CHAPTER 9: ANOTHER SAINT

***The Cauldron***

Ruro looked towards the direction of the human colony, the ‘Enclave’, with great interest. On the horizon, she could see the gathering of dark clouds over that place; clouds that could bring a destructive storm of hailstones. Beside her was her lieutenant, Kashca Telis, and the fox-woman didn’t like what she was witnessing.

“Your Holiness…those clouds, I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I, Telis,” the Saint admitted.

“Why are you smiling, then?”

“Well, don’t you find it interesting?” she asked the fox-woman, “What we’re witnessing right now is the full strength of my god-power.”

“Huh?”

Ruro nodded, “Yes, that’s my god-power you are witnessing, Telis. And I haven’t even use it for a while…”

“Y-Your power over the skies, Your Holiness?” Kashca Telis asked with a fearful expression on her face, “Do you mean to say…there’s another saint in this land?”

“Hmm…that’d be impossible, my sweet Telis,” Ruro chuckled, “If there’s anyone like that, I’d feel their presence right away.”

“But…Your Holiness, the closest one to your abilities is that Insetus woman. Don’t you think—”

“No, Telis. Konka is a failure; it’s impossible that she caused that powerful storm, even more so that this is an abrupt event!”

“Then, if not that villain, then who…”

A smile formed on Ruro’s lips as she revealed to Kashca Telis her suspicions, “Why of course, there’s only one person I know in this entire world that could move even the heavens.”

“Your Holiness, you don’t say…”

The wolf saint nodded, “Yes, my dear. Only my master, the Lord Kuro, comes to mind. Seems like he acquired something that piques my interest.”

“Is such a thing possible, my liege? Isn’t it that only one Saint is allowed per race?”

“Indeed, it is, Telis,” Ruro was in deep thought, “Even I couldn’t understand why such a thing would happen. But if there’s anyone who’d rouse my suspicion, only my beloved Kuro would come to mind.”

“But he’s just an ordinary human!”

“Yes, however, it was he who made the High King of the Gods move to resurrect him. If Kuro could rouse the heavens, then acquiring the god-powers would be easy for him.”

Kashca Telis initially remained silent, but as the reality of the situation slowly sank unto her, she realized the dangers of such an event could pose to them, “If that’s the case, Your Holiness, then Sir Kuro could pose a danger to your rule as a Saint!”

“You’re right.”

“We should kill him instead, Your Holi—!!!” Telis’ words were interrupted when Ruro slapped her.

“Hmm?” the wolf-lady chuckled, “Did I say anything about killing him? I wanted him alive; so, don’t you dare do anything to him, Telis.

“I-I understand, Your H-Holiness. Please forgive my insolence,” Kashca Telis was quick to back down once she saw her liege’s eyes glaring at her.

“As I am merciful, I forgive you. Just don’t raise that matter to me ever again.”

“Understood,” the captain of the Saint’s guard bowed in reverence, “What are your orders, Your Holiness?”

“Gather your men, and go to the Enclave,” Ruro went back in her cave-palace, “From what I understand, Lady Margaret should’ve informed me once she finds Sir Kuro. However, by the looks of it, the human duchess is hiding something from me. You should check her lands for my master’s presence.”

----------

**Kuro**

The bear-man tried his best to dodge the incoming icy projectiles while trying to protect Ursura’s head. Luckily, we were yet to be hit. Probably the reason is my hands…

“…”

I’m the one who’s causing this. It would be stupid for me to be hit by my power, right?

I kept on wondering about the golden-yellow light that was emanating from it. I mean, I got a hunch that it was a Saint’s god-power, but of what kind? Weather control? And whose power is it?

“…”

And damn, unlike Maddie’s power of healing, I couldn’t even control it! The storm clouds kept on gathering and swirling above us, bombarding the city of Malvette with hailstones. From where we were, we could hear the terrible screams of the townsfolk who were terrified by the sight. The thatched roof of some houses immediately collapsed, while some of the tile roofs held out for a little longer before it eventually fell.

“!!!”

We would encounter a member of the city militia from time to time, but as of the moment, it’s every man for himself. They didn’t even bother to capture us; everyone just wanted to find a safe spot to ride out the storm.

Well, I guess I’d just wait for my energy to get sapped for this to stop.

“Milord, can’t you control your power?” Banu asked me; I could feel the worry in his voice, “While we’re not getting hit just yet, it’s quite difficult to run around with this slippery ice lying around.”

“I don’t know Banu. Honestly, this is the first time I used this, and I’m not even aware that I got such an ability,” I admitted, “Well, I guess we’ll have to wait ’till my mana is exhausted.”

Banu continued to run while carrying us, braving the hailstorm. I guess he could run, anyway; for I am the one who caused this. I thought that maybe these projectiles won’t hit us.

“…”

Though really, while I could feel my energy being channeled to my hands, it seemed like I’m still yet to get exhausted. I don’t know, maybe my magic reserves are huge or something?

----------

Soon, we reached the walls of the city of Malvette, now devoid of the city guards. Banu put me and Ursura under the portcullis gate for a while, and with his strength, easily tore apart the iron bars. Just as we stepped outside the city boundaries, however…

“And so, from the ‘North’ the disasters arrive, out of the cities where human laws should abide. Pray do tell, are you the one who comes to bring us hell?”

“…”

Banu and I got ourselves involved in a staring contest against a woman who was standing before us. She had eyeglasses, and a brightly colored orange kimono with a shiny, blue obi. But what’s striking about her was that her head had a pair of antennae, and behind her was a pair of dragonfly-like wings. A magical barrier surrounded her as she slowly walked towards us.

“Is…she talking to me?” I turned to Banu.

“I don’t know…but this is great!” the bear-man was all-smiles, “We’re now safe, milord!”

“Huh?”

“It has been a while, uh…Banu!” the insect-woman greeted him with a smile and a pat in the back, “I went to see this unusual storm brewing over Malvette, and I’m, uh, not expecting you to appear. I thought you’d been, uh…killed by the humans long ago.”

“I was only captured by them, Your Holiness! Got thrown in the Black Tower’s dungeons for a while…”

“I’m surprised they, uh, didn’t starve you to death.”

“Hah! They did, but you know I won’t die easily!” Banu laughed, “These humans haven’t seen the rest of me yet, Your Holiness!”

“Uh…I pray they won’t,” the insect-woman replied to him as her attention was clearly focused on me.

“Ah, yes, Your Holiness!” Banu then pulled me closer to him, “This here is the Lord Kuro, a friend to our people. He helped me and the others escape the dungeons of the Black Tower.”

“Indeed…Lord Kuro, huh?” the insect-woman stared at me as if she was scanning my entire body, “I wonder, I wonder…are you the god from the north?”

“What?” Banu and I exchanged glances.

“Oh, never mind me…” she chuckled, “I was just, uh, musing some old prophecies. ‘From the North, the disasters would arrive, out from the cities human laws one should abide. Pray do tell, oh God of war, is hell coming this far?’”

“I don’t know what you’re saying…” I replied, “…but certainly, I’m not a god of war. I’m just a human.”

“Hoh…”

“Did those just come from the holy books, Your Holiness?” Banu asked.

Konka nodded.

“But this place is in the south of the land, Your Holiness! The god of war in the prophecies comes from the north, maybe in Chersea!”

I remained silent as I listen to them. I don’t know if I should tell these fellows that I’m actually from the north, in Chersea. But then again, now’s not the time for idle chit-chat. Besides, I’m confused about something…

The phrase ‘Your Holiness’ never left my mind as I watched her take an eyeful of me once again.

“Yes, you heard that right. I’m also a ‘Holiness’,” she confirmed as if she had read my thoughts.

“Whoa! You could also see inside my mind?” I blurted out.

“No, silly! Of course, I’m not a Saint…uh…fully, that is.”

“I can’t understand.”

“Well, you see, uh…” the woman fixed her glasses and cleared her throat, “My name’s Konka of the Insetus, and I, uh…I’m a former Saint candidate, see? One of the two beastfolk who can use magic; the other one is the current Saint, Ruro.”

With a touch of her hand, the lady who calls herself Konka put a stop to my rampaging powers in an instant, as if she was turning off a light switch.

“Okay…” I could only watch in astonishment as she fixed the creases on her kimono.

“Well, by right, uh, I should be the Saint. However, Ruro cheated, and she got the honor instead. And now she and her supporters have been hunting me and my people down, for she didn’t want a rival to exist.”

“I see…”

The insect-woman, Konka, remained silent for a few moments as if waiting for some more reaction from me. However, I’m as clueless as her, so we stared at one another once again.

“A-Ahem, Your Holiness?” seeing that we’re at an impasse, Banu broke the ice himself, “Perhaps we should take shelter from the hailstorm? Ursura is also injured, see?”

“Uh…right,” Konka was brought back to her senses. She briefly looked at Ursura, and then declared, “She’ll be fine.”

“How d’you know?” I asked, quite irritated and confused at her words.

“Oh, this poor child had been through a lot. A simple injury like that on her shoulder wouldn’t kill her. We’ll just do something about it when we reach my place.”

That’s it?

“Don’t worry, milord,” Banu reassured me, “Lady Konka can be trusted.”

“And, uh, please do hurry!” Konka told us, “My spies have been telling me that Ruro’s captain, Telis, is on the move once again. Probably, uh, she’s on her way here.”

“We definitely have to run,” Banu exclaimed, “Or we’ll be forced to fight them in this state.”

Well, though I’m still confused on what’s happening, I guess I had no other choice but to trust these guys and escape with them.

----------

***The Black Tower of Malvette***

The rain of hailstones lasted for several hours after the prisoners escaped, and it almost destroyed the city, as well as the famous Black Tower. Wary of their surroundings, the humans slowly emerged from their hiding spots—under the beds, tables, knocked-out roofs, and even the culverts.

With her fortress half-leveled, Lady Margaret Jeanne, the Duchess of Malvette, finally came out of her cover to stare at the city. From where she was, she could make out of the leveled houses, corpses that were scattered along the streets, and some burning buildings from afar. She could only whimper…

After all, rebuilding the city back into its prosperous self would take time…and money, of which she had limited resources.

“Y-Your E-Excellency…”

“Not now, Jarvis!” Lady Margaret scowled, “Can’t you see I’m weeping for my city?”

“B-But the captain of Her Holiness the Beastman Saint is here…”

With that, the noblewoman was easily persuaded to grant her unexpected visitors an audience at her demolished throne room.

----------

Kashca Telis and her men were already waiting at the throne room when the Duchess of Malvette appeared in her same tattered clothes.

“Your Excellency…” Kashca Telis greeted her, “…it’s good to know that you survive the onslaught.”

“What do you want?” the noblewoman, however, was in no mood for rosy words.

“Milady, I came back to know what happened in this place,” the fox-lady explained, “As well as to get some news about the search for the Lord Kuro.”

“Oh, he did this alright!” Lady Margaret grudgingly admitted, “That knave! This is all he would give me for an answer after I offer him the best of my land! Unforgivable!”

“Offer?” Kashca Telis’ ears perked up.

“I wanted him to work for me! For the benefit of my land!”

“Pardon me milady, but I thought my liege asked you to bring him back to her.”

“Hmm? Why would I let myself be dictated by some animal?”

“!!!”

At that point, Kashca Telis and her men lost their temper and didn’t hide their displeasure at the contempt being accorded to their liege by the Lady Margaret. They pulled their swords out, and Kashca Telis herself brought her blade near the noblewoman’s neck, ready to slash it anytime. The chamberlain froze on his spot, unable to help his equally paralyzed liege.

“I’ve had enough of your rudeness, puny human,” she told her, “Just so you know, we know your soldiers were decimated at what happened, and so you are powerless as of now. What can your few demon weapons do to us?”

“M-M-My a-a-apologies!” Lady Margaret, who was still in trauma of what happened between her and Ursura earlier, was about to cry, “P-P-P-Please spare me…”

Kashca Telis then sheathed her sword, but after that, she grabbed the noblewoman’s face and held it in a vice-grip, “Your Excellency, I guess it would be beneficial for me and your weakened colony to help each other in times of need. Now, my liege wanted the Lord Kuro back, and you’ll aid us…whether or not you like it. In return, we’ll protect the Enclave from the beastmen tribes waiting to destroy you and your beloved city. Deal?”

Realizing that she was with no other option, Lady Margaret quickly gave her consent.

“Good,” Kashca Telis smirked, “Hopefully, you will be true to your words, Your Excellency. You know that another ‘Telessaria’ is possible to happen if you don’t…”

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**Kuro**

The insect-woman, Konka, led us from the city of Malvette to a hidden village somewhere far, outside the Enclave. Contrary to the massive stone walls of the human city, this place was rather small, surrounded by wooden towers and palisades, and wooden houses dotted the entire perimeter.

Coming near to its vicinity immediately felt like I was in another world with all of those lush, evergreen trees and beautiful green mountains that surrounded the area.

“…”

Well, come to think of it, I’m in another world…

From the distance, I could make out the thatch roofs of the houses inside the palisades, as well as the beastmen populace that seemed to be busy with their farms, and other work for the ‘day’. It’s as if I was looking at an idyllic countryside painting from one of my country’s famous painters; the only difference was the community had those nasty spiked palisades surrounding it.

Soon, we were in front of the wooden gates of the beastmen village.

“…”

The beastmen sentries were all looking at us—particularly towards me—with sharp stares. The beastwomen and their children would avert their eyes whenever I glanced at them, so I just continued following my companions while looking down.

“Murderer!”

“!!!”

And then, heckling began. Perhaps they thought of me as a prisoner of Banu, who was carrying the unconscious and bloodied Ursura.

Yeah…I guess they assumed I murdered her and the big bear-guy captured me and now is his prisoner…

Unable to take their painful accusations, I tried to shout back, “Hey! I did not even touch her—”

“Shut up, you scum!”

“!!!”

Someone got too angry enough to hurl a fruit peeling towards me, which hit my head. The villagers cheered when they saw that, and then followed it with another fruit—this time a big one. Fortunately, Banu caught it just in time.

“He’s a friend to us!” he desperately explained to them, trying to placate the villagers, “Please don’t hurt him!”

Irritated, Konka gestured towards the guards following us to keep the people from rioting as we went through the village’s main road. Secretly, I hoped we would arrive soon at our destination; my experiences in this place were getting worse every second that passed.

I guess they only see me, a human, as an enemy.

“Don’t worry, milord,” I heard an apologetic Banu speak again, “These folks don’t know you yet, so they are wary of your presence. But they’re good people.”

“Yes…” though I said that, there’s a little fear inside me as I was being pierced by their glares. After all, the beastfolk were famous for their supernatural physical strength. And, as a human, going into their territory might be a bit, you know, suicidal.

----------

Konka then stopped before a big wooden house that was guarded by two sentries. Once they saw her, they immediately gave way to us—a proof that the bespectacled, insect-woman was their leader. Well, those guards did give me an eyeful, but no matter.

Ah, finally! I’ve arrived in one piece.

“Uh…please put Ursura down at the bed over there,” Konka instructed Banu, which the bear-man did, “I’ll see to her shortly.”

The insect-woman then prepared something in what seemed to be her kitchen. Banu took his well-deserved rest by lying down. Meanwhile, I just sat on the floor, which was overlaid with felt carpets. It was a long journey, but fortunately, Banu covered the distance by running…all the while carrying us on his back.

These beastmen are really something…

“Here, uh, have something to eat,” Konka gave us bowls of gruel for food, while she looked into Ursura with what seemed to be herbal medicines on her hand.

“I told you, uh, Ursura will be fine,” Konka said to me, once she noticed I was behind her, “Just let her rest for a bit.”

“Thanks! By the way, where is this place?” I asked.

“Well, uh, somewhere in Cherwind, I’d say…”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Konka laughed, “Don’t worry, uh, I’m not joking. We don’t know, uh, the name of this place ourselves.”

I could only stare at her. I just couldn’t believe what I’m hearing, because they’re the ones living in this area, and yet they did not know where they were.

“See, milord…” it was Banu, “This place is actually a camp for refugees fleeing the humans and beastmen supporting Ruro of the Wolf. We never named this place, for we always think that we would only live here for a short while…”

“Oh…” That struck a few heartstrings in me. These beastmen hoped their stay would only be temporary, and yet, because of the ‘demon weapons’, they didn’t expect that they’d live here longer than intended.

“It’s a good thing that Her Holiness, Konka of the Insetus, came to our rescue back in Malvette!” Banu continued, “I don’t know the way to this camp…it’s been a while since I have last seen this place.”

“Well, I got there in Malvette because I was attracted to that god-power you’ve been using,” she explained to me, “Tell me, uh, your name again?”

“Err…Kuro?”

“Hello there Kuro! I’m Konka.”

“You just told me that several paragraphs ago.”

“Oh?”

I just nodded.

“Ah, in any case, are you the next Beastman Saint candidate?”

“Where did that come from?” I was surprised by her question, “I’m 100% human!”

“Huh? Don’t lie to me!” Konka chuckled, “I may be a little stupid, but I know the Beastman Saint’s god-power when I see one. In fact, I’m surprised to see it being used other than that accursed Ruro, and you’re a male too!”

“Well, Ruro’s definitely alive, that’s for sure,” I told her, “And going by your words, do you mean to say that all Saints in the past and present are female?”

“Yep.”

“Strange…why do I have the god-powers of the Beastman and Human Saint?”

“What?” Konka was even more flabbergasted when she heard that, “That can’t be, uh, true!” she exclaimed, “The god-powers are and should be separated, so that, uh, no Saint could dominate the other!”

“What Sir Kuro said is true, Your Holiness!” Banu confirmed to her, “I’ve seen him with my own eyes; how the Lord Kuro healed us instantly, and how he thrashed the human scum with the power over the skies. Why don’t we let His Lordship heal Ursura this instant?”

With doubts in her eyes, Konka agreed to the bear-man’s suggestion. I went over to Ursura, put my hand over her injury, and did what I have done before. Soon, the bear-woman’s shoulders were back to normal.

“N-No way…” Konka was taken aback by what she witnessed. She was trembling, “I-Impossible! Can it be uh…you also possess the other god-powers?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, “In the first place, I know little about the god-powers.”

Konka then sat down and explained, “The god-powers are, uh, the abilities of the Saints given to them by the gods, after the Lord Gaius chose to become mortal, see? You could say it’s what makes a Saint, well, a Saint.”

“Oooh…” I think something sparked within me when I heard what Konka said. I asked, “I’m curious though, about your god Gaius, what made him choose to be a mortal?”

“Uh…about that, we really don’t know,” the insect-woman shrugged, “The gods can be full of wisdom, while they can be full of whims too. What I do know is that, after the last Human-Demon War, he gave the Saints the god-powers, as well as appointed a new Saint of the Demons and an Overseer.”

“So, if there are six Saints, then there should be the same number of abilities?”

“Yes. It’s actually, uh, the powers of Lord Gaius, given to each Saint so that no one would dominate the other. For the Human Saint, it’s the power of healing. For the Beastman Saint, the power to control the skies. For the Elf Saint, the power over the waters. The Giant Saint, the dominion over the earth and its wonders, while the Demon Saint was given the ability to see into the future. Finally, uh, the good Overseer Saint, Seirna, was granted the power of resurrection.”

“Good?” I couldn’t help but blurt that out, “The Overseer Saint?”

“Hmm? Why yes…Her Holiness Seirna of the Flame has been kind to us, ever since that accursed Ruro betrayed our race for the humans,” Konka continued, “And rightly so, for she knew how our ancestors had been loyal with your forefathers in the last Human-Demon war!”

“I see…” I just kept silent about Seirna. Contrary to Konka, my experience with her wasn’t good. But then, if that’s her opinion about her, I guess I have to be careful, “Well, honestly, I don’t think I can do anything else aside from healing and dictating the weather…in fact, I can’t even control the weather the way I wanted to.”

“Alright. In any case, uh, I’m puzzled,” the former saint-candidate admitted, “This is the first time I’ve seen the god-powers being wielded by one person.”

“I don’t know, really,” I told her, “Do you think being close to the Human Saint and the Beastman Saint has something to do with this?”

“Uh, what do you mean by that?”

“Well, I’m a friend to the Human Saint, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth, as well as to the Beastman Saint, Ruro of the Wolf.”

“!!!”

At that moment, Konka never lost a second. As soon as those words left my mouth, her hand was immediately at my neck, ready to crush it anytime.

“So, you’re a spy of that accursed Ruro? Banu, what’s the meaning of this?”

Banu was quick to come between us, “Your Holiness, please exercise restraint. I can vouch for the Lord Kuro here; I’ve overheard him talking with Ursura, and he was brought into this land against his will by that accursed Saint. We can trust him!”

“It’s true!” I backed him up, “I may be a friend to Ruro, but she did those to me!”

Konka pondered for a moment on what to do with me, but eventually, she released her grip on me, “Explain to me, uh, Kuro. How did you come to this land?”

So, I narrated to her the events that led to my kidnapping and what happened thereafter. Konka and Banu listened intently, but what I didn’t know back then was that Ursura also overheard our conversation…