"In the world, they also call me the Ragged Saint. Sorry for the late introduction, I was playing with this child for a bit."
By "playing", he meant teaching Seiki how to handle divine power. Seiki naturally possessed divine energy without any formal training, but if she didn’t learn how to control it, it could harm her body. Audin had sought out the Ragged Saint, his foster father, to prevent that from happening.
That’s why the saint had come here now. To him, saving Seiki was the most urgent task.
Seiki raised her hand to greet him and spoke, "I feel like I’ve turned into more of a monster."
From the first time they met, Seiki had been an exceptionally gifted child. Her gift began with her keen perception, and once again, she had noticed the changes in Encrid.
Even if she hadn’t directly noticed, the constant talk surrounding Encrid made it impossible to miss.
"They say the Squad Leader of Enchantment broke hundreds of women’s hearts and awakened."
"No, it’s because he drank the blood collected by the fairies."
"Can you really achieve that just by training like a madman?"
While absurd rumors had spread, Seiki, though pure, was not naive. She knew how to sift through truth and lies.
"Becoming a paladin was just a joke."
The Ragged Saint, Audin’s foster father, spoke again. His tone was plain, and his face held a simple smile.
He tapped Audin’s thick arm with a gesture of familiarity.
Audin responded with a soft, subtle smile, as he always did.
Encrid noticed Seiki’s abilities seemed different from before, but more than that, he observed the saint’s appearance.
Despite being called the Ragged Saint, his attire said otherwise.
Clink.
The saint extended his hand for a handshake, revealing thick gold bracelets and rings studded with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires that adorned all five fingers. A large pendant hung from his necklace, embedded with four gemstones secured by a silver-edged disc.
His clothes were silk and appeared smoother than what most nobles could afford.
Poor nobles certainly wouldn’t be able to wear such attire.
Andrew Gardner, a noble, still wore rough clothes when Encrid last saw him.
Andrew only owned a formal suit for necessary occasions.
"If I cut back on clothing and food expenses, it allows my subjects to have an extra piece of meat. There’s no room for luxury."
This was Andrew’s constant philosophy, perfectly aligned with his goal of rebuilding House Gardner.
Living that way was no easy feat.
But Andrew, having learned discipline from observing Encrid, pursued his goal without difficulty.
The Ragged Saint blinked his clouded eyes. His gaze was unfocused, a sign of his poor vision.
"Faith is important, even if you’re not a paladin."
It was a beautiful day, clear and warm with spring in full bloom. The cold had receded, and grass peeked through the cracks between the trees, many of which had been broken or destroyed during Encrid’s sparring with Rem.
Through the serene air, Encrid could feel the gazes of Rem and Ragna, who were watching from a distance.
They checked to see what was happening, recognized the saint, and lost interest.
Jaxon had left early for business, and Esther was still in panther form.
Encrid was about to head into town after his morning training, but the saint blocked his path.
"Neither this child nor you believe in God?"
Then, he spoke again.
"Not really."
Encrid casually replied. His tone wasn’t rude, he was merely answering directly.
The saint’s words and demeanor weren’t offensive, but they weren’t exactly pleasant either.
His voice was hoarse, and his face was marked with age spots. But judging by his attire—
‘If he entered a temple dressed like this, he’d probably be mistaken for a bishop who bleeds his congregation dry.’
As that thought crossed his mind, the saint spoke.
"Audin."
"Yes."
"What would you do if I asked you to kill this friend right now?"
The Ragged Saint spoke with a smile, but Encrid didn’t interrupt. Whether Audin would follow or resist wasn’t the issue.
‘Krais.’
The saint’s nature reminded him of Krais, Avnair, and Ermen.
People like them always packed multiple meanings into a single statement, layering their intentions.
Encrid couldn’t pinpoint exactly what the saint meant. He was skilled at concealing his thoughts.
‘Maybe even trickier than Krais.’
He seemed to hide even more than Ermen. Regardless, Audin responded without losing his smile.
"Have you lost your mind?"
The saint laughed heartily at that.
"Not yet."
"If you’re feeling unwell, there’s a healer nearby and an alchemist who makes potions."
Encrid spoke, prompting the saint to laugh and shake his head.
"No, I’m fine."
"This old man is better at using divine power than me."
Seiki chimed in.
Audin dismissed the saint’s words as usual.
"He often speaks nonsense. Consider it a divine joke, Brother."
So, divine jokes existed alongside fairy jokes, it seemed.
Encrid let it slide, but the saint approached him and said:
"You’re heading to the forge, right? Mind if I join you? Seiki, you’ll need to practice what I taught you every morning and evening."
"Pray? It’s boring."
Seiki pouted as she answered.
"You need to endure that boredom and develop patience. Only then will you use it properly."
The saint placed a hand on Seiki’s shoulder and patted her gently.
If earlier he resembled a bishop draining his followers, now he seemed more like a wise sage, his jewelry glimmering like a halo.
"Then, I’ll be off. Audin."
"I haven’t given you permission yet."
Encrid remained firm, unaffected by the saint’s words. But the old man quickly fired back.
"If you don’t let me, I’ll just follow from afar. Would you really be so harsh to a blind old man? Did I misjudge you? Or is a young man itching to tease an elder?"
Now he seemed less like a sage and more like a stubborn old man throwing a tantrum.
"You’re quite the talker."
Encrid replied.
"What do you think a poor wanderer relies on to survive?"
"Divine power?"
"Ah, you got me there. But yes, that’s been useful too."
Despite his words, he didn’t look the least bit defeated.
"I hear you only pretend to be blind?"
"Audin’s been telling you too much, huh?"
The saint scolded Audin.
"Was that supposed to be a secret?"
"No, it wasn’t."
It wasn’t exactly a stand-up comedy routine, but the conversation dragged on. Encrid had no reason to reject him and, out of curiosity, decided to observe the saint up close.
"Let’s go together."
"Don’t treat him harshly. He can be helpful if you have any concerns, Brother."
Audin bowed slightly in gratitude. From afar, Rem shouted.
"Are you going to order a shield from that guy Eitri? Make sure it’s a sturdy one!"
"Sure thing."
Encrid replied, turning to leave.
"If you spot any assassins targeting me, feel free to take care of them."
The saint said, walking beside him.
"What did you do to attract assassins?"
"Ah, my recent whereabouts got exposed. Officially, I’m dead in Legion, but news spread that I’m alive. Now plenty want me dead."
"You must have made a lot of enemies."
"Not too many. Just over ten."
"That’s a small number?"
"It is."
Everyone has their own perspective, so Encrid didn’t argue further.
Audin watched them leave. He knew what kind of person his foster father was, he wasn’t someone who would cause harm. Letting them go together wouldn’t be a problem.
At worst, he’d pull a few mischievous pranks.
Audin recalled the first time his foster father had visited him at the Border Guard.
"He lifted the restrictions, reignited my divine power, and found a place for me to stay. Is your mind at ease now?"
"It’s getting better."
"And the visions?"
"Sometimes, he comes and keeps me company for a bit."
The boy named Phildin had confessed about seeing the ghost of a dead boy dragged in by the saint, akin to a confessional.
At Audin’s words, his father laughed and patted him on the shoulder once. The question he had thrown at the captain earlier had the same undertone as what he had said to him.
There was no way his father would seriously command someone to kill Encrid. What he wanted to show the captain was that his allegiance was to the Mad Knights, not the temple.
‘No need to say it out loud. He knows.’
There was no need to emphasize this point to Encrid.
"I know Audin is part of the Mad Knights."
Encrid said as he left the barracks, returning the salutes from the sentries.
"Just being cautious."
The saint replied.
He understood that Encrid had grasped the real meaning behind his words during the conversation with Audin. The Ragged Saint knew what he was doing.
The saint tapped his cane as he walked, and Encrid found himself reminded of two people simultaneously.
One was the blind old man who had called himself an apostle. Though their appearances differed, there was a similar slyness, a knack for hiding one’s intentions.
‘But they’re different.’
The aura they emitted was completely different. The apostle had a menacing air, but the saint carried none of that.
If this old man could mask such a dangerous aura from his instincts, he’d be an even better stalker than Jaxon. But that wasn’t the case, his instincts confirmed it.
And there was another person.
‘Why is that?’
The saint’s current demeanor reminded him of Anu, the King of the East. They were entirely different people, living vastly different lives.
"Go about your business."
The saint said.
Encrid had already intended to.
They walked slowly past the market and made their way to Eitri’s forge.
Clang! Thump, thump!
The sound of hammers striking metal and the heat from the bellows made Encrid’s face flush.
"I’m here."
Eitri stood to the side while his apprentice worked.
"You must have stories to share."
Eitri said, having spent days without picking up a hammer, waiting for Encrid.
"Thanks for the ‘Luck’. It saved me."
The Sword of Luck had altered the trajectory of the demon’s final strike, sparing Sinar.
Had Sinar died there, what would he have done? Would he have killed himself and reset the timeline?
Encrid wouldn’t have done that.
Even with a broken heart and tears in his eyes, he would have kept walking toward tomorrow.
That was the path Encrid had chosen.
He would not endlessly repeat today. No matter what, he was determined to move forward.
Sinar could have died, though the odds had been in his favor.
The demon’s goal had been to tempt him by showing him a life that wasn’t real. It had tried to corrupt him with enchantment, turning him into someone unrecognizable.
Had Sinar lost her mind, Encrid would have beaten her unconscious and tried every method possible to bring her back.
Even if today didn’t repeat, giving up was not an option. This was the path Encrid had chosen to walk.
For that, he was grateful. The Sword of Luck had blocked all the misfortunes that could have unfolded.
"It truly was Luck."
"I’m glad you liked it. I also received the items you sent."
Encrid had sent all the weapons and armor he had taken from the cultists to Eitri.
Both needed time, Encrid to refine his swordsmanship, and Eitri to research and experiment with metals.
It was time well spent for both of them.
"Well then."
Eitri set down a table and two teacups.
As they sipped tea, Encrid glanced outside the forge. The open entrance revealed the Ragged Saint pacing outside.
Across the street, a tree’s budding flowers began to bloom. A spring breeze blew, but the forge’s heat pushed it back.
As Encrid looked outside, he shared the things he knew. It seemed like a long story, but as he spoke, it didn’t take long.
After listening, Eitri pondered deeply before replying.
"Come back in a month."
"Understood."
There was nothing more to discuss. Eitri didn’t even seem surprised when Encrid mentioned the broken silver sword.
Meanwhile, Eitri’s apprentice never paused, swinging his hammer continuously.
Encrid liked watching that. It seemed as though the apprentice was following his own path.
"What about Frog?"
"He’s out gathering materials."
"I see."
He could catch him another time. As Encrid stepped outside, the Ragged Saint spoke.
"Aren’t you hungry? I heard they sell excellent spiced jerky around here."
"Yes, they do."
"Buy me some."
"Sure."
They headed toward the street where food stalls clustered.
Krais had reorganized the city layout, creating separate areas—one for inns and restaurants, and another for forges and craftsmen.
Four central inns served as the city’s hub, with slow-moving carriages circling around them.
Anyone could ride the carriages for a small fee, with sturdy donkeys pulling them instead of horses.
The carriages were roofless and large enough to carry ten people. But the saint and Encrid didn’t need to take one, they were both capable walkers.
"Looking forward to the artisan’s work?"
The saint asked as they walked, referring to Eitri.
"Yes, very much."
With that brief exchange, they arrived at a stall selling jerky. Nearby, a marmalade vendor caught their attention.
"The smell alone is enough to make my mouth water."
After eating their fill and washing it down with drinks, they wandered the city, where a few people recognized Encrid.
The saint quietly observed it all.
No comments yet. Be the first to leave a review!