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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 9: Holy Relic
Ray is naturally attuned to spiritual energies.
He possesses the ability to see spirits through his spiritual sight and can communicate with them through possession.
This sensitivity to spiritual power has been inherent since his past life.
And this ability was immediately evident in the presence of the Holy relics in front of him.
'This energy feels familiar.'
Ray’s spiritual mentor, Father Johan, also carried a similar energy.
It was a warm, comforting energy that made people feel at ease just by being near.
If that warmth is a unique power of the Theocracy, then it’s understandable why Ray could sense a similar energy emanating from the relics.
'But the strongest energy is coming from that sword.'
Ray immediately discerned that the holy sword, Ashrad, among the relics, possessed the most powerful force.
Though he wasn't an expert in swordsmanship, he could still recognize a beautifully crafted sword when he saw one.
However, Ray hesitated, sensing a warm energy that had been growing stronger ever since he first arrived.
'What is this?'
Being naturally attuned to spiritual energies, Ray could tell that the immense holy power wasn’t coming from the sword but from the container that held the relics.
"I'll choose this one."
"…What?"
Ray pointed not to any relic, but to the container itself, and no one understood his choice.
"Brother Ray, you must be more specific. What is it that you wish to choose?"
"Your Excellency, Archbishop Dunwell, I wish to take the container itself."
"Ah… the container?"
Archbishop Dunwell was momentarily taken aback by Ray's choice and asked again.
"Brother Ray, the container is not a Holy relic."
"I like it."
"Heh..."
Dunwell tilted his head, unable to comprehend Ray’s reasoning.
"I must ask again. You truly intend to choose the container? Over the Holy relics?"
"Yes."
Ray bowed his head firmly, and the Archbishop didn’t press the matter further.
"As you wish."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
After Ray chose the relic, the second-place and other top candidates also selected their relics.
The remaining relics were carefully placed aside, and the guards, who were tasked with keeping watch over them, spoke.
"Your accommodations will be prepared. We’ll take you there."
The iron container, which had been holding dozens of relics, was heavy enough to require four strong men to carry it.
It was not a weight that Ray, who was only sixteen, could manage alone.
"No, it’s fine. I wouldn't want to trouble those busy individuals. I will carry it myself."
"What? That’s impossible...!?"
With a sudden motion, Ray lifted the container effortlessly.
The priests around him gasped in surprise.
"Could it be... the Sun's Blessing?"
"Did a mere sixteen-year-old brother already receive divine ability?"
"Considering Ray's unwavering faith shown in the prayer meeting, it might not be impossible."
The priests were taken aback.
It was understandable.
Divine ability was a blessing from Sol Invictus, the Sun God, that proved deep faith.
Acquiring divine ability was a prerequisite for ordination within the clergy.
Had Ray not been just a candidate who hadn't even joined officially, it wouldn’t have been strange to consider him for priesthood right away.
"If he has already spoken in tongues and received divine ability from the Holy Spirit, he could become a pillar of the Theocracy in the future."
"Abbess Ivella, should we suggest he join the choir?"
The words of a nun from the Solaryon Choir were met with a sharp reaction from a knight in the room.
"If he truly has the Sun's Blessing, he should be joining the Order of the Holy Knights."
"Ah, Sir Velvet. Brother Ray has just joined. There is no need to decide his future so soon."
"But with the Sun's Blessing and the power of praise, surely he should be the sword and shield protecting the Theocracy."
"Our Inquisitors of Eclipse are also a sword to smite the enemies of the Theocracy."
"Enough."
The one who silenced the growing argument was Archbishop Dunwell.
"He is still young. His future will unfold in time."
Though he calmed the priests for the moment, Dunwell couldn’t help but foresee future tensions in the Theocracy.
It seemed the Theocracy would be quite loud for a while.
***
Several days passed after the Holy relic ceremony and the official induction.
The accommodations for the prospective members proved that they were indeed in the Solar Theocracy, with lavish facilities.
There were various exercise facilities, separate baths for men and women, prayer halls, and lecture rooms for religious studies.
It felt like a university in terms of its amenities.
"Brother Ray! How about training together?"
"Already? Hmm… Sure."
Ray followed Henry to the training grounds.
Even in this life, Ray didn't neglect his physical training.
A healthy body was a foundation for a healthy mind and soul, and it served as a final barrier to keep away malevolent spirits.
But the real reason Ray had been indulging Henry's training was simple.
It was because of the Sun's Blessing.
"Father Director told me that the Sun's Blessing amplifies one's strength and recovery several times over, right?"
"That’s right."
"Then if we increase the amplified power, the effects will be even greater, right?"
Henry’s reasoning was sound.
Holy power wasn’t just a fixed multiplier; it amplified in proportion to one’s original strength.
That’s why those who received the Sun's Blessing weren’t just joining the Holy Knights to train in physical strength.
In any case, the training grounds, being a military institution, had many other members present.
"Brother Aaron, you’re here again today? It’s nice to see such dedication!"
Aaron, a regular presence at the training grounds, was already practicing with a wooden sword, repeating movements. He paused for a moment and called out to Ray.
"Ray Anderson."
"Yes?"
At Ray's response, Aaron frowned.
"Though we're both prospective members, I'm a noble. A commoner like you shouldn't speak so casually to me."
"Ah~ I see."
'Well, I suppose that makes sense if he’s a noble.'
This world, after all, was still set in medieval times.
Social classes were rigid, and the very blood in one's veins marked one's place in society.
Aaron had been raised with the Bible in hand since childhood, trained in swordsmanship, and supported by his family’s resources.
He had been starting from a different line than most, and now, having lost the top spot to a mere commoner like Ray, his pride was undoubtedly hurt.
"Young master~ There’s no nanny here~"
"What did you say?"
Aaron quickly turned his gaze.
A girl with bright red hair was smirking at him provocatively.
'Was she the one who ranked fourth? Jenny, right?'
"Are you talking about me, this young master?"
"Well, is there any other noble young master with such noble blood here?"
Her words were polite, but they carried an almost taunting tone.
Aaron was momentarily speechless.
A commoner girl dared speak to him like this?
Aaron noticed the insignia on the girl’s shoulder and clicked his tongue dramatically.
"Ha! Doesn’t the Axe Sisterhood teach basic manners?"
"Ah, did you just insult our Saintess Elizabeth? Are you disrespecting her because she’s a commoner?"
"Wh-when did I ever disrespect Saintess Elizabeth!"
Aaron was taken aback by the girl’s skillful counterattack.
In truth, Saintess Elizabeth of the Axe Sisterhood was a commoner.
In the Theocracy, it was considered blasphemous to even question the background of a saint, so Aaron was right to be horrified.
But Aaron was a nobleman from a prestigious family.
He quickly regained his composure and countered.
"I am the second son of Count Graham, and the son of Cardinal Muller of the Theocracy, and Sir Amanda Paladin. Show some respect."
"Hmm, I’m sorry. Since I’m a lowly commoner like Saintess Elizabeth, I don’t know how to follow the manners of such great nobles like you, sir."
"Ugh...! You... you..."
Ray couldn't help but admire Jenny's boldness.
From her sharp retorts, there was an almost malicious intent to challenge and break down the arrogance of noble young masters.
"Shouldn’t someone stop this?"
"This is how it always is when they’re growing up. They fight it out."
Aaron and Jenny were around the same age, though Jenny was a year older.
Teenagers in the Theocracy often had their rebellious moments, even in such an institution.
As someone who had worked as a youth pastor, Ray could already predict that this wouldn’t end well.
"Are you trying to pressure your fellow believers based on your status? Wow, that’s scary. Are you going to start belittling Saintess Elizabeth too, just because she was a commoner?
"Don’t misinterpret me! I never said that!"
‘Well, it might seem like I’m the one getting the worst of it.’
Within the Theocracy, social class wasn’t all that significant.
In theory, at least.
When it came to rising through the ranks of the Theocracy or aiming for higher positions, noble birth would obviously give one a significant advantage.
Jenny was clearly aware of this, but she simply didn’t care. She had her own agenda.
"Alright, both of you calm down. Have you both been practicing swordsmanship and axe fighting?"
With the topic shifting, both Aaron and Jenny responded honestly.
"I learned from my mother, who’s a holy knight."
"Oh, impressive. There’s nothing like swordsmanship to kill someone. I’ve only had some basic training, but it’s tough."
Ray noticed Aaron’s slightly odd reaction but didn’t dwell on it. He instead turned to Jenny.
"Did you learn axe fighting from Saintess Elizabeth?"
"Yes, that's right. It’s the kind of axe fighting that can slice through the thick hides of orcs! It’s the Saintess Elizabeth style."
"Hmm, axes are good. I know a vampire hunter family that uses axes. Their family even produced a president."
"What are you talking about?"
Jenny tilted her head, confused, but of course, no one in this world would know that.
"So, what about Henry? What does he use?"
"Men use their fists! The iron fist that punishes evil! That’s the spirit of our Granville Monastery!"
Ray couldn’t help but wonder about the concept of monasteries and sisterhoods in this world.
Anyway, since they were all armed members of the Theocracy’s military branch, talking about weapons and combat techniques was one of the easiest topics to bring up.
Ray, with his past experience as an exorcist balancing faith among various factions, whether the Eastern Orthodox Ruski, the Anglican Protestants, or the Roman Inquisitors knew how to adapt to all kinds of religious and martial dynamics.
"But Ray, what weapon do you use? I don’t see any weapon on you."
Henry asked, looking puzzled.
Jenny also followed up with a question.
"Come to think of it, Ray, you only picked up a huge container during the Holy relic ceremony. Is that really a Holy relic?"
Aaron too seemed curious, his interest piqued.
At the Holy relic ceremony, Ray had only taken a large container for storing relics, not any weapons.
Aaron, who had been the second highest, had received the holy sword Ashrad, and Jenny, with her fourth-place ranking, had taken a halberd-shaped holy axe.
On the other hand, Ray had simply taken a large iron storage box, nothing more, nothing less.
'Was there no weapon among the relics that caught his eye?'
'He could’ve easily picked something like a necklace; that would’ve been fine too.'
Everyone recalled the storage box Ray had taken.
It didn’t seem like something that could be used as a weapon, and since Ray had joined a military order, he must have had his usual weapon.
"Oh! I was wondering when you’d ask about it. I actually got the finished products last night," Ray suddenly said.
"Finished products?"
Everyone tilted their heads in curiosity as Ray pulled something from his coat.
"A dagger?"
It was a small, throwing-style dagger, about 15 cm long, with a short handle.
There were five of them.
"Are you using stealth techniques?"
"That, too."
Ray pulled out something else. This time, it was an axe no halberd like Jenny’s, but a hand axe, one that was easy to throw.
There were two of them.
"Looks like the daggers are secondary weapons? Well, axes are the best for breaking bones."
Jenny commented with satisfaction, but Ray responded unexpectedly.
"I use those too."
"Huh?"
From his coat, a whip fell out. This wasn’t an ordinary leather whip, but one with sharp metal blades at its tip.
There was more.
Two combat daggers, longer than the throwing daggers and with handles better suited for gripping, appeared next.
And there was even more.
A hidden knife shot out from his wrist, a concealed weapon that could be stored in a mechanism on his arm.
Even more.
A collapsible spear that could be easily carried and secured with a bolt at the joint.
A buckler, a small round shield that could also be worn on the wrist. And finally caltrops, iron spikes to block enemy movement, perfect for dropping on the ground.
"The crossbow and longsword will be available later. Oh, and the scale armor is supposed to come out soon too."
"······"
"······"
"······"
The three stared in silence at the various weapons laid out before them, unable to find the words to respond.
What they felt most perplexed by, though, wasn’t just the sheer number of weapons.
It was the aura emanating from them.
"Ray... brother, are these all..."
"Yep, they are."
"Are they all Holy relics?”
"Isn’t it awesome?"
"······."
How could this be?
Holy relics were objects that had been blessed with immense Holy power and special rituals from the Theocracy.
While there were some people who possessed Holy relics, they were typically high-ranking individuals with significant influence within the Theocracy.
There were countless priests who would never even touch a Holy relic in their entire lives, and yet, here was Ray with an entire collection of them.
"Wait... you didn’t..."
Aaron’s face twisted in disbelief, as he seemed to piece something together.
"Did you melt the storage box... and make these weapons from it?"
"Yep!"
"That’s blasphemy!"
The cry of heresy echoed through the halls of the Solar Theocracy.
It was the first official accusation of heresy, and it sent shockwaves through the entire Theocracy.
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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