The Saint Wants to Rest - vanish into fiction

Hundreds of camera flashes erupted simultaneously, painting the view in front of him stark white.

This was a large press center located in the heart of downtown Seoul. The mammoth sized briefing room, which normally would only fill up for a major government announcement or news of a merger between mega guilds, was packed with reporters so tightly there was no room to step. Even foreign correspondents who failed to secure a seat were leaning in from the hallways, aiming their camera lenses.

Upon the podium, at the center of the pouring spotlights, stood Ian dressed in pure white clothing.

Behind his back, Holy Knight Vermouth stood as reliably as a shadow, fulfilling his duty of protection.

As Ian approached the microphone, the room fell silent. Staring into the red lights of the cameras broadcasting live across the nation, Ian opened his mouth with an incredibly calm and steady voice.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the members of the press who attended this event despite their busy schedules, and to the citizens watching via live broadcast. I am Choi Ian.”

It was a polite initial greeting. However, the main point that followed was nothing short of a bombshell announcement.

“As of today, I am officially leaving Stigma.”

“……!”

“L–leaving?!”

In an instant, the briefing room was turned upside down. The sound of flashes exploding echoed through the hall like a machine gun, and reporters began to shout while raising their hands high in a scramble.

“Mr. Choi Ian! What is the reason for this sudden departure? Is it a conflict with Guild Leader Choi Jae-heon?”

“Are you planning to found an independent guild? Or did you receive a scout offer from a giant overseas guild!”

Just as the room was about to turn into a scene of total chaos, Ian gently raised one hand. At that small gesture, the noise ceased as if by magic. It was a wordless authority created by the overwhelming miracles Ian had proven within the Gates.

“It is absolutely not a conflict with Guild Leader Choi Jae-heon. Stigma has been a grateful place that has supported me most devotedly from the moment I first showed this power until now.”

Ian paused for a moment and met the eyes of the camera lenses stationed below the podium.

“There is only one reason why I am leaving the vast fence of Stigma. It is because ‘salvation’ must not be monopolized by a specific group or power.”

Even the sound of reporters typing died down. Everyone focused on the Saint’s lips with bated breath.

“If I am exclusive to a specific guild, it is difficult to fairly deliver the light of Lady Regnasia to other guilds or, further, to the countless people in places my hands cannot reach. The authority the Goddess of War and Benevolence bestowed upon me is not for the wealthy or the powerful alone. It is for those who desperately crave life.”

There was not a single tremor in Ian’s voice.

“Therefore, I declare the formal establishment of the ‘Order of Regnasia,’ an independent religious corporation that is not subordinate to any place. Our Order shall be an ark of salvation that solely heals the wounds of this land and stands against the threats of the demons.”

Camera flashes went off like crazy.

A Saint for all people, not the property of a giant guild. It was the moment a narrative was completed that the public had no choice but to go wild for. As if driving a stake into that heat, Ian brought up the most important point.

“In addition, starting at midnight today, we will begin recruiting for the ‘1st Generation Priesthood’ through the official website of the Order of Regnasia.”

The briefing room stirred violently once again at Ian’s declaration. Recruiting a priesthood. It meant that the bait Ian had scattered several times during previous Gate broadcasts was finally becoming a reality.

“I have told you repeatedly. It does not matter if you failed to awaken due to low mana sensitivity, or if you are an ordinary person with no combat ability. As long as you have an altruistic heart that wishes to save others and a firm, unyielding faith, anyone can become a priest and handle this miraculous power.”

Ian gripped the microphone with both hands and added in a desperate yet confident tone.

“Do not despair by thinking of yourselves as powerless. Light blooms in the darkest places using desperation as its nutrient. I will wait for your challenge to heal the world with me, in the name of the Order of Regnasia. That is all.”

An exit made with perfect timing.

Leaving the deluge of questions behind, Vermouth blocked the reporters’ approach with firm steps, and Ian disappeared behind the stage after a polite bow.