Chapter 230: Duchy Of Sunweave (2)

"Father... may I know who it is?"

Lucian smiled gently. "Of course, my dear. That is exactly what I wanted to tell you."

Lyria leaned forward slightly. "So... Who is he, Father?"

Lucian remained silent for a few moments, as though carefully choosing his words. Finally, he spoke.

"You already know him very well, Lyria."

She frowned in confusion.

"I... know him?"

Her mind immediately began searching through the faces of her classmates. Then one particular face surfaced in her thoughts. A young man with black hair and hazel eyes.

She had suspected it before. His extraordinary power had never seemed ordinary. But Lyria was someone who still couldn’t understand how divine energy feels. So she was unable to recognize it.

Lucian nodded before she could even ask. "Yes."

"He is in your class. His name is Damien Ashworth."

Lyria’s eyes widened.

Although she had already guessed the answer. Hearing it confirmed still left her stunned. "...Damien?"

Images of his battles flashed through her mind. The brilliant golden light. The miniature suns he could create. The overwhelming radiance that illuminated entire battlefields.

Even back then she had wondered whether such power could truly belong to an ordinary awakened individual.

Now she finally had her answer.

Lucian folded his hands together.

"I first became interested in him after reviewing several reports from Novaris Academy. There was the incident at start of academy, then another involving a dungeon expedition... And later, the events that took place in the forests of Okahaven."

"The more I read... The more curious I became. So I investigated him thoroughly. Not just him. I also reviewed the records of several outstanding students from your generation."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"After learning about Damien’s abilities... I came to one conclusion. The power he possesses isn’t merely a rare talent. It is the blessing of the Sun God."

Lucian’s expression remained calm.

"Even then... I wanted absolute certainty. So before your practical examination... I personally visited Novaris Academy. I observed Damien from a distance. And after seeing him with my own eyes..."

"My final doubts disappeared."

Lyria slowly nodded.

Everything finally made sense. His frightening growth. His overwhelming affinity for light.

The divine quality hidden within his mana.

"So..."

She looked at her father.

"What happens now? Are you planning to bring him to the Holy Duchy?"

Lucian immediately shook his head.

"No. There is no need."

He leaned back in his chair.

"A Hero cannot grow while being sheltered. The hardships he faces. The battles he fights. The choices he makes. Those experiences are what will shape him into the protector this world needs. If I brought him here now. I would only hinder that growth."

Lyria understood immediately. Heroes were forged through adversity. Not comfort.

Lucian continued.

"Besides... If a Hero has appeared... Then destiny would never stop there."

His golden eyes softened.

"Whenever a Hero is chosen. A Saintess is chosen as well."

Lyria nodded.

"Yes. I’ve read about that in the ancient scriptures and stories."

She hesitated for a moment.

"Do you already know who the Saintess is?"

A gentle smile appeared on Lucian’s face.

"Of course. I do."

He looked directly into her eyes. "It’s you, my daughter."

For several seconds, Lyria simply blinked. Her mind went completely blank.

"...What?"

She stared at him in disbelief. "F-Father... You’re joking... Aren’t you?"

Lucian slowly shook his head. "I’m not. There is no mistake."

"You are destined to become the Saintess of this era."

Silence filled the office. Lyria lowered her gaze. Her thoughts raced. Everything suddenly became clear. Her extraordinary affinity for purification.

The strange warmth she had always felt whenever she prayed before the Sun God’s altar. The unknown feeling she felt while using purification ability.

None of them had been coincidences. After several moments.

She slowly lifted her head. The uncertainty in her eyes gradually disappeared. In its place only resolve remained.

"Father... If that is truly my destiny... Then I will accept it. I am ready to become the Saintess."

Lucian looked at her with unmistakable pride.

A warm smile spread across his face.

"Good. Then prepare yourself. The peaceful days you’ve enjoyed until now are coming to an end. Very soon... Your true training will begin. It will be harsher than anything you’ve ever experienced."

He looked at her seriously.

"Tell me, Lyria. Are you ready?"

Lyria slowly clenched her fists.

Determination filled her heart. Without the slightest hesitation, she answered,

"I am."

The moment those words left her lips. A gentle golden radiance began to shimmer around her body. It was very light.

Her soft pink eyes glowed faintly with a warm golden hue. The air itself seemed to become calmer.

Warmer. Almost... sacred.

Lucian’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Even though the aura was still weak. He could already sense the unmistakable presence of divinity hidden within it.

A warm, gentle, and holy energy quietly flowed from Lyria’s body, filling the room with a peaceful light.

An aura that her father had recognized it years ago.

It was something she would always use unconsciously. But her father never tried to disclose it until it was right moment.

And today it was.

---

Inside the temple’s Healing Hall.

The spacious chamber was filled with rows of white beds, each prepared for wounded knights and believers seeking treatment. The scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, while priests and healers quietly moved about, organizing potions and healing equipment.

Lucian stood at the center of the hall, looking calmly at his daughter.

"Lyria," he began, his voice firm yet gentle, "your first task is simple."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "You will heal more than two hundred people today."

Lyria blinked in surprise.

"Two hundred...?"

"Yes."

Lucian nodded.

"Most of them will be our Holy Knights."

A faint smile appeared on his face. "I’ll have them spar much more intensely than usual. Naturally, many of them will be injured."

He folded his arms behind his back.

"So prepare yourself."

Lyria took a deep breath before bowing respectfully.

"Yes, Father."

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in her voice. To many people, healing over two hundred injured individuals in a single day sounded exhausting.

To Lyria it was merely the first step. Ever since she was a little girl, she had admired the legends of the Hero and the Saintess.

The stories of those who sacrificed everything to protect humanity had inspired her more than anything else.

Now that she had learned she was destined to become the Saintess of this era... She had no intention of running away from that responsibility.

No matter how grueling the training became. No matter how many hardships awaited her...

She would endure them all. Because this was the path she had chosen. And she would walk it without regret.