CH 125.1

Blood and Destiny

Ultimately, the wedding planned by Goutani was understandably canceled, or rather, scrapped. There was the truth that he placed a “slave collar” on the Pope, and that the Cardinal, who had been his collaborator, was a tax-hungry pig.

But the big thing was that Goutani himself recognized his own lack of resolve.

The Pope apologized, saying that Mika and the others were all innocent. Mika regained her original power and status as a “hero” in La Veil Radd, and Cielo officially returned to La Veil Radd as a “Priestess”.

Since Hinomoto’s existence was not known to the people, it was treated as if she had never existed in the first place.

The cardinals and bishops will continue to work as executives of La Veil Radd, and knights will be on duty 24 hours a day in shifts to watch over them.

As for the treatment of Goutani, a dispute arose between Cielo and the people.

The people argued that Goutani was a dangerous person who repeatedly spoke and acted in a manner unbecoming of a “hero,” and that he should be eliminated immediately. Cielo, however, was not so sure.

“What were you looking at? Do you really think that Goutani-sama alone is to blame? …This incident is partly due to my weakness in not being able to face him in the true sense of the word. It is my fault that I gave in to power and did not overcome my fear!”

The people looked in disbelief as Cielo defended Goutani, who had been hung out to dry by Aidle’s broadcast, but Cielo continued.

“He had a dark heart. He was a 17-year-old boy, a mere civilian summoned from a world without strife. If such a child gets the power he has, has to fight a huge evil, kills a creature that has the same shape as him, kills someone who used to be a person… it is natural that his heart would break.”

People in this world have human ‘death’ lying all too close at hand. So they have some tolerance in their hearts. But the heroes are different. From their peaceful life they were unreasonably thrown into another world where they were given power to defeat the Demon King.

And as he was swept along, he killed and killed and killed, and his heart was about to break. Cielo says it was her own fault for not realizing that it had come out as a distortion.

“Certainly, if he had gone on like this, that distortion would have continued to grow and could have eventually brought disaster to the country. However, the ‘hero’ doctrine is a light that can illuminate, no matter who you are. It should be the heroes who are illuminated by that light. I think we have forgotten something very important in our sanctification of them.”

That the heroes are also “human beings” with weak hearts. They are creatures who make mistakes.

Cielo kneeled in front of Goutani, who was kneeling beside her, listening to his words. Goutani, still wearing the collar that the Pope had put on him, was unable to move, but Cielo released him.

“I forgive you in my name for everything ‘concerning’ your country. And let me ask you once more.”

“…What?”

“You said you would love me. You said you were ready to do so, but I felt something was wrong… Goutani-sama. Do you know how the skills of a Priestess are passed on? Do you know how?”

“…Method? Don’t they just give birth and the skill is passed on?”

Cielo shook her head in response, and with a sad smile on her face, she replied.

“The skills of a Priestess. The ‘prophecy’ and the ‘divine eye’ are passed on to the child in exchange for the mother’s life.”

“—— You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“It is true. The moment the child is born, the mother draws her last breath and the skills are passed on. In other words, she is not even allowed to see her child’s face. That is the fate of the blood of the ‘miko’.”

Goutani was overwhelmed by Cielo’s brazen, straight-faced way of telling a story that was the best-kept secret of all secrets. Normally, only those who are candidates to become Pope can know about it. And you have to be prepared.

You must be prepared to lose the one you love after having a child born to you with love.

“Do you have that resolve?”