Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.34 – The Knight Took Up the Switch (3)
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"-First, allow me to apologize. I can only feel profound regret."
"Hmm, for now, don't bow your head like that? It makes me feel like the bad guy..."
Lee Han found the old priest's polite attitude—bowing his head to the floor toward him—utterly awkward.
A 116-year-old elder was apologizing to him, which only stirred up guilt in Lee Han instead.
He tried to help the old man up, but this gentleman...
"When one has committed a wrong, age means nothing. Isn't it proper for the elder to set an example by apologizing?"
"...You're a true adult."
The elder was the epitome of propriety.
Lee Han once again realized that this man was the most upright and normal adult he had ever encountered in this world—more so than anyone else—and felt a slight surge of fondness within him as he spoke.
"...I just did my best since I took the advance payment. From what I looked into, that top-grade holy water you gave me takes three years of dedicated effort to produce, right? And it's incredibly expensive."
In wuxia terms, top-grade holy water was akin to the Shaolin Great Return Pill or Pure Green Jade Oil.
A priceless treasure that money alone couldn't buy.
It eradicated all diseases and ensured a lifetime of health.
It was also the only thing comparable to troll fresh blood, which boasted a 99.99% acquisition failure rate—equivalent to plucking a star from the sky.
For a knight whose life revolved around the sword, it was like gaining an extra life.
Thus, the advance payment felt excessive, and for Lee Han, it was a satisfying deal.
...Above all.
"In my eyes, that advance was way too much for dealing with those greenhorns. I would've done it for a few gold coins."
"They're valuable combat assets in the temple, in their own way. Heh heh."
"...Those guys?"
Lee Han couldn't agree at all.
And for good reason.
"I doubt even idiots would be that idiotic..."
One exception aside, they were all pathetic.
That was Lee Han's curt assessment, and those pathetic ones...
"Kuhk..."
"K-Kill me...!"
"Ugh... ugh..."
...were writhing in agony like beasts, nothing more.
"......"
The only one deemed usable—the red-haired priest—was enduring the pain with eyes closed.
"......"
...Raphael gazed at that red-haired priest, Pierre, with a sorrowful look.
"You've heard that your brother has been accused of heresy."
"That nonsense?"
"It's a shameful matter."
"Scary stuff. I perform heroically and get suspected, nearly murdered, how am I supposed to live in this world?"
"...It's the temple's failing."
"Hmm..."
Lee Han recalled the priest from three days ago who had called him a heretic.
Indeed.
"Was it because I performed too suddenly and aroused suspicion?"
"That's merely the surface reason."
"?"
"The Inquisition suddenly branded you a heretic because certain high-ranking priests and cardinals in the temple fancied themselves victimized by you—pure delusion."
"...What the hell is that...?"
It was such absurd nonsense that Lee Han was at a loss for words. He blinked, and Raphael sighed for the first time.
For a man who never lost his composure, it was a rare sight.
"...It may sound like an excuse, but I only learned the clear reason why you were deemed a heretic less than two days ago. Before that, I merely sensed the Inquisition brothers showing suspicious movements and targeting you, so I acted."
"So, you were protecting me?"
To Lee Han, it was not just puzzling but shocking.
Assuming it wasn't a lie.
'He volunteered to be my shield without even knowing why?'
Raphael had been shielding Lee Han from the temple's targeting without reason.
That explained his daily visits, and while Lee Han felt a mix of novelty and gratitude toward this stranger's protection, the foremost emotion was...
"No, why?"
Why protect him? The question of 'motive' came first.
They were strangers, so why defy the temple's will to play shield for him? Especially as the temple's foremost elder.
To that doubt, Raphael replied.
"Isn't it obvious? How could I not act for one unjustly accused? Even this humble body must move."
"......"
"I couldn't offer much help, and my frail form failed to stop the brothers. I am deeply sorry for that. I burdened your hands needlessly. Though I gave holy water, is it healthier than your body? To you, who nearly suffered without cause, this is but cheap consolation compared to the mental scars."
"...No, I'm satisfied."
"Are you consoling a wretch like me?"
"No, really, I'm not..."
...Thinking anew.
'This guy's a genuinely good adult, huh?'
Lee Han marveled, feeling like he'd met the first adult in his life—aside from his grandfather—worthy of respect.
The posture of aiding others without seeking reason, sacrificing one's life for righteousness.
It was a way of life known in theory but impossible to emulate, evoking awe naturally.
'That's probably why they call people like him...'
...great men.
Raphael unwittingly had eyes and ears throughout the temple.
Thanks to the many who still respected and regarded him as cardinal.
True virtue and influence, which soon revealed the temple's scandals after he resolved to investigate.
And the scandal was none other than—
"-In short, those high priests of the temple..."
'They held shares in the tunnel?'
"And when those shares turned to worthless scraps due to the tunnel collapse, they raged at me—the one who caused it—and branded me a heretic, right?"
The tunnel was a den for criminals and the southern continent's largest fertilizer producer.
An indestructible 'safe asset' like gold, perfect for hiding illicit funds from the royals.
The high priests had bought shares exploiting that safety, but unfortunately...
'...I turned it to dust.'
They never dreamed it would collapse, let alone by a single knight—or two—with a century of history behind it.
Investors likely suffered losses rivaling the Dutch Tulip Mania.
An unforeseeable disaster, so their grievance was understandable, but...
"A man of faith commissions an assassination over lost dirty money? To the Inquisition, no less?"
"......"
"Even the temple knows that tunnel was a 'true den of heretics,' right...?"
"...They do."
"And still hold me accountable?"
"......"
"Is this... right...?"
"...I have no words, even two mouths wouldn't suffice."
"Whoa... seriously?"
"......"
"I'm losing it. ...I'm genuinely baffled right now."
Silence was affirmation, and Lee Han was truly stunned this time, his mind blank.
Sure, losing wealth naturally angers people, and lashing out at the culprit is common.
But...
'The temple does this crap?'
In a world where gods exist, by those who claim to serve them?
'Is this some hidden camera prank?'
Such doubt arose, and Lee Han smacked his forehead.
...It hurt.
History lessons taught how terrifying corrupt religion could be.
But mere knowledge; he'd never experienced it.
Just stories.
Now facing religious 'corruption' and 'degeneration' firsthand, its vileness and disgust exceeded imagination, hitting him viscerally.
His head throbbed.
"Wow, no, whoa..."
He was even awed.
'No wonder those guys warned me to beware the temple.'
The regressor Blackie and the timid Status Window.
Their shared caution about the temple.
- Do not get involved with the temple.
- Be careful of the temple.
It was always their refrain, and now Lee Han understood why.
They were beyond foolish—'foul, stinking sludge worse than filth.'
"It's lamentable... I never imagined such things would happen while I was briefly away."
"...Not your fault, right?"
From guild info, Raphael had stepped down as cardinal and been on pilgrimage.
Living as a wanderer spreading the divine word, away from the temple for about seven years...
'He said he returned suddenly?'
No one mentioned it, but it was like a political titan un-retiring.
"Your return as an inquisitor must tie into the temple's current mess, huh?"
"Something like that. I never dreamed it'd devolve like this in just seven years."
"Hm, doesn't seem so."
"Pardon?"
"You just didn't know. It was probably progressing gradually. A massive organization doesn't corrupt in a mere seven years normally. It likely festered step by step while you were unaware—just covertly enough to evade you. Fooling one person takes just five conspirators."
"......"
"Or maybe not."
"...Heh heh, no, that rings true."
Hearing Lee Han, Raphael looked as if his own head throbbed with realization.
Like one enlightened by unexpected words.
"Truly, I was negligent and foolish. Rather than leave on pilgrimage, I should have stayed and strived for the temple."
"Can one person change an organization? Once mold takes root, it's uncontrollable."
"...Brother, you're kinder than you look."
"What's wrong with how I look?"
"Heh heh."
"You're laughing?"
The old priest smiled with a relaxed expression.
As if their talk had lightened his burden.
Thus, the knight and old priest bantered on.
For quite a while.
With the story somewhat sorted, Lee Han learned why he'd been labeled a heretic and that more might target him.
Raphael assured such Lee Han.
"Worry not on that front. I'll do my utmost to shield you."
Though low in rank, he bore the dignity of the temple's top elder.
If he willed it, he could serve as a shield.
His words carried resolve, and Lee Han felt gratitude deep down, but...
"Nah, leave it."
"Brother?"
"I needed decent punching bags anyway. Keep coming."
If the temple's caliber had been higher than expected, he'd welcome Raphael's offer, but Lee Han saw no need, adding his thoughts freely.
For good reason.
'Even if they keep coming, they can't inflict any real damage.'
Decent sparring partners for boredom relief.
He'd felt limits training solo, and opponents wielding the peculiar [Holy Arts] provided fresh stimulus.
Plus...
'If every inquisitor is this pathetic, I'll never be in real danger.'
Pathetic.
He'd told Raphael lightly as a joke, but it wasn't empty words.
They were truly pathetic.
'Like those young masters—or the White Silver Lion Knights.'
Thugs relying solely on Holy Arts.
Bullies to the weak, but helpless against the slightly stronger.
In short, punks rampaging on faith in Holy Arts alone.
'At least that Pierre guy's decent.'
While others lived by Holy Arts alone, he used them as support, honing technique and body well.
Impressive, and a fresh style Lee Han wanted more rounds with.
...However.
'His mentality's rotten.'
Lee Han grimaced.
Skillful, but mentality falling short.
Attempting suicide at mere disadvantage—or certain defeat...
The type Lee Han despised most.
'Some claw desperately for life despite filthy circumstances...'
Though talented, his humanity was base, and Lee Han hid no contempt.
"Heh heh, you seem quite disappointed in that child in many ways."
"Something like that."
"......Be lenient. He's a boy with many wounds."
"That's no excuse. Even if 'he's young'."
"......"
"How'd I know? Felt it from his frame while beating him. Tough bastard, holding his shell to the end."
"...Being with you is full of surprises, brother."
"This ain't much."
As Lee Han chuckled...
Thud...
The red-haired priest fainted again from the muscle-tearing pain.
And then.
Flash!
Like a snake shedding skin, the priest's guise peeled away, revealing the red-haired priest's true form.
Slightly smaller than before, with improved skin, that... no...
"Hmm, just to check a hunch, but is he presenting as male due to gender identity? If so, I get it..."
"That's what intrigues you?"
"What else should I wonder about?"
"......"
Tastes must be respected, and Lee Han respected others' identities too.
...Though he respected tastes, he'd swing fists equally at the senseless.