A Transaction with the Holy Saintess?
In the Holy Kingdom of Lamirie, which nestled beneath the western reaches of the Empire like a sacred jewel, there was no shortage of work to be done. Perhaps, indeed, this journey might entwine itself with matters of true consequence.
Luke Cerberk had long known of this place, the heart of his bad ending in *Sacred Souls*.
For veteran players, the moment the Holy Kingdom faltered marked the very beginning of the ending branch, the so-called “busy” phase of the narrative. *The Holy Kingdom of Lamirie is done for? Hmph. This is going to be rough.*
That was the perfect attitude to adopt.
So Luke had decided to head straight for Lamirie.
Moreover, the information he had received from the Eyes of Chaos pointed to one of the four Destruction-grade Evil Gods being worshipped within the Holy Kingdom itself. The thought made his pulse quicken.
Clink. Clink.
From the ducal lands near the imperial capital, all the way to the western underbelly of the Empire and then onward to the Holy Kingdom of Lamirie, the journey unfolded over days.
The carriage rocked steadily along the roads.
[Religious fanatics are so boring.]
“…Yes, Grandfather.”
[You know about it, too, Nia. Those religious types just chatter on and on with such wholesome nonsense; there’s no fun in them.]
“You’re the one who calls yourself the head of the Holy Church, Grandfather.”
[Hmph! That has nothing to do with us!]
And in the carriage sat Luke, of course, along with Cheon Baek-gyeong and Ellis, and Nia.
The reason Nia had been brought along was simple.
The mission in the Holy Kingdom was expected to drag on for some time, and Luke had decided it was best to take her.
There was nothing wrong with that. After all, she was one of the future Eight Talents, the Calamity of the Single Sword.
Besides, thanks to the careful attention Luke had been giving her lately, her health was at its peak.
“Nia, how are you feeling after eating that thing? Better?”
“Yes, Young Master. Ever since I ate it, my strength has increased dramatically.”
What Nia had consumed was one of the items Luke had procured from Iria Repelheim. In-game it had been nicknamed the “Complete Growth Nutrient,” the so-called Dragon Fruit.
In the real world, just a delicious fruit. Why call it a medicine in *Sacred Souls*?
Because there were real dragons here.
Simple logic.
So Nia, who had gorged herself on Dragon Fruit, had grown stronger than any pill, her growth rates across all attributes climbing.
Having grown up half-starved in Stygna, the combination of Dragon Fruit and rigorous training had left its mark.
“Look. I even have muscles in my arms now.”
[Whoa. That’s muscle?]
“Grandfather, be quiet.”
[Sniffle! Now even the granddaughter treats me like a child!]
While Cheon Baek-gyeong whined like a grumpy old man from the back of the carriage, Luke ignored the tirade and spoke with Nia.
“The mana channels? How are they?”
“I’ve been cultivating them properly. The mana channels are stable now.”
“Good.”
Luke could not teach Nia the Cerberki-style inner energy method. It was the family secret.
So instead he had taken the ranting old man in the corner and forged a new technique by subtly combining the orthodox demonic cultivation arts and tailoring it to the Arkandal Continent’s conventions.
According to the old man, the resulting method was excellent.
Nia was leveling up daily.
“Will I overtake you one day, Grandfather? It’s getting pretty impressive, Nia.”
“…Hehe.”
[Hey! The two little ones are flirting. Sniff.]
“What are you saying, Grandfather.”
Luke dismissed the old man’s complaints with a wave and turned to Ellis.
“Mother. How far are we from the Holy Kingdom?”
“…Not much longer. We should arrive tomorrow at the latest.”
“Hmm. Good.”
The Holy Kingdom was close.
***
The following day.
The carriage rolled through the border checkpoint and arrived at the capital of Lamirie, Saint Deur.
The party stepped down from the ducal carriage and began walking slowly from the city’s edge.
It was Luke’s choice.
“…Whoa. There are so many cathedrals here…”
Saint Deur had been an incredible landmark in *Sacred Souls*, and Luke had planned a quick tour.
He wasn’t standing in Rome, yet every few steps a massive cathedral appeared, a landmark he could spot just by glancing sideways.
Nia beside him gaped, and Cheon Baek-gyeong waddled over.
[Sniff. Country bumpkins.]
“Old man who’s been rotting in the armory for centuries, shut up.”
[Sniff! Bad guy!]
Luke instantly silenced the ghost with a glare.
Ellis, ever the gentle nanny, approached with a quiet smile.
“Young Master, shall I act as your gentle guide?”
“…Ellis. You’ve been here before?”
“Saint Deur is a tourist attraction. I visited it once when I was younger. Some of the cathedrals built back then are still standing, though not quite finished.”
They walked and Ellis’s guide began.
“This cathedral was built during the long stays I had in Saint Deur. I like the old-fashioned details.”
“…Mother, it looks ancient. How old are you exactly…!”
“Asking a lady her age is rude, Young Master.”
Ellis smoothly evaded the question and continued the tour.
Several hours later, a growl echoed from Nia’s stomach.
“Ah.”
“What? Nia, are you hungry?”
“Yes…”
“Well, it’s almost evening. Let’s eat. The cathedral can wait until tomorrow. After dinner, find a decent inn.”
The group entered a nearby restaurant that looked respectable.
Luke, Nia, Ellis, and the ghost took their seats and waited for the waiter.
“Welcome, honored guests. Our specialty today is…”
The menu was recited, orders were placed, and conversation resumed.
“In the Holy Kingdom there are many missions, and I plan to stay for a while. Aunt Ter said she’d tighten the family’s control, and Aunt Hella wants to find the culprit who made her that way.”
Luke spread his fingers.
“We’ll melt into the Holy Kingdom, complete the missions, build connections, and get a feel for how things run. Information is key, so I’ll pass what I know to the information network I set up recently and keep a close eye on the continent’s situation. Plus, I heard something at the palace. I’ll look into that too.”
“An excellent plan, Young Master.”
“I like it!”
[Not bad.]
As the four nodded, the food arrived.
While the party ate, someone entered the restaurant.
“Heh… heh… Master, give me some water first…”
Short purple hair. Black nun robes.
And, most striking, black sunglasses.
The combination was oddly balanced and strangely fitting.
Luke’s gaze naturally drifted toward her.
‘…Hmm?’
His eyes narrowed.
That face… where had he seen it?
‘Purple hair and sunglasses…? Wait, that person?’
He was certain he had seen her somewhere.
That person was…
“Hello.”
She stretched the last syllable slightly, accepted a glass of water from the waiter, and walked straight to their table.
“Mind if I join you?”
She pushed the sunglasses down a fraction and smiled.
***
The meal began with gusto.
She was not one of the dishes they had ordered, yet Luke subtly slid a plate toward her.
“Thank you!”
She took the food and devoured it.
Plates piled high beside her until her appetite quieted.
“Hoo. Full. Sorry, sorry. I was busy with work and got a little hungry.”
She wiped her mouth with a napkin, scratched her head, and introduced herself hesitantly.
“Heh. Nice to meet you. I’m the one who arrived a bit late. I’m… well, I’m…”
“I know.”
Luke cut her off gently.
“The current Saintess, Mirael.”
Luke clasped his hands. Mirael did the same.
“I hope the blessing of Goddess Ramiria rests upon you all.”
“And upon you as well.”
As the prayer ended, Ellis and Nia joined their hands.
“I didn’t expect you to notice. My habits are a little unusual, but they show.”
“I’ve heard rumors about you, Saintess Mirael. The purple hair caught my eye. Are you here to escort us?”
Luke asked.
Mirael nodded with a giggle.
“Hehe. Yes. I finished my task at the cathedral and was heading back when I overheard some discussion at the ducal carriage. A guest had arrived, so I thought I’d have a bite too. Here I am.”
She smiled, answering his unspoken question.
“Then, shall I accompany you the rest of the way?”
Mirael rose and gave a light wave.
***
“Mirael. Keep an eye on them.”
Pope Lefrancisco VII looked up from his desk and spoke to the Saintess.
“Even if they are the youngest son of the Cerberki Ducal Family, the ducal house is still the ducal house. We must watch.”
Among the countless reasons, the most important was…
The pope stared into the distance.
“The gentleman’s words were clear. A moment of darkness has fallen over the Empire. The Eye of Chaos has shown its face in the very center of the capital, Bertora.”
The document in his hand fluttered.
“Our intelligence organization discovered that the Evil God revealed itself on the Empire’s founding anniversary. And… it has been reported that Luke Cerberk encountered the third apostle of the Flirtatious Eye of Chaos, Malkadin Brayden.”
Pope Lefrancisco VII’s expression was troubled.
“The Empire is friendly and cooperative. We have received the interrogation records of the third apostle, Malkadin Brayden, regarding the Eye of Chaos. But we are disciples of Goddess Ramiria. We need more information.”
His eyes sharpened.
“Question the eyewitness, Luke Cerberk. Obtain his detailed testimony after he meets the apostle.”
Mirael tilted her head.
“Don’t worry, Your Holiness. I’ll investigate thoroughly.”
“And if any information surfaces that he has allied with heretics…”
A flick of the wrist.
“Destroy the heretics with the Hammer in your hands.”
“I understand, Your Holiness.”
***
Mirael recalled the conversation with the pope.
Luke Cerberk. The person who had stood before the Evil God in the imperial palace that day.
According to imperial information, the third apostle had been encountered, but no manifestation of the Evil God had been announced.
Mirael believed the Empire was hiding something.
In truth, Luke had traded with the Evil God. Iria had concealed it for fear of scandal.
Only a few knew the truth.
“Well, well. The Holy Kingdom’s papal court is subtly grand, they say. They worked hard to combine restraint and beauty.”
The papal court was revealed.
Smaller than the imperial palace, yet no less artistic.
Following Mirael’s lead, the party was given lodging.
Night was approaching. The meeting with the pope was set for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Luke sat on the bed in his room, arms crossed.
Here, in Lamirie, he would predict the events to come. He recalled the books on the Holy Kingdom from his previous life and pieced together the future.
“Hmm.”
His thoughts deepened.
Cheon Baek-gyeong was in the next room, chattering with Nia.
In the silence that followed…
Knock.
Knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
[Luke-nim? It’s me. Mirael.]
Luke broke the silence, opened the door, and the two sat facing each other at the table.
“What is it?”
“Ah. That is…”
Mirael sighed.
“Hoo. As expected. Pope Lefrancisco instructed me to investigate secretly, but this doesn’t sit right with my temperament.”
She rested a hand near her waist.
“Answer honestly, Young Master of the Cerberki Ducal Family. On the founding anniversary of the Repelheim Empire, did you encounter the Evil God?”
“…Hmm.”
At that moment, Saintess Mirael gripped the handle of the sacred relic St. Margarita’s Hammer.
The instant a hint of collusion with the Evil God appeared, she would swing with all her strength.
But Luke’s answer came…
“…How much have you investigated?”
“…Excuse me?”
Mirael’s sunglasses slid down in surprise, and she met Luke’s eyes.
Luke smiled widely, and in the same smile his gaze was serious.
---
[Met the Saintess Mirael]