Chapter 142: The Qualification Of The Sacred
Sacred Power.
A power well-known for driving out darkness and all impurities, yet much about it remained unexplained.
For instance.
It required no payment to use.
Magic consumed mana, and even the so-called impure sorceries or dark magics demanded something in return for their use.
However, mysteriously, sacred power did not. To wield it, one only needed the will to express it, and increasing its strength didnt even require repetitive training.
Only proving oneself as a devout believer was necessary. Thus, people called sacred power a miracle from God.
A power bestowed by the Lord to halt the beasts descending from the mountains.
A power tenderly given by the Lord to his lambs.
But truthfully, a life of daily prayer and strict adherence to the Ten Commandments was, honestly, a suffocating existence for mere mortals.
Cardinal Deviale Jebiel.
Even he, one of the twelve Cardinals of Lucerne, wasnt born a devout believer.
In his youth, just before his comrades were annihilated by a drooling beast, had light not burst forth in that moment of crisis, Deviale might not have led a faithful life.
Therefore, for paladins who directly use sacred power in the field, each has at least one experience of Gods miracle.
Tragedies like families being offered to heretics, or younger siblings eaten by beasts.
However, the person Deviale was now visiting had not experienced such a tragedy.
According to those around him, he simply emitted light upon receiving baptism as an infant.
Truly a beloved of the Lord.
Thud, thud.
Walking down the cathedrals corridor, Deviale saw light leaking from the chapel in the distance.
Since it was neither a weekend nor morning but night, the chapel should have been empty, but intense light was flowing out from within, enough to drive away all darkness.
Entering the chapel, Deviale recognized the source of the intense light.
The captain of the 2nd Unit of the Steel Knight Regiment, Malleus Garibaldi.
Always an impressive sacred power.
Praying towards the cross, the light emanating from his body was as brilliant as the light Shiron had emitted in the Alhyeon Room.
I pride myself on my piety, but to think theres faith greater than mine.
Truly, this was the realm of fanaticism.
Deviale watched his back, waiting until the prayer ended. After all, with the level 9 magic [Room of Truth] activated, he wouldnt respond to calls.
Finally, the light from his body ceased.
Hmm?
Feeling Deviales presence, Malleus turned around. True to the rumors that Malleus Garibaldi weeps during prayer, his eyes bore tear stains.
Cardinal. You should have said something when you arrived.
Would you have had me interrupt your prayer?
Seems my joke didnt land.
Malleus stroked his beard, clicking his tongue.
In your younger days, you were quite the witty friend, easy to joke with. But it seems positions change people; becoming a Cardinal has made you stiff and less amusing.
Not particularly.
Deviale sighed deeply, rubbing his brow.
Its just been a busy period recently.
Short-handed, are we? I could lend some knights if you wish.
The Lord had clearly stated Sir Hugo would meet his end in the upcoming expedition.
It doesnt seem like the Cardinal is lying. Hes not that type of person.
Doubt filled Malleuss eyes as he looked at the Cardinal, but he quickly blinked, concealing his emotions.
The righteous god had admitted to not being omnipotent, so Malleus simply assumed the prophecy had been inaccurate. Malleus chuckled and stood up. It was late, and there was a rule about going to bed early and rising early, prompting Malleus to retire.
By the way, I meant to ask.
[What happened to Shiron Prient?]
But the words of the Lord take precedence over regulations. Malleus decided to conclude the conversation.
What happened to Shiron Prient?
Yes?
I heard the child played a crucial role in resolving this incident, but hes nowhere to be found.
You havent mentioned him, so I thought Id inquire.
Malleus glanced at Deviale.
Since youve been associating with him recently, you would know his whereabouts, wouldnt you?
He mentioned going on a pilgrimage.
A pilgrimage? So, hes in Brahham?
Yes.
Ha ha
Malleus chuckled at Deviales composed response.
Deviale furrowed his brows, puzzled by Malleuss reaction.
Is there an issue?
Not at all. Just thinking that the youth is undergoing unnecessary hardship.
Unnecessary?
What did he mean by that? Deviale looked at Malleus with wide eyes. To suggest that a pilgrimage to the holy land was unnecessary was unthinkable for a follower of the righteous god.
As a believer who knows the identity of the hero and as the Cardinal of Lucerne, he couldnt just dismiss this lightly.
Its not that the pilgrimage itself is unnecessary.
Noticing the slightly hostile gaze, Malleus waved his hands at the enthusiastic Cardinal.
Thats the thing. The residents of Brahham can be a bit uncomfortable, no? They dont even consider it rude to stare at others. They somewhat look down on people from Lucerne.
There is such a tendency, yes.
Deviale agreed with Malleuss words. He had been to Brahham himself and knew what kind of place it was.
The people of Brahham look down on the devotees who come from outside.
Although they worship the same righteous god, the people of Brahham are drenched in a petty sense of superiority, thinking, We are more loved by God.
However, this is not entirely without basis.
The citizens of Brahham possessed visible sacred power. It was believed that the sacred power, which typically manifested through enlightenment, could be wielded even by infants in Brahham, so its no wonder they are prideful.
Yet, despite such power, the leadership of Brahham was not contributing to the Makal Mountain expedition. Hence, Lucerne and Brahham, though worshipping the same god, did not have a good relationship.
Malleus continued.
I spoke because of the pain he will endure in aspects completely unrelated to the pilgrimage. Its such an isolated place from us, after all.
Yes, thats true.
Deviale recalled the residents of Brahham he saw on his pilgrimage in his younger days.
The light emanating from the hands of an infant.
It was certainly an unnatural phenomenon.
