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According to the decision of the Council of Toriento, 300 clergy members gathered in Ravenna from various parts of the Sea of Tethys. They were being trained and digesting the training contents provided by Sophia, each according to the branch they supported.

The training menus on the Reverse Muscle Technique, Reverse Brain Method, and Light Power were extremely systematic and meticulously designed. However, they contained elements that might seem bizarre to those encountering them for the first time without prior knowledge.

From various exercise methods involving the Babel to all sorts of bizarre agility puzzles, it all sounded plausible when explained. But when actually trying them out, it was hard to suppress the thought, “Is this really correct?”

Nukuku Ramses, a spellcaster from the Kemert Diocese and an aspiring Knight Templar, was no exception. Perhaps because he had always been confident in himself, he felt even more hesitant about the training methods he was encountering for the first time.

Above all, the fundamental reason seemed to be his competitive spirit towards Sophia, the Nun Knight Paladin he aspired to be.

“What a foolish thing to say,” Nukuku Ramses chuckled wryly. Sophia de Chazel, whom he had experienced firsthand through sparring, was a monster. And he, who had dared to challenge her without fear, was nothing but a fledgling.

As time passed, the training methods Sophia had revealed also began to show their effectiveness, dispelling doubts. After following Sophia’s training methods, the time it took for his Ethereal Muscles and Ethereal Brain to reach 1 Banding had dramatically shortened.

And that wasn’t all. The Immovable King Wisdom Technique? That was… truly a tremendous secret.

The moment he first succeeded in understanding and mastering its口诀, Nukuku felt an overwhelming joy and ecstasy… yet also an oddly calm and serene, strange and peculiar sensation. Honestly, the Nukuku before and after mastering it could be considered completely different people.

It is said that Light Power is built through life. As such, it grows through intense internal reflection and practical virtuous deeds. The fact that an instrument seemed to cling to his Light Power as if it had matured meant that the clergy member’s own mind was being influenced by the instrument.

In the short term, this would make it difficult to handle, like a machine with a hitch. In the long term, not only would the growth of Light Power be hindered, but the personality could also be gradually affected, leading to a slow decline. It was a problematic state in many ways.

But what about him after mastering the Immovable King Wisdom Technique? It cleaned the grime-like instrument from his heart and Light Power, lifting him into a world of deep tranquility and effortless action.

The moment he drew out the jade-colored Light Power, Nukuku felt a sense of fulfillment, as if the final piece of his personality had clicked into place, completing him wholly.

To dare envy, even feel competitive towards someone who had held such great knowledge and then revealed it? Lately, Nukuku had been kicking his blankets at night, recalling his dark history of being a fledgling.

“Hey, Chazel’s rival~!”

“Shut up!” Nukuku Ramses moved swiftly to cover the mouth of the person who had spoken, his movements as fast as the wind and lightning. But his opponent was no pushover either, dodging Nukuku’s hand with agile movements while continuously blabbering.

“Hahaha, what are you gonna do? You can’t shut my mouth with your skills!”

When Daniel Admund from the Axum Diocese started teasing him, the 17-year-old’s face turned as red as a tomato. He was genuinely embarrassed to death. If he could meet his past self from a few months ago, he would have beaten that hateful mouth until it swelled so much it couldn’t speak.

“Hey, quiet down a bit! Don’t forget who called us here—Chazel!”

“Ah, right! Hah… I’ll deal with you later…”

“Haha, no way? I’m gonna run!”

Nukuku Ramses sighed, glaring at Daniel Admund, who was being annoyingly smug. Despite his current behavior, Daniel was a faithful and righteous friend, a companion with whom he had honed each other’s skills. Of course, they were always ready to throw punches at each other given the chance, but now wasn’t the time.

Because…

“Fellow members of our Church Order, who walk the same path inheriting the will of the Grand Master. And the trainees who, respecting the decision of the Council, have come to Ravenna to confront demons, protect the shining civilization and living spaces of humanity, and pledge to hone themselves to become the strength of the innocent.”

At this moment, the revered and beloved Sophia de Chazel began to speak.

“Despite many doubts and difficulties, you have faithfully followed the schedule. I sincerely thank you. I, this Nun Knight, will never forget your dedication and passion.”

If anything, it was they who should be grateful. Nukuku, Daniel, and all 300 trainees thought to themselves. What Sophia had bestowed was not just knowledge but the kind of knowledge that could propel an era forward and elevate the level of civilization.

To reveal such knowledge without any compensation was something unimaginable from a selfish human perspective. Yet, the one who had bestowed it was thanking them for their passion in learning it. This realization suddenly made their chests tighten.

“I declare. You have become stronger than you were months ago. In strength, wisdom, and especially in the light you hold as clergy. Truly remarkable growth. And now, the time has come for you to return to your respective places and share this with other fellow members.”

‘Indeed, the initial training period was set for three months.’

Nukuku recalled. So immersed in the new world of knowledge Sophia had shared, he had forgotten. But thinking about it, if the three-month period hadn’t been set, they wouldn’t have readily come to Ravenna.

The roles of clergy members across the continent were that important. Both formally ordained priests and the monks and nuns striving under them were all valuable assets.

They fought against local superstitions, barbarism, monsters, mysteries, various misfortunes befalling humans, and human selfishness. There was always a shortage of hands.

Thus, they should have returned to their original places sooner.

‘I want to learn more. I want to train more. I want to grow further, to perfect myself even more.’

Such desires had grown within them, holding them back. They knew it was selfish, but wasn’t the desire for growth and ascension one of humanity’s most primal urges? Having learned to affirm themselves, the trainees no longer denied their desires.

As if seeing through their thoughts, Sophia continued.

“To be honest, as you all know, you have now completed the introductory phase of what you’ve learned here. But that introduction is all you can learn from me. From now on, it’s not about learning from someone else but about how much you hone yourselves.”

So, without hesitation, return to your places, hone your skills further, and spread them to those around you.

“There’s just one thing to be cautious about, which I believe you all know.”

Of course, everyone present remembered well. Righteous power should only be used for righteous deeds. These were people who had cultivated the positive aspects of humanity and fought against its negative aspects throughout their lives. The principle of “Non-Human, Non-Transmission” passed down from the founding of the Church Order—they could never forget it.

Nodding satisfactorily at them, Sophia meaningfully added her final words.

“Lastly, for those of you who will now complete the training, a commemorative practical field has been prepared.”

The originally planned demon subjugation practice.

And this practice was to take place in the heart of the Rotaringia Kingdom, at the royal palace where the king, finally recovered and restored to health, would receive his subjects.

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Where nobles gather, a banquet is inevitable. Not because nobles are creatures who cannot live without banquets, but because such occasions are perfect for forming relationships, hiding one’s true intentions in the banquet’s atmosphere, and conducting secret or overt negotiations through these relationships.

Especially for a banquet celebrating the king’s recovery, it was only natural that a corresponding banquet would be held.

The royal palace, long neglected and devoid of visitors, was now bustling. The servants and maids, who had felt like outsiders for so long, were all excited and joyful.

The palace stables and carriage storage facilities were crowded for the first time in a long while. The stable hands and carriage managers were busy, but smiles never left their faces.

“His Grace Duke Messina, Alberto di Rezzone, is entering!”

The servant announcing the names of the powerful guests also naturally raised his voice.

Delicious food and drinks were beautifully set on tables throughout the banquet hall. Waiters moved around, clearing empty or dirty plates and constantly replenishing food and drinks.

In one corner of the banquet hall, an orchestra hired for the occasion played music for the banquet.

However, the powerful figures gathered in the banquet hall, while appearing to enjoy the banquet, were actually struggling to hide their complex inner thoughts and tension. Even the least perceptive among them could guess that this occasion wouldn’t be entirely harmonious.

“His Highness Prince Eduardo Luigi di Napoli, Duke of the most beautiful southern sea of the kingdom and second son of the late king, brother of His Majesty the King, is entering!”

“His Highness Prince Bernardo Berengario di Veneto, legitimate ruler of the County of Veneto and seventh son of His Majesty the King, is entering!”

As the princes finally entered, the tension in the room heightened further. They recalled the name of the first prince, which had not been called until the end, and were busy organizing their thoughts and speculations.

‘The first prince’s name hasn’t been called yet. Did he refuse the summons?’

‘Haha, it seems the first prince is done for. A sad thing, but perhaps a good thing too.’

‘How could that be? The first prince isn’t a fool. Especially the famously filial first prince?’

As such thoughts swirled in their heads, the herald loudly announced again.

“The lawful ruler of the pious and strong kingdom of Rotaringia, master of the world’s capital and most noble city, Ravenna! Duke of Liguria, Calabria, and Tuscany, Count of La Spezia, Catanzaro, and Arezzo! Above all, the rightful master of the glorious and great Iron Throne installed in Ravenna! Our sovereign, His Majesty Vittorio Amedeo di Rotaringia, is entering!”

The nobles’ attention focused on the king, the master of the banquet and the key to the entire situation. And the herald’s next announcement was a situation they had not anticipated, shaking their composure.

“Following him, His Highness Prince Eduardo Lamberto di Rotaringia, first son of the late Duchess of Calabria, is entering! Next is the seventh seat of the Paladin Special Demon Task Force of the Church Order, the kingdom’s savior who fully healed His Majesty’s body, Dame Sophia de Chazel!”

Unfazed by the storm raging in the nobles’ minds, the herald’s voice rang out clearly and refreshingly.

Soon, a storm of confusion, invisible on the surface, began to rage in the hearts of all who had entered.

 

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