Chapter 78

EP.78 Revelation-1

The first day of arriving at the temple.

Upon arriving at the temple, I received a habit and minimal living supplies. Although I could have received or obtained better items, I refused them myself.

I judged that a frugal life and a humble mindset were necessary to gain the recognition of the holy sword and the revelation of light.

There's no need to rush. Just as Leonardo trusts me, I must trust myself and move forward.

I am Leonardo's most special person.

-----

The thirtieth day of training at the temple.

The training at the temple was not difficult. To be honest, it was rather easy.

Thanks to the education and etiquette I learned from my family, reciting scriptures and prayer methods were not difficult,

and the combat training as a monk felt even easier. Most of the holy knights at the temple were no match for me. To be frank, compared to Leonardo, they were all insignificant.

Perhaps due to the hero's blood flowing in my veins, the day when I can use blessings and holy spells due to the divine power in my body is not far off.

-----

One year since I started handling the holy sword.

After a year of learning holy magic and prayers, the holy sword gradually came to life. Even the holy knights who initially disapproved of the sword could not hide their surprise at its light.

Everyone said it was the descent of a new hero, but I was certain. I was merely using the divine power of the holy sword, not receiving a proper revelation or being chosen.

More than anything, I wanted to see Leonardo soon.

In the past, I sent letters regularly, but the more I did, the more I wanted to see him, so I firmly told myself not to send any more letters or packages.

However, there was a contradictory thought that I secretly hoped he would ignore this and send them anyway.

The smell of Leonardo in the letters I have now is gradually fading.

I miss Leonardo.

-----

Two years since I haven't seen Leonardo.

No matter how much I swing the holy sword or pray, the revelation does not come. I cannot blame the gods, but the current situation is frustrating.

Not seeing Leonardo is sadder and more anxious than not meeting my family.

While staying up all night thinking about Leonardo, I had a short dream.

In the dream, Leonardo appeared, looking similar to when I saw him at the magic tower.

In the dream, we undressed and caressed each other's cheeks. Soon, our bodies and hands intertwined, and the areas where our bodies touched gradually became more intimate and sensitive.

It was sweet. If only this moment could have lasted a little longer...

"...Ah...!"

I woke up from the dream. When I got up, my pajamas, underwear, and even the sheets were drenched in a fluid like sweat.

Embarrassed, I spent the night wide awake.

The next day, I rarely went to the temple's library to look for books. It was out of concern that a succubus might have visited such a temple.

When I read this material, I was shocked.

"...If you don't release your desires... it happens naturally, right?"

According to the written material, if one cannot control their desires and cannot release them, the human body will naturally find relief through such lustful dreams.

This is not a problem with the church's doctrine and does not involve a succubus...

"...How do I release my desires here...!"

In the temple, the act of releasing sexual desire as a 'comfort' is officially prohibited.

Of course, the current doctrine, which has more autonomy, tacitly allows such acts, but the problem is that I am a candidate for the hero.

If I indulge in such sinful acts, the probability of receiving the revelation will decrease.

"...Is there another way...?"

While flipping through the pages, I came across a doctrinal interpretation of erotic dreams.

[This is not a deliberate act according to the doctrine, so it is not a subject of confession and therefore does not fall under mortal sin.]

Ariasphil involuntarily swallowed her saliva at this. If interpreted differently, this means that anything can be done in a dream.

I suddenly thought of a few photos I had taken with Leonardo. Among them were some of Leonardo as a child.

-----

On the fourth year of enduring.

Today, Leonardo did not appear in my dream. Why? This time, I placed the photos of Leonardo as a child, which I had been saving, under my pillow, but I couldn't even remember the dream.

I feel frustrated. I considered putting all the photos I have under my pillow. If I'm lucky, I might be able to dream about one, two, or even three Leonardos. The thought was pleasant, but ultimately, it felt hollow. I wanted to marry Leonardo.

The doctrine of the temple is about not wasting sexual acts, so getting married and having sex is not a bad thing and is not a subject of confession. I had already planned everything. I would announce our engagement and enjoy a few months of dating, making Leonardo impatient. Then, when our feelings reach their peak, I would propose marriage. If Leonardo refuses or hesitates, I would take responsibility by forcing the issue. Since Leonardo seems to like me, that won't happen. After getting married and going on a honeymoon, I would stay with Leonardo in a villa I had reserved in advance. I would force a heavy snowfall to block the roads and lock the doors, maximizing the time we spend together. I would continue to spend the nights with Leonardo until the food runs out and the snow melts. Since Leonardo is tall and healthy, we could do it more than ten times a day. We could even have many children and form a knight order with them...

"Um... Did you hear that?"

"...Huh?!"

While Ariasphil was lost in her chaotic and lustful fantasies, drooling, Luminé, who had recently become a priest, looked at her with a bit of confusion.

"Um... Are you okay? You have something on your mouth..."

Arias quickly wiped the drool from her mouth and looked at Luminé.

"I'm sorry. I haven't been sleeping well recently... What were you saying?"

Looking at Ariasphil, the former saint and angel, Angelica, smiled wickedly.

{It seems you have a lot of pent-up desire. It's a rather pleasant sight.}

"...Huh?"

Arias looked around, thinking she had heard something.

"Um? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...I thought I heard something. Is there someone behind you, Priest Luminé?"

Luminé, surprised by the sensual reaction, turned around to look. The angel was equally surprised.

It seemed that the divine power in Ariasphil's body had developed to the point where she could slightly sense the thought waves of Angelica, Luminé's guardian angel.

'...At this level, a revelation should come...'

For some reason, even during prayer, Ariasphil had not received a revelation. Of course, logically, it was still early, but considering Arias's growth and abilities, the lack of a revelation was certainly strange.

"No one is there. You must be mistaken due to fatigue."

"Is that so...? What were you saying just now?"

As the topic naturally shifted, Luminé answered to divert attention.

"The High Priest said someone from the magic tower is coming."

"The High Priest?"

Mentioning the High Priest surprised Arias.

If the High Priest was directly contacted, it meant that a high-ranking mage, comparable to the head of the magic tower, was coming.

"...For what reason?"

"I only heard that a familiar from the magic tower has been discovered among the hidden familiars of the Sage's legacy. They want to hear the temple's investigation and opinion on this familiar."

It made sense. The temple, the essence of life and light, especially the main temple, could help with the examination and investigation of familiars.

The main temple was also the place where the ethical debate over familiars was resolved, making it a suitable venue.

"The Sage's legacy?"

It was a familiar term she hadn't heard in a long time. She had contributed to finding the legacy there, and it was where she and Leonardo... had their first kiss. She couldn't forget it.

"...Then, who is coming?"

"That... I kept asking, but..."

-Hehe, you'll know when you meet.

...was the only strange answer he gave.

"Then, is it someone we know...?"

While Ariasphil was guessing, her gaze and words paused. The direction was subtly similar to where the angel was, so Luminé was a bit cautious.

"Behind... there..."

"Behind? There's no one..."

"There is."

The answer, thrown like a knife, was firm and sudden, making Luminé turn around in surprise.

"...Who... is it?"

The angel, saint, and hero did not notice the person approaching from behind. Arias only knew because the person entered her field of vision.

"Me?"

The child in a gray robe asked. Despite the stiff tone, she thought it was a child because of the height. The person was taller than Luminé, so the group assumed it was a child.

"Um, did you get lost?"

Arias's gentle tone made the child look up at her. The purple eyes were beautiful but lacked vitality.

"I didn't get lost. I was retracing my path when I heard you say 'behind...' and 'there's no one...' and thought you were calling me. If it caused a misunderstanding, I apologize."

The stiff, mechanical tone, as if reading from a textbook or a paper, and the formal language, which even soldiers wouldn't use, were peculiar.

"...Ah... I see."

Ariasphil, a bit flustered by the strange, logical answer, responded with a slightly awkward expression.

"Then, is there a guardian who came with you to the temple?"

"There is."

The child pointed straight ahead with an outstretched arm.

"When you go straight in that direction, you'll find the temple's training ground, where a few priests and holy knights are in disagreement."

"...Disagreement?"

The word "disagreement" made them even more confused, so they asked more questions.

"...Um... Can you tell me your name?"

"My name is Ein. Originally, it was Diat, but my father changed it because it didn't suit me."

The peculiar family situation and tone made the questions more detailed.

"Then, your father... who is he?"

"My father

dislikes being called that. He is my father genetically, but he refused the title due to the burden. However, based on his actions and circumstances, he is the closest to being my father."

Hearing this, the two whispered to each other so Ein wouldn't hear.

"...It seems his family situation is complicated, doesn't it?"

"...Yes... I think so too..."

From the explanation alone, a sad and heavy family situation was painted. The relationship with the guardian seemed to be that of an illegitimate child or a similarly complex cause and effect.

"Although I don't know the exact criteria for a complicated family situation, based on common knowledge, it's not typical."

Surprised that they were heard, the saint candidate and the hero candidate had even stiffer expressions.

"...Then, why did you come to the temple...?"

"The main reason is to analyze my condition and report my existence to my human mother, genetically speaking."

"...Your mother? Is she at the temple?"

"My father told me to be careful when explaining to my mother. He said there was no prior explanation because he couldn't contact her."

It seemed the family situation was quite tangled. Another strategic moment arose.

"...Can a married woman become a priest at the temple?"

"...It's not impossible. If she is divorced and makes a vow and a pledge, she can join the temple."

It seemed the child's father had become a priest to find his mother, who had left to join the temple.

"...Then... what is your father's name?"

Ein opened his mouth to answer.

"Leonardo, there is no surname."

"..."

"..."

{...}

A cold silence, the warm light of the temple was overshadowed. The one who broke the silence was Ein, the cause of this terrifying atmosphere.

"Can you explain why your heart rate is high and why you are looking at me with a murderous gaze?"

"...First... can you show me the way to your father?"

Arias, biting her tongue hard to suppress her murderous intent, asked with extreme patience.

"That's a difficult request. In that state, you might threaten and kill my father."