It has been 2 months since Acadia came to live with us. Although she was intimidating at first, by now I was used to her antics.
She moves by her own clock, Although Leila had accepted her, she didn't take much time getting in the good graces of the others. She was a merchant who could do business with anyone.
Since My money was also handled by her, I had my last troublesome matters solved. Nowadays I lived a nice life with everyone and went on many adventuring quests with Alice and Systy.
We tended to get the stock requests. Leila got us those quests. Stock quests are those that are troublesome or difficult to complete, so people usually avoid those. But since we have high mobility, the 3 of us can go around the country pretty easily and with enough strength as the heroes, no quests were that much of a big deal.
Since I was promoted to B-rank pretty fast, I had to do the guild some service. As such, finishing these stock quests was the best way. Not to mention, no matter the monster, it was more like a timid animal compared to the monster at the edge of the world. At the end of the day, taking care of monsters was my specialty since I grew up killing them. No matter the monster, I could kill it in my sleep now.
Today Leila had a day off so we didn't go to the guild.
"Rekka, you are already a grown up at least in papers, we should go to the holy city." Granny who was also with us said this.
"The holy city? Where is that?" I asked, hearing something new.
"Oh you didn't know? It is a place with the biggest church in human territory. Since you have become an adult, you can be baptized now." As granny Said, I looked at everyone.
"I did it 4 years ago." Leila said. So she is 19 now. People tend to get baptized by fifteen huh...
"I did it last year" , "Same with me" and `` Alice and Systy's had been done too. They seemed to have done it earlier even before they were 15 I guess.
"I will have to wait 1 more year." Lana had to wait. I didn't even need to look at Acadia.
"At least try to ask me! I did it with Leila." still Acadia seems to answer my unquestioned answer.
"I see, then Granny, when are we going?" I had asked just to be sure but granny on the other hand.
"Great, you are free, let's go right now!"
"Eeh, right now?" I had forgotten my granny's enthusiasm but since she said right now, it looks like I wouldn't have any choice.
Seeing the scene, Leila and the others chuckled.
"So you guys really don't want to come?" I thought that they would have agreed to come along but they told me they had their own business. but wasn't it their vacation?
"Have a long day with Grandmother Melinda. I am sure she would like it." Leila said so and granny teleported with me to the Holy city.
.......
"So this is the holy city?" It looked rather normal, besides the big church that is...
For a city it was really big.
"This may be called a city but it is not within any of the country. It self governs itself. It also has its own defense forces. Since you had a blessing, I wanted to get you baptized here. Sometimes interesting things happen." Granny explained.
"I hope there won't be any troubles…" I was having a faint hope. Maybe I could meet the old man here…
He did say If I wanted to see him again, I will have to try myself.
"Here they have an artifact from very long ago that can judge you, sometimes people gain light attributes from it too. If I am not wrong, you could maybe gain something from here too."
Granny said as she entered the church. Seeing her come in, the priest that was doing his work in the church came forward in a hurry.
"Saint Melinda?! I am honoured to meet you!" That was a big welcome. First I thought he was overreacting but now it looked like he really was honoured. He prostrated himself, disregarding even the people around him.
"Hmm… I would've liked young maidens to welcome me… nevertheless go bring the pope here tell her I am here for my Grandson's Baptism!"
"Granny, you should show more respect!" I was taken aback really. Granny had a completely irritated look. On the other hand, the priest looked elated hearing the order. He fast paced inside the church like a car without any brakes.
"You know Rekka, there are many cute nuns here.. He he he.. Last time I was here, I really enjoyed their service." I don't know what kind of service she has gotten herself but I am too scared to ask.
"I guess you like this place?"
"Hmm.. no, after a few hours it gets boring…"
"Lady Melinda!" as we were having a chat, a woman looking slightly old came to us.
"Good day pope. it has been long, how have you been?"
"My Lady, since you are visiting, I am truly very happy!" I wonder what granny did to make the pope her fan.
"That aside, I would like my grandson to be baptized."
"Pleasure to meet you, your holiness, I am Rekka Wolford, I will be in your care today." as I bowed to her slightly and introduced myself. The pope looked pleased.
"It is a pleasure, young man. I am Julia Hope, the current Pope . You are rather polite for your age, you must have been given proper etiquette." she said with a voice so soothing even I felt a bit relieved. Her voice was enough to quell peoples worries I thought.
"My Lady, will you be present too?" Looks like the baptized ceremony was done alone but if my Granny wanted, she could accompany me too?
"That would be great." Granny, finally being a bit polite, agreed to come with us.
We moved inside of the church and many young Nuns started preparing things and soon left the room. Then finally only The Pope and a Nun were left with me and Granny.
It was a simple ceremony. I completed some ceremonies and she read some sermons. After the ceremony was over, I stood in front of a large orb that was put on a table. It is certainly something mysterious.
"Touch the orb with both hands, wait for a minute. If you would be given something, it would be given to you at that time." the Pope said so.
The Nun near her looked very interested. Granny was behind me looking over the ceremony.
"I hope I don't get anything troublesome…" I murmured to myself.
It looked like the Nun heard me cause she looked rather surprised hearing me.
As I touched it, I immediately felt the same feeling I felt when I met with the old man.
.........….
"It's been long now hasn't it?" The old man seeping tea in front of me looked the same as ever..
"I felt it was long, so how have you been?"
"It has been going hectic around here, many angels and some gods want to see you. They already found where you were reincarnated, you see?"
"Please don't get me into any trouble. I just started living a normal life."
"Don't worry. They won't bother you much. They know you from your 2nd life so you should be familiar to them even if you forgot."
"Alright, besides it's not like they can just pop out of nowhere without saying anything …."
"Hmm, yes… that may not happen…."
"Why do you sound so vague…?" At the old man's weak response, I felt that these higher beings might really do things on their own whims.
"Besides that, do you want something?" He asked me, brushing off the subject.
"Nothing comes to mind…" as I was saying that, it felt like there was another presence coming here.
"Oh…. she found out…" the old man looked a bit troubled and as soon as he finished speaking, a woman suddenly popped up beside me. Not giving me any chance to react, she soon hugs me so hard, as if I was going to take off running.
"Umm…. who are you, lady?" since she wasn't saying anything it was getting a bit awkward.
"That's one of my underlings…." the old man tried to introduce her but then she stood up and sat on my lap….. her pink hair fluttered on their own as she sat on my lap leaning herself on my chest, and finally sighing as if in relief..
"Jerk! Even though you died, forgetting me is unforgivable." She was a well endowed woman and most of all looking at her from a distance most people would think of her as an adult but when she was sitting on my lap like this and pouting like a little girl…. How can I say this? This kind of suited her in a way… was she really a grown up? no, that is not the concern, she made me want to pamper her as if she was a baby, child, girl and a women, all at once.
"You know you can forgive him…. He did lose his memory.`` The old man tries to help me with this predicament.
"Never!" she acted as if she had a huge grudge with me. but I still felt the need for care for her.
As if I was used to this, I turned her towards me and patted her head…..
…. I wonder why I did that….
As I was pondering on my own actions, the woman looked up into my eyes, her pink pupils sparkled like she was delighted…
"Eh hehe, I will forgive you!" owaa! So easy!
"That's rather…. Familiar sight…" the old man sighed and took a sip of his tea.
"Hmm… Well, I will thank you for forgiving me but Miss who are you?" as I asked this, she was already snuggling to my chest… Her fragrance was tantalizing, no... it was soothing... no... not that too... it was.. nostalgic? and I was unable to get out of her bind… rather I couldn't make my body to let her go. Rather was it my body? This was my consciousness… my body was back in the living world. Which meant… my consciousness didn't let her go...
"Oh… well even if you forgot me… You did react the same way when you remembered me at least!" not answering my question, she rather fixed herself on my lap like it was normal?
"That's the god of love….. Oh hey it looks like your time's up."
"Wait wait wait don't go already!" The now known god of love clings to me more but I was already feeling like I was getting pulled back. Since I couldn't stop this, I took a good look at the place.
"I had a lot to ask… I will come soon!" Before I vanished, I got a little kiss on the cheek… from the goddess of love.
Because of her, I had to go through many hassles. I hope I can confront her the next time I come here.
{System has collected enough information and now will proceed to analyze}
{Notice: Higher Energy signature found. Proceeding to adjust to the Master's body…}
As I woke up from coming back, I was still standing there holding the orb. It seems that 1 minute has passed. The System was saying something I didn't know. my cheek that the goddess of love kissed felt as if it was burning... weird did the sensation pass on to my real body too?
On the other hand, the Pope and the nuns….? Wasn't there supposed to be only one nun?
The room was filled with priests and nuns and with the Pope, they were all prostrating in front of me. Only granny and I were left standing and of course I was bewildered.
"Granny what happened?"
"Well….. They believe that…. There was a God here until now?" Granny answered while scratching the back of her head, even though she was clueless too.
Well I wasn't gonna tell that I was there Having tea with them just until now.
"Oh My! At my age, I have seen God's grace!.. No wonder! nothing less from the Saint's grandson…" the Pope was as emotional as if she had been shown the truth of the universe…
"Well that is good… thanks all of you for helping me … Now Granny lets go." I would rather like to leave this situation as soon as possible.
"Yes, yes. Now then everyone, we will be heading out!" looks like even granny knew what would happen.
"Wait! His holiness Rekka is a special one! Never in history has there been such a huge presence of god in this world!"
"Yeahhhh! Because of him we have felt the gods' grace!" As if the pope had broken the dam, one by one, the devotee's kept singing their praise and nearly had started worshiping me.
"Old man.. I know I like talking to you but I think I will skip it from now…" I murmured slowly under my breath.
As the situation unfolded, even my granny was unable to get out. And very soon, the whole Holy city had gathered. I was put on a throne and was dressed in some high quality holy garb. The city looked as if it came to life. Thousands of people started to gather by the afternoon.
Beside me, granny was standing with an awkward face.
"If I knew this was gonna happen, I would have stopped from coming here, even playing with the cute and pure nuns doesn't cover for this hassle."
"Granny I think this was your punishment for the sin of violating pure nuns…. But why! Do I have to! Be in that punishment too!!!!`` As I opened my mouth after a long while, the gathering people in front of me leaped in joy.
"The Holy one has spoken!!!" as if a cheer had started, the crowd started thanking god and praying.
Damn I can't even speak! These guys are following my word like the gods given knowledge.
"Well my beloved Grandson, I knew you had greatness in you. Now that you have risen in the world, this old me shouldn't bask in your fame…. I will be taking my leave!"
"NoooooO!" not hearing any of my protest, my dear granny who told me I could trust her all my life! Betrayed me!
Why god!? What did I do to deserve this!
"Your Holiness, the people are waiting for your words please tell them God's teachings!" the pope who now didn't even look for my granny came to me and said something outrageous!
"Isn't that your job? Pope, I am a regular human. I don't even worship god like these people. How can you expect any sermon from me?" I said exasperatedly.
"Oh holy one is so humble! People of Holy city, our Holiness has spoken! He is of normal birth and a normal man!" The pope repeating my words which should have explained everything only made the situation more hectic.
"The Holy one is humble. He truly is a special one!"
"Yeah, God has chosen a great leader for us."
"Even though given great power, just how modest is he?"
One by one people kept speaking their own lines and pushing them on me.
Another hour later I was looking at more people than I could see at once…..
"Pope! Let me go! Please, I beg you! I am not one you speak of!" I wished by this time the pope would at least listen to me but sadly there was no one out there with a clear head.
As the night fell, the people started to camp out near the church and I was taken inside the church which was now more extravagant than the royal castle of Stein kingdom…
I already gave up and shut my emotions off. Even if I said I was the devil, people cheered. Even if I said I will take all the nuns as my own, people cheered. "The holy one will protect the helpless nuns! He will be their support!"
Since the nuns had a hard time outside the holy city which I practically didn't know, that was why my line was taken like that… Many nobles like to get nuns to support their armies with healing since it will grow their reputation which brought many nuns not so good circumstances.
At this point even if I said I wanted the famous current saint who was known to be a beauty among beauties as my own and make her have a lewd relationship with me, I wonder if these people would think that I will be making a holy baby?
Of Course I would never dare to do that!
[You know? This is the first time one of my wielders has been seen as the gods special one.]
Amanori! I wanna get out!
[hmm… don't ask me… I'm just a sword. Ku ku ku]
System, at least you help me!
{Notice: System has begun analysis on new energy as such it is now unavailable}
Sigh….
I wonder what will happen from now on….