Chapter 15: A Fateful Encounter
"Holy knight?" I said. Yes, I could feel the power emanating from the sword. It gleamed with a radiant golden light.
"Yes, Bernice. You are being designated as the Holy Knight to serve both the temple and the empire," he explained. Despite my confusion, I sensed a heavy responsibility attached to his words.
"I don’t want to be anything," I refused.
He chuckled, his tone turning colder. "Do you think this is a simple matter, Bernice? If it were, why would I choose you specifically to inform you of your return to the past? Do you think I wanted this? Or do you believe I control every outcome?"
"If I had the power to thwart your plans, I would never have bestowed upon you the position you now hold, but..."
He paused, but my anger had already escalated to a boiling point. I couldn’t help but question the existence of a god who seemed adept at playing favorites, yet utterly failed to rescue those who needed help the most.
I was becoming increasingly angry, wondering why a god was subjecting me to this ordeal. "You know what? I couldn’t care less if you’re a god or not."
"I couldn’t care less if you’re the almighty Lunar or just an egotistical being. Right now, what I want is to reject this title. Keep your holy sword, be the master of it, and here’s one last thing..."
I paused for emphasis, making sure my words cut through. "Learn to mind your own business, or I won’t care who you are!"
"Bernice! Stop!" he attempted to intervene, his voice wavering.
Despite his attempts, I was resolute. "I won’t stop."
This marked the extent of our conversation. The luminous surroundings began to fade, revealing the temple ceiling and the concerned priest before me. I had returned to reality.