The Forgotten Curse Knight - Chapter 60

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: nemui

◈ The Forgotten Curse Knight ◈

Vol. 3 Ch. 18: [Bonus] Hollow Talent, to Protect His Beloved Family.

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Holy Maiden of 〈Creation〉 Cheryl first met Allen Lawrence during his Blessing Examination.

A Blessing Examination was the process of determining the type and strength of a Blessed person's blessings.

In a room at the Holy Knight Order headquarters, the examination venue, were two members of the Blessing Survey Committee. In addition, Elbert Randolph, captain of the First Knight Division, and the Three Holy Maidens were also present.

Normally, a Blessing Examination for a new member was a much more routine affair. Calling in all Three Holy Maidens for a single newcomer was no ordinary matter.

（That means he has quite a promising future, doesn't it~? Lord Randolph personally recruited him as a squire~.）

Allen Lawrence had the rare Double Blessing.

So, by conducting his Blessing Examination before the Three Holy Maidens, they likely wanted to make it widely known that Allen had been recognized by them as well.

In other words, he was to be the Holy Knight Order's new poster boy. The idea had probably come from Rudolf Marriott, captain of the Second Knight Division. It sounded exactly like something that commercially minded man would devise.

Holy Maiden Cheryl looked over the examination results she had received from the Blessing Survey Committee.

There were three types of blessings: 〈Destruction〉, 〈Regeneration〉, and 〈Creation〉. Each was classified as low, middle, or high.

Allen Lawrence possessed middle-level 〈Destruction〉 and middle-level 〈Regeneration〉.

（These examination results are surprisingly broad, aren't they~?）

There was no device for measuring the strength of a blessing.

Each blessing had its own checklist, and the final judgment was made through interviews and tests.

The Blessing Survey Committee properly conducted Blessing Examinations for Papal See employees and holy knights, but for ordinary people, they were generally based on self-reporting.

If someone not affiliated with the Reyel Holy District claimed, "I'm a high-level Blessed," they were usually lying.

（It's difficult enough just to find Blessed people in the first place~. They don't have a visible marker like the Curse Sigils of Mad Walkers~.）

It was said that some people with weak blessings lived out their entire lives without realizing they were Blessed.

In particular, low-level 〈Destruction〉 and 〈Regeneration〉 amounted only to being a little stronger than others or healing from injuries faster, so they often went unnoticed.

"Allen Lawrence. Your blessings have been determined to be middle-level 〈Destruction〉 and middle-level 〈Regeneration〉..."

"Isn't 〈Regeneration〉 low-level?"

Allen cut off the Blessing Survey Committee man's words.

（Oh my~.）

For the first time, Holy Maiden Cheryl looked closely at Allen Lawrence.

He was a tall young man with brown hair and drooping eyes. He was the sort of person who gave most people the impression of being kind.

Yet with a gentle smile, he said something cutting.

"There's no need to exaggerate it. Or is it more convenient for you if I'm registered as middle-level?"

（Well, he's certainly brazen~.）

Allen Lawrence had noticed. He understood why all Three Holy Maidens had been summoned for one person's Blessing Examination.

The upper ranks wanted the promotional line: Hero Elbert's squire is a talented bearer of a Double Blessing recognized by the Three Holy Maidens!

The Blessing Survey Committee had likely been told by those above them that it was acceptable to embellish Allen's examination results a little.

（I wonder what Lord Randolph intends to do~?）

Holy Maiden Cheryl glanced at the hero, Elbert Randolph.

Elbert neither reprimanded nor rebuked Allen. He simply watched with a gentle smile.

Then someone spoke up. It was an elderly woman whose face was hidden by a veil, Holy Maiden of 〈Regeneration〉 Grace.

"May I ask a few questions as well?"

Allen turned toward Holy Maiden Grace.

In a hoarse voice, she asked, "How long does a minor scratch take to heal?"

"About a day, I suppose."

"Do you hold your liquor well?"

"I don't drink much, so I wouldn't know."

"Have you ever suffered a serious injury or illness?"

"No."

"Do you need more food or sleep than others, or are you driven by any particular urges?"

Allen seemed to consider that question for a moment.

"I think I eat more than most. I'd like six meals a day."

Oh my. Holy Maiden Cheryl's eyes widened.

To eat six meals a day and maintain that physique, he was just like Percival Barnes, captain of the Third Knight Division. That hot-blooded knight captain had quite an appetite.

Seeming satisfied, Holy Maiden Grace turned her veiled face toward the Blessing Survey Committee.

"I believe this person's 〈Regeneration〉 is a low-level blessing."

An uneasy atmosphere spread among the Blessing Survey Committee members.

Even so, Allen fearlessly asked the Holy Maiden, "Could you tell me why you believe that, Holy Maiden Grace?"

"Double Blessings place a burden on the human body. As a result, one may require more food or sleep, or be driven by some urge. It seems that this can be suppressed to some degree when one's 〈Regeneration〉 blessing is sufficiently strong, but..."

Come to think of it, Keith, Holy Maiden Cheryl's younger brother, also had a Double Blessing, with middle-level 〈Creation〉 and 〈Regeneration〉.

Accordingly, he showed none of the symptoms Holy Maiden Grace had mentioned.

He was a little quick-tempered, but that was likely just his personality.

Looking at Allen, Holy Maiden Grace continued.

"Your 〈Destruction〉 blessing is overwhelmingly stronger, while your 〈Regeneration〉 blessing is likely not very strong. Therefore, I believe you have come to require more food than usual."

"I understand. Thank you, Holy Maiden Grace."

At Allen's calm reply, Holy Maiden Grace smiled.

"You're welcome."

Thus, Allen Lawrence's blessings were officially registered as middle-level 〈Destruction〉 and low-level 〈Regeneration〉.

* * *

The Three Holy Maidens of the Wing Cross faith belonged to the Papal See and held a position equivalent to that of priests.

However, because of the nature of their abilities, they often acted alongside the Holy Knight Order. Therefore, they had rooms prepared for them both at the Papal See and the Holy Knight Order headquarters.

After Allen Lawrence's Blessing Examination ended, Holy Maiden of 〈Creation〉 Cheryl returned to her room within the Holy Knight Order headquarters. As Cecily prepared tea, she said, "I scolded Keith earlier. He was peeking in on Allen Lawrence's Blessing Examination."

"Oh my~. He must have been terribly upset that Allen took the position of Lord Randolph's squire from him~."

Her younger brother Keith was fourteen years old. He had the rare Double Blessing and was expected to have a promising future despite still being an apprentice.

However, he was somewhat mischievous, strong-willed, and prone to running wild.

Cheryl had hoped he might become friends with someone close to his age in the Holy Knight Order, but apparently he had no friends at all. As his older sister, that concerned her.

"Say, Cecily. Do you think Allen Lawrence and our Keith could become friends? They both have Double Blessings, and I think it would be lovely if they became rivals who pushed each other to greater heights."

"Impossible. Keith was muttering that he didn't like him. He'll probably go challenge him to a duel before long."

What a shame, Holy Maiden Cheryl thought.

If Cecily said so, it was surely impossible. Unlike Cheryl, who was a poor judge of character, Cecily was reliable in that regard.

Holy Maiden Cheryl knew that she was a poor judge of character.

（Because everyone pampers me, after all.）

It was difficult not to trust people who showed her affection.

Meanwhile, Cecily, who had an unremarkable appearance and no blessing, often suffered from being compared to her older sister.

That was why Holy Maiden Cheryl trusted her younger sister Cecily's instincts more than her own.

Cecily frowned as she spoke.

"Besides... I can't trust Allen Lawrence very much. He has talent, but I feel like something is missing from him as a person."

Then he and I are alike, Holy Maiden Cheryl thought.

Both she and he were empty people with nothing but talent.