Chapter 45: Chapter 47

The day of prophecy finally arrived.

Adelia went to Zephyros against Ivan’s opposition.

‘It was really hard to get here.’

In fact, it wasn’t that hard to get into Zephyros. The lord’s restrictions throughout Zephyros were, of course, maintained, but in fact, they only controlled the exit. They were free to enter.

‘The lord of Zephyros seems to have a lot of connections.’

Surely the royal family did not like his dogmatic restraints. And yet, given that he’s maintaining this restriction, I’m sure someone who has considerable power in the capital has helped him. A power that even the emperor cannot easily wield.  It was obvious who it was.

The problem was persuading the Grand Duke.  Adelia sighed and recalled the war of nerves with the Grand Duke.

‘I will go to Zephyros.’

‘It’s dangerous.’

‘I want to make sure of something.’

‘What do you want to know? I will send a knight to check it instead.’

‘No, I have to see it with my own eyes.’

I had to see with my own eyes how much Hestine’s strength was.

Adelia and Ivan’s eyes were at odds. Neither of them wants to back down.

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For Adelia, she didn’t want to do anything that would upset her helper, Ivan. But this time she can’t back down.

There was a definite difference between knowing through other people’s mouths and seeing and knowing it directly. Adelia is confident she can protect herself. She can just stop time and run away.

In the end, Ivan avoided eye contact first.

‘Alright. Then I’ll come with you.’

Spencer, the assistant, who was watching the war of nerves between the two  shouted with his veins popping out at the Grand Duke’s declaration.

‘No! Your Highness! There are a lot of pending documents right now…! I’ll go instead!’

‘…….’

‘…….’

Spencer said tearfully at the silence of the two.

‘Both of you are so mean.’

Ivan coughed, dodging Spencer’s gaze.

‘Even if you go there, you will only get in the way’

‘…I agree.’

Spencer was strong when he held a pen, but he was not gifted in swordsmanship.

Spencer realized his ability and shut up.

‘As expected, I have to go….’

‘I’ll go.’

Lensley, who was silently watching the situation, intervened.

The Grand Duke’s gaze turned to Lensley. He knew that Lensley was outstanding. Surely with Lensley’s ability, Adelia could escape in case. Even though he knew this, the Grand Duke could not readily say yes.

Lensley said to the Grand Duke with a determined look.

‘Your Highness, believe me. I will definitely ensure her safety.’

‘… I believe you.’

So it was decided that Lensley would go with him instead of the Grand Duke.

Of course, Adelia has no say in this. If Adelia refused Lensley’s company, Ivan would not let her go at all.

“Ha…”

A heavy sigh poured out between Adelia’s lips after recalling what happened.

At her sigh Lensley tilted her head.

“Viscount. Shall we find a place to stay?”

“Well, I wonder if there’s an inn in this mess up place that runs normally….”

At that, Lensley turned around and looked around the city. Obviously, as she said, people were heading somewhere with loads packed in their bags. They’re probably going to the shelter because the territory’s access is restricted.

“Well… That’s right.”

“But we still need a place to stay, but it would be difficult.”

After a moment’s consideration, Adelia entered an inn nearby.

“Now, Viscount…?”

Lensley hurried behind Adelia in a panic. As Adelia expected, the inn was empty.

“We don’t know when the restrictions will be lifted, so let’s sleep here.”

“But the owner is not here.”

“But we can’t sleep on the street, can we?”

Zephyros, located in the north of the empire, was now in the middle of winter. In order to avoid freezing to death, people on the street sleep when the sun rises since the weather is very bad.

“I’ll pay for the accommodation, so don’t worry.”

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Adelia took three gold coins out of her pocket. The owner of the inn was busy running away, so she put it in the safe. This was about a month’s worth of income for an ordinary inn.

Thump!

Then, the ground shook loudly with a great roar. Adelia had a hunch. The disaster has begun. Lensley noticed it, too, and his expression hardened.

“Lensley, can you tell me where the vibration started?”

When asked by Adelia, Lensley pondered for a moment. He then nodded slowly.

“Yes, it started in the south about 30 minutes away from here.”

It’s about 30 minutes away….

The disaster began not as far away as she thought. Tensions slowly spread over Adelia’s face.

“Let’s move.”

“…are you really going? It’s not too late yet. When the beasts come, the troops will flock there, so you just have to use the gap to get out.”

Lensley persuaded Adelia. But his persuasion did not move Adelia’s will. Adelia spoke to Lensley in a determined voice.

“No, if I were to run away now, I wouldn’t have come in the first place.”

“Viscount…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll just watch the saint preventing the disaster from afar.”

In her determined eyes, Lensley sighed and nodded.

“Ha… I see. You just have to watch from afar.”

“I promise, Lord Lensley.”

Having obtained Adelia’s promise, Lensley took a heavy step and guided her to the place where the battle began.

A fierce battle that cannot be predicted has begun.

“Block him! We must stop him!”

“Geez! You little buggies. Kill them!”

“God bless you….”

The white armor, which symbolizes the temple, and the gray armor of the Imperial Army were mixed and confronted the beasts. But the disaster was a little different from the first one in Rohen.

There were more than twice the number of magical beasts, but it was not the only thing that made it difficult for the Temple Army and the Imperial Army.

A huge red flower was blooming on the battlefield. It was a plant that exuded a curse. The spores of the flowers burst and an unidentified red fog spread throughout the battlefield. Along with dirt dust, black blood flowed from the mouths of the soldiers who inhaled it. It was a typical symptom of the curse just before they die.

“Damn it! It’s a curse! Get rid of the flowers first!”

“I can’t reach it!”

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“Priest! What the hell are they doing?”

“Ack, the priests are treating the injured in the rear!”

“Damn it. I’m going to die before I get treated!”

After the appearance of the cursed flower, the expedition quickly fell behind. The support of the temple was desperately needed. If it wasn’t for that flower, they could win again!

‘Ah… it’s so terrible.’

Hestine’s hands trembled slightly at the sight of the bloody battlefield. It was her first time seeing something like it.

In Rohen, she did not have to watch the horrific scene as she was buried in her brother’s arms. In the first place, she had never been on the battlefield. But now, this is…

“I’ll… slowly bless….”

“No, not yet.”

Bishop Hebra cut off Hestine’s words firmly.

“But at this rate, the damage will be even greater….”

“You have to wait for the right time, saint. If you step forward now, the effect will be halved.”

“What? Effect?? My blessing will work if I use it right now, right?”

Hestine, who did not notice Bishop Hebra’s intention, asked curiously. Anger flashed across Bishop Hebra’s face, which was always smiling nicely. Of course, it was only for a moment and no one noticed his irritation.

“Blessings are supposed to be given when you are most desperate, when you think there is no more hope anymore.

“That…”

“If it comes down too easily, it’s not a blessing. We cannot abuse our blessings. The more you do that, the value of blessing in people’s heads will be less. Do you understand?”

Only then did Hestine understand Bishop Hebra’s dissuasion. Preserving the value of blessing. The value of blessing is the reason for the saint’s existence. Hestine nodded slowly and waited for the right moment.

A few moments passed.

When they became accustomed to the desperate shouts of the knights, Bishop Hebra spoke.

“I think it’s time to go out there.”

A magnificent thud echoed over the suit. The sound filled the faces of the soldiers who were struggling to continue the battle.

“This sound…”

It was the saint. She finally stepped into this fierce battlefield. The mere presence of the saint raised the morale of the soldiers.

“Saint, your safety is our main priority. Keep this in mind and don’t go outside the wall of knights.”

“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

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Hestine moved forward. Unlike the smooth floor of the well-polished Duke’s castle, the floor was soaked in an unidentified sticky liquid.

A red liquid, which appeared to be human blood, was also seen.

“Ugh….”

She felt nauseous.

Looking at Hestine’s pale face, Bishop Hebra asked anxiously.

“Are you all right, saint?”

“…yes…it’s bearable.”

“Please endure it.”

Hestine nodded with difficulty at his request. She walked the path made of soldiers’ blood and reached the center of the battlefield.

“Please.”

The eyes of those surrounding Hestine gathered together and asked her to do it. Because it was she who could win this chaotic war.

‘I can handle this.’

Because she’s a saint and a Valkyr princess.

Hestine gently clasped her hands as she heard the screams echoing from all sides. Like praying to the goddess.

It was that moment. Bright light spread around Hestine covering the battlefield.

“The flower disappeared!”

“Attack!”

As the light disappeared, the soldiers swung their weapons at the beasts. Perhaps because of the sacred power spread throughout the battlefield, the evil spirits were slower than before.

“Finish it!”

“He’s the last one!”

“Archer! Go for his eyes!”

Thump.

The last remaining giant horse was hit by a pincer and collapsed. It was a victory for humans. Hestine wept at the overwhelming sight.

‘I did it…!’

The soldiers turned in unison and looked at Hestine. They paid tribute to the saint who created a miracle.

“Thank you, Saint!”

“If it weren’t for that blessing, this expedition would definitely fail!”

Cheers swirled around her. The anxiety that filled Hestine’s face vanished, leaving only a proud smile.