Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.35 – The Instructor's Flex (2)
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Two weeks before the start of the semester.
The moment when the old priest relayed to Lee Han the reason he was suspected of heresy and targeted by the inquisitors.
Lee Han...
- You have the list of cardinals and high priests gunning for me, right? Can you hand it over?
- I can give it to you, no problem. But why do you need it?
- Gonna go deal with them myself. ...Though I'm open to talking it out.
- Heh heh, so the last part was a lie.
- ......
He was gearing up to play assassin again.
Assassination—if he could just take out the ringleaders targeting him, the temple wouldn't come after him anymore.
He was confident.
If he could fully unleash his abilities, he could even aim for the title of "Reincarnation of the Shadowless Divine Thrower" in this world.
- Tristan was worth facing head-on, but the temple? Nah.
Just like killing a fly or mosquito didn't stir any guilt, Lee Han saw the temple's higher-ups the same way.
No sense of dirtying his hands by killing them.
Lee Han openly spoke of executing them, and the old priest...
- Not a bad idea.
- ......?
voiced approval, leaving Lee Han baffled instead.
- ...I'm the one saying I'll do it, but you're cool with that?
- Heh heh, my cultivation isn't so profound that I'd forgive vile scum abusing the name of Light for their own gain. Sometimes, drastic measures are necessary. Don't worry—even if you commit a sin, Brother, I'll shoulder it all and go to hell myself.
- Th-that's not what I wanted...
Upon closer look, this old man was even more ruthless than him.
- ...However.
- Hm?
- Taking them out won't solve the problem.
- ...Go on, I'm listening.
- Thank you. What I mean is this: using your words as an example, Brother, pests keep coming no matter how many you catch. Like finding one ant means the house is already infested everywhere.
- ...So even if I squash those guys, new pests will just pop up, right?
It made sense.
There was an old saying: trying to catch bedbugs and burning down the whole thatched house.
It meant ruining something big over a small issue, but it could also be interpreted like this.
- To wipe out pests completely, you gotta be ready to torch the entire house.
If you're gonna uproot them, go all the way to the roots.
Sure, taking out the temple's higher-ups would feel good short-term and solve the immediate issue, but the temple would just send more annoyances his way.
They were already paying attention to him.
Second wave of pests buzzing around his ears.
Super annoying...
- Plus, the inquisitors from the Heresy Tribunal don't know the word quit. More skilled ones will come after you. Especially the so-called Special Inquisitors—if they show up, even you won't escape unscathed, Brother.
- They're that strong?
- It's not raw strength; they don't scruple about methods or means, making them tricky. They might even target those around you instead.
- ...Then the temple and I can't live under the same sky.
The temple wasn't to be trifled with, but if it came to solo action, Lee Han was certain he could topple it—even if it took ten years.
Not arrogance, but confidence.
He wasn't one to take it lying down; he had to repay tenfold, no, a thousandfold to feel satisfied. Petty like that.
- That would be tragic. For you and the temple alike. So, in my view, wouldn't it be better to take some time and handle this properly?
- Time?
...Time would fix it?
Lee Han's doubt, and Raphael didn't hesitate.
- Of course. And I haven't just been idling. Fortunately, some brothers have been helping a worthless old man like me.
- Oh?
He got it instantly.
The old priest had been quietly building a "faction" since returning to the temple.
Former cardinal, top elder of the temple, a saint candidate.
If such a figure built a faction, his allies wouldn't be pushovers.
- Once those cooperating with me gather, it'll be time for me to carry out my final mission in life.
- Planning a reform or something?
- If necessary.
- ...Won't be easy.
He'd heard it said that establishing a new dynasty is easier than saving a crumbling one.
To Lee Han, it looked like the old priest was attempting something even more reckless than him, yet...
- If someone has to do it, it might as well be me.
he replied nonchalantly.
- ...Fine, let's put assassination as Plan B for now.
- Thank you, Brother.
- But if they start getting really annoying, I'll have to go with Plan B. Keep that in mind.
- Heh heh, of course. But don't worry—as long as I'm holding position in the Heresy Tribunal, neither they nor the inquisitors will move rashly.
With one failed raid already and the old priest watching closely, the high priests weren't dumb enough to act.
It'd be openly advertising corruption and boosting Raphael's influence.
- Power-hungry types never give anyone an opening to snatch their power.
- Heh heh, you understand the mindset of those in power well, Brother.
- ...Kinda stumbled into it.
Possible because he knew someone like the incarnation of power—his sister. As Lee Han and the old priest reached an accord...
- So what do we do with these guys?
- ......
The old priest showed a troubled expression for the first time.
The 11 captured heresy inquisitors.
He still hadn't decided how to handle them.
The pondering old priest...
- Hm, I'll take those two.
- Those ones?
The priest who first spat nonsense at Lee Han and the one who seemed to lead the inquisitors.
He pinpointed those two exactly, and when asked why...
- They're the adopted sons of high-ranking priests. They're likely the masterminds. Holding them will keep the higher-ups in check. Whatever info comes out of their mouths will be fatal to those guys too.
As expected of the old priest. Kind, but not clueless about politics.
Still...
- ...So nepotism rules the temple too.
- ......My failings.
Absurd at the blatant spectacle, the old priest let out a small sigh.
As for the remaining nine...
- Hm, you can handle those however you see fit, Brother. ...Though as an excuse, they were just following orders, so please show mercy.
- Didn't I say death was fine?
- Heh heh, but they survived, didn't they? They deserve a taste of mercy.
- ......Convenient mercy you've got there.
Lee Han replied offhandedly and glanced at the remaining nine wretches.
From those writhing in pain to the red-haired woman in disguise.
He...
- Hmm, Assistant Instructor.
- Y-yes, Instructor!
- You got rookies now.
- ......Pardon?
- I was gonna grind just you for the rest of the term, but somehow worse ones showed up. So...
- ......
- Handle them well. You're the senior now.
- ...!!!
Lee Han decided to give the assistant instructor a gift.
"Interns" he could kill if they screwed up.
And now.
"Stand straight, you lot! After two weeks of training, you should know better! Why can't you even line up properly!"
"......"
"No answer?"
"...Sorry, sir."
"Ha...! You think I wanna hear your pathetic excuses? What, pissed 'cause a kid half your age is chewing you out?"
"...No, sir."
"Don't lie— you are pissed, right? Huh?!"
"......"
"No answer!!"
"...We're really not."
"Then why do you sound so whiny! Jealous? If you're jealous, you should've become assistant instructor faster than me! Then you wouldn't be humiliated by some young punk. Pathetic, huh?"
"......"
"No answer means you're admitting it?"
"N-no, sir!!"
"Who told you to glare and yell! And don't shout. People might think I'm bullying you, got it?"
"...Sorry, sir."
"Why are you whispering...!!!"
"......"
With rookies in tow, the assistant instructor had awakened.
To none other than...
"...That guy's insane."
"Damian holds grudges like nobody's business, that's why."
"Whoa, if that were me, I'd wanna off myself. Brutal, just brutal."
...a psychopath.
Damian, fully awakened as a rabid dog, was vicious.
Nitpicking over trifles, he'd been grilling them for over two hours already.
The sight made onlookers cringe, and watching too long...
"...Gotta watch my back at night."
You might get stabbed by an intern in a dark alley. Even though tragedy awaited him, making onlookers anxious.
"Who told you to glare...!"
To reiterate, Damian was happy.
Sincerely...!
"They say everyone has a hidden talent. Who knew that guy had this one."
Lee Han was impressed.
He was laying into them properly.
No one taught him; he'd instinctively mastered bullying rookies.
Born talent.
A talent freshly bloomed.
"...Is that even a talent...?"
"Kunta, those guys look pitiful."
"Yeah, takes me back to my low-rank mercenary days."
That was Yi Sang's trio's take.
And unlike them...
"That woman..."
One was eyeing the woman herself.
"What, you coward, you cheating right now?"
"N-no, not like that. Why would I be cheating? I don't even have a girlfriend."
"...I'll make sure to tell Bora-dol."
"Why?"
"......Should I just beat you too...?"
"??"
"...Forget it. Hurts my mouth just talking. Tsk."
Listening to Tae-chang, Lee Han pitied Bora-dol.
How'd he end up liking a guy like that...
Lee Han grumbled, unaware of why, when Damian spoke up.
"B-by the way, Instructor, i-isn't that girl Judy Pierre?"
"Dunno about Judy, but Pierre sounds right. Why? You know her?"
"N-not personally, but I couldn't not know her."
"Why?"
"...Well."
......Hearing Tae-chang's story, Lee Han's gaze involuntarily shifted to the black-haired guy.
"───!"
He saw a face swirling with shock, hatred, anger, and more. Lee Han was mildly surprised.
And understandably so.
- One of the original's three great villainesses. Judy Pierre, called the 'Blood-Soaked Flower' alongside 'Poison Flower' Irene. ...She's even married to Young Master Roan but headed for divorce.
"......That dude was divorced?"
What's with that black-haired guy's genres?
'Regression plus divorce...'
Sheesh...
Lee Han got why he was the original protagonist, clicking his tongue.
'Divorced hero was a trend once.'
......Not one he wanted to experience, though.
Lee Han felt a twinge of sympathy.