In the Holy Kingdom, there are many orphanages.
You might wonder why there are so many orphans, especially after the end of the era of conflict. However, there were no safe places in this continent. Monsters and criminals were always lurking, seeking the flesh of the weak.
Even in what is said to be the safest system, they could not entirely uproot criminal organizations.
Therefore, it was obvious how the lives of the common people in the countryside were. It was not uncommon for parents to lose their lives simultaneously.
Fortunately, the orphanages in the Holy Kingdom were in somewhat better shape.
The Heavenly Deity Sect, which emphasized compassion and love, was very concerned about the lives of orphans. They provided financial support as well as made regular inspections to expose unscrupulous orphanages that exploited the children.
The documents the Lady Virgin Saint handed to me contained similar content.
“To put it simply, you’re saying my trial will be postponed on the condition that I volunteer at an orphanage?”
“Yes, but it is only a postponement.”
Hmm, I swallowed my breath and fell into thought.
Although there were many priests and holy knights in the Holy Kingdom, they were mostly busy. They had no time to pay attention to the smaller orphanages scattered everywhere.
That’s why the Holy Kingdom proposed this to me.
To travel around the Holy Kingdom and inspect the orphanages.
In other words, it was both a service and an inspection.
While I was lost in silence, the Lady Virgin Saint continued explaining.
“Though it is a postponement in name, naturally, at the end of the volunteer work, you will be exempted. After all, who could punish a rising hero of humanity who cared for the orphans of the Holy Kingdom?”
“Then what happens to my charges?”
“The unknown truth cannot become a fact, I-an.”
The Lady Virgin said this with an inscrutable smile. It was the appearance of a schemer plotting behind the scenes.
To me, even that looked beautiful.
“The Empire and the Holy Kingdom are also perceptive, so they will adequately control public opinion. Even if information leaks out, it can simply be dismissed as a rumor. Then you can leisurely travel around the Holy Kingdom with me.”
“Should I bring a gift for the kids?”
“They would love that. It’s a gift from a hero…”
Similarly trying to act nonchalant, the Lady Virgin eventually trailed off.
A sigh soon escaped those charming lips.
“…To be honest, I’m a bit scared.”
That was understandable.
Right after I entered the Academy, I had to endure subtle disdain from the high-ranking nobles. If even I, a noble, faced that, I could only imagine how much more scorn a commoner or an orphan would receive.
I figured it must have been unbearable.
Even so, the Lady Virgin made her decision.
“I’ve lived too long as the ‘Lady Virgin Saint’. I have lived only a life befitting that position… and I thought I would continue to do so.”
“But has your thinking changed?”
“These days, I find myself having different thoughts. I wonder who I am if not the ‘Lady Virgin Saint’… Is this what a delayed adolescence feels like?”
With a light smile, her pinkish eyes turned towards me.
I felt a sense of longing in that color, resembling the petals of a bougainvillea flower. It was probably just a fleeting sentiment from an uneducated swordsman.
“You might be getting bored. Living as the ‘Lady Virgin Saint’ is not a common experience.”
“That’s true. And I’m constantly having thoughts that a ‘Lady Virgin Saint’ ought not to have.”
Then she smiled, her lips curving softly.
Like flower petals glistening with the dew of the dawn.
“…So, you’ll have to take responsibility and come with me.”
I didn’t dare to ask why.
The warm gaze of the Lady Virgin looking at me was particularly ticklish.
So I had no choice but to wear a wry smile.
There was no running away now.
“I will gladly take responsibility.”
A journey to find oneself.
It wasn’t a bad decision.
After that, the Lady Virgin proceeded with her lengthy speech.
She advised me to refrain as much as possible from making a scene during the volunteer period. Since I had no intention of causing trouble, I nodded in agreement.
Even so, curiosity remained.
“What if I cause an accident?”
“In that case, you’ll have to stand trial. And according to the long-standing laws, you can choose one of three methods of trial.”
The Lady Virgin chuckled as she said that.
I vaguely remembered hearing about the religious trials of the Holy Kingdom before. However, the fact that there were three types of trials was news to me.
In response, the Lady Virgin added a kind explanation.
“The first is the ‘Doctrine Trial.’ Most people undergo this trial. A jury composed of three esteemed priests, each in charge of Knowledge, Compassion, and Judgment, along with twelve faithful parishioners will determine the sentence. By the way, the priest of Knowledge is from the Doctrine Department, the priest of Compassion from the Gospel Department, and the priest of Judgment is dispatched from the Intermediate Judgment Committee.”
The ‘Doctrine Trial’ resembled the religious trials I remembered.
Did that mean there were other methods of trial as well?
Before I could voice my doubts, the Lady Virgin continued her explanation.
“The second is the ‘Honor Trial’! This trial commemorates the esteemed saint Arius, who led Omeros’s army during the Divine War long ago. If you can defeat the holy knights residing in the Papal office in succession, you will be acquitted in respect for that honor.”
“…Doesn’t that mean I have to d*e?”
It was an outrageous statement.
If you commit a crime, then just committing it isn’t enough; to be acquitted, you must achieve victory after victory in duels.
And what was even more absurd, was that the opponents were none other than the holy knight order of the Papal office.
Since the condition was ‘consecutive victories’, it definitely wouldn’t end with just one duel.
Thus, there was only one answer.
It meant to say, ‘You must d*e.’
Whether it be one or two, it would be overwhelming—facing the elite knight order of the Papal office consecutively and achieving victory?
Unless one were a Master, it was impossible.
Even if one were a Master, the chances would still be slim.
For in the Papal office remained one of the three Masters in existence, the ‘Saint’.
The tone of the Lady Virgin, answering my doubts, was simply matter-of-fact.
“That’s why most people undergo the ‘Doctrine Trial’.”
That was true.
Who would choose the second trial? It was obvious that they would just d*e in vain otherwise.
I remained silent, waiting for the third choice.
“And the final trial is the ‘Purification Trial’… If you endure a night on a pyre, you’ll receive an acquittal.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
The second option at least held some possibility, but the last was completely absurd.
Was there anyone who could survive being burned throughout the night?
The Lady Virgin left a brief commentary on that.
“So, everyone said they opt for the ‘Doctrine Trial’.”
It seemed the flames that burned criminals were called ‘Sacred Flames’.
The theory was that the divine substance of the sun’s light burns the sinful, leaving only the innocent alive.
I suspected it might have been a remnant from an age of barbarism.
Ancient religions had such cruel aspects.
As I listened to the Lady Virgin’s explanation, I reaffirmed my determination. I would never engage in suspicious behavior again.
Right before we departed, the Lady Virgin wore a strangely lingering expression.
How long did I wait?
At last, the hesitating Lady Virgin opened her mouth. A faint blush had risen on her cheeks.
“Is there… anything you want to do? Just the two of us, after all…”
With that, the Lady Virgin kept glancing at me. With a shy demeanor, it seemed she was anticipating something.
I pondered for a moment.
Even if I wanted to add something, I didn’t have much time. It would be a problem if the Lady Virgin was seen leaving my room early in the morning.
It would be better to spend the entire day alone with her in my room.
But that was nonsense.
As I suppressed a chuckle, I suddenly asked a question that came to mind.
“Uh, Lady Virgin?”
“Y-yes?”
The Lady Virgin showed a strangely obedient demeanor.
With that, I felt I could ask. Gaining the confidence, I immediately unfolded my curiosity.
“Is that true…?”
“……?”
The Lady Virgin looked at me with a bewildered expression.
So I had to repeat my question.
“I mean, you said you preferred to be forced… uh?!”
Before I could even finish my sentence, the Lady Virgin stepped on my foot.
There was an immediate sensation of my skin twisting painfully. It wasn’t intensely painful due to my well-built body, but it left me momentarily breathless.
Before long, tears were welling at the corners of the Lady Virgin’s eyes.
Her eyes were filled with shame.
“I-I’m going to refer you to a religious trial!”
No, I only wanted to remember it for later.
I felt wronged but dared not protest against the Lady Virgin.
I didn’t want to be referred to another religious trial again.
Receiving a notice from court was enough once.
After the Lady Virgin left, I attempted once more to read the letter from the future.
If only there hadn’t been a sudden knocking at the door.
Today seemed to be full of interruptions.
With a sigh, I tucked the letter envelope back into my pocket and opened the door to receive the message.
“I-Ian? Reto said to come immediately. There’s some kind of problem with your sister…”
I didn’t need to hear more. I immediately kicked the ground and dashed off.
The destination wasn’t far.
I knocked loudly on Reto’s door within less than a minute. Before a reply came from inside, I twisted the doorknob forcefully, as if to break it.
Fortunately, the door was not locked.
“Lia, are you okay?!”
What came into my view was Lia, crying heavily, hunched over on the desk.
Next to her stood Reto, looking flustered, and beside him was a familiar face I hadn’t seen in a while.
All eyes in the room turned toward me in an instant.
The moment after, an elastic sensation embraced me.
“……Onii-chan!”
Lia, who had rushed over, jumped straight into my arms. As I awkwardly held my sister, I patted her head as I usually did.
Regardless of that, Lia continued to sob heavily.
“Ugh, don’t abandon me… I was wrong, hooo…!”
What could have happened?
While I felt flustered by the gentle and curvy sensation of the woman, I looked at Reto as if asking for an explanation. Then my gaze suddenly landed on the girl standing beside him.
She was a beauty with sleek black hair neatly brushed back.
Her amber eyes lacked the usual vibrancy I remembered, but I felt a welcoming warmth instead. I had been worried about her for some time.
“Celin!”
Celin, wearing a hefty battle axe on her back, offered an awkward smile and waved one hand.
Though it was just a simple gesture, I realized something.
She was different.
Whereas before it felt like a carefree foal running wild, now she resembled the calm waves of the ocean—ready to crash at any moment.
My eyes widened in surprise.
“You’ve gotten stronger!”
Despite my astonishment mixed with admiration, Celin only chuckled softly.
“It’s been a while, Ian Onii-chan. Ahaha…”
My childhood friend who had gone missing returned, now stronger.
As I embraced my weeping sister, I wore a broad smile.
Of course, I didn’t forget the anger directed at the culprit who made my sister cry.
It seemed the incidents that occurred while I was away were not just one.
