Urgent (1)
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
Shuri was at a loss for words as she looked at Priest Elden, who couldn't even stand up.
Shuri was excellent—good enough to be the head of a year at the academy. And even in his eyes, this was at least a 20-week injury.
Well, if he received treatment from the Papacy, it might be reduced to around five weeks… But honestly, it was a miracle it even ended there, considering how violent the outburst had been.
If Isaac hadn't stopped the Holy Spirit's rampage, things could've gotten much worse.
"Professor Elden brought this on himself, though…"
That's because Shuri had seen it clearly. While everyone was trying to block the magic of the Skull King, only Priest Elden had approached the Holy Spirit.
Then he'd used a holy spell of pain on the Spirit and got counterattacked—ending up like that.
But the real problem? That counterattack wasn't from the Holy Spirit!
Shuri, groaning with frustration, turned her gaze toward Isaac.
"No doubt about it. That guy used a reflective holy spell!"
Yeah! It looked like the Spirit's doing, but there was no way Shuri could miss what Isaac had done!
Why?
Why else?! From the beginning, it was Isaac who brought them here, claiming he was going to do some sort of rescue in this drawing room!
"…Wasn't the plan originally to destroy the mansion and trap it?"
So the idea was that the evacuation would serve as the 'rescue.'
But after watching him carefully—what did she see?
He attacked Professor Elden with a reflective spell?
"Well, sure… It was suspicious that Elden tried to use a pain spell on the Holy Spirit."
He was a professor with enough interest in Holy Spirits to teach about them. Thinking he'd just sit still with a king-class Spirit right in front of him? Honestly, no way.
But at this point, a thought crossed her mind.
"That bastard said he'd get rid of the Appointed One… Did he mean to off him?!"
Was that whole evacuation story a lie from the beginning?!
But from Isaac's perspective, it was inevitable.
"You dare try to steal my Holy Spirit?"
He'd spent ten years struggling to keep that Spirit.
In fact, it had been a Spirit ready to flee at any moment.
Even ten years ago, when Rilai had begged on her knees, saying they couldn't erase the Skull King's magic, the Spirit had completely ignored her.
"This child is only one year old. Please, even if it's just for a few years—just let him live a little longer!"
"I've already cut ties with the five great houses. If I do nothing, this baby dies on his own, and I'll be free. Why should I care?"
So how did he manage to hold onto that Spirit?
Crash!
"Lord! Because of the Spirit's power, the roofs of the eastern castle and the temple have been blown off!"
"Good. A very satisfying blast."
"Um, excuse me? Eli?"
"I'm filing a claim for damages."
"Wait, hold on! The one who caused the damage is this brat! The Skull King's magic stirred up my power!"
"Right, you said you could purify it in four days. Now you're blowing up other people's houses?"
"That's not what I—!"
"Well, whatever. The temple is the house of God, after all. We'll just file a divine petition. How dare you destroy a god's temple? You've got guts. The lightning of divine punishment will strike your Spirit realm soon."
"What?!"
"Ah, all the innocent Spirits are going to get hurt. I'm so heartbroken."
"Hey!"
"Unless, of course, you'd like to purify my grandson. We could call it even."
"You piece of—!"
Isaac couldn't help but applaud the head of the house, who said all that with a face showing not even a hint of remorse.
Anyway, every time the Spirit tried to run, he'd smash some major facility in Eshua as a warning!
Made the Spirit work for 72 hours straight without sleep!
After going that far and holding it for ten years, and now someone dared try to steal his purification tool for ascending to the transcendent realm?!
Isaac toddled over to the Holy Spirit.
It was annoying how uncool he looked with those short legs, but whatever—it didn't matter.
This would all be over soon. Tomorrow, he'd rapidly grow out of this annoying baby body, so who cares?
He looked at the Spirit.
"You okay?"
[…Why wouldn't I be?]
"Something weird tried to get inside your body. I pushed it out with holy power."
At those words, the Spirit immediately grasped the entire situation. Its sharp gaze naturally turned to the one trying to flee.
[That damn Papal priest!]
"Gasp!"
The Spirit, now filled with murderous intent, appeared before the fleeing Elden.
[You wretched bastard tried something on me.]
"W-what do you mean?"
[Don't play dumb. What are those things you're carrying? Fire-starting tools, right? I smell the faith of Gold on them. Who sent you?]
"This is… a misunderstanding. We heard rumors of a dangerous fire Spirit near the Duchy of Eshua, so we brought them as a precaution for our priests' safety…"
The Spirit curled its lips in a sneer of disgust.
[Fine. I'll let it slide with that excuse.]
"Thank yo—"
[And I'll make an announcement. I'm ordering all fire Spirits to sever ties with the priests of the Papal House from now on.]
"What did you say?!"
Not only Elden, but even the elders were shocked.
No, that guy is the King of Spirits.
Sure, he has the power to command the lower spirits.
But fire spirits are used so often by priests!
There will probably be an uproar in the Golden Faith.
A flustered Elden let out a hollow laugh.
"Priests are beings who have made covenants with the gods. Especially if it's someone from the papal family! A spirit who has made a pact with a god couldn't possibly break that rule…!"
[Doesn't matter. I cut ties with the gods a long time ago, so I'm not bound by their rules.]
"…?!"
[Well, don't misunderstand. This is just a precaution for the safety of my fellow spirits. The way you're always carrying around fireproof gear out of fear says a lot about how little you trust us.]
Elden's face turned pale. He realized things were going very wrong.
The spirit glanced at Elden's chest and gave a strange smile.
It must have sensed the energy of the Herb of the Dead.
[Well, if it truly was a misunderstanding, I'll let it go… but I doubt that's the case. I'll thoroughly investigate what you were trying to do to me and this infant.]
At those words, Isaac's lips twitched into a smirk.
Yeah, nice.
You're doing great, but that's not what you should be doing right now, is it? There's something you're forgetting, huh?
The spirit soon turned its gaze toward Isaac.
[I never thought you'd save me. You rescued me with divine power and even controlled the Skeleton King's magic. Normally, the contract would end there… but since you saved me, I'll stay by your side for a while to repay the debt.]
At the spirit's words of gratitude, Isaac's smile stretched ear to ear.
Pfft!
Yeah, that's right! This is it!
Everything's going according to plan!!
Stupid holy faction bastards need to be like this!
'They're the kind of idiots who can't stand owing anyone a debt!'
Isaac had planned all of this from the moment he sensed the energy of the Herb of the Dead on Elden.
He'd remove the thorn in his side who dared delay his recommendation letter, make the spirit owe him a debt, and…
If he could push his luck just a bit further…
Isaac glanced subtly at the examiners. They were restraining the groaning Elden.
"I'll take care of Priest Elden for now. You, go to the Vatican."
"Yes. I must report this to the Holy See."
Isaac pouted slightly.
I guess beating someone to a pulp and demanding a recommendation was a bit shameless, huh?
Oh well. The next people I'll rescue will be… them, then.
"We'll also include Young Lord Isaac's recommendation. With power like his, he must be ordained this year and receive a title from His Holiness!"
"Agreed. I'll personally speak to the higher-ups."
Isaac's eyes curved like crescent moons.
***
One week later.
"Huh? Then it's true that Isaac's ordination was approved?"
"Yes. Isaac will be ordained this year. The Vatican gave its approval."
Lilai beamed at the family head's words.
"Normally, there's a written test, right? So I assumed it wouldn't be until next year, at the earliest."
The family head silently handed over a letter from the capital.
"Normally, to receive a recommendation, one must first save someone. It seems he fulfilled that condition. As for the one he rescued…"
"The examiners and the people of Eshua?"
"No. A spirit."
"Pardon?"
"Well, a king-class spirit is an unparalleled treasure to the nation. The examiners seem to have kept Isaac's spirit a secret."
The family head folded the letter.
The examiners had realized it, too—why he hadn't let Isaac out into the world until now.
Was it because he was embarrassed? That Isaac might be ridiculed for how he acted or looked?
No.
After centuries of ridicule, it was hardly something that still made his ears burn.
The boy didn't care. In fact, the reason was something else entirely.
"If he goes out looking like that, he'll be targeted."
Isaac's spirit was too—no, far too—precious to send him out.
It was written clearly in the letter from the Vatican:
"We ask that this remarkable ability, which was obtained by one so young, be demonstrated before all."
Though the letter said it was from the Vatican, it was clearly the work of the cardinals.
It was something the heads of the other five great families would be interested in, too.
Which is why, ten years ago, the family head had strictly forbidden anyone in Eshua from speaking of it.
Keep it a secret that Isaac summoned a king-class spirit specialized in anti-magic.
Sure, the elders had been shocked.
"Why?! This is an incredible achievement! Just the fact that he summoned it could elevate Eshua's prestige instantly!"
"That kind of prestige isn't worth more than the child's life."
"…!"
Just how easy of a target would a baby-faced summoner seem?
But at those words, Lilai smiled, as if asking what there was to worry about.
"That only applies if Isaac can't protect himself, doesn't it?"
"Yes, that's true."
That's why the family head had tested Isaac.
"Once you're ordained, it's considered graduation from the academy. Naturally, you need the education and knowledge to match. If not, it's postponed. So, we had scholars administer a test."
"And the results are…!"
The head of the house frowned disapprovingly.
"What on earth have you been teaching him all this time?"
"P-Pardon?"
Lilai looked flustered at the expression on the head's face, but soon he sighed.
"He got a perfect score. Top of the class. His attitude is the only flaw."
Though he spoke critically, the head of the house looked genuinely pleased. It was probably because he saw hope in Isaac.
A child with such talent growing physically and mastering divine power? It would be strange not to have high expectations.
"Oh? There's one more unopened result sheet here."
"That's the personality test. Just a basic screening for becoming a priest. Nothing worth looking at."
Lilai eagerly opened the sheet.
"Ah, I remember this one. It's enchanted with a divine spell, so even if you lie, your true feelings and faith are revealed. I was so shocked when mine got exposed."
"Heh, unless someone's a serious criminal or total garbage, there's nothing to worry about. The results usually come out fine."
Lilai nodded in agreement.
Although… there was something a little worrying.
"Oh, this one's full of boldness."
[Q. What are your thoughts about the family that birthed and raised you?]
[A. Conquest. Mine.]
Even the head of the house let out a chuckle.
It was absurd, but you need at least that level of ambition to be given the position of successor.
"Keep reading."
[Q. What will you do after becoming a priest?]
[A. Rip the gods' heads off.]
[Q. As a priest of the Holy Empire of Hella, describe your loyalty and aspirations for the nation.]
[A. Destroy the country.]
"..."
"..."
Both Lilai and the head of the house were speechless.
To reiterate, this test absolutely does not allow for lies. Even if you try to lie, your true thoughts are revealed.
So this is supposed to be a basic test to evaluate a person's faith before ordination? The hell!?
He'll be dragged to an inquisition before even becoming a priest! No, not "might be dragged"—he will be!
This isn't a joke—his level of faith isn't zero; it's negative, like it's drilled through the basement!
Even slightly impure answers can disqualify you from the priesthood, and these answers…!?
If the inquisitors see this, it's immediate torture and execution!
"…Father. Who has seen these results?"
"For now, only you and I."
"…If he becomes a priest and is tested again, multiple people will see it, right?"
"..."
"..."
The two fell into a deep silence.
"Father..."
The head of the house clutched the back of his neck, saying nothing.
The ordination was already arranged and couldn't be canceled.
"Lilai."
"Yes."
"You'll receive the ordination in his place this time. Tell Isaac he's not allowed to leave the house for the time being. The reason is…"
The head of the house closed his eyes and massaged his brow.
"Home…education."
Moral education was urgently needed.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]