Urgent (2)
"Isaac! That's amazing!"
Rilai beamed brightly, while Isaac had a face like he'd just chewed on shit.
Why?
"I still can't believe it. You've started walking!"
No, you little punk.
That's not what you should be saying.
"You're even speaking now!"
No! That's not it either!
"This uncle has nothing more to wish for!"
You son of a—!
Why the hell aren't you mentioning the ordination?!
Sure, Isaac was happy that his uncle was pleased with him.
If he's this excited just over walking and talking, he'll probably faint when I'm fully grown. Still, fine, it's nice.
'But why the hell are you not bringing up the ordination, damn it?!'
The recommendation letters from the inspectors must've gone through, right?
As a positive sign, the head of the house even handed over the academic testing documents!
Isaac had answered carefully just to avoid hearing that he needed to go to the academy because of his academic background!
And the personality test was flawless!
He even had Whisper eavesdrop on the lord's room, and everything they heard was positive!
So what the hell? Why isn't anyone mentioning the ordination?
But instead of answering, Rilai just smiled brightly.
"At this rate, there's hope. Maybe in a few years, your body will be fully functional."
Wait… Did they reject the ordination because of his physical condition?
No. In truth, Isaac's name was on the list of those to be ordained this year—Rilai was just keeping it a secret. But Isaac didn't know that.
His eyes sharpened with frustration.
'Should I just accelerate my body's growth right now?'
Should I sneak off to the capital on my own?
'No, getting formal transport support would be better.'
After all, the Holy Empire Hella was vast, and the capital was quite far from Eshua in the east.
Traveling by ordinary means or on foot would take several months. But the divine beasts could shorten that journey to just a week.
'To attend the ordination ceremony, I need a divine beast.'
And not just any—an advanced transport-type divine beast from House Eshua!
To cross into the Eshua duchy's Blue Line, Isaac would need the permission of either his uncle Rilai or the head of House Eshua.
As if he had read Isaac's thoughts, Rilai smiled.
"Yes, if you can walk, it'd be good to explore a bit."
Yes! That's more like it! You beautiful bastard!
You're planning a continental journey to celebrate the ordination, huh?
Rilai, you punk—you may be a holy knight, but I'll let it slide since you're being adorable. A trip around the continent? Fine. I'll go with you—after I get ordained.
So let's leave Eshua right away—
"Until you become an adult, let's travel all around the Duchy of Eshua. Starting today, your uncle will train you in earnest! There are many excellent training grounds here that raised even the Holy Lady herself!"
…Huh?
Isaac raised an eyebrow as if to say, "Are you all seeing this?"
Hey. I said I need to go get ordained.
So shouldn't we be heading to the capital?
Why are you suddenly talking about training?
But Rilai, who had already discussed it with Isaac's father, just smiled.
Who would've thought a priestly household would realize the value of home education?
'Yes, there's no rush. For Isaac… Let's say, unfortunately, the ordination was denied.'
And with proper education, perhaps Isaac's perso—er, faith—could be reshaped too?
Rilai looked at his nephew, who was waiting for an answer, and smiled broadly.
"Your father said you're not to leave Eshua until you come of age. He'll be thrilled to hear you're beginning your training."
Isaac responded with a cheerful smile.
The next day.
Isaac disappeared.
-You bastards, don't bother looking for me.
He left a runaway letter as a bonus.
***
The Holy Empire of Hella.
In the capital, where the Papacy resided, was the most prestigious academy in the empire.
And now, the graduating class of this elite institution was in a frenzy.
"I heard a 10-year-old is getting ordained this year?"
"That's insane! This year's graduation ceremony is going to make headlines. Maybe it's our chance!"
"Well, we'll be just background characters again. The spotlight will go to the Divine Law Department like always—they're the elite."
Every soon-to-be graduate glanced at the same classroom in passing.
.
The elite track that produced priests. All the key players in the nation typically came from this department.
Even those top-tier talents were now in an uproar—because of none other than Isaac Eshua.
"Hey. Isn't a 10-year-old receiving ordination completely unprecedented?"
"Just what kind of kid is he, to get ordained at 10 like us?"
And then, just at that moment—
"Puhat!"
A boy with vivid red hair scoffed.
"Why are you all so scared of that little brat?"
"Naizer!"
"A damn baby-looking brat, at that."
He was Naizer Sephette, a pureblood of the enemy duke's house, whom Isaac had met ten years ago in the treasure vault.
He too was graduating this year and set to be ordained.
And when someone from one of the Five Great Houses spoke, it wasn't something that could be brushed off as mere gossip.
There was a 99% chance it was true.
Everyone had no choice but to pay attention.
"A baby, huh? What do you mean by that?"
"You dense or something? Just like I said. That bastard swallowed the Skull King's mana and got cursed—hasn't grown in ten years! No wonder he disappeared all that time."
"What? Are you serious?"
"That's actually scary. Isn't it true that curses that defy the laws of nature are usually the worst grade?"
"Yeah, just like the Skull King. But how did Eshua end up with a curse like that…?"
"If you don't believe me, go confirm with your families. What? Seems like you're all curious anyway."
"!"
Everyone's eyes turned at Naizer Sephette's words.
There stood Shuri Eshua. Shuri was glaring at Naizer with disgust, as if to say, "That bastard's at it again."
Naizer, seeming to enjoy the attention, raised his voice even more.
"I thought things might improve with the Pope's blood mixed into the Eshua line, but here we go again with another cursed bastard. Pfft."
But Shuri didn't react.
'Engaging him will only make it worse on my end.'
Still, Naizer showed no signs of stopping.
"It's no secret that the Azure Eshuas are hated by the gods. You know how cursed they are? They're a saintess family, but only boys have been born? Seven of them! All cursed, from top to bottom. It's a miracle any saintess candidates were born in this generation."
"What? That bad?"
"Yeah, it's so bad that—"
Shuri suddenly whipped her head around.
She knew Naizer held a grudge against the Azure House, but now he's bringing up my uncles and even my father?
This couldn't be let slide.
"You… what you just said could be taken as an insult to House Eshua, depending on—"
"Oh! Was it not true? My bad then. Sorry, guys. Maybe I got it wrong!"
Naizer smirked, subtly backing off to avoid escalating it into a house conflict.
"Anyway, Isaac Eshua? They probably just invited him to be laughed at again. What ordination? It's probably just some honorary showpiece title."
But just then—
"That's enough. I heard from the professors—Isaac Eshua met all the qualifications for ordination."
A female student spoke up, looking at Naizer with clear disgust, shocking everyone.
Even Naizer Sephette flinched.
Students asked in confusion:
"Wait, did he pass the test? A ten-year-old?!"
"Ah… not the qualification test. It was by recommendation from the priests…"
The moment that was said, Naizer burst out laughing.
"Gotta love being born into the saintess family! A failing noble house squeezing in some stunted, unqualified brat? Guess they really don't care about their peers."
That bastard—!
Just as Shuri, unable to hold back any longer, stood up in anger—
"You must think little of the Holy See's priests."
"!"
Everyone jumped at the unfamiliar voice. And when they saw the face, they froze even more.
"Kina Berit…!"
From the doorway, the Pope's 14-year-old grandson looked at Naizer with disdain.
"You think the Holy See gives recommendations based on a family name? Recommendations are tougher than the graduation exams themselves. In fact—"
"!"
"The one who approved the recommendation was none other than your own father. Duke Leon Sephette."
"W-what?!"
Kina Berit sneered lightly.
"So your father's the one who doesn't care about his peers."
"Y-you…!!"
As murmurs spread through the crowd, Naizer ground his teeth.
Damn it, why is the Pope's grandson siding with Eshua?
But that wasn't the only problem.
"You're not even a student here! What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I was invited for the Foundation Festival."
"Aha! Even the Pope's grandson isn't exempt! Had to come observe the seniors, huh?"
"No. I was invited as the mentor and divine law instructor for this year's graduates."
"…?!"
Wait, what?
"Mentor?!"
At the same time, Shuri furrowed her brow.
Kina Berit.
The Pope's grandson hadn't been ordained yet, but the priests already treated him as a peer equal to or greater than an intermediate priest.
As for his ordination—
No, that's not it.
"The Pope reportedly said this."
He said he was worried other children around Kina might feel discouraged because of her talent.
So, he told her to wait until she was an adult to be formally ordained as a priest, and for now, to share her enlightenment and gain experience.
Wasn't that as if both the Pope and the holy ones were simply assuming that child was destined to become a saint?
But Kina Berit, who seemed to have taken Eshua under her wing, just smiled as she looked at Shuri.
"You're the one I worry about, Shuri. Isaac Eshua can't even grow—there's no chance he'll ever become a priest. I just hope the Order lasts until you're ready to lead Eshua."
"You…!"
Why not just hold a ritual for the Order's downfall while you're at it!
But then he whispered to Shuri in a tone of pity:
"Ah, maybe even the position of cardinal is too much for a half-wit like you? Well, if it gets too hard, come to me. After all, your 'half' is of the proud golden bloodline. The papal house wouldn't mind embracing someone like you—or even your father. I'm sure I could offer you a spot as my attendant."
"…!"
What the hell?
His cousin's servant?
Was this bastard seriously suggesting that his own great-uncle serve as his manservant?
But with a smile, Kina Berit just patted Shuri's shoulder and walked past. A servant from the papal house naturally followed behind him.
At the same time, Kina Berit recalled what had happened at the Vatican. It had been a scholar praising Isaac.
—"Your Grace, I saw it myself. Young Master Isaac controlled the magic of the Skull King! And he strengthened the power of the Holy Spirit as well!"
The scholar was normally someone who rarely praised anyone.
Still, it must be just a fluke. That frail, infant-like body wouldn't even make it onto the list for priesthood.
Even his father, a cardinal, had said Isaac wasn't even worth considering as a rival.
And yet…
—"He might be the one to save the Holy Empire."
Kina couldn't stop thinking about it.
***
"Ah! Those damn bastards!"
Back at the dorm, Shuri clutched the back of his neck.
"Damn it, maybe they really don't see anyone else because they're from two of the Five Ducal Houses."
He had held back because of his father and Eshua's reputation, but that didn't stop him from boiling with anger.
And truth be told, he couldn't beat those two with his current skills anyway.
"Whatever. That's not what matters right now."
Outside, the city was already bustling with excitement for the Founding Festival. People from all over had gathered at the news that papal candidates would be receiving priestly ordination.
Of course they would come—who wouldn't want to see their future masters?
The problem was: for that historic event!
At that glorious occasion, where all eyes would be watching!
His family hadn't shown up at all!
Shuri felt miserable.
"It's all because of that damn brat!"
Everyone had been too busy looking for Isaac, who had run away from home!
In the end, Shuri had been stuck looking for Isaac as well and only barely made it back to the academy in time.
"Not that I ever thought he'd obediently stay tucked away in Eshua anyway."
In fact, Shuri already knew the truth. His family was deliberately trying to prevent Isaac from getting ordained.
"Yeah, that brat—of course he'd screw up when it comes to character."
Who does he think he is? A priest?
He should be a Demon King, not a priest.
Eventually, Shuri picked up the suitcase that his servants had sent ahead to the dorm.
"Go home and get some character education, punk."
Wants to be ordained?
What's he gonna do after running away?
Isaac wasn't even supposed to be able to leave the Duchy of Eshua in the first place.
Without a pass, he could never get through Eshua's checkpoints.
"He'd have been caught before he ever reached the capital anyway…"
"…Wait, why is this bag so heavy? What did Father put in here…?"
Muttering to himself, he opened the suitcase.
"Hey, you bastard. You gonna open this or what?"
"?"
Shuri stared into the bag in disbelief.
"What the hell took you so long?!"
"??"
"Whatever, just help me out already. I'm about to pee myself."
"?????!!"
"Why are you staring like that, you punk?"
Shuri screamed when he saw Isaac curled up inside his suitcase instead of his belongings.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]