Finally, The Big Day

Morning had yet to arrive.

The Cathedral remained cloaked beneath the darkness of the departing storm.

Rainwater continued to drip from the marble gargoyles perched high above the sacred halls, while servants quietly swept away leaves that the night's wind had scattered across the courtyard.

Most of the Cathedral still slept.

But not everyone.

Deep within the eastern wing...

A pair of Cathedral guards stood motionless before an enormous oak door reinforced with iron bands.

One of them raised his hand and knocked.

Knock. Knock.

"...Enter."

The heavy door creaked open.

The room beyond was illuminated only by light magic.

Maps covered nearly every wall.

Some marked the borders between the allied kingdoms.

Others displayed mountain ranges, rivers and forests.

One map...

Rested open upon the large wooden table.

The route from Saintess Anima to the Lionheart Domain had been marked with crimson ink.

Standing before it...

With both hands resting behind his back...

Was Cardinal Mantis Woper.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"...Report."

The two guards immediately knelt.

"Your Eminence."

"The preparations are complete."

Mantis remained silent.

"The transfer order has been approved."

"Archbishop Hymedal has accepted responsibility for informing Hero Candidate Vinaas."

"The escort has been assembled."

"Travel provisions have been prepared."

"The departure has been scheduled for dawn two days from now."

The Cardinal slowly nodded.

"...Continue."

"The armor requested by Your Eminence has already been delivered."

"A ceremonial set."

"It has been polished to appear suitable for a Hero."

"But..."

"The steel is of poor quality."

"It will offer little protection in actual combat."

"The accompanying sword has likewise been prepared."

"A decorative blade."

"Blunt."

"Unfit for battle."

A faint smile appeared upon Mantis' face.

"...Excellent."

He finally turned toward the guards.

His sharp eyes carried neither excitement nor hatred.

Only certainty.

"A Hero abandoned by the Goddess..."

"...has no need for weapons worthy of one."

Neither guard dared respond.

One of them carefully stepped forward and placed another sealed document upon the table.

"The travel documents."

"They identify Hero Candidate Vinaas Nullka as a patient being transferred to Lionheart Domain for specialized treatment."

Mantis broke the wax seal and quietly read through the contents.

After a few moments...

He placed it back onto the table.

"No errors."

The guard hesitated.

"...Your Eminence."

"There is... one concern."

Mantis raised an eyebrow.

"...Speak."

"The Saint."

"The escort remains uncertain whether Saint Rerisa truly supports this operation."

For the first time...

Mantis chuckled.

A low...

And amused laugh.

"...You misunderstand the Saint."

"She is compassionate."

"Which is precisely why she proposed this solution."

He slowly walked toward the rain-streaked window.

Outside...

The first light of dawn struggled to break through the clouds.

"The Cathedral cannot openly execute a summoned Hero."

"The kingdoms would question us."

"The remaining Heroes would lose faith."

"So..."

"We grant the boy a journey."

He looked toward the distant northern horizon.

"What happens beyond Cathedral authority..."

"...belongs only to fate."

Silence filled the room.

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

Mantis slowly folded his hands behind his back once more.

"See that every detail proceeds without error."

"The escort is not to attract attention."

"The Heroes are to believe this is nothing more than a transfer for treatment."

"The boy himself..."

"...must suspect nothing."

The guards bowed deeply.

"It shall be done."

Without another word...

They departed.

The heavy doors slowly closed behind them.

Mantis remained alone.

His eyes drifted once more toward the map spread across the table.

His finger traced the route northward.

Until it stopped...

At a vast green expanse labeled—

The Forest of Death.

"..."

"...No man abandoned there has ever returned."

He quietly extinguished one of the light of magic.

Darkness slowly swallowed the room.

Morning sunlight streamed gently through the Cathedral's stained-glass windows.

Unlike the storm that had shaken the Cathedral only two nights earlier...

Today the sky was clear.

For the first time in several days...

The sunlight felt warm.

I quietly sat beside the window, watching the people below begin another ordinary day.

Priests crossed the courtyard carrying books.

Apprentices hurried between the halls.

Everything looked...

Peaceful.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

Knock. Knock.

"...Come in."

The wooden door slowly opened.

A man dressed in deep white robes embroidered with golden thread stepped inside.

gra hair rested neatly upon his shoulders.

His aged face carried both dignity and kindness.

The golden cross hanging from his neck gently swayed as he entered.

I immediately stood.

"...Good morning."

The Archbishop smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Hero Candidate Vinaas."

His voice was calm.

Comforting.

"I hope your recovery has been progressing well."

"I've been feeling much better lately."

"That's wonderful to hear."

He slowly approached before taking a seat opposite me.

For a brief moment...

Neither of us spoke.

It felt as though he were carefully choosing his words.

Finally...

He folded both hands together.

"My name is Hymedal and I'm an Archbishop."

"I oversee several matters concerning the Cathedral's internal affairs."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

I respectfully lowered my head.

"The pleasure is mine, Archbishop."

Hymedal offered a gentle smile.

"I have come today..."

"...to deliver a decision made by His Holiness."

My curiosity immediately grew.

"...A decision?"

He nodded.

"Following discussions among the Cathedral's physicians..."

"...it has been concluded that your condition requires treatment unavailable here."

I quietly listened.

"There exists a place known as the Lionheart Domain."

"The physicians residing there have devoted generations to researching unusual mana conditions."

"They possess knowledge that even this Cathedral lacks."

"Lionheart Domain..."

I quietly repeated the unfamiliar name.

"...I've never heard of it."

"Very few outside the northern territories have."

He smiled.

"It is a peaceful place."

"Far removed from the troubles surrounding the Cathedral."

I couldn't help but ask.

"...Does that mean..."

"...I'll finally be able to use magic?"

Hymedal chuckled softly.

"I cannot promise miracles."

"But..."

"I do believe your chances will improve."

Those words alone...

Filled my heart with relief.

Without realizing it...

I smiled.

"...Really?"

The Archbishop nodded.

"I understand these past few days have not been easy for you."

"But sometimes..."

"The first step toward recovery..."

"...requires leaving behind familiar surroundings."

For the first time since arriving in this world...

I genuinely felt hopeful.

Maybe...

Things really were beginning to change.

The Archbishop slowly stood.

"The preparations are already underway."

"If everything proceeds according to schedule..."

"You shall depart in two days."

"So soon?"

"I'm afraid time is not a luxury the world currently possesses."

He looked toward the window.

Far beyond the Cathedral walls...

The northern mountains stood faintly against the horizon.

"I recommend using these two days to rest."

"Once your treatment begins..."

"You may not have another opportunity."

I nodded.

"...Thank you."

As Hymedal reached the doorway...

I suddenly remembered something.

"...Archbishop?"

He paused.

"Yes?"

"...Will Saint Rerisa be coming today?"

For just a brief moment...

The Archbishop's expression changed.

Only slightly.

Almost too quickly to notice.

"The Saint has been occupied with urgent Cathedral matters."

"I'm afraid she won't be able to visit for the next few days."

"...I see."

I lowered my eyes.

Hymedal smiled once again.

"I shall."

With that...

He quietly closed the door behind him.

The room fell silent once more.

I slowly walked back toward the window.

Lionheart Domain...

The name echoed repeatedly within my mind.

A new place.

New people.

A chance to become stronger.

Without realizing it...

I quietly laughed.

"...Looks like..."

"...my real journey is finally about to begin."

The days passed more quickly than I had expected.

Since Archbishop Hymedal informed me about my transfer to the Lionheart Domain, my routine remained almost unchanged.

The Cathedral physicians continued examining my condition.

The apprentice priests faithfully brought my meals.

Everything felt...

Normal.

Almost.

There was only one thing that had changed.

Saint Rerisa never came.

The first day, I assumed she had been occupied with Cathedral affairs.

The second day...

I found myself unconsciously glancing toward the door every time footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Yet...

Each time, it was someone else.

"...She really must be busy."

I smiled bitterly.

"I guess Saints don't have the luxury of free time."

Even so...

A strange emptiness lingered within me.

Not because I depended on her treatment.

But because...

She had been the first person in this world to treat me kindly without expecting anything in return.

I had wanted to thank her before leaving.

Perhaps...

That wouldn't happen now.

Before I realized it...

The morning of my departure had finally arrived.

The Cathedral was unusually quiet.

Unlike the lively mornings filled with Hero training...

Only a handful of priests and guards walked through the marble corridors.

Perhaps...

It was better this way.

Long farewells only made leaving harder.

I adjusted the dark cloak resting over my shoulders before quietly stepping into the hallway.

Waiting there...

Was Miss Angelica.

"...Good morning, Miss Angelica."

She looked toward me.

"...Good morning."

Her usual gentle smile wasn't there.

Instead...

She simply stared at me.

For a brief moment...

Neither of us spoke.

"..."

"...You're leaving today."

"Yeah."

I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly.

"It still doesn't feel real."

"..."

She lowered her eyes.

"I heard the physicians in Lionheart Domain are exceptional."

"That's what Archbishop Hymedal said."

I laughed softly.

"Maybe they'll finally figure out what's wrong with me."

Still...

She didn't smile.

Instead...

Her fingers quietly tightened around the edge of her sleeve.

"...Miss Angelica?"

She quickly turned her face away.

"...It's nothing."

"..."

"...You're worried."

"..."

She remained silent.

Then...

A single tear slipped quietly down her cheek.

I froze.

"...Miss—"

The word caught in my throat.

"...Angie..."

She looked back at me.

"...Why are you crying?"

I forced a smile.

"Come on..."

"I'm only going for treatment."

"I'll be back before you know it."

"So..."

"No more crying, okay?"

"I'll become stronger."

"And next time we meet..."

"I'll finally be able to stand beside everyone."

Her lips trembled.

Yet...

She never answered.

At that very moment...

A familiar voice echoed through the corridor.

"Hero Candidate Vinaas."

Archbishop Hymedal approached with several Cathedral guards standing respectfully behind him.

"It is time."

I nodded.

"...Understood."

Before following him...

I turned back toward Angelica one last time.

A faint smile appeared on my face.

"Well then..."

"...Miss Angelica."

"I'll see you again in the Royal Capital."

Without waiting for a reply...

I turned around and began walking.

The massive Cathedral doors slowly opened.

Morning sunlight poured across the stone steps leading toward the city below.

Waiting outside...

Was a beautifully decorated carriage.

Beside it stood four Cathedral guards.

One of them stepped forward carrying a neatly polished suit of armor.

black steel reflected the morning light brilliantly.

Golden engravings stretched across the breastplate.

A long single edged sword rested at my side within a leather scabbard.

"...This is for me?"

The guard nodded.

"A Hero should travel looking like one."

I couldn't help smiling.

"...Thank you."

Without giving it much thought...

I equipped the armor.

It looked magnificent.

Like something worthy of a Hero.

The sword, too...

Looked elegant hanging at my waist.

For the first time since arriving in this world...

I almost felt like one of the Heroes.

As we began walking down the Cathedral steps...

I looked back.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

My eyes searched among the countless balconies and windows.

"..."

Nothing.

Saint Rerisa was nowhere to be seen.

One of the guards noticed.

"Is something the matter, Hero Candidate?"

I shook my head.

"...No."

"...Nothing."

The carriage slowly rolled forward.

Leaving the Cathedral behind.

From the highest balcony...

Angelica remained standing long after the carriage had disappeared into the horizon.

Her vision had already blurred with tears.

She quietly whispered to herself.

"...Why..."

"...won't you ever let someone carry your pain..."

"...Why do you always choose to suffer alone..."

The wind carried her voice away.

Far beyond where Vinaas could ever hear it.

Deep within the Cathedral...

Inside the silent Prayer Hall...

Saint Rerisa knelt before the towering statue of the Goddess.

Her hands remained folded in prayer.

Her eyes never opened.

"...May everything..."

"...go according to plan."

Silence answered.

Far away...

Beyond the northern mountains...

A male voice spoke out.

"...You've placed quite a burden on my shoulders..."