With the promise of the Archbishop’s support, I was launched back into reality. I attempted to reel myself together at the sudden transition, making a fool of myself. The snickering gaze of the man drilled into me.
“You two were quick,” Uriel raised her head. “Did the Archbishop do anything to you, Luke?”
Her eyes were calmer but still contained a hidden disdain for her father.
“The archbishop didn’t ask for much, nothing you need to worry about,” I shook my hands to lessen her worries.
“Ahem.” The Archbishop clapped his hands, “The real reason I’ve brought you here, Uriel, is this.”
He opened the palm of his hand revealing a chic pocket watch.
“I order you to hold onto this divine relic until we manage our internal affairs,” He let out a regretful smile.
“Is it Cardinal Peter?” Uriel asked.
“Unfortunately, he’s only one of our current issues at the moment. There’s a lot more problems we don’t show to the outside world, so I ask not just you, but also Luke, to protect this until we’ve sorted everything out.” The Archbishop explained with deep eye bags.
Uriel reached out to his hand, following his request. At that moment, I used my Outer Eyes to view the clock’s description.
[Eternity’s Clock] (Z-)
- One of the five divine relics Eien has bestowed the world during the perilous period of the Great War a thousand years ago.
- The relic chooses its owner in a time of need, displaying its true value.
[Effects are unable to be viewed until it’s true form is revealed.]
‘Hmmm…’
The description matches what I’ve heard on the forum, so at least something is familiar.
“Is there something bothering you, young one?” The archbishop bore a troubled complexion.
“Sorry, I spaced out for a second. It’d be an honour to be of help to the Pope,” I apologised for the silence.
“I thank you for this unreasonable request, may the two of you be safe under the watch of Eien,” He prayed for our sakes.
I nodded, “We will see you later–”
“Wait, Luke, are you sure about this?” Uriel questioned me, disrupting the farewell.
I turned my head toward her father’s direction, observing the fear in his face. It was an amusing sight, but also pitiful.
“Yeah, we’re friends anyway,” I let out words to release the father’s mental agony.
Uriel created a graceful smile in response, clasping my hand. I tilted my head at the action until she started murmuring something that resembled the prayers she’s recited countless times. The next second, the Archbishop suddenly stood up with a trembling in his legs.
“Ur- Uriel, is that truly what you wish to do?” He stuttered with a slack jaw.
Confirming her intentions, Uriel continued her ritual like murmuring while holding her right hand over my own. I stared at her in silence, contemplating her decision.
‘If I’m correct in my thinking, isn’t this the same ritual the reason why I hired a high-ranking priest every play through?’
In the game, when playing as a priest, there was a famous permanent buff who could propel any ally to an immense height of strength in the most dangerous times.
The penalty, however…
“My daughter, this will be the only time Eien can grant such a blessing. Yet… it seems she’s made up her mind. Luke, please, do remember my request,” The archbishop reminded me in a tone of resignation.
I pitied him, being unable to protect his own daughter.
‘But, I’m here! So no need to worry, I need her to live, and so does this world!’
With that thought, Uriel’s chant had ended. Accordingly, a warm light pierced the porcelain ceilings, descending upon our overlapping hands.
“I bestow Luke, the divine right to withstand death in the name of our Goddess Eien,” Uriel murmured such words with cloudy eyes.
The divine light expanded, then brightened, only to condense to a focal point on her and my hand.
“Do you accept this blessing?” Uriel lifted her lowered head, staring at my chest.
I gulped, as those eyes seemed to envelop my entire being. “Yes, I accept.”
The light imploded, creating a miniature flashbang.
I covered my eyes with my left hand and heard the words of the Archbishop. “There’s nothing else to say, you two may go.”
The pressure on my right hand lessened as the light dissipated.
“Luke, let’s go,” Uriel spoke with a false strength.
Her physique seemed shaky as if she had overworked her body to a great extent. In truth, I felt more than just a bit guilty.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Uriel,” I muttered
“Hmm?”
I bowed with enthusiasm, “Thanks for being a great friend.”
“Eh- No problem?” Uriel received my gratefulness awkwardly. “Wait, just a ‘great friend?’”
That would do for now, even though I couldn’t make out her subdued ramblings.
Having exited the Archbishop’s office, the world transfigured similarly to his other dimension. I had the urge to hurl up everything in the contents of my stomach.
“I guess Father wanted us home as soon as possible,” Uriel mumbled in the changing surroundings.
Within that short moment, our eyes revealed the school’s courtyard.
“Thanks for today Luke, despite some of the interruptions.” Uriel played with a lock of her blonde hair.
“It’s nothing, and honestly what you granted me is worth more than my entire being,” I rebuked her words.
“Hmph- you need to learn when to back down,” Uriel frowned but quickly smiled again after waving goodbye.
‘I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that one before.’ I thought while scratching my head.
“See you later!” She exclaimed from a far distance.
I wondered what she meant but I didn’t have the privilege of thinking for long. The sky was already orange, which meant only one thing. I don’t know how she does it, but…
“You’re late,” The cold breath of the demon king’s daughter blew past my ears.
“Yes ma’am—“
“Ouch!” I rubbed my head, “Was there a need for that?”
“No, but don’t call me that again,” Erin frowned.
Again, I was dragged into the pits of battle. The gym was practically a second home to me now, or even a second dojo. The way I was beat brought back painful memories.
-x-
“Fuck… is it impossible to not beat me into submission every time?” I cussed out.
“I heard of a famous western saying, no pain, no gain, which I agree with wholeheartedly,” Erin coldy responded to my pain.
“Even with enhancing my regeneration speed, it takes a whole five minutes to even stand after we fight,” I complained, wiping away my sweat. “Today, I doubt even ten would be enough.”
The breaths I took sent signals of pain to my body, meaning my ribs were probably in bad shape too. My arms were made to be black and blue, and my stomach couldn’t feel pain anymore.
“Seriously, did something happen to you today?” I mused, “Possibly, someone shit in your breakfast?”
Her beatings were never this rough.
“Similar,” Erin replied.
I pushed for more, “Would you mind elaborating?”
“Yes, but…” Erin took a look at my pitiable state. “Since we’re friends, I’ll tell you.”
“Oh, I am nothing but honoured to be the one and only demon king’s daughter’s friend!” I was exasperated by such an act on the ground.
At that moment, a sword embedded itself next to my head.
“I said nothing,” I murmured in defeat.
Leaving my hands hanging above myself, Erin gulped a heap of fresh air. She glanced between both me and the ground with a scrunched-up face.
“Today, I saw Fen and Luna talking closely.”
…
My face sank, “Are you serious?”
Another sword embedded itself on my left side.
“Noted, sorry,” I shut my mouth as I saw her faint blush.
‘No kidding though, what the fuck? I thought everything was going just fine! You’re not supposed to like anyone unless…’
“Unless… shit.”
“What’d you say?” Erin glared at me.
‘How could I have forgotten? It literally says in the build guidelines for most warrior walkthroughs! Their compatibility is amongst the highest out of all possible character relationships. Similar qualities, similar strengths, and most importantly, they’re both battle junkies.’
If she and Fen were to become an item, not only would Luna crash out, but his growth could be completely circumvented. How am I supposed to kill the revived demon king without his power?
Honesty at this point of our friendship, there’s only one real way to go about this. The way my old friends tried to get me out of my first relationship, I’ll do it here.
I started with a question, “Erin, can I say one thing, as a good friend of yours and a best friend of Fen’s?”
“What?” She stared at me with a stern face.
“Give up on him, the sea is blessed with many other fish,” I advised her with all my heart.
The atmosphere froze as soon as I spoke such words.
“No matter how much I want to kill you right now… there’s a reason you’re saying this isn’t there?” Erin’s veins bulged with malice.
“I might not be qualified to speak on the matters of the heart, but Fen is already—“
Erin shook her head, “I get it.”
“Then please—“
“If you’re the one telling me to get over it, take responsibility,” Erin turned away, but her ears burned red.
“Pick it both up,” She pointed at the two real swords next to me.
I laughed, “Haha, I could die you know!”
“That’s the point,” Erin grinned in pure evil.
“…”
Now that I remember, the last time I met Fen… he was at a party with Erin. I didn’t notice it, but thinking back on it, they were also pretty close before this week. They were the first two to approach me after the initial class with Haruto.
Since they were so easy to pair together, it also fuelled my desire to play as the warrior path before I died.
“H- hey!” A voice called out from behind. “I knew it, I couldn’t trust her! Luke, get back!”
The frilly new robes they bought today fluttered in front of me.
‘So that’s what she meant by later… wait no, this might be bad!’
“Uriel, it’s just a spar, nothing more,” I tried to calm her down.
She ran up to me appraising my wounds, “What do you mean! Look at yourself, you’re hardly alive!”
“Well, what can I say? No pain, no gain,” I muttered a stolen phrase.
Erin’s eyes displayed a glint of pride at my comment.
“Argh! I shouldn’t have left you alone with this- this… cunning vixen!” Uriel shouted words I could have never expected.
“Eh?” Erin’s jaw dropped at the accusation. “V- vixen?”
“I’ve heard of this type of person before from Sasha! The types who- who enjoy hurting others for pleasure!” Uriel’s mouth moved at lightning speed. “There’s no doubt about it, every time you come back from these spars you have a creepy smile on your face!”
“Creepy… smile…?” An incomprehensible look of self-doubt formed on Erin’s face.
“Your entire personality is creepy, including the way you look at Fen! I can sometimes see drool when you do!”
By this point, Erin had lost in the battle of the minds.
“Pfft- Bahahahah!” My previous angst disappeared.
Whether or not the world was doomed, it didn’t matter at that moment. Simply put, I lost my shit.