"Knights?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yes, they're part of the Light Church's organization, the Ilocos Knight Corps. We're struggling with a shortage of personnel. To protect the innocent followers of the Light Goddess, we still don't have enough knights," Rosy explained, her tone filled with earnestness.
Hearing this, I began to understand what the high-ranking captain had meant about gathering villagers—especially those between the ages of 10 and 20. It made sense now.
"But this is a genuine recruitment effort!" Rosy continued. "We're visiting towns and villages to find those who wish to join the knight corps."
"But the knights who came here were clearly different, weren't they?" I retorted, my voice firm. "They didn't just want to recruit; it felt like they were about to kidnap the village's young ones. The one leading them was…"
My gaze and Rosy's locked on the same figure. If I remembered correctly, that man's name was Cook.
"I-I had no choice!" Cook stammered, his voice full of excuses as he tried to justify himself. "Since I had the chance, I'll say it now: Light Hero is far too lenient! There's no need for this 'recruitment' nonsense. We should just gather all those who can fight and strengthen the Ilocos Knight Corps as much as possible!"
"So, in order to do that, you were planning to seize the young people from this village?" I asked, my tone sharp and accusing.
"That's right! Not 'recruiting'—'levying'!" Cook snapped, snapping back at me.
Rosy stepped in, still composed. "I admit, Captain Cook's methods were forceful, but the grace of the Five Gods is fading in this world. Monsters are running rampant, and to fight them, we need to gather more people."
She continued, her voice full of sincerity. "Of course, we're not forcing anyone. But I want to fight alongside all of you to protect this world. And in order to do that, I must ask you—please!"
Once again, Rosy lowered her head, not apologizing, but pleading. It wasn't just a request for me—it was for all the villagers.
However, the villagers' response was a mix of unease and reluctance. It was understandable. Rosy's sincerity was clear, but the villagers had their own lives to live. If the young people were taken, it would leave a gap in the village's workforce—a serious issue. It was unlikely anyone would want to volunteer. Rosy's side had made it clear, though, that they wouldn't back down unless someone stepped forward. If things weren't handled carefully, the knights might resort to their forced methods again.
After a long pause, I sighed, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. "…Understood." I stepped forward.
"Jack!" My mother's voice rang out, filled with concern. It pierced through me, tightening my chest.
"I'll go. But on one condition: I'm the only one going. Don't try to persuade the other villagers, and don't harm anyone. Those are my terms for joining."
And that's how I, Jack Dawson, came to join the Light Church. Some people might have called it a sacrifice for the village, but I had my own reasons. This wasn't just about helping the village. I had a greater purpose.
During the battle with the Seraphims 2'700 years ago, I—the Dark Seraphim—had been sealed by the other five Seraphims. They recreated the world as they saw fit. Now, the Light Seraphim which they call today the Light Goddess, Inflation, had created a church to spread her teachings. The others had likely done the same. I wondered just how much they had influenced humanity in my absence. To find out, I had to go. And if any actions went beyond what was acceptable, it would be my responsibility—my duty as a Seraphim, a servant of the real God—to correct them.
This was something I should have done sooner. In fact, it was one of the reasons I had reincarnated as a human. But there had been a reason I had waited until I was 18.
"Jack, are you really… going?"
My mother clung to my hand, reluctance etched in every line of her face, not showing any sign of letting go. I hesitated. I couldn't bring myself to shake her off. I stood there in silence, feeling the weight of her concern.
"It's fine now. Let Jack go." My father's voice was firm yet gentle.
"But dear, Jack never left this village. Even when he went hunting, he'd always return in less than three days. But if he goes to the city, who knows when he'll come back…" My mother's worry was palpable.
I was concerned about leaving her too, especially with her frail health. There were times when her worries about me had worsened her condition. If possible, I didn't want to leave. This farewell was painful, one I wasn't ready for.
But my father gently separated our hands.
"Jack is a man. There will come a time when he has to venture into the world to find his place. Today is that day. If you are his mother, you should congratulate him on this new chapter of his life."
I nodded in response, my voice respectful. "Yes, father."
He placed both hands on my shoulders. "You probably don't remember, but when you were just one year old, you disappeared from the house one day. Your mother and I searched everywhere, but we couldn't find you. As the night passed, we thought we might never see you again."
I remained silent, reflecting on the memory my father was about to share.
"But when night fell, you suddenly returned, as if nothing had happened. It was as if you had finished a stroll and were simply coming back. Since that day, your mother became an incredible worrywart, but I, on the other hand, was impressed. 'To be able to go on such an adventure at the age of one—just how far will you go when you're older?' That's what I thought."
My father smiled, his hands still on my shoulders.
"If it's about me and your mother, don't worry. You're not the kind of man who should spend his whole life in a small village. Go see the world. This is your chance to do that."
I nodded again, the weight of his words settling in my chest. "Yes, father."
My father hugged me tightly. Even though this body had been chosen by chance for the Dark Seraphim's reincarnation, these were my parents—people who had raised me with love and care for 18 years. I could never see my connection to them as mere fiction.
"Mother, father… I love you."
I hugged them both, and for the first time in my life, I set off for the world that they wouldn't be a part of.
In that moment, I understood… While my soul carried the essence of the Dark Seraphim, I was also human. I was Jack Dawson.