OMS Chapter 7

Apparently, saying things like “the storage room is fine” or “just leave me where I fall” wasn’t the right thing to say.

I realized this after the knights recovered from their shock and started discussing things. I couldn’t help but smile at how differently we thought.

Even a storage room would be nicer than the house I lived in, and I’m not going to catch a cold from sleeping on the floor for one night. Sure, my body might ache, but that’s nothing new.

Old men are always in pain somewhere.

In other words, I’m used to it.

The knights went back and forth, discussing various options. They were eager to prepare a fancy room for me, but I managed to convince them that it wouldn’t be right for a commoner like me to stay in a luxurious room, and that I’d feel more comfortable in something simpler. In the end, I was given a room on the first floor of the inner sanctum.

It was originally a room for the knights when they stayed over, with very little decoration, which suited me perfectly. It was a small room that became full just by putting a large bed and a desk, but I preferred that to something too spacious.

It was also conveniently close to the “White Room,” where the purification rituals took place, making it easier to carry me if I passed out.

But I didn’t just get a new room.

I was also given the full set of navy uniforms that marked the Saint-sama’s personal knights. Both Veerant and I received a set.

Now, I could move freely in and out of the inner sanctum and stay near Emilia, the Saint-sama, without drawing suspicion.

Veerant, it turns out, was originally going to become the head knight once the next Saint was found, so this was just a formal transfer. It was considered the highest honor, so I suppose it counts as a promotion.

I was also assigned more knights.

In preparation for traveling once things settled down, I got two knights with strong combat skills and plenty of travel experience: Dirk and Kahim. Both of them had ordinary enough faces to blend in with common folk, so they wouldn’t stand out in town.

—Veerant, on the other hand, definitely stood out.

With his golden hair, shining like a sunlit field of wheat, and purple eyes, reminiscent of mountain grapes, his perfectly balanced features naturally drew attention just by standing around.

I’d thought all the knights in the capital were like this, but after seeing the others, I felt a bit relieved.

The image of a plain old man surrounded by beauties was just too much to bear.

Now that the consultations with the knights were over, I had changed into my navy uniform and was standing in the White Room.

Only Veerant had come with me.

Dirk and Kahim wanted to join us, but I thought four people walking together would be too conspicuous.

I may not have had much body fat due to poverty, but at least I was decently tall. Veerant was a full head taller than me, but that’s just because he’s huge. If anyone were to carry me alone, Veerant would definitely be the best choice.

He’s already carried me once, so I know he can handle it.

I felt bad about making him carry an unconscious old man, but Veerant just smiled and said, “That’s what I train for.”

I’m not sure what knights normally train for, but it’s probably not to carry people like me.

If it were someone like Emilia, a cute young girl, maybe he’d get more enjoyment out of it. Poor guy.

“So, uh, we’ve got the sacred branch, morning dew kissed by the first rays of sunlight, and sacred sake. Looks like we’re good. Oh, do you have a knife?”

“A knife, sir?”

“Yeah. I’m going to offer some blood.”

Strictly speaking, I could perform the purification without blood, but it would be far less effective.

If there were more time, I might not worry about it, but that’s not the situation we’re in.

With Emilia playing the role of the Saint, and me using blood for purification, I might finally be able to cleanse a decent amount of filth.

The filth had spread far and wide, and the situation was growing worse with each passing moment.

Veerant frowned deeply, probably worried.

Very few Saints in the past had used blood for purification. Most used nothing or offered a lock of hair. Even though blood was the most effective, many people were against the idea of a Saint shedding blood.

For the knights, it was painful to see someone as noble as the Saint bleed.

Personally, I’d rather offer blood than hair.

After a moment of hesitation, Veerant sighed in resignation.

He reluctantly pulled out a small, well-polished dagger from his pocket.

When I drew the blade from its sheath, it was so well-maintained that I could see my reflection in it. It looked like it would cut cleanly.

Alright, time to get started. As I turned back to the statue, I realized there were a lot of things I hadn’t told Veerant yet.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d be unconscious, so I should probably tell him everything I could think of.

“I’ll definitely pass out, so I’m counting on you to carry me. I don’t know how long I’ll be out, but since I’ve already performed the funeral rites for Saint-sama, let Emilia handle the state funeral. Oh, and when Emilia’s mother’s health improves, let her stay in the inner sanctum. Also, keep the blood-offering thing a secret from everyone else.”

It’s not that I’m doing anything wrong, but I don’t want to cause unnecessary commotion.

The other knights, especially those who served the previous Saint, seem to have a very strong sense of devotion to her.

Veerant may not be as extreme, but he respects my decisions, and I appreciate that.

With that said, I turned back to the statue, clapped my hands together, and focused.

I don’t know how much I’ll be able to purify in one go, but I’ll do my best.

✢

When I purified the village, all I did was let my blood drip onto the sacred tree’s branches, but now I knew the proper ritual.

As I slowly recited the long sacred verses, the symbols on the floor began to glow and float around the room.

The White Room filled with various lights and shadows, big and small.

I grabbed the ones that needed to be purified and dropped them into the empty water basin in front of me, one after the other. The white basin, engraved with delicate patterns, reflected the lights and shadows, looking almost like a starry night sky.

By the time I had dropped most of them into the basin, sweat was pouring from my forehead.

Reciting the verses, grabbing the lights and shadows—all of it drained my sacred power. I could feel my immense reserves, which were supposed to be greater than those of most Saints in history, being gradually depleted.

As I had expected, it was exhausting.

I added the morning dew and sacred sake to the basin, stirring them with the sacred tree branch. The liquids dissolved smoothly, slightly thinning the darkness.

But the purification effect was still too weak.

With trembling hands, I picked up the dagger and cut the inside of my wrist.

Drops of crimson blood fell into the basin.

Along with the blood, my sacred power flowed out, purifying the darkness.

Now it was just a matter of how long my sacred power would last, but with this, I should be able to purify a significant amount.

“—With this offering, cleanse the filth…”

I barely managed to finish the sacred verse with trembling lips before a massive amount of sacred power was drained from me.

The blood was drawn into the basin, and I had to steady myself against the table to endure the pain.

The pain from the wound was nothing compared to the unbearable agony I felt. It was as if the blood and sacred power inside me were being forcibly ripped out, and a groan escaped my lips.

My vision flickered, and I knew I was close to passing out.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there like that.

At the same time a drop of sweat hit the floor, it suddenly happened.

The basin, filled with sacred power, overflowed with brilliant light. The light floated into the air, popping like soap bubbles, and then the room fell silent.

It seemed the ritual had ended successfully.

—Ah… damn… that was… tough…

As the tension left my body, so did my strength, and I started to collapse.

I wanted to brace myself, but I couldn’t move a single finger. It would hurt when I hit the floor, but it couldn’t be worse than the ritual.

Just as I was preparing for the impact, I felt strong arms catch me.

I had a feeling I knew who it was, but I was too far gone to think about it any further.