Book 19 Chapter 42
The archenemy and pioneer of the mission,
The Knights of Shinchon Cadetpol (6)
Vesinia was truly a woman worthy of being called a descendant of the High Priest.
When I first met her, she was sixteen, six years younger than me.
She marveled at the beauty of even a single wild blade of grass, but her body wasn't strong, so I worried endlessly about her journey to the Demon Realm.
Whether she knew it or not, after defeating a demon or a devil, she would ask how strong it was, then make a sad expression.
- Such dangers still exist as reality for those living in the frontier…
To be able to watch her, who came to the most impure land from the noblest lineage and knew how to weep for the lowly and suffering, might have been salvation for me.
- Why is Kisa’s name Kisa?
She asked me when the expedition to the Demon Realm was about two years in.
It was when I was wiping off the blood that splattered on me from a demon we had just subjugated.
- I don't know. I've just been called that since I was an orphan.
At some point, my feelings for both of them turned into respect, and I found myself speaking to them formally without even realizing it.
- Then it seems like whoever named you left out the first two letters. Kisa's original name must have been Bikhkisa. Yes, I’m sure of it.
- Bikhkisa?
- Bikh. It means to purify, but when it’s used as a prefix, the ‘-ra’ is omitted, and it’s written as ‘Bikh-’. Look, Bikhkisa always takes the initiative to deal with the impure things in the Demon Realm, doesn't she?
- That's just because it pays.
- And you always… wipe off these dirty things on my body too, don't you? So Kisa's name must have been Bikhkisa! I guarantee it.
When she recited that name joyfully, though blushing, I felt the rain pouring down and had to lift my head.
Yes, rain falling on my heart…
Rain seeping into my soul…
That rain, perhaps, could only manifest as tears in the body, and I couldn't see anything because of the tears constantly blurring my vision.
My whole life…
When that name, which inherently carried contempt, came to hold meaning of respect, my world completely changed.
* * *
- Bikhkisa, Vesinia will now return to the Idea Peninsula for private training. It's a process that takes about five years.
The expedition to the Demon Realm lasted about four years and concluded.
Of course, we weren't in the Demon Realm for the entire four years; we would come out of the Demon Realm every one or two months for resupply.
The thought of them leaving made my soul feel dark and gloomy, but I had to work hard to keep that emotion hidden.
- I see. So we're parting ways now. It's been a long journey together.
However, Vesinia remained silent with her head bowed deeply, and it seemed less like sadness of parting and more like an action stemming from embarrassment.
- A Priestess must always head to the lowest and darkest lands, so she is constantly exposed to all sorts of dangers. That's why she gains a life companion called a Paladin. I also had a Paladin, and now we keep in touch as best friends.
- I know. The strongest fairy warrior.
- It's good that you know. Vesinia wishes to have you as her Paladin when she is ordained as a Priestess.
I instantly doubted my ears.
To discern if what I had just heard was fact, lie, delusion, or a dream, I had to examine their expressions and pinch my cheek.
- A Paladin? Me?
A Paladin is the strongest fairy warrior.
They, who wield holy spears, are revered for their martial prowess, just as a Priestess is respected for her wisdom.
- I am someone who hasn't even received circumcision, you know?
- Circumcision is performed on the heart, not the body. For four years, I have watched you more closely than anyone. You are the noblest individual among the fairy warriors I know.
Solboros placed a hand on Vesinia’s shoulder and smiled.
- The relationship between a Priestess and a Paladin is truly wonderful. After completing their duties, they sometimes become spouses. I felt confident that I could entrust my daughter to you.
In such matters, one's own will was paramount. I looked at Vesinia, who still hadn't lifted her head, and spoke.
- Are you alright with this?
Vesinia only shyly nodded her head, but Solboros emphasized once more.
- As I said earlier, it wasn't I who brought this up, but Vesinia. This child expressed her desire to choose you first.
- But I am…
- You have no connections? I am your connection, Bikhkisa. Let's return to the peninsula together. First, you'll undergo the circumcision ritual and prepare to become a Paladin candidate.
The man who had been Solboros's Paladin immediately became my guarantor upon hearing this explanation and also wrote a letter of recommendation for me as a Paladin.
- The social hierarchy of the fairies is very complex. Noble families only marry within their own ranks. Otherwise, they cease to be noble families.
- Is that so?
- Yes. Lord Solboros told me not to say anything, but I want you to know the weight of his decision to make you Vesinia's Paladin. That he didn't even mind being cut off from the High Priest's lineage.
I wanted to live up to that expectation. I wanted to repay that love, that grace.
By becoming even, even stronger.
In the arena where Paladin skills were judged, I defeated everyone in a single strike, winning with an undefeated record and proving my skill beyond reproach.
- I appoint you as my Paladin.
When Vesinia, whom I met again five years later, draped a pure white cloak around me, I don't know the words to properly describe the surging tremor in my heart…
- I will dedicate my entire life and protect you to the very end of our mission.
* * *
After her ordination, Vesinia traveled across both continents, bestowing good deeds, and soon received the sobriquet Hye-eun (惠恩, Grace and Kindness).
Among the senior Priestesses, there was the prominent figure, Elsara, the Priestess of Seonryung.
She was the adopted daughter of the red True Dragon Shalesarum and the youngest Priestess in history, and her personality matched well with Vesinia's, leading them to regard each other like sisters.
- It's been a long time, Senior Paladin.
- Yes, how have you been?
That Paladin was a young fellow named Snir, quite young.
Was he seventeen?
Elsara had delayed choosing a Paladin, saying there was no one she clicked with.
Snir's skill at the time of selection was rather lacking, but his character was, as chosen by Elsara, beyond reproach.
So I, too, used to teach him various spearmanship techniques and doted on him.
Elsara primarily looked after the Adrion Continent, and Vesinia cared for the Akrad Continent, so we would only meet two or three times a year, but I remember even those moments being truly warm and affectionate.
- I wonder if Sister Elsara will marry Snir later?
One day, Vesinia asked that, then carefully took my hand and turned her flushed face towards the twilight.
- Like… us… you know…
- …!
- Then somehow… later on, we'll truly… feel like sisters, won't we…? Snir is even younger than me, so should I call him my brother-in-law…?
I thought that daily life, where such minor things made my heart pound like crazy and a smile spread across my lips, would now last forever…
- Order for subjugation.
The sound of cracks appearing in all that happiness came just as the light of happiness was about to reach its peak.
- The Adamant-ranked mercenary group, Slayers, has abandoned their humanity and begun indiscriminate slaughter. You understand what this means, don't you?