Chapter 55 Precepts and Monastic Rules

Eric really wanted to spend the whole afternoon with the Knights Templar, absorbing every skill he could learn. However, before the second knight could step forward to showcase his signature moves, a young nun came running over, shouting loudly that His Highness was due for his lessons.

"So soon? I haven't even had lunch yet."

"Ah..."

The little nun blinked in a daze, then turned and scurried back.

Not daring to truly skip class, Eric bid farewell to Edward and left the knights' quarters first.

After grabbing a quick bite at the nuns' refectory, Eric hurried back to the seminary. The young nun he had just encountered was already explaining to one of the lecturing nuns that he had missed his meal.

As he walked in, he said, "I'm late."

"Your Highness." The lecturing nun bowed to him. "Please go and dine first; I will wait for you here."

"It's fine, I've already eaten." Eric waved a hand. "Let's begin the lesson right away."

"Yes, Your Highness."

He was still the sole student that afternoon, but the curriculum suddenly became much more obscure and demanding than the relaxed morning session.

"Ancient languages..."

Foreign languages had always been Eric's greatest headache back in his past life, and he never expected he wouldn't be able to escape them in this one either.

Though called an ancient language, it was still widely used today, most notably by mages, many of whose spells required chanting in the ancient tongue.

Within the Church, the primary use of the ancient language remained centered around various religious rituals, along with a few archaic divine spells that required praying to the deities in the ancient tongue—though Eric guessed he would likely never have the chance to use those.

A two-hour lesson in ancient languages felt longer to Eric than an entire day.

Fortunately, it was followed by the Holy See's liturgy and etiquette, which required Eric to stand up and mimic numerous ceremonial gestures. Otherwise, if they had made him sit continuously, he might well have fallen asleep.

When the day's lessons finally concluded and the nuns departed, Eric sat alone in the classroom, beginning to harbor serious doubts about himself.

Was there truly no other way to save the world?

Even if greatness required slow and steady accumulation, this wasn't quite how it was meant to be done...

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Eric snapped out of his trance to find Sophie peeking at him from the doorway.

After a whole day of classes facing the stern and unsmiling old lecturing nun, catching sight of Sophie's petite face leaning in and calling his name softly gave Eric a refreshing sense of relief.

She glanced left and right, then asked, "May I come in?"

"Miss Sophie, come on in." Eric decided to sit for a little longer.

Sophie stepped inside. "Your Highness, you can just call me by my name..."

"Sophie." Eric corrected himself accordingly. Ever since they parted ways in the outer city a few days ago, they hadn't exchanged a proper word, as both of them had been rushed.

Looking at him, Sophie suddenly burst into laughter, then hastily reined it in.

Eric smiled as well, saying, "Just get along like before; you don't need to be so reserved."

Sophie nodded vigorously, then pouted slightly. "If the Mother Superior or the Grand Abbess sees us, though, I'll definitely be scolded."

"Mother Superior..."

"I'm not under Mother Superior Alana's charge anymore; the Mother Superior of the Ninth Convent is temporarily taking care of the Seventh Convent," Sophie explained. "Though she's very nice too, she's not quite as wonderful as Mother Superior Alana..."

Naturally, Eric thought. Although Alana occasionally appeared stern, she actually pampered Sophie to an indulgent degree.

"Then let's just be casual when we're alone," Eric said. In crowded settings, they probably wouldn't have many chances to interact anyway.

"Mhm, mhm!" Sophie's eyes curved into crescent moons of amusement.

Looking around the classroom, she asked, "Has Your Highness been here the entire day?"

"Pretty much." Eric nodded. "I only went to the knights' quarters at noon to practice a bit, and spent the rest of the time in class."

"So Your Highness hasn't had it easy either..."

"What about you, Sophie?" Eric's gaze followed her lively, darting eyes, shifting away just before their glances met. "What do you do every day in the convent?"

"Training, prayer, training, prayer, training, prayer... When there's no special arrangement, as long as you don't flaunt an idle appearance, the Mother Superior doesn't interfere too much—especially for people like us from noble backgrounds who will leave after five years. As long as you don't disrupt others' training, it's fine," Sophie replied.

Training and prayer pretty much summed up the entire daily routine of the nuns, Eric thought. With their physical bodies entrusted to the convent and their spirits entrusted to the deities, for most nuns of humble origins, this was simply a way to survive.

"Then are you considered idle right now?"

A blush crept onto Sophie's face, and she looked slightly embarrassed.

"Not really... Your Highness invited me in, so I'm keeping Your Highness company."

Eric glanced over the classroom, which, prior to her arrival, had held only a single student. "When you want to slack off, you certainly can come over to my side..."

An idea suddenly struck him.

When he returned to the Holy Maiden's quarters to pay his respects later, he brought the thought up to her.

"I plan to have Sophie attend classes with me."

"Sophie?" The Holy Maiden glanced at him. "Who is that?"

"She is the other emissary you assigned to accompany Alana to welcome the Holy Maiden's successor," Eric replied. "A nun from the Seventh Convent."

"Oh..." The Holy Maiden recalled the cute little nun. "That was Alana's choice. What about her?"

"Nothing in particular. But she's quite clever, and I'd like her to study alongside me. It will help with my own learning," Eric said without changing his expression.

The Holy Maiden frowned, staring at him for a good half-minute before speaking.

"Young master of the Cimino family, do you still remember what you came here to do?"

"If you're referring to my initial intention, I was prepared to leave as soon as I secured the title of Quasi-Holy Maiden."

"..."

The Holy Maiden glared at him, and Eric immediately bent his head and lowered his posture. "But now I have recognized the responsibilities and obligations upon my shoulders, deeply understanding that halting disasters and saving the world must begin with becoming a proper successor to the Holy Maiden's convent. Therefore, I am in all the more need of a peer to study with me and keep me diligent."

The Holy Maiden glared at him for a while longer, causing Eric's head to sink lower and lower.

「You no longer have time for play, Your Highness Eric. How much longer do you think I have to live?」

With a solemn expression, Eric fell silent for a moment before rising to his feet. "I can guarantee that I will not let you down in the parts Her Holiness requires of me."

The Holy Maiden looked at him. "And you intend to disregard the rest?"

"I wouldn't dare," Eric hastily replied.

After staring at him a moment longer, the Holy Maiden lifted her gaze slightly and let out a long sigh.

"His Holiness the Pope said a few extra words, and I actually took them to heart... It seems I shouldn't burden you with the whimsical expectations of a dying old person."

The old woman was employing a tactical retreat; Eric could only smile wryly. "Hearing you put it like that fills me with a deep sense of guilt."

"I don't see it."

"..."

Eric pressed his lips together. "Then you can just pretend I never brought it up."

"Your Holiness the Quasi-Holy Maiden!"

The Holy Maiden abruptly straightened her posture. "Do not let me hear you say something like that a second time. You are my representative, and not a single word you utter should be taken back lightly. This is where your authority lies!"

Eric immediately lowered his head.

"I spoke wrongly. Please punish me."

The Holy Maiden began to cough, and Eric hurried over to pat her back.

The old woman turned her head to look at him. "Eric, why can't I feel even a shred of determination from you to be a proper successor to the Holy Maiden?"

Eric paused, then answered, "But you should be able to see that I desperately need the title of Holy Maiden. As long as that need exists, I will not let you down."

"Am I getting old, or are all nobles today this blunt?"

"...It's just that I dare not cause you another second of worry."

The Holy Maiden sighed and shook her head. "I truly am too old, my eyes dim and clouded; aside from what I wish to see, I can no longer perceive anything else."

Eric did not respond.

"Do you still intend to abide by the convent's strict monastic rules?" the Holy Maiden asked.

Eric was momentarily taken aback. "I have never had any intention of breaking them."

"Good. Since you have this awareness, I trust you will handle things with care."

"Mhm..."

Mhm?

The Holy Maiden swept another glance his way. "But if you cause too much of a stir—for instance, getting some nun pregnant—then I will have no choice but to kill her."

Cold sweat instantly beaded on Eric's forehead. Where on earth was her mind wandering?

"I harbor absolutely no such intentions."

"Good. See that you don't."