Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.33 – The Knight Under Scrutiny? (2)
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"Kunta, got a question. Answer me, Arno."
"...Hmm, asking questions is fine, but finish your food first. And don't shout so loudly in the restaurant, Kunta."
"Yeah! Got it!"
Slurrrrp!!
"...Steak isn't meant to be drunk like soup. You have to chew it."
Kunta had slurped down five thick tenderloin steaks like they were soup.
No matter how tender they were cooked, eating like that had to cause stomach trouble.
'Or maybe it doesn't faze him at all?'
Truly a mystic race barbarian.
Having successfully chugged the hearty steaks, he grinned brightly.
"This tasty. Lots of water comes out."
"That's not water, it's meat juice."
"Common tongue very hard."
"...You're doing just fine."
Arno knew that Kunta only seemed a bit dim because of his awkward common tongue, but in reality, he was no fool.
On the contrary, his mind turned faster than anyone's, and he learned quickly.
'Some call barbarians savage warriors, but from what I've seen, that's wrong.'
Malicious rumors invented to disparage barbarians.
If anything, they felt like they'd stripped away all unnecessary information to live in harmony with nature.
'If I hadn't met Kunta, I might've stayed trapped in prejudice forever.'
Now he knew.
Barbarians were valiant warriors and natural tacticians.
They were also compassionate and diligent people worthy of respect.
He hadn't met any other barbarians besides Kunta, but just from what Kunta had said about his clan during his stay, it was clear how remarkable they were.
'It'd be great if we could really become knights together.'
Such a reliable comrade was rare.
"Whew, all done!"
"...Have you had enough?"
"A bit short. But endure. Kunta must eat frugally."
"......I see."
Kunta had devoured ten massive steaks all by himself.
That was a total of 7kg, and he called it eating frugally.
...A reliable comrade, sure, but traveling with him might wipe out all the rations?
"Now okay to ask question?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"Mm, what is temple?"
"...The temple, you say?"
Arno blinked at the sudden question, but then at Kunta's follow-up.
"Yeah, wisest elder in Kunta's tribe, most famous one, said that. When study abroad, watch out for 'temple'?"
"......"
...Arno understood why he was curious.
The temple was indeed the force mystic races needed to watch out for most.
"But all temple people Kunta saw were nice and good. Healing room priest sister pretty and kind. Want to take as wife."
"...Regrettably, temple priests aren't allowed to marry until after fifty years of faithful service."
"...Is this heartbreak? Kunta heart hurts."
"They say that once they pass fifty, they rejuvenate to their teens. Like the Light of Glory rewarding them for their past hardships."
"Wait and see?"
"...Just give up."
Whew...
Arno was momentarily speechless at his friend's absurd antics, but soon.
"...The temple is fundamentally a benevolent force. After all, they heal all the kingdom's sick for free and zealously engage in volunteer work."
"Then why watch out?"
"That's because..."
At that moment, Arno glanced around cautiously.
It was a facility owned by the House of Oppen, with only their people around, but the temple's eyes were everywhere.
He had to be careful. After thoroughly checking for any presence nearby, he cautiously uttered that name.
The name of the most dangerous and notorious faction within the temple.
"The temple has the 'Heresy Inquisition' for that reason. The wise elder you mentioned was probably warning you about them, not the temple itself."
...Even kingdom folk felt a chill if they crossed them.
Arno frowned reflexively as he spoke.
"Why are they dangerous?"
"...Because quite a few inquisitors in the Heresy Inquisition 'despise' mystic races and claim they must all be exterminated."
"...Kunta suddenly lost appetite."
"......"
It wasn't something to say after devouring a whole cheesecake for dessert on top of the steaks, but Arno understood his mood.
It was certainly an unpleasant topic.
"Still, don't worry too much. You're an official cadet studying at the Royal Academy, and the Heresy Inquisition doesn't commit indiscriminate madness like in the old days. ...That said, caution is advised. So I recommend not wandering the capital alone."
"...Listening to Arno, Kunta confused if need to be careful or can relax..."
"Just think of it as wise to avoid getting involved with the temple if possible."
That was the best advice he could give, but Kunta still looked frustrated.
"Then what if accidentally get involved?"
"In that case..."
"In that case?"
"...It'd just be bad luck."
"......"
"But it's unlikely to happen. Inquisitors aren't that idle these days. Unless you're the type to break your nose falling backward, you'll probably be fine."
"Can fall and get hurt?"
"......Looking at you makes me wonder why barbarians are a minority race. You're tough enough to found a kingdom."
"?"
Kunta tilted his head, and Arno clicked his tongue.
It was the peaceful daily life of the two cadets.
......And conversely, if someone was enjoying a peaceful daily life.
"Brother, I hope you're well today as well?"
"...I was, until you showed up."
"Hoho, such jokes."
"Not a joke..."
There were always those who couldn't enjoy any peace at all.
Lee Han, the man so unlucky he might cause a fire just by tripping backward, let out a groan and a sigh.
As he did.
"...Have some tea before you go."
"I'll impose on you briefly again today."
"......"
...This damn sense of morality was his enemy.
'Why can't I act like trash?'
Lee Han hated himself for not being able to treat the kind old man poorly.
...The old man—Priest Raphael—had shown up completely out of the blue.
While Lee Han was diligently training as usual, there came the old priest with his staff, slowly walking toward his house.
- This is a rough path for a stroll...
It was absurd for Lee Han, because his house was in a place that couldn't be rougher.
It was practically wilderness in the city, the path completely unmanaged and a total mess, with risks of wild beasts en route.
At night, it was pitch black—even with a torch, you couldn't see ahead.
So it was a place best avoided if possible.
Well, that's why he got it cheap.
Anyway, so when the old man, who looked like walking was a struggle, first came all the way there, Lee Han was flustered.
His formal attire showed he was clergy, and he seemed utterly harmless, like an old man with no power.
So at first.
- Excuse me, did you take a wrong turn?
He'd planned to politely send the priest on his way.
He was even willing to guide him back or carry him to his destination.
But contrary to expectations.
- Hoho, no, it seems I found the right place.
The old man was a big shot.
- I'm Raphael. A servant saved by the Light of Glory.
...He later learned through the guild that this Priest Raphael was one of only five cardinals in the Light of Glory, and even after resigning, he was an old man with immense influence.
And for good reason.
[-Cardinal Raphael is 116 years old this year, older than the current pontiff. He hasn't used holy magic to rejuvenate, following only the words of the Light of Glory with devout faith and self-sacrifice, rising to 'saint' candidacy—but he resigned that too as undeserved. Because of this exemplary conduct, he has countless followers among temple priests. Shockingly, he now directly oversees the Heresy Inquisition, though opinions vary on why he took that role. Anyway, he's undoubtedly remarkable, and if anything happens to him, we can't predict the temple's reaction. Please choose wisely...]
...That was part of the letter from Guildmaster Simon of the Kingdom Guild Alliance.
And it was maddening for Lee Han.
He couldn't fathom why such a great figure had come alone through that treacherous path, or why he sought him out.
At first, he'd been on guard, wondering what to do, but Raphael.
- I just wanted to see your face today. I'll come again next time.
- ......
...On the first day, he really just looked and left.
But afterward, Raphael kept coming.
On windy days, scorching days, rainy days alike.
So Lee Han.
- ...Assistant, grab a shovel.
- Pardon?
- Let's tidy up the land.
- Who?
- Us.
- ......
He started by fixing the godawful unmanaged path.
A road that would've needed twenty laborers with one shovel, he and his useless assistant fixed into a proper path in half a day.
After that.
- Hoho, the path here is so pleasant now.
- ...This guy's impossible.
For Lee Han, there was no tougher opponent.
An outright enemy would be easier; Raphael showed no hostility, just came to greet and leave, leaving no pretext to complain.
And he wasn't some creepy old man sneaking peeks either...
- It felt rude to come empty-handed, so I brought a humble gift. Do you drink milk...?
He brought homemade goat milk and butter as gifts.
It proved he was a principled priest, and gradually.
- ...If you're not here to harass me, just tell me your purpose.
- Hoho, I just wanted to see the hero who saved the capital, face to face.
- ......
- Seeing you exceeds expectations. You surpass the valor of heroes I met in my youth—better than the rumors. ...Would you consider following the Light of Glory?
- ......Damn it.
...Eventually, scouting began too.
Lee Han admitted it.
- Natural enemy... natural enemy...
He'd met his life's greatest nemesis.
Only kind gazes without hostility, oddly taking a liking to him.
And never coming empty-handed...!
For Lee Han, this was the most 'normal adult' old man he'd seen in the kingdom, making him tricky to deal with.
......But questions remained.
From how such a man handled radical work like the inquisition, to why he came without asking anything.
- Blacky said I'm marked as a dangerous target by the temple...
According to the reincarnator, he'd overdone it and was now a person of interest to the temple.
Reason?
Not entirely clear yet.
He had guesses, but nothing concrete came to mind.
- Whew, headache...
Thus, Lee Han's head hurt.
It'd be better if he just came out and said something, but these vague visits were maddening.
Now, in the present.
Slurp.
"Mm, delicious. What kind of tea is this?"
"...Just dried herbs from the mountain."
"Hoho, drinking nature's grace. A precious hospitality."
"......It's everywhere."
"How much care did you put into picking, drying, and brewing these herbs for me, brother?"
"......"
"Humility and diligence—the very qualities of a devout believer!!"
"...Why does it always connect back to that?"
......He was reaching a state of detached acceptance toward this zealous scouting.
'Damn, this guy's over a hundred and still spry.'
Could live another thirty years easy.
Slurrrrp.
Lee Han sipped his tea.
"Another good meeting today, brother."
"Don't come tomorrow, please."
"Hoho, now that we're getting close, how could I? See you next time."
"...Mm."
The departing priest's steps looked unsteady.
His staff seemed frail, his legs even more so.
"Assistant."
"Yes?"
"Carry him back. And hire a suitable carriage to take him home."
"M-Me?"
"Should I do it?"
"...No, I will. Damn it..."
"Too chatty, assistant."
Damian grumbled as he approached Raphael, who tried to refuse.
"I don't want a funeral in this midsummer heat, or needless guilt. So accept the kindness. You have no choice."
"Forced kindness?"
"No, necessary kindness."
"Hah..."
"...Why look like that?"
"Unlike your appearance, you're a kind man, brother."
"......What's wrong with my looks."
"It only makes me want to bring you to the temple more."
"Hey, answer properly."
"I'll accept the kindness. Thank you. May the Light of Glory bless you."
"...Am I talking to a tree?"
With that, Raphael let Damian carry him, and Damian carefully bore him away.
Watching the old priest's receding back, Lee Han scratched his head.
"...Kindness, huh."
Hmm...
'Reminds me of my old man?'
His grandfather from his previous life, who raised him after his parents abandoned him.
He passed soon after, but thanks to him, Lee Han got through his teens straight and diligent without going astray.
Of course, that didn't mean Raphael resembled his grandfather.
Personality, speech, looks—all different.
Just.
'A good person...'
Character. Unstubborn, flexible with the world, upright living—that character was strikingly similar.
He hadn't known him long, but his senses told him Raphael wasn't approaching to toy with him.
'If he was playing games, I'd have sent him to the afterlife already.'
Tsk...
Tricky. So tricky.
He couldn't bring himself to be prickly with someone fundamentally decent.
The sky darkening slightly.
He watched the settling shadows and two figures recede until even the shadows vanished from sight...
"-So, what's with coming so close today? You shady bastard."
......Lee Han spoke without turning.
No one was around.
But.
"Won't matter if you don't show, but next time, risk your life. I'm on the verge of annoyance."
Whoosh.
Suddenly, like a curtain call, someone appeared.
A mystical rift in space, an eye-dodging sight, and he stepped out.
"...My apologies. It seems I tested a knight. I was merely escorting the cardinal."
"That's why I let it slide. Otherwise, you'd be dead."
"I see. So you knew all along."
The man nodded silently, his face emotionless.
Lee Han turned to face him.
His appearance...
'Looks perfect for heresy inquisition.'
A priest stood there, one hand holding a bible, the other a bell.
Deep shadows under his eyes, gray-streaked hair, in worn somber clerical robes—an impression of gloom.
Eyes dead like a corpse, older than his age, aura darker than his robes.
Gazing at him shrank you somehow.
But to Lee Han.
"So, gonna beat it?"
"......"
He was just a guy he debated smashing.