Chapter 59 …
Cardil wore an expression full of, very, extremely, dissatisfaction. I sat across from him.
“The Central Church requested that we be accompanied by a bishop-level member. But as you know, Brother Cardil, I don’t personally know many people from the Central Church. Moreover, those aligned with Centa are currently embroiled in a minor conflict, so even the Central Church members who might support me refused to go as part of the delegation. That left only you, Brother Cardil, as a suitable companion.”
“Ah…”
Cardil frowned.
That expression clearly said: “I was dragged into this because I don’t have connections. What about the healing center I’m supposed to manage? Damn it!” He was probably thinking exactly that…
“Since this is a delegation mission, there will be top-tier treatment and proper compensation, Brother Cardil.”
I carefully offered words to lighten his mood.
“If the truce negotiations conclude safely, perhaps we could discuss expanding the healing center as part of the delegation. Or maybe something like a free medical service…”
“When do we arrive?”
Cardil’s attitude changed completely.
I smiled faintly. Cardil, despite his personality, was surprisingly easy to handle—like a Pomeranian.
“Probably in about five days.”
Since being elevated to a Saint, I had completed the subquests requiring me to gather 700, 1,000, and 1,500 followers.
Thanks to that, the penalty periods had shortened, and my points were approaching a full 100.
I considered spending the points immediately… but
“Better to save them, knowing what might happen in Centa.”
I kept them reserved for handling events in Centa.
The same applied to my faith.
My accumulated followers had increased my faith, but I used it to strengthen relics and saved it for the relics I would soon obtain.
There was no time to use prophecies. The relic I would get in Centa was a precious defensive-type relic.
For someone like me, constantly stabbed, cut, and slashed, a defensive relic was perfect, so I had to save the resources to enhance it.
Clatter.
“We’re almost there, Saint.”
“Yes, let’s prepare.”
Being confined to a carriage for four days straight was grueling, but at least it was a top-tier carriage, practically like riding in a small trailer.
Hygiene would have been inconvenient, but… since I had strengthened the purification relic, I hadn’t truly washed for cleanliness alone.
Bathing was just for the feeling of it. My body was automatically purified, so washing wasn’t really necessary.
I felt a faint excitement.
Back when I was a game player, I hadn’t just traveled the Empire—I’d visited Mayak, Centa, and various other countries worldwide.
I had already somewhat enjoyed the content in the Empire, so I was genuinely looking forward to seeing other countries.
The Empire was rigid and lacked freedom, but it had advanced civilization, whereas Centa supposedly had a freer atmosphere and multiple races living together, making it more visually interesting.
“Brothers and sisters, are you ready to receive a warm welcome?”
I spoke to my party members with joy.
Their reactions varied widely, reflecting their personalities.
Yelena waved her dagger-hand playfully, smiling. Calebrin hesitated.
Cardil, detached, simply nodded at me while reading a book.
Apparently, he assumed he wouldn’t need to show his face. He was confident he wouldn’t have to meet Centa’s key figures, so he relaxed.
I almost said, “You’ll meet heads of state and nobles too~” but stopped myself. Watching Cardil flustered by Centa’s king would be quite amusing.
Thunk.
Clatter.
The carriage jolted again. The murmurs outside grew louder. We were really arriving now.
I briefly checked myself—brushed my hair into place, made sure my clothes were neat.
“We’ve arrived, Saint.”
“Thank you.”
The carriage door opened. The servant-cum-coachman who had accompanied us pulled back the curtain separating the inside from outside.
Light flooded the comparatively dim carriage. My eyes, adjusted to the dark, squinted. I got off while keeping proper etiquette, and the crowd’s cheers reached me.
“Waaah!”
I hadn’t expected such a reception.
They weren’t the type to blindly welcome a Saint from a hostile nation.
After all, the Empire’s biggest adversary had been the neighboring country, Centa. Their distrust and resentment toward the Empire were the highest among nations.
Following the guide, we headed to the platform. Yelena and Calebrin trailed behind me. Cardil had tried to stay in the carriage, but Yelena dragged him out—it was amusing.
“What use is it if I go…”
“Quiet. From now on, it’s really a battle of presence.”
“Then why do I have to do it…”
I heard my party members whisper behind me. I smiled lightly and greeted the high-ranking officials who had come to welcome me.
Names, faces—check.
I tried to memorize as many names and faces as possible, a survival habit formed from facing repeated mortal threats.
People gathered below the platform. But not just humans—some were other races.
From fairies and elves to dwarves, Centa was very different from the Empire, which had only humans. Crossing the border was obvious.
“Demons…?”
Even demons were mingling openly, showing their horns and tails without disguise.
Yet no one around them seemed wary.
In the Empire, a demon arriving would have caused screams in under three seconds, and a heretic inquisitor would have beheaded them in under three minutes.
I exchanged brief greetings with nobles and spoke briefly with Centa’s king.
“I hope this meaningless war can finally end.”
A straightforward aspiration.
“I too wish for all suffering in the world to vanish.”
“I hope we can coexist peacefully.”
The kind king, a dwarf hybrid, was much shorter than me. He stood on a footrest and had to bow at the waist and knees to shake my hand.
“I look forward to working with you, Your Majesty, King of Centa.”
“Having a ‘Saint’ in Centa is a blessing for us. You reached out first to end this futile, meaningless war, so it is only proper to take your hand.”
The king, warm and jovial, had openly revealed his intentions. The Empire often spoke indirectly, so this directness was refreshing.
I lightly greeted him. The guide led me to the podium.
Climbing the steps, I could now see the citizens’ conditions more clearly.
“Injured… emaciated… some even lying down?”
Apparently, word of the “Saint” and the miracles from the ascetic had reached beyond the borders, and people hoped for miracles.
“…Now, the newly appointed Saint, the Ascetic, will say a few words.”
I had no choice but to meet expectations.
I received a short staff functioning as a microphone. Though the design differed, it seemed Centa and the Empire used similar tools.
“This gathering was arranged to end the war. But above all, I am here to see your faces.”
No one would listen to a long, bureaucratic speech. This was not about presenting my plans in some rigid public-service style.
“I hope the path I walk can end your suffering. On that path, I sincerely wish your wisdom and courage to accompany me.”
I kept religious overtones minimal, so as not to undermine the public image I had built.
Then I activated the healing relic’s power. Having already upgraded the purification relic, I could perform area-wide purification similar to the healing relic.
Purifying and healing light spread. My vision encompassed the entire plaza. It reached my companions and even the demons in the crowd.
Those who tried to restrain me in surprise were stopped by Calebrin and Yelena.
The light touched everyone in my view: those lying on carts, those with arms in slings, elderly women, and beggars—all were restored.
“Oh…!”
“Truly a ‘Saint’! This… this is a miracle…!”
People praised me, waving colorful fabrics.
The king recognized that my display was not an attack but a miracle. He narrowed his eyes briefly, then raised his hand.
The guards who had been preparing to intervene stepped back from Yelena and Calebrin.
Three guards who had clung to Yelena, and two trying to subdue Calebrin, put down their weapons and returned to their posts. Yelena and Calebrin returned to my side, still wary but relaxed.
Cardil, standing slightly apart, seemed to be classified as non-combatant and merely held his arms tightly before releasing them.
Even in this situation, Cardil’s blank, non-aggressive expression was amusing. Despite having no survival instinct, he had acted to protect me.
Instead of the usual red semi-circular barrier, a pale blue shield enveloped me. Surely it was Cardil’s.
A noble seated in the VIP section suddenly jumped up, waving his hands.
“Ascetic! What is this madness?”
“Ah… my apologies. It seems many are suffering in the plaza, so I granted a small miracle.”
“A… a miracle?”
Of course. Only those within the skill’s range could experience it, so nobles sitting behind me felt nothing.
I stepped toward the complaining noble, smiling gently. The barrier faded, the blue light receding from view.
“I had no intention of harming Centa. This miracle was simply because I saw many suffering and wished to help.”
The noble stumbled back at my approach.
Without a veil covering my face, my presence alone gave subtle intimidation. Even Yelena and Calebrin had noted that my appearance could be imposing despite my looks.
Ordinary nobles, unlike marquises like Bernator who had fought on battlefields, would naturally be intimidated by my aura.
This gave me a distinct advantage in negotiations.
“I am taking steps for a truce, but it is rare to see so many Centan citizens at once. My actions were to alleviate as much suffering as possible. If my actions caused discomfort, I sincerely apologize.”
The noble tried to speak, but the king intervened. The kindly-looking king now had a sharp, clear expression.
“He didn’t become king through grandfatherly kindness alone.”
The king whispered to his aide, then addressed me.
“I understand your desire to help people and relieve their suffering. However, to achieve this, first, the deep resentment our people hold toward the Empire must be eased. I intend to adjust the delegation’s route to do so. Do you object?”
I knew little about Centa’s king, nor did I particularly care, but here he was laying the groundwork for me.
I smiled under my veil.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to accomplish my mission.”
