Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: The Slacker Bishop
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The night outing that had completely drained my internal energy was finally over.
For some reason, it didn't feel like a simple one-night excursion. It was more like I'd been wandering around for days and had only just made it back home.
I returned to my room, took off my outer garments, and let out a sigh.
I wasn't particularly sleepy, but the mental fatigue was considerable.
I sorted my belongings, washed up, and flopped onto the bed.
Of course, I had no intention of sleeping just yet.
The sky outside was growing hazy, signaling that dawn was about to break.
Once day broke, the physician would come by, so I had to stay awake anyway.
"Hmm..."
I lay in the sickbed and exhaled.
Who would have thought I'd ever miss this bed that reeked of medicine? Right now, even the medicinal porridge might taste good.
Come to think of it, I'd gone out for a proper meal after so long, only to suffer an absurd mishap.
What did that mean?
If the food had just been tasty, none of that disaster would have happened.
"Sudden rage..."
I felt fury boiling inside me and sat up in bed.
I moved to the window and sat cross-legged.
I planned to meditate to calm my mind and pass the time.
...
...
By the time a warm heat gathered at the crown of my head, I slowly opened my eyes. The sunrise unfolding beyond the window greeted me.
"...Much better."
Even people need a bit of photosynthesis.
Especially when you're craving light this badly, just basking in the sun heals the heart.
I soaked in the warm sunlight with my whole body for a while, slowly stabilizing the energy within me...
And by the time the day had fully brightened, the physician arrived.
I shook my head at the physician who offered me today's medicine.
"I think I'm good now. No more meds. I'm all better."
"Haha. Good one..."
"Want to check me yourself?"
"Pardon?"
The physician examined my face for a moment, then nodded and checked.
Soon, surprise spread across his features.
"This is unbelievable... That wound should have kept you bedridden for at least a month. What monstrous recovery."
Rude.
His gaze felt like he was looking at some inhuman monster, so I made an excuse.
"I've eaten well and grown strong since I was a kid."
"Ah. You're from the Bednicker family..."
He nodded as if it made sense.
There were silly rumors that Bednicker bloodlines were raised on spirit elixirs instead of rice.
'Looking at it this way, I'm no slouch in recovery either.'
For some reason, having just seen Maxim's insane healing made my confidence dip a bit.
If I fully mastered the Flame Arts of the Greatest, would I reach that level too?
"You should have no issues moving around now."
"Right? Can I be discharged?"
"By all means. Just no overdoing it."
I nodded.
Soon, a report of my full recovery would go up through this physician to the academy, and the imperial palace wouldn't be far behind in responding.
Honestly, up until last night, it had felt like quite the hassle...
But maybe because I'd already faced the biggest wall—the Iron-Blooded Duke—it didn't weigh on me much.
After skipping the bland breakfast, as I was loosening up my stiff body, a summons came from a certain Professor Moland.
Professor Moland seemed to be stationed in the dean's office—which meant he was the acting dean and the top candidate for the permanent position.
The professor who greeted me personally was far younger than I'd imagined.
Mid-thirties at most?
Of course, you couldn't judge this academy's faculty by appearances alone.
"You're Cadet Leader Ruan, correct? First time meeting in person. I'm Moland, acting dean."
"Pleasure."
"Indeed."
Moland looked at me and said,
"I've heard from the dean. He instructed us to accommodate you as much as possible during your stay here. Even without that, we would have. You're the hero who saved the academy, after all."
"Hm. Thank you."
His expression and gestures carried genuine gratitude, not empty flattery.
This Professor Moland seemed to have a particular fondness for the academy too.
Even if Alderson couldn't hold onto the dean's seat...
Kartel Academy would be fine.
"You'll soon get a summons from the imperial palace."
"Some fools still haven't come to their senses, huh?"
"True. But with you—the representative—discharged, they won't fuss."
"Representative? Me?"
"Of course. Didn't you show the most outstanding performance?"
Moland smiled faintly and added,
"His Majesty the Emperor will personally commend you for this. Quite the honor."
"Huh."
It sounded somewhat unrealistic.
The current emperor was the Lotus Jade Emperor.
I'd heard he had a gentle heart like a lotus and beauty like jade...
But his body was quite frail, so he rarely appeared before the public.
Of course, I'd never even caught a glimpse of him in my past or present life.
"Understood. By the way, where are the other cadet leaders? I heard some are in bad shape."
"They were in the same ward as you. Didn't run into them?"
"Ah... No idea. Been holed up in my room."
Talk about missing what's right under your nose.
"Mir Giant is still unconscious, and Karon Woodjack... his condition is quite poor."
"Not getting proper treatment?"
"Embarrassing to admit, but yes."
I tilted my head.
"Doesn't add up. Isn't a high-ranking bishop from the 72 Churches here at the academy? Even if curse-inflicted wounds are tricky, a bishop-level cleric's holy power should handle it easily..."
"That's true, but..."
I frowned and asked,
"Is there some political reason?"
"No. Might have been better if there was. Sigh... Nothing to say. Embarrassing, but we're at an impasse."
"Impasse how?"
"As you said, the bishop from the 72 Churches did visit, but he's quite young and incredibly willful..."
"..."
What nonsense is this?
I asked in disbelief,
"How willful is he that he's not even treating patients?"
"He's the Pope's youngest son. Famous for his poor character, separate from his innate holy power. And he was the only bishop available to come to the capital..."
"Hm."
In short, a spoiled brat.
As a former delinquent myself, I was curious about the guy, but it also twisted my gut a bit.
Naturally, to avoid aftereffects from wounds, treatment needed to happen ASAP.
"That bishop—where is he now?"
* * *
According to Moland,
This bishop from the 72 Churches was so incredibly busy that even now, after gracing the academy with a visit, he was back at his lodgings handling backlog.
Of course, it was 100% bullshit.
- There are multiple sightings of him wandering the commercial district during festival season.
- Commercial district?
- Yes. The academy usually bars outsiders, so crowds like this are rare. Maybe once or twice a year during events. So the district's bustling like a festival now...
Moland tried his best to sugarcoat the bishop's antics,
But the conclusion was: the brat was treating the commercial district like his backyard, enjoying the festivities.
'What an unlikeable prick.'
I knew nothing about how holy power worked.
How it recharged, usage limits, post-exertion fatigue levels.
Zero clue.
But even if wielding holy power was taxing, the guys lying in those beds had a right to treatment.
Yet the one sent to treat them was slacking off in the markets...
My fist itched in a peculiar way.
Sure, he was a bishop of the 72 Churches—a high-ranking figure.
I couldn't just punch him in the face, temper be damned.
Still, I wanted to see what kind of punk he was with my own eyes.
He reportedly started prowling in the afternoons, so after eating at the cadet cafeteria for the first time in ages, I headed to the commercial district.
I'd scarfed down about three portions when I started feeling eyes on me from all sides.
"..."
"..."
Felt like they'd never seen someone eat before.
But I got the reason quick enough.
Whispers reached my ears.
"Isn't that Cadet Leader Ruan Bednicker...?"
"They say he's the real hero who resolved the incident."
"Wow... I heard Bednicker's youngest was a lost cause, but that was just rumor."
"But doesn't he look kinda thuggish? Total opposite of Sir Hector..."
Sorry for my ugly mug.
Hector looked every bit the noble son—prim and proper.
Not just looks; his manners were textbook aristocracy...
So compared to him, my rough demeanor stood out. Fair enough.
'Suddenly pissed.'
Got dragged into comparisons because of Hector and took the heat.
Damn brother.
When I saw him next, I might forgive, but etiquette and decorum wouldn't.
Anyway, thanks to my thuggish face,
No one bothered me while eating.
I ignored the stares, finished the awkward meal...
And was about to head straight to the district, but the eyes were too much, so I detoured to my lodgings and disguised myself as Naru.
"Hm..."
I clenched my fist lightly.
Perfect disguise, but yeah—this form had some power restrictions.
Whatever. I was just going to talk.
Naru's face drew eyes for different reasons, but being daytime, no punks picked fights.
'The restaurant the bishop frequents... this one?'
A fancy-looking place came into view.
Rare high-rise in the district. From up top, you'd see the Twilight River in a glance.
Dining at sunset with that view would be nice.
But did a place this upscale do business normally? Cadets wouldn't dare.
Maybe for faculty.
"Welcome. Party of how many?"
"One. Got a spot on the top floor?"
"Ah... The upper floors have an access fee."
"No problem. No problem."
I flashed a grin instead of asking price like a cheapskate.
Guided to the top, I pretended to peruse the menu...
And first scoped out the prior guests occupying it.
"Didn't I tell you from there? Heathen scum who can't even meet God have no business yapping!"
"Ooh..."
"As expected of the bishop!"
Bingo.
A cleric indulging in luxury? Obviously dining up high.
I glanced at the rowdy table.
Six in total, boozing hard in broad daylight.
The one at the head was a greasy-looking guy—shockingly young for a bishop.
Generous estimate: not even thirty.
'This clown's a bishop...?'
Wandering streets like that, even believers might doubt their faith.
A walking atheism machine.
"Whew... Finally feeling better."
"Something bad happen?"
"Yeah! Last night..."
"Last night? Were you out?"
"Uh, y-yeah? N-no! I was obviously in my room! You guys know, right?"
"W-well, but..."
"Come on, enough boring talk. Let's cheers and down another!"
The bishop pushed for a lively toast.
Kinda funny seeing a cleric drink wine instead of beer.
'That said...'
I tilted my head inwardly at the 72 Churches' bishop.
Why did he seem familiar?