The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 92 Before Leaving
According to the old saint Morwenna Tullus, Eric could travel to Lutia in the name of touring on her behalf according to the itinerary he designed. This would attract the attention of the dignitaries in the imperial capital and allow them to join them with almost no resistance.

This is fundamentally different from Eric's plan.

He didn't go to Lutia for socializing, so he didn't need such a grand ceremony. Or rather, a grand ceremony would make it inconvenient for him to do anything shameful.

"Are you going to kill someone?"

The Saint expressed her dissatisfaction bluntly, "What do you mean by keeping a low profile? The Saint's authority is built on keeping a high profile."

"I haven't become a saint yet, so I can't take away your reputation." Eric comforted the old man, "That's why I have to leave Lesire quietly, and try not to let anyone know."

The Saint frowned and looked at him for a moment. "I gave you freedom, but I didn't mean you could do bad things."

"It's definitely not a bad thing." Eric assured her. As for what is a bad thing, he has his own standards.

"Then why can't you just let a team of knights follow you?" the Saint asked. "Even if you really want to kill someone, they're much more efficient than you."

In terms of combat effectiveness, Eric really couldn't refute it. "I have personal matters... a lot of personal matters, it's inconvenient for them to follow."

The Saint disagreed, "When I die, they will be yours, and your private affairs will be theirs."

Eric was speechless and remained silent for a long while, still thinking of other excuses. Suddenly, the Saint sighed, "Well, whatever you want... I only asked someone to follow you to ensure your safety. If you insist on not wanting to, then I have no choice but to listen to you."

Eric was stunned for a moment, then bowed deeply to show his gratitude.

In many ways, the saint was indeed quite indulgent towards him, especially after the serious illness a few years ago. This was the extent to which a grandmother could pamper her grandson.

Before leaving, Eric said that he would come to say goodbye to her tomorrow morning, but the saint said that if he wanted to leave, he could just leave because she couldn't get up in the morning.

Back at the side house, Eric made final preparations before leaving.

A few moments later, Alena and Sophie came over to find him.

Eric glanced up casually and paused, vaguely feeling that the atmosphere between the two seemed to be off.

"what happened?"

"Sophie has already chosen a room. It's right next to mine," Alena replied.

Eric glanced at her; that wasn't what he was asking.

"Really?" He didn't ask any more questions. "After I leave, this place will be handed over to you."

Alena looked up at him, then lowered her head again, "Yes, Your Highness."

He was fine, so Alena quickly left the study, leaving Sophie with him.

"What's wrong? Did you have a conflict with Alena?" When they were alone together, Eric asked more directly.

Sophie quickly shook her head, "It's nothing... just a little problem."

Alena had quickly apologized for her gaffe, but Sophie felt more bewildered than aggrieved: she didn't understand why her joking words had caused such a big reaction from Alena.

The head nun should have been able to tell that it was a joke, right?

...Can you hear it?

"Your Highness, can I stay in your room?"

"What a joke."

Look, even His Highness thinks it’s a joke.

Eric didn't say anything as he looked at Sophie who was distracted.

And when it was late at night and before going to bed, she really sneaked into his bedroom.

"Don't come in. This is the Saint's Abbey. There are at least twenty nuns listening to what's going on in my room."

"Why are you listening to this?!" Sophie was shocked.

"Of course I'm on guard against nuns like you trying to seduce me," Eric said.

Sophie nodded, closed the door, went into the room, and climbed onto his bed. "That is indeed necessary, because His Highness cannot resist the slightest temptation."

"..."

Eric could only prove with his actions that she was right.

"Your Highness, can't you really take me with you?"

Eric didn't say anything, but kissed her forehead to make up for her regret.

"Your Highness."

"Ah."

"Eric..."

"Ah."

"Please come back."

"Even if I'm willing to give up you, I can't give up my position as the Saint."

Sophie bit his shoulder a little harder.

She wasn't bold enough to spend the night with him, and as time was almost up, she still wanted to go back to her room. Eric put his arm around her waist and, with a little effort, lifted her up.

"Shh...I'll take you back to your room."

Sophie hugged his neck tightly and pressed against his chest.

"Your Highness."

"Ah."

She closed her eyes and said, "If you let me die now, I will be satisfied."

Eric pursed his lips, "I'm not satisfied."

He opened the door with one hand, held her in his arms, and carried her back to the room, making almost no sound under his control.

When he came back and passed by Alena's door, he didn't hear any movement.

The next morning, when Eric got up, he still hadn't seen anyone. When he came out after washing up, Alena was already waiting for him.

"Your Highness."

Judging from her appearance, she seemed to have gotten up a long time ago.

Alena had already sent the things Eric wanted to take away to the outside of the city in the past two days, so he could leave the monastery empty-handed.

Before that, he came to Sophie's room, opened the door slightly and took a look.

She was curled up, sound asleep.

Eric didn't plan to wake her up. He turned around and saw Alena looking at him. He said, "I'm going to say goodbye to the Saint."

The saint who was unable to get up yesterday was now waiting for him to come and say goodbye.

Eric had said almost everything he really wanted to say in the past few days. When he met the saint, he just held her hand and kissed the back of her hand.

"Your Highness, I am leaving."

The old man looked at him and said, "Remember my words: no matter what happens, you must come back alive."

Eric lowered his head. "That's the only thing I can assure you of."

"Let's go." The Saint waved her hand. "I hope this isn't the decision I'll regret most in my life. Let's go now before I change my mind."

Eric stood up, bowed one last time, said goodbye to the old man, and then turned to leave.

He had no intention of making his departure from the monastery public knowledge, so when he actually left, only a few people knew about it.

"Your Highness." When he left the inner city, the knights guarding the city gate greeted him as usual.

Arriving at the outer city, he followed Alena to a secluded location, which was a residential building with a yard, and the horse he wanted was tied in the yard.

Eric stepped forward and touched the back of the black warhorse in front of him. Its hair was fine, its body was firm, and its limbs looked very strong.

This is the Lille Black Horse he wants, also known as the Lille Warhorse. It comes from Lille, one of the three northern kingdoms at the foot of the Jedi Mountains. It has excellent strength and endurance, and is not bad in speed. It is considered the horse mount with the best numerical value in "Crown of Thorns".

Eric was very satisfied and then went into the house with Alena, where he found the things he wanted to take away.

Here he changed into a less conspicuous casual outfit, put on leather armor underneath, and then took the Aran steel sword as a weapon.

As for other miscellaneous items, they were all placed in the bag on the horse.

Alena also prepared a gray hat for him because his blond hair was too conspicuous.

Everything was ready, and when they arrived at the yard outside, Eric looked at Alena who was silent.

He had been asking her to do errands these past few days, or to discuss how to contact her after he left. Only now did he remember that he had not really said goodbye to her.

But she was not Sophie, and he couldn't show too much emotion when they parted.

"I have to go now."

Alena pursed her lips, raised her eyes, and looked at him for a while, "Your Highness, be careful on the road."

"I'll leave the affairs of the monastery to you. When I'm away, you'll be my representative. Remember to give my regards to the Saint occasionally. If she... remember to contact me as soon as possible." Eric couldn't help but say a few more words, "Don't forget, you are the person I trust the most."

Alena bowed deeply, "Alena will not let your highness down."

Eric took another step closer, and she subconsciously held her breath, suppressing her anticipation. He hesitated for a moment, and finally just took her hand and shook it.

"That's it, let's go."

After saying that, he jumped on the horse, adjusted himself a little, then waved the reins and walked out of the yard.

When he reached the corner, he looked back for the last time and waved.

"wait me back."

Alena stood there until she could no longer see him, then she raised the hand she had just held with him and bent down to kiss the back of his hand.

"Wait for your return... Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)