IMPORTANT: ‘Holy Knight’ will be changed to ‘Paladin’
I totally forgot that the author specifically wrote Paladin in furigana to specify the way to read it.(ﾉ≧ڡ≦)
Just in case you forgot, here’s a tiny recap.
Lig’s occupation is a Paladin.(Chapter 2)
The priest panicked because the Paladin is coming (Chapter 6)
Liscia is the former Paladin Captain. (Her family crumbled because of the Paladin Vice-Captain)(Chapter 9)
Liscia’s armour was bestowed by the Holy King when she became the Paladin Captain(Chapter 13)
(Paladin is mentioned in Chapter 2,6, 9, 13,15, so far.)
The Place I Was Brought To
“……This is the Holy City”
I couldn’t hide my astonishment of coming to the Holy City for the first time. The firm wall that stood over 20 meters. And beyond that are buildings lining up with white as the keynote. Then, what I’m most surprised about is, people, people, people, as far as I can see. It’s full of people.
“Is, is there some sort of festival today?”
I reflexively asked the beautiful young man beside me, Arnaud・Slicer-san. That’s how much people there is.
Arnaud-san is the Holy Kingdom’s Paladin who came 2 months ago to the village to receive me who’s the Holy Maiden. He’s the guy who saved Lig when he was in a danger and the village when it was under attack by the dead spirits type monsters.
Then, it’s something I knew after Arnaud-san told us but, it seems that our village is contaminated by miasma. I heard the cause is unknown but, there’s only one thing that comes to mind.
I’m hesitating on whether to talk about Hardt’s matter but, the villagers all talked about Hardt’s matter in harmony so, I wasn’t able to hide it.
After hearing what the villagers said, Arnaud-san left a good half of the soldiers behind in the village, and he also promised to get a priest come purify the miasma. Though in exchange for that, I was made to promise to go to the Holy Kingdom.
My parents were wholeheartedly delighted. Because I’m able to serve the country as a Holy Maiden……is, not the case, it’s because they received an enormous sum of money from Arnaud-san. Furthermore, they receive it every month.
My parents who look to be in a frenzy after receiving that told me to go to the Holy Kingdom. To be honest, I thought they were disgusting even though they are my parents.
But, there’s also a part of me that thinks it’s just the right time. Because if I stay in this village, I can’t help but think about what I did to Hardt. I thought about leaving the village for once and calming down before thinking about Hardt’s matters again.
For that purpose, firstly, I who thought of investigating the demon who attacked the Holy Kingdom in the Holy Kingdom, told Arnaud-san I’m going, and I’ve arrived after 2 months.
In truth, it should’ve taken about 1 month from the country I lived in, Anders Kingdom but, the trip proceeded slowly because we weren’t used to it.
By the way, I said ‘we’ because Lig followed along even though I’m going to the Holy Kingdom. Well, it might be natural for Lig to come. Lig’s occupation is the Paladin. He might’ve come along because of Arnaud-san who has the same occupation.
I look at Arnaud-san as I thought about things in the past and, for some reason he’s laughing even more. D, did I say something weird?
“No, my apologies. It’s normal for the Holy Kingdom to have these much people. This is something you have to get used to. Besides, there will be even more people during the unveiling of Holy Maiden-sama”
Arnaud-san says that as he smiles towards me……more importantly, what’s the unveiling? I didn’t hear anything about that.
“Then, the Holy King-sama is waiting so let’s go”
Arnaud-san put my question aside and advance the horse wagon. Haa, somehow I’m feeling all sorts of unease. Even though I would be able to calm down if Hardt was here……This won’t do, being fainthearted. Besides, I have no right to think about Hardt.
“Stella, I think you might be uneasy leaving Obaa-san¹ and others’ side but, I’m here. That’s why, rely on me”
Lig who might have thought of something after looking at my expression, says that to me. He might look cool to those girls who aren’t used to it but, it doesn’t ring with me who knows about Lig’s bad and detestable parts.
I lightly brush Lig off and turn my attention to the scenery outside the horse wagon. There are churches here and there, and priests making speeches.
What I occasionally hear amongst that is, the appearance of the demon and the descent of the Holy Maiden. It’s as plain as daylight that they are talking about Hardt and me.
Though Hardt’s name didn’t come out, a person who possesses the same power as the demon who assailed the Holy Kingdom in the olden times has appeared, is shouted loudly. Then, the Holy Maiden has descended in order to seal the demon.
What I’m astonished by amongst that was, the announcement within the country about the unveiling of the Holy Maiden along the Holy King 3 days later. That is what Arnaud-san was talking about when he said unveiling.
My mood got slightly melancholic but, the horse wagon wouldn’t stop. Before I know it, we arrived at a place that looks like a large and conspicuous sanctuary. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Even the royal palace of Anders Kingdom we stopped by on the way isn’t as splendid as this.
By the entrance of the sanctuary, there are sisters lined up and an old man wearing pompous clothes walks from the entrance. He’s smiling from ear to ear but, he has eyes that can’t be read.
“Welcome, Holy Maiden-sama. I am the advisor of the Holy King, Malint・Elmanol. I was bestowed the Cardinal by the Holy King. My greetings to you”
“N, nice to meet you, I’m Stella. Please take care of me”
“Hoho, there’s no need to humble yourself. Please think of this as your own home. Then before you have an audience with the Holy King, you should already be tired from the long trip. The bath preparations are ready. You guys, lead the way”
“Yes. Then Holy Maiden-sama, we’ll lead the way”
Cardinal Malint said that and, a number of sisters came to my side. It seems that all my luggage are carried by the sisters and I just have to follow along.
“Oops, it’s over here for you”
“Wha!? Let go, Arnaud! I came here to protect Stella!”
“Arnaud. What’s with that guy”
“He’s the new Paladin. He’ll come in handy when it comes to fighting the demon”
“Hou, a new Paladin huh. Umu umu, it looks to be quite the harvest this year. Arnaud, bring him after cleaning him up. He’ll meet the Holy King together as well”
“Understood”
Everything got decided one after another before we had the chance to say anything. I was led and I enter the sanctuary as it is. I wonder why is it that even though it’s such a dazzling sanctuary, it feels as though I’m entering a monster’s mouth. That itself made me feel extremely uneasy.
