Like most people of the Roam family, I was particularly lacking in faith.
I had never put my heart into the entire process of offering donations to the Temple and praying. I did it simply because it was my duty.
However, most imperial citizens were devout. The fact that the Temple possessed its own sanctuary was a benefit based on the imperial citizens' faith. Because of this, even the Imperial Family could not treat the Temple carelessly.
How should I put it—god is a kind of inviolable domain. No matter how sharply opposed two houses might be politically, before god they were merely humble servants.
In the very distant past, it is said that everyone could hear god's voice. However, because humans committed sins and coveted god's throne, the distance between god and humans grew far.
Furthermore, to atone for those sins, they had to fight monsters on this earth for their entire lives.
Therefore, my appearance—the existence of one who has returned to life—was proof of salvation to the people.
That god was finally forgiving humans and accepting them back into his embrace. A being that inspired such hope.
"I understand, but can't you just give up?"
I murmured listlessly, still resting my chin on my hand. It was nearly a mutter to myself, but Samuel somehow heard and responded.
"Rather than pointlessly running away, why not simply accompany me and travel in comfort."
At his nonchalant reply, anger surged within me. I had already failed to shake him off and ended up letting Samuel into Dekin's mansion.
Dekin had accepted it surprisingly well, saying as long as it wasn't someone from Maxel, he didn't care, and Xenon had also urged me to stay at Dekin's mansion where there was much to utilize rather than staying anxiously at city lodgings.
After wrapping up the disastrous outing and returning to Dekin's mansion, I stayed up all night guarding Pallides.
However, she did not wake, and unable to resist the Dullahans' urging to please rest in shifts, I slept briefly.
Samuel was the first to greet me when I came out after resting my eyes for just a few hours.
Not wanting to bring Samuel along to check on Pallides, I decided to just wait somewhere like the drawing room until she woke. Naturally, Samuel settled in the same space as me.
'The Harvest Festival is happening outside, yet here I am, with nothing to do but sprawl on a drawing room sofa.'
Actually, the Harvest Festival was just an excuse—I simply wanted to escape this situation. How did my surroundings become so noisy?
I was definitely leaving quietly.
"You know it's uncomfortable when you accompany me."
Xenon, who had just entered the drawing room with refreshments, interjected gruffly. Samuel, who had been watching Xenon indifferently as he placed a teacup only in front of me, let out a faint sneer and muttered.
"Furthermore, when monsters go on a rampage, this one seems like he'd be of no help at all."
"I didn't hire him for that purpose."
At my answer, Xenon puffed up with pride.
"Using brute force, honestly. Do you know what the most essential element for human survival is? Food."
"You're so full of pride about cooking that maybe carrying a kitchen knife for self-defense would actually be of some help."
They don't seem to feel my pitying gaze at all.
Now the Dullahans aren't enough—Xenon and Samuel bicker whenever they get the chance. I suppose it's fortunate they don't fight physically?
Samuel probably doesn't confront with force because Xenon's magical power is sealed.
Xenon seemed to have his pride wounded by Samuel's attitude, moving around with a communication device whenever he had time.
He's probably contacting the Magic Tower, but things don't seem to be going as he wants. He always returned grumbling after finishing communications.
"A mage who can't use magic—he's eliminated even the usefulness he had with his own hands."
Honestly, as Samuel pointed out, if Pallides rampages in the city again, there's no one to stop her.
Xenon's magical power is sealed, and the other Dullahans wouldn't be able to stop Pallides unless they return to their true forms.
Among the magic tools I possess, there's nothing suitable to subdue Pallides without killing her. Moreover, if Pallides were to run wild in her true form...
I don't even want to imagine it.
It would help if I could figure out why Pallides suddenly went on a rampage.
[Boss! Boss!]
An urgent call reached my ears as I lay there listlessly. It was Tristan.
[Pallides has woken up!]
"I've committed a mortal sin, Boss. Please kill me!"
"How could I kill you?"
I can't defeat you.
"Sob, what will you do with such a weak-hearted Boss! To understand even the faults of such a disloyal subordinate! An angel-like Boss!"
No, I'm telling you I can't kill you because I can't win.
I looked blankly at Pallides, who sat on the bed in full plate armor, sobbing loudly, then decided to just let it be.
At least she's normal now.
"Just why did you act like that yesterday?"
"Well... I don't really know either..."
"You don't know?"
"Just seeing that holy knight made me feel bad, annoyed, unlucky, and disgusted..."
Samuel, who had entered the room together in case of emergency, let out a hollow laugh.
Beside him, Xenon chimed in, agreeing with Pallides' words. Then he was dragged out by Nesy.
Nesy apparently couldn't bear to watch Xenon acting like a child. Also, she must have finished confirming that it wasn't dangerous enough for everyone to crowd the room like this.
"So?"
"Only the thought of killing him immediately remained in my head."
"And now?"
At my question, Pallides glanced at Samuel. Then she hugged the blanket with both hands and mumbled.
"I still feel bad, but my eyes aren't rolling back like yesterday. It's like... I blew off what was pent up and somehow put out the immediate fire."
"Then you're saying the same situation could happen again at any time?"
Pallides couldn't answer easily. But that alone was a sufficient answer for me.
Why is Pallides' mental strength so weak? Of all things, why that?
[Boss, that knight was a problem too, but fundamentally Pallides' unstable state is because she lost her head.]
Jigor, who was on the bed, explained while trembling.
[We knights who lost our heads are incomplete.]
But I have no intention of finding your heads either. I kept this thought to myself and glanced back.
"Sir Samuel, if you're the culprit, wouldn't it be fine if you just disappeared?"
"If I'm not here and that monster goes on a rampage, who can stop it?"
"I'll handle that myself."
If I search through magic tools on the market, I might find something usable. If not, I'll use medicine or something. But do medicines work on Dullahans?
Samuel sighed, perhaps reading my expression as I considered various alternatives.
"I prioritize your safety above all else in my judgments. Honestly, the reason I don't annihilate that monster right here and now is out of respect for your wishes."
"No matter how much you think of my safety, I'm not going to the Temple."
"I told you from when we first met that I have no intention of dragging you by force."
"But if I'm with you, eventually I'll have to go to the Temple."
Samuel raised an eyebrow at my definitive answer.
"Why is that?"
His question back was filled with puzzlement. Does he really not know?
"Because you're a holy knight belonging to the Temple."
"What does that have to do with where you stay?"
"The Temple wants me."
"The Temple hopes for your safety. If your safety is assured, even if it's not the Temple, they won't force you."
He seemed to genuinely believe that. It was so unexpected that I lost words for a moment and stared at him blankly.
They said he's a knight favored by the High Priest—as expected, he seems to have not a speck of doubt about the Temple.
"I don't think the High Priest or the high-ranking priests think that way."
"God is present everywhere on this earth. Restricting your whereabouts is a matter completely unrelated to following god's will."
If Samuel truly believes that with all his heart...
"Therefore, no one can keep you confined. They can only persuade."
I might be able to use that well when fleeing?
Samuel's gaze, perhaps noticing that I was wavering slightly, fell on the bed.
"As you know, the most efficient power to subdue monsters is divine power."
[Boss, that guy pisses me off. Since we fought, it would've been good if Pallides had won.]
[Boss, please give the order anytime. I can execute that knight in one blow.]
"Can you truly trust those monsters completely?"
Jigor and Tristan glared at Samuel as they vented their dissatisfaction. Pallides didn't speak but still had a disgruntled look.
If I travel with Samuel, rampages that wouldn't happen probably will. The harm outweighs the benefit.
I took in the Dullahans because they serve me as their Boss. There's no need to deliberately induce situations I can't control.
I was about to shake my head when I suddenly thought of something and hesitated.
Come to think of it... they said Dullahans are souls of unsaved holy knights?
"Sir Samuel."
"Yes."
"Do you know anything about the 'Twelve Knights of the Round Table'?"
At my question, Samuel looked bewildered. Since he grew up in the Temple, I thought he might have heard something.
"No, it's fine if you don't know."
"Are you perhaps referring to the Twelve Original Sinners?"
"What?"
"The first twelve sinners who defied god and could not have their souls saved. They damaged the altar made from the sacred tree and used it as their own round table—that was the first act of disbelief they committed."
When I said nothing, Samuel narrowed his eyes.
"Due to the sins of those insolent ones who challenged god's authority, humanity's original sin was born, and endless atonement began."
"...I've never heard of that."
I thought humans were abandoned by god simply because they committed sins. That was the extent of what was known among the public.
"That is because the punishment the sinners received was oblivion. God eternally erased their existence and commanded the remaining humans to atone only through faith. The Temple upholds this meaning and does not disclose information except to some clergy. However, you are a resurrected one chosen by god, so you cannot be called an ordinary member of the public."
My palms felt sweaty. My heart raced without reason.
"How exactly... did He erase their existence?"
"It is written that He separated their heads from their bodies so their souls could not recognize their own existence, and buried them at the ends of the world where they can never reach each other."
It felt like someone was gripping my throat. Samuel, watching me sit there blankly, looked at Pallides with calm eyes.
"So, are they those sinners?"