Chapter 8
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One of the high-ranking priests who had been helping with the healing asked cautiously.
“Commander, um, that over there… How…”
Arle raised his head and looked at the objects circling around him.
A silver chalice, a candlestick, even a holy scripture.
Objects that were by no means light floated through the air as though they had lost all weight.
“I don’t know either.”
“Is that not your power, Commander?”
“It is a power originating from me, but somehow, it differs from both divine power and aura.”
Even Arle himself shook his head as though confused.
“It doesn’t obey my will.”
It was extremely rare for Arle to openly show his emotions.
That alone showed just how shocking this was for him as well.
Raphael, the only person in the room who wasn’t taking things seriously, whistled.
“Commander, can’t you make me float too? Looks fun.”
Saintess Serena whipped her head around. Her bloodless lips trembled faintly.
“Does this look amusing to you right now, Sir Raphael?”
In the past, she would have merely made a composed remark and left it at that, but now she seemed to have none of that composure to spare.
Raphael, however, remained indifferent.
“Does it really have to be so serious? He isn’t sick anymore, and he just gained another power granted by God, didn’t he?”
“What sort of power? The power to store things in midair because the altar is too small and cramped?”
Serena shot back sharply, and Raphael shrugged.
“Well, it’s not particularly grand or impressive, but it’s not some wicked power either.”
“……”
“It’d be useful when you’re wearing clothes without pockets, or when you don’t feel like carrying something heavy, wouldn’t it?”
“Raphael.”
The one who stopped him was Arle.
There was a clear warning in his voice not to be any more disrespectful toward the Saintess.
“Yes, yes.”
Raphael rolled his eyes, shut his mouth, and stepped back. Then Arle rose from his seat.
When he reached Serena’s feet, he knelt and bowed his head deeply.
“Saintess, this sinner Arle asks for punishment.”
“…Enough.”
“My sin of disobedience must not be absolved. Please demonstrate God’s strict authority.”
His expression showed genuine remorse.
Serena, Raphael, and the priest watching Arle all swallowed their sighs.
He had risked his life to defeat the demonic beasts, yet what he was asking for upon his return wasn’t a reward, but punishment.
What an unbearably rigid and devout man.
There was a reason Arle, a Holy Knight far more secular than a priest, was considered the most ascetic person in the church.
Arle could truly be called the very model of an ideal clergyman.
Serena looked at the objects still floating in the air and spoke.
“Arle, perhaps the punishment has already been given to you, not by me, but by Him.”
“……”
“I believe resolving this matter will be your punishment.”
“Saintess.”
“Don’t think my punishment merciful. If I punish a hero who returned after closing the demon den, what would our other brothers and sisters think of me?”
At this point, even Arle seemed unable to resist any longer and slowly rose.
“I will address the matter with enough severity to make it a fitting punishment.”
“That much, I have no power to stop.”
Serena clicked her tongue as if there was no helping him, then called for Raphael.
“Return to the Holy Order with Arle and assist him with this matter.”
“Yes.”
“Then I should go attend worship now. The Commander has awakened safely, so everyone gathered here should return to their respective duties as well.”
As she left the prayer room, the Saintess dispersed the crowd gathered outside.
The strange phenomenon was still astonishing, but no one could disobey the Saintess’s order.
“Commander! We’re so glad you woke up safely!”
“May God’s grace be upon Commander Arle!”
After offering him their blessings, people began leaving the corridor one by one.
I decided I should get out of there too.
“Hey, nun over there. Wait.”
But then someone called out and stopped me.
It was Raphael, who was leaving the prayer room with Arle.
I pressed my lips tightly together.
‘Why does that man keep coming after me!’
I was already shaken enough after witnessing the first Esper awakening in this world.
I tried to shut my eyes and pretend I hadn’t heard him, but there was no chance of that working.
“Hey, brown hair. I said stop.”
“……”
“Low-ranking nun, Mireille.”
Since when did he know my name?!
I raised my head resentfully, and Raphael grinned when our eyes met.
“I know perfectly well you made eye contact with me just now.”
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