Chapter 56
Chapter 56 – The Child of Light
After concluding his visits to his acquainted aristocrats and merchant, Ares brought Sigurd along to a big church situated between the South and West Districts .
The one in charge of this particular church was Cecil, the youngest person to become a Bishop so far .
As the bishop presides over the priests assigned to each church, excellent ability and track record are required to become one .
The bishop is responsible for leading the priests in their assigned church and to help the surrounding people . Basically it’s a position with a strong jurisdiction in the church and thus can be considered as a high position within the church body .
On the other hand, Cecil is also an active member of the Holy Paladins and is quite popular among the citizens .
Pretty golden hair, white fair skin, a well-sculpted nose and above all, his gentle eyes would make many women swoon .
Holy Paladins refer to knights who subjugate monsters where not many people can see, and works under the radar in the slums or even the shadier sides of the city . Based on the Sacred Ground Sierra Hazard, just like the other holy knights, they would also be dispatched for armed intervention in other countries .
Cecil was in particular a holy knight with some commendable achievements .
He’s both an excellent swordsman and a master of the Holy Arts . Often dispatched to dangerous places, but always returning with a success in hand . That made him one of the church’s most trusted men .
Although his merits would’ve allowed him to be a high rank holy knight, he instead chose to become a bishop to be able to help the citizens of the capital
The reason why he’s so popular among the citizens… . . was because of the fact that he didn’t discriminate between the rich and poor alike .
Nowadays, most churches won’t be willing to treat the injured or sick without a certain amount of offerings . Cecil was different in that he’ll help regardless of anything as long as he had time to spare . Moreover, even though the church teachings clearly despise the demi-humans, Cecil accepted and treated them without any hesitation .
Apparently several complaints were thrown from the central church, but Cecil didn’t give a damn . He continued his usual conduct of helping others .
As for the central church… . . they turned a blind eye due to his ability and popularity… . . as well as because of『large amount of financial aid』 .
That’s right . Cecil uses his personal wealth and send it to the central church for bribes . Because he originally belonged to a viscount clan, money wasn’t much of a problem for him .
But of course, his money alone won’t be enough .
[That’s why the Schwarzer clan and Balzac’s men are also raising some funds . ]
Ares explained to Sigurd on their way to the church .
[Such a large sum of money should be spent in a more meaningful way . ]
[But such a shame . All that has to go to the pocket of those rotten people… . . ]
[Well, it can’t be helped . We’re just lending it to them for now . We’ll take it back in due time . ]
Ares pointed to the front after saying those ominous thing .
[Oh, we’ve arrived already . That’s the church where Cecil is working, probably the largest in the South district . Yup, a lot of people has gathered as per usual . ]
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The temple where Cecil is working was crowded with people . Mostly poor people and demihumans .
The sick, the injured and the hungry…all gathered here to receive help .
[That’s a large number of people . ]
Sigurd commented
[That’s because there are people from other districts as well . There is no other place that offers free healing after all… . ]
That said, Ares made his way through the crowd toward the church . There were several priests, including Cecil, helping the many poor people and demihumans who had gathered for help . These priests were those who are in tune with Cecil’s intention, thus are willing to help .
As Ares approached, Cecil raised his head and remarked in a surprised tone .
[Ah, Ares-sama . It’s been a long time . ]
[Hi Cecil . I want to have a little talk with you, can you spare some time later? Oh, don’t mind me . Just concentrate on what you’re doing . Everyone is waiting for you . I’ll be hanging around here until then]
[Pardon me . Then please make yourself comfortable . I will be taking a break in about an hour, please wait until then . ]
They both laughed at each other before Ares turned around .
[Come on Sigurd, let’s wait outside . We’ll be bothering other people if we stick around here]
That said, they met back about an hour later .
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[Pardon me for the wait, Ares-sama . ]
With that, Cecil offered Ares and Sigurd some chairs to sit on .
Ares and Sigurd were currently at the back of the church in Cecil’s office .
[Is it really okay to talk now?]
[It’s my breaktime . So it’ll be alright for a while . Oh, have you had lunch yet? I’ll fix something up if you haven’t]
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Cecil said so with a small smile .
[Ah, of course, don’t expect to get anything special here . ]
[No, it’s alright . I’m famished . Anything will do . ]
With Ares’ approval, Cecil gave some instructions through the speaking tube installed in the room .
[My guest also wants to eat . Can you add two more servings?]
Afterward, Cecil turned back to Ares .
[It’ll take some time . Well, now that we have time to spare, let’s get to the main topic . What is Ares-sama’s business to come here today… . . ?]
Ares immediately replied .
[The church’s recent movements . ]
And then, he added one more thing .
[After that, I also want to meet Sirius . ]
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In the middle of Ares and Cecil’s conversation, the door unexpectedly opened up .
When the three turned around to see who it was, a boy with long pretty blond hair with a tray in his hands entered .
[Cecil-nisama . I brought the lunch . ]
[Oh Sirius . Thank you for bringing us the meals . ]
Sirius smiled back at Cecil, but when he saw the other person in the room, he involuntarily blurted out .
[Ah! Ares-nisama! It’s been a while, hasn’t it!?]
[Yaa, Sirius . It’s been a while . ]
The boy cheerily bounced toward Ares who, in turn, gently stroked his head .
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[I’ve heard from Julius . Thanks for getting along with him . ]
[Don’t mention it . Julius and Luther have been really good friends to me . ]
Sirius giggled merrily .
The boy definitely looked like an ordinary boy of his age . But when Sigurd saw him… . he froze when the boy looked back at him .
Sirius was one year younger than Ares’ little brother Julius . He’s still a young boy . His straight long blond hair looks impressive as it is beautiful . Coupled with his statuesque white skin and delicate look, he could easily be mistaken for a girl .
However… .
(What in the world is going on with this child??)
As a veteran of battles, Sigurd naturally could sense a person’s disposition fairly well . But this boy had something different . It’s not about battle prowess or magic power… . it’s something that somewhat felt inhuman .
Simply speaking:
[Divine . ]
Might be the best way to describe him .
(It’s like I’m seeing one of the gods depicted in the Great Church… . . !!)
From Sigurd’s perspective, it’s as if a pair of wings had grown on Sirius’ back .
After Sirius left…… . . Ares turned to Sigurd .
[Sigurd can feel it too, right?]
[… . . I couldn’t even move . That boy has an air that won’t allow anyone else to interfere with him… . What in the world is he?]
Hearing Sigurd’s impression, Cecil replied .
[We call him the『Child of Light』 . It’s possible that he is……a god reincarnated in this world . ]
Sigurd was dumbfounded by that answer .
[… . . it’s hard to belive…… something like that actually exist?]
[Seeing how I have the memories of three predecessors… . I don’t see how it’s impossible . ]
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Ares laughed while saying so .
[His power can no longer be considered Holy Art . The other day, he managed to『Restore』something『Completely Broken』into its『Previous Unbroken State』 . That’s something only gods in the teaching could do . ]
[His power is definitely belonged to no other kinds of art . Therefore…]
Cecil was the one who completed Ares’ words .
[It must not be abused at all cost . ]
[Luckily we were the first one to find him when he’s still staying in the orphanage . Otherwise he might end up being used as a false idol . We hid him here so that he can learn about many things and to wait for the perfect opportunity for him to make an appearance . ]
In response to Ares’ explanation, Sigurd asked .
[Perfect… . . opportunity?]
[Sigurd . I also wish to reform the church . Not like the rotten church today, but into something that sees everyone as equal in receiving the teaching of the gods . To do that… . . I’ll need his power . ]
Ares smiled sheepishly and stuck out his tongue a little .
[I know I’m just trying to use him just like how the church would be if they found him first . But, I believe that he appeared on this age because the gods also want the present situation to change . ]
He then added .
[By putting him as topmost figure of the church, I intend to completely reform the church . That’s why……I cannot afford to let his existence be known for now . ]
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Ares then talked with Cecil regarding the church’s current situation .
[Bluntly speaking, it’s even more rotten than I expected . The aristocrats are the same . ]
[There are many in the church body who are in cahoots with the aristocrats . Even the pope himself seems to have a close relationship with the Royal clan . ]
[In that case we’ll have to be more careful . Thank you . ]
After Ares said so, Cecil then said
[Ares-sama, and Sirius as well……the appearance of you two is a huge sign for this continent . A very big change will soon happen to the world… . I wish… I wish to see how you change this world . ]
Hearing that, Ares let out a gentle smile .