The Soldier and The Novelist

And The Saint Pointed North

The room was located on the top floor of the reception hall. Upon opening the ornate oak door that exuded the charm of the middle ages in the eastern continent, we stepped into a rather spacious room. Numerous pieces of expensive-looking furniture filled the space, and an impressive chandelier hung from the ceiling, embodying the essence of the facility itself. The opposite side of the entrance was lined with windows, creating a particularly bright atmosphere.

Against the sunlight, a small figure sat on a chair by the window, forming a silhouette. However, a thin white veil hung from the ceiling, obscuring its appearance. Literally, only the silhouette was visible.

“She is said to have predicted the future.” I suddenly recalled Hugh’s words from some time ago.

That silhouette was the miraculous saint of this country, said to be one of only a few. Although I had acted as if I wasn’t interested in the saint in front of Hugh the other day, it was quite nerve-wracking to see her in person.

However, the novelist standing in front of me was surprisingly calm and collected, completely different from before entering the hall. With a gentle smile on her lips, she seemed to have switched on her social switch, which was apparent.

“My Lady Havandia, Madam Forester and her attendant have arrived.”

Upon our entrance to the room, Vilatis knelt down respectfully, and the figure behind the veil trembled momentarily.

“Y-yes!” The voice of a young girl could be faintly heard from behind the veil, her tone quivering slightly.

“U-um, my name is Havandia. Thank you very much for coming today.”

After a halting sentence, the figure then rose from her seat and bowed deeply, surprising me. It seemed as though the saint herself was more anxious than us, who had come to see her.

The novelist, on the other hand, appeared accustomed to such situations, gracefully lifting the hem of her skirt and bowing her head.

“Thank you kindly for extending the invitation. My name is Bardalon Ladymel Forester”

“N-no, thank you!” The saint expressed her gratitude once more, with a hint of emotion in her voice that sounded more touched than nervous.

“Um, sorry. I invited you here, but I couldn’t meet you in person. Before the festival, according to the rules, I’m not allowed to show my face to others…”

“I understand. Although it is regrettable, I sincerely look forward to seeing you, my lady, at the independence festival.” The novelist replied fluently.

“Yes, please take a seat.” The saint sighed with relief, gesturing for the novelist to sit down in the chair.

The novelist bowed quietly and took a seat facing the saint. Once the guests were settled, the saint behind the veil resumed her seat. As expected, there was no chair for me. After all, I was just a servant and had no claim to one.

To avoid drawing attention, I let out a small sigh and stood silently behind the novelist. I must have looked like a faithful aide to any onlooker, standing upright next to my master. It was a sight I certainly didn’t want Gold or anyone else to witness.

The saint spoke up first. “I heard that you were able to come to Ixlaha. I really wanted to meet with you, Professor Forester. I apologize for my selfishness in asking you to come here.”

“No, there is not a single person in this country who would not consider it an honor to be summoned by the saint. I’m grateful for being given the opportunity.”

“I’m a big fan of your books, Professor!” The saint’s words were filled with even more joy than before. “I’ve read The Monk’s Tale so many times, I’ve lost count. I’m truly happy to meet you today. Um, could you sign my book later?”

Finally, it made sense why a meeting between the novelist and the miraculous saint had taken place. It was apparently the strong desire of the saint. Even though she was a saint, she was still a teenager at the end of the day. Given that even book-loving Hugh was influenced by her, it’s not surprising that the novelist captured the hearts of so many young girls.

The novelist answered with a calm smile, “I feel fortunate that you have read my work, my lady. If my signature alone suffices, I am willing to provide as many as you wish. In fact, I have brought the sequel to the series with me today, in case it pleases you.”

“Is that true?!” The saint’s voice raised in excitement. It was slightly strained, as if she was taken aback.

“Although it is still a draft awaiting proofreading by the publisher, I would deeply appreciate your honest feedback on it, my lady, if you are willing to share your thoughts.”

“Oh, how wonderful! I never expected to be able to read your unpublished work, professor!”

I could tell through the veil that the saint was standing up and clasping her hands together. I wondered if it was really something to be so happy about. I couldn’t understand it at all.

After that, the saint and the novelist continued to discuss topics that were beyond my comprehension. The saint gave her impressions of the work, the novelist provided commentary, and the saint exclaimed in admiration. It was a repeated cycle.

To be honest, it was painful to listen to their conversation in silence. I couldn’t understand anything they were saying. It would have been easier to chase after lost pets in back alleys than to try to understand their discussion.

As I looked at Vilatis, who was standing next to me, I noticed that she, too, was standing erect and motionless with her eyes closed. However, unlike me, her expression remained cool and composed. Perhaps it was due to her daily mental training.

“Well professor, it seems that you also enjoy reading Hal Ellis’s work.”

“Yes. He is one of the authors I am currently most interested in. Although his work is somewhat difficult to understand, the fusion of futuristic and super-scientific elements with innovative storytelling makes me feel the potential for new forms of literature.”

“Come to think of it, Ellis himself referred to his work as ‘fantasy futuristic fables.’ Whenever I read his work, I always daydream about whether such things could become a reality in the future.”

“I completely understand what you mean, my lady. His work has such convincing power that it makes you believe that those things could be realized.”

“Yes, that’s true! Especially the vehicle that can reverse time, just imagining it makes me so excited!”

“I am surprised that you’ve read that work as well. Although the author is talented, he is not yet widely known.”

“Just because I’m a saint doesn’t mean I always have special duties to attend to… Honestly, I have plenty of free time.”

“I’m impressed by my lady’s diligence and passion for reading.”

“Reading books is my source of nourishment for the soul, you see,” said the saint, giggling as if she was pleased to be praised by her favorite author.

If I heard only her laugh, she would have seemed like any other town girl. I would doubt whether the ‘miracle’ of predicting the future, approved by the Holy See, was actually just a coincidence.

“Oh, it’s already this late.” The saint murmured regretfully. She looked at the clock on the table and saw that thirty minutes had passed. Apparently, the meeting’s end time had arrived.

“Fun times always seem to end quickly.”

“My sincerest gratitude for the rare and invaluable time I had today, Lady Havandia.”

The saint shook her head behind her veil at the novelist’s words. “That was my line, Professor Forester. It was truly a dream-like time. I’ll definitely read your novel.”

“I’m humbled.” The novelist bowed with a gentle smile, but her face showed some nervousness.

“Then, my lady, if it’s not too presumptuous of me…”

“Yes, I understand, professor.” The saint answered, holding back her words. The novelist seemed relieved to hear it.

“Could you please pass the item to the professor, Vilatis?”

“Understood.” Vilithis, who was called, opened the safe near the room and took out a large white envelope with the Holy See’s emblem on its surface.

The novelist’s real purpose was probably this. It was likely one of the ‘proofs’ obtained by a refugee soldier who had fled from the mysterious city of Evilshaw mentioned in the novelist’s story. Once confiscated by the government, it’s impossible to obtain such an item under normal circumstances. However, the novelist tried to obtain it by using the privilege of the saint as an intermediary. That was the real purpose of this meeting.

The novelist stood up and received the envelope from Vilatis.

“I sincerely appreciate it, Lady Havandia.”

“If it helps with your creativity, it’s my pleasure to assist.” The saint’s voice sounded genuinely pleased, as if it came from the bottom of her heart.

“Have you read it as well, my lady?”

“No, I haven’t. Professor, are you going to use it as material for your next work? It would be a shame to read it beforehand.”

“I made a copy. The original is in the Holy See’s investigation room,” Vilatis answered. “Items collected from refugees are generally treated as confidential documents in principle. It is only because of the privileges of the saint that this is an exception. Please make good use of it, Professor Forester.”

The novelist could sense the unspoken message in Vilatis’ eyes that said “be grateful!”

The novelist nodded in understanding. “I humbly express my gratitude for this favor. Rest assured, my lady, that I promise to write the next work in a manner that will meet your expectations,” said the confident novelist.

Her grandiloquence was extreme to say the least, but it was strangely convincing.

“I am looking forward to it, Professor Forester. Thank you again for today,” said the saint.

“I sincerely hope that good fortune follows you, my lady.”

“May the grace—” As the usual farewell line from the church was about to be said, the saint’s words came to a halt. The novelist looked puzzled, while Vilatis appeared taken aback by the sudden pause.

Of course, the saint’s expression was impossible to read. But for some reason, I felt her gaze piercing through the cloth. She wasn’t looking at the novelist or the female knight, but at me.

“You… Could it be…” Her voice trailed off, tinged with surprise before falling silent. Somehow, I knew she had closed her eyes behind the veil.

Suddenly, a tense atmosphere filled the space, as if speaking was taboo. The silence was so strong it almost felt like tinnitus. However, when the tension reached its peak, it gradually relaxed like the ebbing of the tide.

In the still air, the saint spoke slowly and politely. “I beg your pardon, may I ask you something… Sir Sword?”

At the mention of my name, both the novelist and I were stunned. I hadn’t introduced myself since entering this room. Neither had the novelist nor Vilatis. Nevertheless, the saint had undoubtedly just spoken my name.

As we became increasingly disturbed, the saint continued with some hesitation. “I apologize if this request is an inconvenience… But I feel compelled to speak with you…”

As someone who was ordered to strictly refrain from talking by my client, I hesitated to respond. I looked at the novelist just to be sure, and she nodded once with a suspicious look on her face. Apparently, permission to speak had been granted.

“What is it—Um, may I ask what the matter is, my lady?” I replied, feeling a little frustrated with my unaccustomed use of polite language. The novelist sitting in front of me nervously shot me a glare.

After a brief silence, the saint opened her mouth again. “First, please allow me to apologize. Um, for having peeped into your past and future without permission.”

“My past and future…?” I muttered unconsciously.

I knew from Hugh’s story that she could predict the future, but it was news to me that she could also look into the past.

It seemed that the novelist was just as surprised as I was, and she asked eagerly, “Excuse me, my lady. May I ask if you have the ability to read not only the future but also the past?”

“Um…” The small figure paused for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully, before nodding. “Strictly speaking, what I can read is the line of time, or rather… the line of fate written in the book called the world. It shows what kind of path has been taken up until now and what kind of results will be reached in the future. Yes, it’s like what the novelist Hal Ellis talked about… The Akashic Records was it?”

The novelist was stunned and took over the conversation. “I can’t believe my lady can read that!”

“Indeed,” the saint nodded firmly. “The Holy See refers to my power as foresight, but what I’m capable of seeing goes beyond just the future of the world; it encompasses the history of the world as well.”

The novelist’s eyes sparkled with admiration and intense curiosity. The heat in her eyes was the same as when she was talking about the incident in the ruined city yesterday.

“That’s amazing. I thought it was just a concept in Ellis’s fiction, but I never thought it could actually happen.”

Under the novelist’s envious gaze, the saint lowered her shoulders in embarrassment. “Um, well, it’s only visible occasionally, and it’s not something I can consciously do. I only happened to see it by chance, even now…”

On the other hand, I had no clue about what they were discussing. The world’s book, the line of fate, the Akashic Records, everything that they spoke of went over my head without sticking. However, there was one thing I wanted to know.

“What did you see?” I asked, abandoning the use of formal language. The novelist glared at me, but I paid no attention.

“Umm…” The saint hesitated for a moment before speaking from behind her veil. Without realizing it, I had taken a step closer to her.

“It’s okay. Please, answer me.”

In response to my earnest plea, the saint remained silent for a moment. Eventually, as if she had made a decision, she raised her face.

“You must have gone through a lot of suffering.” Her words were filled with mourning and pity.

I was rendered speechless.

It was as if an eagle had seized my heart, rendering me unable to deny or affirm anything.

She knew.

She understood.

Everything about me.

About what I had done.

“What does it mean…?” The novelist interjected, but the saint’s voice that followed was filled with a stern will and strictness.

“I apologize, professor, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to delve into the details of the past at this time and place. For now, please allow me to tell you only about the future. It is likely that the future holds significant importance not just for you, Sir Sword, but for the entirety of world history.”

Both the novelist and I were at a loss for words in the face of such a sudden turn of events.

The history of the world.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Is this also a story from the novel of Forester or Ellis?

Why would my future be involved in such an extravagant thing?

However, the saint’s voice did not show the lack of confidence that she had shown just before. There was an unwavering conviction in her words.

“You’re heading north from here.”

At that announcement, I involuntarily held my breath. She was right.

“As you venture to the edge of this country, you will confront a beast. A symbol of your own destiny, powerful and deeply rooted. Your fate will not be resolved until death claims one of you, and the world will not tolerate this fate to persist any longer.”

In the face of that proclamation, the novelist placed her chin in her hand and looked down, lost in thought. Her profile was slightly sweaty.

“Death claims one of you…” Her murmured words, which were probably unconsciously spoken, seemed to fall into my chest and make a hollow sound.

We will be heading north from here, without a doubt. Our journey will take us to the farthest corners of the Papal States of Yunaria, all the way to Evilshaw Mountain. It’s inevitable that we’ll encounter the beast, an invincible monster that cannot be killed even by piercing its heart with a sword.

The only way to end that fate is for one of us to die.

“So,” I couldn’t help but ask, “What will happen to me?”

The saint shook her head, but it wasn’t a denial. “I’m sorry… I couldn’t see what lies beyond that point either.”

The shadow of the apologetic saint bowed her head again. Seeing her like that, I let out a sigh. It was a sigh of resignation, more than disappointment.

I never know the crucial things.

“I’m not trying to make excuses, but that’s probably the turning point of the world. It’s an area beyond limits, where not even the Akashic Records can be recorded, and fate can’t intervene. Paradoxically, that choice will surely be made by the power of will alone.”

Despite her use of grandiose words, I couldn’t grasp their significance. It was only natural since what connection could there be between a former mercenary and the turning point of the world? It was unfathomable, beyond anyone’s imagination.

“I apologize for my shortcomings. I couldn’t see everything about you… But, there is one thing I wish for you, coming from someone who has seen a part of you…”

The saint’s shadow lifted its face.

“Please return safely. That’s when your life will truly begin. That’s why…”

The saint’s words trailed off, but the sincerity in her voice was clear. I found myself unconsciously bowing my head in response.

“Thank you kindly for your insights and kind words…” These stiff words inadvertently escaped my lips.