Chapter 17: The Crisis of Snowfall (3)

“Ugh…”

How long had I been unconscious?

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the village chief’s house.

Judging by how quiet it was outside, it seemed like things had settled down.

[Low-Rank Evangelist – Mary… Roman… Friya…]

[Vitality and luck flow to those who offered prayers.]

A system window filled my vision.

Had I been lying down for two days?

I’d received faith twice in that time—totaling about 1,800 points of faith.

My body was filled with divine energy.

‘Now that I think about it… something feels different.’

I looked down at my body.

Sore yet refreshed—it felt like something had changed, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

As I was poking around, checking my condition—

“Oh, Saint! You’re awake!”

The village chief, Roman, burst in and made a big fuss when he saw me.

…Did that old man just call me a saint?

“A saint…?”

He didn’t answer and ran outside shouting…

“Everyone! The Saint has awakened!”

Even from inside the house, I could hear his booming voice echoing outside.

If I stayed put, the place would soon be swarming, so I sat up.

All my injuries had healed—Vallach must’ve used potions.

Only some muscle soreness remained.

“The Saint!”

When I opened the door, the villagers were all gathered.

They looked at me with sparkling eyes, holding something in their hands.

“We’re so glad you’ve recovered safely! T-These are offerings for the Saint!”

The chief bowed deeply and offered something—dried jerky.

“We’re a poor village… but we still wish to help you and the god in any way we can.”

That wasn’t all.

Others brought firewood, worn-out clothes… things I didn’t need.

I was baffled.

What could I even take from this village?

But I didn’t show my confusion.

After all, weren’t these the faithful followers I had so desperately hoped for?

“The god desires only your faith. That cannot be replaced with material things.”

I gently pushed the jerky back.

There was no need to burden these precious believers.

“Oh! Truly the Saint…!”

“Long live the Saint! Long live Hor!”

“Hor! Ho-orr!”

The villagers shouted Hor’s name repeatedly.

Things grew noisy outside the chief’s house.

That’s when I made eye contact with Mary, standing quietly off to the side.

Her cheek was bruised.

“Mary!”

Even amid the chaos of dodging the Death Knight, I’d seen it—Baron Hessen slapping her and yelling.

“Saint—no, Young Master! I’m so glad you’re safe!”

She didn’t even seem to care about her bruised cheek, just happy to see me safe.

“You were amazing! That glowing sword just—BAM—smashed that skeleton!”

Seeing her so excited, I sighed.

Usually shy, she had a tendency to become completely immersed when passionate about something.

It was probably how she’d managed to become an evangelist.

“Hehe, surprised? Chief Roman told us to call you ‘Saint.’”

I glanced at Roman.

He clasped his hands together shyly.

Just as I was about to speak, Mary chimed in:

“The villagers want to become believers! Let’s conduct the initiation ceremony!”

“Initiation ceremony?”

Her eyes sparkled.

There wasn’t much to it—just granting them the qualifications.

Now that I thought about it, Mary had a knack for turning everything related to gods into something grand.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

I nodded and looked at the villagers.

Snowfall had 31 residents.

Let’s see how many become believers.

As I looked at their eager faces, they all seemed full of hope.

Saving them from the undead must have worked wonders.

Or maybe Mary had been spreading the word while I was asleep?

“Let’s begin.”

First was Roman. I placed a hand on his forehead.

[Appointing believer.]

[Blessings be upon this young lamb.]

“Congratulations. You’re now a believer.”

“Ahhh!”

Leaving the emotional Roman behind, I turned to the next person.

With 31 people in line, I couldn’t take too long with each.

[Insufficient faith.]

Unfortunately, not everyone could become believers.

“You lack faith.”

“W-What?! No! Please!”

I shook my head at the despairing young man.

I felt sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.

Only 10 villagers qualified.

Including Mary and Melline, we had 12 believers.

Only 10 out of 31?

Less than I expected.

They clearly weren’t praying enough.

***

Later…

“Mary, has Master Vallach left?”

“Yes. He departed as soon as things were settled.”

“So busy…”

If Vallach hadn’t been at Rofen instead of somewhere else…

‘I’d be lying in two pieces out front of Snowfall.’

Just the thought sent chills down my spine.

That’s when Aaron approached.

His right arm was bandaged, but he looked otherwise fine.

“Young Master, you’re awake.”

“You’ve recovered too. How’s your body?”

“I’m fine.”

He proudly tapped his chest—Vallach must’ve healed him too.

Apparently, his arm would be fine after some rest.

“Thanks. You probably saved my life.”

That brief moment of time he bought during the Death Knight fight saved me.

Mary whispered beside me…

“Sir Aaron woke up last night. He was worried about you immediately.”

As she said, the knights all looked relieved.

“Glad to see everyone’s okay.”

Despite the fierce battle, no one had died.

After greeting them, I headed to Baron Hessen’s tent.

He needed to answer for what he did to Mary.

“Young Master… was it because of me…?”

She looked worried, realizing it too.

“I’m fine! Baron Hessen didn’t really—”

“Just follow me. Aaron, you too.”

I ignored her protests and brought them to the tent.

Whoosh!

“Eeek!”

Baron Hessen jumped in fright when I flung open the flap.

He must’ve heard I’d awakened—but hadn’t come to see me.

Guilty, no doubt.

“While I was risking my life in battle, you were talking behind my back, weren’t you?”

“Th-That’s a misunderstanding!”

“No. But I could forgive that.”

I grabbed his collar.

“But laying hands on my maid?”

“AAAH! Please, spare me!”

That was practically rebellion against House Bartenberg.

Bartenberg wasn’t some small noble house.

It was the most prestigious in the region.

“I’m sorry! I lost control!”

He begged on the ground, even bowing to Mary.

Apparently, he’d tried to silence her before I woke up.

Nope. That won’t do.

“As of today, Snowfall is no longer your territory—it belongs to Bartenberg.”

His eyes wavered slightly.

Clearly, he didn’t want to lose the Ice Palace in the snowy mountains.

‘Fool.’

I didn’t want to go this far, but he brought it on himself.

“For laying a hand on my maid, I’ll charge you 100,000 gold. Any objections—?”

Crack—

I activated my Frost Cloak.

Frost formed on Hessen’s skin.

“GYAAAH!”

He screamed, face turning white with fear.

His guards didn’t dare move.

If they did, it would be considered rebellion against Bartenberg.

“A-Alright! Please have mercy!”

For a pathetic baron, 100,000 gold was a devastating loss.

All the supplies he brought to Snowfall also became mine.

“Leave this place immediately. Send the gold to my family estate.”

That day, Hessen and his soldiers fled the village.

***

The next day.

I got in the carriage, preparing to leave.

The believers gathered around.

Roman spoke with wide eyes.

“Is this place becoming a tourist destination?”

“Yeah. That palace is worth it.”

Though it would be used for something else—that was for the future.

The Ice Palace wasn’t just beautiful.

If word got out that fairies built it, nobles would go crazy.

Even though they were corrupted fairies… that could remain a secret.

“Anyway, now that this land belongs to my family, the village needs to change accordingly.”

“Y-You mean…”

Yes—support would be provided.

Not by me, but someone from my house.

“Thank you, Saint!”

“No need for thanks. You all have a job to do.”

The villagers had a great mission—spread the faith of Hor to visiting tourists.

“Convert them into believers. But avoid nobles—focus on their lower-ranking servants.”

Nobles tend to look down on commoners.

Getting involved with them would only cause trouble.

The best strategy was to start from the bottom.

And I had the perfect person for the job.

“Mary. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!”

She answered with energy—she wasn’t joining me in the carriage.

“I’ll follow the Lord’s mission, even if the heavens split apart!”

Last night, I’d told her to stay and continue evangelizing.

As a low-rank evangelist, she was perfect for the task.

I also hoped that by spending time with her, the other villagers would grow more faithful.

‘She’s overjoyed just because I said it was a divine mission.’

At first, she looked troubled, but once I invoked the god’s name, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Now she looked ready to risk her life for the cause.

A perfect mindset.

“See you next time.”

“May the Saint be safe!”

“Please come again!”

As the carriage pulled away, I looked back at the waving villagers.

I had only stayed a few days, but it had been quite an eventful trip.