Chapter 189
Just then, a slightly deep, bass voice rang in my ears.
Maybe its the effect of the melted crescent moon.
Hmm.
It was a reasonable explanation.
Just as the moon in our reality causes the sea tides to rise, the moon of the demon world would also exert influence in this world.
Moreover, a crescent moon that perfectly matches the symbol of the Demon Lord Avikinis has risen in the sky tonight. Its even weirder to just pass by quietly.
Well, lets leave it at that.
Figuring out the cause wasnt the most important thing right now, so, I made a decision.
We cant keep this up. Instead of waiting until it disappears, lets break through and get out right now.
I will take the lead.
Thesilid gently dissuaded my hand from pulling out the Serpens.
He slipped out of the cover of his uniform by himself and took the first step.
As soon as Thesilid took his first step, the apparitions stepped aside to the left and right, clearing a path for him to follow.
It was a similar effect to the passive skill I had, Notoriety that resonates in the underworld.
Just as I started to follow him at a reasonable distance.
My eyes narrowed at a nerve-wracking sensation.
There was an apparition following from behind me, keeping pace with me.
This fearless ghost.
It seemed like a daring apparition was following me. I whirled around to give it a good scolding.
However.
uh?
It stopped at a distance of two steps and blankly looked at me.
I lost my attention to it.
While all the other apparitions were looking at Thesilid, this one was only staring at me to the point of persistence.
The meaning of that unique gaze was clear.
The one who died from me.
ah.
This was a golden opportunity to resolve questions that had remained unanswered.
<Ellet? Whats wrong?>
I shouldnt look at them.
But my irresistible curiosity blew all caution from my mind.
Who is it? Who the hell are you?
I was already taking a closer look at him.
Facial features slowly began to take shape on the ghostly face, making my eyes gradually widen at the vague sense of familiarity.
You are
And right then.
Shh.
Eli.
A hot hand reached out from behind and covered my eyes. It was Thesilid.
He pressed his body close to me and whispered softly in my ear.
You cant fall for it.
Lets go out now.
Okay.
I turned around, led by Thesilids hand.
In the distance, I could see the exit gate swirling slowly to welcome us back.
Our trip to the Demon Kings Territory ended like that.
When we returned to the real world, less than a day had passed since going inside the dungeon.
Add to that the time difference between the Kingdom of Vinchester and the Principality of Hispenril, and it was just before dawn when we arrived back at my Grandpas Castle.
Nevertheless, people were waiting for us.
Ahh! They are here!
Hey, ah, damn itWhy are you guys only coming now!
Sister, Brother, I was worried.
Im so glad
Baby! Grandson-in-law!
My paladins, Hilde and Grandfather, greeted Thesilid and me at the doorstep with red eyes.
I guess that Marquis Lecandro, who escaped safely with Princess Celestide, reported the news of the accident that occurred in the boss room.
Thankfully, I didnt have to make excuses about staying out at night without permission.
I said hello to everyone, including my grandfather, with an apologetic heart.
Im back. Im sorry Im late.
Its okay because you came back safely. Lets go in now.
I entered the mansion under the warmth of the morning sunlight.
We took our seats in the parlor and reported on the events of the day.
I summarized everything and told them only as much as they needed to know about my near-death encounter with Reed, known to the world as the Black Magic Swordsman, the lull in our battle thanks to the invasion of the Three Demons Lords, and my escape through the lands of Demon King Avikinis.
When I confessed to the fact that I had used Descent of Divinity while fighting the Black Magic Swordsman, Grandpa, who knew about the penalties of Gods Fever, looked at Thesilid with moist eyes.
Thank you, grandson-in-law.
It was the right thing to do.
Ahm, thats right.
I hurriedly cut off their warm-hearted atmosphere.
Grandpa, I think I have to go back to the Vatican now. However, its obvious that if I took Hilde there, they would criticize and bully her. Can I ask you to allow Hilde to stay here from now on?
I heard the whole story. Dont worry. This old man will take good care of her.
Grandpa was confident as he pounded his pectoralis major muscles.
Hes been lonely since my mother ran away from home, it seemed like he felt good about Hilde relying on him.
Looking at them again, the clothes Hilde is wearing now look like a dress Mother wore when she was a princess.
As Hilde petted the small animal chimeras, she asked me awkwardly.
Can I stay here?
As long as you like it.
I answered that way, but my true feelings were different.
Yes. You have to be here. Forever. You cant go anywhere.
Hilde was a great talent just because she was a 7th rank divine power awakener with a threat immunity skill, but when I thought about it, she had one more great advantage.
Its the fact that she still has no religious affiliation!
When I open my parish in Peronsa soon, shell be one of the first to be ordained and seated.
Become a believer of The World Church, Hilde. And help raise the rank of our Church by breaking through the 8th rank!
[The World-building God is filled with anticipation.]
[The Spoiler Inspector shakes his head, saying that both God and believer cant control their facial expressions.]
I was surprised and tensed my facial muscles. Fortunately, Hilde didnt seem to notice my selfish intentions.
Thank you
Youre welcome.
While I was patting Hilde on the shoulder and appealing to my friendliness, Ash suddenly asked her with a look of anticipation.
Is Miss Hilde joining our Paladins, sister?
If Hill wants it?
Please come in, Miss Hilde!
At this time, Ashs eyes, looking at Hilde, glowed with a greater darkness than mine.
I wondered why he was like this.
I want Miss Hilde to become the new youngest member of our Order.
I guess he wanted to get away from being the youngest.
Ash, even if Hilde comes in, you will still be the youngest.
What? Why?
I answered, taking full advantage of my saintly status.
I just had a revelation from God. Hilde was born two months earlier than you.
!
Ash, who was in disbelief, soon matched Hildes birthday with his own, and his shoulders sagged.
Then suddenly raised his hand in the air in the hopes of a feeble last protest.
I have an objection. Arent we supposed to rank this in order of initiation?
Welp, not how this works, youngest.
Yes, youre the chosen youngest.
Ephael and Hestio, who were on either side of Ash, answered for him.
And Agnes.
<If its decided, just accept it. The youngest has a big mouth.>
Taking advantage of the mood, I decided to tease the youngest as well.
Oh, by the way. Ash, do we have a name for our Order yet?
Oh.
This is the reaction I expected. But he put on a stern expression for some reason.
What, you dont have anything in mind? Nothing? After all the time Ive given you?
Well, that
Ash, embarrassed, turned to the side and asked for help.
Brother Thesilid
yes.
Help me, please. You said you would think of a name for the Order together with me.
Well, I dont know about that, I cant remember.
Ah, Brother!
After teasing Ash with a straight face, Thesilid dropped a few hints.
I have something in mind, though
Okay, lets go with that.
Without even listening?
Its better than picking one myself.
[The World-building God is anxious about whether it is okay to entrust the name of your Order to the protagonist.]
[The Scales that Judges the Soul watches with half concern and half anticipation.]
And so, amidst the concerns of the Gods and the low expectations of his peers about Thesilids naming sense, what he revealed to the public, was this.
Silver CitadelHow about Sidel for short?
Hoo.
Exclamations of I didnt expect it, but it was quite good came out of the mouths of our colleagues.
I didnt have to ask to know that the name was taken from my ultimate barrier skill, Mercurys Barrier.
<Well, its difficult to forget if youve ever been saved by that skill>
[The World-building God I like this nice tough.]
[The Scales that Judges the Soul is relieved that there is no need to worry about the second generations name if its like this.]
Its decided.
I also nodded vigorously. After seeing that the other members had no complaints, I stood up from my seat.
Okay, then. Order of Sidel, lets return to the Vatican.
Yes, Leader!
Yes, Sister!
The Vatican gave me and the Order of Silver Citadel a grand welcome.
It was well-deserved after rescuing the royalty of the Kingdom of Vinchester, defeating Anaxia, and surviving a last-minute disaster.
However, there was another achievement of mine that touched the hearts of the Council of Cardinals even more than the previous three reasons.
Your Excellency High Saint, you captured the mad wizard?
Oh, this is how we repay the disgrace of 200 years ago!
Could you please show me the mirror in which you locked him up? Let me take a look at his shameless face.
As requested, I took out the mirror the light blue-haired young man had been restrained in.
After giving the Cardinals just enough time to look at it once, I quickly put it back in.
I had no intention of entrusting the mirror that trapped Morifis to the Vatican.
If I leave it here, the Republics Magic Army can sneak in and steal it, so I will keep it.
You have a point, Your Excellency.
Its a shame that I cant hang it at the main gate of the Vatican as a tribute.
It was good up to this point, but it wasnt long before the Ministry of Prosecution and the Ministry of the Doctrine began to have friction over the issue of the disposition of Morifis.
It started with a cardinal from the Prosecutors sect.
Did you see it earlier? That crazy wizard is very fresh even though he is over 200 years old.
Im so jealous of thatNo, he must be draining life force with some evil black magic! I say we judge for heresy!
Lets hold the trial immediately tomorrow. Be ready to burn him at the stake within a week!
The Gospel sect strongly opposed this.
Tsk, cant you think things through? The Chimera Researcher should be used as a bargaining chip with the Republic.
Thats right. This is an opportunity to settle the Blood Stone Mine dispute.
Around the time when things could have easily led to an incoherent and bitter debate.
Come on, stop.
A solemn voice diffused the situation.