I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

10 – Help

Ariel closed her lips. What awaited her this time was her inauguration ceremony as the Duchess.

If she didn’t demonstrate her qualifications as a duchess at this inauguration ceremony, both Ceylaine and she herself would likely find themselves in an unfavorable situation.

Ariel took a deep breath and looked at Iden by her side.

“Are you nervous?”

Iden asked, looking at her. Ariel would have usually denied it, but this time, she couldn’t help but admit.

“Yes. Honestly, a lot. If I don’t show myself properly this time, I might face some trouble in the imperial social circles.”

She was like a newly hatched dragon. No matter how great the potential for growth, if exposed in a vulnerable state, she could end up dead.

Iden could see Ariel worrying about that. He stroked her head and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll do well. I believe in you.”

Upon hearing Iden’s words, Ariel finally smiled and said, “…even if it’s just words, I’m grateful.”

“Well, it’s not just words.”

Ariel and Iden said so, looking at each other, and then burst into laughter facing each other.

“Hahaha!”

Ariel, still smiling, wiped away tears.

“Thanks. I feel like the tension has lifted thanks to you.”

Iden hugged Ariel and said, “Don’t worry. It will surely… go well.”

Feeling that warmth, Ariel closed her eyes and said with a small smile, “Yes…”

Ariel stood before a multitude of people, making an effort to stand tall and gaze upon them with a straightened posture.

Mustn’t appear weak. Mustn’t seem foolish. Mustn’t be underestimated.

From now on, Ariel had the duty to fulfill the role of one of the five pillars supporting the empire.

Lost in such thoughts, Ariel was interrupted by the resonant murmurs of the crowd as an elderly man with determined and deeply etched wrinkles approached, his head adorned with white hair. Despite the wrinkles and aged skin, his back was unbent, and his gaze was more intense than any flame.

Clad in pure white garments, the old man walking with an expression of discontent was none other than the saint of the era.

“Tsk!”

The saint clicked his tongue upon seeing Ariel. Despite the tension brewing within Ariel, he forced a smile while bowing slightly.

“Well, well, a puppet of the times. A duke, they say. Those eyes staring at you seem quite malicious. Tsk, seems like even the nobles lack backbone these days.”

Ariel replied with a nod, bowing his head.

“I am truly grateful for you coming to bless my inauguration.”

The saint made a dismissive sound.

“Don’t bother. It’s not because you’re charming. Just fulfilling a request.”

Ariel maintained his unchanged expression.

“Still, the fact that a priest, a saint, came to bless my inauguration… that remains unchanged. Naturally, I am thankful.”

“Hmph, if not me, that irritating old hag, the pope, would have come. I just thought it better to step forward than witness that sight.”

The murmurs spread in all directions. It was a rare event for a saint to attend the inauguration of a mere noble, so rare that it was almost impossible to express.

“Well… I guess that’s everyone. Shall we begin the inauguration?”

The saint looked at Ariel and asked. Ariel nodded in response.

“Yes. It can be said so. Then…”

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“Alright. Let’s commence the inauguration.”

Ariel kneeled before the saint. The old man placed his hand on Ariel’s head and spoke.

“You, the lamb of God. Do you swear to act as a faithful servant of God at the forefront of those who follow you?”

“Yes.”

“Will you swear to become the shepherd who protects the lambs from the wicked?”

“Yes.”

“Will you swear to fulfill your duty, receiving the loyalty of those who follow you?”

“Yes.”

“Then, I have no more words for you.”

The saint scattered sanctity. As befitting one at the pinnacle of all priests, as the sanctity filled the entire hall of the mansion, the people roared in awe at this miraculous sight.

“You, the servant of God, the shepherd who tends to the flock, the master who fulfills duty. As you follow and believe in God, fulfill your duty, just as God blesses, protects, and redeems you.”

With just the saint’s words, a tremendous power was felt.

A refined form of language, an art that transformed the world. People realized that the saint’s words were commands imbued with the power of blessings.

The meaning behind the saint’s command was simple. For reasons unknown, the clergy would protect Syellane, the young Duke who could still be called a child.

With the saint declaring favor for the young Duke, those who had thought of escaping, deeming Syellane as a sinking ship, lost that thought.

As long as the saint declared support for the young Duke, Ariel would have enough time to solidify his position as a Duke.

Having finished the blessing, the saint removed his hand from Ariel’s head and walked steadily out of the mansion. Ariel smiled for a moment as she watched his retreating figure, then began receiving the oaths of loyalty from those present.

“Do you swear allegiance as my servant?”

“Yes, I swear.”

Thus, Ariel became a Duke in front of numerous witnesses.

…

The saint looked out the window as he headed towards his sanctuary.

In his mind, the voice from a few days ago, the voice of Edan Kainus, echoed.

“Please help Ariel, O saint.”

“Why are you suddenly coming here and talking nonsense?”

Certainly, just like any other ordinary morning, the saint was strolling through the garden when Edan Kainus suddenly appeared. And he made a request to the saint.

“If Ariel becomes a Duke like this, he will likely be attacked by the Imperial Faction. And in nine out of ten cases, compared to the past, the power will weaken, or in really severe cases, the entire family might face a crisis.”

Having spoken to the priest in that manner, Edan Kainus took a moment to catch his breath before opening his mouth again.

So, we need the help of the Saint. Just by stating at Ariel’s inauguration that you stand by her side, she won’t have to face such a situation.

In response, the Saint had tilted his head and said, “No, why would I?”

Eden Kainus pressed on, “Aren’t you concerned that the balance is shifting towards the Imperial faction with the collapse of the five major noble families’ regime that has been maintained so far?”

“I am neither Imperial nor Rebel, and I really don’t care. So, if you want to convince me, bring something different. I have no interest in the stories of nobles meddling in politics and causing trouble.”

Then, boldly, Eden Kainus said, “If you were to tell a story that might attract the Saint… a chance to show that by aiding Ariel, she could survive, and you wielded significant influence in the political arena.”

“?”

“Recently, the position of the clergy has been slowly declining. Wouldn’t you be concerned? So, helping Ariel, who can demonstrate that the clergy still has considerable power, would be more than enough.”

The realm of the clergy had changed from the past. No longer did scriptures signify absolute guidance for humanity, and the power of the clergy had weakened over time, unlike before.

“…Still, I don’t want to get involved in politics.”

In the Saint’s voice as he said this, there was a hint of hesitation. Eden didn’t let go and continued, “If not the Saint, the Pope will do. I’m sure he is deeply concerned about the status of the clergy.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’ll say it again, this could be the opportunity for people to turn back to the clergy. Rather than letting the Pope take the representative status of the clergy into his hands, it would be better for the Saint to represent the clergy and showcase its power.”

Ultimately persuaded, the Saint, at Eden Kainus’s request, deliberately gave a blessing to Ariel Cielline, allowing her to be acknowledged in front of others in the most splendid manner.

In the end, it was none other than Eden Kainus who saved Ariel. Even though Ariel herself might not be aware.

Thinking so, the Saint recalled Eden Kainus’s final response.

“Why go to such lengths? Honestly, instead of dragging me into this, it would be easier to just abandon that Cielline’s child. Why go through all this trouble?”

Without a moment of hesitation, Eden just smiled and said, “Because she’s your fiancée.”