Chapter 529

Lucius never answered until the very end.

But now he can confidently answer the person who isn't here, "You're right."

Will the Church of the Future become like the Polytheism and Judaism of the past?

Lucius did not know for the time being, and it was not until he defeated East Armenia and the Parthia Empire, brought all of Armenia under Rome control, and successfully converted the Faith that he returned to Rome and pondered this question until his death.

After a chance encounter with Kouhaku, who was studying the Holy Scripture, he had an idea: to have those who were considered Saint by the Church in the past, present, and Future infuse their own simple morality and goodness into Kouhaku's Holy Scripture. This should help to prevent the Church from becoming alienated. Since his idea was approved by Nero, it went smoothly.

Therefore, after the death of Lucius and the disappearance of Nero, and after a brief period of turmoil, the still imperfect Holy Scripture became the oversight of every Pope and major Cardinal. Even the Burial Agency had to consult its advice. In short, it was under such oversight that the Holy Church and the Roman Empire steadily progressed for nearly three hundred years.

Until--

"... This is?!"

"What happened? What's wrong with the Holy Scripture?"

"This is the first time! Such a change... could it be...?"

Coming from Tanaka, considered the youngest Cardinal, during her coronation Ritual in Rome, her astonished eyes saw a shimmering, pure white Rainbow—

It is Holy Scripture.

For the first time in history, a glorious road stretched straight out from beneath her feet toward the Saint Novia Cathedral.

The ideal person—it's as if the world is blessing them.

And so, under the barely suppressed joy in the eyes of the Pope and the bishops present, she looked with unwavering focus at the object of her Inheritance, and said in a sincere and resolute voice:

"I lack sufficient power, my thinking is not thorough enough, and even my conscience and sense of justice are sometimes wavering. But since you have chosen me, I am quite clear about what I should do now."

The radiance emanating from the Holy Scripture, the radiance of the approval of the vast majority of Saint since the founding of the Church up to that time, shone upon her body, and at the same time she knelt down, clasped her hands together, and said:

"I pledge to you—I will steadfastly uphold the righteousness and goodness of the Church's forefathers."

She smiled.

It was neither a lie nor a deception, but simply a gentle reiteration:

"I make a promise to you—a promise made by the Holy One and us—that for those who still suffer in this world, I will fight to the very end, risking my life to Protection the justice that belongs to us."

This is the story that took place before the Savior was invited by the Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg to participate in the final battle of the Millennium Castle.

Let's go back to the present.

Tokyo has resurfaced, and people in other regions are indifferent to this fact, or even want to understand its significance.

But for Lucius Longinus, it felt like his head was about to explode.

Putting aside the fact that Manazuru Chitose's report to him mentioned that she had single-handedly killed Ouroboros, which was shocking but within reason, since Lucius had always felt that Manazuru Chitose was somewhat unusual, it was normal; however, when he heard Chitose say in a very 'strange' tone that Novia had helped him a lot, Lucius was so shocked that he dropped his sunglasses to the ground.

Novia? Is this the Novia I'm thinking of?

However, Chitose did not give a direct answer, but vaguely Lucius wanted to know, he should come to Tokyo.

At this Lucius was walking through a hospital in Tokyo that was being rebuilt with the help of City AI, gazing at the shimmering light of pink and blue shimmering on the water all around him.

He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sporty sandals, looking like he was on vacation.

The reason Lucius dressed so casually was simply because he thought Manazuru Chitose might just be joking with him, so there was no need to take it too seriously and it was better to relax.

Meanwhile, thinking he should first check on Erice after she returned to Tokyo to see if she showed any unusual Lucius pushed open the Erice had mentioned'.

"I really shouldn't have any expectations of people like you!"

"What?! You actually still have illusions about that kind of scum?"

"Don't fight, don't argue, Mommy, I don't want to see you doing such bad things, boohoo, if you keep going, Mommy will cry..."

"I don't know about Luce."

With the cacophony of four voices, the door opened.

What came into Lucius's view was Erice staring angrily at a gray-haired girl who looked miserable. The two of them were cracking their knuckles at the same time, and it looked like they were about to fight at any moment. Between the two of them was a petite blue-haired girl who was half-squatting and waving her hands in a panic, looking like she was about to cry. There was also a Blue-Haired Girl sitting on a white hospital bed, making the Cross the cross and praying with her eyes closed.

I haven't seen Erice for only a month, have I?

How come she suddenly has so many friends? No, with Erice's stubbornness and always sharp tongue, can she really make friends? Impossible...

But feeling he had come at the wrong time Lucius leaned out and glanced at the room number, unconsciously touching the Cross on his cheek.

Speaking of those gray-haired and blue-haired guys, why do they seem to have such an extraordinary aura about them? Could they be figures from the Church?

Before Lucius could finish his thought, Erice shouted as soon as she saw him arrive:

"You've come at the right time, Lucius! Come help me hold this guy down, even though I know he's scum, he's still so devoted!"

"I'm not completely devoted!"

Little Mher let out a beast-like roar, "That Lucius? Never mind, is he an unexpected reinforcement?! Or is he your old flame? Hahaha, you're actually interested in an old man! This is outrageous!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! Lucius is a respectable man! He's not what you think!"

Facing the kick from Little Mher —mainly the chain on her foot— Erice countered with fighting techniques while retorting.

"Of course, what's wrong with older men? They're a million times better than scumbags!"

"It seems their relationship is surprisingly good. There's nothing I can do but feel happy for Erice..."

Lucius leaned against the door, pondering what Chitose had said, and then said, "Well, it seems I've disturbed you all. I apologize."

Just then, behind him, a voice that was extremely familiar to Holy Lance Lucius rang out after two thousand years.

"Isn't this Lucius? You're here too."

Chapter 540 Unforgivable... Fine, I'll forgive you then.

In the blink of an eye, Novia found herself standing on the Tokyo coastline, which was undergoing reconstruction.

From the shore to the distance, there is a vast expanse of shallow sea, as beautiful as a jewel; there are also white sand beaches that Gilgamesh under the bright sun; and dense forests full of Southeast Asian wild plants.

This is all a man-made private beach. Apart from the dedicated sailboats, any other boats that approach will be attacked without warning. Of course, there are also foolproof countermeasures against marine Drone.

As for Lucius--

"What a blunder! I never expected that Manazuru said was actually true."

Lucius quickly walked out from the side, was no longer the relaxed vacationer he had been just moments before. His Hawaiian shirt and sports sandals had been replaced by a clean white Suit with a deep red tie neatly tied around his neck.

Leaning against the protective railing of the coastline, Novia gazed steadily at Lucius as he approached.

"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me you're not used to seeing me in that military uniform?"

"Of course not, this Suit suits you quite well, I was just thinking--"

Novia suddenly smiled meaningfully, took out her communication device, tapped it, and placed it in front of Lucius.

Was I that old when I disappeared?

That's the kind of video that's often shown in classrooms Japan City when teaching about the character Novia the Holy One. It's a short video personally certified and created by Lucius Longinus, featuring an ancient Greece- style Humanoid sculpture with a beard that drags on the ground, and the figure dancing and humming a very modern, upbeat tune in front of the Pantheon in Rome.

The person making the funny video got caught.

This Lucius a little embarrassed, and he touched the top hat he was wearing.

He didn't expect to be picked up by Novia so quickly. Could it be that Chitose mentioned it?

But Lucius quickly came up with an answer and replied earnestly, "Being handsome is also a kind of trouble, and I know that all too well."

"Here you go again, going on and on about your old flames, this time it's the Druid High Priest or the Giants Girl...?"

With her back to the shimmering sea, Novia narrowed her striking blue eyes slightly.

No, no, no, you're the main character this time.

Lucius gave Novia a thumbs-up with an awkward smile. "Think about it. People have changed a lot in the new century. A key, reliable, and world-renowned guy like you is still so young and handsome. Wouldn't that be the fantasy of many people? Countless people would go to unimaginable lengths to summon you throughout the year. So, I'm only doing this for the sake of stability."

"That's enough. I don't possess Authority like 'beauty' that allows me to charm even inanimate objects."

"There will always be some, after all, there are so many people! For example, my clothes were stolen in Shinjuku, would you mind if your statue was fitted with something and stolen? You wouldn't, would you?"

Upon hearing this, Novia's expression turned serious, and she asked with feigned concern, "Was it really stolen?"

"I don't lie, I am the Holy Lance."

Lucius nodded, his expression even carrying a hint of pride.

Seeing this, Novia smiled again, which Lucius a premonition, as if his lie had been exposed.

Could it be that Novia gained a similar ability to detect lies after becoming Servant?

Before Lucius could continue thinking, Novia walked up to him and sighed heavily:

"Lucius, do I look more like Franz Schubert or John Wolfgang von Goethe?"

Then, the silver-haired youth's tone became cheerful, and he gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Or is it Fictional Demon King?"

Lucius was instantly dumbfounded.

Damn it, not only were my prank videos discovered, but my lies were also caught. And the most unexpected thing is that I didn't even recognize that the Demon King inside Erice back then was actually Novia?

This... this isn't right, is it?

Why would the Holy One give up being a saint to become Demon King, a figure of little interest?

Right, Erice's feelings for the Demon King, Novia, and the Manazuru has a relationship with Novia, how should I put it... it just doesn't feel quite right?

Lucius had always believed that the reason he was summoned by Manazuru Chitose was most likely because of the Novia blood flowing through her veins. Although he didn't know when she had started having an affair behind the Crowd's back, it had been two thousand years, so it didn't matter anymore. He just needed to do his duty Servant.

However, when Lucius learned that Novia was the Demon King, and recalled Erice's past dependence on her, he couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Erice is not Chitose's biological granddaughter, but she is nominally so. And although their relationship isn't very good, according to Chitose, she still treats Erice as her granddaughter and loves her dearly...

What's this? Do descendants fall in love with their ancestors?

This is such a complicated situation. I'll see if I can contact Pope Nero and ask her to join the war...

However, Lucius quickly recalled the scene he and Novia had just witnessed outside that hospital room—

At that time, when the little girl named Little Mher saw Novia appear, she showed Wrath, and boiling murderous intent surrounded her. If Erice hadn't stopped her, she might have attacked her directly. Lucius, who had once been able to fall in love with Druid and even Giants, still had a strong impression of that kind of Wrath.

It's like being incredibly Wrath at someone for some reason, even wanting to kill them, but after a long time, when you meet them again, you find that they've changed a lot, as if they're completely different, and they even say they don't recognize the person who came for revenge and that you don't need to see them again... That's what Lucius thought.

But most importantly, when Lucius saw Novia's Erice, he didn't see the same feelings she once had for the Demon King in her face and eyes.

There was only one feeling: indifference, even a hint of disgust.

That shouldn't be the case. Although I've disappeared for several years, it shouldn't be a Hell fall from Heaven. Could it be that something happened that I don't know about? Was I caught red-handed cheating on someone? Or was I involved with four people at once?

Suddenly, for some reason, Lucius started laughing heartily at Novia:

"Haha, I never thought this day would come. You used to always correct me when I talked about my romantic history, saying it was all my fault. Now you're doing the same thing yourself, aren't you?"

"Oh? Really? Lucius, do you still remember this?"

Novia's tone remained calm, but a wooden sword that had appeared in his hand at some unknown time thrust towards Lucius. Lucius reacted swiftly, drawing his Holy Lance, Longinus.

Just like the day they first met a long time ago.

It was a night when the sky was faintly illuminated by the moonlight, but there wasn't a single star in sight; it seemed quite empty.

This was also the first meeting between the 'fast little rascal' who had not yet been called the Holy One and the 'Saint who endured pain and prayed' of the Holy Lance.

The two did not use any Noble Phantasm or skills, and their Od was not even displayed. It was just a very simple and ordinary exchange of martial arts, and the result was the same as it had been for more than two thousand years.

"By the way, Lucius Longinus, do you consider the life you've lived to be a beautifully completed pattern?"

After Novia said this --

"... ha."

Lucius could no longer contain himself and dropped the Holy Lance.

"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha..."

He started laughing heartily, and after about ten seconds, he rubbed his slightly moist eyes.

"Isn't the Answer to this kind of question obvious?"

In the past, after what happened at Golgotha, Lucius had always believed that his suffering was the Answer to his redemption.

Others offered countless Answer, like stars in the sky, but Lucius only had the Answer of enduring suffering.