Chapter 95: I Have A Brother
In the Castle of Blessings, Lucerne, if one were to ask who formed the backbone of the hierarchy, most would point to the Pope as the representative of God.
However, unlike the common perception, the citizens of Lucerne would all answer priests.
Not a cardinal, not a paladin, nor a bishop, but a priest barely positioned under the ecclesiastical hierarchy?
However, considering that it was the priests who created believers and that faith persisted through the existence of believers, there was no room for dispute.
But no matter how gracious the gospel is, its useless if its despised by the kings and nobles who tightly hold the surroundings.
Thats right.
No matter how noble the intention, in their eyes, we are external forces within the citizens of Lucerne.
Of course, thats inevitable.
Shiron smiled brightly at the man in front of him.
Paulo Martini, the dispatched bishop.
A man with greasy golden hair brushed back. A nasty look in his eyes and a hooked nose settled on his gaunt face.
At first glance, he seemed strict. However, he was a person of integrity who had gained the trust of the natives in the conflict zone within a year of his appointment.
It was heard that he had a past as a promising knight of the Steel Knight Regiment, but he retired due to a terrible accident. Shiron glanced at his prosthetic leg below the knee.
The prosthetic, bearing the seal of the Pope, prevented chafing where the flesh met the artificial limb.
Fascinating every time I see it.
Shiron often felt curiosity and the urge to explore elements not present in the game.
Though it seemed childlike for a possessor from another world, it couldnt be helped. His body was a 17-year-old full of hormones, and the mind tended to follow the body.
And.
Using only elements from the game was not enough to navigate the situation. It was true yesterday and would be in the future. Shiron had to use everything in the given situation without hesitation.
Eventually!
Thump-
As Shirons gaze seemed to wander, Paulo stamped his prosthetic leg on the ground.
Even if their nature is not so, priests should show a neat and gentle demeanor. Each one of them is virtually an ambassador sent to foreign countries!
I know that. So, please stop preaching and sign this. Then I can decide whether to graduate or not.
Ha.
Paulo covered his face with both hands. The young mans brazen attitude gave him a slight headache.
He rubbed his heated eyelids and looked at the pile of documents on the table.
Shirons school records.
[Shiron Prient]
[17 years old]
[Currently in 3rd year at Lucerne Theological School]
[Youngest to enroll, youngest to win the runner-up in the martial arts competition, youngest to place in the academic competition, youngest to subdue demons, youngest to subdue heretics]
An impressive record. It had to be, considering the young man in front of him was the greatest prodigy since the establishment of the Lucerne Academy
Although his admission was assisted by a recommendation letter from Captain Malleus, he had passed the entrance exam of Lucerne Theological School, which usually admitted 17-year-olds, at the young age of 14.
Could a child who hadnt even been baptized pass the entrance exam of a theological school, where most people had to memorize the gospel their whole lives? It was natural for the people of Lucerne to focus on Shiron.
And the young man began to break all sorts of records.
But
Despite this, Paulo hesitated to let Shiron graduate.
It wasnt a concern about sending a precious talent outside but because Shiron was not fit to become a priest.
He flipped to the last page of the academic record.
[156 absences, 14 tardies, drinking in the dormitory, assaulting upperclassmen, unauthorized dormitory entry with an elf girlfriend]
Each one was enough for expulsion. Paulo was dying to know who was backing this young man so that he could stay until his third year.
The assault on the upperclassman was dismissed with a petition from his peers, and the elf girlfriend was somehow covered up as a guardian, but absences and drinking should have been inexcusable
Sigh
Bishop Paulo. What exactly is the problem?
As Paulo sighed without answering, Shiron spoke with an annoyed tone.
You saw the group of special heretics I subdued yesterday, didnt you, bishop? Captain Malleus himself said that with such achievements, I could easily earn early graduation and even ordination.
Ordination just like that?
Priest. I misspoke. Anyway.
Shiron gave Paulo a warm smile.
Paulo looked into Shirons crescent-moon-shaped eyes.
Although Shiron seemed to have a friendly expression, Paulo knew just how cruel this young man could be.
Giving Shiron the priesthood now could lead to unimaginable consequences.
The rumor that a priest of Lucerne is a heartless devil would spread.
Paulo made up his mind.
He resolved to persuade Shiron right here and now.
Do you really need to become a priest? Youd be better suited as a paladin no, an inquisitor. More than suited, youre a born inquisitor!
Bishop.
What?
Paulo responded a bit late.
Becoming an inquisitor means I cant return home.
Thats true.
Indeed, it was true. The inquisitors of Castle of Blessings were an elite group formed from orphans with nowhere to go. Naturally, they had a culture of being deployed on missions without much leave.
I have younger sisters and many dependents to take care of.
Dont lie. Everyone in Lucerne knows youre a high noble of the Rien Empire.
I received a bunch of letters even a week ago.
Shiron sighed heavily and handed him the envelopes.
Rustle-
It wasnt just one or two.
A multitude of letters practically spilled out onto the table.
Dont you feel it, bishop?
How many are these?
About thirty-five.
Thats insane.
I think so, too.
Shiron chuckled as he looked at the sender of the letters.
Siriel, Siriel, Siriel 30 letters
Lucia, Lucia 4 letters
Victor 1 letter
Whats with this guy sending letters every month?
Shiron tore Victors letter. No need to check. It would be a plea not to come to the academy, as well as complaints about dealing with the bugs creeping around Lucia and Siriel on his own.
My sisters really miss their brother.
I understand
Paulo sighed deeply, signed the paper, and stamped the still-wet license. The youngest priest was born right here.
[Priest License]
A shiny identification card. This was a ticket to enter the holy land.
Shiron tucked the license into his pocket and smiled at Paulo.
Please send my regards to Captain Malleus.
I will.
Maybe well meet again if fate allows, bishop.
May Gods blessings always be on your path.
Thank you.
Shiron left the cathedral with a lighter heart.
As he stepped outside the cathedral, he saw many patients lying in outdoor beds. As expected in a conflict zone, indiscriminate factional fights were still ongoing. It was routine for patients to seek help from the cathedral.
This is also the last time for today.
Shiron approached the nearest patient.
Warm energy was emitted from his hand, easing the patients pain. Minor wounds could now be easily healed.
The patients face, previously contorted in pain, relaxed, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Subdeacon thank you every time
Im a priest now.
Priest. Thank you every time.
Yes. Shiron Prient, the youngest priest.
Ah, yes.
Shiron didnt forget to mention his name. It was in anticipation of possibly meeting Latera even if he didnt go to the holy land.
In the sun-drenched courtyard in the middle of May,
Under the flower-covered gazebo on the rooftop, Siriel Prient smiled contentedly at a letter written in elegant calligraphy.
Click-
Ah, is this too much?
Siriel pushed the perfume bottle aside and fluttered the paper in the air.
The scent of the perfume might be too strong. Brother might think Im cheap.
Siriel held the paper close to her nose to check if the scent was overpowering.
Siriel.
Eh, yes?
Startled, Siriel looked straight ahead.
In front of her stood a slightly grumpy-looking friend. However, it was not Lucia.
Gracie Versailles. A classmate who entered the academy with Siriel and Lucia. Rumor had it she was the daughter of an old and distinguished martial family but that wasnt important to Siriel.
Can I ask you something?
Sure, ask away.
Siriel answered with a broad smile.
Who are you sending that letter to with so much effort?
Just a greeting letter to my brother.
Really?
Yes.
I see
Gracie sipped her now-cold tea. Spraying perfume on a letter seemed like sending a love letter. Still, the recipient being her distant traveling brother dampened her interest.
Siriel Prient, her friend, was usually a cold and unsmiling girl.
However, there were times when she openly showed her emotions.
When she sparred with her other friend Lucia and when she wrote with a gold-plated feather pen on cute paper.
But really, are they actually sisters?
Gracie glanced over the railing of the rooftop. Below, a red-haired girl was fiercely beating up her seniors.
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