CHAPTER 122
My shocking declaration of refusal.
Aigis, upon hearing my declaration, reacted with surprising understanding.
“Yes, I thought you would answer that way, Sir Harua.”
“I trusted you would understand, Lady Aigis.”
“It was less my opinion and more the Saintess’s. She told me in advance that you would say as much.”
“She did?”

Lua?
From the moment we first met, she had a strange knack for reading people. Did she read this, too?
“It’s because you dislike positions of heavy responsibility, Sir Harua. I thought as much myself.”
Aigis gave a gentle smile.
It’s not that I dislike the position itself.
“To be precise, I’m uncomfortable with the increasing restrictions on my life.”
“Haha, I’ve known for a while that you are not a greedy person.”
“I’m not completely without greed. It’s more that I know responsibility comes with the title.”
Responsibility is, at times, a shackle.
Most people living in modern society don’t want to become a king. The duties a king performs in a single day and the endless labor without a single day off would make them sick to their stomach and run away.
Envying the life of a king is a story from a bygone era. For modern people who have lived in the present, such a life held no great appeal.
“What I want is to live a free, comfortable life without worry.”
A life where I don’t have to worry about each passing day.
That’s the one thing I want, the reason I’m doing all this.
“And while I’m at it, the same for the other Transferees, myself included.”
If Transferees can live without discrimination, organizations like Black Dawn will cease to exist.
That’s why I wasn’t trying to become a Saint recognized by someone else, but a being that everyone would call a Saint.
Only then could I make people recognize that ordinary Transferees are people, just like me.
Aigis was still smiling at my words.
“You truly walk a difficult path.”
“I’m tap-dancing my way down it with gusto.”
“I support your will, Sir Harua. You are, after all, the fine Paladin I have raised.”
I hadn’t expected to be officially recognized as a Paladin by her.
I felt a little embarrassed.
“The Saintess also considered your wishes and merely submitted your name for the title of Saint to the Pope. She said that if you requested a withdrawal, she would grant it.”
Just how far can Lua see through me?
I only met the Saintess for one day, but she’s terrifying.
And I realized what Lua had taken into consideration.
‘If the Pope recognized me as a Saint even once, the value of that name would change.’
If I refused, it would spread not as a scandal, but as a tale of humility.
People are more interested in a person who refuses an honorable position than one who accepts it. The thought of “I would have taken it” creates a curiosity about that person.
Lua understood that well and had nominated me for the position of Saint.
If you were to ask why she did such a thing…
Whether I accepted or refused the title, it was a gain for the Holy Church.
The Church was already taking the initiative to spread my name. The more tales of my good deeds accumulated, the more the Holy Church’s own standing would rise. On top of that, they could take credit for having helped me.
The Holy Church always profits.
‘Wow, she’s a master politician.’
I can practically hear the gears turning in the Saintess’s head from here.
I knew she was a formidable person when we first met, but she’s beyond imagination.
What kind of place is the Holy Church, exactly?
A clumsy person wouldn’t survive here.
“In addition, she proposed that the Holy Church handle all inquiries related to your Resurrection magic.”
“So that’s the real point.”
Aigis gave a sheepish smile.
What the Holy Church wanted was exclusive rights to my Resurrection magic.
Of course, it was an offer I could refuse at any time.
But Lua would have known.
She would have known that I would never refuse this offer.
The value of Resurrection magic would soon be known throughout the world. Countless wealthy merchants, nobles, and desperate people would rush to obtain it for themselves.
What would happen if a boy, armed with nothing but the title of "Saint," were to face them?
Those in a hurry would not be scrupulous about their methods.
However, the story changes if I have the massive backing of the Holy Church. They wouldn't dare make a rash move, as it would mean making an enemy of the Holy Church across the entire world.
Additionally, by creating a channel through the Holy Church for inquiries, I could filter requests beforehand without having to get involved myself.

It meant I could reduce the risks.
The explosive number of Resurrection magic devotees that would soon appear—the Holy Church, experts in dealing with devotees, would handle them for me.
Of course, in doing so, they would gain the exclusive rights to the magic, so it was a welcome proposition for them.
“Was this the plan from that very first day?”
“Even I do not know when the Saintess learned of your Resurrection magic. She is not one to share many of her thoughts.”
A short, dry laugh escaped my lips.
I felt like I was now part of a grand picture being painted by the Saintess, but it wasn't a bad feeling.
She had secured her own benefits while also ensuring mine.
Giving them exclusive rights to the magic could be risky, but ultimately, the power is mine. The outcome can change at any time according to my will.
“I actually prefer the honesty.”
The Saintess didn’t hide her intentions; she laid them bare.
That, ironically, was what made me trust her.
“Very well. There’s no reason not to get on board a stage the Saintess has so kindly set for me.”
The Holy Church would become my steadfast shield.
And by having me in their grasp, the Holy Church would further enhance its name.
The deal was struck.
“The Saintess will be very pleased.”
“I hope so. By the way, which Paladins will be dispatched?”
The Holy Church would surely want to insert itself into the path I walked.
At that moment, Aigis’s lips slowly curled into a smile.
“Sir Harua, one excellent Paladin is worth an entire knightly order. I imagine you don't want a large group of people following you around, do you?”
“Uh, yes, that’s right.”
A large group stands out. That would make it difficult to go about my usual business.
“I, Aigis, known by the undeserved title of Divine Lord, have as of today been assigned as your exclusive Paladin.”
Come again?

Babiyen, who had been listening quietly behind me, was aghast, and Lululio was startled as well.
The Divine Lord.
It was only natural, given that Aigis herself had just offered to be my personal guard.
“Lady Aigis, you’re the Commander of the Capital Paladins. Is it really alright for you to leave your post like that?”
“The position of Capital Paladin Commander doesn’t involve much work. You’ve seen how I spend my time teaching you, haven’t you?”
That was true.
I found myself nodding in agreement without thinking.
“Rather than remaining in this position forever, it might be good for me to see the world. And by your side, Sir Harua, I feel I could advance to even greater heights.”
“How did you know that danger constantly follows me around?”
“I could always tell just by looking at you, Sir Harua. You would disappear for a while, and each time you reappeared, you were vastly stronger.”

That was the price of overusing my Resurrection magic.
“Most importantly, if I am by your side, I can guide you directly wherever you go.”
“I’m afraid of how serious you are about raising your disciple.”
“You must surpass your master quickly. The tides of the era are picking up speed. Recently, it’s not just your party, Sir Harua; rookies are making names for themselves all over.”
I didn’t know that.
I’d only been paying attention to Black Dawn, so I knew nothing about others of my generation.
Honestly, perhaps because the dangers I’ve faced have been on a different level, I didn’t give much thought to my own generation.
“The day will come when the Lords, too, will change. The time for the old Lords to get off their asses is just around the corner.”
“Is the era really changing that much?”
“Faster than you think, Sir Harua. You need only look at the Holy Church to see it. Several new holy figures are rising. After what happened to the Eunhye Magic Tower, many of its members naturalized with us.”
Hearing about the Eunhye Magic Tower reminded me of Rapiel.
My Holy Magic has also matured considerably.
My original plan was to meet her much later, but given the recent incidents, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to meet my master a little sooner.
There was still so much I wanted to learn about Holy Magic.
“I understand. Having you by my side, Lady Aigis, is very reassuring.”
Aigis is the Divine Lord. Her strength is proven by her very name. With her by my side, the dangers surrounding me would drop dramatically.
It was a very welcome development for me.
“By the looks of it, you’re planning to leave soon?”
She noticed.
“I was planning to go see the Ice Lord about Babiyen’s situation.”
“The Ice Lord, you say? You’re going to see a peculiar one. Understood. I suppose I should get ready to leave as well.”
With that, Aigis turned to prepare for her departure.
Then, as if remembering something, she turned back to me.
“Ah, Sir Harua, the Saintess requested that you visit the Holy Land soon.”
“The Holy Land?”
“She said you could help in many ways just by showing your face. And she will likely have something to discuss regarding the divine power in your arm.”
Ah, so she found out.
The other divine power, implanted in me by Noir, the Owner of Nox.
It was a great help this time, but I had kept quiet about it, thinking it shouldn’t be known to the Holy Church.
It seems I couldn’t deceive Aigis’s eyes.
Wait a minute, more importantly…
“...Does the Saintess already know about this too?”
“The Saintess is the one closest to the Embrace of Holy Light.”
Lua was getting more and more terrifying.
Just how much can you see, Your Holiness?
“You won’t be treated as a heretic for it, so you need not worry too much. It is bothersome, but it’s clear that it was implanted in you unilaterally.”
That’s a relief.
The Holy Land is on the way to meet the Ice Lord. I suppose I can just stop by on the way.
But seeing the Saintess again… I think I’ll be a little scared this time.
No, a lot.
“So now you’re going around meeting the Saintess, too?”
Babiyen grumbled behind me for no reason, but I didn’t pay her any mind.
I simply fell silent, picturing the chilling schemes hidden behind Lua’s beautiful face.