TILPO 05

Chapter 05

“You know that the mages will also be joining this expedition, don’t you?”

The Controllers nodded.

“The Church isn’t exactly on good terms with mages. You all know that.”

The divine power of the Church and the magic power of mages came from different origins.

Since the Church had many people who possessed divine power, they considered the power used by mages to originate from the magic stones found in the cores of monsters.

As a result, they regarded mages as people who had sold themselves to greed.

Some priests even shunned mages, claiming that they were no different from demons.

“I imagine everyone here is wondering why you’re being sent along when you believe your own Controller abilities are so weak.”

Noah and the others all nodded.

“Have any of you ever used your Controller abilities on monsters or demons?”

Not a single Controller nodded.

“That is precisely the most powerful characteristic of the hidden abilities of Controllers. Our abilities manifest far more powerfully against monsters and demons than they do against humans.”

Noah had never used her Controller abilities on anything other than humans, so she listened attentively.

Seeing this, Gabriel’s smile deepened.

“When you use a Controller ability on a human, its effects are insignificant. But when you use it on a non-human being that possesses a magic stone, the effect is astonishingly powerful.”

“……”

“This is a place where you will develop your abilities and train to wield greater power. It is also an opportunity for us to coordinate our abilities before the expedition.”

“I see…” the Controllers murmured, awkward smiles appearing on their faces.

“If you are unwell or have special circumstances, I will not force you. Personally, however, I hope that all of you will join this expedition.”

His words seemed to give them a choice, and Noah found herself conflicted.

She had awakened abilities she herself hadn’t known she possessed, but could she still say, ‘I don’t want to go!’ and return to the Soal Education Center?

Just then, Gabriel continued.

“The Dragon Urbas has been asleep for the past fifty years. You all know that His Holiness the current Pope, who put the dragon to sleep at the time, originally intended to kill it.”

The reason Benie had chosen to put Urbas to sleep instead of killing it was simple.

Every monster possessed a magic stone.

In the case of dragons, their hearts were enormous magic stones. When a dragon was put to sleep with divine power, its entire body gradually transformed into magic stones over a long period of time.

Because the amount of magic stones that could be extracted from a dragon was enormous, given its size, mages preferred to have dragons put to sleep with divine power rather than killed.

Although the Church disliked mages, it acknowledged that the magical tools they created from magic stones had made people’s lives more prosperous.

Naturally, the value of magic stones had skyrocketed as a result.

Benie had put Urbas to sleep because, once a hundred years had passed and the dragon’s entire body had completely transformed into magic stones, the Church would be able to use them.

Anas raised his hand and quietly asked,

“Why did Urbas suddenly awaken? There’s still a long time before a hundred years have passed.”

“Urbas is located on the border between Entria and the Ariel Empire. At present, approximately fifty percent of its body has already transformed into magic stone.”

“And?”

“Under normal circumstances, it should have remained asleep for a hundred years. But recently, for some unknown reason, a crack was discovered at the place where Urbas was sleeping.”

Everyone gasped in surprise.

“We hurriedly sealed it, but Entria informed us that Urbas is expected to awaken within three months.”

“Isn’t Entria the kingdom of mages?”

In response to Will’s question, Gabriel corrected him.

“It would be more accurate to say that they invest heavily in magic and that Princess Kyria is known as an exceptionally talented mage. Princess Kyria has already announced that she intends to participate in this expedition as well.”

“……”

“Entria claims that it is already prepared.”

Anyone could tell that Entria had something up its sleeve.

“Then the Kingdom of Entria is after the magic stones.”

“That is correct. The reason the mages want to participate in this expedition is simple. They intend to earn a substantial share of the magic stones by receiving credit for their contributions to the expedition.”

At Gabriel’s convincing explanation, the Controllers’ expressions darkened.

Will spoke incredulously.

“Wow, that’s ridiculous. Fifty years ago, we almost fell because of Urbas, and His Holiness went through all that trouble to save everyone!”

Noah had been about to say, ‘I still want to stay out of this, though,’ but after looking around at the atmosphere, she swallowed the words.

Even someone as bad at reading the room as Noah knew this wasn’t the right time.

“But there is another real problem. The Church is worried that our people might make the wrong judgment because of Princess Kyria’s dazzling appearance.”

The wrong judgment because of the mage princess’s glamorous appearance?

Noah was still struggling to understand what Gabriel meant when he continued.

“That is why one of you will have to become the Church’s representative, someone capable of standing against Princess Kyria’s image.”

Everyone looked at one another.

“What the Church wants is an image opposite to that of the princess. Instead of seductiveness, intensity, and glamour, we need a Controller with a sacred image that emphasizes purity, gentleness, and elegance.”

“Why me…”

“We need someone who can divert the people’s attention away from Princess Kyria during the expedition.”

At that moment, everyone’s eyes naturally turned toward Noah.

Lina spoke in a small voice.

“Princess Kyria has striking golden-blonde hair and apparently wears a red cloak, right? I have brown hair, so I won’t stand out…”

As she spoke, she quietly backed away.

“Honestly, when I first saw Noah, I thought she was an angel. Pink hair is so unusual.”

Noah had been thinking about nothing in particular when she suddenly felt everyone’s attention focused on her.

She was inwardly flustered.

Gabriel looked at Noah and smiled beautifully.

“I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you, Noah.”

She never knew the word ‘beautiful’ could sound this terrifying.

Ta-da! You’ve been chosen!

Noah Kaplan! You’ve also been chosen as the Saint who will stand against Princess Kyria!

‘P-please save me…’

Noah couldn’t even part her lips.

* * *

That day, the Controllers also practiced an offensive prayer, “Iyap!”

Most of the Controllers were exhausted after practicing it repeatedly until sunset.

Yet, for some reason, Noah shattered her own expectation of There’s no way this will work and successfully performed even “Iyap.”

The moment she shouted, “Iyap!” the rug rolled up like it had been caught in the wind and flew straight out the window.

Of course, she also managed to flawlessly perform “Piyung,” the prayer that nullified “Iyap.”

It was hopeless.

What was she supposed to do with these horrifying results?

She had no desire to improve, so why on earth were divine powers manifesting through these ridiculous prayers for her?!

Gabriel’s eyes were so moist as he watched her achievements that Noah nearly drowned in his gaze.

She felt bad for those who were working hard, but Noah desperately wished this unnecessarily outstanding talent of hers would somehow transfer to someone else, like Will or Lina.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

“Well, that’s enough for today. You may have your meals or rest, and those who want to practice more may continue.”

“Yes.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll go to the training grounds and practice actual offense and defense with the Holy Knights, coordinating them with the prayers.”

With that, the Controllers returned to their assigned rooms.

And Noah was summoned separately by Gabriel.

“Noah, I’ll walk you back.”

“Pardon?”

She probably didn’t have the right to refuse anyway. This wasn’t a romantic escort. He was accompanying her for a purpose.

Looking like she was about to cry, Noah walked beside Gabriel, holding his hand like a cow being led to a slaughterhouse.

“You know about Princess Kyria, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Ah, why did Princess Kyria have to participate in this expedition and make her life miserable?

Noah couldn’t even remember how many times she’d cursed Princess Kyria in her heart throughout the day.

Gabriel was obviously going to tell her something frightening under the pretense of escorting her back.

As he had said earlier, he probably wanted Noah to become the Church’s representative in this dragon-slaying expedition.

“I know this may feel burdensome, but I hope you will give it serious consideration for the sake of the Church. Your talent feels almost as though it was bestowed upon you by Elohim specifically for the purpose of subduing Urbas.”

If someone other than herself had demonstrated such talent, Noah would probably have been the first to say, This person is the Saint! Saint! Let’s send her on the expedition!

But when that person was herself, things were different.

Her inner voice cried out.

I don’t want to. I’m afraid of dragons. If I’m the Church’s representative, I’ll have to fight at the very front, and I absolutely can’t do that. I’m scared enough just being part of the dragon-slaying expedition!

But it wasn’t as though she was alone with Gabriel. A Holy Knight was also accompanying them, so she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Still, Gabriel said as though I had a choice. Maybe this is my last chance to withdraw from the expedition.

Even as Noah thought this, Gabriel continued speaking.

“I know that you are gentle and delicate, Noah. Given the circumstances, you must be feeling a great deal of pressure. If necessary, I can give you more time, so take your time and make your decision.”

Gabriel’s gentle words and warm gaze shook Noah’s heart.

After agonizing over it, Noah finally gathered her courage when they reached the entrance to her quarters.

“Um, Your Eminence.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t mind, would you like to come into my room for a cup of tea before you go?”

“……!”

Gabriel looked startled, and Noah, becoming anxious, mustered even more courage.

“I have delicious cookies, too!”

“……Yes. All right.”

Gabriel gave an awkward smile and was about to enter Noah’s room with the Holy Knight when—

“Wait a moment. I think my room will be too small for the Holy Knight to come in as well.”

It was the best excuse Noah could think of.

She was too embarrassed to let the Holy Knight hear her say that she wanted to withdraw from the expedition.

That was why Noah noticed nothing about the strange silence that had fallen over the situation.

“Then I’ll wait outside.”

One of the knights answered.

The other knight also stopped at the door, pretending not to notice anything.

“……”

“Please come in, Your Eminence.”

At Noah’s earnest invitation, Gabriel hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping into the room.