Chapter 19
The Holy Sword was encased in the Saintess’s tomb in the cathedral.
‘This is the Saintess’s tomb.’ The sculpture of the third saintess looked beautiful in the sarcophagus. It appeared as though she was being shown the way to heaven by a group of angels. And at the head of the tomb was a sword stuck in the altar.
“That’s the holy relic Sophia called the holy sword.”
I looked at the sword while listening to the priest. ‘Something’s wrong.’ Because it was called a holy sword, I thought what awaited me would be a majestic sword, not a plain one.
‘It doesn’t have any unusual energy.’ I was a bit disappointed. ‘Maybe I was expecting too much.’
“Is that really the holy sword?” I asked the priest just in case, but all I got was a glare from Luciana. It was rude; I knew, but I was suspicious!
The priest laughed and let it go because I was young. “Saintess, I will call for Sir Ludwig.”
Luciana and Priest Aiden said their goodbyes and left. As I saw them leave the room, I turned back to the sword.
Reality and fiction were indeed supposed to be different, but this difference was too much. “Most novels depict holy swords as so magnificent that no one can take their eyes off them.”
I was at a tomb, so I had to pray. Holding my hands together, I closed my eyes. “I hope you can find rest in the bright light.”
The third saintess was the greatest paladin in history. It was because of her that the Vatican had gained absolute power. And anyone who could pull out her holy sword was called a paladin.
‘God personally gave Sophia the Holy Sword.’
There was a legend that no one could pull out the sword unless they were the next owner of the holy sword. Moreover, when the owner of the holy sword died, the sword would return here.
“Well, since it’s a holy sword, it’ll probably change when its owner holds it.” I needed to give Ludwig a sword, but I was worried this one was fake. The holy sword was the only way I could kill all the beasts.
“What do I do?” While I was thinking, I felt someone’s presence.
“Saintess.”
“Ludwig!”
Ludwig kneeled on his knee as soon as he saw me. “I greet the first light of the world.”
I became uncomfortable when I heard the official greeting. I motioned him to get up as I turned my head. “Where’s Luciana?”
“Sister Luciana is helping Priest Aiden,” Ludwig said with a bow.
I stood in front of him. ‘I think this is where I’m supposed to bless him.’
“I pray you become a light that shines in the darkness.” I put my hand on his head and prayed. The divine power I felt at the tips of my fingers made me giggle. “Ludwig, do you know where we are?”
“Yes.”
“That’s the holy sword.” When I explained what the sword was, Ludwig’s expression froze.
“Try pulling it out.”
“How can I…”
“You have my permission. Go and pull it out.”
Usually, a holy relic would have a strong presence around it, so people without sufficient power would have a problem approaching it. However, I had blessed him.
Ludwig walked toward the holy sword with an unreadable expression.
“Good luck, Ludwig!” When I cheered him on, Ludwig hardened his expression and put his hand on the handle.
And…
“Ah!”
The sword looked like it would slip out easily but didn’t move at all.
“…”
“…?” Ludwig looked at the sword in confusion.
“You can’t pull it out? Impossible! Try it again!”
Ludwig pulled with all his strength but shook his head. “Saintess, it’s not moving.”
“Wait, it really doesn’t work?”
Ludwig spent some time trying to pull out the sword, but it didn’t even budge an inch.
‘Huh? What’s going on?’
* * *
Eventually, Ludwig left after failing to pull out the sword. He was worried about leaving me alone, but I reassured him and sent him away.
“Why?!”
I sent him off because I couldn’t keep him here any longer. However, I couldn’t believe it.
“But why?” There was no way I could be wrong! Ludwig was the owner of the holy sword.
‘But why couldn’t he pull it out?’
“What’s going on? Is there something I don’t know?”
In the novel, Ludwig already had the holy sword before meeting Priscilla, so I didn’t know how he had gained it. It could be that it was mentioned, but I didn’t care and forgot. After all, I had been focused on Miltiades.
“Should I have asked Daddy to come?” I was so sad that Miltiades wasn’t here. “Holy sword, O’ holy sword. How does one become your owner?”
“Ha”
“…?”
‘Did the holy sword laugh at me?’
I frowned at the laughter, but I suddenly felt a chill in the air. “Wait, I think I just heard a laugh.” ‘Is it just me?
“Can you hear my voice?”
“…!”
I froze at the familiar voice.
“Can you not see me?”