Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: They Say That House's Guard Knight Wears a Ribbon on His Head (4)
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I placed my hand on Pippin's shoulder.
"I've come to receive the bishop's benediction and be formally appointed. With the beast subjugation coming up soon, we've rushed the schedule. I apologize for the short notice, but I ask for your kind assistance."
"No need to apologize! You're always welcome here, Your Grace."
The bishop and I exchanged light banter as we walked deeper into the church. Pippin and the escort followed silently behind us. But halfway through, Dalia started whining that her legs hurt, drawing my attention. However, I had something more important on my mind.
"By the way, Your Grace, I have something to discuss. Would you spare a moment to talk with me while we prepare the appointment ceremony?"
The bishop's eyes gleamed as he lifted the corners of his mouth. I felt my own lips twitch upward.
At the funeral, I'd slipped Bishop Horay some money and subtly asked him to act as my informant. It seemed he had some news to share today. Good thing I'd brought cash.
"Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
While the bishop stepped away to prepare the ceremony, I turned around to see Dalia in Pippin's arms. She had the enlightened expression of a dog worn out from a walk, and she'd even handed her doll off to him.
"I want to go home."
Dalia muttered quietly.
"I told you to stay home..."
Pippin approached me. I thought he might hand Dalia over, but no. Looking oddly formal in a way that didn't suit him, he whispered timidly as usual.
"Why are you talking with that geezer who looks like Gigas? He seemed shady."
"Gigas?"
"The mountain of a beast. A giant with arms as thick as his torso, tiny red eyes, and a foul face."
Hahaha. The contrast between Pippin's serious face and Bishop Horay's sleazy mug was so funny that I burst out laughing.
"Don't worry. Your master's shadier."
"That's weird in its own way..."
It wasn't long before Bishop Horay returned. He extended his hand toward the open door.
"Please, let's talk in the VIP room this way. Come along."
Leaving the escort behind, I headed through the door Bishop Horay had opened.
Bishop Horay led me to the VIP room at the far end of the church offices. It was a space prepared for greeting nobles and royals, opulent to the extreme. The furniture was all high-grade hardwood, framed in gold and studded with jewels for extra flair. The red velvet curtains evoked money more than sanctity, and the sunlit window was filled with jeweled ornaments.
At the very back hung a portrait of the saint. I scowled at it.
Edmund Maiselium.
That kindly smiling saint was the male lead who would later torment Dalia with his sly personality.
Ptooey. I spat inwardly and turned away.
"Please, have a seat."
Bishop Horay handed me a letter.
"This is a letter I received from the capital church recently."
Showing me the letter itself meant he was worried I wouldn't believe him otherwise.
I smiled and took it. It didn't smell like money, but the church seal confirmed it was important.
[To Bishop Horay Ketopsys. The church is sending personnel to support the upcoming beast subjugation. As you mentioned, Bishop Orchid will likely visit the Gluttony Duke's household. He's seen as the crown prince's close aide within the church, but his position is narrowing. Rumors swirl that he might even be forced out of his bishopric. His personality flaws have kept him from attending services for ages. He's set to join the subjugation with the crown prince—whether that's a promotion or a demotion for him remains to be seen. That's all for now.]
I handed the finished letter back to Bishop Horay. He took it with a sly smile.
"It's from my disciple serving in the capital church now. Reliable source, so it's safe to say 'Bishop Orchid' will visit as stated."
"Who is this Bishop Orchid? First I've heard of him."
Was there anyone by that name in the game? I racked my brain, but no one came to mind. As the crown prince's aide, he might've appeared in an illustration.
But with the game scenarios and details keeping me busy, recalling every extra from the art was impossible.
"Orchid Libido. Orchid Destructo. Actually, there are two Bishop Orchids."
"Two? Which one's coming to me?"
"I can't say for sure. My apologies. The Orchids are known as twins, but no one's ever seen them together. They look identical, but their behaviors are so different it's certain they're distinct. I've only heard rumors myself—never seen them in person."
From the explanation, they sounded bizarre. And the letter mentioned "personality flaws."
"Do you know why the crown prince keeps such... unique individuals close?"
"Probably because of Orchid's abilities."
Bishop Horay spread his arms wide and launched into a tirade.
"It's said Orchid can commune with plants. Control their growth or movements, that sort of thing. There's even a ridiculous myth that drinking the sap from his plants restores stamina and heals wounds."
He continued, revealing what looked like blatant jealousy.
"Young as he is, flaunting such unholy powers—surely divine punishment awaits. It's not holy power or true plant communion. Has to be a scam. A heretic who learned crude magic and became a cleric. So His Highness the crown prince must be watching closely, planning to purge him later."
I nodded attentively. Truth be told, I didn't share Bishop Horay's personal opinions. Whether Orchid was a proper cleric or a corrupt heretic didn't matter.
The crown prince had his eye on him. He wielded plant magic. That alone made him worth watching.
"The two Orchids thing bothers me, but..."
I'd have to see for myself who showed up.
Anticipating this, I handed Bishop Horay the pouch of gold I'd brought.
"It's been a while since I visited the church, so here's a donation. There was a disturbance in the territory recently, but we overcame it by the goddess's grace."
[♥♥♥♥]
"Thank you."
His affection rose another notch right away. Bishop Horay grinned as he accepted the donation.
He loved money, but his honesty about it made him appealing to me. Better than hypocrites who pretended otherwise—those who openly embraced their desires were less slimy.
"Shall we proceed with the guard knight appointment?"
I stood. Bishop Horay scrambled up and grabbed both my hands, gazing at me in rapture as if I were not Duke Sierra but a pile of Sierra cash.
"I'll give the finest benediction."
***
Pippin was just a guard knight, but I wanted rumors of him entering my service to spread to the imperial palace. Churches were perfect for that.
A knighting ceremony in church carried weight—not just from the noble claiming the knight, but with a cleric's blessing too. Yet the rite was simple. In the bishop's presence, the knight shed blood and swore loyalty to his lord. Done. No guests needed. No fuss over entry order.
"But there has to be a protagonist. Where'd that Pippin boy go?"
We were ready for the ceremony, but Pippin was missing. While the bishop checked the hall, I wandered the church in my uniform, searching. I couldn't yell his name—it was improper in a church.
But soon enough, I found Pippin and Dalia together. In the garden behind the church. They sat under a white parasol, enjoying a tea party with tiny cups. A few local kids sat around them, busy sharing modest snacks.
"Pippin. What are you doing here? Dalia too. Come on."
Looking closer, Pippin had a ribbon on his head. Dalia must've dragged him into playing with the kids. Dolls from the tea party littered the area, grubby ones with ribbons on their heads too.
"Brother."
Dalia spotted me and hurried over, delighted.
"Miss, bye! Play again next time!"
"Weird kid, bye! Pretty kid, bye! Bunny owner, bye!"
Calling them weird kid and pretty kid instead of names—they must've just met today. Good affinity too. Nobles really start strong.
Straightening Dalia's disheveled clothes from playing, I tidied up the awkwardly approaching Pippin too. I plucked the pink ribbon from his hair and sighed.
"You've got to stop her."
"......"
"What if you get pranked like last time?"
Of course, I was getting tormented by Dalia too. She grabbed my necktie and wound it round and round.
"We've got the ceremony ahead, lots to do. You two might be free, but I'm busy. Sigh. And we've got to greet guests properly."
"Guests are coming?"
"Yeah."
I frowned, thinking of the unknown Bishop Orchid.
***
Grand music filled the hall. With the choir's song, Pippin entered. I stood beside the bishop, watching him approach. He still looked dashing like a knight. For now.
"Wait..."
My relief didn't last. I'd spent all yesterday scrubbing and dressing him to prevent this.
The ribbon from the tea party wasn't just one. Another perched on the crown of his head. It showed when he knelt before me. Being a head taller than me, I hadn't noticed earlier.
"......"
Bishop Horay glanced at me, then halted the ribboned knight. He lavished him with dramatic, moving words about serving his lord and devoting his life henceforth. The ribbon seemed to distract him, but the benediction wrapped up decently.
Now my turn.
I approached Pippin and handed him the ceremonial sword I'd prepared. Useless as a weapon—just jewels. Call it a knighting bonus paycheck.
"Pippin. With this sword, I bestow upon you a name. From this day, you are Sir Pippin Schloss."