On Starcrest 23, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), the system continued reciting the gifts to Alistair's mind and displayed them on the blue screen.
"Your 11th gift is a 'Full-Body Knights Templar Armor.' This armor provides immunity against mental attacks and enhances your recovery from injuries and fatigue. Wearing it allows you to endure longer during prolonged battles against multiple enemies on the battlefield. Due to its design, which is similar to that of the High Judicator of Sacred Balance from the Cardinals of Seraphine, you might be mistaken for a member of the Cardinals of Seraphine. It is recommended to use this armor in emergency situations. There is a slight chance that you won't be identified as not belonging to the Cardinals of Seraphine, but your chances of being recognized increase significantly if an Archpriest of the Cardinals is nearby. This armor is classified as a excellent rank item and cannot be upgraded further, but it can be enhanced."
"Your 12th gift is an identification badge from the Judicator Aura Knights. This badge grants you access to any restricted areas under the authority of the Cardinals of Seraphine, including Trials, Sanctuaries, Treasure Vaults, and secret locations not known to the public. With this badge, you can enter without being inspected by the church's guards. The badge has seven different hierarchy levels; the higher the number, the greater the status granted. Your badge is a level four status, identified as a Judicator Aura Knight. You also have the authority to command three levels below your status: the Holy Aura Knights, Sanctified Aura Knights, and Radiant Bastion Aura Knights."
"Wait, wait, wait! Why am I being given two gifts from the Cardinals of Seraphine? Won't I be punished for using this armor and carrying an identification badge?"
"Nope, you won't be punished, Alistair. First, the armor is similar to that of the High Judicator of Sacred Balance; in fact, it's likely an older version. The only difference is the effect of the armor you're wearing. There's a hundred-year gap between the old armor and the new armor of the High Judicator, so it's not very noticeable to either young or older people that you're wearing an older version. Second, the identification badge is just an excuse for your divine mission."
"An excuse? What do you mean, system?"
"It means you can't reveal anything related to the divine mission. Do you remember what Celestra mentioned in the scroll before you left the Leaf Village?"
"I'm sorry, but I forgot about it."
"Really, Alistair???" The system sighed on the blue screen. "I foresee that in a few days, you will decide to leave the Northern Army of Frostguard. Knight-Major Garett will ask you why. Here's the key point: you need to give a different excuse. You can say that you have something important to do. Naturally, he will be curious and suspicious, pressing you for details about this 'important' task. There's a small chance he might assume you're a spy for a different kingdom. In that case, I recommend that you accidentally drop your badge on the floor. As you try to pick it up immediately, a newly appointed priest will arrive at the doorstep and retrieve it. I think you know how he will react afterward.
"So, remember: don't mention anything related to the divine mission to anyone. If you do..."
"Ah! I remember. They will end up being punished by the Goddess of Aura's Divine Wrath."
"Correct, Alistair. Normally, you would face that punishment for discussing it, but since I am connected to you and intervening in this world, you are immune to her Divine Wrath. This means that anyone you discuss the divine mission with will be at risk of its consequences. So, please follow the method I suggested."
"I understand. Thank you, system." The system then proceeded to list the gifts for Alistair. All the gifts mentioned were one-time or two-time use items that would be helpful on his upcoming journey to become stronger. A few days later, as expected, the system introduced a slight variation due to a butterfly effect. This time, the newly appointed priest arrived at the Main Tower of the Command Center with some officers to handle paperwork and reconstruction plans for the Frostgate Fortress.
On Starcrest 27, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair's legs had fully recovered, allowing him to walk unassisted to the command center. He knocked on the door.
"Knight-Major Garett, this is Knight-Staff Sergeant Alistair Dawnstrike. May I have permission to enter the command room, Sir?"
Knight-Major Garett replied, "You are permitted to enter the command room, Knight-Staff Sergeant Alistair."
As Alistair entered the command room, he noticed everyone was busy. Garett, focused on writing, asked, "What is your business in the command room, Alistair?"
Alistair saluted and said, "Knight-Major Garett, I request permission to leave the Northern Army of Frostgate." Upon hearing this, Garett dropped his pen, and everyone in the command room stopped writing, shocked by Alistair's statement.
"Alistair, are you considering leaving the army at a time when we are so busy with reconstruction plans? I'm sorry, but that request is denied. Once the Frostgate Fortress starts to stabilize, I will allow you to take a temporary leave."
"But what if I insist, sir?"
"Alistair, why are you in such a rush to leave? Is it really more important than helping to stabilize the fortress and assisting your comrades?" Garett began to be suspicious of Alistair's actions.
"Yes, it's more important than helping the fortress, sir."
Garett looked at his officers, who stood up and guarded the door with their weapons drawn. "Alistair, what are you hiding? Are you a spy or something?"
"No, sir. I am not a spy—just an ordinary young soldier barely surviving the battle against the Snowy Mountain King." Garett stood up and moved closer to Alistair, who backed away. Suddenly, something dropped, prompting Alistair to try to pick it up, but the newly appointed priest managed to seize it first.
"Priest Mark, what item fell?" Alistair thought to himself, smiling inwardly as he had anticipated this moment. The priest examined the item and said, "This is an identification badge."
"Oh really, Priest Mark? Alistair, is this what you were hiding?" Before Garett could continue, everyone, including Alistair, heard the priest's shocked voice: "This identification badge... it can't be..."
"What is it, Priest Mark?" Garett asked, curious like everyone else.
"This identification badge is a Level Four Badge from the High Judicator of Sacred Balance. Therefore, your true identity is revealed: Knight-Staff Sergeant—no," the priest bowed his head in respect, "I greet you, Alistair Dawnstrike, a Judicator Aura Knight."
The command room fell silent for a moment, and then, in unison, everyone exclaimed, "WHAT?!"