Chapter 42

[…] Russell immediately facepalmed. Obviously it didn’t end well.

“What a jerk.” Lucion poured his drink on Domen’s head who had collapsed on the floor.

As he kept smiling to change his image, he seemed to see himself as a pushover for a group.

“It’s done now. Let’s go back to the villa.” Lucion smiled brightly, relieved.

A person to a person. A dog to a dog.

I should’ve dealt with it like this earlier.

“Don’t you need to drop what’s on your shoulder?”

Carson stared at Domen’s head and replied, “Yes, you can’t shed blood on a good day like this.”

Lucion glanced at the nobles who had always looked down on him and moved his feet. The warning was made clear, leaving the collapse of the Fizat family in its wake.

[It all…runs in the family.] Russell swept his face again.

At least Russell thought Carson would stop it.

“Lucion,” Carson started and Russell licked his lips for no reason, “Good job.”

[Look at that.] Russell laughed in vain at Carson’s compliment.

“In recent years, the frontier has been rather peaceful but I really didn’t like seeing these fearless scumbags running rampant. I didn’t believe it would be solved this well, Lucion.”

“It is said that the Fizat family has a successful business place.” Lucion immediately demanded compensation from Carson. It’s of great benefit to get a place of business for free after talking a few times.

“Okay. I’ll give that to you. Father will allow it.”

“What are you going to do?”

“You don’t have to do anything.”

“I don’t have to do anything?”

“That’s the power the name Cronia holds.” Carson spoke with strength to his voice and Lucion felt his heart pounding for a moment as he looked at his proud expression.

They got into the carriage.

“With the Marquis of Sprika…”

“You don’t have to care about it,” said Carson, cutting off Lucion’s words.

‘That makes me more curious.’ Lucion clapped his lips.

Little was mentioned except for the fact that the Marquis of Sprika took the place of the fallen Cronia to protect the frontier.

“Did you hear that the Great Light Temple is preparing to announce that you have been blessed by a divine beast?” Carson inquired, breaking the brief silence.

“Yes, I heard it from Veros.” During the banquet he was briefly called by Veros who broke the news to him. He also received the divine beast’s apology as a bonus.

“I informed our father that I would be staying for a few more days.”

“Did you tell him already?”

“Father asked me to deliver this message,” Carson smiled as he continued, repeating their father’s words, “Lucion, I’m so proud of you.”

With his mouth slightly open, Lucion couldn’t blink for a few seconds.

Thump. Thump.

His heart was beating fast, and the corners of his lips rose belatedly.

It’s my first time.

I was recognized by my father.

He was trembling from the fingertips with uncontrollable joy.

It was this moment where he finally realized his change.

“Now that I think about it, I forgot this.” Carson looked at Lucion, his voice was more powerful than any other time, and he had a very proud expression on his face, “You endured well. You endured really well, Lucion.”

I held out.

What are you talking about?

Lucion couldn’t find his voice and bowed his head silently.

* * *

“… The Great Light Temple sent a letter requesting the imperial family that those who received the blessing of the divine beast shall be announced.” At Cetyl’s report, the emperor laughed as if he heard a joke.

A person who received the blessing of the divine beast has emerged. It was clear that this was a very sacred and important matter for the Great Light Temple.

The idea of jointly announcing it was as though the Great Light Temple had already approached the imperial family for assistance.

“I have lived for so long, and seen many things happen, but I can’t believe that you bowed your head and crawled here from such an arrogant temple”

“Is it your intention to bury the incident in the Great Light Temple?”

“What do you think, Cetyl?” The emperor asked.

It wasn’t an easy question, Cetyl realized. It was a question raised to test him.

“I believe it’s a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity to put the Great Light Temple under the Imperial Court’s feet.”

“What makes you think that?”

“The Holy Nation, Nevast Kingdom, is growing in strength. Although the majority of the Empire’s priests are Imperials, isn’t it common knowledge that they are influenced by Nevast?”

“Are you suggesting that Nevast’s hand, which is outstretched in the Great Light Temple, should be chopped off?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Both the High Priest and the priests belong to his Majesty as long as they are in the empire.” Cetyl continued with his head bowed, “Blessed by the divine beast, Lord Lucian Cronia is now in the Great Light Temple, Nevast Kingdom. He has become a very important figure for these two.”

“It’s the same with us. Divine beasts do not give blessings; it is something that could not have happened even if you look at the history of the world.”

The divine beast itself was a special existence. How special would it be to be blessed by such a divine being?

“Your Majesty, this presents as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the people that the royal family is above the Great Light Temple.”

“… How could you say the Cronia family? It’s not that I don’t know the loyalty of my Cronia family, but it’s a matter of many things.” The emperor mused, stroking his beard.

Even if the frontier and the imperial family were friendly, they had to check each other in order to maintain the power of the nobles.

But what could be a better chance than this to press the Great Light Temple?

“Cetyl.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I have decided to grant the Great Light Temple priest’s earnest request.”

* * *

“Good morning, Lucion.” When Heint spotted him going down the stairs, he greeted him.

“Your eyes appear to be swollen…? Are you doing well?” Lucion inquired, cutting off Heint’s words with natural ease.

“Ah. It’s going well. I paid a visit to my father the other day. Have you heard from Carson?”

When Lucion did not answer, Heint wiped his sweat and smiled. He seemed to have been training diligently since early morning.

“No, everything’s well. I’m well known for being kicked out of the Knights countless times.”

“It’s a relief that everything went really well.” Lucion said sincerely. Since he became an imperial knight, there was no reason for Heint to be kicked out and no reason for the imperial knight to come to the frontier.

But why hasn’t that red thread been cut off yet?

It bothered him.

“I heard you were blessed by the divine beast. It’s late, but congratulations.” Heint lightly clapped his hands.

“Thank you,” Lucion says, “but I’m not sure if this is something to be congratulated on.” Lucion was very happy that he could receive the protection of the temple, but it was strange to see the fuss around him.

The person who received the blessing of the divine beast never appeared in the novel, so he was not aware of the details.

[What? You didn’t know?]

“… You didn’t know how big of a fact this is?”

Russell and Heint brought it up at the same time.

“Can I not know?” Lucion’s voice raised slightly .

He has been building walls with temples since he was young because of his divine allergy. He doesn’t know the details, even if he knows the basics.

[Yes, you may not.. It’s normal to not know.] Russell nodded as he shifted his weight slightly.

“Yes, you may not know uh, so in any case, it is very important to the temple.” Heint responded as well, slightly avoiding Lucion’s gaze.

“What’s the reason?”

“The divine beast doesn’t give blessings.”

“What?” Lucion rubbed his arm with an absurd sound.

Who gives blessings to the divine beast.

Through the novel he knew about the divine beast’s immense power. Any terrible injury could be treated by the divine beast. Once even a neck was attached with the power of regeneration.

It was dubbed a miracle because it healed hundreds, if not thousands, of people who were suffering from minor ailments at the same time.

Not only that, the power of healing is an attack skill, allowing one to deal with thousands of soldiers alone, but as the power of light is strong, it quickly turns into darkness, making it a regular restaurant for warlocks.

“The light used by the divine beast is often considered a blessing, but that is not a blessing. It’s just light.” Heint pointed to Lucion’s forehead and added, “You may be the first to receive a blessing from a divine beast.”

“Is that so?” Lucion tried hard to raise the tip of his quivering mouth.

He wasn’t pleased at all. Rather, the word curse nearly escaped his lips.

‘Could it be that the person who received the blessing of the divine never appeared in the novel because the divine beast never gave its blessings to begin with?’

He was complacent.

When the realization of suddenly having the same position as a saint struck him, his head throbbed.

‘I didn’t want to get this much attention…You goddamn divine beast!’

When he saw the divine beast yesterday, he should have pulled out its fur, not forgiveness!

Somehow, when I saw myself, I thought I was smiling very happily.

“Lucion?” Heint looked at him worriedly, whose complexion had suddenly deteriorated.

“Should I call a doctor?”

“No, I have something to do, so I’ll go out first.”

Lucion bid Heint farewell and headed towards the front door.

“Won’t it be beneficial for the young master?” Hume inquired.

The thing that Lucion was most worried about was the situation in which the warlock was found out.

“In the end, it all works out, but I hate this kind of situation.”

Lucion summoned the butler, who happened to be passing by.

“Yes, young master,” the butler bows, “What’s the matter?”

“Send someone to the temple. If you say I sent them, they will let them in.”

“What shall I convey?”

“I despise being disturbed, so I hope things will proceed as privately as possible, and tell them that this is not a request, but a condition for me to attend.”

The Great Light Temple will be a mess if he falls out of the place to announce those who have been blessed by the divine beast.

Since the Great Light Temple will have no choice but to comply with his request, only a few people will be invited by constantly coordinating with him, even if it is not private.

‘That’s enough.’

“Understood. I’ll immediately dispatch someone to relay the young master’s words.”

With the butler’s response, Lucion smilled contendly.

“I’ll let you know when I’m out.”

“Yes. Be careful.”

* * *

The place where the key from Devia was used was an inn in the central part. Because the area wasn’t too far from his villa, Lucion and Hume ran lightly in disguise.

―Ratta wants to ride the ‘shoong’, but running like this is the best!

Ratta, who disguised herself as a fat fox, grinned as she ran next to Lucion.

Although shadow movement is a honey-like skill, the amount of darkness consumed was enormous. The quantity required to use the skill was not yet accurately determined.

When Lucion caught Devia, he wanted to know how effective the technique was and used it, consequently seeing blood.

“Go home.” Lucion replied. It was still dangerous to use it outside.

―Hurray! Hurray! Ratta uses ‘shoong’ at home!

Ratta’s footsteps quickly became lighter.

Since he hadn’t run in a few days, Lucion also gradually felt his stiff body relax.

‘Beginning tomorrow, I’ll have to run again.’

The banquet was over. It was time to resume the training that had been paused for a while before returning to the frontier.

It was time to learn a new magic from Russell.

[The darkness should move together.] At Russell’s prompt, Lucion slowed his pace and moved forward, nudged by the darkness.

“Young master.” Hume called Lucion.

Obviously, they began together, but his breathing was calm unlike his.

‘It’s too much.’

Lucion grabbed his face in dejection and said, “What is it?”

“The first young master recommended me to train.”

“You?” The corners of Lucion’s mouth began to rise. Hume’s original strength was formidable, but with training, he will be stronger.

“I stated that I will learn. I need strength.” Lucion halted at Hume’s words.

The desire for strength was because he hoped for something.

A blue thread appeared, connecting him and Hume, suggesting that something has been done which wasn’t acted in the novel.

A good flow came.

As he changed, Hume was also changing.