Would it be like this if the knights who lost the war gathered?
The priests gathered in the bishop's office were all cowed and unable to open their mouths, as if they had been defeated.
"…What are the chances of recovery?"
Nevertheless, someone had to report on the current question.
Otherwise, Bishop Pedro's cold anger would explode.
"For more details, I will have to send it to the Vatican..."
The white-robed priest, a trusted man of Bishop Pedro, hesitated to speak, but he had no other choice.
"It seems difficult."
"…"
After hearing the priest's response, Bishop Pedro wiped his face with a deep sigh.
Pedro struggled not to show his emotions, but still, there was one word that he couldn't help but let out from the depths of his heart.
"This is ridiculous."
Mirror of San Marello.
The Mirror of San Marello, a sacred relic donated directly by the Vatican, was a source of pride for Pedro, but it was ridiculously broken.
Just because he was able to see the soul of a young knight.
'...What the hell is this guy doing?'
Vlad of Soara.
A knight from the alleys.
His unusual origin and young age clearly gave him a unique personality, but still, he could never have imagined that he would make such a leap forward.
"Has anyone seen what was reflected in his soul?"
The Mirror of San Marello is a mirror that reflects the soul.
An ordinary person would only have looked at their own reflection, but in Vlad's case, it emitted such a bright light that it was difficult to look at.
That also meant that there was definitely something inside the boy.
"It's not anything special. If that were the case, it's impossible that we wouldn't have noticed."
"It is said that a lightning struck the roof of the church. It could be a being strong enough to affect reality."
Bishop Pedro became even more confused after hearing what the priests were saying.
"...I don't even know what it is."
Even Pedro, who had been an Inquisitor of Heresy for a long time, was someone whose identity was difficult to determine.
Since it shines brightly, it must not be bad.
However, the energy it possessed was too strong to be called a blessing from God.
"I need to report this."
It was unclear what was inside Vlad, but it clearly had enough presence to destroy and devour a sacred relic.
Even if it does not belong to evil, if it is unique to this degree, the Vatican will definitely be interested.
Perhaps, being an unknown entity, we can bring it to trial again...
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Pedro was momentarily brought out of his thoughts when someone knocked on the door.
"...Bishop."
"What's going on?"
A priest carefully opens the door and enters while numerous eyes watch in the office.
In his hand was a small piece of paper.
"This is a letter from San Rogino."
"From San Rogino?"
Pedro made a puzzled expression at the priest's words.
As a member of the Vatican, it was rare for the northern diocese of San Rogino to send him a letter.
"Give it to me."
Pedro didn't know why, but he took the note from the pale-faced priest's hand.
After a crisis comes an opportunity.
Conversely, a crisis can arise after an opportunity.
Pedro put Vlad in danger by setting a trap, but he ultimately failed.
"San Rogino..."
The tide has now shifted from Pedro to Joseph, and the rightful mayor of Soara did not miss the opportunity that presented itself.
"Damn northerners!"
The women lying in a fog-filled village testified with tears in their eyes.
That a person named Black Bear is someone who will never go unpunished.
And San Rogino accepted their tears.
[Bishop Pedro of Soara will explain the relationship between Black Bear and the witches.]
Mayor of Soara and San Rogino.
An arrow shot from the north coldly pierced Pedro's chest.
***
The name of the young deacon accompanying Andreas was Christian.
The young man, who had built a relationship with Vlad since the monster subjugation battle in Varna, had just arrived in Soara with Andreas, whom he served.
"Are you okay, priest?"
"You might need to lie down a bit more."
A young deacon carrying a large bucket of water up to his waist, groaning.
Vlad felt sorry for him and instead lifted a bucket of water.
If it weren't for him, he'd be living comfortably in Varna.
"It was tough moving around in the cold weather, but you had a round with the bishop as soon as you arrived."
"...Yes."
Not only did he feel sorry for the young deacon.
The priest Andreas lay on the bed panting.
As the young deacon explained, he did everything he could at his young age, so it was impossible not to get into trouble.
"Do you need anything?"
"No, Mr. Joseph is already taking care of everything."
Being in debt to someone generates complex and subtle emotions that are difficult to explain in a word.
And Vlad always felt that way whenever he saw Andreas.
From the moment I received my name until now.
I've always been grateful to Andreas.
"But is it real?"
"What?"
The eyes of a child who must have been only ten years old gleamed as he looked at Vlad.
"I heard you received God's blessing?"
"...Who said that?"
The more a rumor spreads, the bigger it gets.
Apart from influential people in the city who were directly involved in the trial, the white and pure cloud that flowed into the church was one of the miracles that everyone in Soara could see.
"It's not that important."
"Really?"
Christian said yes with words, but his facial expression suggested that it probably wasn't true.
Because I also saw the young deacon.
A sword of pure white that cut down a woman who was like a nightmare under the night sky.
"Still, he liked it."
Christian, who arrived in front of the room where Andreas was staying, took a bucket of water from Vlad's hands and said.
"Did he like it?"
"Sure."
A young mercenary rolling on the ground became a full-fledged knight under his security.
As if that wasn't enough, it was something Andreas could be happy about as he was with a being with auspicious energy.
"Can I brag to my fellows later? I'll say I prayed with Mr. Vlad."
"...If you want to, go ahead."
Though it was a tepid response, a big smile was already etched on Christian's face.
He was a knight who might have been blessed by God.
Simply having a relationship with such a knight would be something to boast about among the young deacons.
"See you later."
"Yeah."
He at least wanted to wave goodbye, but it wasn't possible as he lay sick.
Since it's someone who came for you, it would be right to be as considerate as possible.
"Why are you bragging?"
Vlad turned in front of the door and scratched his neck, recalling Christian's words.
In my whole life, I've never been anyone's pride.
"…."
Vlad stopped in an empty hallway and looked out the window.
Whenever the surroundings grew quiet, there was a voice speaking to me as if it had been waiting.
But now, in the empty hallway, all I could hear were my own murmurs to myself without any response.
"I'm not used to this."
If the voice were here now, would it have been proud of itself and said so?
However, the voice that would have responded to those words had disappeared, leaving only small traces in its world.
Feeling alone for the first time in a long time, Vlad simply stood still and swallowed the silence.
***
"They say a letter was sent from San Rogino."
"That's fast."
Joseph, looking out the window while holding a glass of wine, smiled faintly at Jager's report.
"It seems like there was a lot of pent-up excitement, right?"
"Isn't the Vatican's negligence towards the northern diocese already well-known?"
The center of the continent is the central region, and the discrimination and jealousy sent to other regions discriminate against no one.
Everyone knew that the northern diocese of San Rogino was being ignored by the Vatican in the center.
"Not bad."
The timing was good.
It wasn't easy to gain San Rogino's support on a political matter, but the quickly reorganized balance of power made it possible.
The alliance of San Rogino with the northern lords.
This was supposed to be confirmed at the upcoming Northern Conference, but if there's a clear opportunity like now, it wouldn't be a bad idea to act in advance.
"Bordan. Take care of Priest Andreas. If possible, I hope they won't send him to Varna."
"Okay."
Although he came for the boy as an excuse, Priest Andreas was someone who could pressure Bishop Pedro with just his presence.
He was a well-known priest, and it wouldn't be strange for him to soon become a bishop somewhere.
Joseph was already forming the next plans for Pedro in his head.
"Mr. Joseph. I'm here."
"Come in."
Joseph stepped away from the window and looked at Vlad entering the office.
It was right after something big happened, but when he saw his face, he couldn't find anything to say.
"What should I do with you?"
"I'm sorry."
Joseph's expression as he looked at Vlad was truly subtle.
"You're always so unpredictable. From start to finish."
"…"
Joseph was someone who preferred to achieve results through careful planning.
And the boy in front of him was someone who had a special knack for ruining Joseph's plans.
In terms of compatibility, they were the worst, but the results they produced were always better than expected, so even Joseph was confused.
"The priest said you may have God's blessings within you."
"Probably not."
"It doesn't matter if you don't. I'll make it happen."
Joseph's dark eyes looked at Vlad.
Sedition and fabrication were the specialties and essential knowledge of nobles.
"…Bishop Pedro and the Vatican behind him will watch you. Though it wasn't my intention, you interfered with their work."
Joseph let out a small sigh as he watched Vlad bow his head in silence.
The young knight, who was difficult to handle and even harder to raise, still gave Joseph a headache.
"Take it."
"Yes?"
Vlad suddenly caught the bag flying towards him.
It was a bag that jingled and felt heavy.
"…This."
"This year is coming to an end."
The year ended with snow falling.
Although it was a year that ended in accident, no year in Joseph's life was as successful as this one.
In a way, it could be said that it was all the boy in front of him.
"It's a special allowance. It's a reward for performance, not a salary."
As Bordan said, Vlad was also paid special benefits.
As the year was coming to an end, Joseph made a clear calculation for Vlad.
"It'll be more than 300 gold coins."
"…!"
Vlad had been tilting his head apologetically a moment ago, but his eyes widened when he saw the amount of money flowing from Joseph's mouth.
He wasn't sure, but 300 gold coins was a huge amount of money that could buy land for farming.
"Why, why... like this."
"I've also calculated the achievements I've made since you were a squire. It's a lot of money, so use it well."
The boy always performed better than Joseph expected.
In a way, it was a complicated process, but the result was dazzling, so Joseph felt obliged to compensate him.
"Now you're a knight. You're entitled to claim your achievements."
"Thank you!"
Joseph silently looked at Vlad, who was thanking him with a happy face.
It wasn't easy to say this seeing that happy face, but he had to.
Because he was responsible for Vlad.
"Keep in mind. Now that you've become a knight, you're in a position of responsibility."
It's not possible to overwhelm an opponent with just weapons and strength.
Vlad felt the presence of Joseph, who was now standing with his back to him, overwhelming him.
"Do you understand what I said?"
"Yes."
"Well good night."
Vlad, who is 17 years old, will turn 18 at the end of this year.
The boy should know.
Now that this year passes, he won't be able to be a child anymore.
"Knight Vlad ignored God's indulgence. This is his mistake, which Bishop Pedro clearly revealed."
In yesterday's trial, Vlad claimed he killed Black Bear in his own words, so he was exonerated.
This was a mistake that Joseph recognized and Vlad must take responsibility for it.
"We'll hold him accountable and I'll expel Knight Vlad from Soara."
"…Yes?"
The blue eyes facing each other began to tremble greatly.
Still, I can't help it.
If even the slightest mistake persists, the justification will be left to the bishops and the Vatican.
"The deadline is until I call you back."
A squire may be behind, but a knight must take the lead.
The boy may be forgiven, but the adult must take responsibility.
And Vlad is now at the age where he should know about responsibility and duty.
Outside the window, white snow was falling, covering the whole year.
When the time comes for the snow to melt, Vlad will also become an adult, not a child.
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