Chapter 265
Chapter 265. Ritual and Longing
――In the bright midday of the Evaroti Autonomous District.
“Rehearsal?”
In the sunlit courtyard of the former Holy Church, Tafuman tilted his head.
“Yes. It would be greatly helpful if you could participate.”
Nodding solemnly while keeping his voice low was Mycin, who had fully adapted to the priest’s robe and was on the verge of shedding the prefix “trainee.”
He had just finished his usual morning training.
Having overcome the incident with Asurabear and gotten used to the pressures of being the vice captain of the guard, he had recently become even more dedicated to his training.
No… it might not solely be due to getting used to it. One could say he was inspired by the spirit of his comrades who had survived that day and bounced back.
Especially the enthusiasm of the Beastmen group, starting with Dobel, was fierce. Everyone was pushing their bodies to the absolute limit, transcending the laws of nature, striving to reach the realm of the Sword Saint. The humans were equally desperate, throwing themselves into training to master the way of the sword.
Tafuman was putting in effort too, but unfortunately, his results were not very promising. While he was confident in his physical toughness and determination, his talent with a sword was quite mediocre.
There were several swordsmen in the guard who could make one think, “Wow, they’re impressive,” and compared to them, his lack of talent was as clear as day.
Honestly, even if he stood on his head, he simply did not feel like he could become a Sword Saint. …But that didn’t justify slacking off on effort.
Even if he couldn’t become a Sword Saint, training in collective combat was essential. It was precisely because he was weak that he had to hone his teamwork skills more than anyone else.
While self-reflecting and putting his efforts into training, he was called by Mycin.
“I’m thinking of holding an adult ceremony.”
Mycin whispered as if fearing eavesdroppers.
Currently, there were quite a few underage humans living in the district. Children who had been unable to escape the country and had been brought here as captives—this ceremony held special significance for humans, unlike for other races.
“…Is that possible?”
Swallowing hard, Tafuman also asked in a hushed tone.
The adult ceremony is a ritual to awaken talented children to their holy attributes.
“It is possible. That damn prince caused the church to be destroyed, large events have been prohibited, and it was tough—”
Tafuman couldn’t help but glance around at Mycin’s candid words.
“—Fortunately, the adult ceremony can take place with a cup soaked in sunlight, pure water, and a priest present. …However, there is one issue.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not confident I can pull it off…!”
Mycin held his head in despair.
“I know the method, but it’s not a ceremony that someone like me should normally preside over…!”
He explained that this was something meant to be conducted by the representative of the area.
“Then you are the representative.”
“Well, yes, but… There’s no room for failure, so I want to practice beforehand.”
“Does that mean I play the role of the child?”
“Yes. I can’t just ask anyone, after all…”
While looking around, Mycin said.
He didn’t want the Demon Lord Army to know that a ritual to awaken holy attributes (possibly) could be conducted easily. He didn’t think there were any chatty guys around who would blabber to the dark ones, but he wanted to keep this as confidential as possible.
If something shameful were involved, it would be better to do it secretly at night—that was the image of the alliance’s sphere, but it didn’t apply to the nocturnal Demon Lord Kingdom. The scheme should be carried out outdoors in broad daylight, when both the demon race and night elves would be sound asleep. This way, he only had to be cautious about the Beastmen.
“Of course, that’s fine. A piece of cake.”
“Thank you!”
And so, it was decided that they would hold a rehearsal for the adult ceremony inside the partially ruined walls of the former Holy Church.
――Sunlight streamed through the rose window, where stained glass once adorned, illuminating Tafuman.
(…How nostalgic)
He gazed at Mycin, walking slowly toward him with a serious expression while holding a cup filled to the brim with water.
Once, young Tafuman had participated in an adult ceremony just like this. In Tafuman’s rural hometown, there was only a small chapel, with no priests stationed there, just an attendant.
So, he had traveled all the way to the big city to join the ceremony along with children from neighboring villages—he had filled with anticipation, thinking maybe he could become a hero someday.
Well, as you might know, the result was…
Tafuman was an ordinary “human.”
“Igloo Village’s Tafuman.”
Before him, Mycin called Tafuman’s name in a solemn voice while holding up the cup.
“Yes.”
Like a knight swearing fealty, Tafuman knelt.
“【――You shall become human. Be one who protects and loves their neighbors】”
Mycin began to speak in a booming voice, as if reciting a spell.
The ideals upheld by the Holy Church. The way of being for humans, their ethics.
Such concepts were broken down in a way that even a poorly educated common child could understand, conveyed fervently like words of prayer.
“【――You shall take up the sword. Face the enemies of humanity, and raise your shield for your beloved children】”
Tafuman listened quietly. Back then, he had barely absorbed the words, letting them flow from right to left. The only thing on his mind was whether he would awaken to his holy attributes or not; he had been restless, wishing for results to come quickly…
(I never wanted to become a hero, did I?)
He thought of that suddenly.
Back then, he had merely been enamored with the idea of being a hero, wanting to become something special. Just to be adored, wishing to become a “hero” from fairy tales—it was a thoroughly impure and selfish motive.
(Well… I was just a kid.)
He chuckled wryly. That dream had been easily crushed, and it had hit him that he was ordinary. Tafuman might have grown up a little.
Not a single person who participated in the adult ceremony Tafuman attended had awakened their holy attributes.
Of course, statistically, it was entirely normal, but the disappointment that lingered in the atmosphere after the ceremony, when the excited young people, including himself, all ended up dejected, was something he could recall as if it happened yesterday.
“【――Oh, gods of light, bear witness. Grant us your protection. Grant us your blessing】”
…That level of disappointment was trivial. Once the war with the Demon Lord Army began, he had been assaulted by deep despair countless times.
Ah, now, from the bottom of my heart, I wish—
I want the power of a hero. If only he had the holy attributes in the battle against Asurabear, if only he had the blessing of that silvery light.
The formation would have been stronger, and Tafuman’s arm wouldn’t have been pulverized. His comrades, who were crushed, might have survived as well—
But… such daydreams were futile now.
(Things don’t go as planned.)
If only a few children could awaken to their holy attributes in the ceremony conducted by Mycin.
“【Come to my hand, holy light】”
A silvery light blazed within Mycin’s hand.
It flowed into the water in the cup he held and burst forth like a tiny sun.
“【――May luck be with your future】”
And then, after Mycin recited the last phrase, he hesitated for a moment before splashing the full cup of water all over Tafuman.
“Wha—!?”
As he was lost in thought, the pure water filled with holy attributes drenched him from head to toe, causing Tafuman to choke. There was a sensation of upliftment and physical enhancement unique to holy attributes, just like when he received support from heroes and priests in the army.
“It’s summer, so it’s fine, but even so, that’s a bit much.”
In the adult ceremony Tafuman attended, the priests would typically scoop water from the cup and sprinkle it around, but—
“No, well, I thought it was kind of a waste.”
Mycin scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
“I squeezed out what little holy light I had, and it felt wrong for it to just disappear…”
“Well… I get how you feel, but…”
Tafuman couldn’t help but chuckle at Mycin’s somewhat miserly, small-town demeanor.
“By the way, what do you think? Was there anything wrong?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure. Sorry, but I can’t tell the finer details. At least it didn’t feel off, and it seemed well done, right? You recited the phrases smoothly, and it was quite dignified. You’re the district’s head priest!”
When Tafuman mischievously smiled and nudged him with his elbow, Mycin flinched and exclaimed, “Please don’t say such lofty things…”
But suddenly, he frowned in suspicion and turned serious.
“…What’s wrong?”
Feeling Tafuman flinch at Mycin’s intense gaze directed at him, he muttered.
“…Could you come over here for a second?”
Mycin insisted firmly, grabbing Tafuman’s arm and dragging him out of the sun-drenched spot into the shade.
“Hey, what’s the deal…?”
Then, Tafuman noticed.
That he was faintly glowing in silver.
““…………””
Silence. Intersecting gazes.
“…It’s holding on for quite a while, isn’t it? Your blessing.”
As Tafuman opened and closed his hand, he murmured. The sense of enhancement, as if flames were burning within him, was still present.
“No… this is… I just sealed the holy attribute, so it should disappear pretty quickly, but…”
Mycin’s gaze wandered for a moment before he asked,
“…Can you say【Come to my hand, holy light】 for me…?”
As he lit the holy attribute’s light at his fingertips, he requested.
Tafuman was a commoner with little education, but he had heard this sacred phrase to the point of exhaustion on the battlefield, so he had memorized it.
“…………【Come to my hand, holy light】”
Pop.
““…………””
The two stared intently, as if their gaze could pierce through.
The silver glow dancing at Tafuman’s fingertip.
