Chapter 95: Chapter 95

While Shan was solidifying his position as the successor to Count of Shedil, Cheryn was also reaching out to handle various matters in Palles.

One of those matters was establishing a communication network that could gather news from the northern Ajun Kingdom.

Utilizing the connecting route with the Treba territory (a marshland situated east of the Blade Mountains) the path passing through the Demonic Realm dramatically shortened the distance to Ajun.

Until then, receiving news from Ajun in Palles required traveling from the northwest ruled by Duke of Morayen, through the west ruled by Conrad, and all the way to the northeastern part of Libert.

In truth, although the physical distance between the two routes was not significantly different, there was quite a large difference between traveling through a region in the middle of a conflict and traveling through a sparsely populated, barren region.

Comically enough, even the Demonic Realm where monsters spawned was less dangerous than humans filled with malice.

At any rate, Cheryn’s spies, who entered the sparsely populated, barren eastern region of the Ajun Kingdom through the Demonic Realm in that way, gathered local intelligence using large quantities of food as bait.

As a result, they learned that the royal house of Ajun had already issued a mobilization order for a grand war along with a royal marriage.

“It is war.”

[That much was expected. That is not the problem.]

The royal family of Ajun did not define this war as the usual war for plundering.

A holy war.

They had declared that it would be a sacred war to punish heretics who distorted the Goddess’s will.

“Which means…”

[What was bound to come has finally arrived. I will be excommunicated before long.]

Excommunication.

The effect brought by this short word was more powerful than expected.

An excommunicated person was not only stripped of recognition as a follower of the Goddess Religion, but also lost all social standing they originally held, along with their basic human rights.

Therefore, in a sense, they received even worse treatment than pagans or non-believers.

Because doing anything to an excommunicated person was not considered a sin.

That was why in the era of the old empire, an excommunicated grand duke reportedly went to the Pope in person to kneel and beg.

Of course, unlike the era of the old Arman Empire, now that the order had split, it could not exercise such immense power.

In the first place, those under Cheryn’s command were followers of the New Faith believers with no ties to the Holy See.

Even so, there was a reason why she took excommunication seriously.

[The army of the Ajun Kingdom invading this time will not observe the Holy Accord. To them, a force led by an excommunicated person is not human.]

After the First Religious War, the New Faith and the Old Faith signed a Holy Accord stating that the power of the Goddess would not be used in conflicts between humans.

The moment that covenant broke, both armies would receive the help of priests to fight by unleashing abilities transcending ordinary humans.

Naturally, this was disadvantageous to Palles.

Because the Ajun Kingdom, the most extreme Old Faith nation, was renowned for having numerous powerful priests.

Shan let out a small breath, sighing softly.

“It will not be easy.”

[Nothing has been easy up to now anyway. Still, preparing while knowing is better than getting caught off guard. It seems I will have to speed up what I have been preparing.]

“I will inform them.”

[Good. I will get to see your face in person after a long time.]

Despite the serious situation, the spider hopped up and down as if amused.

*

Exactly one week after conversing with Cheryn.

Shan left Shedil City and headed west.

Naturally, he was not alone; he was accompanied by many people.

Starting from Count of Shedil, who rode in a carriage due to poor health, to his retainers, Roden, and minor lords of the east.

The place they headed toward was Moniv Village, located slightly less than one hundred kilometers west of Shedil.

No, to be precise, calling it Moniv City would be more correct.

Originally a fairly large village, Moniv had grown larger in both scale and population than before thanks to ongoing support, to the point where it could now be called a small city.

As the place where the institution managing the priests of eastern Pendia was to be established going forward, expansion was inevitable.

And the monastery next to it was the same.

Not only were multiple lamp magic artifacts brightly glowing starting from above the main entrance and into the interior, but rare heater magic artifacts (still scarce in the east) were placed inside to warm people up.

Considering how neurotically the Goddess Religion had originally reacted to magic, setting up a plethora of such magic artifacts in a place designated to become the new Holy See was akin to mocking the former Old Faith Holy See.

“Have you been well, Priest?”

“It would be right to say I have been well, but honestly I was not. It was quite tiring.”

At Shan’s question, Priest Vent laughed heartily and shook his head.

Just as he said, the toil of the past few months was plainly visible on his wrinkled face.

Was creating something anew that had never existed before not always a difficult task?

Fortunately, there was a precedent to some extent in the Old Faith’s Holy See, allowing them to reference its system.

“Still, I heard you smoothly received support from most of the eastern bishops.”

“Embarrassingly, they trusted a person like me. I must strive to live up to their expectations.”

Responding with a warm chuckle, Vent soon exchanged greetings with Count of Shedil and other powerful figures.

Contrary to his earlier modest complaints, his demeanor… dignified yet open-hearted as he conversed… resembled that of a deeply devout high clergyman.

The usually tranquil monastery was bustling due to nobles and their entourages flocking from various places.

They busied themselves preparing for the event, setting up various structures in the monastery courtyard.

Before long, a priest ran over in haste and shouted.

“Princess Cheryn has arrived!”

Shortly after, several carriages accompanied by an escort of over a hundred cavalrymen entered the monastery.

Cheryn, stepping out of the carriage, was dressed in a dark blue gown that matched her hair color.

Unlike last time when she came as a commander, this time she arrived in her capacity as a princess and lord.

Beside her were Viscount of Treba and the lords from south of Palles across the river.

They too had now come under Cheryn’s power and agreed to act as certifiers for this event.

“Pleased to meet you, Count. I wonder if my knight caused any trouble.”

“Your Highness’s knight was the most precious son I could ever have gained.”

“I am glad to hear that. I felt inwardly reluctant, as though I were giving away my most precious jewel.”

After greeting Count of Shedil, the highest-ranking noble present aside from herself, and exchanging pleasantries with other nobles, Cheryn finally turned her gaze to Shan.

“It has been a while, Young Lord Shan.”

“I greet Your Highness.”

The greeting between the two was somewhat dry to be that of a princess and knight who shared a deep bond.

An attitude as if the heir of a neighboring fief was truly meeting the princess.

This was because publicly, Shan had to prioritize his position as Count of Shedil’s successor over his position as the princess’s knight.

Indeed, the higher one’s rank, the more troublesome it was that meaning was attached to every single word and action.

Though it was something to endure since it came with enjoying greater power.

However, despite meeting after several months and exchanging only a brief greeting, Shan did not feel a great sense of distance from Cheryn.

Because they had continued to communicate even while unable to meet in person.

No, looking at it in a way, it felt as though they had spoken more during the time spent apart than when they lived together in Palles.

Even if the contents of the conversations were mostly related to work.

Afterwards, Shan also conversed with other attendants who had followed from Palles.

The rabbit-eared female knight who had come as Cheryn’s guard, Ravana, waved her hand and spoke.

“It has been a while, Sir Shan! Or should I say Young Lord Shan now?”

“Either is fine. More importantly…”

“Ah, this?”

Sensing Shan’s gaze, Ravana tapped the armor she was wearing and laughed.

“The artisans brought from the capital last time were quite skilled. I heard they even crafted the royal knights’ armor, so there really is a reason they are called the finest craftsmen.”

“Certainly…”

Shan looked at Ravana’s armor with eyes full of longing.

A metallic silver material with a bluish hue, as if blended with some magic metal.

Thanks to a design tailored precisely to bodily curves, the contours of shoulders broader than a man’s, a firm chest fitting for the term pectoral muscles, a thick waist, and thighs and calves bursting with muscle were plainly visible.

Patterns capable of deflecting attacks were delicately carved onto the surface of the armor, achieving both practicality and aesthetics.

Was that all? Joint areas not covered by steel plates (such as wrists, inside the elbows, and the back of the knees) were densely covered with chainmail, and no metallic friction noise was produced even when moving.

How on earth had they treated the joints? Despite having pauldrons, raising arms high caused no discomfort whatsoever…

“Ahem, um… Sir Shan?”

“Yes?”

“Even if I am a middle-aged woman with a child, doing this right in front of everyone is a bit…”

Shan, who was circling Ravana while scrutinizing her armor, snapped back to his senses and backed away.

“My apologies, Sir Ravana. It was such magnificent armor that I got carried away.”

As when he saw the royal knights’ armor in the past, Shan was vulnerable to well-crafted weapons and armor.

Ravana, who had been drooping her rabbit ears with an embarrassed expression, chuckled easygoingly.

“Well, it is indeed that good of an armor!”

In truth, she overlooked it because she was an easygoing person fitting for a former mercenary; had he done this to an ordinary young lady, it would have been a rude act for which he could say nothing even if slapped across the face.

Fortunately, Cheryn, who was conversing with priests far off, drew everyone’s attention, so not many people witnessed Shan’s eccentric behavior.

Only a few knights of Palles who turned their eyes, Roden, and the two squires standing behind Shan.

Roden quickly approached, poked his flank, and spoke.

“Get a grip, man. Why are you suddenly doing things you never do?”

“It was just so cool.”

Even when he saw royal knights at the Magic Society during his younger days, he had not acted like this.

Then again, it might have been because back then he subconsciously knew that attempting such a rude act would lead to serious trouble.

Becoming freer in one’s conduct as one held greater power and could do anything was also a human trait.

*

After the people from Palles who arrived last took a bit of rest, the event began in earnest.

As the sun gradually set and darkness fell, the monastery courtyard became as bright as broad daylight under the light of powerful lamp magic artifacts installed on all sides.

In the cool wind of the season where autumn and winter intersected, people held hands with solemn expressions.

“From now on, we intend to welcome a new era. To end the outdated old faith and allow humanity to take one step further.”

The speech, beginning with Count of Shedil’s aged voice, was carried on by various eastern nobles and the bishops or monastery high priests under their command.

The overall content criticized various evil practices of the Old Faith and praised the newly arisen New Faith created to overcome them.

And it rationalized the declaration of a group to safeguard all this ‘new order.’

Taking her turn last, Cheryn stepped forward in person and declared.

“As the descendant of Great Emperor Baren, Princess of Pendia, and Regent of the Kingdom, I hereby declare the founding of the new Holy See for the followers of the New Faith believers. I appoint Priest Vent as the first Archbishop.”

Originally, the Pope of the Old Faith Holy See was elected through an internal vote.

That authority matched that of an emperor, and now that the emperor was gone, held rank superior even to the King of Libert.

However, the head of the newly created New Faith Holy See was a position appointed by the King of Pendia.

The title was also Archbishop rather than Pope… literally just the supreme head of the bishops of each fiefdom.

It was, in effect, inheriting the spirit of ancient monarchs who created and sponsored New Faith forces to bolster royal authority and suppress religious power.

“As the Archbishop of the Holy See, I shall serve the Goddess, show loyalty to the King, and devote myself to serving the poor and pitiable.”

“That is precisely the will of the Goddess and the King.”

Unlike the Pope who placed the crown upon the Arman Emperor in the past and upon the King of Libert in the present, here Cheryn placed the pontifical crown upon the Archbishop instead.

With this, the Holy See and its administrator to unify and manage the followers of the New Faith believers within Pendia were born.

Afterwards, as planned in advance, Cheryn selected several prestigious New Faith priests of the east and appointed them as key officials of the Holy See.

Among them was Asha, the Altoan female priest under Viscount of Treba.

Appointed as an honorary high priest of the Holy See, she performed a miracle on the spot, healing the arm of a person who had lost it to a monster not long ago, earning everyone’s admiration.

Instantaneously healing severe wounds such as lost limbs was the privilege of the most exceptional priests.

“Oh, my…”

“I had heard rumors, but to think such a talented person was truly in the east!”

Say what one might, the duty of a priest was to display magnificent miracles.

They too needed to showcase that they had someone practicing the Goddess’s will, just like the Old Faith Holy See.

Asha, wearing her mask, moved stealthily and hid behind Viscount of Treba’s back as if the attention directed at her was burdensome.

Seeing this, Cheryn turned her head, looked at Shan, and spoke.

“And one more thing; it is time for my knight to fulfill what he pledged. Come forward, Sir Shan.”

Shan, called by a friendly title unlike a moment ago, knelt before Archbishop Vent rather than her.

An act breaking a knight’s honor, which dictated kneeling to none other than the Goddess and their lord.

Everyone watched this sight with solemn expressions.

“Nameless knight, I do not know what house you hail from. I do not know how great a feat you have accomplished. I know only how devout a person you are. In the name of the Goddess, I shall bless your sword and grace your shield. Your horse shall gallop toward persecuted believers, and an unyielding will shall dwell within your soul.”

A strange echo resonated in Vent’s voice, clothed in the white clerical robes for the Archbishop.

It was the effect of a basic miracle that priests had used since ancient times during sermons to make their voices sound more sacred.

“Carry out the will of the Goddess. Protect the Holy See. Defeat monsters and evildoers, and protect the weak.”

Originally, for paladins of the Old Faith, phrasing to strike down pagans, non-believers, demons, and mages was added in this part.

Naturally, considering that a mage princess was the patron and the paladin himself was an Altoan called a descendant of demons, it was something that must not be said.

“Rise, nameless knight. From this moment on, you shall be the glory of the order!”

As Shan was raised to his feet, cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd, which had been silent all along.

Archbishop Vent patted the shoulders of Shan, the first paladin of the newly born Holy See.

The first Altoan knight was now also the first Altoan paladin.

*

In the evening, after all the ceremonies concluded.

Shan entered the newly constructed guest room inside the Holy See upon Cheryn’s summons.

Cheryn, warming herself by the heater magic artifact she had sponsored, greeted Shan with a smile.

“You have arrived, Paladin Shan.”

“Calling me that feels somewhat strange.”

“You should get used to it now. You are the commander of the Holy Knights under the Holy See, after all. Though you do not have a single direct knight yet.”

“Commander… right.”

Pausing briefly to reflect on the strange ring of it, Cheryn suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked.

“More importantly, what were you doing with Sir Ravana a moment ago? The mood seemed a bit strange.”

“Ah, that?”

He thought she would have been too busy to notice, but when on earth had she seen that?

Shan put on an embarrassed expression and confessed.

That he had momentarily lost his senses because the armor Ravana was wearing looked so amazing.

Hearing the story, Cheryn asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“Is it to that degree?”

“Yes. After seeing that, I felt all the more regretful about smashing Kamad’s armor.”

That armor, which he had patched up repeatedly before melting it down, was also originally a masterpiece like Ravana’s armor now.

It had simply become unusable after being repaired once from being ruined by Shan’s armor in their first clash, and then repeatedly broken and fixed several times afterwards.

Cheryn, quietly watching Shan sigh with regret, muttered softly.

“Well, if so, you will also be pleased with the present I am about to give you. Thankfully.”

“A present?”

“Here, open this up.”

Cheryn lightly tapped a wooden chest that appeared to be part of the luggage she brought.

Opening the chest as directed, Shan let out a soft exclamation of “Ah.”

“This is…”

What lay inside was full plate armor tailored perfectly to Shan’s body.

Unlike Ravana’s earlier suit, it bore a subtle golden hue.

Surely she would not have mixed gold or plated the exterior of armor meant for actual combat, so this too was likely a type of magic metal.

Not only the material, but the overall craftsmanship also appeared equal to or superior to what Ravana was wearing.

It was a suit of armor magnificent and beautiful enough to suit a paladin, the guardian of the Holy See.

“Wow…”

“It is good to see you pleased. It was worth having it secretly made.”

Cheryn smiled comfortably at the sight of Shan marveling like a young child.

Ordering the artisans brought from the capital to use remaining magic metal to craft top-quality armor fitting Shan’s body first had paid off.

“First, try taking off what you were wearing before. Since we need to transfer the mana stones.”

Cheryn detached each of the five mana stones from the chest area of the cuirass Shan took off, then inserted them into the new armor.

Magic patterns engraved on the inside and outside of the armor glowed faintly.

After completing all the procedures, Shan, who put on the armor in cuirass form and activated its function to cover his whole body, shivered at the sensation he felt.

“Wow…”

The one he previously wore was not of poor quality either, but it certainly could not compare to properly crafted armor.

A hardness that left not even a scratch even when he thumped his chest with a measure of Fighting Spirit.

On top of that, a comfort and lightness as if wrapping a single layer of skin over his body.

Meanwhile, his leg strength grew stronger, so that even jumping lightly in place almost made his head hit the ceiling.

“This really has gotten light.”

“As expected, you felt it right away. Along with enhancement, light-weighting magic was properly applied. It is probably less than ten kilograms.”

Cheryn spoke with a proud face.

Not only were many of the previously mentioned technologies applied, but its functions were also enhanced.

Her explanation was that if what was made before was a ‘stew made by roughly shoving in enormous ingredients and boiling it,’ now it had reached the level of a ‘full-course dinner.’

That she succeeded in raising efficiency by stabilizing the magic formula that incorporated various magic.

“With this, I feel like I could truly defeat anyone, no matter who the opponent is.”

“Would you?”

Cheryn questioned back at Shan’s proud words.

For some reason, a shadow hung over her face.

“What is wrong?”

“To be honest, lately I have been getting a bit anxious.”

“About what?”

“You know. That I will soon be excommunicated. Half the world, perhaps even more, will be hostile to us.”

Cheryn, murmuring in a faintly trembling voice, ran her hand down her blue hair.

Anxiety leaked from her gestures.

“Honestly, as time goes on, I grow less certain. Can we truly win? Will my people continue to stay loyal to me? What if those Old Faith bastards have some hidden trump card?”

What was contained therein was fear of an uncertain future.

Unlike in the past when she confidently spoke of the future in the royal palace, she too could not hold the conviction that they would definitely succeed.

Such anxiety grew stronger as she grew older and saw and experienced more.

Because unlike before, she had come to realize that war was not like magic or mathematics, where inputting numbers produced a fixed result.

And because as she came to possess more, there was more to protect, and more to lose in the event of defeat.

Last time when discussing excommunication, such emotions had not been conveyed.

Because what the spider could transmit was ultimately nothing more than words.

Shan, quietly observing the anxious Cheryn, manipulated the armor to return it to cuirass form.

“Do not worry too much, Sister Cheryn. You have me.”

Shan lacked the eloquence to soothe her with all sorts of colorful embellishments.

He merely offered comfort by speaking of what he had done so far and what he could do in the future.

Recalling how he had comforted an excited Cheryn in the past, Shan embraced her tightly just like that.

He felt her slender body (which seemed as though it might break the moment he applied full force) tremble before growing calm.

From the blue hair tickling his nose came the scent of citrus and roses, as well as the subtly complex smell of alchemical reagents.