Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Guardian God
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The Anscent Kingdom was thrown into chaos.
The citizens plunged into confusion upon seeing an unfamiliar flag flying atop the castle tower.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Does anyone know whose banner that is?”
“Is the Pope safe?”
As the citizens fell into anxiety and fear, priests and Aria appeared in the village square.
“Hey, over there! It’s the priests!”
“Let’s go check it out.”
The citizens rushed over in droves.
The priests surrounded Aria protectively, and Roth, one of the Seven Priests, shouted toward the crowd.
“Please, everyone, quiet down!”
But far from obeying, the citizens bombarded him with questions.
“What happened to the Saintess?”
“Is the Pope safe?”
“Who the hell invaded us?”
“Damn it!”
Realizing the situation was unmanageable, Roth glanced at Aria.
“This might not be the best time. Once things settle a bit...!”
Roth’s eyes widened in surprise.
A pure white light emanated from Aria’s body as she clasped her hands over her chest.
The light gradually spread, catching everyone’s attention.
“What’s that?”
“What kind of light is that?”
For a moment, the area fell silent, and all eyes—from the priests to the citizens—turned to Aria.
Their eyes widened at the warm, enveloping glow.
“This is...!”
“How can we feel that aura from the Saintess...?”
As confusion spread, Aria spoke up.
“I, chosen by Lord Karen, tell you this: the Anscent Kingdom has been saved by a great hero.”
‘Chosen by Lord Karen?’
‘A great hero?’
‘Saved? What does that mean?’
Her sudden words left everyone baffled.
One of the Seven Priests, Priest Niang, stepped forward and revealed that the Anscent Kingdom had fallen victim to someone’s conspiracy all this time.
Of course, he admitted that Vulcan, the former Archbishop, had been involved, and the woman he’d proclaimed as Saintess was a fake.
The citizens were dealt a massive shock.
“How did the Anscent Kingdom end up like this...?”
One man pushed through the crowd and shouted loudly.
“Show us proof that she’s the real Saintess!”
Aria looked at him warmly and replied.
“Trust in Lord Karen. That faith will give me great strength, and it will return to you as a blessing.”
“That’s not enough! We need something we can verify right now!”
“We can’t trust anyone anymore!”
“The woman Vulcan brought emitted light too! This could be dark magic!”
“Yeah! Prove it!”
The citizens protested fiercely.
As Aria faltered slightly at the unexpected backlash, the ground began to tremble faintly, accompanied by the sound of something approaching.
“Gasp!”
“What’s that?!”
The people’s eyes bulged as massive horses appeared in the village.
Knights wearing grotesque helmets rode the monsters, which were no different from beasts.
Leading the skull-helmed knights was a man in a helmet shaped like a dragon’s maw, exuding an overwhelming presence that made even eye contact impossible.
Arthur, at the head of the Assault Squad, approached the crowd.
The packed square parted like the Red Sea before him.
Arthur rode straight to Aria.
The priests knelt on one knee before him, offering the knight’s salute.
Aria clasped her hands and bowed to him as well.
Arthur halted Khan before her and scanned the surroundings.
“How much longer?”
“I’ll hurry as much as I can.”
“We need to leave soon. The Devil Squad will stay here to help stabilize things until they recover from their injuries.”
“How long can the Devil Squad remain?”
“At most, two days.”
“Hmm...”
Aria’s face hardened.
Stabilizing Anscent Castle wouldn’t be difficult.
But without earning the people’s trust, it would all be pointless.
In the current mood, they might even spark a revolt.
The priests could suppress it with force, but that wouldn’t win hearts.
The Holy Kingdom was led by the Pope, but its true power—the holy force—came through the Saintess.
And that power’s source was the people’s faith.
Could she gain their faith in just two days?
Honestly, she wasn’t confident.
Worry filled Aria’s face.
“Who’s that guy?”
“Why are they bowing to him?”
“She’s supposed to be the Saintess, right? Shouldn’t he be the one bowing to her?”
As the crowd’s doubts deepened, Arthur said,
“Look them in the eye with confidence.”
“Huh?”
Aria stared at him blankly.
Arthur met her gaze and continued.
“You can’t let your faith in yourself waver.”
“Faith in myself...”
“If you lack faith in yourself, how can you ask others to believe in you?”
“Ah...”
“No matter what anyone says, you were chosen by the gods. Honestly, there’s no need to agonize over this.”
“...Thank you for the advice.”
With her face brightening, Aria turned back to the crowd.
Some immediately shouted.
“Who is that man?! Why is a Saintess who serves Lord Karen bowing to him?”
“Tell us the truth!”
Aria silently gazed at them, then knelt.
She clasped her hands over her chest, looked to the sky, and began to pray.
“Lord Karen...”
Murmuring to herself, she drew all eyes piercingly.
Arthur stepped back to watch over her.
After about a minute,
Her voice grew louder and clearer.
“...Let us repay grace with grace, keep us from the devil’s temptations, and save us from the Demon King.”
As the prayer ended, her body began to glow softly.
“It’s glowing again?”
“Could be dark magic.”
“Huh? That light...!”
The crowd’s eyes wavered as they sensed a holy aura from the light.
Aria’s glow intensified, illuminating the entire square.
Everyone gathered there was enveloped in the light.
A warm energy wrapped around their bodies, calming their minds.
Above Aria’s head appeared the statue from the Scollas Sanctuary: Ardeson, known as the Mother of All.
She spread her arms wide over the crowd with a benevolent smile.
Bright light seeped into hearts filled with anxiety, fear, and distrust.
The light grew, dissolving negative emotions and planting seeds of ‘courage’ and ‘hope’.
Unknowingly, smiles bloomed on their faces, and someone shouted.
“It’s the Saintess!”
Others chimed in in agreement.
“A new Saintess has been born!”
“Let’s welcome the Saintess!”
One by one, they knelt before Aria, gazing at her with awe.
Aria bestowed Lord Karen’s blessing upon them with an angelic smile.
Watching the people accept her as Saintess, Arthur gave orders to Helot.
“Tell the Ventarr Merchant Group to prepare for departure. I’ll head out with Aria once things are sorted here.”
“Then I’ll leave Jonathan behind.”
“Do that.”
As Helot led the Assault Squad away, Arthur turned to Jonathan, now alone.
He was the one who’d fought in his place when he’d challenged Skevin to a duel.
Jonathan met Arthur’s eyes and awkwardly averted his gaze.
Arthur grinned.
“Looks like eye contact with me makes you uncomfortable.”
“N-No, it’s not that!”
Jonathan answered hastily.
But his stammer betrayed his tension.
‘Damn it, you idiot!’
He tried to play it cool outwardly, but inwardly he berated himself.
Arthur, now an object of respect, was no longer the old prodigal.
Of course, Jonathan was drawn to his absolute strength and admired the efforts he’d witnessed up close to grow stronger.
But recalling what Arthur had done to his younger brother made forgiveness impossible.
As admiration and anger clashed evenly in Jonathan’s chest,
“How’s Joseph doing?”
“...!”
Jonathan’s eyes widened in shock.
“You... remember his name?”
“You were the only one who charged at me. So I crushed you harder than anyone.”
“Hmm...”
It was all in the past, but hearing him say it shamelessly and boldly was deeply unpleasant.
Jonathan’s face stiffened.
If Arthur brought up his brother so casually again, he planned to speak up as Joseph’s brother.
He stared straight at Arthur, not avoiding his gaze.
A heavy silence hung between them.
“When you get back to the count’s estate, tell Joseph that I’ll visit when I have time. I need to apologize for what happened.”
“...!”
Jonathan’s eyes bulged.
The Count apologizing to a mere commoner? And visiting in person? Unthinkable.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“I’ve been thinking about it since I heard about your brother. But I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to see you. Time just slipped away.”
“It’s fine. I’ll pass on your sentiments to Joseph.”
“Ask Joseph what he wants and let him decide.”
“Understood. And thank you sincerely for thinking of Joseph.”
Jonathan bowed deeply and politely.
“Apologizing for mistakes and making them right is just what should be done. Especially when it involves comrades who trust and follow me.”
Arthur spoke firmly, then turned to Aria.
The people now treated her with utmost respect in words and actions, as if fully accepting her as Saintess.
Above all, awe filled their faces as they looked at her.
With this, the Anscent Kingdom was ready to regain stability.
Aria stood and approached Arthur.
All eyes followed her to him.
“I told them. That you, my lord Count, are the great hero mentioned in the scriptures, and that you will become the Anscent Kingdom’s guardian god.”
“You made it sound so grand.”
“I only spoke the truth. Now that the concern is resolved, I’ll accompany you, my lord Count.”
“It might be a long journey.”
“Following Lord Karen’s prophecy is also the Saintess’s duty.”
“What about the Anscent Kingdom? You’ll need a new Pope, and there’s plenty to sort out internally.”
Aria glanced at Roth, who answered for her.
“The Seven Priests will manage until the Saintess returns.”
“That doesn’t seem ideal.”
“If you have a plan in mind, my lord Count, we’ll follow it.”
“Hmm...”
Arthur pondered briefly.
If Aria accompanied him, she’d likely stay until the war with the Demon King ended.
No telling how long that would take.
It wasn’t right to make them wait that entire time. He needed the Holy Kingdom to function properly even with her at his side.
There was only one way.
‘Is it time?’
Aria and Roth awaited his decision expectantly.
After a moment, Arthur asked Aria.
“Will you follow any decision I make?”
“Yes.”
Arthur surveyed Roth, the other Seven Priests, and the gathered people.
They all seemed united.
“Very well. I, Arthur Julius, hereby proclaim from this Holy Kingdom, the Anscent Kingdom.”
“...?”
Arthur raised his fist with the Family Head’s Ring toward the sky and continued.
“The Julius Count House declares independence from the Oscar Empire and the founding of the Julius Kingdom. Furthermore, the Anscent Kingdom shall be accepted as the first allied nation of the Julius Royal House.”
“...!”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
But joy shone clearly on Aria and Roth’s faces.
Frankly, none of the cardinals could lead the kingdom.
The Seven Priests were a temporary measure, but they couldn’t handle external affairs.
So they’d hoped to become a vassal state of the Julius Kingdom instead.
Though the war with the Emperor made it risky, he was the great hero from the scriptures.
His appearance meant dealing with the Demon King—no way he’d fall to the Emperor.
And he’d offered alliance as equals, not vassals.
In a situation where they’d have to submit anyway, this was an equal partnership.
Truly beyond expectations.
Aria bowed as deeply and respectfully as possible.
“We will do our utmost to let the sacred light of the Julius Royal House illuminate the world.”
The kneeling priests saluted like knights.
The people, one by one, bowed politely to Arthur in reverence.
The wave spread instantly.
Seeing everyone in the square pay him homage, Arthur felt a surge of burden.
But he saw it as a mission he must bear.
In response, he declared firmly.
“I promise you this: the Anscent Kingdom, standing with me, will shine more brilliantly than ever before.”