Chapter 10: The Sword and the Saintess

The Saintess's Tomb within the cathedral held the object of my quest. Upon my arrival, my gaze was drawn to the sculpture of the third saintess within the sarcophagus. It portrayed her as if she were being guided to heaven by a congregation of angels.

Positioned at the head of the tomb, I found a sword resting on an altar.

"That's the holy relic Sophia referred to as the holy sword," I remarked to the priest, studying the weapon closely. Something seemed amiss, though. Given its auspicious name, I had expected a more majestic appearance. Moreover, it seemed to lack any unusual energy, leaving me somewhat disappointed. Perhaps I had set my expectations too high.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but express my doubts. I turned to the priest and asked, earning a disapproving glare from Luciana. I knew it was impolite, but my suspicion got the best of me.

The priest chuckled and forgave my inquiry, understanding that I was still a child. "Saintess, I will summon Sir Ludwig," he replied.

As Luciana and Priest Aiden bid their farewells and departed, I returned my attention to the sword. The disparity between reality and the depictions in novels was striking.

Most novels depict holy swords as so magnificent that no one could divert their gaze, I mused to myself.

However, I remembered I was in a tomb, and it was my duty to offer a prayer. Joining my hands together, I closed my eyes and spoke softly, "I hope you may find eternal peace in the radiant light."

The third saintess had been the greatest paladin in history, responsible for bestowing absolute power upon the Vatican. According to legend, God had personally gifted her the sword. Anyone capable of extracting it became a paladin, as the sword was said to be unretrievable unless its rightful owner claimed it. Additionally, upon the death of its wielder, the holy sword would return to this sacred place.

"Well, since it's a sword with divine power, it will probably reveal its true nature when its rightful owner holds it."

I needed to provide Ludwig with a sword, but I harbored doubts about the authenticity of this one. The holy sword was my only means of defeating the beasts.

"What should I do?"

Lost in contemplation, I suddenly sensed someone's presence nearby.

"Saintess."

"Ludwig!"

As soon as he saw me, Ludwig knelt on one knee. "I greet the first light of the world," he uttered in an official greeting that left me feeling uncomfortable. I motioned for him to rise and quickly inquired, "Where's Luciana?"

"Sister Luciana is assisting Priest Aiden," he replied with a bow.

I positioned myself before him. It was time for me to bestow a blessing upon him.

"I pray that you become a beacon of light in the darkness," I recited, placing my hand on his head and offering a heartfelt prayer. The divine energy I felt at my fingertips made me giggle.

"Ludwig, do you know where we are?"

"Yes," he replied.

I gestured to the holy sword embedded in the altar. "That's the holy sword," I informed him, causing Ludwig's expression to freeze. "Try pulling it out."

"But how can I..."

"You have my permission. Go ahead and try."

Normally, a holy relic would emanate a powerful presence, making it difficult for those lacking sufficient power to approach it. However, since I had blessed him, he should have been capable.

Ludwig moved towards the holy sword, his expression inscrutable.

"Good luck, Ludwig!" I cheered.

With determination, he grasped the sword's hilt. However...

"Ah!"

Although it appeared like the sword would easily come free, it remained firmly in place, defying all efforts. We both stared at it in bafflement, speechless.

"You can't pull it out? This can't be! Try again!" I urged.

He exerted all his strength, but the sword remained immovable. Shaking his head, Ludwig confessed, "Saintess, it's not budging."

"Wait, it really won't come out?" I questioned in disbelief.

Ludwig continued to struggle with the sword, but it remained firmly lodged in the altar. What was happening?

Eventually, Ludwig departed after a few more futile attempts at extracting the sword. He worried about leaving me alone, but I reassured him and urged him to go.

Why? I hugged myself tightly.

I sent him away because I couldn't keep him here any longer. However, I couldn't fathom it.

But why? I asked once more. There was no way I could be wrong! Ludwig was supposed to be the next rightful owner of the holy sword!

How was it possible that he couldn't pull it out then?

What's happening? Is there something I'm not aware of?

In the novel, Ludwig already possessed the holy sword before meeting Priscilla, so I did not know how he had acquired it. It might have been mentioned, but I might not have paid attention and forgotten. Most of my focus had been on Miltiades.

Should I have requested Daddy to come? I felt a deep sense of sadness over Miltiades' absence. "Holy Sword, O Holy Sword. How does one become your owner?"

Just then, I heard an unusual sound, a strange "Ha!"

Puzzled, I furrowed my brow. Did the holy sword just laugh at me? A sudden chill descended in the air. "Wait, I think I just heard laughter," I remarked. Or was that my imagination?

"Can you hear me?"

I froze upon hearing the familiar voice, startled. It spoke once more.

"Can you not see me?" it inquired.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a faint white figure, a young woman adorned in a dress. A ghost?

"Who are you?" I ventured. "Do you know me?" At first, I had been fearful, but then I remembered who I was—a saintess! I could help send this ghost to heaven, so I shed my fear.

"Who knows! How should I introduce myself?" The woman vanished, reappearing beside the sword and cradling it lovingly. "I'm the rightful owner of this sword," she declared.

Whoa! Saintess Sophia?

"Are you jesting?" I found it hard to believe her, and the ghost chuckled at my incredulous expression. Since she was here as a ghost, it must have been untrue when they claimed that saintesses ascended to heaven.

"You're my descendant."

"To be more accurate, I'm really not," I countered. "I'm just me!"

"You're quite exceptional."

"I don't want to hear that from a ghost."

"I'm not a ghost."

I could discern from her tone that she found me charming. "Then, what are you?" I inquired.

"Who knows?" She shrugged. "Care to make a guess?"

"A fairy?"

It seemed my guess was off. Sophia laughed. "I'll give you a clue. It's related to this sword," she said, her voice gentle.

It was the Holy Sword of Sophia, after all. Of course, it would be connected to her.

"Was Ludwig unable to pull the sword out because of your presence?" I questioned.

"Ludwig?"

I nodded. "Ludwig is the new owner of the sword, but why couldn't he extract it?"

"You seem rather certain of that," she remarked. "Why do you believe he's the owner of Moonlight?"

"That's because..." I trailed off. It was frustrating that I couldn't explain that it was due to the novel's premise.

I stood there pondering how to convey this when Sophia's eyes brightened with realization. "Is it because you know the future?" she asked.

What? She knew?

My eyes widened, and Sophia chuckled. "How did you find out?"

A knowing smile graced her lips. "Secret," she teasingly replied. "What will you do as the only person in this world who knows the future?"

It felt as though the entire world was posing that question to me.

"I don't know," I confessed. "I don't have any strong desires. I don't believe the world will remain as I wish it could. It changes as I do, even if I don't want it to. I need to work to achieve what I desire."

Just as I was doing at that very moment.

"What do you desire?" The question, though simple and direct, carried immense weight.

"I wish to lead a healthy life with my favorite character," I proposed. My heart yearned to witness Miltiades's happiness, to see him enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling ending, unlike the one he endured in the novel. I longed to be there and share in his joy. Wasn't it every fan's ultimate dream for their beloved characters to find happiness?

But, if I were honest with myself, I secretly wanted to see him shed a few tears as well. I concealed these desires and shared my initial wish. I wasn't sure if Sophia would approve, but she chuckled nonetheless.

"One person's aspirations can change the whole world," Sophia mused, looking down at me. "That's what saintesses do."

"Like how you became the best paladin ever?" I asked.

Sophia smiled and nodded. However, the surroundings suddenly grew dark, and she blurred until she vanished entirely. I found myself alone, surrounded by darkness.

I hummed thoughtfully, unsure of what was happening. Yet, my mind immediately drifted back to the holy Sword. Could it be drawn now?

Surveying the darkened area, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, especially in a temple where prolonged darkness seemed out of place.

"...Daddy," I murmured to myself. My thoughts were consumed by Miltiades. What was he doing at this very moment? I knew he was out battling monsters, but I yearned to be by his side every second of the day.

"It."

Startled, I looked up upon hearing a shaky voice. A flash of light pierced the darkness, illuminating my hand. In that light, a different scene materialized—a dark sky with a full moon and...

"Ah!"

When I snapped back to reality, I found myself holding the cold sword. Its identity was unmistakable, a sword that would only radiate brilliance in the hands of its rightful owner—the Moonlight Flared Holy Sword.

I couldn't fathom why the sword meant for Ludwig was now in my grasp, but one realization became clear: I had a mission.

"Ludwig!" I cried, leaving the cathedral behind. I noticed people bowing to me, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it.

"Saintess?" Ludwig responded in shock when I found him. I knew I needed to convey more, but time was of the essence. I handed him the sword in my possession.

"Ludwig, you must come with me," I began urgently. He stared at me dumbfounded. Taking a deep breath and biting my lip, I continued, "Daddy is in grave danger."