After the events of the Holy Spirits I felt slightly mentally exhausted. Having to think of so many possibilities put me not in such a good mood. But I tried to be relaxed for the rest of my birthday and not overthink it. After all, this was my last birthday party in my house perhaps in who knows how long. I might as well appreciate it and think of everything else later.
Well, thinking about Erika's kiss relaxed me a bit, as if it was a good luck charm, seeing her eyes also calmed me, and her voice was soothing to me. I wonder if this is also part of being in love, what a mystical feeling.
I suppose Eleanora also calmed me down too, I guess the two of them are all I need to calm my mind and my heart in such times. I will have to talk with Eleanora about this entire thing though, I don't know if Erika would be able to process it. I am not calling her stupid or something, but she would really not know what to say, and I would rather not worry her unnecessarily.
When the party ended, it was already night, my friends and I stayed in the backyard reviewing the things I got. Eric was examining the armor in detail, noticing a few things that could be improved with Alchemy, while Chris was angry over Eric looking down in the work of the Blacksmith.
"He's a half-dwarf you know? He's an expert! He knew what he did!"
"I know, you don't have to get angry over it! I was just saying that the armor could be further improved with some Alchemy added to the equation, geez…"
"Come on you two, don't fight for everything…"
Erdrich was trying to calm them down but the two were too passionate over their own things, so the discussion continued on the background, as I looked into the moon over the sky.
"So? Are you going to tell me what happened there?"
Suddenly, Elizabeth showed up behind me.
"Don't play dumb, I saw that aura. I saw it when I got blessed as well!"
Elizabeth's shiny eyes looked at me as if she was piercing my soul.
"You're terrible at lying!"
"Sigh… It is not something I want to reveal publicly. It would cause an uproar."
Elizabeth suddenly got concerned.
"Did the Holy Spirits… did one of them…?"
Elizabeth suddenly felt so shocked she had to cover her face.
"Come, let's go to a more private place."
I brought Elizabeth behind the barn where we kept our animals, which we began raising some years ago. I suppose I cannot really keep lying to her so I decided to tell her what happened, partially.
"So all twelve of them… gave you a blessing? By the holy spirits!" Elizabeth suddenly reacted shocked. "Don't you understand what this means? Blake, you've become a He-"
I quickly covered her mouth.
"Please don't say such a stupid title, I am no hero. Nor I want to be one…"
"But you should be… the holy spirits… they choose you. You're the hope of humanity against the demons!"
"I know… I am not going to back down from that, but it is more personal than a duty given to me by someone else."
"I see… Well, they ended aligning I suppose… But still, as a member of the church I… I feel obligated to report this to the higher ups!"
"But the motivation of the people… their happiness, over time the demons have become more and more ferocious and all… Wouldn't knowing a hero was born lift their morality? It is what everyone needs…"
"And I don't want to become the target of all cults. You know that if my identity as a hero becomes public, everyone will know, right? I will be persecuted to be manipulated by nobles, we will be blackmailed, we will be used like puppets. They might kidnap you all just to blackmail me into doing as they please. You know how many things could happen, Elizabeth?!"
Elizabeth sighed, as she looked down.
"I… I guess I didn't thought it through. Sorry… I… I just felt like if Ellergest was alive right now, he would be so happy to know this…"
"I know how you feel but… be strong. And I am sorry too for forcing you to keep such a secret."
"Blake… Well, it's fine. I am glad you trust me so much to tell me this."
"More like I was forced to, you guessed it too much on the spot."
"Heheh… You've become more open, haven't you?"
Elizabeth smiled sweetly back at me.
"I still remember that silver coin you once gave to me, in the first day we meet."
"Silver coin…? Ah, that day…"
"I keep it as good luck charm. To me, you were always kind of like a hero. I admired you- no, I still admire you."
"Well… I guess you can think however you like."
"So knowing this… Its kinds of made me happy, too excited, perhaps."
Elizabeth seemed to think very highly of me, more than I ever guessed.
"Papa said I might one day Awaken as a Saint… they said that the Saint and the Hero are both blessed by the Holy Spirits, a pair made by our gods to protect humanity…" She said while fidgeting her fingers.
"I suppose…" I sighed. "But I told you I won't take over the title."
"Geez, I just… wanted to tell you I will stay at your side." Elizabeth said. "No matter what happens, you'll have me too… I-I know Erika is there, Eleanora too, and everyone else…"
I couldn't help but smile at her intentions, she just wanted to cheer me up.
"Well, thanks… I hope you can keep this a secret."
"Yeah it will be our secret… Though you already got another with Erika, don't you?"
"Don't tell me she told everyone about it?" I sighed.
"Oh no, I just saw you two!" Giggled Elizabeth.