"Damn this job. We are stuck here while those newbies are traveling."
"They aren't traveling. They are guarding the Holy Priest."
"Same difference. Aren't they in the capital now?"
"Well, try to be stronger in your next life."
Two guards were stationed at the doors of the meeting room of the palace.
Even though it was called a "palace" and it resembled one, it was actually a cathedral.
"There isn't anyone to use the meeting room. Why are we even guarding this place?"
"Because we are ordered to."
"Come on, there aren't even important documents inside."
"And how would you know that? Have you ever been inside?"
The first guard's face soured after this question. "Have you ever seen anyone bringing documents in or out?"
"Oi, shut up. They ordered us to stay here, so we will do as we are told."
The first guard grumbled, but didn't object.
He didn't have time to object anyway. The moment their talk ended, a faint vibration trembled through the wooden door just before it swung open with a krieekk sound.
"What? Who the hell is this?"
"Was there someone inside?"
Both guards pointed their pikes toward the young boy who appeared behind the door.
As far as they knew, there was no one inside. And even worse, they had talked about things they shouldn't have talked about.
So, both guards were hoping it was an intruder and not one of the Order's higher-ups.
Thankfully, he was just a child. He wasn't even carrying the token that Order members carried all the time.
"Identify yourself!" One of the guards said.
"Ah, I am sorry. I was looking for the Holy Priest."
"What? Are you mocking us?" The other guard pulled his weapon, ready to strike at any time. "There shouldn't have been anyone inside. How did you get in?"
Colt didn't mind playing along for a bit. "I am telling the truth, really. I just came from the back entrance, and I promise I didn't hear anything you said before."
Both guards' faces reddened. "Stop lying! There are no back entrances in the meeting room."
"So, this is the meeting room, huh?"
The redness of the guard's face deepened when he realized the mistake he had made by giving the intruder information.
I think this much is enough.
Colt raised his hands, and yellow runes started circling around his left hand. The runes shimmered like sunlight reflected on water. "I promise I have no bad intentions. I just want to see the Holy Priest."
"Wh-what?"
The two guards looked at each other. The boy seemed only 15, but he was using Divine Power.
Tsch! My father could disperse this much Divine Power with a breath. If it were in my peak...
The amount of Divine Power he could demonstrate didn't satisfy Colt.
But it was different for the guards. It was something they hadn't even heard about before. A child using Divine Power? Impossible.
They immediately lowered their weapons. "Sir, we are sorry for our mistake. Please forgive our ignorance."
Their armor clinked as they stepped back.
Of course, this was enough for the guards to change their demeanor immediately. Divine Power wasn't something anyone could randomly achieve.
First of all, one needed an affinity for it. Without affinity, even under the Holy Priest's direct education, one couldn't obtain it.
Even when one had an affinity, they would need to pass the tests and receive guidance from the Holy Priest.
Then, only if they could open their mana channels could they use Divine Power.
The boy in front of them was using yellow Divine Power, which specifically belonged to the Luminous Order.
So, obviously, 13th-ranked guards could only show respect.
"Sir, the Holy Priest is unfortunately on a mission right now."
"I also heard so," Colt answered. The Holy Priest of Alla's Luminous Order was one of the elders since such an important place couldn't be left in the hands of the inexperienced.
"Do you know when he will be back?" Since he was meeting with the other elders, there should have been an agenda.
"No, sir. But the mission is supposed to take one week. So, the elder should be back in ten days."
"I see." Colt had no plans in the meantime, so he only had to stick around until the Holy Priest was back. "And what are you waiting for?"
"Huh?" Both of the guards looked back at Colt, not understanding what he meant.
"Won't you tell someone to prepare a room for me?"
With that, the guards shook and started running toward the inner palace after saluting Colt.
---
The cold morning air seeped into Colt's body.
He was training with a sword he borrowed from the Order. His breath fogged in the air as the borrowed sword cut arcs through the courtyard.
Unlike what others thought, though, it wasn't because of the cold, but because of his body's heat. His body had stopped getting affected by the normal external temperature at the age of 12.
He had stripped off his upper garments to move more easily. Even though his face belonged to a 15-year-old, his body had been developed beyond his age.
Unfortunately, this drew a large crowd of onlookers. Most people were looking at the mysterious young boy who had suddenly appeared in the meeting room last week.
Not everyone was watching him, of course. Some were enjoying their mornings in the courtyard, while others trained around Colt, swinging swords or reading books.
Some were even having breakfast outside, making use of the time when no higher-ups ordered them around, and chatting.
"The mana flow around the city has been strange lately."
"Yes, they even say that there was a red rabbit."
"Ah, don't believe it. I heard it was a trap by a pervert."
"Really? The world is going crazy!"
"Even the elders gathered after all these years..."
Even in the future, the Luminous Order functioned similarly to a military. Those who had power would rise in ranks, while those who didn't would stay as foot soldiers.
There were 15 ranks in total, and the Holy Priests, as well as elders, were at the 1st rank.
Even though Colt didn't know much about the current situation, this shouldn't be different since his mother herself told him about it.
Thanks to that, Colt was having a relaxed stay in the Luminous Order.
Normally, when the 1st rank was away, the 2nd rank would take care of the inner workings of the branch. But this time, let alone the 2nd rank, even the 3rd rank was away.
Figures. The elders didn't gather for a trivial reason.
For now, Colt was effectively the highest-ranked person in the branch, as there was no one else who could use Divine Power, even though he wasn't a full member and thus had no formal authority.
Still, no one could go against his words with the fear of offending a future higher-up.
Colt, on the other hand, was still trying to catch up with the world by asking random questions to people whenever possible and training his sword daily to adapt to his regressed body.
As for his mana channels, he left them as they were. For his future plans, he needed them to be weak for now. Even though he wanted to be strong, he didn't want to attract unnecessary attention.
It had been eight days since he arrived at Alla and entered through the secret entrance. The word about his arrival had probably already been sent to the Holy Priest.
But there was no way he could come back before the meeting was finished. So, he would need to wait another two or three days before he could see the elder.
I wish Alden would come...
Alden...
He was his mother's master and the greatest doctor in Gaite, or he would be in the future.
Also, he was someone Colt could trust blindly. But he was probably in the Order's headquarters at the capital.
There is no way he will come during this chaotic time, especially after her appearance.
He didn't know who was the 1st rank in Alla, though. He knew the name, of course. He had asked the people before. But he wasn't someone Colt knew about.
"Would you like a towel?" one of the lower rank members of the Order asked when Colt finished his training at the usual time. She was around the same age as Colt.
People tended to join the Order early since it was impossible to become successful if they started late.
Colt accepted the towel with a smile.
He had been raised as a noble, so he was used to people serving him. This scene wasn't alien to him.
Still, He didn't overly familiarized himself with the others. He was getting ready to get back to his room for a bath when...
Ding
Ding
Ding
The bell started ringing.
"Sir Tybalt is here! Open the gates!"
Colt only had one question: "Who the hell is Sir Tybalt?"