Chapter 120
"But why am I here?"
It was a thought that hadn't crossed my mind, as I was too distracted by the reward.
I clearly remember collapsing in the royal castle, so why was I in the underground workshop?
Shouldn't I be in my mansion within the royal castle or some other medical facility?
"The royal castle was half-destroyed. Your condition appeared critical right away, but the castle was smashed, we had to clean up, there was nowhere else to transfer the patients, and we couldn't place a hero among the soldiers, so we brought you here. That bastard Brance and Sir Allen personally requested it."
Why is Brance a bastard, and Allen a Sir?
Did Brance pull some trick on Beatrice?
Since he's a guy who carelessly swings his lower half, it seemed entirely possible.
"Anyway, your condition isn't good. Please lie down a bit longer. I will inform them that you've awakened."
"No, I've slept enough. I will get up."
After drinking the TD potion Beatrice devised, my body felt incredibly comfortable.
It was likely because my Fusion Bone constitution absorbed the potion's ingredients more efficiently.
"But Beatrice."
"Yes."
"Why did you save me?"
"Hmm..."
Beatrice's reason for saving me wasn't that firm.
She and I have a transactional relationship; there is no reason for her to care for me so devotedly.
"Perhaps because it would be a shame for you to die yet."
"A shame to die...?"
"I know you aren't someone who would simply believe it upon hearing it. I think you'll understand my intentions once you meet him."
Beatrice jerked her chin toward the opposite side of where I was lying.
There, a large man was sitting, a bizarre fellow draped in a tiger skin.
I wondered what kind of crazy bastard he was, but I soon realized who he was.
Because he, huge as a bear, was constantly blinking back tears as he looked at me.
"Brother."
Who would call me brother?
The answer was set.
"Cedric."
He was Cedric.
Cedric Bore Madrichan.
The last believer of the Forgotten Twin Gods.
"I see."
The moment I saw him, I knew what Beatrice was trying to say.
It seemed Cedric had found the Twin Gods' holy relic because of me.
Calling me brother and even showing tears was exactly that.
If he hadn't found the holy relic, let alone calling me brother, he would have tried to kill me.
But he found it, and we had promised to definitely fulfill one thing when the time came.
'Establishing a religious order in Carpe.'
I had demanded the establishment of the Twin Gods' order in Carpe, and Cedric said he would do so if possible.
And Beatrice was a believer of the Whip God, Auste.
Though not as much as the Twin Gods, the Whip was also one of the gods forgotten by the people.
It meant what she desired was no different from Cedric's.
'Of course, that's why she belonged to Crasion.'
Crasion was originally such a group.
Since it was a group that followed gods forgotten by the people, what they desired was very simple and straightforward.
"It seems you found the holy relic."
"Thanks to you, brother."
Good.
If you hadn't found it even after I told you, I would have been deeply disappointed.
The deserted island in the south.
The minority ethnic group of Barbelum is a group that believes in the Oracle.
Gaining their recognition is a difficult task, but who was Cedric?
He was a man so strong that even in Crasion, excluding Ramatu, he had no equal.
So he must have gained their recognition and brought back the holy relic.
"Then you're thinking of establishing the order in Carpe."
Cedric nodded.
However, an unconcealable anxiety was etched in his expression.
"But I don't know if they'll permit it."
"I will try my best for that."
It was certainly a very difficult proposition.
Carpe was a nation born of the sword and prospered by the sword. Citizens, nobles, and royals alike were a bunch who considered anything other than the sword as heresy.
But there was a gap to pry open.
Carpe was not a theocratic state.
Though closely related, the religious order and the royal family were strictly separated. I had no choice but to poke at that part.
What had been rooted for a long time was the sword, but now was the time to seek change.
The timing was perfect.
The people must be angry and feeling powerless at the collapse of the royal castle and the Empire's invasion.
Carpe lacked strength. The conditions to grow their strength immediately were not there either.
Then?
'Just absorb new power.'
The start would be the Fist and Horn of the Twin Gods.
Next would be the Whip, Auste.
I don't know if it would be accepted, since the history and perception of the Whip weren't very good.
'The Order of the Twin Gods is probably possible.'
The opposition would be fierce, but that didn't matter.
Because the things Carpe had to protect by asserting its pride were already broken.
"Beatrice."
"Yes."
"Cedric comes first."
"I know."
"You'll have to show your worth in the coming war."
"You speak as if war will definitely break out."
"It will. In three years at the earliest."
It could be even faster, within one or two years.
But this time, the Empire would likely make their move after being fully prepared.
'I need to prepare too.'
Honestly, that's what I used to think.
I would use minimal power to protect Carpe until I grew stronger, and then leave it be afterward.
Carpe was too difficult.
It was a country hard to protect entirely.
No, being born as Callius in the first place was hell difficulty.
If I were someone else in Carpe, it wouldn't have been this hard.
But I became Callius, and I had to take up the sword.
'Besides, it's a bit different now.'
I gained a master, and a father.
People who follow me appeared, and I have comrades to shoulder burdens with.
'Above all,'
I gained a daughter who looks up to me.
I must become stronger.
Because I am not yet a Master.
"Are you alright? Your complexion isn't good."
"I'm fine. First... I must meet the Queen."
"That will be a bit difficult."
"Is there a reason?"
"They are holding her funeral."
"Her..."
Looking at his expression, I understood.
If it was a funeral the Queen must absolutely attend, I had a guess.
"It's Lady Sulivian's funeral."
"Correct."
Sulivian's death was quite a while ago.
Despite that, the funeral was this late because of her last will, which was discovered belatedly.
To prioritize Carpe's safety over her own funeral.
"What about Grand Duke Chloe?"
"I heard she hasn't woken up yet."
"I see."
Since she was eroded by demonic energy, she wouldn't be able to wake up for a while.
She was dominated by madness for quite a long time. It would take a lot of time to shake off those things.
"Are you getting up?"
"If it's Lady Sulivian's funeral, it's right for me to go as well."
"But brother. Your body is still..."
Cedric asked with a worried face.
Though I had regained consciousness, Callius's appearance was still unwell. Even if it was a funeral hosted by the Queen, not attending wouldn't be discourteous.
"No."
The funeral of her, who was no different from a saint, was by no means ordinary.
Even if it wasn't.
"...I have to go."
I have an obligation to go.
Her death was my intention.
I am responsible.
* * *
One corner of the royal capital.
The vast plains of Rustruble.
It was a cemetery where heroes of the nation, royals, and those who met an honorable death were laid to rest.
Today, in that place.
A woman who gave much in life and devoted herself to many lay there. Even if she couldn't be buried, a tombstone had been made.
"Glory to her."
"May God be with her."
The funeral that started early in the morning did not end even after three days and nights.
Because the procession of people gathered to mourn her death was endless.
So much so that even figures from other countries, nobles whose lives she had saved, came running in a single stride.
Just this once, without blaming each other for believing in different gods, to mourn a single person's death.
Priests rang bells and recited prayers, and the mourners all prepared a flower each and laid it by her side.
Beside the coffin of Sulivian, who looked as if she were sleeping, were the Queen and Esther.
And the Pope.
Everyone's complexion was poor.
The Pope lacked color as if he had aged ten more years, and Esther's already pale face turned even paler.
The Queen, Clara, who called Sulivian her aunt and followed her, was the same.
The funeral had been going on for several days already.
But as the procession continued, the divine power permeating the surrounding air grew denser.
'Is it about time...'
Their mourning.
The mourning and prayers continuing one by one were seeping into the atmosphere.
Sulivian's flesh, blessed by the prayers of the mourners.
For her flesh and soul that had not yet departed, a ritual would be held after the funeral ended.
It was her dying wish.
[Everything of mine to Esther.]
Today, she.
Becomes a sword.
The Pope's eyes held Sulivian.
'I should have been together with her.'
The old veteran could not find a place to die.
Murmur murmur.
At that moment, the line of the procession quietly parted.
Wondering what was happening, a man in a military uniform was walking steadily through the parting line.
A man like the epitome of a noble, fluttering his heterogeneous black hair, walking straight with ash-gray eyes longing for only one thing.
The one who went from Zerban's rascal to the hero who saved the nation.
It was Callius von Zerban.
"You're here."
"Yes."
He looked precarious, as if he would collapse at any moment. He must have come with his wounds still unhealed.
His lips were dry and his eyes were dark.
However, those things combined actually enhanced the man's charm.
The Pope swallowed a hollow laugh.
"Sulivian, a handsome young man has come to visit, so you must be very pleased."
Briefly turning away from the gaze of Esther and the Queen, who looked like they would cry at any moment.
Callius took out a white flower from his bosom and moved his lips.
As his divine power saturated it, the flower regained its vitality and bloomed fully.
For a moment, the Queen's eyes widened at the purity of Callius's divine power, and then she smiled with satisfaction.
"For Sulivian, who was honorable until her very last moment."
Pat.
Whoooosh-!
As he laid the flower over her.
Silver divine power rippled out like a wave at that very moment.
The dense form of divine power filling Rustruble filled the plains.
As they watched that beautiful sight.
The Pope rose from his seat.
"I will proceed with her Rite of the Dead."
The Pope looked at Callius and asked.
"Will you help?"
"Gladly."
Many familiar faces were seen.
Various paladins and knights, including the Gold Lion, were gathered.
There was even a Master whose wounds were not yet fully healed.
They must have all gathered to see off Sulivian's final moments.
Dazzling light arose.
From her flesh, the saint's divine power caressed the surroundings like a gentle breeze.
That day.
Sulivian became a single sword.
"..."
The Pope looked at the sword held in his hand.
A sword as elegant as a single flower, and so strong it seemed it could not be broken by anything.
Reminded of the feelings he had harbored early on, seeing her in his youth, his eyes reddened.
But the one to wield this sword was not him. The Pope gestured to the water-haired knight who was wiping away tears.
"Come here."
Esther wiped her face with her arm and stepped forward. And she carefully took the sword the Pope offered with both hands.
Soon, Esther's eyes holding the sword shone gold.
Golden light then spread like a wave.
"The wounds...!"
"It's a miracle."
"My body is healing...!"
Sulivian, even after becoming a sword.
Cared for the injured.
* * *
The restored royal castle.
In the Queen's audience chamber, Callius was having tea with her.
"Is that so."
"They said the Sixth Division played a major role in dealing with the Imperial remnants after the Count collapsed."
"I'm glad they were of use."
"And the trainee knights training at the Count's mansion?"
"...Yes."
She must be talking about the kids.
What about them?
"They said they also fought and won against the Imperial soldiers, and helped track them down."
Those brats?
That was quite a surprising fact.
Leaving aside the Sixth Division, I didn't know they had done something too.
"Among them... the Count's young lady was said to have been especially active. I didn't know you already had a child at such a young age. It seems Pope Felice is also keeping an eye on her."
Callius's lips twitched.
"She is quite a bright child."
"The child's mother is..."
"Dead."
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
Why smile while saying sorry?
Callius couldn't understand.
"Count."
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"I only did what was natural."
"There were many who neglected that natural duty and rather sought my life. And... I really wanted to tell you thank you for saving Grand Duke Chloe. Because she is the only blood relative left to me now."
For a moment, loneliness gathered in the Queen's eyes. Callius pretended not to see it.
"If there is anything you want, please let me know. Whatever it is, I shall bestow something fitting for the hero who saved the nation."
It has come.
Callius spoke without delay.
"There is only one thing I desire."
A new power.
The vessel of a nation that will embrace it.
"I wish for you to embrace the Twin Gods."
"The Twin Gods...?"
Victor's eyes flinched.
Unlike the Queen, who didn't know what it was.
He seemed to know what the Twin Gods were.
The Queen raised her head and asked Victor.
"Do you know of them?"
"Yes. They are gods who disappeared long ago."
"Their lineage is still maintained."
"Count, are you telling Carpe to take up a new faith right now?"
"Yes. That is correct."
"Count... are you a heretic?"
"I am not. However, I believe. Carpe must embrace their power."
Current Carpe has lost much to the Empire's invasion.
Carpe has lost its national pride.
When the royal castle collapsed from the Empire's invasion, everyone didn't want to believe it, but they must have realized.
That Carpe was walking the path of decline.
"...I'm bewildered. I didn't expect you to demand such a thing."
"The Empire has grown massive. Their defeat this time was because of their arrogance. They will go all out next time. I don't think we can stop them then. Therefore, I."
"You're telling us to accept a new power."
"That is correct."
Clara deliberated.
If someone else had said it, she would have cast them out under the name of apostate, calling it nonsense.
But the one saying it was the hero who saved the nation and the knight who protected her.
She couldn't dismiss it as nonsense.
"Victor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What do you think?"
"Carpe's sword is not weak."
"Are you saying it's unnecessary?"
"But it is not strong, either."
Victor's eyes looked straight at the Queen. Those unwavering eyes made her harbor resolve.
"I cannot do that. I cannot deny that Carpe is a nation that prospered by the sword. The history of the sword spans hundreds of years. Not just me, but all other nobles and the people revere the sword. There will be no gap for another god to squeeze into the place of the sword carved into our bones."
But Callius did not add anything.
Her eyes, having made a firm resolve.
"However."
Her pure white pupils held Callius.
"Since it is the Count's request, I cannot just overlook it. I will meet the believer of the Twin Gods."
Right.
That was enough for now.
If she felt their power, the Queen would have no choice but to properly change her mind.
The Queen's words were right from the start.
It's a nation that has revered the sword for a long time.
No matter how much the nation and the order are separated, one cannot deny that Carpe's roots are the sword.
"But that cannot be considered a reward. It's right to see the matter of the Twin Gods as a personal favor. So I propose this."
"Yes."
"Teach me the sword."
Callius's lips curved into a smile.
"Gladly."