The Hidden Skill of the God's Representative Awakens
In the Blue Revolution, all game skills had activated simply by pressing a shortcut key. Even after I had transmigrated into this world, I had continued to use them that way.
When I willed the execution inside my head, the skills activated as naturally as moving my limbs. This had already been confirmed in previous uses, including the Absolute Magic Barrier I had deployed before, along with the Paladin's basic healing and defensive abilities.
But now.
This very moment.
While I read the description of the hidden skill I had obtained for the first time since entering this world, and simultaneously recognized the knowledge of this skill that flooded into my mind like forgotten memories suddenly awakening.
I found myself ensnared by feelings of complex entanglement.
[Hidden Skill — God's Earthly Representative]
"Your Highness, the God calls you to His service as His envoy, having reached the pinnacle of the Paladin class.
In this age filled with chaos and sin, as the highest Paladin, you bear the duty to lead your people along the correct path.
Therefore, as His Representative, show the world the majesty of God.
By calling upon the name of the Holy Lord, He will grant you power.
- Skill usable with praise of the Divine.
- Consume 30% holy power.
- For 30 minutes, all divine skills gain 300% efficiency.
- 7-hour cooldown"
As befitting the grand name of God's Representative, the skill was extraordinarily powerful.
Yet, through the knowledge provided, I realized this skill was absolutely not easy to use.
*'Praise of the Divine... Even as a Paladin, do I really have to do that right in the middle of a battlefield?...*
The words on the description sounded simple enough to be seen as mere praise of the Divine.
But in reality, it meant I would have to shout prayers to the Divine, just like the street preachers and pastors I had seen in my original world.
Even if this world was somewhat more devout than modern times, from my perspective of someone who had transmigrated from the modern era, this was no different from being ordered to pray aloud every time I used a skill.
If only I had attended church...
Living as an atheist my entire life, I had never once prayed. To have to praise the Divine in a loud voice was truly humiliating.
And there was one more problem following that.
The skill's name, , itself was overly grand.
Moreover, the description spoke of shining the Lord's glory and leading people, with much bait attached.
It gave me the strong impression that this skill would not end with simply granting it and that something larger was planned for later.
*'I'm really... is the guy up there looking down on me? For simply maxing out the Paladin level, appointing me as his Representative with no faith... What kind of game is this? If he's going to do that, why not assign it to the Pope or the High Saintess over in Holy Capital Rom across the sea?'*
As an atheist, after being fed such Bible-like stories, I could not help but suspect there might be some conspiracy involved.
However, disregarding the uneasy feeling, I had no intention of abandoning the big picture the quest was guiding me toward for the time being.
From a realistic standpoint, suspicion was endless, but if I viewed it as a direct extension of the flow from the game, there was no real issue.
After all, among the messages that appeared during gameplay with the Paladin class, there were occasional mentions of faith, though not this grand.
Since I had originally possessed that character and job, it was only natural to be faithful to the setting.
Additionally, setting aside mental discomfort and viewing it purely from a practical standpoint, this skill that massively boosts combat power in a short time would surely prove a great help on the battlefield where lives were on the line.
*'Besides, the quest itself, excluding the awkward phrasing, only offers helpful content for me...'*
With that decision made to set the issue aside for now, I turned my attention to solving the immediate situation facing me.
*'Fortunately, I have handed over command, but this is only the beginning. The real question is how to lead this battle to victory from here.'*
In the game, as the Empire's dominant forces, it would have been to crush the Rebel army.
But now, I, as a Rebel commander, must defeat the Empire's forces with my inferior strength.
Still, with the small victories already secured and the surrounding civilian support being won, there were advantages.
But complacency was strictly forbidden.
*'By now, General Burgoyne should have arrived over there. One of the Britain Empire's 9th-rank warriors... I have no direct combat experience against him, but he is certainly no pushover.'*
Facing an enemy who had once been one of my strongest allies.
As a warrior and commander of considerable ability, General Burgoyne was vastly superior to the incompetent Gates. I began coldly analyzing the situation and forming the best possible plan in my mind.
Additionally, although humiliating, I calculated to incorporate the new skill I had just obtained into the right place if the opportunity arose.
*
"Is it true? That General Gates has handed us command?"
"Yes, although he retains authority over the main force, he has allowed us to act autonomously in subordinate units."
To the adjutant's report, Franklin's expression showed surprise.
Gates' command had undergone a complete 180-degree reversal from yesterday.
Franklin felt a sense of relief at having avoided the worst, mingled with curiosity as to why the situation had turned so favorable.
*'Gates would not make such a decision without reason... What on earth is going on?'*
A man as stubborn as he was incompetent had changed his stance overnight, which meant there had to be a reason.
At that moment, when Franklin felt her suspicion deepening.
"General Franklin."
"You are..."
The female vice-commander who had previously stood with her to persuade Gates in the meeting.
With a sharp gaze reminiscent of a snake and dark brown hair, she greeted politely first.
"I am Benellita Arnold. It is my honor to offer this formal introduction to General Franklin."
"Glad to have you. That aside... do you have any insight into the current situation? Why has General Gates suddenly changed his mind?"
"I do not know the details myself. However, rumor has it that Captain Cromwell held a private conversation with General Gates yesterday. There must have been some development related to that."
"!... Captain Cromwell...?"
With a slight, slightly sharpened smile, Benellita answered.
From her known hatred of Gates' defensive strategies, she clearly viewed the current situation in a very positive light.
Meanwhile, regarding her words, although Franklin outwardly showed no reaction, she felt her existing affection for the man deepen further.
*'Indeed... Indeed, Captain Cromwell! Even so, I had thought this would be impossible, but you have reversed the situation once more...'*
It was said that moving mountains was easier than moving a person's heart.
Yet, in just a few hours, Cromwell had achieved what seemed impossible, and Franklin felt admiration, firmly solidifying her belief in his heart.
*'As expected... I cannot continue hesitating like this. If such a great man exists, I must secure him by any means. Last time I failed because of the alcohol, but after this battle ends, I will definitely...'*
With her resolve renewed, Franklin recalled what was most important in her life.
At that moment, Benellita Arnold addressed her with a voice full of seriousness.
"With this, we can breathe again. Let us discuss the tactics ahead. Although we have received command, General Gates remains cautious of his own safety and will likely hunker down here. We must plan accordingly."
"I understand. Then I will prepare, and we shall meet in the war room shortly."
"I understand. Then..."
With those words, Franklin bid farewell to Benellita.
Next, to find the man she held sincere feelings for and who had helped breathe life back into their situation, she began wandering through the fort's interior.
*'If it is Captain Cromwell, he must by now be devising an enormous plan to wipe out the enemies. Ah... the more I think about it, the more wonderful he is. If I could, I would want to nestle in his arms right now...'*
As Franklin wandered the fort's interior with such thoughts, it happened.
*'Ah... I found him.'*
At last, the figure of the man came into view.
In an empty courtyard outside the fort, where even silence felt heavy, Franklin approached Cromwell without the slightest hesitation.
At that moment...
-"Lord, please hear the pleas of Your lowly servant in Your name..."
"?"
A suddenly loud voice from Cromwell.
Franklin's feet halted for an instant...
and clearer sounds began to reach her ears.
-"Under the glory of the Almighty, bless this land so that Your mercy may manifest!"-
"!"
Accompanying those words, a vivid emerald aura began to flow from Cromwell's body.
Unlike anything she had seen before, an intensity of power that was beyond strong.
Franklin became entrapped in deep surprise.
Then.
"Mmm... this should do... It seems... indeed... the effect is solid, but the chanting is a bit much...?"
"..."
In the next instant, while unconsciously turning his head, Cromwell spotted Franklin directly.
Immediately after.
His face hardened completely.
*'...Shit...'*