CH 104

The trial held four days later served justice brilliantly.

Aside from the fact that the defendants poured out their confessions due to torture, it was thanks to the fact that gold coins, the proof of a contract with the devil, existed as clear evidence above all else.

The Knights of The Pillar of Light couldn’t pretend they were innocent. Vice-captain Lecto, who became a disabled person, was no exception.

At the same time, Thesilid’s dishonorable charge of ‘Believing in the Holy Sword and entering the dungeon alone and causing a burst’ was cleared.

However, there was some pain in this process.

The Knights tried to hold on to Thesilid’s charges until the end, whether they believed they could not die alone or the Doctrine faction instigated them.

They fanatically insisted even though their bodies were in tatters because of torture.

“The, Thesilid Argent caused a dungeon burst by his own hands!”

“He’s right! I swear to God this is the truth!”

The situation in which those who had already been convicted of heresy talked about God was ridiculous.

Tongue clicks and laughter erupted from all over the open courtroom.

“Sir Thesilid, would you object?”

It was when the cardinal who served as the judge gave Thesilid the right to speak with a compassionate feeling, saying, ‘You must be madly upset at these crazy people nonsense, so curse as much as you want.’

“……No.”

This! Pushover Free Pass! Feeding Sweet Potatoes! To us!

I was dumbfounded as I secretly watched from a secret space resembling a theater box seat.

You’re going to be silent here? Misunderstandings are bound to happen.

Unsurprisingly, the tumult created by the agitation of the observers was gradually swelling.

I turned my head back. In the direction my eyes went, Clovis was standing upright.

“What about the witness I asked for?”

“Priest Hestio and Priest Ephael will bring them.”

Just in time, the judge, who ordered silence in the hall, brought witnesses to the court.

Three people who seemed to have just arrived from the countryside introduced themselves.

“Kuh-hum. My name is Dennis Brahm, the Chief of Greenwall Village.… Is this how I do it?”

“Yes, chief, you did well. I am Joan Lyle, president of the Women’s Association.”

“P-president of the Youth Association! Deon Rixter! Greetings!”

They were the residents of Greenwall Village, where the Dungeon Burst took place. The faces of the Knights who recognized them became contemplative.

“Ho-how……!”

“Th-there was a bu-burst, how come, survivors……?”

It wasn’t a question of pure curiosity. From the perspective of the Knights of The Pillar of Light, they were the ones who had to die.

The testimony began.

“Yes, yes. Cardinal. I remember everything that happened that day. It was the day I almost died after all. Early in the morning, the Paladins crossed the village and went up the mountain.”

“Oh, I’m seeing that incredibly handsome silver-haired knight here again. Because of that silver-haired paladin, the Women’s Association was in an uproar since morning.”

“What? Did the paladin climb the mountain by himself? No, everyone went inside the dungeon together. I’m sure I saw it while I was picking raspberries for my pregnant wife!”

It turned out that the Knights’ claim that Thesilid had entered the dungeon alone was false.

Thesilid was able to recover his honor smoothly.

<You did well to bring witnesses from Greenwall just in case.>

As expected, thirsty people have to open the lid of the cider by themselves.

The six members of the Knights of The Pillar of Light were sentenced to be burned at the stake, as is customary for heretics.

For a long time, the cries of sinners echoed in the hall. 

As I watched Thesilid’s handcuffs come undone from a distance, Clovis’ voice was heard.

“Your Grace, tomorrow is the Harvest Festival. How are your preparations going?”

“Is there anything to prepare? As long as I get an escort from Sir when I go in, that’s enough.”

“I mean when you go in. Then, do you have any other plans when you move?”

Clovis’ gaze was seen lingering on Thesilid. It was obvious what he was thinking.

Yep, that’s not it. 

So don’t think about being jealous of your younger brother for no reason, please.

“When I move, I’ll be someone who doesn’t need an escort.”

“What do you mean? The protocol for a Saint is the same as that of a princess in terms of the Kingdom. You must have an escort at official events.”

“A normal Saint would be like that.”

Even Saints have ranks and I’m legendary.

“I will receive not only the ordination of Saint, but I’m also going to be given a post.” 

“……That means, no way.”

Judging by his wavering eyes, it seems that he realized what I was trying to do using the rules of The Vatican.

“How much do you know about The Vatican?”

I just laughed without answering.

I won’t tell you. 

✠

The next day, the long-awaited Harvest Festival started. By Clovis’ authority, I was assigned VIP quarters.

As soon as I woke up early in the morning, I took a bath and worked hard to get ready.

[‘The World-building God’ is very much looking forward to your debut as a Saint.]

World God seemed to be the most excited right now, to the point where his prior opposition to this plan was overshadowed.

[‘The Scales that Judges the Soul’ makes fun of the change in attitude of the ‘The World-building God’.]

[‘The World-building God’ gives strength to the eyes to be quiet.]

[‘The Creative Business Manager’ says it is true that ‘The World-building God’ is honestly expecting the event.]

[‘The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things’ sends a look of agreement.]

[‘The Critic who adjusts the balance’ gives silent consent.]

We must live up to the expectations of the gods of the Bureau of Transmigration.

I rummaged through my satchel bag and pulled out a large box. It is an important item that is essential for today’s work.

Shlahhshhhh..…The sound of rubbing cloth echoed in the room for a while, then stopped.

[‘The World-building God’ enjoys the thrill.]

✠

The Festival of Harvest is one of the holidays in June to appreciate the harvest of wheat and barley, and on that occasion, The Vatican offers a ritual to burn a handful of barley.

The ceremony is held in the courtyard where the torch stand is located.

From the Pope to the cardinals, and then ordinary priests, everyone came to the altar in order of ceremonial protocol and climbed the altar.

It didn’t take long since it was just an act of dumping some grains into the fire. However, there was an exception.

The huge holy grail-shaped cauldron always burns a blue flame, but sometimes the size or the color of the flame changes depending on the person performing the ceremony.

In the church, the brighter and bigger the flame, the more auspicious it was considered.

After the bishops’ ritual, it was the turn of the paladins and the priests. Thesilid, the owner of the Holy Sword, was the first among them.

“…….” 

Holding a handful of grains in his hand, he thought.

How many times will this be?

He was a regressor, so he knew what was about to happen.

On the first Harvest Festival after his return, there was always childish bullying arranged for Thesilid.

As soon as he pours a grain of barley into the torch, the giant flame would be reduced to an insignificant bonfire.

Those on the side of the Doctrine faction, who saw this, would be in disbelief and whisper that he might have incurred the wrath of ‘Strict order and Goodwill’ by violating the doctrine.

They are eager to nitpick at every detail of Thesilid’s behavior and attitude, and eventually, the altar is transformed into a hearing hall to humiliate him.

“…….”

He was seriously sick of it.

“Brother Thesilid?”

“…….”

“Km-hum, brother? You have to perform the ritual.”

“…….”

The bishop, who was in charge of officiating the ceremony, implicitly urged.

Thesilid stared at his face for a moment in silence, then slowly stepped onto the altar.

He stood in front of a huge cauldron.

Ugly eyes were set on his back, expecting him to fall into the conspiracy soon.

At one time in the past, constant efforts were made to avoid or escape. In each episode, he tried to counter by changing the method every time, and some of them achieved quite significant results.

But now everything bothered him.

Psssalt. Thesilid picked up a handful of grain and tossed it into the flame.

It was the most insincere and defenseless ritual of all his episodes.

At that moment.

Pusshhh.

‘…This is something new.’

The blue flames of the cauldron were extinguished entirely.

When he turned his head back, he could see that even the conspirators of this scheme had puzzled looks on their faces.

“T-This is not…what’s going on here…”

“What if you turn it off…”

It was the flame of the torch that has been maintained even in heavy rain and heavy snow since a Saint lit it 200 years ago.

No one would have thought of extinguishing it and turning it into an insignificant trail of gray plume-like smoke.

The problem grew.

Now, in order to prevent the truth from being revealed, the heads of the conspiracy had to blame Thesilid even more. Those who came to their senses began to shout at the top of their lungs.

“Unbelievable! The owner of the Holy Sword extinguished the blue torch!”

“God refused to accept Sir Thesilid’s offering!”

“Sir Thesilid, how did this happen? You incurred the wrath of ‘Strict order and Goodwill’!”

“Why can’t you speak? Have you ever committed a shameful sin?”

From here on out it was the same as every other episode. The light in his eyes dried to death.

I’m sick and tired of it, really.

He’s been utterly tired of it since a long time ago.

“Haaa……”

His hand dryly covered half of his face and his beautiful features slowly began to distort. 

He wanted to end this loathsome life of returning, but this hated soul was not even allowed to rest in death.

He was just a slave to the mission given by ‘Strict Order and Goodwill’.

I wish someone could save me from this terrible boredom and emptiness.

Anyone, please. Before I go crazy!

It was then.

“Wouldn’t it be enough to light the flame of the torch again?”

“….!”

As soon as they heard the voice, everyone opened their eyes wide and turned their heads.

“Huk!”

“Hu-Huh……”

The focus of attention was accompanied by gasps and huffs. This is because an overwhelming divine power dominated the area.

Paladins and priests of low level trembled.

Personnel above the bishop level endured like old trees, but the emotional shock given by the current situation was different.

“Wh-who……”

In their eyes, who had forgotten to even blink, a woman walking across the courtyard was reflected.

Tak, tak, tak.

Escorted by a paladin she was wearing a pure white dress as graceful as a goddess and a cloak as dignified as a monarch.

Even though it was an ordinary gait, it was strangely attractive and elegant, making the viewer’s heart flutter.

Added to an atmosphere that was hard to see in one’s lifetime, no one could talk to her even if she passed in front of them.

There was no information that could be obtained from the mysterious and unfamiliar appearance of such a woman.

The gaze of the church members slipped away from her and turned to the tall man escorting her from the side.

“S-Sir Clovis …?”

“The woman brought by the head of the search party for the Saint is……”

“No-No way …!”

Around the time when confused suspicions spread throughout the courtyard.

Roooar!

Due to the dense divine power, spontaneous ignition occurred in the cauldron and the blue flame of the Saint was revived.

“……”

Thesilid watched her as she gradually drew closer.

Ellet stopped at some point and withdrew her hand from Clovis’s escort.

Her white hand grasped a handful of grains from the sack of barley.

She stepped onto the podium alone and finally met Thesilid’s eyes.

“Sir Thesilid, try again.”

“…….”

“Here, go on.”