Chapter 88: The Prophets of Baren (3)

The focus shifted to the Elves’ eyes.

Is this what they call “clearing the fog”?

The previously clouded and blurry vision brightened suddenly.

In those newly clear eyes, the first thing they saw was Richard’s figure.

“Ahh!”

A young man radiating light all over his body, truly glowing like a lantern.

The Marquis was dazzled.

Yet, he couldn’t look away.

Perhaps it was because he had just experienced the utmost terror.

Richard, having cast off the burden of responsibility as an Elf and now facing people as a person, appeared…

“A savior.”

He truly looked like a savior.

Of course, it was also Richard who had driven them to the brink of despair, but in their drained mental state, there was no time to argue about that.

“Doubt can prevent a crisis before it occurs, but disbelief invites ruin.”

Richard spoke.

The Elves, bathed in the radiance of his gaze, could only stare at him blankly without a word.

“If you have come here to become Evangelists, please maintain the proper attitude.”

His serious demeanor was more apparent than ever.

Now was the time for them to straighten their posture.

The world is not lenient like Buffet where you can just pick what you want.

Once you decide to pursue something, you have to dig in all the way to show results.

“Those who do not intend to serve Hor sincerely should leave immediately. Since you all want to become Evangelists, I will not slack off.”

This was the rallying cry for the Elves.

The words sounded good.

But among them, who held the grandest cause?

Richard’s burden was not just a kingdom, but the entire world.

There were countless things he had to do, unable to waste attention on those who mistook generosity for weakness.

No one rose from their seat after hearing his words.

Their legs felt weak, but it wasn’t only physical fatigue.

The Trantis Marquess and York Count looked over the Elves around them.

All had remarkably clear eyes.

It was the sharp and wise gaze of those rarely seen in a long time.

Amidst the silence, the Elves continuously calculated in their minds.

They reconsidered the judgment they had once made and re-evaluated what was long and what was short.

This time, the result was different.

“I trust you have understood.”

Richard’s voice rose simultaneously.

Seeing his smile, the believers raised the Sacred Emblem of Hor high.

“Now, let us pray.”

The Saint standing in the center of the room folded his hands tightly.

Sacred light shone from all directions.

[Is there anyone who holds the lantern?]

[That one who wields the lantern to brighten the darkness.]

[That one who commands the lamb to reveal the meaning.]

The believers sang.

The voices gathered like hundreds of musical instruments, creating rich harmony.

[In the dark of night]

[The one who bears the lantern brings joyful news]

[Soon the dawn will break]

The hymn began to soothe the exhausted minds and bodies of the Elves.

[The nightmare-stricken are saved]

[The people who cried in the dark world now sleep peacefully]

They knew.

Their eyes were wet with tears of gratitude.

What they didn’t realize was that their hands had quietly gathered in reverence.

[The lantern’s light reveals traces of tears]

[The breath of that one surrounds us]

This was their precious kingdom.

A land ruled by their revered King,

A land where their pitiable people lived.

Half of this land had, at some point, become hell.

The other half was not in good condition either.

That’s why they avoided external things even more.

“Hor…”

The vigilance that had been bristling melted away.

Had they come to know what was more important and what was more needed?

Light stepped forward into the once pitch-black darkness where no answer was in sight.

***

Today’s spiritual training ends here.

I dismissed the Elves.

Having prayed earnestly, they left with an expression somewhere between elation and solemnity.

It was the unique look of those who realized their illusions and corrected themselves.

“Growing faith doesn’t mean patriotism disappears.”

Rather, the two feelings mixed and would lead the country in a better direction.

Now that they had come to this realization, I would make sure they underwent deeper training from now on.

The mental training using the White Ghost would continue until they became true believers.

The more these extreme measures were repeated, the faster the Elves would become devout followers.

There was no choice but to opt for accelerated, intensive training for them.

“Master… Saint. Are you really okay with this?”

Gide asked me.

When I asked what he meant by “okay,” his gaze was fixed on the Box.

“…Is it really safe to touch it with bare hands?”

“It’s fine.”

I lowered the Box along with Gide.

The hundred or so spirits trapped inside were not to be taken lightly. Until now, Faith had suppressed them.

“But how about you?”

“What do you mean?”

Gide tilted his head.

I looked at him with a smile, and after clearing his throat a few times, he finally spoke.

“…So that’s what ‘spiritual training’ means.”

It was a statement that seemed full of insight.

“As you grow older, what’s in your hands becomes heavier, and what’s in your head becomes more crowded. There’s no room to accept new things.”

He spoke as if lamenting or sharing someone else’s story.

Gide looked straight at me.

It was not the gaze of a man staring at old iron, but one of deep faith.

“Fortunately, I guess I’m still young.”

The Nobels of Baren were the same.

Gide chuckled and walked ahead.

He hadn’t even prayed yet.

Yet a faint smile touched his lips as the cool night filled his chest.

***

Allan had followed the Revelation well.

He rolled for three days and fasted for ten, never dropping the Nail Leaf from his body.

What he saw was no lie.

Precisely, the sacred atmosphere didn’t seem like it would harm him.

Yet at the same time, doubt arose.

“Why did I do that back then?”

The light that had revealed the Revelation spoke as if he was a god himself.

Allan had knelt and bowed deeply before the light.

Of course, it was only a physiological reaction before divinity.

But unaware of this, Allan clenched his teeth as he recalled himself receiving orders with unquestioning obedience.

Ugh.

“…Nothing appeals to me.”

Despite kneeling before the light, that didn’t mean his Faith had grown.

Recalling humiliation and doubt, Allan also discovered a part of himself that awaited the light.

Conflicted by these emotions, Allan trembled.

[Allan.]

His body froze at the faint voice drawing near.

[Allan…]

His heart thumped wildly.

Frantically, Allan took the Nail Leaf from his bosom.

But it showed no change.

“What…”

He had clearly heard it.

That majestic and solemn voice.

Yet an inexplicable deep despair shook his chest.

It was swiftly followed by a strong sense of guilt.

Had he been driven to the point of hallucination?

He sighed from his weakened state.

Then—

[Allan.]

Flare—!

A brilliant heat haze filled the room.

He had thought the light would come from the Nail Leaf, but this time it appeared from the glass on the table.

His heart, which had slowed, began to race again.

Allan gritted his teeth.

[You have followed my Revelation well.]

A tickling warmth on his cheek.

He felt the magic stirring in his body that had been gnawing at his spirit.

His trembling legs urged him to kneel and pay respect.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

Before the light or magic, he vowed not to grow weak.

He wanted to stand firmly on his own two feet.

That childish resolve only increased his wariness toward the light.

‘What exactly are you…!’

Staring angrily at the light that subdued him, Allan shouted.

Yet his eyes flickered with feverish excitement.

The satisfaction of having faced the light head-on.

But it was a lowly greed that wouldn’t last long.

Shaa!

The light swirled violently.

When Allan came to his senses, he was already kneeling.

“….!”

You will never resist the light.

It seemed to say just that.

[Where I am is the Sanctuary.]

[How could the filthy land be illuminated by bright feet here?]

The stern voice echoed through the room, as if scolding the very posture he had taken.

“What is it you want…?”

Allan, bowing his head, asked with difficulty.

Even if he tried to stop his lips from moving, it was impossible for someone on the boundary between human and magic.

The darker it got, the brighter the light appeared.

Suddenly, anxiety began to rise.

The angry voice seemed ready to depart the place at any moment.

The uncontrollable flow of emotions also confused Allan himself.

[I have seen]

[The anxiety of the powerless]

[The anger of the sleeping]

The light wrapped Allan’s whole body.

[Allan]

[Become the bearer of my light.]

The light gradually opened.

It was time.

[I now give you the Revelation.]

The dying ember suddenly flared brightly.

Allan just stared blankly without saying a word.

[Take the cup I dwell in and go to the South Garden of the Elves.]

[And tell their Mother.]

[I, Hor, have been reborn.

The glass was filled with a sacred aura.

The cup containing the light resembled a holy grail from a fairy tale.

[Sleeping one.]

[If you complete this Revelation, you will be granted the qualification to become a Saint of the South.]

The voice of the light gradually faded away.

With that, the great presence vanished.

Still, Allan could not even think of standing up.

“Hor…”

Where had the resistance gone?

The name Hor kept endlessly echoing in his chest.