When that snow melts (1)
Would it be like this if the knights who lost the war gathered together?
The priests gathered in the bishop’s office lowered their heads and could not open their mouths, as if they had been defeated.
“······What are the chances of recovery?”
Still, someone had to report on the current question.
Otherwise, Bishop Pierre’s cold anger would explode.
“For more details, I will have to send it to the Vatican…”
The priest in white robes, Bishop Pierre’s confidant, hesitated to speak, but it had no choice.
“It seems difficult.”
“······.”
After hearing the priest’s answer, Bishop Pierre wiped his face with a heavy sigh.
Pierre tried not to show his emotions, but even so, there was one word that he couldn’t help but come up from deep in his heart.
“This is ridiculous.”
Mirror of St. Marello.
The mirror of St. Marello, a holy relic directly given by the Vatican, was a source of pride for Pierre, but it was ridiculously broken.
Just because I was able to see the soul of a young knight.
‘······What on earth is this guy doing?’
Vlad of Shoara.
A knight from the back alleys.
His unusual background and young age clearly gave him a unique personality, but even so, I could never have imagined that he would make such a difference as he has now.
“Has anyone seen what was reflected in his soul?”
The mirror of St. Marello is a mirror that reflects the soul.
An ordinary person would only have looked at his own reflection, but in Vlad’s case, he gave off a light so intense that it was difficult to look at him.
That also meant that there was definitely something inside the boy.
“It’s not something special. If that were the case, there’s no way we wouldn’t have noticed.”
“It is said that lightning struck the roof of the church. “It could be a being strong enough to affect reality.”
Bishop Pierre only became more confused after hearing what the priests said.
“······I don’t even know what it is.”
Even Pierre, who had been a Heresy Inquisitor for a long time, was someone whose identity was difficult to determine.
Since it shined brightly, it must not be evil.
However, the energy it possessed was too harsh to be called a blessing from God.
“I need to report this.”
It was unclear what was inside Vlad, but it clearly had enough presence to destroy and eat a holy relic.
Even if it does not belong to evil, if it is unique to this degree, the Vatican will definitely be interested.
Perhaps, since it is an unknown entity, we can bring it to trial again…
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Pierre was momentarily awakened from his thoughts by a knock on the door.
“······Bishop.” “What’s going on?”
A priest carefully opens the door and enters while numerous eyes are watching in the office.
In his hand was a small piece of paper.
“This is a telegram from San Logino.”
“In San Logino?”
Pierre made a puzzled expression at the priest’s words.
As a member of the Vatican, it was rare for the northern diocese of San Logino to send a telegram to him.
“Give it to me.”
Pierre didn’t know why, but he took the note out of the hand of the priest, who had a pale complexion.
After a crisis comes an opportunity.
Conversely, a crisis can come after an opportunity.
Pierre put Vlad in danger through a trap, but ultimately failed.
“San Logino…”
The flow now turned from Pierre back to Josef, and the rightful mayor of Shoara did not miss the opportunity presented to him.
“You damn northerners!”
Women lying in a fog-filled village were testifying with tears.
That a person called Black Bear is someone who can never receive impunity.
And San Logino accepted their tears.
-Bishop Pierre of Shoara will explain the relationship between black bears and warlocks.-
The markets of Soara and San Logino.
An arrow fired from the north pierced Pierre’s chest coldly.
※※※※
The name of the young deacon whom Andrea was accompanying was Christian.
The young boy, who had built up a relationship with Vlad since the monster subjugation battle in Varna, had just come to Shoara with Andrea, whom he served.
“Are you okay, priest?”
“You might need to lie down a little longer.”
A young deacon carrying a large bucket of water up to his waist, whimpering.
Vlad felt sorry for that and held up a bucket of water instead.
If it weren’t for him, he would have been living comfortably in Varna.
“It was difficult to move in the cold weather, but you had a round with the bishop as soon as you arrived.”
“······yes.”
I didn’t just feel sorry for the young deacon.
Priest Andrew was now lying on the bed, snogging.
As the young deacon explained, he did everything he could at his young age, so there was no way he wouldn’t get into trouble.
“Do you need anything?” “Nothing. Joseph is already taking care of everything.”
Being indebted to someone brings complex and subtle emotions that are difficult to explain in one word.
And Vlad always felt that way every time he saw Andrea.
From the time I received my name until now.
I was always grateful to Andrea.
“But is it real?” “What?”
The eyes of a boy who must have been only ten years old were shining as he looked at Vlad.
“I heard you received God’s blessing?”
“······Who said this?”
The more a rumor spreads, the bigger it becomes.
Aside from the city’s influential people who were directly at the trial, the pure white cloud that flowed into the church was one of the miracles that everyone in Shoara could see.
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
“is it so?”
Christian said yes in words, but the look on his face said it probably wasn’t so.
Because I also saw the young deacon.
A pure white sword that cut apart a woman who was like a nightmare under the night sky.
“Still, he liked it.”
Christian, who arrived in front of the room where Andrea was staying, took a bucket of water from Vlad and said.
“Did you like it?”
“sure.”
A young mercenary who was rolling around on the ground became a full-fledged knight under his assurance.
As if that wasn’t enough, it was something Andrea could be happy about since she was with a being with auspicious energy.
“Can I brag to my classmates later? “I said I prayed with Lord Vlad.”
“······If you want to do it, do it.”
Although it was a lukewarm answer, a big smile was already etched on Christian’s face.
It was an article that may have been blessed by God.
Just having a relationship with such a knight would be something to brag about among young deacons.
“See you later.”
“okay.”
I wanted to at least say hello, but it was out of the question since he was lying sick.
Since this was someone who came for you, it would be right to be as considerate as possible.
“Why are you even bragging?”
Vlad turned around in front of the door and scratched the back of his head, remembering Christian’s words.
In all my life, I have never been someone’s pride.
“······.”
Vlad stopped in an empty hallway and looked out the window.
Every time the surroundings became quiet, there was a voice that spoke to me as if it had been waiting.
But now, in the empty hallway, all I can hear is my own muttering to myself without an answer.
“I’m not used to this.”
If our voices were together now, would he have told us that he was proud of us?
However, the voice that would have answered those words had disappeared, leaving only small traces in his world.
Feeling alone for the first time in a long time, Vlad just stood still and swallowed the quiet silence.
※※※※
“They say a telegram was sent from San Logino.”
“That’s fast.”
Josef, who was looking out the window while holding a wine glass, smiled faintly at Zayar’s report.
“It seems like there was a lot of emotion that had been building up for a long time, right?” “Isn’t the Vatican’s neglect of the northern diocese already famous?”
The center of the continent is the central region, and the discrimination and jealousy they send to other regions does not discriminate against anyone.
Everyone knew that the northern diocese of San Logino was being ignored by the Vatican in the center.
“not bad.”
The timing was good.
It was not easy to win the support of San Logino on a political issue, but the quickly reorganized balance of power made it possible.
San Logino’s alliance with the northern lords.
This was to be confirmed at the upcoming Northern Conference, but if there is a clear opportunity like now, it would not be a bad idea to show action in advance.
“Bordan. Take care of Priest Andrew. “If possible, I hope they don’t send me to Varna.”
“All right.”
Although he brought the boy with him as an excuse, Priest Andrea was someone who could put pressure on Bishop Pierre with just his presence.
He was a well-known priest, and it would not be strange for him to soon become a bishop somewhere.
The next plans for Pierre were already forming in Josef’s head.
“Joseph. “I’m here.”
“Come in.”
Josef turned from the window and looked at Vlad entering the office.
It was right after something big happened, but when I saw his face, I couldn’t find anything to say.
“What should I do with you?”
“sorry.”
Josef’s expression as he looked at Vlad was truly subtle.
“You are always so unpredictable. “From beginning to end.”
“······.”
Josef was a person who preferred to achieve results through thorough planning.
And the boy in front of me was a guy who had a knack for messing up Josef’s plans.
In terms of compatibility, they were the worst two, but the results they produced were always better than expected, so even Joseph was confused.
“The priest said you may have God’s blessings within you.”
“Probably not.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s not. “I will make it happen.”
Josef’s dark eyes were looking at Vlad.
Sedition and fabrication were the specialties and essential knowledge of nobles.
“······Bishop Pierre and the Vatican behind him will be keeping an eye on you. “Even though I didn’t mean to, you interfered with their work.”
Josef let out a small sigh as he looked at Vlad quietly lowering his head.
The young knight, who was difficult to handle and even more difficult to raise, was still giving Joseph a headache.
“Take it.”
“yes?”
Vlad suddenly caught the pouch flying towards him.
It was a bag that made a jingling sound and felt heavy.
“······This.”
“This year is coming to an end.”
The year was coming to an end with the snow falling.
Although it was a year that ended in an accident, no year in Josef’s life was as successful as this year.
In a way, it could be said that it is all the work of the boy in front of him.
“It is a special allowance. “It’s a reward for performance, not a salary.”
As Bordan said, special allowances were also paid to Vlad.
As the year drew to a close, Josef made a clear calculation for Vlad.
“It will be over 300 gold.”
“······!”
Vlad had been bowing his head in apology just a moment ago, but his eyes widened when he saw the amount of money that flowed from Josef’s mouth.
I’m not sure, but 300 gold was a large amount of money that could buy land for farming.
“Why, why… like this.”
“I have also calculated the achievements I have made since I was a servant. “It’s a lot of money, so plan well.”
The boy always performed better than Josef expected.
In some ways, it was a messy process, but the results were dazzling, so Josef had an obligation to compensate for it.
“You are a knight now. “You have the right to claim your achievements.”
“thank you!”
Josef quietly looked at Vlad, who was thanking him with a red face.
It wasn’t easy to say this while seeing that happy face, but I had to do it.
Because he was the person responsible for Vlad.
“Keep in mind. “Now that you have become a knight, you are in a position of responsibility.”
It is not possible to overwhelm an opponent only with weapons and force.
Vlad felt the presence of Josef, who was now standing with his back to him, overwhelming him.
“Did you understand what I said?”
“yes.”
“good night.”
Vlad, who is 17 years old, will turn 18 later this year.
The boy should know.
Now that this year passes, I can no longer be a boy.
“Knight Vlad ignored God’s will of indulgence. “This is your mistake, which Bishop Pierre clearly revealed.”
At yesterday’s trial, Vlad said he killed a black bear with his own words, for which he was exonerated.
This was a mistake that Josef acknowledged, and Vlad must take responsibility for it.
“We will hold him responsible and expel Knight Vlad from Shoara.”
“······yes?”
The blue eyes facing each other began to shake greatly.
Still, I can’t help it.
If even the slightest mistake remains, it will leave justification to the bishops and the Vatican.
“It lasts until I call you again.”
A squire may stand behind, but a knight must take the lead.
The boy can be forgiven, but the adult must take responsibility.
And Vlad is now at the age where he should know about responsibility and duty.
Outside the window, white snow was falling, covering the entire year.
When the time comes for that snow to melt, Vlad will also become an adult, not a boy.
