The Holy Child’s Dilemma

“I am Anto,” the blond youth offered, extending his hand for a firm shake.

“Anto Colmensin, village apothecary, shepherd, tavern odd-jobber… and a myriad of other miscellaneous titles. But I imagine there’s only one you truly care about, isn’t there?”

“Indeed,” Tikka said at that moment, “the illegitimate son of the former Pope Marinanco I, and the inheritor of the Flame of Holy Light. Setting aside other matters for now… this power is truly formidable. Witnessing it firsthand is quite astonishing.”

“Exactly. Even I was somewhat surprised when I unleashed it; I rarely employ such potent power.”

“We owe our lives to you,” Tikka stated. “This is a life-saving grace, and it must be properly acknowledged, no matter what.”

“Hmph, speaking of which, I suppose I’m your senior disciple,” Tikka suddenly remarked. Eric immediately retorted, “Senior disciple, my foot! Can you even use magic? Don’t embarrass me!”

“Can you use magic?” Tikka inquired, looking at Anto. Anto paused for a moment before laughing. “No, I cannot.”

“Well, there you have it, haha!” Tikka chuckled, patting Anto’s back. “Not bad, not bad at all. It only proves Old Eric is truly suited to be a teacher. Back when he used to drag me across the continent, he was quite the…”

“Don’t spread rumors!” Eric interjected sharply. “Don’t think you can prance around in front of me just because I’m severely weakened! I’m telling you, give me a few months to recover, and I’ll still beat you black and blue just like when we were kids! In short, don’t try to get chummy. Anto has his own right to choose; the Council has no right to interfere. And you certainly have no right to take him away.”

Upon hearing this, Mula approached Anto, then gently cupped his handsome face in her hands as she spoke:

“Is it starting already? We’re not exactly taking him away, are we? An invitation, can’t we just extend an invitation?”

“Hey, let’s not play word games,” Eric retorted directly, then turned his gaze to Tikka. “We had an agreement.”

“…I cannot make that choice,” Tikka admitted to Eric at that moment. “But I can give you the opportunity to speak with them.”

“That will suffice,” Eric replied, then walked over. Tikka handed him a communication crystal. “I still have a few friends on the Council I can contact, provided they’re still alive.”

“Before I return, do not agree to anything they say, and certainly do not go with them.” Eric stated, carrying the communication crystal as he moved aside. Tikka watched the old man’s retreating figure, letting out a sigh.

“The older one gets, the more stubborn they become,” Tikka mused. “But that’s simply his nature. I suspect it’s because the Witch has vanished, and he feels the burden of his responsibilities growing heavier. You know, Eric dislikes making promises, yet he always fulfills the ones he does make. Before you went inside, he told me that the Witch Hillevi entrusted him with your care.”

“…I see,” Anto murmured, looking in that direction. Tikka, observing the youth, noted a peculiar aura about him—perhaps the Holy Light’s allure, which, coupled with his striking appearance, made him utterly captivating.

“Did you come here to apprehend me? To seize me and bring me under the Council’s control?”

“…That was the original plan, yes,” Tikka admitted candidly. “To locate the so-called Holy Child, then secure him, preventing any other faction from claiming you.”

“However, as things stand, I lack the power to carry out such an act. Moreover, having observed that immense power, I believe my chances of success would be exceedingly slim. Besides, Eric also managed to persuade me just now, back in the village. He’s now determined to convince the others.”

“Anto,” Tikka said, turning to him then, his expression growing calm and serious.

“Can you promise that you will not become someone who brings disaster upon the continent, like your father did?”

“…I don’t know,” Anto confessed at that moment. “I’ve never met him, and I only know of him through fragmented whispers. Yet, I believe I wouldn’t commit such acts. Just as you said, I am a native of this land, but we share the same teacher, and you are my senior disciple.” Anto finished, his expression amiable.

“Do you truly believe Old Eric would raise a future tyrant?”

“…I concur with that sentiment,” Tikka said with a smile. “Therefore, if those above agree, I will not force you to come with me.”

“And if those above do not agree?”

“Even then, I won’t,” Tikka replied quite naturally. “I will earnestly explain that having endured a major battle, I am too exhausted to fight again, and can only watch as a legend slips away from my grasp, feeling regretful, and finally, I’ll write a self-criticism report. Where you choose to go is none of my concern, nor do I wish for it to be.”

“Is that truly how it is, Senior?” Mula asked, stunned by his frankness. Tikka, however, responded nonchalantly, “What’s wrong with a little bit of slacking off? Not everything requires absolute diligence.”

“Most importantly,” Tikka said, looking at Anto before raising a finger to point at his own eye, “the core of our mission is to ‘identify significant threats to the Council.’ And in my eyes, you do not pose such a threat. That is enough. We are a rather free-spirited group; we won’t unduly force others to do things they find repulsive.”

“…Thank you, Senior Disciple Tikka,” Anto replied. Tikka then glanced to the other side. “However, that individual over there is likely different from us. She’s probably here to find a way to take you with her. While we’ve found common ground and had a pleasant conversation, dealing with her might not be as straightforward. If she truly intends to force you to leave, trust me, she won’t succeed; we are here.”

As Tikka finished speaking, Anto looked over. A knight, clad in light armor, stood waiting on the far side. She had been there since the beginning, not approaching, merely observing from a distance, as if anticipating a response from his side.

“Indeed,” Mula affirmed. “If she attempts to compel you, we can deal with her quite easily.” Watching the figure on the other side, Anto then took a step, walking towards her. This second encounter between the shepherd and the knight, less than a day after their first, unfolded with entirely different states of mind and identities.

“Greetings, esteemed Knight,” Anto offered, his salutation identical to their last meeting. “You must have visited that place… did you lay flowers?”

“…Yes,” the Knight replied. “I was guided to the border region to seek the Holy Child, and now I have finally found you.” She knelt before him, performing a single-knee genuflection.

“Please allow me to offer you a tribute, esteemed Lord Anto. I implore you to accompany me to Heaven’s Peak, where countless loyal devotees await your arrival.”

“…Knight,” Anto began at that moment. “I am not the Pope, at least not yet. The loyalty of these faithful adherents is not directed towards me, but towards the deity within their hearts. I cannot become the being you anticipate. Furthermore, as a knight, to whom is your loyalty truly owed? Is it to God, to your Church, or to the people who hold no favor for you? Can you answer that question, Knight?”