Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: 8. The Lord Watches Over Everything. (4)
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Complex and anxious thoughts flitted through Lisa's mind. She had been too complacent. She hadn't even imagined that the Lord's eyes and ears could reach this far.
"Did... did He see everything...."
She tried desperately to deny it, but there was no way He hadn't seen. It wasn't just once or twice that she had pounced on Priest Isaiah.... She had summoned him incessantly whenever the chance arose....
The Lord undoubtedly knew every single thing she had done up until now.
"But.... if that's the case, then why has nothing happened all this time?"
Clearly, what Lisa had done was utterly unforgivable for someone serving the Lord. No, even a normal person shouldn't have engaged in such depravity.
Yet despite it happening multiple times.... had the Lord simply watched and let it slide? There was no way to fathom what He was thinking.
And it hadn't even been outside the church—it was in the sacred worship hall where she committed those filthy acts.... The crime was so grave that she deserved to vanish into mist at the execution grounds right then and there, with no room for excuses.
Overwhelmed by agitation, Lisa clenched her sweat-soaked fists tightly, her lips trembling....
The cardinal, who had been silently watching her, furrowed his brow, tilted his head, and spoke.
"Is something the matter?"
"Yes?!"
"No.... Your complexion looks poor...."
"Ah, it's nothing.... It's just, knowing that the Lord has been watching over this place all along.... I was worried if I had made any mistakes up to now...."
"I see. Don't worry too much. Even if there were mistakes, the Lord will forgive them with His boundless mercy."
"Haha.... Y-yes, of course...."
As she forced an awkward smile, a bead of sweat trickled down her jawline.
"I'm going crazy.... Is this how it's going to end...?"
The fact that nothing had happened until now was even more terrifying. Had He spared her deliberately, planning to torment her slowly? Various possibilities flashed through her mind, but she couldn't arrive at any answers.
Whatever it was, one thing was certain—she was fucked....
Her head felt like it was about to explode.
"Bishop Lisa hasn't killed anyone.... nor laid a hand on any believers, has she?"
"..."
Fuck....
The cardinal's words pierced her heart like a sharp dagger. She had killed people, and while not a believer.... she had laid hands on someone even higher—on the proxy who served in the shadow of the divine.
She wanted to scream and bolt out of there, but doing so here would only fuck her over, so desperate to preserve her life even a little, she masked her emotions as best she could and forced the corners of her mouth upward.
"Of course.... How could I ever do such a thing...."
"Then there's no need to worry so much."
Slurp—
The cardinal elegantly lifted his teacup again and sipped his tea. Lisa, staring blankly at him, felt her breath catch with every passing moment.
"No.... Thinking about it, that damn bastard was the problem from the start...."
How was she supposed to resist when he shook that insanely lewd body to tempt her.... On closer reflection, he was the one who started it all. She was the victim, really—if he hadn't looked at her with those sultry eyes and rubbed up against her two years ago, things never would have escalated this far.
Thus, denying all her past actions and rationalizing them to herself... she soon felt her head throbbing as if it might burst from the overwhelming thoughts.
Thud—
"Bishop Lisa...."
"Yes.... Your Eminence...."
"I've now conveyed everything the Lord has said. I'll take my leave, then."
"Yes.... Pardon?"
Already?
The cardinal, having abruptly finished his tea, rose from his seat. It didn't feel like they'd exchanged more than a few words, yet she acted as if her business was fully concluded and prepared to depart.
Hadn't she said it took days just to get here? Surely there was more to discuss.... Of course, with news of the hero's appearance, what could be more important? Still, Lisa wished she would at least stay for dinner.
"Pardon? You're leaving already?"
"Yes. I've finished everything I came here to do. Time to head back."
"Even so, after such a long journey, you must be weary.... Why not rest and at least have dinner before you go...."
"I appreciate the thought.... but I have other duties as well."
"..."
From the start, delivering this message had been her sole purpose—she brushed off Lisa's pleas to stay even a little longer with a light laugh. As she turned to leave, the believers followed one by one, as if waiting for the signal....
"A-are you sure it's all right to leave like this?"
"Hehe.... What, do you want me to stick around?"
"I mean.... I just thought you might rest a bit before going...."
"Staying here would just make me a bothersome old lady you'd have to look after.... It wouldn't suit me to overstay my welcome."
"No...."
Lisa started to protest but quickly clamped her mouth shut and let out a faint sigh. It was pointless anyway; the woman wouldn't listen. With her stubbornness as unyielding as ever, Lisa had no choice but to follow behind as she headed to the carriage.
"We probably won't meet again until this time next year. You'll be busy from now on.... Don't stress too much and take it easy...."
"Yes...."
Leaving Lisa's pensive reply behind, the cardinal boarded her splendid carriage once more. Confirming her boarding, the believers promptly secured the door with a click, and it hurriedly set off. From the window, she looked down at Lisa, resting her chin on the frame with an impassive expression, and continued.
"As you know, the Pontiff will come then as well. It might feel burdensome, but I'm sure you'll manage...."
"Of course."
"I believe in you."
Lisa bowed in respect. Out of the cardinal's sight, her face twisted slightly.
The Pontiff coming in person.... With word of the Lord's descent, it wasn't entirely surprising, but it was enough to rattle her nerves.
"Still, it's a relief that the higher-ups haven't caught wind of the matter with Isaiah.... I should count my blessings that it hasn't leaked...."
Maybe she was overthinking it. Yes, she had done things no human should, but.... Who knew? Would the Lord even care about the transgressions of mere mortals, akin to insects?
The doctrines didn't even mention celibacy anywhere. Quite the opposite—they actively encouraged things like intercourse between men and women or drinking.... Perhaps she was agonizing alone while no one else gave a damn.
But without firm assurance, it wasn't nearly enough to shake off her unease.
"Bishop Lisa, I'll be going now. If you need any help, don't hesitate to contact the head parish right away. We'll support you to the best of our ability...."
"Thank you. Safe travels, then...."
With those words, the coachman cracked the reins with a shout, waving his arm vigorously. The horses neighed and began moving forward slowly.
The clopping of hooves and the rumbling of wheels churning the earth echoed in succession. Watching the carriage fade from view, Lisa exhaled softly as tension drained from her, then demurely clasped her hands in front.
Was it just her imagination, or did her back feel heavier? Lost in thought, she stood motionless until the carriage vanished completely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hmmm...."
Letting out a faint groan, I pushed myself up from the bed and tilted my head slightly. Two days had already passed since that incident.
I still couldn't walk properly, but the needle-like pain stabbing through my body and the sharp agony slicing my muscles had gradually lessened—I could now lightly swing my arms.
Anyway...
That wasn't the important part.
With the believers' help to steady myself, I looked down at the woman prostrating at my feet.
A woman with long red hair splayed out like octopus tentacles, slamming her head against the wooden floor. The leader of an entire guild, yet she was banging her head with enough force to drill through the planks.
"Haa...."
I could easily guess why if I knew the circumstances. Her subordinates had caused trouble, so she had come to apologize on their behalf.
Of course, she hadn't done anything wrong herself. If anything, her failing was not managing her people properly—her lack of vigilance.
But people can't be discarded like objects; regardless of discipline, those sorts were bound to cause accidents eventually, driven by base instincts. So I had no intention of blaming or reproaching Guild Master Reina in the slightest.
That's why I told her she could stop and leave now...
"I-I'm sorry. I'll make sure nothing like this happens again.... I'll be more careful. I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry...."
But it seemed Guild Master Reina saw things a bit differently from me.