Chapter 20

Elder Marxen stammered. As he stumbled over his words, I smiled and said, “Bring him here.”

“…”

“I want to see him as well. A paladin greater than the one who has a holy sword!”

“…”

“Hm? What? You can’t bring one?” A paladin with a holy sword was a special existence to the temple. It was obvious considering that the first paladin was a saintess. That was the advantage of being a paladin. If the holy sword chose the worst of the worst knight, that knight would become the best knight the next day.

“This, this doesn’t make sense. How does he have a holy sword?” The elder was trembling, like he was hit on the back of his head, and pointed at the holy sword. “That, that’s fake!”

“Watch your words, Elder.” Hearing my rebuke, Elder Marxen immediately put down his finger. I continued, “That’s a genuine holy sword.”

It seemed like Elder Marxen finally felt something from the sword, and he trembled. I smiled at him again. “Grandpa, you’re one of the twelve elders, yet you can’t recognize Sophia’s Holy Sword?” It was best to let idiots see with their own two eyes. I held onto the holy sword and looked at Ludwig. Ludwing nodded and unsheathed the blade.

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“…!”

He showed off the beautiful sword. The moonlight shone off the blade.

‘Even the holy sword looks mad.’ I felt as if the holiness was purifying me. And this effect was probably stronger on the elder.

“This, this doesn’t make sense… Are you saying that this is the real holy sword?”

“The Holy Sword that was protecting the Revelenon Temple chose its master and I’ve already told Grandpa Pope to send over replacements for the priests who died to the beasts. You get your news quite late.”

“I, I didn’t hear about this…”

The relationship between the Vatican and the Senate was never good. ‘But did they purposefully not say anything?’

“Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing the paladin you’ll bring who’s greater than my paladin who has the holy sword!”

“That, that…”

I left the speechless elder and turned toward Ludwig. “Until then, you’re my guardian knight. Okay?”

“Yes, Saintess.” Ludwig got down on his knee and bowed.

‘He’ll probably stop now.’ We left the defeated Elder Marxen and walked back to my room.

Ludwig returned the holy sword to me. “You’re the true owner of the holy sword…” His expression was rigid as if he didn’t feel right being called the owner of the holy sword.

“Don’t worry, Ludwig. You’re my sword.”

“…!” Ludwig opened his eyes wide.

“I’m young and weak, so I can’t use the sword. You need to become my sword, okay?”

“I, Ludwig, will obey you until my death.”

“Okay.”

“How will I ever repay the grace you’ve given me…” Ludwig teared up. “I will devote myself to you even more wholeheartedly!” Ludwig clenched his fists and walked out of the room after I nodded.

Problem solved! Luciana looked back at me and gave me a smile with a thumbs up. It was the best compliment.

“Ehem. Did you see what this body has done?”

“Hoho! I’ll bring some snacks over.”

“Kya!!”

“It’s your reward.”

“Luci, you’re the best!”

“Please wait here!” Luciana left the room. My heart pounded in excitement when I looked down at the holy sword. It was still shining.

“Sophia, thanks for helping.”

“What?” Sophia showed herself and smiled. “I also like that guy.”

Was it because he was the original owner of the sword? I rolled my eyes as Sophia laughed. She then asked, “Why did you call for me?”

“Sophia, can you read my mind?”

“Hoho! I can’t, but I can read your face.”

‘Then, there’s no need to beat around the bush.’ “To be honest, I’m curious about something.”

Sophia nodded and encouraged me to continue. I breathed in. “Why did you help me?” I had pondered it for a while, but I couldn’t think of any reason. “You told me that Daddy was in danger, and you helped save Harel.” ‘Why is she helping me?’ “I’ve been thinking, and I can’t find an answer.”

“Do you not want me to?”

“No, thank you!” I was grateful to her, but I was curious. “I just want to know why. Is it okay for you to help me?” I carefully asked her, but she laughed.

“I have to mention one thing.”

“What?” I asked.

“The only thing I helped you with was the prayer. You’re the one who performed the miracles. You’re the one who saw the future and revived the child.”

“I did?” I blinked as Sophia laughed.

Sophia raised the holy sword into the air. It shone in the moonlight. “All saintesses exist on this earth with a mission.” Sophia turned her gaze toward me. “Wasn’t it your mission to save that child?”

“…!” It wasn’t grand enough to call a mission, but it felt useless to say anything.

“So I wanted to help you.” Sophia continued.

“Why…?”

“Because I haven’t completed my mission.” Her friendly eyes looked at me as she said, “I wanted you to at least fulfill your mission.”

I couldn’t say anything at her words. A saintess truly was a saintess. “Will something happen to you for helping me out like this?”

“That little bit is fine. Are you worrying about me?”

As I nodded, I saw an expression flit across her face. I couldn’t figure out whether it was happiness or sadness.

“To be honest, I was happy to meet you. No one’s been able to see me until now. I was alone for too long.” Sophia explained that she had been tethered to the sword for thousands of years. However, I had never read anything about her being bound to it.

“You must’ve been lonely,” I said.

“It was quite lonely.” Sophia laughed. “… It really was.”

I tightly hugged the sword, visualizing it was Sophia. She laughed again, and her laugh was brighter this time. I said to her, “Let’s talk more. We’ll play a lot and stay together.”

Sophia lightly nodded at my words. “I think I know why the holy sword chose you as its master.”

“…?” I tilted my head, and Sophia mysteriously laughed. ‘What’s going on?’ “Why did it choose me?”

Sophia looked at me as if she were questioning why I didn’t know. ‘So what if I don’t know?’ I pouted and Sophia laughed.

“Think about the reason the holy sword was created.”

“…?”

* * *

“Kais.”

“…”

“Why are swords made?”

Kais’s reaction was cold. His expression seemed to ask why I was there asking such questions. I felt like I could read his thoughts. I had taken time out of my busy schedule, but his reaction felt like cold water.

“…”

However, he wasn’t telling me to get lost. The kid who used to look at me as if I were a bug was now letting me sit next to him. I was feeling happy at this rapid development when Kais opened his mouth and said, “To kill.”

“…?” I tilted my head, and Kais looked away, ignoring me.

‘What’s he talking…’ “Oh!” He had answered my question. I was a bit touched. I thought he was totally ignoring me, but he wasn’t! “Kais!”

“Get off.” I didn’t care if he was uncomfortable. I happily hugged him. “You’re finally opening up to me!” I needed to keep him happy for my dad and my happiness.

‘I thought it would’ve been harder.’ I saw a glimpse of hope when Kais opened up. “I’ll work hard!”

“What?” Kais looked confused, and he made a face. He seemed to be asking “What are you working hard for?”

“I’ll work hard in anything!”

“Let go!” The battle between Kais, who wanted to be free, and me, who wanted to keep holding on, started.

“Saintess.” … And it only lasted for a minute. Luciana couldn’t hide her disappointed face and looked at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“The medical examination is finished—”

Before Luciana could finish talking, Kais pulled me off his arms and ran to Harel. He was so fast that I could barely see him. ‘Does he hate hugging that much?’

Right when I was about to go see Harel, the holy sword that was still with me started crying out.

“…?” ‘Why’s it making noises?’

“Ah!” ‘Is it resonating with Kais?’ I looked between the holy sword and Kais a few times. Kais was looking desperately at Harel, who still hadn’t gained consciousness. ‘Ah, I see.’ “The reason the holy sword was made.” Kais’s answer wasn’t wrong, but there existed another reason as well.

“To protect.” It was made to protect things dear to its owner. That was the kind of sword Sophia’s sword was. It was an everlasting strength that existed to protect one’s beliefs, will, and their ideals. I remembered Priscilla’s memory I had during my fever. Ludwig had become the owner of the holy sword because of his will to protect Priscilla, and I… became the owner probably because of my will to protect my dad. “I see. Thank you for teaching me.”

Whoosh!

“Please take care of me from now on.” ‘So I can protect my dad.’

The light shining from the sword responded to me as if it were alive..