Love Letter From The Future
Chapter 415: Proof of Existence (3)

Chapter 415: Proof of Existence (3)

0% The Holy Nation had many orphanages.

One might wonder why there would still be so many orphans now that the age of war had ended but, in truth, in this continent, there was no such thing as a safe place. Demonic Beasts and criminals constantly lurked, waiting for a chance to prey on the weak.

Even in the Capital, said to have the best law and order, criminal organizations had never been fully eradicated.

It was obvious, then, how harsh life must be for ordinary people living in rural areas. Simultaneously losing both parents was a frequent tragedy

In that sense, the orphanages in Holy Nation were relatively better off.

The Church of Heavenly God, which emphasized mercy and love, took genuine interest in the lives of orphans. Not only did they offer financial aid, they even regularly conducted inspections to root out corrupt orphanages that exploited children.

The document the Saintess handed me detailed something along those lines.

“In other words, my trial will be suspended on the condition that I volunteer at the orphanages.”

“Yes, but strictly speaking, it’s just a deferment.”

I made a quiet hum, sinking into thought.

The Holy Nation had countless priests and holy knights, but they were usually busy. They didn’t have the time to check on every small, remote orphanage scattered throughout the land.

Thus, they made me this offer.

To travel around the Holy Nation and check on its orphanages.

It was both volunteering and an inspection, in a sense.

While I remained silent, the Saintess continued with an additional explanation.

“It’s officially a deferment, but once your volunteer service ends, you’ll naturally be granted exemption. After all, the rising star of humanity cared for the Holy Nation’s orphans; punishing him would only bring criticism.”

“Then what happens to my charges?”

“An undisclosed truth can never become a fact, Ian.”

The Saintess spoke with a mysterious smile, looking like a strategist orchestrating plans behind the scenes.

Even then, she appeared beautiful to my eyes.

“Both the Empire and the Holy Nation are not oblivious; they’ll manage public opinion accordingly. And whatever rumors that emerge can simply be dismissed as baseless gossip. Meanwhile, you and I can leisurely tour the Holy Nation and return afterward.”

“And maybe say hello to your family along the way?”

“Yes. More precisely, the orphanage where I was raised.”

It was meant as a joke, but the response I received was far too serious.

I stammered in embarrassment—anyone who knew the Saintess’s past would have reacted the same way.

“But, um... Didn’t you cut ties with that orphanage?”

“I did.”

The Saintess readily nodded, acknowledging my point.

She had spent her entire life struggling to shed the label of ‘orphan.’

Not only had she abandoned her original name, but I’d also heard that she rarely kept in touch with the orphanage she came from. Still, it was said that she continued to provide considerable support behind the scenes.

And yet, now she was openly planning to visit the orphanage she came from.

I nearly asked if she was sure about this—but stopped myself.

This was a decision she had made after much deliberation. It wasn’t my place to question it.

Instead, I deliberately adopted a carefree tone.

“Should we bring some gifts, then?”

“The children would like that. After all, it’s a gift from a hero himself...”

The Saintess, who had similarly been feigning composure, eventually trailed off.

A sigh soon escaped from her enchanting lips.

“...Honestly, I’m a little scared.”

I could understand.

When I first entered the academy, I had to endure the subtle disdain of high-ranking nobles. If even I, a noble myself, was treated that way, I could hardly imagine the scorn directed at commoners or orphans.

It must have been unbearable.

Yet despite this, the Saintess had made her decision.

“I’ve spent too long living as the ‘Saintess.’ My entire life has been shaped to fit that role... And I always assumed it would continue that way.”

“But now you’ve changed your mind?”

“Lately, I keep having stray thoughts—wondering who I am beyond just ‘the Saintess’... Maybe I’m just going through a late-coming adolescence?”

Huhu, she let out a faint chuckle and her pale pink eyes turned toward me.

That hue, reminiscent of balsam petals, struck me as bittersweet—though such poetic sentiments were wasted on a simple-minded swordsman like myself.

“Maybe you’ve grown tired of it. After all, living as the ‘Saintess’ is no ordinary burden.”

“You’re right. And lately, I keep having thoughts that a ‘Saintess’ shouldn’t have.”

Then, with a playful smile, her lips curved into a graceful arc—

Like a flower petal cradling the morning dew.

“...So, you must take responsibility and come along with me.”

I didn’t ask why.

The warmth in her gaze was enough to set something stirring within me.

And so, all I could do was let out a wry smile.

There was no running away now.

“I’ll gladly take responsibility.”

A journey to find oneself.

It wasn’t a bad choice at all.

**

After that, the Saintess launched into a long-winded speech.

She emphasized repeatedly that I should avoid attracting unnecessary attention during my time doing volunteer work. I had no intention of causing trouble anyway, so I simply nodded in agreement.

Still, I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.

“What would happen if I did cause trouble?”

“Then you’ll have to stand a trial, of course. And in accordance with ancient law, you’ll be given a choice between three types of trials.”

She scoffed as she said it.

I vaguely recalled hearing about the religious trials of the Holy Nation before, but this was the first time I’d heard about there being three different kinds.

Sensing my curiosity, the Saintess kindly elaborated.

“The first is the ‘Trial of Doctrine.’ This is the one most people choose. In this trial a panel of three distinguished priests—each representing knowledge, mercy, and judgment—presides over the case, alongside a jury of twelve devout believers. For reference, the Priest of Knowledge comes from the Doctrinal Order, the Priest of Mercy from the Gospel Order, and the Priest of Judgment from the Inquisition.”

The Trial of Doctrine matched exactly what I remembered of religious trials.

But if that was just one, did that mean the other trial methods existed as well?

Before I could even ask, the Saintess continued her explanation.

“The second is the ‘Trial of Honor,’ commemorating the great Saint Arius, who led the charge against Omeros’ army in the War of Gods and Demons. If you manage to defeat the Holy Knights stationed at the Holy See in consecutive duels, you will be granted acquittal in recognition of your honor.”

“...Isn’t that basically a death sentence?”

It was an absurd notion.

Committing a crime was one thing, but earning an acquittal just by securing consecutive victories in a duel?

And what was even more ridiculous was that the opponents were none other than the Holy Knights of the Holy See.

With the condition being ‘consecutive victories,’ it obviously wouldn’t end with just a single duel.

The conclusion was obvious.

It was effectively a death sentence.

Fighting one or two might be possible, but winning consecutive duels against the Holy See’s elite knights?

That was impossible, unless one was a Master.

And even then, the odds of victory were slim.

After all, the Holy See was home to the ‘Saint,’ one of only three Masters known to humanity.

The Saintess’s voice, in response to my unspoken doubts, was utterly matter-of-fact.

“That’s why almost everyone chooses the ‘Trial of Doctrine.’”

She was right, of course.

Who in the right mind would willingly select the second trial, knowing it’s a surefire way to die a meaningless death?

So, I waited quietly for the third option.

“And the last one is the ‘Trial of Purification’... You climb onto a pyre and endure the flames overnight. If you survive until dawn, you’re declared innocent.”

“What kind of utter nonsense is that?”

The second trial was at least remotely conceivable, but the last one, however, was outright absurd.

Was there even a single person in existence who could survive burning alive for an entire night?

The Saintess merely offered a brief, indifferent remark in response.

“And that’s exactly why I said most people choose the ‘Trial of Doctrine.’”

As a side note, it seemed that the fire used to burn the accused was called ‘Holy Fire.’

It was said to be kindled with a spark gathered from the light of the sun—the very liver of Arus, meant to purge the wicked. The belief was that sinners would be reduced to ashes within it, while the innocent would emerge unscathed.

It felt like a remnant of a barbaric age, without a doubt.

After all, ancient religions had always harbored such cruelty.

Listening to the Saintess’s explanation, I silently reaffirmed my resolve—I would absolutely avoid doing anything suspicious.

Now as her time to leave came, the Saintess lingered with an odd sense of reluctance.

I waited for a while.

Eventually, after much hesitation, she finally spoke, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

“U-Um... Is there anything you’d like to do? Since it’s just the two of us, after all...”

She kept sneaking glances at me. The way she fidgeted made it obvious—she was clearly expecting something.

I fell into brief contemplation.

Even if I wanted to do something, we didn’t have much time. If someone caught sight of the Saintess leaving my room early in the morning, it would be a disaster.

Unless, of course, we spent the entire day together in this room.

That was a ridiculous thought.

Stifling a bitter laugh, I instead asked the question that had popped into my mind.

“Um, Saintess?”

“Y-Yes?”

For some reason, she responded with an oddly obedient tone.

At this point, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Feeling a surge of confidence, I immediately voiced my curiosity.

“That thing I heard... Is it true?”

“...?”

The Saintess looked at me with eyes full of confusion, as if she couldn’t make sense of what I was saying.

So I had to clarify.

“Y-Y-You know, that thing about... you prefer being forced—urk?!”

Before I could even finish my sentence, the Saintess stomped down hard on my foot.

A stinging pain shot through my skin. My body was tough enough that it didn’t hurt much, but it was enough to knock the breath out of me for a moment.

By then, the Saintess’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

Her expression was filled with shame.

“Y-You... I’ll have you brought before the Inquisition!”

I had only wanted to keep it in mind for future reference.

Though I felt wronged, I didn’t dare protest to the Saintess.

The last thing I wanted was to face another Inquisition.

Receiving a summon from the court once was already more than enough.

**

After the Saintess left, I once again tried to read the letter from the future.

If only there hadn’t been another knock at my door.

There had been far too many disturbances today.

Letting out yet another sigh, I tucked the letter back into my coat and opened the door to receive the message.

“Um, Ian? Leto is calling for you immediately. Something’s wrong with your sister...”

I didn’t need to hear more. At once, I kicked off the ground and sprinted.

My destination wasn’t far.

Within less than a minute, I was banging on Leto’s door. Before an answer could come from inside, I twisted the doorknob so roughly it might have snapped off.

Fortunately, the door wasn’t locked.

“Ria, are you alright?!”

The scene that greeted me was of Ria, slumped over a desk, sobbing uncontrollably.

Standing nearby her was Leto, looking visibly troubled, and beside him was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Everyone in the room instantly turned their gazes toward me.

Then, in the next instant, something soft and supple collided into me.

“...Oppa!”

Ria hurrying over on unsteady steps had thrown herself straight into my arms. Caught off guard, I instinctively held her and gently stroked her head, just as I always did.

Regardless, Ria just continued to sob.

“Hic... hngh... don’t abandon me... I was wrong...uwaah...!”

What had happened this time?

Even as I reeled from the sensation of her trembling form pressed against me, I turned to Leto for an explanation. My gaze then fell upon the girl standing next to him.

She was a beauty with neatly tied black hair cascading down her back.

Though the vibrant spark I’d known in her amber eyes was absent, my heart filled first with relief and happiness. I’d been genuinely worried about her.

“Celine!”

Celine, carrying a heavy battle axe strapped to her back, gave an awkward smile and raised a hand.

It was just a simple gesture, yet I could sense...

Something was different.

If her past energy had been like a reckless young foal running wild, she now resembled a calm sea—quiet, yet ready to surge forward like a storm at any moment.

My eyes widened in amazement.

“You’ve grown strong!”

Despite my enthusiastic remark, Celine only responded with a bashful chuckle.

“Long time no see, Ian Oppa. Ahaha...”

My missing childhood friend had returned, stronger than ever.

Holding my still-sobbing sister gently, I gave Celine a bright smile.

Though of course, my anger towards whoever made my sister cry remained strong.

Clearly, during my absence, several troubling events had unfolded.