The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 220 Going Home
The knightly procession, slightly longer than when they entered the city, left Heath City with the city gate guards bowing in farewell.

As his horse galloped away, Eric glanced back. The towering city gates receded into the distance, and the sky once again filled most of his field of vision.

"Has Your Highness already begun to reminisce?" Natalia's voice came from beside him.

Eric looked away, first saying no, then shaking his head, "Not necessarily. Maybe as soon as I get home, I'll start missing the big room and the big bed in the governor's mansion."

Natalia laughs.

“The city lord’s mansion is much smaller than the governor’s mansion. I hope Your Highness won’t let me see when you complain,” Eric added.

"I'll try my best."

The two looked at each other and then smiled.

Both of them were in a pretty good mood.

Their stay in Heath City yielded more than expected. Although most of the nobles chose to refuse or give them the runaround, a few powerful nobles still nodded in agreement.

Eric and Natalia both knew that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Therefore, before setting off, they set a rather low goal of how many nobles they could persuade in each city, and instead planned to travel all over the southern part of the empire and accumulate little by little.

Although it's impossible to determine whether this is due to the war in the north or because the nobles they visited were from Lutia and had a longer-term vision, choosing Hiss City as the first destination on this journey was indeed a good start. Eric could feel the change in his own mindset and could see Natalia's relaxation even more clearly—her smiles became more frequent and obvious.

After riding for a while, Eric looked back at the others following behind him.

He was used to Eileen and Molly baring their teeth as soon as they rode horses.

Elise's expression remained unchanged, but her gaze lingered more on his face, especially when he turned to look at Natalia.

Behind them were the ten church knights he had brought from Lutia, and the three new members he had recruited at the Hiss Cathedral.

Compared to the clear doctrine of punishing evil and promoting good, the Church's attitude towards demons and even the resistance against them has been much more ambiguous recently.

Saint Eric's performance in Lutia was so dazzling that his knightly corps became impossible to ignore, attracting more knights who wanted to do something but were confused by the church's wavering attitude to join them.

That's why Eric deliberately didn't take many people with him when he left Lutia. Instead, he would test any knights he encountered on the road who wanted to join him from a few angles that he cared about, and then let them join.

"Once we return to Lutia, we should be able to rebuild an elite knight force of at least a hundred men..."

Eric muttered to himself, then thought that after returning to the Empire from Castelfel, he should definitely make a trip back to the Holy City of Lessier on his way north.

It's just unknown which side the Vatican's policy will sway to by then.

Let's see how things go...

Eric looked away and gazed ahead again.

The journey from Heath to Orry in County Danter takes almost a day on horseback, including a section of the way back.

By the afternoon, Eric noticed that the surrounding scenery had gradually changed from completely unfamiliar to familiar yet strange, indicating that they had entered the territory of Dentshire.

"Eileen, do you recognize this place?"

"Huh? How would I know you... When I was still here, I hardly ever had a chance to go out, don't you remember?"

Eric thought about it and agreed, and felt regretful that he hadn't taken Leslie with him on the trip south.

The former captain of the guard not only knew the situation in the city like the back of his hand, but was also very familiar with most of the territory in Dante County. Before he awakened his memories of his past life, he often ran errands with Leslie to complete the tasks assigned by his uncle.

After Leslie escorted Eileen to Lutia and left her there, the city of Oren naturally selected another captain of the guard.

After Edgar himself came to Lutia, Leslie returned to his side and became his bodyguard, now guarding his lord and commander in the military camp.

“In short, we’re not far from Oren City,” Eric said, then heard Eileen cheer, and Molly breathed a sigh of relief.

When he looked back, he saw her pressing her thigh through her robe.

After traveling for another half afternoon, they finally arrived outside the city of Ori as evening approached.

"..."

For the first time, Eric felt so strongly how pitifully small Ori was, and even felt a strange sense of shame.

Why are the walls of Oren so low? Is it because he's been gone for too long?

However, judging from Natalia's expression, her face showed more curiosity than anything else, and did not contain the emotions he had imagined—or perhaps, as he had instructed when he left Hiss City that morning, she had not let him see through her.

"Why is Ori City so small!"

The brother and sister shared the same feeling; he was still secretly reflecting on it, while Eileen was much more direct.

As they approached the city gate, they slowed down. Eileen looked at the gate, then at him. "Eric, have we come to the wrong place? This shabby little town is definitely not my home."

"Then which other place is your home? Lutia?"

His sister's shout relieved Eric's embarrassment considerably, and he quickened his pace, "Orei City isn't that big, let's go in."

Once inside the city, Eric knew the rest of the roads with his eyes closed. However, apart from him and his sister, everyone else was here for the first time, so he didn't ride too fast, giving them time to explore as they went.

“I see the mage tower over there,” Eileen said. “You all go back to the city lord’s mansion first. I want to go and take a look. I’ve lived here for over ten years, and I still don’t know what it looks like inside.”

"Ah."

"Is Molly going?"

Molly considered it for a moment and then nodded.

At the next intersection, the two temporarily separated from the group and headed towards the mage tower.

Eric led the rest of his men on their way to the city lord's mansion.

Elise sped up slightly to walk alongside him.

“This is where I grew up.” Eric turned to look at her. “It’s this small.”

Elise's face showed a hint of longing. "If I could grow up in a place like this, I would wake up laughing in my dreams. It's peaceful and relaxing, what a wonderful place. No wonder you and your siblings are so good-looking."

Eric laughed, "You're not kidding me, are you?"

Elise looked over and said, "I envy you."

Eric smiled again, looked up, and involuntarily took a breath.

"We're getting there."

The city lord's manor is just ahead.

When they entered the city, someone rushed back to the city lord's manor to report the news. The steward had already received the news and was waiting at the manor gate with a group of guards and maids.

Most of them were familiar faces to Eric. He dismounted at the manor gate and gave the old butler standing at the front a hug.

"Oh dear, young master..."

"Long time no see, Dion."

The old butler, Dion, looked up at him. "It has been a long time, far too long. Young Master has changed so much that I almost don't recognize him."

Eric released him and then looked at the other maids or guards whose names he still remembered, and greeted them one by one.

With his uncle absent, he was now practically the master of the place, and thus proceeded to welcome Grand Princess Natalia as the host.

Natalia and the other knights dismounted outside the manor and followed him inside.

She looked around the interior of the manor. "His Highness Eric's family manor, although not as large as the governor's mansion in Heath City, feels more vibrant... or rather, more alive."

“I only hope that Your Highness will be comfortable during your stay here,” Eric said.

Natalia smiled. "I think I will."

Upon entering the manor, Eric, who knew his own home intimately, personally arranged rooms for Natalia and the others. The knights, though few in number, were also accommodated in guest rooms.

The three newly joined church knights were still a bit reserved and said they wanted to stay at a local monastery, but Eric stopped them.

“That monastery is very poor. You’d be better off bothering me than them.”

"I understand, Your Highness..."

After leaving the knights' rooms, Eric went to the highest-class guest room and knocked on the door.

"Please come in," Natalia's voice came from inside.

Eric opened the door, stopped in the doorway, and asked, "How is Your Highness feeling? Are you comfortable staying here?"

"Your Highness..."

Natalia smiled wryly. "I sense you're a little nervous."

Eric pursed his lips. "Your Highness is the most distinguished guest in the more than two hundred years since this manor was established. It's no wonder I'm nervous."

“I am very satisfied. It is comfortable, quiet, and very safe here. The maids are kind and caring, treating me like family, not a guest from afar.”

After saying that, Natalia tilted her head and said, "Can Your Highness feel more at ease now?"

Eric bowed at the door. "Then I feel much more at ease."

Natalia chuckled.

“The banquet is being prepared. Your Highness, please rest in your room for a while. It’s been too long since I’ve been back. I have some things to take care of,” Eric said.

"Your Highness, please excuse me."

Eric closed the door and left, but before he'd gone far, he noticed Elise had followed him. "How was the room? Was it alright?"

"Not really." She followed him to his side.

"What's not working?"

"No one has come to ask me how my accommodation is."

"..."

Eric took her hand and squeezed it, more relaxed and at ease than ever before. This was his house; even if the maids saw it, they wouldn't say anything.

"Where is your room?" Elise asked, being led forward by him.

"You'll find out if you follow me."

After walking for a while, she looked back and said, "It doesn't seem to be near the guest rooms?"

“Yes, it’s a bit of a distance,” Eric said.

Elise tightened her grip. "You're about to break up with me, and you're making me live so far away?"

“Then you can stay in the room next to Eileen’s.” Eric turned to look at her. “It’s just a little small. I’ll be leaving soon, and you can stay in my room.”

Elise raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Eric quickly arrived outside his room, where the maids standing at the door bowed to him and Elise respectively, seemingly unaware that the two were holding hands.

Eric walked into the room, which had been empty for more than three years. He looked around and saw that nothing had changed except for him.

The room was cleaned regularly, especially after receiving news that he was coming back. It was thoroughly cleaned inside and out, so clean that you could roll around on the floor.

Eric is past the age of rolling around on the floor; he chooses to roll around on his own bed.

Taking a deep breath of the familiar scent, he opened his arms, lay on his back, and didn't want to move for a long time.

"The demons and the church ruined my carefree life as a young master."

Elise lay down beside him and gently stroked his chest.

“I told you I envied you, and I was always serious about it… You and Eileen have a place that can truly be called home.”

Eric turned to look at her, then turned around, pulled her hand to his face, and kissed it.

"This is your home now too."

She looked into his eyes, smiled, and then said, "That only counts if you stay here."

“I will come back here eventually after all the problems are resolved,” Eric said.

"You're not going to be a saint anymore?" Elise asked quickly.

“I had actually forgotten if you hadn’t mentioned it…” Eric thought for a moment, “But once the demons are completely driven away, whether I remain a saintess or not will probably be irrelevant.”

"When the demons retreat and order is restored on the continent, do you really think you can still return to your hometown to retire in peace?"

"It's too early to talk about retirement. I might live to be 300 years old."

Elise smiled, let out a long breath, and pulled his hand to her face, kissing it first and then gently rubbing it against her cheek.

"No matter how long you live, I only hope that I can be by your side in the last moment of my life."

Eric moved forward and kissed her on the forehead.

As it was getting dark, Eileen brought Molly back to the manor; the banquet was about to begin.

"Those mages were all shocked when they saw me," Eileen said, clinging to Eric. "They said they'd never seen a seventh- or almost eighth-tier mage as young as me, especially considering I've lived here for over a decade!"

Eric turned and stared at his sister for a moment. "You're almost at level eight?"

“Yes. I gained a lot of insights during the battle to defend the city a while ago,” Eileen nodded.

"...That's right, you're an area-of-effect mage, you're really enjoying grinding experience."

"Ok?"

“It’s nothing.” Eric shook his head.

During the siege, he killed many demon warriors, including some powerful ones, and his level increased slightly, though not as quickly as Eileen's.

After Molly took a stroll around the city lord's mansion, she quickly revealed the same envy as Elise.

"So this is where you grew up... It's not as prosperous as Lutia, nor as big as the previous governor's mansion, but it's still very good. If I had grown up here, I would be afraid I would die of happiness if I didn't cry for two hours every day."

"That's too much." Eric told the maid to inform the others that the dinner could begin.

“You don’t understand what it’s like for orphans to grow up like this… Elise should understand.” Molly looked at Elise behind him.

“I’ve never really been a wanderer,” Elise yawned. “I’ve been living a good life ever since I left the settlement.”

Molly glared at her.

"Let's eat first." Eric dragged Eileen along his arm and headed towards the dining room of the city lord's mansion.

Natalia and the other knights arrived soon after to attend the banquet.

"Are you going to start doing what you did in Hiss City again tomorrow, visiting one or two noble families every day to persuade them?" Eileen asked while eating and drinking.

Eric nodded.

"Why don't we hold a banquet at the city lord's mansion and invite them all over? We can finish talking in one night," Eileen suggested.

Eric thought about it and realized it was indeed feasible. It was obviously impossible to talk to everyone in one night, but he could lay a foundation first to facilitate the subsequent development.

“Alright. Then let’s arrange it for tomorrow.” Eric looked at the butler beside him. “Dion, you make the arrangements.”

"Yes, young master. What is the purpose of the banquet?"

Eric looked at Natalia across from him. "Does Your Highness mind if I invite them in your name?"

Natalia shook her head, indicating that he was free to do as he pleased.

He then looked at the steward, "Invite them under the pretext of welcoming the Grand Princess of the Empire."

"I understand, young master. I'll make the arrangements right away."

We can invite people tomorrow during the day, but we need to arrange the supplies needed for a large banquet as soon as possible, otherwise we won't be able to make it in time.

After eating and drinking his fill, Eric slumped into a chair, finding it wonderful to not have to worry about how to get home later.

Because this is his home.

After sitting for a while, he got up and prepared to go to his uncle's study to see the news from the front lines that had just been delivered that day.

Natalia was invited and went with him.

Upon entering the study, Natalia looked around, her gaze sweeping over the row of portraits hanging on the wall, finally settling on the last one.

Eric looked over as well, and remained silent for a moment.

—He's already been hung on the wall by his uncle.

"Is that His Highness?"

"...It seems so."

The portrait was the same one he had seen in a monastery during his northward travels, only the proportions were different, and the overly sacred and youthful face made him stand out from the row of portraits of his ancestors.

Natalia stared at the portrait for a while, smiled at him, and said nothing.

The intelligence from the front lines, delivered by the winged people, is already on my desk.

Eric gave half to Natalia, and after looking at what he had, he exchanged it with her.

"It seems that the stalemate on the Lutia battlefield will continue for some time."

"As long as we can drag it out, it will always be to our advantage."

Eric nodded, then noticed a piece of intelligence lying on the ground.

He picked it up, looked at it, paused for a moment, and then handed it to Natalia.

She took it and fell silent as well.

The bodies of the previous emperor, Chik Utu, along with the empress, princes, and Marquis Ambrose, were hung by the demons on the ruined eastern city wall of Lutia.

The candlelight flickered in the study, reflecting a long, unconcealable sorrow in Natalia's eyes, which pulsated with hatred.

“This is a provocation from the demons… I must write a letter to His Majesty and the Military Council to calm them down… Your Highness, I can…”

Please make yourself at home.

Natalia sat down behind her desk, picked up a pen and paper to write a letter, but her hands were still trembling.

A white light shone beside her, and a hand rested on her shoulder, gradually calming her down.

"...Thank you, Eric."

(End of this chapter)