Chapter 14

The morning after the victory celebration, Elliot was getting ready.

Since returning to the capital, he had been meeting with high-ranking nobles and guests from other countries almost every day.

As a Holy Knight who had appeared after more than a century, it was inevitable. Everyone was desperately trying to connect with Elliot. For the country, this was also part of diplomacy and an important mission. However, having been a low-ranking knight from a commoner background before the campaign, he felt both honored and somewhat weary.

Dressed in a military uniform adorned with multiple medals, including some he didn't recognize, and with intricate gold embroidery, he reached out to the scabbard containing the holy sword.

"…What…? Am I imagining things…?"

When he lifted it, the sudden heavy weight made Elliot feel a slight sense of discomfort, which he found puzzling.

It was a sensation he had never experienced before, despite having fought alongside it for a year.

– Maybe I'm just tired. …No, it must be the lack of training.

It had been over ten days since his return from the battlefield, and since his triumph, he had been shuttled around for reports, met with the king, and dealt with various troublesome matters, including the victory celebration and receiving guests.

He realized he hadn't had time for training in over half a month.

His body must be out of shape. Elliot concluded this was the reason for the discomfort.

At breakfast, Emily, dressed in a lovely dress, ran up to him.

"Elliot, good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"

As Emily clung to him in a playful embrace, he smiled and nodded, then sighed in a slightly exasperated manner.

The servants in the castle watched them with amusement, but some also had a hint of exasperation in their gazes.

Elliot had been granted the title of Earl, an unprecedented honor for a second son of a minor baron. The country clearly valued the Holy Knight, and the same applied to the Holy Maiden.

If they were to marry, Emily would become the Countess. However, both being of commoner origin, they were still unfamiliar with the etiquette of noble society. The prestigious titles of Holy Knight and Holy Maiden might grant them considerable leeway, but it wasn't guaranteed to always work.

They couldn't just register their marriage and be done with it; they were expected to act with restraint until the marriage was officially announced.

– …That's why, she must feel lonely.

Elliot patted Emily's head to comfort her, then brought up a topic he remembered.

"I heard about the other day. You helped the injured in the fire in the capital, didn't you?"

"Hehe, yes! …But… then, a priest who came later interfered again…"

"…I see. They must be anxious about you getting all the attention."

Encouraging the dejected Emily, her smile bloomed like a flower.

"You're right. Plus, everyone remembers that I was the first to rush to the scene, so it's okay!"

"That's good. …I hope your status as the Holy Maiden is officially announced soon."

Now, not only within the knightly order but also among the nobles and commoners, most people referred to Emily as the Holy Maiden. However, she had not yet been officially recognized as such by the Grand Cathedral in the capital.

– What is the church hesitating about…?

Suppressing the anger rising in his chest, he patted Emily's head again.

After finishing the morning meetings with guests, while the king and the prime minister were still present, a messenger arrived.

"A single monster, believed to be an undead beast, has been spotted on the banks of the Uleri River in the northeast of the capital."

Despite the report, there was no sense of alarm in the room. Undead beasts, while rare, did occasionally appear near human settlements. Given that it was on the outskirts of the capital, it was likely just an individual that had been washed downstream.

Of course, in the past, the threat of an undead beast would have caused some commotion, but now the capital had the holy sword and the Holy Knight.

"Hmm, this is a good opportunity. We can witness the Holy Knight in action."

"That's right. Let's cancel the afternoon schedule and head there."

The king, in a good mood after hearing the report, was followed by the prime minister's agreement.