Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Roan clicked his tongue and asked Ludiac.

“By the way, why is this book in the library of forbidden books?”

Of course, it was related to black magic, but the Empire was somewhat generous toward items that could be considered relics like this.

“Well, who knows?”

Ludiac, tilting his head as if he did not know either, pulled out a long piece of paper from his pocket.

Rustle— Rustle—

“……”

However, that paper showed no signs of ending.

Glancing at the contents, it was a record of which book had entered the library of forbidden books, for what reason, and when.

“Hmm, ah, here it is. ‘Balance of Light and Dark’. In year 1327 of the Imperial Calendar, Holy Knight Paul Acro said, ‘To think there is a balance between light and dark?!’ and burned it.”

It was a reason truly fitting for the Holy Empire.

Roan understood immediately and nodded.

‘Indeed, the 1300s was the time of the Great Suppression of Black Magic.’

Compared to then, things had become much more lenient now.

In any case, Roan turned his gaze back to the map to estimate the drawn location.

Since a long time had passed, it was a crude map that had faded in places, but there was a decisive hint.

— Acherandir —

— Gilsburg —

The names Acherandir and Gilsburg were recorded in an archaic handwriting.

According to the map, the place where the Balance of Light and Dark lay sleeping was a mountain slightly further northeast of Gilsburg.

Although it was quite different from the current script, Roan had already mastered the cursive handwriting of each era, so it was not a problem.

‘I hadn’t decided what to do after the Grey Fetters of Life, but this falls right into my lap.’

It seemed he would be quite busy this weekend to collect both the Corrupted Holy Icon and the Balance of Light and Dark.

Hum—

At that moment, the False Divinity vibrated.

How is it, do you like it?

‘Was it you who made the book glow?’

W-Well, not really.

‘Then why are you showing off?’

Hey, if it weren’t for me, you would have died three hundred times already…!

While the False Divinity was indignant at Roan’s cold rebuff.

“Oh, you were here too, Elder Brother.”

Ludiac made a greeting.

“Are you two really not acquaintances?”

“Ahem, I told you we aren’t.”

Roan glared at Ludiac with a suspicious look.

“Then why do you call him Elder Brother?”

“Ah, because Elder Brother is Elder Brother~”

Hum—

Of course, of course.

At the reaction, which seemed as if the two authorities had aligned their stories, Roan decided to conduct a simple test.

“So you really don’t know each other?”

“Ah, you don’t trust people, geez.”

“Well, Lord Ludiac is more trustworthy than the False Divinity, anyway.”

“Muhaha! Really?”

Huuuuuuuuum──────────!!!!!

!@!***(@))$#)@@!!!

At Roan’s calmly thrown remark, the False Divinity vibrated so violently that Roan’s danjeon felt stiff.

Moreover, it uttered harsh words that were hard to believe came from an authority.

Roan chuckled as he felt the False Divinity’s intense reaction.

If it really didn’t know Ludiac well, it might have felt slightly annoyed, but there was no need to get that angry.

Take it back right now, take it back right now! You insolent fellow!

“Well, now that I think about it, the False Divinity’s ability is much more outstanding.”

Even after Roan took back his words, the False Divinity kept grumbling, as if it was still in a very bad mood.

Where are his eyes that he would compare me to such an idiot… Hmph, sheesh.

‘At this point, why can’t you just say you know each other?’

What’s wrong with knowing each other?

Authorities can get to know each other.

Roan asked the False Divinity and Ludiac, who were making it all too obvious.

“And you still claim you don’t know each other?”

“……Ahem. It’s because of Elder Brother.”

……What did I do? It’s all because you’re pathetic.

The two authorities beautifully shifted the blame to each other.

***

Meanwhile, at Harden Hall, which served as the headquarters of Acherandir.

The luxurious eight-horse carriage of the Holy Palace, which drew everyone’s attention, stopped in front of it.

The paladins and staff working at Harden Hall were already lined up in front of it.

It was due courtesy for a Saint of the Empire.

For reference, Yusina was a Saintess, but she was still an Acherandir student and had no distinct achievements, so she was an exception.

If they had to show this kind of courtesy to Yusina every time, the school’s functions would be paralyzed.

Creaaaak—

Soon, the door of the eight-horse carriage opened.

Step—

A pair of plain, yet sturdy and well-broken-in leather shoes, which could be called humble compared to the carriage, stepped onto the ground.

“Saint of the Bell, welcome to Acherandir.”

Led by Geode, the paladins knelt and showed their respect.

The staff also bowed their heads.

“Hahaha. Everyone, please stand up. This is burdensome. Sir Geode, have you been well? And the others too.”

Above them, a cheerful voice brushed past like a pleasant breeze.

Only then did everyone who had lowered their posture stand up straight.

Black hair and black eyes, just like Harden.

A tall stature and handsome appearance.

A one-handed mace and a small, beautiful bell hanging on each side of his waist.

While wearing a refreshing smile, deep inside there seemed to reside a deep grudge, creating an atmosphere that somehow made people feel cold.

He was indeed the Saint of the Bell.

Espard Quilior.

Espard looked around once and asked.

“Is the Principal in the principal’s office?”

“Yes! I, Geode, will guide you!”

Geode answered energetically and then led Espard to the Principal’s office.

“Principal. The Saint of the Bell has arrived.”

— Tell him to come in.

Harden’s voice sounded quite indifferent, despite hearing that a prominent Saint of the Empire and his own descendant had arrived.

……In fact, if 5,000 years had passed, could a descendant really be considered a descendant?

To Harden, Espard and Demona were about the same.

Over such a long time, their bloodlines had mixed a lot anyway.

‘Ah, but is this still a bit too much?’

Harden wondered if he was thinking too harshly of Espard.

Espard entered the Principal’s office and bowed politely to Harden.

“Principal. Upon receiving your call, I, Espard Quilior, the Saint of the Bell, have come.”

“Yes, was the journey comfortable?”

“Thanks to you, I traveled comfortably.”

“Is that thanks to me? It’s thanks to the driver from the Holy Palace.”

“Isn’t the Principal’s grace filled throughout the whole world?”

“……Flattery. Anyway, welcome. Sit down.”

As Harden pointed to a seat, Espard sat down with a grin.

“It feels like yesterday when you were attending this school.”

“Hahaha, that was already twenty years ago.”

At Harden’s words, Espard chuckled and waved his hand.

“You probably know why I called you here, right?”

“……Yes.”

However, at Harden’s next question, Espard’s expression also turned serious.

Seeing this, Harden asked with a look of pity.

“Do you still hold a grudge?”

“……You would probably say it is because my training is lacking.”

Fourteen years ago, Espard had lost his fiancée to a terrorist attack by a black mage.

Since then, he had practically dedicated his entire life to wiping out black mages and heretical sects.

Obtaining the title of the Saint of the Bell was a natural consequence afterward.

“Tsk, tsk. How can a person’s heart move as they wish? I am not telling you to let go of everything. I am only speaking of your role as a Saint.”

At Harden’s words, Espard wore a bitter smile.

“It is indeed my lack of capacity that I have not dared to lay down the position of Saint for fourteen years despite harboring a grudge. I wish to lay down a bit more of my burden this time.”

“A wise decision.”

Slid— Clack—

Espard untied the bell hanging from his waist and placed it on the table.

A holy relic and a work of art made of silver with incredibly detailed craftsmanship.

The Bell of Eternity.

“Indeed, the Bell of Eternity will find a new owner today.”

Harden nodded.

Espard had visited Acherandir today for no other reason than to hand over the Bell of Eternity, which was practically his symbol, to the next owner.

By doing so, he could be more faithful to the office of a Saint who practices tolerance and love.

“Well, do you have anyone in mind? Quite a few decent inquisitors and paladin aspirants entered this year.”

When Harden asked, Espard smiled and said.

“Of course, the opportunity must be given to everyone fairly. In the first place, it’s not something I can give just because I want to.”

“True.”

“However, the order…… I heard Roan enrolled this year.”

“…….”

Harden’s face hardened slightly as Roan’s name came out of Espard’s mouth.

‘Oops!’

“Ro-Roan? Are you close with him?”

“Pardon? That goes without saying. Around the time I first became a Saint, Roan also experienced a tragic event and entered the Holy Palace, did he not? I haven’t seen him much since the incident fourteen years ago…… but before that, he followed me a lot.”

“Fourteen years ago? Darc is only sixteen years old now?”

“Indeed…… yes. I even fed him baby food from formula, and shook toys for him, and he liked it so much. Roan will surely remember too.”

Espard seemed to have deep affection for Roan, even as he acknowledged Harden’s words.

“……?”

On the other hand, Harden was dumbfounded.

Did people usually claim to be close just because they played together a few times when they were two years old?

Well, since Espard cherished the connections from before his fiancée’s death very much, his feeling of familiarity toward Roan could be deeper.

He was not sure if Roan would think the same way, but putting that aside.

‘Still, the Bell of Eternity must not go to a black mage!’

Since Harden knew the principle of how the Bell of Eternity chose its owner, his inside burned even more.

“I-I see. But?”

Espard replied seriously.

“This is also due to my lack of capacity, but I believe the Bell of Eternity should go to someone who holds a grudge against black mages more than anyone else. If it is Roan, who lost his family to those bastards who deserve to be torn to pieces, I believe he would be a more suitable owner than me. Though this is also for the bell to choose.”

“Well…… Roan’s circumstances are as pitiful as yours, but his talent doesn’t stand out much.”

If Harden had sweat glands left, he would have probably broken into a cold sweat by now.

‘In any case, it’s true that he has no talent for holy power.’

However, upon hearing Harden’s words, Espard laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! I may travel around remote areas, but I still have ears. I heard Roan awakened his holy power even before admission. If that’s the case, he is much better than I am. The Principal’s standard is too harsh.”

“Is…… is that so?”

Harden nodded reluctantly.

‘Things have really gone awry.’

Harden recalled the memory of exposing Roan’s holy power—which was actually black mana—to the entire world on the admission day just for fun.

‘Dammit, I should have just let him live quietly.’

He had done it just because he thought it would be fun.

……Harden was regretting his actions for the first time in a while.

***

Passing through the commercial district, which was buzzing with Espard’s visit, Roan and his friends were heading to the Nerchiora Grand Temple where the World of Prayer class was held.

“Wow, what kind of person is the Saint of the Bell?”

“I heard he is incredibly strong.”

His friends each spoke about Espard, unable to hide their excitement.

[Is the Saint of the Bell that strong? Stronger than me?]

The Abyss Dragon, who had been listening to their conversation, asked confidently.

His two short arms were holding the largest cubic zirconia sold at the accessory shop.

Of course, as Roan had ordered, he had also bought the ornament that the Heavenly Sword Peacock King wanted.

……Although he put on a lot of airs, telling him to be glad he had a good older brother.

Roan pondered for a moment before answering.

‘You would be locked in the bell before you could even fight.’

Normally, a divine beast could not be trapped in the Bell of Eternity, but since the Abyss Dragon used black mana, if Espard noticed it, he would be trapped.

[Gasp!]

Bell gasped in spite of himself.