27. The Divine Trial
The Divine Trial. Even the playful owner of the body remembered the name vividly.
It wasn’t anything particularly grand… It was a judicial procedure based on the brutal logic that if someone was truly innocent, the gods would aid them. The accused would face various trials, and if they overcame them, they would be declared innocent.
Modern people might find a strange familiarity in this logic and procedure. It’s likely that this familiarity and assumption are correct. The witch hunts carried out against wealthy widows in modern times were essentially a form of the Divine Trial.
Of course, the Divine Trial I proposed wasn’t as vulgar or despicable as those witch hunts. This wasn’t medieval Earth, and the opponents were not just heretics but people who had committed heresy in a fantasy world where gods existed.
Instead of immediately burning them at the stake, they were given a chance to prove their innocence. It was like granting an appeal in an age of barbarism– something impossible if one weren’t a modern person.
However, the reactions of our suspects were quite disappointing. Instead of grabbing the last lifeline thrown at them, they hesitated, nervously looking around.
Sertel was a prime example. He had been fighting fiercely against the knights moments ago, but the moment he saw a chance to survive, he became utterly submissive.
Sertel didn’t even attempt to grab the sword that had been thrown to the ground. Instead, he took a few steps back, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“I’ll leave this important opportunity to others first. I am satisfied with my chance to survive.”
He said it as if he were being generous, but his true intentions were obvious.
Sertel was someone who had thrown himself into the monastery because he didn’t want to starve to death. He was clearly hoping to let others go first, hoping I’d exhaust my stamina.
The other monks’ expressions hardened as they realized Sertel’s true intentions. They didn’t bow their heads as one might expect if they were embarrassed. Sertel continued to back away, staring at me with a brazen face.
I smiled as I accepted Sertel’s suggestion. There was no need to stop him from falling into his own trap.
“Very well. Let it be so. However, if no one steps forward, I will consider it an admission of guilt and immediately execute everyone.”
It was only after this threat did the monks stop hesitating. Their hesitant movements stiffened, and the most significant change was in their expressions.
When a monk stepped forward to pick up the fallen sword on Sertel’s behalf, I burst into laughter.
“That’s not the expression of a monk. Do you truly believe that you are holding that sword without any guilt?”
The opponent who faced me was Batis, who had been stabbed in the wrist with a dagger. Batis had torn a piece from his robe to cover the wound and was now holding the sword with his uninjured hand.
Despite the bloodshot eyes, his pupils were dilated, and he appeared to be looking at something far away, his gaze distant.
Nonetheless, amidst the turmoil, there was clear intent to kill. Batis, a person who had already killed many lives, pointed the sword towards me without hesitation.
“If the gods acknowledge it, I will win. Isn’t that what the Divine Trial is about?”
“Indeed.”.
No lengthy words were necessary. As soon as he wounded me, Terbear and the knights would act. Moreover, the fact that I had revealed my stigmata showed that it was significant within the religion.
Even if he won, he would still be excommunicated.
“Then let the Divine Trial begin.”
I gripped the sword with both hand’s and stepped back with my left foot.
Narva’s declaration of the Divine Trial shocked everyone.
Not only Terbear, who deeply cared for his younger brother, but also Sertel, who prided himself on his sword skills. Furthermore, Narva was only twelve years old. While scheming can be honed if one has a cunning nature, martial skill is different.
No matter how talented one might be, they cannot win without a fully developed body. Even the most impressive techniques are built upon a well-developed physique.
The knights were well aware of this. They continued to watch the monks with scornful eyes, while casting cautious glances at Terbear.
“Sir Terbear, if necessary, we will join the fight.”
“Thank you.”
Even those who cared most for Narva were concerned. The only exception was John. When Terbear and the knights decided to intervene, only John looked at Narva with suspicion.
‘Lord… It seems that your skill isn’t ordinary.’
Batis, facing Narva, was full of contempt. Although he couldn’t use one hand, his opponent was just a child.
Furthermore, there was another reason to fight.
Batis felt a burning heat in his chest as he glared at Narva, especially at the cross-shaped stigma on his hand.
‘That arrogant little fool received the stigma of Lux Stella?’
Batis had lived a miserable life.
Born the fourth son of a serf with no land to inherit and barely enough food, he ran away from home to escape starvation. He wandered from place to place, earning a living by odd jobs, and eventually chose to enter the monastery to avoid committing cannibalism.
After years of hardship and hunger, he found hope in serving Lux Stella. He believed that by receiving Lux Stella’s favor through his vow, a better life awaited him.
Yet, even the compassionate and great Lux Stella was unwavering when it came to vows. Despite living as a monk for over a decade, Batis had never witnessed any miracles other than the promise of immortality.
Batis no longer cared for his life.
Instead, he faced reality head-on.
‘Lux Stella, is this your justice? Are you casting out those who have served you?’
Even after more than ten years as a monk, Batis, born a lowly serf, had not received the stigma. On the other hand, Narva, born into nobility and loved by all, received the stigma immediately after making his vow.
This harsh reality made Batis bare his teeth. He began to circle Narva slowly, keeping the sword pointed at him, as if waiting for his prey to let down its guard.
Narva, in response, calmly adjusted his stance, walking as if taking a leisurely stroll. His movements were relaxed, and he appeared to be certain that the blade would not touch him.
The moment Batis saw this, he lost all restraint.
Clang!
The first clash of their swords echoed through the air.
Batis’s sword struck the ground instead of Narva. Sparks flew as he missed. On the other hand, Narva effortlessly deflected Batis’s attack and awaited the next move.
Batis gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance.
‘My opponent has both hands, while I’m injured and using only one. It’s natural that my balance is easily disrupted!’
The second clash was faintly heard.
As Batis swung his sword, Narva swiftly countered with a thrust. But it wasn’t aimed at Batis’s vital points. Narva combined the thrust with a large circular motion.
Batis’s sword was magnetically drawn to that circle and was blocked.
“!”
When Narva’s blade blocked the incoming attack, Batis’s sword lost its intended direction. Which had initially been full of momentum, was now dragged aimlessly. Eventually, Batis could no longer bear the strain on his wrist and dropped the sword.
Clang.
The third clash. The sound of the sword hitting the ground echoed everyone’s shock. Narva retrieved the sword, using its hilt to touch the floor, and wore a proud smile.
“Are you unable to show your true skills because you’re afraid of being hurt?”
Ironically, those words motivated Batis. He staggered as he picked up the fallen sword. But there were no more excuses to comfort himself.
Batis fell to his knees and cried out in a weak voice.
“Lux Stella, why? Why not me, who has kept the vow!”
At that moment, a bitter, mocking voice took over the hall.
“Did you really keep it?”
All eyes turned towards the voice. It was Narva again.
“…You wouldn’t know.”
“What kind of vow did you make? Abstinence? Honesty?”
“You arrogant little… Are you mocking me for receiving Lux Stella’s favor?”
“No. I’m questioning about the vow you made to the gods. It seems you have taken abstinence and honesty too lightly.”
“This…! How could you question how carefully I’ve lived?”
“If you were truly devoted to Lusx Stella, you’d distinguish between what is done and what can’t be done. I heard you joined the monastery due to lack of money and resources. Did you take the vow of abstinence then? How amusing.”
Narva cut off Batis’s last plea swiftly and readied his sword.
“Living in poverty doesn’t equate to abstinence.”
The moonlight streaming through the bars was pure, untouched by even a drop of blood. Narva looked down at Batis’s decapitated head with a click of his tongue.
“That’s just poverty.”
As the headless corpse collapsed, Narva’s gaze was already fixed elsewhere.
“Next.”
“…”
“Who will prove their innocence before the gods?”
Narva raised his left hand to show the stigma marked on his palm. This time, the stigma, which had been bleeding profusely earlier, appeared different.
“Just so you know, I’m faithfully fulfilling my vow.”
The stigma began to faintly glow with a bluish light. However, most of the monks grinding their teeth, didn’t not notice and stepped forward.
“Who do you think you are, setting such absurd conditions and then showing off!”
“Lux Stella, do not punish those who have received your grace!”
They were infuriated by the young boy’s condescending attitude and eagerly stepped forward to take up their swords. Only Sertel, with a pale face, looked at Narva anxiously.
Sertel pushed past the agitated monks, trying to step up.
“L-Lord Narva. I will step forward now.”
“Oh.”
But Narva dismissed Sertel coldly.
“Sertel, I valued your abilities. You had ample opportunity. Yet, you chose to delay your chance yourself.”
“L-Lord…”
The Crusader’s Vow,
A simple vow but with a significant drawback: having to fight powerful heretical groups that survived in this era, risking one’s life.
If the mind doesn’t follow, the body suffers.
“Next. Who will prove their innocence before the gods?”
There was no need to face the most stubborn ones who survived till the end. Of course, it’s better to eliminate them if possible, but there was no need to refuse an easier path.
Here, sacrifices that would fulfill the vow were readily available.
“Ugh.”
“Next.”
They feared the consequences and couldn’t harm me.
“Eek!”
“Prove your innocence before the gods.”
On the other hand, I could wield my sword freely. This way, my devotion was easily proven.
The evidence was my stigma, which had started to glow with a bluish light.
“The stigma… it’s glowing…”
“Lux Stella is indicating who is right!”
Terbear and the knights cheered at this sight. On the contrary, the monks began to slowly realize their predicament. But it was already too late.
As dozens of corpses piled up, I aimed my sword at the last remaining one and declared.
“Step forward.”
“…”
“Prove your innocence before the gods.”
“L-Lord! Please!”
“Or…”
Sir Topa. He was a knight who had remained loyal to my father and took care of me until the very end. Although I did not know the names of the two surviving soldiers, they, too, remained faithfully by my side. There were surely monks who had lived diligently as well.
“Do you acknowledge your guilt?”
In the end, Sertel, with a pale face, gripped the sword. He looked nothing like the arrogant swordsman he was before.
I uttered a sincere prayer at his appearance.
“Lux Stella, one more ascends.”
