The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 53

Chapter 53: Saintess

“Impressive… They seem well-guarded indeed.”

As I walked near the defensive walls around the Grand Cathedral, I noticed that the smooth walls offered no means of climbing. Furthermore, the entrances to the cathedral were guarded by knights.

Using the power of Chaos Crusader might allow me to leap over the walls, but there seemed to be magical devices for security installed on top of the walls. If I attempted to jump over, the knights would surely notice.

Even if I managed to cross the walls, I still didn’t know where the Saintess was. Even if I met her, it would be challenging for me to rescue her without any prior acquaintance.

“…I should return to the inn for now.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Whether we decide to reveal our identity and negotiate or infiltrate, we need to plan it carefully.”

As I headed back to the inn, I pondered the options for what lay ahead.

Going through official channels would involve revealing my identity and negotiating, but given the historical tensions with the Empire, it was likely that we would be stalled or delayed. On the other hand, infiltrating the cathedral carried the risk of discovery, which could lead to a troublesome situation.

Furthermore, I had never met the Saintess before, so attempting to rescue her on my own wouldn’t be feasible. If we were to sneak in, Aria would need to accompany me. However, if we were discovered, it could lead to complications.

“If only my brother were here… He would probably come up with a better plan.”

“You, stop it!”

Suddenly, a shout interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see a woman kneeling at the feet of the knights. In her arms, she held a child who appeared visibly ill.

“Please, I beg you, help us reach the Saintess…”

“The Saintess is a busy person! If it’s medical treatment you need, you can ask the town’s doctors or priests!”

“We’ve already been turned away by every one of them. Only the Saintess can help us now. Please, we have no one else to turn to!”

“It’s probably because that child did something to deserve being in this condition! Do you think the Saintess should waste her time on someone like that?”

The knight who had raised his voice drew his sword and pointed it at the woman and child.

“If you’ve been abandoned by doctors and priests, then I’ll put an end to your suffering!”

Just as the raised sword was about to strike, I intervened. I dashed forward, drew my black sword, and blocked the knight’s strike just in time.

“What!?”

“…Quite a bold statement.”

After deflecting the sword, I addressed the surrounding knights. They braced themselves, and I continued speaking.

“Do you, the knights who serve the Orthodox Church, intend to harm someone who resists their trials? Isn’t it written in your scriptures that ‘the hardships and trials in this world are the tests bestowed upon us by the Lord, and true faith is not in submission before these trials but in resistance’?”

My words, a passage from the Orthodox Church’s scriptures, left some of the knights hesitant. However, about half of them remained stern.

“Do you dare to oppose us, those who serve the Lord?”

“… ‘The faithful who resist their trials are a harm to the servants of God.’ Is that what you are claiming?”

By quoting another passage from the scripture, I made it difficult for the knights to maintain their aggressive stance. They hesitated but did not back down entirely.

“Is it right for knights who serve the Lord to harm those who resist their trials? Can you confidently assert that?”

“Ugh…”

Citing scripture seemed to have left the knights in a difficult position, but they didn’t completely relent. They continued to glare at me, and I was prepared for a standoff…

“It’s alright now.”

Suddenly, a voice as clear as a bell rang out.

“Huh?”

As Aria and I turned around, we saw a hooded woman standing beside the woman and child.

In one hand, she held a staff crafted from a crystalline material, and with the other, she gently touched the child’s cheek.

“…The wounds have closed, but the virus still lingers within your body. It had spread throughout your system.”

As she touched the child’s cheek, her hand emitted a faint, translucent light. Clear water seemed to surround the child’s body, dispelling a dark mist-like substance that emanated from within.

“They’ll wake up soon. When they do, please give them nutritious food and things that won’t strain their bodies.”

“Thank you so much, Saintess! How can we ever repay you? Is there anything we can do for you?”

“It’s not necessary. If you wish to show gratitude, take care of this child who has overcome their trial.”

The woman and child repeatedly bowed their heads in thanks before departing. The hooded woman walked past me and, in front of the knights, removed her hood.

Beneath the hood was the face of a beautiful young girl. Her skin was so pale it was nearly translucent, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll. The silvery hair she had cut to shoulder length resembled the moon goddess.

“S-Saintess…”

At that moment, I saw Saintess Serena up close for the first time.