I Saw It Clearly (3)
The events of the ordination ceremony had a significant impact.
Even though it was just an apparition, the Skeleton King's magical power had appeared at a priestly ordination.
"Thanks to the cardinals' efforts, things passed without incident, but how could the Skeleton King enter Hella?"
Naturally, the matter became a key issue in the Imperial Court.
The Five Grand Dukes, who held the highest rank in ceremonial protocol, as well as many central nobles, gathered to debate.
"It seems there was a problem with the Holy Water vessel."
"You mean the vessel used to gauge compatibility with the gods?"
At the Emperor's question, Elijah, head of the House of Cheong, nodded.
"Yes. There was a summoning sigil engraved on it. We're investigating the supplier of the vessel, but with all the foreigners entering for the founding festival, it likely got mixed in."
"That may be, but isn't there also a problem with the Empire's barrier?"
At Cardinal Verit's words, the nobles stirred.
Barrier issues were a constant concern in the Holy Empire.
Sure enough, Cardinal Verit's golden eyes gleamed like a raptor spotting prey.
"Originally, the Empire's barrier alone should have been enough to completely block out demons. However…"
"We are aware. The Empire's barrier has been weakening for the past 150 years. It has become easier for demons to enter."
The barrier of the Holy Empire Hella was maintained by the Holy Dragon, and the Holy Dragon was the responsibility of the Imperial Family. The issue was that the Holy Dragon had been neglecting its duties.
Knowing well what the papacy was trying to imply, the nobles clicked their tongues inwardly.
'So they're trying to shift the blame away from the papacy.'
'This is ridiculous. Who in this age can even control the Holy Dragon?'
'Still, it's a good opening.'
After all, the power of the Holy Dragon was what granted the Imperial Family its tremendous authority.
The papacy couldn't recklessly oppose the Imperial Family because of that unique power. So they were likely trying to use the barrier issue to expose a weakness in the Imperial Family.
However, the head of House Cheong interjected.
"If there were a serious problem with the barrier, the Skeleton King wouldn't have only sent a projection. The fact that only a trace of magic got through means the barrier is still sturdy."
At those words, Cardinal Verit looked at him with displeasure.
How bold-House Cheong, supposedly neutral, now siding so openly with the Imperial Family just because they were in favor with the emperor?
The papacy, a noble faction, could hardly welcome that development.
"Regardless, this incident serves as a wake-up call. We must hasten the cultivation of the Saint. The Imperial Family will soon visit the Holy Dragon's abode, so worry not."
"Understood!"
As the meeting ended, the nobles and clergy continued their chatter.
Surprisingly, despite the weighty topic, their expressions were filled with excitement.
"Esua pulled it off, didn't she?"
If it concerned one of the Five Great Houses, even the death of a pet would spark a month of gossip.
"Cheong isn't finished yet! Apparently the youngest of Cheong drove away monsters using the Sacred Purification. That's her specialty, they say?"
"Pfft, isn't that the sacred technique the papacy's been dying to get their hands on? That's unexpected-from House Cheong?"
"She even withstood the Skeleton King's curse and grew stronger from it!"
"Wow, the papacy's expressions must've been priceless. They're basically enemies, after all."
"I think it's more impressive that the ordination ceremony wasn't halted."
Even though the Skeleton King's projection was only a magical illusion, it was still a demonic attack.
With the remnants of demonic energy lingering, people wondered if the ceremony could continue but the Pope resolved everything cleanly.
With a simple wave of the hand, the shattered hall was restored, and all demonic energy was eliminated. No wonder he was called the greatest leader of the Holy Faction.
Isaac, who had witnessed it, had an understandably sour expression while the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Truly His Holiness, the Pope!"
"That little Esua is amazing, but she's nothing compared to His Holiness!"
Everyone was praising the Pope like that-except for one person.
'Nothing compared?'
It was Kina Verit.
He clenched his fists as he listened to the returning priests from the papacy. Of course, he wasn't displeased to hear praise for his grandfather—but still.
'Are you kidding me?'
They had no idea what Isaac had done.
'That was clearly Grandfather's technique.'
No casualties simply because of the Pope's grace?
Ridiculous.
It was because Isaac had driven away a high-ranking demon lurking there that no one was harmed at the ordination!
That's what allowed them to turn the Skeleton King's intrusion into a positive
narrative.
'He drove away a demon with just a look.'
A divine aura so overwhelming that it strikes terror into demons with its sheer force and pressure.
That was a kingly technique only the Pope could use.
No matter how much he tried, Kina had never been able to reach that level since childhood.
And right after the event, he had clearly overheard his grandfather and father speaking:
"Keep a close eye on that child."
His grandfather had said that.
There was definitely something about Isaac.
At that moment, a golden elder approached Kina.
"There you are, Kina. A request has come in. It's from the Marquis' family-wait, where are you going? Kina! Kina!!?"
***
"Wow, nephew, congratulations. Really, congratulations on becoming a priest. Wow, wow."
""
Wow. That has to be the most soulless congratulation I've ever heard. Isaac gave a dry chuckle at Goel's empty words.
He didn't know the reason, but this guy was clearly determined not to show even a sliver of sincerity.
"Our Isaac can speak so fluently now! At this rate, we can have him recite the Skeleton King's curse letter soon…!"
And that bastard Rilai? Yeah, there's no hope for him.
After the ordination, they had arrived at the papacy building, which faced the imperial palace. Ordained priests are officially affiliated with the papacy.
Though not immediately.
"You've been ordained, but you're still just fresh graduates-apprentices, in other words."
I mean, it's not like getting a medical license makes you a doctor overnight. In short, you go through a training period-a priest internship, essentially.
"This is basically your final test. It's short, but during your apprenticeship, you'll work alongside senior priests. There, you'll discover your aptitudes and learn the real duties of a priest things the academy couldn't teach. Your evaluation will determine your assignment and treatment, so do your best."
This feels like starting as a brand-new intern at a company.
That's why apprentice priests are unaffiliated-they haven't chosen one of the five main faiths yet. This is the time when they explore each one.
Rilai, who had accompanied him, smiled as if recalling fond memories.
"It's not a big deal. It might be tough adjusting, but eventually, you'll look back on it fondly."
Oh yeah? Then how about you do it in my place?
"When the apprenticeship ends, you'll form a contract with a god."
Ah, so that's when we finally meet those damn gods, huh?
I mean, I'm a little curious. Will those bastards recognize me or not?
So Isaac asked:
"Uncles."
At that title, Rilai rubbed the bridge of his nose as if about to cry, while Goel raised an eyebrow like, "What now?"
"When that time comes, do we have to contract with the god we were chosen by at the ordination?"
For some reason, both Goel and Rilai flinched at the question. As Goel looked flustered, even Shuri found it odd-but the two uncles just sweated nervously.
And no wonder.
"The god Isaac selected seems to be an evil god."
–"What?!"
Right after the ordination.
To investigate the incident, the head of House Cheong, who had been looking into the Holy Water vessel, summoned Goel and Rilai with a grave expression.
-An evil god? What do you mean by that?
-It means the god Isaac selected wasn't a normal one.
-What?!
The head of House Cheong, staring at the Holy Water vessel, said this had become a much bigger headache than expected.
-Upon investigation, it seems the sigil that appeared belongs to a god that has never been seen before.
-… You don't know which sigil it was, do you?
-Only the Pope and the Golden Cardinal can identify it. But the moment the Pope saw Isaac's sigil, he tried to have him eliminated.
-What?! His Holiness the Pope?!
-Yes. Unless it was the sigil of an evil god, there's no reason for such a
reaction.
Rilai agreed, saying it was strange, while Goel frowned deeply as if chewing on dung.
-…If that's the case, I'd say it was just a god from the Golden Faith.
-The Golden Faith?
-Yes. Those people have an obsessive hatred for impurity or mixture. They would never tolerate someone from another house-let alone Esua–choosing a god of the Golden Faith. Anyway, the patron god of the Golden Faith is contracted with His Holiness and the Cardinal… From the reaction, maybe Isaac drew the sigil of one of their direct-line gods.
However, the head of House Cheong, with his hands behind his back, had a different look in his eyes.
-I said it was a sigil that has never appeared before.
-There are many gods within the Golden Faith that haven't been summoned yet. From the high gods to newly inducted ones…
Upon hearing that, the head's gaze sharpened.
-Do you really believe that child could select a proper god?
…Ah.
-Sure, within reason, assuming it was a god of the Golden Faith makes sense. But we're talking about that kid.
-…Ah.
Goel now looked extremely convinced.
Right-wasn't Isaac the one who, when shown anything about priests or even stories of the great gods, used to throw bells and tear up scripture?
And that kid, of all people, chose a god from the ultra-conservative and exclusivist Golden Faith?
Unbelievable.
Everything points more to an evil god.
-Since it's come to this, Goel, you need to make contact with the
papacy and conduct a quiet investigation. Find out what sigil he actually drew.
-What? But why me…?
-Some rare sacred relics came in at just the right time. If you succeed, Shuri will get something good.
Goel, who was half papal by blood and had close ties to the Pope's
household, reluctantly agreed. But even so, he had something else to worry
about.
-At the end of the apprenticeship, all priests choose their future paths.
-It's fine. As long as he's not complete trash-ah, wait, that won't work.
Damn it. He'd already been sucker-punched by underestimating Isaac once during the faith aptitude test.
And if that test result was anything to go by…
'A Dark Priest.'
'He's a Dark Priest.'
'He's definitely a Dark Priest.'
It was no wonder the three Esua representatives looked horrified.
Above all, the Saint's family line was hypersensitive to the word "corruption," and nothing screamed corruption like Dark Priest.
And that wasn't even the worst of it.
'Father mentioned it.'
After the ordination, the other cardinals had started showing clear interest in taking Isaac away.
Sure, he could snap and tell them to back off anytime, but it wasn't exactly surprising. The crowd at the post-ordination party had already said it all.
Esua boys had never been the center of attention before-but now?
-You truly are the one to defeat the Skeleton King! Please, just one meeting with our child!
-We'll pay any amount! Please teach our child!!!
Yeah, sure. Engagements, tutoring offers, all fine.
But the actual content…?
Isaac's two uncles could only wear grim faces.
"Uncles? What's wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Nothing? Nothing, my ass-it's a Dark Priest, damn it…!
Goel didn't particularly like Isaac, but the issue of being a Dark Priest was a big one.
In the Holy Empire, Dark Priests were considered traitors. They were hunted down and executed, and any family that produced one would be punished under collective guilt laws.
In short-
'It's the ruin of the entire house!!'
Sure, Rilai might be concerned about his nephew falling into corruption, but what about Shuri? What did she do to deserve this?
"But Uncles, I have a question."
Unable to take it anymore, Shuri interjected.
"You've grown, right? So why is your tongue still short?"
Ah.
His uncles looked curiously at Isaac, but he answered nonchalantly.
"Probably a side effect of my body growing too fast."
"…But you were perfectly fine at the ordination hall?"
"If I'm not focused, I slip up. Especially if the person's not someone I care about. Don't worry too much."
Ah, so I'm not someone you care about.
Shuri gave him a withering look, but Isaac didn't care in the slightest.
Because what mattered now was what came next. The reason he even became a priest was for this.
"When can I take part in the Offering Ritual?"
At that question, Rilai's expression became one of shock.
"You… You were interested in the Offering Ritual?!"
"Yes. Particularly in the execution of the Skeleton King's subordinate."
Perfect! Absolutely perfect!!
So the boy did have some budding faith!
Rilai covered his mouth, nearly in tears, while Isaac chuckled coldly to himself.
'What? The divine envoys are coming for this Offering Ritual?'
The envoys of the gods.
In other words, minor deities or angels. Beings that serve as intermediaries between gods and mortals-arrogant, and rarely appearing in the mortal realm.
And they're showing up just to execute a single demon?
'You bastards. You dare come to execute my subordinate??'
All smug, are we?
Isaac's eyes gleamed with menace.
'Well, fine. It's the perfect opportunity. I can build my power and test how far it's come.'
But unaware of this, Rilai carefully explained:
"You seem eager to handle the execution, but only the top-ranked team among the apprentices is given that honor."
"Team?"
"Yes. You'll learn soon enough, but apprentice priests work and are evaluated in teams."
Ah. Sounds like one of those horrid group projects where your teammates drag you down.
"And it's not that I doubt your ability, but you'll need strong teammates to get a high score. More importantly, the Fourteen-Demons Execution is far too soon for you."
Rilai smiled bitterly as he spoke.
'Actually, there was a request to have Isaac oversee the execution… but it's still too early.'
But Isaac, not knowing any of this, just scratched his ear.
So the bottom line is―I need to get a good evaluation, huh?
Ah, but if it's team-based instead of solo, that complicates things.
Isaac sighed.
"Well then, it can't be helped."
I'll just kill the other teams and rescue the demon myself.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]