21st Century Archmage

‘Ara? Why are there so many people?

After bringing everything to a conclusion, it didnt suit my character to trail behind a clunking and clattering merchant caravan. As long as they didnt have rocks for brains, the mercenary wyverns that fled wouldnt come back, so I left five Skyknights behind and sent the rest back to Orakk Castle.

Then, taking in the fresh air on Bebetos back, I returned to the covert ahead of the Rubis Merchants and was met by the sight of a long line of people trundling into the expansive covert.

‘Are they distributing food or something?

I had entrusted most of the matters to Derval in my absence. He had no equal when it came to OCD administrative ability, so I trusted him to take care of things.

“The Lord has returned!”

“Waaaaaaahhh! Its the Lord!”

The people who recognized Bebeto and me waved as they cheered. I was probably the only lord on this continent who received such love from their citizens. Though of course, I wasnt actually a lord formally appointed by the emperor.

Flap, flap, flap flap flap flap.

‘Hrmmm?

As Bebeto landed, I saw a large tent sitting right in the middle of the runway with a line of people standing in front of it. And the people were even assuming reverent poses and drawing crosses.

‘Did someone come?

I had arrived, but Derval didnt come running up like usual.

“Sir!”

As soon as Bebeto landed, the soldiers in charge of wyverns came running with a salute.

“What is going on?”

“An honorable priest has come,” a soldier said energetically, happiness written all over his face.

“P-priest?”

‘Did someone come to volunteer?

Aramis face immediately came to mind, but that couldnt be. I hadnt heard any word from the Rubis Merchants about her, and it was ridiculous for her to come such a long distance so fast. She would have only been able to make it had she gotten on a horse and crossed mountains and rivers as soon as she got my letter.

‘In any case, Im thankful towards them. They came all this way to a place like this, after all.

For these people who had lived hungry and exhausting lives, there was no better balm than the voice of the gods. If they were gods who could perceive and understand all of human suffering, they would possess even more strength to heal. It was human nature to desire even a shoddy blessing from priests of the gods, even if all they could do was to call the name of the gods. As long as humans were unable to achieve enlightenment, it would be like that forever.

Click.

I took off my flight helmet and held it with one hand. I may be a lord, but I, too, was merely a feeble(?) human desiring comfort from a priest of god.

‘Huhu, it would be even more amazing if she was a priestess.

I still hadnt forgotten Aramis holy beauty. The way priestesses were picked here definitely depended on their pure heartedness + beauty. While living on this continent, I hadnt met a single priestess who wasnt beautiful. It was obvious that the eyes of humans and gods were one and the same.

“May the hand of God forgive the lambs sins and bring healing upon thee. Cure.”

Flash!

“Wow…”

“Its the Merciful Hand of Neran!”

‘Huh? N-Neran?

Despite my approach, the people didnt even notice me and were only staring at the tent, which flashed with the warm light of holy power.

“T-Thank you! Thank you so much! O blessed servant of Neran-nim!” gushed a middle-aged man tearfully, as if their pain was cured.

“I apologize… If only I had known of everyones pain earlier….”

‘This… This voice—!

I heard a delicate female voice in my ear, and my soul began trembling as if stricken by lightning.

“M-my Lord!”

“Everyone, stand aside. The Lord has come.”

Finally noticing my presence, the people hurriedly made way.

I stepped forward towards the tent in a daze, feeling my heart thump in beat with my steps.

Just then, I saw a white leather shoe stepping out the tent.

And a white-robed womans body steadily emerged into the light of the warm sun.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Realizing who it was before my brain did, my heart thumped wildly.

A woman stood before me, her face half-obscured by her robe. She pulled the robe back with a slender, white hand.

“Ah…” I gasped.

“This inadequate servant of Neran… Aramis, greets Kyre-nim.”

Laying her right hand against her chest, she bowed.

‘A-Aramis!

She came.

I tried sending a ridiculous letter due to the dire circumstances, but Aramis really came. Her soft, long blue hair gleaming with a silver luster was tied modestly to one side, and a holy halo seemed to surround her.

“Allow me to sincerely offer my thanks for coming all the way here despite it being so far away.”

Everyone was watching, so I bowed with absolutely perfect manners as I expressed my respect towards Aramis.

“Everything is the will of the gods…”

As she spoke, Aramis radiant face reddened slightly.

Thump thump thump.

My mouth did not open.

But the noisy beating of my heart expressed my feelings.

* * *

‘How can she do that much with her strength alone?

She was a priestess of god made of unfaltering steel. Even though the sun was about to go down, Aramis continued tirelessly granting blessings and grace to those who came.

“What incredible holy power. For her to be able to handle that many people all on her own….”