Chapter 25
— Ministry of Clergy, Relief Bureau
“Chief Clerk Chris, what’s the status of the healer we discussed?”
The bureau director asked Chris.
“You mean the treatment for Count Benelli’s second son, who fell off his horse? I’ve already sent Elios.”
Chris flipped through the ledger.
“He has a broken leg, but Elios should have no trouble treating him.”
Chris answered matter-of-factly, but could barely contain a laugh inside.
I never imagined the day would come when I’d be assigned to the Relief Bureau.
The Relief Bureau was responsible for assigning healers to all requests.
It had the authority to decide when to send someone and whom to send to influential figures.
It was the perfect stage for me.
—And it was all thanks to finding Noah.
No one could lay a hand on Noah while he was training.
But I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. I had to be extremely careful not to let anyone else get their hooks into Noah.
“The younger generation has been making remarkable progress lately. We’ll be able to spread knowledge of God’s mercy even further.”
The administrator nodded, looking pleased.
“It must be thanks to the Lord’s guidance.”
Chris replied quietly.
“I’m sure that’s part of it. But I hear a child you discovered—Noah, was it?—has also had a great influence.”
The bureau director turned his gaze toward Chris.
“Apparently, Noah is still devoting himself wholeheartedly to training to raise his Rank. And I hear he even saved a holy knight who was on the brink of death the other day. You did well to find him.”
“It is all thanks to the Lord’s protection.”
Chris said, grinning to himself.
—Noah would have to keep working for the Church from now on.
◇
I turned ten.
Ever since then, I’d been making the rounds of the liches on the fourth floor and the Death Knights on the third.
If I wanted to raise my Rank, the liches were ideal since I could take on so many. And for martial training, no monster could beat a Death Knight.
I’d also tried challenging the vampires on the fifth floor, but they were merely difficult to kill and offered little reward.
【Name】Noah
【Rank】IV
【Magic Power】S+
【Skill】Appraisal Life Magic Mana Control Magic Imbuement High-Speed Thinking Observation Staffsmanship The Way of the Staff
【Magic】Heal Cure Enhance Life Steal Resurrection Calm Life Protection
—I’d only gone up one Rank.
But I’d never seen anyone else at Rank IV. Perhaps that was enough for now.
As usual, I returned my equipment and handed in the magic stones at the offering station.
The priest quietly finished entering the details in the ledger, then slowly turned to face me.
“Noah, today marks your five hundredth consecutive day of offerings—and so, I grant you the Title of Saint of Light.”
The priest fixed his gaze on mine.
“And today marks the end of your Rank-up training. The Lord must have witnessed your devotion. You’ve done well.”
There was unmistakable respect and warmth in the priest’s gaze as he looked at me.
“Once you’ve received your token in the sacristy, cleanse yourself and wait for someone to escort you.”
I did as I was told and headed for the sacristy.
“So today’s the last day, Noah. You didn’t take a single day off, in the end.”
Baldo shrugged and let out a small, rueful laugh.
Then he set a cloth-wrapped bundle and a black wooden box on the counter.
“This cassock is from Priest Chris.”
Baldo pointed to the cloth-wrapped bundle.
“And this is your token for the Title of Saint of Light. Go on, open it.”
He pushed the black wooden box toward me.
I undid the silver clasp and opened the lid. Resting inside the velvet-lined box was a stole.
It was embroidered with thorns and rays of light in gold against a black background.
“It’s rare for anyone to be given one of those. You should be proud.”
Baldo said with a smile.
But the next moment, his expression grew unusually solemn, and he recited a verse in a serious voice.
“The Lord’s light is more than mere power; it shines for those it reaches in their hearts. May it illuminate your path, too.”
I nodded without a word.
—For the past five years, I’d raised my Rank and played the part of a devout believer.
I’d gained both people’s trust and a Title.
Up to this point, I’d managed things pretty well, hadn’t I?
The thought brought a faint smile to my lips.
I gathered up the bundle and box I’d received and headed to the washbasin.
In the shadow of a thick stone pillar, a long stone basin had been carved along the wall.
I set my things in a niche, then stripped off my grimy robe.
I soaked the provided hemp cloth in cold water, wrung it out, and wiped myself down.
I scrubbed away every trace of the underground filth that had clung to my skin for two years.
I dipped my fingers into the cold water of the basin and carefully scraped the underground residue from beneath my nails.
It was a process of remaking myself, down to my fingertips, from a stern ascetic into a pure healer.
Finally, I poured water over my head, washed my hair, and carefully dried it.
With practiced hands, I loosely braided my long blond hair.
I donned the high-collared cassock and buttoned it up to my throat.
I tucked two medals and a lich’s magic stone, which I planned to smuggle out, into the pouch at my waist.
To finish, I pulled on a pure white silk alb and draped the magnificent stole diagonally over my left shoulder.
—Perfect.
Having fashioned myself into the flawless 'ideal healer,' I climbed the stairs leading to the surface.
I left the underground chapel.
I squinted in the sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in two years.
A priest came toward me from the other end of the corridor.
—It was Chris.
“Noah, it’s been a long time. You’ve certainly lived up to my expectations.”
Chris smiled as he glanced at the stole draped over my shoulder.
“Your work has become the talk of the Grand Cathedral. Thanks to you, things have gotten much easier for me, too.”
Chris grinned.
“Next, I’ll have you put your talents to work on a much grander stage. Come with me.”
I followed Chris as he turned and walked away.
The jewels set lavishly in his clothes shone as brightly as the sunlight.
—Looks like Chris had been doing well for himself, too.
I let out a quiet sigh.