In front of an apartment’s entrance.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Sister.”
“Oh~ no problem, Bishop. It’s not that difficult.”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. May the blessings of the Holy God be with you.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you.”
The middle-aged woman, flustered by the priest’s kind smile and bow, nodded in return.
Once their farewell ended, the woman in her early thirties immediately moved to the parking lot and got into the back seat of the parked car.
Vroom—
After a smooth start, she picked up the tablet sitting next to her and began to review the organized documents inside.
-······
– Summary of presumed specifications for the White Knight. (See details)
– As a result of inquiries about the Holy Power through returnees from each dimension, the Holy God of the Auterica dimension seems to be the most plausible. (See full interview)
– Conducted visits to related individuals, hypothesizing a specific connection with a certain patient. (Current progress 28%)
-······
Hmm.
With a thoughtful hmm escaping her lips, she slightly tilted her head.
As the representative of the investigation team dispatched to track the White Knight from the Pantheon’s Korean branch, she marked something on the tablet and set it down, gently closing her eyes.
‘…Indeed, impressive.’
She recalled the lingering traces of Holy Power still within a now-discharged patient, eliciting another round of admiration she couldn’t quite count.
‘Just how deep must their faith be for something like this to be possible?’
She had already sensed that presence from quite a distance on the day of the hospital terror and was aghast at what she felt.
Yet, even as time passed, witnessing the remnants so directly stirred up new sentiments.
The more she investigated, the more respect and awe blossomed for that individual.
‘Not just large in scale, but pure Holy Power refined solely through sincere faith. What kind of saint could draw forth such energy from Earth…?’
She was also a high-ranking bishop in this other world, but no matter how generously she viewed it, she couldn’t compare to the White Knight.
If she had to cite a similar level in her world, perhaps an Apostle chosen directly by the God would suffice?
‘I really want to meet them at least once.’
In fact, that was the primary reason she had taken on the role of representative for the investigation team so actively.
She couldn’t suppress her curiosity about what kind of person could achieve such miracles.
Of course, aside from that intrigue, there were practical reasons as well.
‘If they’re truly of that level, they might become the new center of the Pantheon…’
Given the significance of healing abilities, the treatment of priests on Earth was above simply decent.
With limitations on using Holy Power, it would actually be considered more precious than in other worlds.
However, the issue was not the external reputation but internal.
Hoo.
She let out a small sigh and rubbed her face a few times.
Thanks to the Holy Power, her smooth and firm skin was a source of pride, but recent stress had caused skin troubles that were quite concerning.
‘…Faction disputes are too severe.’
In many ways, it was a natural occurrence.
Unlike standard denominations formed by devout followers, the priests of the Pantheon followed different gods and teachings.
Even if those who held negative faith in evil gods were excluded, the fundamental differences in values continuously caused friction and growing discontent, leading to cracks forming.
‘If someone could stand in the center, earning everyone’s recognition…’
It could potentially resolve the current situation.
If that were to happen, they could redirect the energy spent on pointless factional battles toward more benevolent pursuits.
Also, it would naturally lead to public welfare in society.
‘We can’t let such an eminent figure be taken by another country.’
Due to the nature of the Pantheon as a coalition group, the headquarters in America was closer to a representative concept rather than a higher institution.
Having already received the request, cooperation would be given, but there was no need to follow blindly.
With renewed determination, she picked up the tablet she had set aside and scanned the results reports from the team members.
How much time had passed?
Ding!
Suddenly, an urgent message popped up on her tablet messenger.
As she read the content absentmindedly, her eyes widened in shock.
Eek—!
Driving steadily, her car suddenly drifted and changed direction.
Fortunately, there were no other vehicles nearby.
Thanks to that, the car could accelerate immediately without concern about the surroundings.
Zoom— Boom!
The destination of that vehicle was a university hospital in Seoul where the White Knight had supposedly appeared.
*
A warm light surrounded the area.
Woosh—
That realm was not merely a few meters wide.
Stretching beyond the crowded lobby, reaching further and higher, it ultimately enveloped the entire children’s hospital, glowing softly yet beautifully.
It was the real embodiment of miracles and the manifestation of hope.
The embodiment of mercy soothing the wounds of the patients present here.
‘If I’m going to do it, I should do it right.’
Contrary to its seemingly warm exterior, that extraordinary Holy Power was packed with overwhelming energy that instigated immediate phenomena.
Recovery, healing, and regeneration.
Those in attendance could feel those changes right away.
“Ah—.”
“…Oh God. Thank you, thank you!”
“Wow! Mom, this is amazing! It’s so warm. Hehe!”
The reactions of those experiencing what they had only heard of varied widely.
Some couldn’t utter a word, simply shedding tears non-stop, others continued to pray with their hands clasped, and children, blissfully unaware, erupted into innocent laughter.
Yet amidst all those varied reactions, there was one common behavior they displayed.
They endlessly gazed at the being who wielded this miracle.
Standing in the center of the lobby, a radiant figure wrapped in brilliant light like a beacon illuminating the darkness.
Dressed in smooth, flowing white armor, placing both hands on the hilt of a magnificent sword set upon the ground, the noble saint.
The White Knight Heinrich.
“Ah…”
“…….”
In awe of that sacred appearance, the people surrounding him could only stare blankly.
Unlike when he initially appeared, begging for mercy, now they couldn’t even dare approach or speak to him.
They simply gazed at him from a distance, as if admiring a piece of art.
‘The effect is indeed striking. Now, it’s time to…’
However, just as time seemed to freeze, everyone remained stiff.
Tap— Tap—
The first to move was a small figure.
“Su… Sua?”
Was she maybe six or seven years old?
A tiny girl in a patient gown much too oversized for her was struggling to take a step towards him, having just abandoned the wheelchair her father had been pushing.
Oh?
Even in such a frozen situation, an ordinary adult couldn’t ignore the child’s will and anxiously fidgeted in place, gazing at the girl with a look of delight.
But as the girl finally made her way to Heinrich, she carefully looked up at him.
And with vibrant eyes, she opened her mouth softly.
“…Angel?”
Though her tone rose like a question, certainty filled her gaze, likely due to blending with the image she had long imagined from stories.
“Did Sua come here to take me away because she’s nice?”
However, the next words took everyone by surprise.
Both Heinrich and the guardian behind the girl froze in place.
“…Can I not stay a bit longer? I haven’t said all my hellos yet…”
Fidgeting her fingers and glancing shyly up at him, what kind of thoughts were unfolding in that small head?
Yet even after receiving a dose of Holy Power, Heinrich could roughly understand the girl’s condition.
Hmm.
Organizing his thoughts as he quietly looked down at her, he slowly bent his knees and sat down to meet her eye to eye.
At that level, he noticed his reflection in the girl’s sparkling eyes.
‘Right, if I’m going to do this, I should go all the way.’
He slowly raised both hands and grasped his helmet, lifting it upwards.
Swish—
Freed from the constricting space, his silver hair swirled gently in the air, glimmering brilliantly under the lights in the hospital lobby.
“Gasp!”
“……!”
At that moment, those who were silently holding their breath while watching couldn’t help but take a sharp intake.
Heinrich gently brushed aside his silver hair, his golden eyes softening as he looked back at the girl.
The exotic features of that handsome man, combined with the lighting and ambiance, mesmerized those watching.
He reached out toward the enchanting child’s head, pausing just a moment.
Then, he withdrew his arm and slowly took off his metallic gauntlet with his right hand, gently stroking the girl’s head with his bare hand.
“Hehehe…”
The girl giggled shyly under his delicate touch.
Heinrich smiled softly, imparting additional blessings upon the girl, filled with Holy Power.
“Well then, I’ll wait for you. Until Sua grows up. It’s fine anytime.”
“…Really? Then it’s really okay later too?”
“Of course, but you still have to keep getting treated, alright? That way, you’ll be good up to a hundred years old.”
“Huh… A hundred years?”
Seeing her look around bewildered by the playful remark, she seemed unable to comprehend that number yet.
He chuckled, pulling his hand back from her head.
He then glanced at the middle-aged man in the back, who was on the verge of tears, gave him a nod, and slowly stood up, letting the guardian swiftly scoop the girl up while constantly bowing.
All the while, the girl waved her hands and smiled innocently.
Somehow, she caught his eye.
‘An unexpected event indeed.’
With his helmet tucked under his arm, Heinrich began to don his gauntlet again while surveying the surroundings.
It seemed the publicity had been even more effective than he had imagined.
‘Although not on the same large scale as during the terror incident, the level of healing shouldn’t be lacking.’
By drawing attention naturally and revealing his face, all he had left to do was one thing.
He started speaking softly, his voice rich with Holy Power.
“Warm concern for those who groan in pain, a helping hand for those in distress…”
In this other world, the Holy God had no specific name.
The Holy God, akin to a creator, was simply a singular, total entity.
However, if viewed externally from dimensions, it wasn’t entirely without terms to refer to him.
“…May the blessings of Auterica be with everyone.”
The name of that dimension served as the very word to refer to the Holy God.
With his voice imbued with Holy Power, Heinrich made a deep impression on the hearts of the people around.
‘They’ve arrived.’
Feeling the presence converging from all directions, he gathered his energy and pulled the Holy Sword that was embedded in the ground.
He had no intention of facing those who sought him right away.
‘Not yet, it’s not the right time.’
Now that his objective had been achieved, he needed to prolong the moment for a more dramatic reveal.
Using this attention deftly for some subtle promotion.
‘Blindly sermonizing wouldn’t do it well.’
With the focus on Heinrich now, a mere hint would prompt people to seek him out.
So, until that time, his task was to…
Whoosh—
Right before those chasing after him burst in, he used “Blessing: Leap” and disappeared from the hospital lobby.
Shortly after, he reappeared at another hospital, far removed from the previous location.
Just like that, several surprise visits followed as if he were playing around.
And by that evening.
After accumulating consistent news from the first visit.
Finally, the online public sentiment in the country exploded.
