Grave Keeper of the Fallen Kingdom

Francis.

He lives a normal life until he becomes an adult, but one day his life changes when a stigma is engraved on his body.

He had no parents and lived as an orphan, moving from place to place before settling here in Brilliant.

Stigmatism is a characteristic that only a small percentage of priests possess.

Because those who have stigmata unconditionally gain tremendous divine power, the church forcibly incorporates them into the church if they find a person with stigmata.

The same goes for foreigners.

Even if you are a citizen of the mighty Baran Empire, you have to become a priest of the church if you find stigmata.

Because the influence of the Holy Kingdom is spread across the continent.

No matter how strong the power of the desired empire or the kingdom of Rosaria was, they could not enmity with them.

That’s why Francis built a nest in Brilliant. Brilliant would be the least conspicuous.

The day the demons first appeared in Brilliant. I was able to meet Frances and with her help I was able to survive.

Instead, I had to accept her prickly, suspicious, tired personality as it was.

‘The personality is still the same.’

I thought I talked to her quite a bit at the time, didn’t I… … .

Even knowing that it was Arjen, Francis at that time did not show any hostility.

But what is this reaction now?

I feel like I’m going to use my holy power and put that fist right in my face.

“Wait a minute! I don’t know what the misunderstanding is-“

“misunderstanding? The perpetrators don’t know!”

I don’t even think to listen.

Write, what should I do?

“I, I am abandoned!”

Her twitching muscles calmed down at the words she threw out.

It was a story I brought up because I had heard from her in the past that she was an orphan.

Fortunately, she seemed to be interested in listening to it this time.

“Actually, I… … .”

I revealed in detail about being abandoned by my family and the ugly things they did to me.

Then, her hostility slowly began to fade.

“I am Arjen, but I cannot be seen as Arjen. I can’t call my father my father… … , what a situation like that.”

“okay… … ?”

I thought I explained my situation perfectly.

It looks like he hasn’t completely erased his doubts about me yet.

It’s understandable, since she’s hiding herself, I can’t help but be an uninvited guest to her.

“Anyway, I’m sorry for coming all of a sudden. Stop looking for a place where people are… … .”

My sincere apology eased her anger.

“So how did you get hurt like that?”

“Oh that… … .”

He was a soldier of the kingdom, but he was attacked by bandits, so he roughly covered it up.

Because Rayman is the kingdom’s quasi-knight.

“Hmm… … . Are there bandits around here?”

“there is. Because we suffered.”

Her cold eyes scan me.

“why?”

“Why are you talking nonsense?”

“You look the same age, how are you?”

my age is older

I seemed to have let go of my anger, so I quietly let go of my words.

“under.”

She lets out a laugh and nods her head.

“Do as you please. i helped you How are you going to compensate me?”

“ah… … .”

finally came out

But there’s really nothing I can give you.

“Because of you, the yard and bed are covered in blood. What are you going to do?”

“I’m sorry about that. And I will definitely repay you for treating me.”

It was sincere.

Whatever the circumstances, it is true that it bothered her in seclusion.

From her point of view, it would have been easier for her to hide herself if she just let us die.

Even so, since he saved us by using his divine power, it was right to repay him somehow.

“I do, but I don’t have much money right now… … .”

“The money’s done, you guys… … Do you use a sword?”

“uh?”

“If you’re grateful, help me out and work. If you have a conscience, of course you will help, right? Instead, your body will definitely recover.”

The good side of continuing a kite with Frances is rather me.

If she says she will definitely restore it, even one request like this is nothing.

How much money does it cost to go to church and receive divine restoration from the priest?

Of course, Francis couldn’t reveal that he was using divine power, so he couldn’t factor it into the calculation.

‘Whoops… … .’

“of course! Just do whatever.”

“good. however… … .”

She opens her eyes and looks at me.

“Why are you in such a bad mood? Something doesn’t like your expression… … .”

I shrugged my shoulders pretending not to know anything about her doubts.

Anyway, quick-witted guys are annoying.

“Huh, anyway, you guys know how to use a sword, right? Can you kill goblins?”

It’s even worse than being half-corpse after being stabbed with a knife.

It’s a goblin… … , Compared to Pearson, it’s an easy opponent, but dealing with humans and monsters is another matter.

‘what… … , But a goblin would be fine, right?’

At this point, I need to imprint on Francis that he is a helpful being when he becomes close with him.

* * *

When Rayman came to his senses, Rayman and I ate the food Frances had prepared for us, then headed back to Decane.

The clothes that were covered in blood were replaced with other clothes that Francis gave her, and they decided to return them the next time they returned for treatment.

Since her body had not fully recovered yet, she decided to visit Francis’ house once every three days, and decided not to talk about how Francis had recovered her.

Rayman packed up first and sent me home, and I stayed at Decane to clean up.

“Fortunately, no one has come yet.”

Although no one is coming.

The bodies of Pearson and Garrett were then left dead.

After cleaning up the blood and skillfully burying the body, it feels pleasant.

“But don’t these guys’ ghosts appear?”

I roughly cut a thick branch and set it up instead of a tombstone. Is it because I made it too roughly?

Or is it that the tomb has just been built and the ghost does not appear?

“Hey, wake up.”

I touch the mound of the tomb where they are buried with my foot, but there is no response.

“hmm… … .”

I watched the tomb for about five minutes and then went back to Decane.

– You’re still alive.

“Are you saying it as if you really wanted me to die?”

– No way.

I let out a laugh at the teasing tone, put my sword in one place, and resumed my delayed training.

Physical training should be done consistently. Because the basis of swordsmanship is physical strength.

“Hoo-wook… … , Huuk… … .”

I ran like crazy without stopping for 10 km.

Beads of sweat ran down his cheeks.

Looking up, a system message came to mind.

[Your health has risen by 0.1.]

‘good.’

When you train hard like this, the message that your ability level rises comes to mind every once in a while.

The more tangible achievements are, the more motivated you are.

– Pick up the sword.

Before I knew it, my ancestor floating next to me said to me.

My side hurts and I’m dying, but I don’t even give myself time to rest.

There was an unknown dissatisfaction on the ancestor’s face.

“Why is that?”

– Tsk, I don’t like it when my side is cut off by those guys.

“Didn’t Pearson use swordsmanship?”

– If it doesn’t fit, stop.

“It’s easy to say, when swords collide, only my sword is damaged.”

My sword, which was hit directly by Pearson’s sword, was useless, and I had to buy a new sword by selling Pearson’s machete.

Fortunately, there was a place Rayman knew well, so I was able to hit it with a decent sword.

– Can’t you just avoid it and cut it?

“… … .”

At the words of my ancestors, there was nothing to say.

Haven’t you already shown yourself?

with a shovel too.

“I heard.”

I raised my sword without saying anything.

– When you fight with enemies, your side is cut, your shoulder is cut, and your legs are cut too.

“I know.”

– So even when injured, don’t let go of the sword.

“Then what if the wound gets worse?”

– You must train your body enough so that the wounds do not recur.

“Before that?”

– If you train patiently, your body will be trained that much.

Words don’t work.

That man’s body was also made of steel.

-Today, there is no time to rest until you do more than 10 perfect vertical cuts.

“yes?”

Did you get that hot from being stabbed yesterday?

Although he is injured, the training intensity has become stronger.

“… … ha.”

I went through crazy special training for a week without even taking a break.

In the meantime, Rayman also came back to Decane after recovering to some extent. After receiving additional treatment from Francis, he was able to hold a sword and resumed training.

“Are you okay, shooter?”

Rayman asked, patting his shoulder.

“I’m still sick, but I’m fine.”

“I will have to recover for the next two weeks to get better.”

“Is it going to take about a month?”

“yes.”

“It won’t be long.”

“How long will it take? I can’t train properly in the meantime!”

Rayman stomped his foot, as if he wanted to train quickly.

“Still, there is a request from Francis in 10 days, so I need to recover properly. For the time being, do your training sparingly.”

“… … yes.”

Rayman lowered his shoulders with a downcast look.

“No, come to think of it, there is a shooter, right? I don’t really need to go to that quest… … .”

“There is none. You got help, but pretend you don’t know? Are you that kind of guy?”

“Yes? No, I’m not that kind of guy!”

“Then you should go, man.”

“Whoa… … .”

I secretly smiled at that guy.

“Did you hear that too?”

“What do you mean?”

“Black Mage. Grave robbers did that.”

“ah! That’s right! But aren’t warlocks all fictional stories that come out of stories?”

“Tsk, you can’t do that. If not, will there be smoke in the chimney?”

“So you’re saying it’s real?”

“Yeah I don’t know. But you have to be prepared.”

Rayman nodded.

“How do I prepare?”

“I was thinking the other day while burying the grave robbers.”

“yes.”

“Aren’t we the only ones managing this place?”

“Yes.”

“And hardly anyone comes.”

“Right.”

Rayman continued to chime in.

Looking forward to seeing what answers will come out.

“So I’m thinking of secretly moving the remains here to another place. how is it?”

“yes?”

Surprised by those words, Rayman opens his mouth wide and tries to seduce me.

“No, if you get caught doing that, we will be sentenced to death! execution!”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t get caught.”

“Even though… … .”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I have almost 20 years of experience here in Decane.”

“20 years?”

“… … It’s been so long that I feel the same way. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”

Rayman looks at me with a puzzled look.

No, he usually gave me such respectful eyes, but why are you like this?

“But wouldn’t it be enough for the shooter to kill them all when they come?”

“A-san, do you want to be a rag like last time again?”

“It’s not like that, but… … .”

“Then shut up and say goodbye. Where are you throwing up at what the shooter says? A young bastard.”

“… … .”

Rayman’s pursed lips twitch.

He seems to have something to say, but he seems to be holding back.

Yes, even if you have something to say, there are times when you have to be patient.

You’ve improved a lot.

– There is no such thing as a kkondae.

I opened my mouth at those words and looked at my ancestors.

I never thought I would hear this from my ancestors… … .

Suddenly, the me from a while ago flashed through my mind.

‘No, I can’t be a kkondae… … .’

Shaking my head to organize my thoughts, I glared at Rayman.

“What are you doing?”

“yes?”

“If it’s decided, should I run it?”

My cold eyes glanced over Decane and then turned back to Rayman.

“Sir… … Aren’t you?”

“Look, you are preparing first. Because I’ve seen a place where I can move. I’ll do some research first.”

“… … .”

“now! Let’s do it quickly and finish it quickly!”

Rayman shrugs again and truds away to get the shovel.

How many times have you seen that look?

At this point, aren’t you doing that on purpose to look pitiful?

– You met the wrong shooter.

I ignored the voices of my ancestors and moved toward the new cemetery I had seen before.