The Sage that the Sword Saint is Obsessed With

50 – 12. The Princess Can’t Sleep (7)

1.

The Archbishop decided to stay in the village for a few more days.

It was his first time coming to the Southern Front, to observe the front-line situation and to pray for the souls of those who died in battle.

The Order provided a good room for the Archbishop, but he refused, saying he would stay at the orphanage on the hill. The orphanage also served as a cathedral for the village.

Three days passed.

Is the Archbishop really an Archbishop?

He seamlessly blended into the village.

With a gentle appearance and a kind and considerate personality, combined with the position of an Archbishop, he could get along well with the villagers, even if it was their first meeting.

Moreover, since the orphanage also played the role of a cathedral in the village, who would refuse when the Archbishop offered to pray for the families who had sent their loved ones away due to the war?

On the battlefield, powerful strength takes precedence as a source of determination, but religion that can provide mental comfort becomes another pillar of support. And since most of the residents in this village are Imperial citizens who believe in the divine, the Archbishop is just as important as someone from the royal family.

“This should make you feel a bit more comfortable.”

People gathered at the orphanage.

Chugikyeong, Teriat, examined the villagers one by one.

Going to the temple for an inspection alone costs a lot of money, but since Chugikyeong provides inspections and simple treatments for free, everyone gathered.

“Please take this.”

Teriat handed a bottle of potion to a pregnant woman with a swollen belly. It contained a pretty rosy liquid.

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“It’s made in the Holy Kingdom. If you drink it steadily, one sip a day, it will help you give birth to a healthy baby.”

“Thank you, Chugikyeong!”

Occasionally, for those who needed external help for treatment and were in need, Teriat also gave a bottle of potion made in the Holy Kingdom.

Lewen watched from the side.

Seeing the smiling faces of the villagers, Lewen also smiled.

At the same time, he felt a tinge of bitterness.

He realized that as the village leader, he had not fully understood the villagers’ grievances.

He also regretted entrusting things like treatment and counseling to just one priest.

A single letter, and they would send a priest from the Holy Kingdom.

If he spoke well, he might even get free treatment.

He thought he just had to defend the front lines against the Demon King’s army, but now he realizes it’s not that simple.

He pledged to do better as a village leader from now on.

“Danjjang.”

While watching the villagers, Cyril, a small child, walked up to Lewen.

“Yeah?”

Lewen bent both knees to match Cyril’s eye level.

“Why?”

He looked at Cyril with the kindest smile he could muster.

It was not a natural smile, so there was some awkwardness.

When playing with children, a beautiful smile would naturally appear, but if asked to smile suddenly, it was difficult.

“Do you like Evan, Danjjang?”

Cyril’s direct question made Lewen’s eyes widen halfway.

“I do.”

Confirming Lewen’s change in expression alone, one could tell that Lewen liked Evan.

The child was truly perceptive.

“That, why all of a sudden…?”

Although I don’t necessarily hide my feelings for Evan from the beginning, it’s disconcerting to hear it directly from someone.

“You’re cute!”

“Ri-rival…?”

“Yeah, the cuteness of love.”

How does a five-year-old know such words?

It’s disconcerting once again.

By the way, a rival…

If Evan were to rank his preferences, Leven would probably be in third place among the three. Cyril is second.

By the way, the first place is held by a dog raised in the village store.

During walks, Evan often witnessed him patting the dog’s belly whenever they met. He also saw them playing together frequently.

Pure chance, truly pure chance, passing through that alley.

“Well… maybe I won’t be a rival after all.”

Of course, just because he won’t be a rival doesn’t mean Cyril can win Evan’s love.

Considering that Evan is now 28 years old, there is a staggering age difference of 23 years.

If Cyril waits until adulthood, Evan will be 47.

Even a sage couldn’t forgive that.

“Why?”

Poke!

He pricks Leven’s sore spot.

The innocence of a child is frightening.

Of course, even if it weren’t a child, anyone who didn’t know the situation between the two would have asked the same question.

“I’ve done something really wrong to Evan.”

“Apologize?”

“Apologizing doesn’t mean all the wrongs can be forgiven.”

Leven said something a bit difficult for a five-year-old.

“There are things that can’t be forgiven.”

Cyril tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

Indeed, from a child’s perspective, it’s hard to comprehend.

In fairy tales, no matter what mistakes the princess makes, she eventually receives forgiveness and ends up with the prince.

In Cyril’s eyes, Luen was truly a beautiful princess.

Although they were rivals, Cyril naturally thought that they should end up with the prince.

Pat, pat.

“Calm down.”

Cyril patted Luen’s shoulder.

“…Okay.”

Luen nodded.

“Being weak doesn’t mean you can’t fight!”

She received encouragement from a child.

Should she laugh or cry?

“I’m not invincible.”

“No, you’re weak.”

“…Thank you.”

“I want to be strong like you.”

“Like me?”

Even though she didn’t recommend it.

“Yes!”

Cyril nodded boldly.

“You’re strong and pretty like a princess.”

Before becoming rivals in love, Luen was an object of admiration to Cyril.

Not to mention her lovely beauty.

Her long and voluminous hair flowing down to her waist resembled a princess from a fairy tale.

Not only Cyril, but also the boys and girls in the village admire Luen.

“What is Cyril’s dream?”

“Dream?”

Cyril crossed her arms and pondered.

“Umm… a princess!”

It was the answer she had expected.

“Yeah, because Cyril is pretty, she can definitely become a princess.”

Luen gently stroked Cyril’s small head.

It’s not something that can happen just because you want to become a princess, but as an adult, the role is not to reveal the reality of a girl’s dream but to support it.

2.

It wasn’t until the sun set that Teriart could catch his breath.

This is familiar.

If you’re a high priest, it’s natural for people to gather, as you’re perceived as a special presence. Just a devotee serving the same deity as them.

“Thank you.”

Leuwen, who had stayed until the end, expressed gratitude to Teriart for his hard work.

“I didn’t know there were such hardships among the villagers.”

Personally, he didn’t hear the words of those he counseled, but today he could hear what the villagers needed.

“hahahaha, everyone has things they can’t say.”

Teriart adjusted his glasses and said.

“I guess the villagers didn’t want to burden Captain Leuwen.”

“Burden?”

“I’ve been in the village for the past few days and heard various stories. It seems that everyone respects and loves Captain Leuwen. So, they probably didn’t easily open up about their worries.”

It’s a statement that resonates while also being difficult to empathize with easily.

“I heard from other members too that you’ve been almost single-handedly active on the front lines.”

“… That’s not true.”

Leuwen tilted his head.

He recalled the members he had been with so far.

“…If it weren’t for the members, I wouldn’t have been able to defend the front line until now.”

No matter how skilled a general is, they need soldiers to support them to shine.

“I should thank you too, Captain.”

“For me?”

“Because you, Captain, are securely guarding the Southern Front, we can maintain peace in the world.”

“…It’s not just me; we’re all protecting it.”

“Oh, I made a mistake in my words. Yes, that’s right. Captain and all the members are protecting it.”

Teriart opened the wooden bag placed next to him.

There was one potion left.

“Take this. I’ll give the last one to the Captain.”

He extended a potion infused with a radiant red light.

“Please use it in a critical situation during the battle. It will be helpful.”

“No, thank you.”

Leuwen extended both hands.

“I truly appreciate the sentiment, but there may be someone who needs it more than I do. I hope you give it to them.”

It’s rare for Leuwen to be injured during battles.

Unless facing a Demon Lord Corps commander like Imbress, serious injuries are unlikely.

“Or leave it at the orphanage. I’ll use it when needed.”

Theriat nodded.

“Understood.”

“Well, then I’ll go down now.”

Leuwen bid farewell to Theriat and descended to the village.

Theriat tidied up and headed to his room to rest.

“Oh? Is there something you need from me?”

As he headed to his room, a girl approached.

“You’re Cyril, right?”

The girl, Cyril, nodded and pointed at Theriat with her finger.

“What’s this?”

Theriat showed the potion to Cyril.

“Uh-uh.”

Cyril shook her head.

“And this. This.”

Theriat followed where Cyril’s finger was pointing. It was towards the left side of Theriat’s chest.

“Sparkling!”

Theriat blinked and put his hand inside his robe.

“…Is this it?”

What he pulled out from inside the robe was another potion.

A crimson liquid was wriggling inside.

“Ugh, gross.”

The liquid inside the glass bottle wriggled like a worm.

“This is a glass bottle filled with blessings.”

Teriart gently stroked Cyril’s head.

“To see this light, Cyril seems to be a being blessed.”

Teriart pulled out something else from inside his priestly robe and handed it to Cyril.

“What’s this?”

“Candy.”

“Candy?!”

Cyril’s eyes sparkled.

“Try it once.”

Without hesitation, Cyril put the candy in his mouth.

“It doesn’t taste like anything.”

“You have to swallow it to taste the sweetness. Try swallowing it once.”

*Gulp!*

Struggling, Cyril somehow managed to swallow the candy.

He didn’t feel any sweetness at all.

He had high expectations at the mention of candy, but it quickly faded.

“Lies! You’re lying!”

Teriart laughed, “hahahaha, it’s really a sweet candy. You’ll know how sweet it is as time passes.”

Cyril pouted.

“You can look forward to it.”