Chapter 10 – The Sword God's Temple
Ignes looked ahead.
The knights and mages were being led by Prince Xavier von Ace.
He rode at the front on a tall horse.
His build was strong, yet slender at the same time. His shoulder-length silver hair moved gently with the wind, and his cold golden eyes looked like they could freeze anything in their path.
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Behind him—
The four heirs of the great Dukedoms followed.
William von Heart — heir of the Dukedom of Heart.
Benedict von Diamond — heir of the Dukedom of Diamond.
Adrian von Spade — heir of the Dukedom of Spade.
Caspian von Club — heir of the Dukedom of Club.
Behind them came the rest—
Nobles.
Knights.
Mages.
And the people.
All moving toward one place.
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The Temple of the Sword God.
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Inside the temple, the priests had already begun their prayers.
Prayers for the dead.
Blessings for those who returned alive.
One by one, the soldiers stepped forward.
The priests purified them, removing the demonic miasma left behind from the battlefield.
The atmosphere was solemn.
Heavy.
Sacred.
---
Ignes watched everything quietly.
Then—
His gaze shifted.
Toward the statue.
The statue of the Sword God.
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Sword God…
That's a strange name.
Ignes frowned slightly.
Why does it feel familiar…?
Sword God… Sword God… Sword God…
The words repeated in his mind.
Again.
And again.
Then—
Sword Hero…
The word changed.
And suddenly—
Something clicked.
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Evander… the Sword Hero.
Ignes's eyes narrowed slightly.
So… he chose to become a god?
But… how is he healing demonic miasma?
A faint confusion crossed his mind.
I even tried to teach him healing once…
He can't even pass the basics.
---
Ignes stared at the statue.
This time—
With clear suspicion.
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After a moment, he looked away.
This is a temple…
Too many people are watching.
It won't be good if someone notices that look.
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Time passed.
The long ceremony continued.
Prayers.
Blessings.
Chants.
---
Finally—
It ended.
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Ignes let out a long breath.
That was… exhausting.
I really hate sermons.
They're too long… and annoying.
---
Alexander glanced at him.
Seeing his son like this, he thought—
Did the training make him this tired…?
Then he said,
"If you're tired, you can step outside and rest."
---
Ignes immediately looked at him with shock.
"…Dad."
"Don't tell me…"
"This isn't the end?"
---
Alexander looked at his face.
For a moment—
He felt like teasing him.
"Yes," he said calmly. "There's still a long way to go."
---
Ignes's face fell instantly.
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Nearby, the Dukes of the other three Dukedoms stood together.
Seeing the interaction between father and son—
They couldn't help but laugh softly.
The atmosphere, heavy just moments ago—
Lightened slightly.