The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Chapter 154

The vast majority of people on the three continents worshiped three main deities.

The Master of the Sacred Fire.

The God of Slaughter and Death.

The God of Order and Law.

The Holy Nation, Ternian, was a religious state that worshiped the God of Order and Law.

Located in the southwest of the Syres Grand Duchy, Ternian occupied the western part of the central West Continent.

Ruled by the Holy King, who served as the proxy of the God of Order and Law, the entire nation followed the deity, making it a holy country.

Their divine power was specialized in healing and support.

‘The Sacred Fire Order and the Law God’s followers have significant overlaps in their fields, making their relationship quite delicate.’

The Sacred Fire Order combined divine power with alchemy.

The followers of the Law God healed the sick with holy water and blessings.

It was a common occurrence for similar industries to have strained relationships.

They didn’t openly antagonize each other, but they also weren’t particularly close, maintaining a lukewarm relationship.

In such a situation, an invitation came from the followers of the Law God.

The pretext was that they wanted to welcome the Saintess, who reappeared after more than ten years, and the newly born prophesied Apostle, Aden, while fostering friendship between the two religious groups.

‘Just reading it gives me an uneasy feeling.’

Not only Aden but also Priest Bali and others felt the same way.

However, there wasn’t a specific reason to refuse.

If it had been just Aden, he might have ignored it, saying, “Hey, why are you doing this? I don’t feel good about it. I’m not going.” But it wasn’t the same for Elise, who had to live as the Saintess.

And in truth, the followers of the Law God were a place that needed to be visited at least once.

‘Because the Sacred Fire Order’s Western Great Temple is located within the territory of the Law God’s followers.’

There were four Great Temples located in the East, West, South, and North.

The Western Great Temple was within the territory of the Holy Kingdom.

Just like the Northern Great Temple was in the Syres Grand Duchy.

In the past, due to this, fierce religious disputes occurred within the Law God’s followers’ territory, but this wasn’t important, so let’s move on.

Anyway, since Elise was on a pilgrimage as the Saintess and Aden was accompanying her, it was a place they had to visit eventually.

‘And, because of those Chaos guys, I’m worried too.’

The Chaos forces had already extended their influence to the Sacred Fire Order and the Slaughter Cult.

There was no telling what chaos they might be causing within the Law God’s followers, so it was necessary to go and find out.

‘There’s no reason to stay in Frozen any longer.’

The Dwarves were planning the city and the mines, with the monsters commanded by Ogre Lord Ukurak handling the labor.

The Sacred Fire Order was providing support, and Niketa was taking care of both large and small negotiations with the trading guilds, laying the groundwork.

Gustav was also working hard on research in collaboration with the Dwarves.

Everything was running smoothly, so there was no need to stay here any longer.

Thus, Aden’s party decided to go to Ternian.

Additionally, though it wasn’t important, Curse begged.

-Dragon Slayer, can’t you reconsider just one more time? I don’t want to go to that wretched place filled with those humans who make that damn water.

‘Saying that makes me want to go even more.’

-Dragon Slayer, you’re a devil.

‘Thanks for the compliment.’

-…You drunken fool who fights with dogs…

‘Hey, what did you just say?’

-I didn’t say anything, Dragon Slayer.

‘Damn it, I’ll remember this later.’

Aden and his party traveled in Gustav’s magic carriage for the first time in a while.

Elise smiled.

“Hehe, it’s fun helping with the construction, but it’s nice to ride in the carriage after so long!”

-Woof!

“Why am I being taken along, Sir… I mean, Aden?”

The thief Unknown, now Nine, grumbled inside the carriage.

For this journey, he was accompanying the party as well.

The group didn’t know that he was a wanted thief, only thinking of him as a wanderer with no place to go, and thus took him in.

Aden answered Nine’s question with a serious expression.

“Just because.”

“Hey, come on!”

“I’m joking. You agreed to be my subordinate, right? So, I have to keep you close and make good use of you.”

Otherwise, Nine would likely spend his days robbing the vaults of noble families.

Unknown had skills in infiltration and disarming traps, making him a useful asset.

“And you need to finish learning alchemy from Cassie.”

“Who said I’d learn that? You forced me into it…”

Unknown, now Nine, fidgeted with his robe’s hem.

Aden had realized Nine’s talent in alchemy when he drank the potion Nine made in the underground labyrinth.

Since he decided to keep him around, he made Nine Cassie’s apprentice to learn alchemy.

Though he didn’t expect much, it was still better than letting him roam freely.

He wore an embarrassed expression, seemingly shy about the alchemist’s robe, in contrast to his usual boastful demeanor as the thief Unknown.

‘What a strange guy.’

Cassie, who was quietly receiving a shoulder massage from Lowe, smiled languidly.

“Oh my, for someone forced to learn, he was very enthusiastic and eager to learn. He has talent too.”

“That’s not…”

-The Demon Sword Sere laughed at the cute nature of its contractor!

“Shh, be quiet…”

-The Demon Sword Sere ridiculed its foolish contractor, saying only the contractors could hear its voice.

“Though he sometimes talks to himself, which is odd, he’s kind of cute. Makes me want to teach him.”

“…Damn it.”

“Nine! Don’t be like that. Come and have some ice cream. It’s delicious. Here!”

“Huh? Uh… okay.”

Unknown, who was caught off guard by Elise’s offer of ice cream, frowned, wondering ‘What is this…,’ but after a taste, his eyes widened.

He then stopped grumbling and focused on eating the ice cream like Elise.

Indeed, snacks were the best for kids.

While they chatted, the carriage moved swiftly.

Priest Bali, who was sitting on the driver’s seat, shouted heartily.

“Haha! Everyone, we’ve arrived! Look out the window, and you’ll see the city!”

“Really? I want to see! Priest Bali!”

-Woof woof!

Elise, with her eyes sparkling, quickly moved to the window and peeked out, soon exclaiming, “Wow!”

Aden also opened the window on the opposite side to view the scenery outside.

The white city within the snow-white walls sparkled as it reflected the sunlight.

“The Holy Nation of Ternian, followers of the God of Order and Law.”

Aden and his party entered the holy kingdom that worshiped the God of Order and Law.

* * *

When you think of a country that worships the God of Order and Law, what kind of image comes to mind?

There would definitely be people imagining very strict and virtuous priests and clerics living righteously every day.

‘That’s not wrong.’

At least in the early days of the Holy Kingdom, it would have been like that, and even now, they still valued and followed the laws given by the God of Law.

However, the problem was that they lived only by ‘following the law.’

‘The laws of the God of Law are roughly like don’t steal, don’t kill people, etc., simple and ambiguous things that even children would know.’

Humans were truly cunning beings, finding and exploiting loopholes in the law for their own benefit.

For example, suppose there was a law that said ‘do not use blessings for personal gain, but for those in need.’

If a drunken noble came in, they would consider that person as ‘someone in need.’

Then they would give him holy potions or light blessings, receiving a large sum of money in return under the name of ‘a small donation.’

Further, they conducted trade with merchants under the pretext of “sending the blessings of the Law God to more people!” by selling Holy Potions in bulk.

‘Of course, if such people become the majority, it will only rot and stagnate.’

The priests of the Law God’s followers sold blessed holy water, or Holy Potions, at high prices.

This enabled them to become the most prosperous among the three major divine orders.

‘At the same time, they were the most corrupt order.’

Once people had enough to live on, the next thing they desired was longevity and a healthy body.

Although learning martial arts with mana could provide some of these effects, most nobles, unless they were from martial families, relied more on drugs or potions.

The Holy Potions from the Law God’s followers were expensive and thus accessible only to the nobility. The same went for other blessings.

‘People seeking treatment from the Law God’s followers and merchants looking to profit from these individuals flocked to the area and set up shop.’

Thus, a market was formed, and more people came to buy goods from this market.

These people, having some spare time, engaged in gambling as well.

The result of all this was the scene before them.

“Freshly made lower-grade Holy Potions from the Law God’s followers, three hundred bottles! Get them while they last! Perfect for curing hangovers!”

“Exhausted from your long journey to the Holy Kingdom? Stay at our Silver Sunset Inn!”

“Come on, come on! Choose and guess! Find the cup with the bead inside!”

Merchants and gamblers were scattered everywhere.

Aden chuckled at the sight.

‘Still as chaotic as ever.’

Who could call this place a kingdom that worshiped the Law God by looking at this scene?

– This is supposed to be a place where people who worship a god live? Even a passing dog would laugh.

‘That’s why some people call this place the City of Pleasure. Though, they don’t say it openly for fear of a backlash.’

Nobles seeking the priests’ power came, entertainment and pleasures developed to cater to these nobles, and priests turned a blind eye in exchange for bribes.

This vicious cycle led to the creation of numerous gambling dens in Ternian, effectively transforming the city of faith into a city of pleasure.

Even the Demon Lord of the Underworld would be taken aback by this scene.

“This looks fun! I want to go and have a look!”

-Woof woof!

On the other hand, our little Saintess, who hadn’t tasted much of the worldly pleasures, seemed to be quite taken with the scene.

Priest Bali gave a very troubled smile.

“Haha… let’s save sightseeing for later. First, let’s visit the Western Great Temple and meet the brothers who must be waiting for Miss Elise. They must be eagerly awaiting.”

Passing through the marketplace, their carriage finally arrived at the Western Great Temple of the Sacred Fire Order.

“…”

“…”

-Woof…

However, upon arrival at the Western Great Temple, Priest Bali and his companions could only stand in stunned silence at the sight before them.

“Check.”

“Fold!”

“One pair.”

“Alright, everyone, let’s finish this up! Full house!”

“A full house? Hey, where did you pull that from?”

“Hey now! What are you saying, High Priest Tarotman! What do you take me for? Where’s your proof that I cheated?”

“Priest Edmond! I bet my position as High Priest and the sword I won from you in the last bet that you cheated!”

“Hah! Stick to your word… Huh? High Priest, we have guests.”

“You think I’d fall for such a cheap trick again? You must’ve switched the cards… Huh! They’re really here?”

The High Priest of the Western Great Temple and dozens of priests, who had set up tables and chairs to enjoy card games inside the temple, froze upon seeing Aden’s party.

A moment of awkward silence ensued.

Priest Bali, the highest-ranking monk of the Sacred Fire Order, trembled like a volcano about to erupt.

‘This feels ominous.’

– Agreed, Dragon Slayer.

Although Priest Bali usually appeared easygoing, he was surprisingly strict when it came to church matters.

This was why he also held the qualification of an Inquisitor.

Seeing the outrageous scene of the priests at the Western Great Temple, Priest Bali snapped.

He erupted like a volcano.

“Stop it immediately and everyone, get down on your knees…!”

The Inquisitor.

Priest Bali’s roar, rivaling that of an Ogre Lord, resonated throughout the temple, causing it to shake.