Chapter 168. Ugo (2)
In Seria's hand was a small dagger, gleaming with a pure, white light.
It was the Dagger of Repentance, a sacred relic with an ancient history. The dagger was a treasure of the Holy Kingdom, consecrated long ago to redeem a fallen saint.
On the day she was officially appointed as a saintess, His Holiness had handed Seria this dagger with a benevolent expression. She recalled the words His Holiness had spoken to her as he entrusted the dagger to her.
"This sacred relic is a blessing from the Light upon your destiny. The day will come when you must use it. Until then, keep it safe."
When she asked how she would recognize that moment, His Holiness had simply replied, "You will know, naturally."
It had been ten years since she was entrusted with the Dagger of Repentance. Now, a decade later, Seria realized this was the moment His Holiness had spoken of.
"I must use this dagger," she said, clutching it tightly with both hands as she looked at Caron.
But Caron could only meet her gaze with wary eyes. He said, "I'm an enemy of the Holy Kingdom. Your god must hate me. How could I possibly trust your words?"
Doubt was natural. And so was distrust. Seria knew well how much blood of the faithful Caron's sword had shed. From the outer cities to the capital, countless Inquisitors had died calling upon their god.
Yet Seria answered firmly, "The Light loves even someone like you. I... I do not believe you are truly a bad person."
Caron didn't kill without a reason. He had wielded his sword to protect others from the hands of mad fanatics. Seria remembered the way he had looked after her with an expression of reluctant concern. She knew he wasn't a bad person. In the end, he was simply someone who fought to protect something.