Chapter 154: Winds of Change (3)

 

Sien entered the capital amidst a roaring cheer.

 

Standing on a carriage fit only for heroes, she received the gratitude of the citizens.

 

Yet, she wasn’t smiling as brightly as she had dreamed.

 

According to rumors she had heard... the Red Flames Group had suffered tremendous damage.

 

And during that process, even the captain Adam had fallen in battle.

 

Knowing how much Berg had revered that captain, Sien couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted.

 

At the same time, it was exhausting because everything wasn’t over yet.

 

She couldn’t stay by Berg’s side.

 

He still had wives, and there was no place for her.

 

Especially now, when there were talks of abolishing polygamy.

 

Sien raised her hand and watched her colleagues soaking up the cheers.

 

Arcan the centaur was too large to mount the carriage and walked beside it, but the rest—Felix and Sylphrien—were with Sien on the carriage.

 

She looked at Felix, who was smiling through his tears.

 

He had ultimately lost his right arm.

 

Sien had tried to heal him but... pushed to her limits, she had failed.

 

Yet, Felix didn’t blame her, saying that the peace that had come to the kingdom was worth the price.

 

Sylphrien, too, smiled and waved her hand.

 

Enjoying the moment fully, Sylphrien then looked at Sien, who had yet to relax her expression.

 

“...Saintess-nim, just enjoy this moment for now.”

 

“...”

 

“You might not experience this again, even if you live for hundreds of years.”

 

Sylphrien offered her own form of comfort.

 

Finally, Sien forced a smile in response to Sylphrien’s words.

 

Nodding, she said,

 

“...Yes.”

 

.

.

.

 

Days passed, and things began to settle down at a rapid pace.

 

With the war over and everything changed, the king and his ministers set about rebuilding the nation.

 

There were talks of a festival to celebrate the victory and a ceremony to honor the contributions of the hero party.

 

Along with this, various laws were also being enacted simultaneously.

 

Sien wondered if things were moving too fast, but there was nothing she could do about it.

 

All she wanted was to be by Berg’s side, to be his support during these trying times.

 

She had prevented the future in which he died.

 

Now, all she wanted was to spend time with him like before.

 

But those plans were momentarily put on hold.

 

This was the story Sien heard when she told her comrades she planned to visit the Red Flames Group, after days of just passing time.

 

“...Saintess-nim, stay in the capital.”

 

Sylphrien said.

 

“You will receive recognition for your contributions—”

 

“—I don’t need it, Sylphrien... I need to be by Bell’s side—”

 

“—The Red Flames group will also be coming to the capital.”

 

Sylphrien explained.

 

Sien was momentarily stunned.

 

“...It was the Red Flames group that stood against the Demon king’s right hand. The rewards for their valor will surely be discussed here in the capital.”

 

“...”

 

At that, the Saintess finally nodded.

 

Sylphrien wasn’t wrong.

 

...Surely, Berg would also come to the capital.

 

So, for the time being, Sien stayed at the sanctuary of the Hea Church.

 

She offered the same prayers she had been offering for the past several days.

 

“...Can’t you release me now...?”

 

Sien looked at the symbol of the Hea still marking the back of her hand like a brand.

 

For the past seven years, this symbol had brought her pain.

 

While it was true that this symbol had saved many lives, Sien had endured unwanted sacrifices and suffering because of it.

 

Now, she was on the verge of losing her most cherished treasures.

 

If this was the price of sacrifice... she didn’t want to pay it.

 

After how long had she prayed?

 

Sien stood to take a break.

 

As she turned around, she saw several bishops of the Hea Church lined up, apparently waiting for her.

 

They must have been waiting for her prayer to end.

 

“...What is it?”

 

Sien had not yet let go of her resentment towards the Church.

 

She still couldn’t forgive those who had used her under false pretenses.

 

Although calling it venting might be inevitable, Sien did not want to prettify herself.

 

She believed the sacrifices she had already made gave her enough right to express her emotions.

 

“There are things to verify and decisions to be made.”

 

Sien wanted to reject all their proposals.

 

However, she recognized the need to divert her attention for now.

 

Thinking of Berg alone brought her to tears; she needed something to catch her breath.

 

“What is it?”

 

“The verification of the sacred objects and... the selection of the new Archbishop.”

 

“...”

 

“...Since you expelled the last Archbishop... we’ve been without one...”

 

Sien clenched her teeth.

 

While she understood that the war’s end meant tidying up various matters, their eagerness to discuss a new Archbishop seemed repulsive.

 

She remembered the day she first stepped into the Hea Church.

 

A young girl, looking for something she could do for Berg.

 

She had hoped that by praying, Berg would live longer, healthier, and happier.

 

Had she known this future awaited her, she would never have set foot there.

 

Up to this very moment, Sien was sick of everything.

 

Why had she first entered this Church?

 

She repeated the regret hundreds of times even now.

 

Sien sighed.

 

Her desire not to heed the bishops’ wishes grew stronger.

 

“None of you are fit to be the Archbishop.”

 

Sien said sharply.

 

Lately, it had been hard to control her emotions.

 

Knowing Berg’s situation might have made it even more difficult.

 

She was falling apart.

 

And she was aware of it.

 

Perhaps not much time was left before things really got strange.

 

That was why she prayed more fervently.

 

The bishops remained silent at Sien’s sharp retort.

 

Sien looked at them, then asked about the next item on the agenda.

 

“What’s next?”

 

“Uh, management of the sacred objects, Saintess-nim.”

 

“...”

 

Four of the five gods had their own sacred objects.

 

Just as the God of Courage had chosen Felix, whose sacred object was the holy sword.

 

Sien sighed and nodded.

 

It was a task she had checked several times before.

 

It was bothersome, but if it meant the bishops would leave her alone, she wanted to get it over with quickly.

 

Sien reached the place where the sacred objects were kept, guided by the bishops and paladins.

 

The site was already crowded with many citizens.

 

The people cheered at the appearance of the hero.

 

Sien responded to all the cheers with an expressionless face as she walked.

 

The sacred object of the Hea Church was a transparent orb.

 

An orb that verified a person’s purity.

 

Before marriage, the nobility were required to touch this orb to prove their purity.

 

The process was not difficult.

 

When a pure person touched the orb, it began to shine with a bright light.

 

As some citizens showcased the orb’s transparent glow, they stepped back at Sien’s arrival.

 

Sien gave the bishops one final look.

 

“Is that all?”

 

The bishops nodded.

 

With a short sigh, Sien placed her hand on the orb.

 

The light that erupted from the orb brightened the entire space.

 

The dazzling light left the citizens speechless.

 

After the verification, Sien withdrew her hand, feeling drained.

 

She turned back to the bishops and said,

 

“...Now, please let me go.”

 

****

 

Today, I was once again at Adam Hyung’s grave.

 

I still haven’t spoken a word to him.

 

His tombstone remains unfilled.

 

Still, no words come to mind.

 

I still can’t believe he’s gone.

 

After spending some time at his grave, I moved to a more comfortable spot and sat down.

 

As I sat, Gale approached me.

 

It seemed he too frequented this cemetery.

 

“...Things will soon get busy, Berg,” he said.

 

He began to hint at the upcoming schedule.

 

I nodded, accepting his words.

 

“...The aftermath of the war is about to begin. That includes amendments to various laws, and the compensation to be awarded to the Red Flames group.”

 

“...”

 

“...I plan to declare you a Warrior of Solitude.”

 

I looked up at Gale.

 

He continued.

 

“...It’s only fitting. The Red Flames group fighting as mercenaries and a Warrior of Solitude facing the enemy alone carries different weight.”

 

“...”

 

Is this what politics is?

 

I couldn’t tell.

 

But for now, it hardly mattered. I simply nodded in response.

 

Gale sat down beside me.

 

He sighed deeply.

 

I asked him a question.

 

“...When is it being abolished?”

 

I didn’t specify what I was referring to.

 

Gale shrugged.

 

“...Don’t know. Could take a while... or it might happen soon.”

 

I wondered if Gale, a dragonian, understood the king’s heart better than I, a human, could, but even Gale seemed unsure with his vague reply.

 

“...How did it go with the king about opposing the abolition?”

 

I asked Gale cautiously.

 

If they knew I was against the abolition, my wives might not take it well.

 

Especially since I was opposing it at a time when one could gain freedom.

 

Gale shook his head.

 

“...Didn’t go well.”

 

“...”

 

“But who knows. Don’t lose hope yet.”

 

I blinked and looked ahead.

 

Clouds were gathering.

 

In that moment, we kept silent for a while.

 

Thoughts of Adam Hyung returned to me.

 

I thought about his will, and even the stories he had told about his dreams before that.

 

Hadn’t Adam lived to fulfill his siblings’ dreams?

 

Before I knew it, I found myself whispering a question.

 

“...What was Adam Hyung’s dream?”

 

“...”

 

I managed a wry smile and said,

 

“...He said it was a fanciful dream.”

 

Gale nodded.

 

“It was fanciful indeed.”

 

“...”

 

“...He talked about changing the perception of your race. Adam’s siblings were killed due to discrimination by other races.”

 

“...”

 

...I accepted his story more easily than I expected.

 

Everything seemed to fit.

 

Adam Hyung had never seemed to favor other races much.

 

Not to the point of dislike, but he certainly hadn’t seemed fond of them.

 

I had never imagined there was such a backstory.

 

Could his will have been about this story?

 

Asking to fulfill the dream he couldn’t achieve?

 

I took a deep breath and asked,

 

“...So, did he want to become a noble?”

 

“I don’t know. But being a noble would certainly have helped spread his dream. Of course, what Adam and you have already accomplished is commendable in itself. The good reputation of the Red Flames group has spread far and wide. It’s a mercenary group centered around the human race, known for being brave and tough.”

 

“...”

 

I slowly nodded.

 

Click.

 

Gale’s hand landed on my shoulder.

 

“...Berg.”

 

“...?”

 

“Surely, you will take Adam’s place and become a noble.”

 

“...”

 

Gale’s expression hardened as he spoke cautiously.

 

“...And that life might be more grueling than a mercenary’s. It’s a different kind of battlefield here.”

 

“...”

 

“If you show weakness, they’ll tear each other apart, damaging reputations. It might be less so if the rumors of you being the Warrior of Lynn circulate, but... many nobles will be wary of a new house.”

 

I sighed at the headache-inducing conversation.

 

But I was slowly making up my mind. If this was Adam Hyung’s dream.

 

“Blackwood, and being in friendly relations with Celebrien at the same time, is a good start... but you definitely need to be wary. Houses that haven’t settled yet might try to attack.”

 

“...”

 

It was a difficult conversation.

 

I had only just begun learning to read.

 

It was an overwhelming story for someone who grew up in the slums like me, unlike Adam Hyung who was exceptional.

 

Noticing my expression, Gale explained,

 

“...Be careful not to get caught off guard.”

 

“...”

 

“Watch what you eat, and be mindful of your actions. You need to be cautious to avoid scandals. Of course... in that aspect, you’re as clean as they come.”

 

“...”

 

At his advice, I finally nodded.

 

I knew it was a conversation I needed to accept.

 

But at that moment, it was a bit overwhelming.

 

“...Captain.”

 

I was looking ahead when I heard that call—a natural address.

 

“...Captain.”

 

But soon, realizing that Adam Hyung was no longer with us, I looked to my side.

 

Baran was looking at me with a somewhat strained expression.

 

“...Captain, there’s an issue that needs to be resolved.”

 

“...”

 

At that title, I blinked.

 

Not vice-captain, but captain.

 

...Such a small difference made me feel Adam Hyung’s absence all over again.

 

For a while, I couldn’t respond.

 

Sitting there, lost in thought... I eventually stood up.

 

Standing was what Adam Hyung would have wanted, too.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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