over thirty years, but a new Sword Master was born the very next day."
The woman's gaze shifted toward a man standing at the edge of the cavern.
"And you said he requested a meeting with me, Berylof?"
"...Yes,"
replied the cloaked man, Isaac Berylof, with a nod.
"Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests he is the thirteenth Sword Master."
The woman on the throne nodded slowly. Every minor gesture she made exuded a natural, elegant grace.
"Very well. Arrange a meeting soon."
...The meeting between the Blood Empress of the Shadow Society and the thirteenth Sword Master was officially set.
Whew. It's finally over.
The Sacred Covenant had been forged. With this, the official procedures of the sacred trial to verify my status as a Sword Master were complete.
Once the ritual concluded, a priest guided me to a guest reception room.
"The high councilors are still in the middle of their meeting. If you would like some light refreshments while you wait..."
"No need."
Declining the priest's offer, I took a seat by the window. I looked down at the panoramic view of Midtemple from the high tower, lost in my own thoughts.
That wrapped up much faster than I expected.
It was surprisingly fast. Normally, just the sacred trial alone would take several weeks.
If you factored in the subsequent tests and the covenant, it could easily take months, if not years.
Even in the case of Heukgol, didn't it take him seven years to be recognized as a Sword Master?
In contrast, I finished everything in less than a day...
If my memory served me right, this was the fastest record in the history of all Sword Masters.
Anyway.
With this, I had achieved my first goal in coming to the Holy City.
Claiming to be a Sword Master was all for the sake of forging this Sacred Covenant.
By swearing to save the world before the Great Ones, I had forced Midtemple into a position where they had no choice but to support me.
Of course, it will take some time to gain Midtemple's complete trust.
But that was only a matter of time. Just like I did with Sikan Bauer, proving my abilities step-by-step would solve everything.
Having giant factions like the Ruins Merchant Group and Midtemple backing me already... Just thinking about it made me feel incredibly secure.
And above all...
There was still one most important thing left.
...The power granted in exchange for the Sacred Covenant.
The heavier the restrictions of the Sacred Covenant, the greater the power granted. It was a classic case of high risk, high reward.
And the oath I swore before the gods was as follows:
To save this world from its end.
Just hearing it made it sound like an overwhelming burden, didn't it? But in reality, this covenant was the ultimate free ride.
After all, it was what I had to do anyway.
Exactly. This covenant was the goal I had set for myself from the very moment I was transmigrated. If I didn't do it, the world would end, and everyone would die anyway.
But to others, it must look like an immense burden.
Having every single action bound to the goal of saving the world might seem like a massive restriction at first glance.
But the reality was the exact opposite. A truth I had realized through 200 playthroughs: this world was doomed to perish unless a player intervened.
Ultimately, to save the world, I had to survive. In other words, my survival was a prerequisite for the world's salvation.
In the end, keeping myself safe is the core of this covenant.
There was virtually no risk. Why? As I said, it was something I had to do regardless of the covenant.
But because the mission attached to the premise was so grand, the reward was bound to be massive.
A truly flawless plan. Now, it was time to reap the rewards for free.
Knock, knock.
Right on cue, a knock sounded from outside the reception room.
I could guess the identity of the visitor through the level window visible beyond the door.
A powerhouse who had crossed the threshold of Level 90. In terms of raw combat power, he was practically the second-in-command of Midtemple.
The door opened, and a handsome young man stepped into the room.
"Greetings, Seeker."
Neatly trimmed platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes. The man's features bore a subtle resemblance to Adelia.
Furthermore, his pure white armor decorated with gold spoke of his noble lineage.
"I am the Chief Paladin, Arwen von Goldheart."
Arwen von Goldheart. As his name suggested, he was a member of a Holy Family and Adelia's older brother.
Entering the room, Arwen bowed with elegant grace. His flawless manners and relaxed voice hinted at the rigorous education he had received since childhood.
"I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting."
I didn't answer. I simply stared at Arwen, maintaining a heavy, imposing silence.
Normally, anyone would feel intimidated under the intense gaze of a Sword Master, but Arwen's expression remained perfectly calm.
"I came to ask for your understanding, as the meeting is running longer than expected. The Sacred Covenant you forged is rather unusual."
Arwen began to explain the details of the ongoing meeting.
"Unlike typical restrictions that limit specific actions, your covenant dictates that all your actions must be for the salvation of the world... Many felt that this scope is too broad and difficult to verify."
Well, I agreed with that. The Sacred Covenants forged by other Sword Masters had clear, defined restrictions. It provided a reliable way to stop them if they ever went rogue.
But what about me?
While the justification and goal of my Sacred Covenant were noble, it didn't serve as a mechanism to control me.
"In short, the old geezers are throwing a tantrum because they couldn't put a proper leash on me."
"Haha."
Arwen chuckled softly and offered a gentle smile without saying a word. His silence, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, showed his political experience.
"For the record, Adelia and Lord Bauer actively defended you during the meeting. They insisted that you are a noble soul and there is no need to worry."
Arwen continued his explanation. According to him, the councilors' opinions were split exactly down the middle.
The reformist faction argued, If his grand premise is to save the world, what is there to worry about? Since all of Gaon's actions will be for the greater good, we have nothing to fear.
"The opposition, however, took a skeptical and conservative stance. They argued that a more concrete restriction must be imposed, even suggesting that you should forge another Sacred Covenant."
They were desperately trying to put a leash on me.
Bloody hell.
I'm trying to save the world, and they want to bind me even more? Seriously, stubborn religious fanatics never change. They were just as frustrating now as they were in the game.
"So, what is the conclusion?"
At my question, Arwen shrugged.
"It will take some time, but the councilors' opinions will eventually lean toward approval."
"..."
"In truth, there is no need for us to bicker. You have already forged a contract with the Great Ones."
Naturally. Once the Sacred Covenant was forged, the matter was practically settled. It was a contract recognized by the Great Gods themselves. What right did mere priests have to oppose it?
If the opposition councilors keep being stubborn...
I half-jokingly imagined the scene in the council chamber.
"What? You oppose it? Fine. Then you can get 'Cedric-ed' too."
"W-What...?"
*Slash!*
The opposing priests would meet the exact same end as Cedric, the stubborn fool of Midtemple who had been sliced in half.
Of course, they wouldn't even have the right to complain about such a death. They were denying what the Great Elder had acknowledged, which was nothing short of blasphemy.
In Midtemple, committing blasphemy was practically equivalent to dying of natural causes. Knowing this, the old men of the opposition would eventually bend.
Seriously, this is a brutal world.
Persuasion? Why bother with that in a meeting? There was a much simpler and more effective method of communication right here.
If things didn't go my way, I could just stab the opposition first. Then, I could spin all sorts of justifications and frame them for blasphemy.
Of course, no sane person would actually do such a crazy thing...
But the fact that such an option was even viable proved that Lost Elder was a wonderful world full of dreams and hope.
"Ah, and one more thing."
As I was indulging in these idle thoughts, Arwen began to explain the next schedule.
"If the meeting concludes without any issues, your audience with the Saintess will take place tomorrow at four in the morning."
"..."
"A novice priest with access to the Saintess's chambers will come to escort you."
I nodded at his words.
...Four in the morning.
An audience with the Saintess. This was where I would be granted the power in exchange for the Sacred Covenant.
Not only that, but it was also one of the few opportunities to directly communicate with the Great Ones who orchestrated this world.
Perhaps it would be the most important event I would face since falling into this world.
"Understood. I will be ready by four."
"Yes."
Arwen bowed politely and turned toward the door.
"Seeker."
He paused. Stopping right in front of the door, Arwen turned back to me as if he had just remembered something. Then, he abruptly began to introduce his family relations.
"I forgot to mention, but I am Adelia's older brother."
"I know."
"...Ah, I see."
Arwen hesitated for a moment, choosing his words, before asking a question.
"Do you intend to keep taking Adelia with you as your disciple?"
Hearing his question, I chuckled inwardly.
Right. I knew there was a real reason he came to see me.
Of course, you bastard. Do you have any idea how hard it was to secure my carry?
Of course, I couldn't say that out loud, so I gave a roundabout answer.
"If Adelia herself wishes it, I intend to."
Though I phrased it that way, it was practically a yes. Adelia would try to follow me around no matter what.
"So stop worrying about useless things and go finish the meeting."
"...!"
Arwen flinched. He looked momentarily startled, his eyes widening as if his innermost thoughts had been laid bare.
His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he soon nodded and stepped back.
"...I understand."
A look of conviction now settled on his face.
"Then I shall go conclude the meeting. I wish you a peaceful night."
Arwen, who had left the council chamber claiming he needed some fresh air, returned.
Shring!
Except this time, he was gripping a vicious-looking greatsword in both hands.
"W-What do you think you are doing...?"
A few councilors backed away in panic, but Arwen didn't even pretend to listen as he asked back:
"Who was the opposition again?"
"..."
"Raise your hands. I seem to have forgotten."