Chapter 8 | The Assassin Becomes a Saint
We spent the rest of the first day of the celebration having fun and laughing together as kids our age should. Unfortunately, I had no free time on the second day. The canonization ceremony didn’t start until evening, but I had to get up early to attend one activity after another, including purifying myself in holy water, participating in a ritual to receive the goddess’s blessing, and listening to a holy sermon. It was beyond tedious. Before I knew it, the sun had set, and the canonization was an hour away.
The final preparations were underway. A team of deacons fixed my hair, applied makeup, and dressed me in very formal attire. Students usually wore their uniforms for special occasions, but that wasn’t going to cut it for something this big.
“This robe is supposed to be imbued with the blessing of the goddess, but I have to say I don’t feel it,” I remarked.
“Lugh, be careful. You can’t say things like that,” Dia chided. The deacons looked offended.
Dia was dressed appropriately for a saint’s attendant. I didn’t feel a trace of the goddess’s power from her clothes, either, but the mystical beauty of her outfit gave it a strength all its own. It suited Dia’s own charms frighteningly well.
“Was I the right choice for this? Looking after you is a servant’s job. I hope Tarte isn’t upset.”
“I’ll talk to her about it later,” I said.
I could only take one attendant to the canonization ceremony. Dia was my immediate choice.
“You always choose me when you can only have one. I feel bad.”
“I’ll pick Tarte next time, then.”
“Hrm, I don’t think I’d be able to handle that.”
I hugged Dia in reply.
“I’ve told Tarte and Maha that I love you the most. They both understand, and they’re okay with it. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“True. I know I’m not being fair. I feel bad about you choosing me, but I still don’t want to give up the privilege. If they ever take issue in the future, I’ll deal with it then.”
I didn’t feel like that was the best plan, but I supposed it would do.
“Oh dear, must you flirt so openly? I feel like you’re doing this out of spite.”
Nevan and the Alam Karla entered the room. The Alam Karla was here to officiate me, and Nevan was present as her attendant.
“Think what you will,” I responded.
“I’m jealous,” Nevan admitted.
I ignored her teasing and discreetly gave her a covert signal. The sign was one that all Alvanian nobles learned, just as Duke Romalung had used during the meeting with the cardinals. I told her that I wanted to talk alone.
She answered in acknowledgment.
After listening to an explanation of the proceedings for the canonization ceremony, Nevan and I found a free moment to hide behind a large church treasure and a stack of boxes. I figured we’d be able to have a private conversation there.
Nevan grinned. “Are you inviting me on a date?”
“It’s nothing so nice… I want to talk about Naoise,” I said.
“Did that hopeless little brother of mine do something again?”
Little brother, huh? That truly was how Nevan thought of Naoise.
I told her about his behavior yesterday.
“I have a bad feeling about this. He seemed strangely relaxed… I’m worried he’s going to get himself into some serious trouble. I’ve assigned people to watch him, but my information network is better at observing the larger picture than pursuing an individual.”
“This is certainly concerning. All right, I will mobilize the Romalung intelligence department. Don’t expect too much, though. We have been monitoring him since he entered that demon’s service, but he’s proved elusive. He possesses some mysterious abilities that make him difficult to follow. Our elite agents can’t keep up.”
If he could shake off House Romalung’s elite agents, then that didn’t leave many options.
“I could follow him myself. The only others capable would be…”
“Myself, Father, or Cian Tuatha Dé. It would require a person of that skill.”
“I doubt you or Duke Romalung have the time.”
“Yes, we are both occupied with duties that will shape the kingdom’s future.”
“And as for me…”
“You can forget about that. You’re going to lose all your freedom once you become a saint.”
“That leaves Dad.”
“I will have the royal family send House Tuatha Dé the job. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“What do you mean?”
“You may be sending your father to his death.”
Dad was going to be tailing the pawn of a demon. None of my agents had died yet, but that was only because Naoise could ditch them without attacking. Dad would keep up, forcing Naoise to get violent.
“The Tuatha Dé clan wields its blade for the Alvanian Kingdom. We are prepared to give our lives.”
“Just promise you won’t blame me for whatever happens.”
That was the end of our conversation. I’d just saddled Dad with the dangerous task of pursuing Naoise… I was worried, but I trusted that he’d be all right. I knew that no matter what happened, he’d prioritize returning with information. He wouldn’t die.
The excitement at the canonization ceremony was intense. The crowd seemed even more hectic than it did at my execution.
I emerged to joyful cheers and envious looks as I took the stage wearing the clothes supposedly blessed by the goddess. Many in the audience were taken by Dia’s spellbinding beauty as she accompanied me. The experience was in stark contrast to when citizens had jeered and hurled stones at me ten days ago.
The Alam Karla waited on the stage. She held what looked like a wedding veil. Huh, this one is the real thing. I felt the goddess’s power from the veil. It also projected power like that of a divine treasure… Perhaps that’s what it was.
I knelt before the Alam Karla.
“Lugh Tuatha Dé. I, the Alam Karla, the voice of the goddess, recognize you as chosen by the divine. I bestow this veil as proof.” The Alam Karla placed the object over my face. Deafening cheers erupted behind me, creating a shock wave that shook the veil. “The eighth saint in history has been born. Lugh Tuatha Dé will save us all by expelling the darkness of the demons. Everyone, join me in prayer!”
The cheering came to an immediate stop. Tens of thousands of people shut their mouths and closed their eyes. It was a bizarre sight. There was always some percentage of people in a crowd who ignored orders to be silent, but not this time.
I felt a swelling of the goddess’s power. Is this ceremony more than a simple formality? Tens of thousands of prayers were transmitted into me and converted into strength. It was an intoxicating feeling, like I had drunk the best alcohol in the world. Then, without any signal, every person in the crowd finished, opening their eyes at once to look at me.
“Lugh Tuatha Dé, stand and speak,” the Alam Karla commanded.
I stood and turned around. The words came out naturally.
“I have received your many prayers. I will make them my strength and drive away the darkness.”
The crowd cheered louder than before, and passions swelled.
My eyes were drawn to one person out of the many present. It was Naoise. He gave me a carefree smile, waved, then turned and departed. It was casual behavior I’d seen from him countless times in the classroom, but it felt different this time. I didn’t know why, but it gave me the feeling that I’d never see him again.
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