Day Of Tribulation (2)

The arena was somewhat cleared up.

The guards bound Kraf and Cecilia and temporarily confined them in the arena’s stables. Then Thomas stepped onto the stage to conduct the final proceedings of the coronation.

Now the formal coronation speech resumed.

Christoph’s powerful voice echoed throughout the arena.

“Thus, the internal enemies, the flowers of treason and betrayal, have been uprooted before they could even bloom! Yet their vile schemes have already spread to countless duchies, so all must tremble in fear at the wings of our Duchy of Nastrand!”

Countless eyes turned toward Christoph. The majority of the remaining Knights and Guards, scattered throughout the arena, restrained excited participants and seated them while gazing at their supreme commander.

“However, now that our plans have been revealed, we must not give the Grandelvald Duchy time to prepare! I know and trust more than anyone the blood and sweat our proud Knights and Guards have shed for this day. Tomorrow at dawn! We shall march toward glory while all is asleep, so let everyone revel in the eve of that glory!”

To all but the few high-ranking officers already informed, this was truly a bolt from the blue. The Knights, Guards, and countless others attending the coronation were thrown into confusion by this sudden call to march.

“Our footsteps will awaken Nordenheim, and our cries will rouse the souls of the heroes sleeping in the ancient lands we lost.

“The rough hooves of our horses will trample our enemies, and our sharp swords and spears will tear their banners and establish a new justice. All that we gain there, I shall distribute to those who join this war!”

Christoph surveyed the crowd.

“This Nastrand Duchy, a symbol of Nordenheim, shall now rise as the greatest of all duchies, carrying the pride of this nation on its back! And I will ensure that everyone here can proudly tell their descendants they witnessed the dawn of a glorious era with their own eyes!”

Clang!!!

The Lord’s sword was drawn.

“I swear before this sword, I, Christoph Lisberget, will stand at the forefront of every battlefield and swing the first blade! I ask you, will you follow, O Knights! O Guards! Will you follow, O people of Nastrand!”

“Waaaaaaah!!!!!!!!”

A tremendous roar erupted.

This coronation speech and declaration that captivated all was not something Christoph had prepared in advance, nor was it something the Duchess had written and made him memorize.

The Duchess, moved to tears, gazed at her gallant son’s back, while the entire crowd, in a frenzy of excitement, waved hats, gloves, or anything they could grab, shouting until their throats gave out.

The knights and guards pounded their chests and raised their weapons to the sky, answering the call.

‘Lord Christoph…’

Among the silent choir of Holy Sisters, Lyset gazed at his gallant figure with reddened eyes.

The coming-of-age ceremony concluded simply, and bread, cookies, and silver coins prepared by the castle were distributed to all. As the guards assisted with the orderly exit of attendees, Thomas stepped up among the silent priests and Holy Sisters.

Everyone looked at Thomas with expressions of uncertainty. Most of them were born and raised in the Nastrand Duchy.

Thus, Kraf and Cecilia’s plot of treason brought immense betrayal and disillusionment.

However, the sight of the two, who had been like a father and mother of faith commanding absolute loyalty and obedience for so long, being arrested and imprisoned also sparked anger among the clergy.

The fear that the people of the duchy would no longer regard them with respect, gratitude, or admiration, but instead with scorn, ridicule, and anger, was also undeniable.

Thomas quietly met the complex emotions reflected in everyone’s eyes.

His mouth opened heavily.

“The servants of the Lord shall do the Lord’s work. I urge you all to reflect on the Word regarding what has happened and to use prayer as an opportunity for self-discipline. We merely look to the Lord and follow His Word.”

At that moment, a priest stood up indignantly.

“Looking to the Lord is the Lord’s work, and the Lord’s work is above worldly matters! We…”

Thomas’s eyes quietly fixed on the priest.

“Priest Hamel, are you saying we are above worldly people, that we are better than them?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Thomas let out a sigh. No one could know the extent of the trials or the depth of the anguish he had endured to reach this resolve.

Even if he became a “puppet” high priest under the orders of the duchy’s ruler, the knight commander, and the guard commander, if this incident allowed the cathedral to return to its rightful place, his “betrayal” of Kraf and Cecilia would be worthwhile.

Turning his gaze from the priest who could not continue, Thomas spoke as if addressing everyone.

“Let the Church be true to the Church, priests true to priests, and Holy Sisters true to Holy Sisters… Let us not forget our duties. Though I have become the interim high priest, I will always be your brother, sharing in your pain and endurance.”

At that moment, a Holy Sister cautiously raised her hand. It was Adelin.

“What is it, Holy Sister?”

“Well, as Lord Christoph, no, Duke Christoph said earlier, if everything done under Father Kraf is invalid, what happens to the status of the Holy Sisters?”

Thomas let out another deep sigh.

“All priests and Holy Sisters who entered the church after Father Kraf’s appointment as high priest have had their ordinations nullified. Of course, we must quickly consult the Papal See regarding the procedures for transfer and reordination, but according to church law, you must now return to secular life. However, those who choose to continue as priests or Holy Sisters will remain in the church as before, and I, Thomas, will recognize their priesthood and sisterhood.”

“So… does that mean we can go back, pack our things, and head home right away?”

It was a bold question, typical of Adelin.

Thomas’s face flushed.

“Indeed. Rather, it would be better for everyone if someone like you, full of worldly desires, were not in the convent.”

Unfazed by the sarcasm, Adelin cheered and embraced Iselin. Exclamations and joyful cheers erupted here and there. They were all people who had been forced into the clergy for the sake of their family’s honor, against their own will.

Those who had to stay looked at the cheering group with disdainful eyes.

“Now, let everyone return. Holy Sister Helga will take charge of the Holy Sisters, and I will take charge of the priests. Senior priests and Holy Sisters, let us meet in the meeting room after tonight’s mass to discuss the path forward.”

His conscience would not allow him to enter the high priest’s office on such a day.

Having returned from home, Morten arrived at the arena with Fynel, commanding the Knights and Guards to assist with the conclusion and cleanup of the coronation.

As the priests and Holy Sisters withdrew last, Christoph approached the choir’s platform.

“Holy Sister Lyset!”

“Ah!”

Several Holy Sisters looked back and forth between Christoph and Lyset.

“What does Holy Sister Lyset plan to do?”

The sight of him casually addressing a Holy Sister, Christoph’s voice and actions proving once again the completely changed world, caused Holy Sister Helga’s expression to contort.

Receiving Christoph’s question, Lyset looked down at the floor with a flushed face. Everyone around her stopped.

“Please, please call me Lyset from now on. I’m no longer a Holy Sister as of this moment.”

Lyset quietly stepped back from the group.

Holy Sister Helga looked at Lyset, then turned her head and silently led the others out of the arena.

Christoph approached Lyset.

“Did you see? The ‘something’ I talked about, this is it.”

“I see. For such a huge event to happen so suddenly to the great and sturdy cathedral and convent, you, Lord Christoph, whom I gazed at as if in a dream, suddenly seem so grand. So distant.”

“What are you talking about, silly? You asked me to take you out. I just did that.”

Christoph laughed.

“Lyset, I never asked about your hometown.”

“Songdal Village, at the northern foot of Yotun Mountain.”

“Then, will you return home?”

“That home was just me and my grandmother. Even if I return, I’d be alone. It has no meaning.”

“So that’s why you asked to be taken to the castle?”

Lyset’s face turned red. Of course, it wasn’t because she had nowhere to go that she said it. She was just flustered by Christoph’s teasing wordplay.

“I’ll take you to the castle.”

Just then, the Duchess approached from behind, with Olga following her.

“The new ruler must enter the castle and attend the banquet, no? The banquet after the coronation will proceed as planned, after all.”

“Oh, Mother.”

Christoph was flustered. Lyset, too, looked down at the ground, unsure what to do.

“Is this young lady the one who moved me to paint the grand picture and brought about the coronation? The spark that brought down the Grand Cathedral and the convent?”

There was no blame or malice in the Duchess’s blunt words. Rather, they were filled with intrigue.

“Raise your head. What is your name?”

“Lyset, I am Lyset Reinholden.”

The Duchess looked at Lyset, who had raised her head. Glossy black hair, lake-blue eyes, fair skin, a refined nose as if carved by a master sculptor, and beautiful rose-colored lips kissed by sunlight.

“Beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“I care not about origins or backgrounds. I only care about how great a person’s ambitions are. But neither men nor women should be equally consumed by ambition. Fortunately, your eyes show no burning ambition.”

“Yes…”

“You are sufficient to stand behind my son. In fact, not knowing your origins means there’s less to worry about. You may enter the castle.”

“Mother!”

Christoph’s face lit up. Lyset, overwhelmed, could only bow her head slightly in gratitude.

“However, a formal marriage and announcement must be postponed under these circumstances. Besides, there’s the campaign tomorrow.”

The campaign. The prelude to the war where Christoph would swing his sword at the forefront.

Lyset’s expression darkened.

“I understand, Mother. Still, from this moment, Lyset is officially my woman.”

“I have no intention of interfering in that regard. An eagle that spreads its wings needs a stronger wind to soar. Olga?”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“This young lady, Lyset, was it? Prepare a room and clothes to replace that drab Holy Sister’s habit for Lyset. And since she will be Christoph’s wife, treat her with the appropriate respect. She doesn’t seem like a fussy or pretentious girl, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I’ll head to the banquet hall first. Christoph, come up as soon as things are settled here. Lyset, attending the banquet might be too much, but follow me for now.”

Thus, Lyset followed the Duchess and Olga toward the castle. Her eyes turned back to Christoph several times, and Christoph smiled and nodded as if to say he’d wait for her at the castle.

The Knights and Guards finished cleaning up and assembled in formation at the arena.

Christoph stepped forward to issue commands once more for tomorrow’s campaign.