Igor seemed somewhat taken aback by Ruon’s sudden proposal, but soon nodded firmly with a resolute expression.
“Very well. I suppose it’s Mother’s will that I was transferred to the Grand Church, that I happened to meet Ruon-sama in the process, and now to defeat this extraordinary demon. I’m honored to join you!”
Ruon didn’t exactly believe that it was like that, but he kept quiet. There was no need to dampen Igor’s enthusiasm.
The High Priestess, who had been directing encouraging glances towards Igor, turned her head and looked at Ruon.
“Warrior, although you may not be Tibella’s Champion, you are embarking on a journey of justice with Mother’s sword. I will assist you in any way I can, even if it’s just in a small capacity.”
Ruon found her words comforting.
The High Priestess’s help was certainly anything but ordinary.
“Since you have come a long way, I suggest you rest here in this mansion and recover. We will meet again before your departure.”
Ruon replied with gratitude.
“Thanks for your consideration. If it’s possible, I have one personal request.”
“Of course,” the High Priestess said, showing an intrigued expression as Ruon used the word ‘request.’
“If it’s possible, I would like this woman to stay here.”
His calm words startled Becky, who had been silently observing the three of them all this time.
She stammered, “Ru, Ruon, I…”
“Very well,” the High Priestess readily nodded, looking straight into Becky’s wavering brown eyes. “You possess a strong soul that remains unbroken despite your wounds. Yes, Mother’s mercy is there for beings like you.”
Touched by the warm words of the High Priestess, Becky’s eyes turned red. Igor smiled warmly and handed her a biscuit.
“Welcome, sister.”
A while later, Ruon was leaning against the head of his bed, feeling the smooth texture of the white sheets. The clean sheets, a rarity in this world, emitted a light scent of oranges and flowers, probably laundered near the garden.
As he closed his eyes, lost in the pleasant fragrance, a small knock sounded from the door.
In truth, he’d heard footsteps pacing outside the door before the knock.
“Come in.”
“…I apologize for intruding.”
Becky hesitated as she entered the room and placed some sweets on the table, speaking.
“Lauren said to give this to you.”
Ruon, who was puzzled by the unfamiliar name, quickly remembered that it was the name of the young woman he’d met at the entrance of the mansion.
Ruon smirked.
“Have you become friends?”
“We just chatted for a bit.”
“I see.”
Although he didn’t particularly like sweets, Ruon popped a biscuit into his mouth out of consideration for the person who brought it.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“I wanted to express my gratitude…”
“Don’t make a big deal out of me saying a few words.”
Becky, who was staring at Ruon’s indifferent face, spoke.
“No one has ever said such kind words to me. Stuff like ‘thank you,’ ‘are you okay,’ or ‘was that hard for you.'”
After saying that, Becky slowly added, “Ruon-nim, may I ask why you’ve helped me so much?”
Ruon remained silent at Becky’s question. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to answer, but because he hadn’t fully grasped the reason himself.
His usual nonchalant response of “just because” didn’t seem appropriate in this moment. He pondered the question for a while.
A short time passed before Ruon slowly opened his mouth.
“It’s because I know what it’s like to feel like nobody else in the world is on your side.”
Becky widened her eyes.
“Have you also had moments like that, Ruon-nim?”
Suddenly, Ruon imagined what expression she would make if he were able to see him when he had first arrived in this world, hidden in a corner of the stable and sobbing in sorrow. The thought brought a bitter smile to his face.
“Well…”
He started trailing off when he felt the warmth of her palm cover the back of his hand.
Becky, clasping her hands together, murmured softly.
“I will pray for you, Ruon-nim.”
‘Huh?’
Ruon chuckled at the unexpected remark, then nodded slowly, thinking that the comment wasn’t entirely needless.
“Well, if you want to, go ahead.”
Becky responded with a bright smile.
***
“What’s this?”
The next day, as Ruon stepped out of the mansion, he was handed an ordinary wooden bow. It had a bowstring, but noticeably lacked a quiver.
The High Priestess answered as if it was obvious.
“It’s a bow.”
“I’ll have to stop by the blacksmith first.”
“There’s no need for that.”
As she spoke, Ruon moved the bow back and forth, and with a strange sense of anticipation, he instinctively pulled the string with his other hand.
Suddenly, an invisible arrow materialized in his hand with a faint glimmer of light.
‘What is this?’
Surprised, Ruon looked at the sight before him with an unusual sense of wonder.
“Is it magic?”
“It’s an item crafted by a skilled blacksmith, using wood nurtured under the blessings of the priests and engraved with magical runes. Since you wield the Holy Sword, I thought it would be suitable for you.”
Unexpectedly, Ruon had obtained a bow that didn’t need arrows.
“It seems valuable.”
“It’s a fitting item for someone as special as you.”
The High Priestess added, “It’s a piece that the paladins, who usually wield swords and maces, weren’t too keen on, so please accept it without hesitation.”
“I’ll make good use of it.”
Ruon replied briefly as Igor, who had his backpack on, approached.
“Ruon-nim, everything is ready.”
“Alright, then let’s be on our way.”
As Ruon said that, he passed by the High Priestess, who was gazing at him, and turned his gaze to Becky, who stood behind her.
-Take care.
Reading the expression on her face, Ruon smiled slightly before turning away.
There was no hesitation in his steps as he moved forward, leaving their brief encounter behind.
***
The Baron of Dunsany’s small castle was immersed in deep sorrow. The reason was the tragic loss of the Baron’s only daughter, Hanna, who had lost her life while playing with the maids on the mountain, slipping and falling.
This tragedy served as a dreary introduction to the tale of the Baron’s grief. However, the story started to become more interesting when an unknown woman began frequenting his office.
Rumors began to swirl.
She was supposedly a witch who had bewitched the Baron under the pretext of resurrecting the deceased Hanna, leading him towards corruption!
These rumors couldn’t be dismissed as mere fabrications for two decisive reasons. First, the nauseating stench of decay and the smell of blood emanating from the tightly sealed office of the Baron, and second, the mysterious woman who could freely enter the office, even though he didn’t open the door to anyone, not even to the lifelong butler.
If there were any suspicious activities going on, one might wonder what the guards and knights of the Baron were doing. However, considering the small and impoverished territory, the lack of well-trained soldiers, and the fact that most of them were now deployed on a northern expedition because of the mad king’s desire for conquest, there was currently no one capable of uncovering the truth of the matter.
Amidst all this, Butler Wuden made up his mind, well aware that if the rumors about the Baron losing his mind were to spread, more than a few greedy men would charge into this small territory with intentions of annexing it.
‘I must take action!’
Wuden, leading his creaking elderly body, made his way to the largest inn located within the territory.
He desperately hoped to find someone he could entrust this matter to. As he opened the inn’s door, he was greeted with the sight of a group of rowdy thugs, their faces flushed from alcohol, confronting a broad-shouldered man.
Next to the man stood a young fellow, seemingly part of his party, trying desperately to pacify the burly man. However, what he said was rather peculiar.
“Oh my, Ruon-sama! Please, this is not the way. At times like this, it is Mother’s will to show mercy. Calm down.”
Hearing these words, the agitated thugs shouted back.
Everyone was drunk, their tongues twisted and slurred.
“What? This little asshole won’t stop talking. You wanna die?”
“Really? Really? These brats think they can mess with us!”
“You’re hiding behind your big friend, that’s why you’re so confident, huh? Huh?”
The thugs spewed insults as they reached into their pockets, pulling out small weapons.
The giant confronted them with a stern face.
“So, when are you going to attack?”
“You bastard!”
The thug at the forefront brandished a dagger and charged forward.
Thud!
Then, with a loud thump, he collapsed onto the ground. His swollen cheek rapidly inflated as several yellowed teeth scattered on the floor.
It was just a slap, not even a punch, but the thug’s face was a mess, and his fellow gang members hesitated, stepping back. It seemed like it had sobered them up a bit.
“Hick! What, what is this?”
“Sh-sh*t. What kind of motherf***er are you?”
“Tony, get up! Are you joking? Huh?”
The giant marched toward them without hesitation.
Behind him, his companion muttered lowly while nervously twiddling his thumbs.
“Alas, Mother, I could not stop him after all…”
The situation ended almost as quickly as it started.
Before the thugs could properly respond, they were rolling on the floor, their cheeks burning in agony.
Had it not been for the vivid blood coming from the faces of the flying men, it would have seemed like a cheap comedy.
The giant, who quickly subdued the thugs, turned his head to meet the gaze of Butler Wuden, who was watching him intently.
“Do you have something to say?”
***
“Do you think this is the right place?”
In response to Ruon’s question, Igor nodded slowly.
“We won’t know for sure until we see it for ourselves, but… it’s likely to be the right place.”
‘Finally found it, huh.’
Ruon looked at the old man who introduced himself as Wuden, momentarily reminiscing about the past.
It had been a while since they had left the Grand Church, and they hadn’t accomplished much.
Igor, who would touch the Holy Sword every night and provide direction, had explained the reason for their lack of progress.
“The amount of Belducius’s power the Holy Sword has consumed isn’t yet enough for it to function as a true compass. It seems it still needs to absorb more of the demon’s power.”
The holy sword could not locate the source of Belducias, but fortunately, it could direct him to a place harboring power similar to what he had already consumed, and thus it had led them to this secluded territory.
While stopping at the inn, they got into an argument with some drunk thugs, and an old man claiming to be the Baron’s butler appeared, requesting their assistance.
They still didn’t know the identity of the woman who intruded into the Baron’s office, but if she was related to the events happening in the location the Holy Sword had pointed them toward, it was highly probable that she was somehow connected to Belducias.
Ruon turned to the butler, who was looking at him anxiously.
“We’ll take care of the matter regarding the Baron.”
