Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Being one of the head priests in the Cathedral allows me many rights in Grimland, like access to any church across the nation or preventing any organization if they are conducting evil practices.

I am respected by many and adored by many. I have helped many in getting rid of their sins and conducted many trials in which I have saved the innocent and caught the culprit.

In the cathedral as well, I am well-known and respected. However, all this authority and respect was of no use if I could not stop the woman I adore from leaving the church.

When I joined the church, she was just sixteen years old, and now, I am twenty-four, and she is twenty-two—yet even after coming this far, she hasn't understood my feelings.

And now she is adamant on leaving her home to join some trivial meeting between nations?

"I think we should rethink this."

At the entrance of the church where numerous nuns and priests stood, I called out,

"I think Your Holiness needs to stay within the church. And if she really wants then we can have the summit arranged in the cathedral?" I suggested, and given that many others were concerned about her security, many of them looked interested in my idea.

I glanced at the Saintess…but her expression remained unreadable.

Maybe…she no longer wants to go out? Or has she finally realized my feelings?!

I turned my attention towards the golden-haired man, with a smile never leaving my face as I said, "Father Stephen? What do you say?"

The head priest slowly shook his head, "Arranging the summit in such a short duration would not be possible, given we need to be careful about the foreign delegations."

I frowned, barely stopped myself from complaining, as I said, "We have the best holy magic user…aren't we the best people-"

"Father Christopher." A chill ran down my spine as, for the first time in months, I heard her voice.

Because of the veil over her eyes, only her supple red lips were visible, which currently were stretched in a soft smile.

"We have already agreed upon this decision so why argue over it again?" Her voice dripped with the sweetest honey that can easily enchant anyone who is new in her presence. Her allure, even without her revealing her face, was at the peak of beauty; making it impossible to resist for anyone.

And that's why I am worried that someone might bother the Saintess out there.

"Ah, the carriage is here." Suddenly, someone called out, and every eye turned towards the said carriage.

However, my eyes never left her…seeing her excitedly turning her head and looking at the carriage gave me a heartache. Although I wasn't happy that she was leaving me, this different side of hers was satisfying to watch.

… However, beyond all this, there was something that has been bothering me for a while now.

Why this sudden enthusiasm to join the summit? And her frequent letter exchange with the Grandmaster of the Royal Court and the Headmaster of the Soulforge Academy gave off a very dangerous vibe.

There was something definitely up that could disrupt her purity and focus from her belief and the church.

No, I cannot let that happen. Thankfully, I was allowed to accompany the Saintess so I could keep an eye on everything.

'I won't let anyone have you….the only person you can belong to is me.'

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Alex was told to report to the camp settled in Ownhorg.

It took him almost three hours to reach here on a horse.

There was no significant part of this town that could make it a tourist attraction. It was just a small town that came in the middle of various routes, like a conjunction.

Army barracks and hotels were present in abundance here since the border was not too far away, so those soldiers who didn't want to return home or stay on the battleground liked to stay at places like Ownhorg.

Soldiers and civilians were commonly found on the streets as Alex advanced toward the military camp; as Eric told him.

"You must be Alex," Just as he reached the camp, someone called out; ushering the silver head to disembark the horse and approach the soldier.

The soldier had curly brown hair and the same shade of eyes. He extended his hand for a shake, "The name is Liam. Nice to meet you, Alex."

"Likewise, Liam." Alex shook his hand with a nod.

The older one then turned toward the camp and said, "I received the report about your arrival and prepared a resting camp, just in case."

Alex was interested in something else, "Did they tell you why I was called here?"

Liam paused and looked at the younger one with his brows elevated, "They didn't inform you?"

"No…"

Liam sighed with a smile extending his lips before he gestured for Alex to enter the tent first.

Alex did as he was asked, while maintaining his guard, just in case.

Liam first used the same artifact that Beatrice used to create a sound isolation field before he began,

"Well, it is understandable that they didn't tell you about it through Steelhounds, since this is essentially being kept a secret."

Alex was intrigued, "What is it that even the trusted Steelhounds cannot know?"

Liam turned to look at the silver head before asking, "Are you aware of the being who is hailed as the Greatest Hope of Humanity and someone who holds greater importance than the Majesty himself?"

Alex didn't have to think more than once to draw a conclusion, "The Divine Saintess, blessed by the Goddess of Life? The only being who can chant Absolute Heal and someone who is hailed as the Holy Maiden in the church capital?"

Liam was impressed by his knowledge, and it helped that he didn't have to explain her importance to Alex.

"Yes…and that person is joining the summit this year."

Alex narrowed his eyes; he had heard about it from Amanda, but she said that her older sister—the Saintess—was returning home. He doesn't remember if she mentioned anything about the Summit.

"And you, Alex, are going to be her escort."

Alex's eyes widened hearing that, however, before he could say anything, Liam explained,

"There will be others as well, to protect her. The soldiers from the capital and Sir Devon himself. But you will be protecting her from the shadows. You have to keep an eye on her carriage all the time but not appear anywhere around her until she reaches the main palace."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alex now understood his role; a bodyguard in disguise.

It wasn't surprising that the Saintess was receiving so much protection, given how much the different nations were trying to get her for themselves. And the pursuers aren't limited only to the human race.

Until now she was protected since the Saintess seldom left the Cathedral—possibly one of the safest establishments in the world—however, now, her security might get compromised due to this sudden wish to join the summit.

"Any idea why this sudden change in plans?" Alex asked.

The brown-haired shrugged, "I have no clue; things related to the Saintess always remain hidden beneath several folds."

Leaning back in his seat, he crossed his arms and added, "However, rumors are circulating that the Saintess is searching for fine warriors—it is believed that she has been in contact with the highest ups, and under her command, special drills and training is provided to the best of the soldiers. I am one of them, by the way."

The last bit came with a smug.

Alex tilted his head, "Special training? Like what?"

Liam hesitated a bit but then decided to trust Alex, given he was being trusted by the King,

"They are called Phoenix Wings, a battalion under the direct command of Lord Steelhound. He has been training the ten of us for the past month, rigorously. Providing a special potion that heals our wounds instantly and enhances our regenerative abilities."

Alex frowned; he had no idea. He wasn't informed about Lord Steelhound's whereabouts but he could have never guessed him to be involved with this special regime.

'What in the world is happening?'

First, the changes in the school selection for the internship, and now this. It all indicates that the central authority of Grimland is preparing for a massive war…like the ascension quest.

But how is that possible? There are still three or so months left for the announcement. They shouldn't be…unless!

'There is another trasmigrator like me in this world…'

The realization made him frown. There was a high possibility and he has read in numerous fantasy novels how they send another transmigrated being to f-up the main character's life.

And Alex has a feeling that this person is closely related to the higher authority, given how everything is happening behind the scenes and no one knows everything about it.

'Gotta find out who this fucker is before they end up screwing up my plan and possibly this world…'

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.