Garesto Academy – Intermission – ??-??: The Holy Hand Approaches (1/7)

Garesto Academy – Intermission – ??-??: The Holy Hand Approaches (1/7)

In the corner of a small town stood a large building.

For a town like this, the most magnificent building was the facility commonly referred to as the church.

Yet while that building might have an air about it similar to that of the largest religion in Earth, no cross could be found on it, only a ring ran through vertically by a straight line.

It looked just like the (Phi) character from the Greek language, and it could be found on the wall of the building.

There were no stained glass windows either, and the object of their faith, a female statue, was small, void of the slightest hints of splendor.

But of course to the latter, the issue was less the practices of the religion, and more the scale of the church.

Being about a size bigger than the surrounding cabin-like houses made of wood and stone, it was so simply made that the old priest stationed here could patrol the whole area alone.

An altar and a chapel just big enough for people to offer their prayers, behind which could be found a confessional merely as big as two coffins lined up.

There was also a small room to accomodate the rare traveler and devotee.

The priests private quarters and the other facilities could be found in the back, but they were barely sufficient.

Its hard to believe that this was the most powerful and only religion of this world(), but there was a reason for all of this, that reason being that this was a corner of a country that their religion could not penetrate.

And yet for the sake of the few devotees within the country and the devotees from other countries that visited, they couldnt help but build a church in this small town close to the borders.

The church in this country was that irrelevant.

But it was exactly because of that

Do you mind if we stay the night? A man asked.

A-Archbishop Oreil! Why could you come to such a remote church like this at this hour? The priest replied.

The priest was shocked that such a person would come without any prior notice, and so late in the night too.

But that was only natural. After all, the archbishop was a top-level positions that numbered no more than 12 throughout the world. That was a position just two steps below the pope.

The world he lived in was completely different from a priest stationed in a remote church like this.

Perhaps thats the reason why the Archbishops attitude was so curt despite the suddenness of his visit.

Theres no need for a mere priest such as yourself to know. Fear not, I expect nothing from a place like this, just lend me a room.

I-I understand. B-But, the people behind you are

The archbishop may have been arrogant, but his position warranted such arrogance.

As someone who held a leisurely position, the priest didnt mind the attitude, but the problem was that there were people other than the archbishop.

There were around 10 armed men in filthy clothing. Their outfits suggested they were mercenaries, but they could also easily be mistaken for a band of bandits. The priest frowned.

Indeed, one shouldnt judge by appearances, but that vulgar color in their eyes and his many years of experience were telling him that they were in fact the latter.

Then his wrath turned to that existence partly responsible for his predicament.

All that sweat and blood spent talking to all those nations to establish an alliance, and even that position he spent his whole life pining for All of it was gone, and the person behind it all was the Mask Not knowing that the church had intended to dispose of him all along.

Just you wait Haa Haa

Perhaps he was finally satisfied after letting out his pent-up anger or perhaps hed merely gotten tired, but regardless, Oreil sat on his chair again, though his breathing remained haggard and the anger on his face did not fade.

But when he thought of what was to come, that too calmed down, and a smile appeared in its place.

When he took out a small wooden box from his chest, that smile grew only bigger.

Ku, ku ha ha ha! Wash your neck and wait, you filthy, meddling assassin. At long last, this Archbishop Oreil will bring you the divine punishment you so rightfully deserve!

A twisted smile unbefitting a clergy man surfaced on the archbishop as an unsightly laugh resounded.

An existence that has left his mark on the history of this world will be destroyed as an enemy of the church.

But beyond that, he would recover that which he had lost No, he would gain even greater honor and authority

As foolish as it was, he believed that wholeheartedly, not even realizing that the other side might fight back, only allowing himself to revel in that sea of excitement and joy.

And since when did you become distinguished enough to call divine punishment?

It was then that a quiet voice as cold as ice resounded.

For a moment, Oreil didnt understand. One reason was because that voice belonged to a woman, another reason was because the voice came from outside.

But before he could react any further, the girl leisurely opened the door and entered.

W-Who goes there!? I-I mean, whos esteemed self do I owe the honor to!?

The poor excuse of a light that he had made him unable to immediately recognize the person that appeared.

But the existence of this visitor was just too dazzling.

She was likely a young woman in her twenties.

At first glance, she seemed to be wearing a white robe, but a better look would show that she was in fact wearing a nuns garment, and she was wearing a wimple of the same color as well. A sister then.

She looked too gentle to be the owner of that cold voice, but for some reason, her eyes were closed.

A-Ahh, w-why are you in a place like this!?

Oreil said upon realizing who it was.

It was just a young girl, and alone at that, and yet the sight of her felt as though hed found himself in the guillotines already.

But thinking that there might still be a chance to turn things around, he acted as though hed merely been taking by surprise, and hastily knelt before this woman that was less than half his age.

My holiness, if it would not trouble you, please enlighten this one as to why the saint herself would arrive in such a remote place as this?