novelraw Chapter 214 : Chapter 214
Chapter 214 : Chapter 214
Chapter 214
"The Emperor's immortality is related to the Boundary?"
"That is correct. It is a fact I learned through Colin."
"……."
It was an incomprehensible statement.
"One experience is worth a hundred explanations. Hand over the Divine Object."
"……."
"Surely you weren't planning to keep using it yourself?"
"I did think there wouldn't be any harm in doing so."
"……."
"……."
A moment of exchanging uncomfortable glances.
"Just kidding."
Killian obediently handed over the Divine Object.
"The Divine Object's name is Lost Vane."
Saying so, Lokia pulled out another dagger from the sheath at his waist.
"It is a Divine Object paired with the Divine Object I possess, Gastel Vane. If you synchronize the two Divine Objects, you can see a part of the user's memory."
"Are you saying you knew the Emperor was watching the North?"
"Of course. But knowing that, there was a limit to finding out more with my methods."
Because the Emperor is a Superhuman who has reached a great status in itself, and a person who uses Divine Power like Killian.
"You could have told the Pope."
He said this thinking the Papal Office might have supported them.
"Do you think His Holiness the Pope wouldn't have known?"
"……."
"You are overlooking two things."
First, that the ability of the Saintess Lan de Styx is superior to his as a Chief Priest.
"Second, His Holiness the Pope's Authority has good synergy with the Authority of Boundary."
‘Time’ and ‘Boundary’.
He said that if those two Authorities were synchronized, it would be worthy of being called a new Authority in itself.
"Is it okay for you to tell me such things?"
"You are also part of the plan of His Holiness the Pope and the Saintess. Since you've even returned the Divine Object, there's nothing I can't tell you."
Lokia seemed to have firm loyalty towards the Pope.
"Colin wasn't like that."
Killian mentioned Colin, who harbored hatred towards the Saintess but not towards Lokia.
"Before using a person, winning their heart is essential. I chose Colin as a means to find out the Emperor's scheme, and it just ended up that way."
"Chief Priest Lokia. You were a scary person?"
"I emphasize once again that not just anyone takes the position of Chief Priest."
‘Come to think of it, even Pierre isn't ordinary.’
Although he got caught off guard by him and Hazard and is being dragged around, Pierre has high judgment as well as Divine Power.
The fact that Eurasia couldn't establish a friendly relationship with the Pantera Temple until meeting Killian proves it.
The thought wasn't long.
"Will you view Colin's memory with me?"
"Of course."
"I like that you don't hesitate."
He synchronized the two Divine Objects and activated the Authority of Boundary.
***
He was from a small village in the northern frontier who lost his parents to a Monster Wave.
In an instant, his parents and livelihood were trampled by monsters.
Why did this happen to him?
He couldn't understand why nobles lived in luxury while lowly ones like him had to die.
If there was a God, He should have blessed him.
He should have helped him not give up on life by bestowing a blessing.
He became a refugee and wandered the streets.
Then he targeted the belongings of a priest who came to the village for volunteer work.
He thought priests wouldn't be that agile.
He was caught all too easily.
When Colin was trembling in fear of the punishment to come.
"With this, you will be able to eat until tomorrow."
The priest said so and pressed a few coins into his hand.
"……."
Later, he learned that he was a priest from the Styx Temple built in the northern frontier.
Along with the fact that the Styx Temple trains their bodies no less than average mercenaries or rangers due to the harsh climate.
It was natural for a pickpocket who hadn't received proper training to be caught.
For the first time, he thought deeply about the occupation of a priest.
A priest doesn't need to be born a noble, nor does he need to be born with talent like a knight or a mage.
They were chosen existences.
It seemed that those who received a revelation went to the corresponding temple, took an aptitude test, went through training, and refined a Hollyheart.
For the first time, someone he admired, not hated, appeared.
His body fidgeted.
Since a revelation is somewhat unclear.
‘Wouldn't they just accept me?’
Harboring such hope, he visited the Temple of Boundary.
A temple revealing its majestic appearance regardless of the climate with raging blizzards.
"I, I came after receiving a revelation."
At his words, a priest passing the entrance scanned him and waved his hand.
"Do you know how many people like you come in a day?"
Saying there is a way to recognize a revelation even without refining a Hollyheart.
He warned that if he deceived them about receiving a revelation and defiled the name of God, he would have to pay for his sin.
"The temple is not a place that accepts refugees with nowhere to go."
"It's true. The revelation of the God Styx……."
"If you intend to obstruct official duties any further, I will hold you accountable for the sin of lying."
At the voice cold as thin ice, he lowered his eyes.
It was truly strange.
To judge the existence of a revelation just by looking at his appearance without going through any procedure.
Also, an expulsion order without even a proper explanation.
‘How I managed to come all this way.’
Anger surged, but he was a pauper, and the man in front of him was a respected priest.
It was fortunate if he didn't get beaten and thrown in jail for starting a useless argument.
He lay down beside those who were kicked out of the temple and sleeping on the streets.
It was one of the few homeless shelters operated by the temple even in the cold climate.
Comparing his situation with theirs anew, he was seized by a pessimistic mood.
Sadness rushed in.
It shouldn't be like this.
If there was a God, He should have looked after him a little more.
If there really was a God, give him a revelation.
"Didn't You give me no opportunity? Please give me a chance to serve."
After crying and begging, he fell asleep exhausted.
Homelessness as usual.
But that day was somewhat different.
He had a dream.
Gray Barrier.
Red Boundary beyond it.
There was a man trying to cross the Boundary.
A man wearing priestly robes, emitting Radiance from his whole body.
The man chanted some spell to create a gap in the Barrier, and showed an appearance of absorbing something leaking from the gap into his body.
The more he did, the denser the Radiance wrapping the man's body became.
The blizzard raging in the North became fiercer.
Skreeeeee-
"……!!"
Along with a terrifying sound, he woke up from his sleep.
What he saw and heard.
It didn't take long for him to realize that was a revelation.
As soon as day broke, he ran to the temple and told them what he saw and heard.
The priest, who showed a somewhat strange expression, came out with a man of sturdy build a while later.
"This is Chief Priest Lokia de Styx of the temple. Tell us once again what you saw and heard."
He retraced his memory and explained in as much detail as possible.
What the gray Barrier and red Boundary looked like.
What the glowing man was doing at the Barrier.
What sound was heard immediately after.
After all the stories were finished, the Chief Priest, who was lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth.
"Accept this child."
"Yes, Chief Priest."
Thus, he became a member of the temple.
From then on, Colin began to receive formal education at the temple.
5 years to learn several languages and basic academics.
Another 5 years to take and pass the test and refine a Hollyheart.
After 10 years, he could be recognized as a formal priest of the Styx Temple.
It was a somewhat boring period, but not unbearable.
Compared to a life barely surviving without hope, a life with the goal of becoming a priest was shining brightly.
After refining a Hollyheart and being appointed as a formal priest, the first mission given was to pass through the six bases and see the Boundary with his own eyes.
His heart raced.
To be able to actually go to the place symbolizing the God who gave him a revelation.
To approach the Boundary, one had to be able to withstand the harsh energy, and had to be someone who either refined a Mana Heart or could handle a Hollyheart.
He wasn't qualified before, but now he could strengthen his body with Divine Power and barely pass through the six bases.
Thus, he reached the Boundary.
The red curtain situated behind the gray Barrier said to have been set up by the God of Barrier long ago.
It was definitely an appearance not different from his memory.
‘My revelation was not wrong.’
He wanted to go closer and check in more detail.
But before he could even take a step, the person in charge of the sixth base and the First Class Priest guarding the Boundary firmly blocked him.
"It is not permitted."
"Why is that?"
"That place is one only First Class Priests or higher can visit."
The tone was as if saying it would have nothing to do with him in the future as well.
He wanted to retort, but it wasn't behavior befitting a newcomer just recognized as a priest.
He returned to the temple through the blizzard again.
Life as a priest wasn't just comfortable as he had thought.
The number of priests was small, and there were many poor people waiting for a helping hand.
Due to the harsh climate, the donations the temple could collect were woefully insufficient.
Dispatches of high-ranking priests were frequent to help the temple's operation.
While performing basic duties as a priest belonging to the temple, he practiced Divine Formulas in his spare time.
It seems his appearance looked good to others.
" The Chief Priest is waiting for you."
Chief Priest Lokia de Styx frequently called him and served him tea.
Since he also had infinite gratitude for the one who accepted him here, their relationship was that of an ideal priest and Chief Priest.
"Colin, go to the Imperial Capital."
"By Imperial Capital…… do you mean the Empire?"
"That is correct."
He had visited the Holy Nation, the Papal Office, and other frontiers, but it was his first time visiting the center.
‘If it's the Imperial Capital, usually executive-level priests of the temple should go…….’
It was a time when rumors circulated that the haughty Imperials looked down on even priests.
It was hard to deny that it was somewhat burdensome for a mere Second Class Priest to carry out the mission.
"Does one who received a revelation from God fear the gazes of humans?"
"I am afraid I might cause trouble for the temple for no reason."
"Second Class Priest Colin."
"Yes, Chief Priest."
"By the authority of the Chief Priest, I appoint you as a First Class Priest from today. We will go through the formal procedure after the mission ends."
"……!!"
At the unconventional personnel appointment, his eyes wavered.
The feeling of being recognized by someone.
At the joy that came a step late, his voice rose.
"I will do my best."
"A First Class Priest is a pillar supporting the temple. Thus, I prepared a gift."
Click.
A pure white dagger was kept in the box he handed over.
"This is……."
"Lost Vane. It is one of the few Divine Objects the temple possesses."
"……!!"
At the word Divine Object, Colin unknowingly opened his mouth.
Receiving a Holy Object is like a dream for priests, but to entrust a Divine Object to someone who just became a First Class Priest.
"I value your ability highly."
Lokia continued with a calm face.
"If you build experience steadily like now, you could become a Vice-Priest. After my death, you might even take on the role of Chief Priest."
Therefore, he said there is a need to broaden his horizons through various experiences.
Shing.
He pulled out a sword resembling Lost Vane from the sheath at his waist.
"Gastel Vane. It is a Divine Object paired with Lost Vane. I hope you become a person who can handle even this Divine Object someday."
"……."
His heart began to pound.
"God will lead you on the right path. Have a safe trip."
"As a priest guarding the Boundary, I will keep the Chief Priest's words in mind."
Thus, he headed from the North boasting harsh cold to the warm center.
Without thinking that he would accept a new fate there.