Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Exam (3)
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◆
Carlyle stared blankly at Cardinal Felix.
Gray inside the Holy Sword fell silent as well.
It was a story beyond imagination.
“I think I misheard—”
“You heard it correctly, Carlyle Bellfast.”
Cardinal Felix continued, her face still adorned with a benevolent smile.
“It’s my personal desire to keep you by Gray’s side.”
“⋯⋯.”
Previously, Lionel had made a similar request.
Considering how exceedingly rare it was for Gray to engage in human interactions, it was a request that made sense.
But that had been valid because the person genuinely cared for Gray.
This person’s purpose was unclear from the outset. From a position where he didn’t even understand the reason for the proposal, he couldn’t say a word.
“May I ask the reason?”
The moment he uttered those words, a reply came right away.
“Doesn’t it feel like this is the last chance?”
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯What was this now?
“Pardon?”
“I mean, this might be the last time that child can normally exchange interactions with a man.”
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯She carries a heavy burden. This could be the final opportunity for her to have relationships with someone who appears so untainted.”
Right now.
There were already those in the imperial family showing interest in Gray.
Her reputation overseas was already sky-high. It was a fact confirmed at the previous banquet that many were trying to forge connections with her in some way or another.
And given that she bore the role of humanity’s strongest and humanity’s protector.
Gray’s human relationships were highly likely to become plastered over with such ‘vested interests’.
That was why she was asking him.
To remain by her side before she fully plunged into that path.
“⋯⋯Even now, the Lady scolds me every single day. Are you sure I’m the right person?”
“Oh my. It already seems like she holds quite a fondness for you?”
“⋯⋯.”
“As the Lady Chasefield’s greatest patron, I believe I know her fairly well. No one has ever caught that child’s fancy quite like you, Carlyle.”
From Carlyle’s perspective, ‘What?’ was on the tip of his tongue, but the way she stated it so definitively carried such thick conviction that he couldn’t interject.
Cardinal Felix added those words, then spoke with a worried expression.
“So, it might be meddlesome on my part—but I want to help foster something between you and that child.”
“⋯⋯.”
Hmm.
“Please, Carlyle.”
What should he say?
It was a more human proposal than expected.
“Even if things don’t work out, I hope you can at least create some minimal memories for that child.”
Compared to her notoriety, it was purely content considering only Gray’s position.
She had called herself Gray’s greatest patron—perhaps she harbored some personal fondness there.
But.
“I refuse.”
The moment he flatly stated it, a glint of intrigue flickered in Felix’s eyes.
“—Hm, oh? It doesn’t seem like a bad proposal.”
“Of course it’s not a bad proposal. Even so.”
Carlyle let out a sigh as he took up the words.
And honestly speaking.
‘⋯⋯Why not ask for my opinion?’
If asked whether Gray was attractive or not, she was indeed an attractive woman.
But if asked whether he wanted to be bound to her, that wasn’t a matter of taste.
It was a matter of survival.
Date and fall in love with someone who threw punches first the moment things went awry?
With someone whose every blow could pulverize a person if it landed wrong?
Was she insane?
From the start, through all those countless regressions, he had already witnessed every unsightly aspect.
Romantic feelings couldn’t possibly arise.
[⋯⋯To think you’d spout such nonsense right in front of the person herself.]
‘Try denying it’s wrong.’
[⋯⋯.]
‘Helping you out and becoming lovers are entirely different matters. Aren’t they?’
[No, even so, shouldn’t you at least say something nice?]
Ignoring the grumbling Holy Sword, he locked eyes with the Cardinal once more.
Honestly.
From here on, there was no need to voice it, but these words stemmed from pure displeasure.
“No matter how good the intentions, human relationships are for the Lady to decide—not for me or anyone else to meddle in.”
“⋯⋯.”
“Such matters should be raised by the Lady herself before I even consider them.”
“⋯⋯.”
The expression drained from the Cardinal’s face.
It was a change so instantaneous it sent chills creeping up the spine.
As if a mask had been stripped away.
‘⋯⋯Did I hit a nerve?’
Well, someone of the Cardinal’s stature wouldn’t take kindly to unsolicited advice.
But what needed saying had to be said.
Everyone seemed to keep forgetting.
Gray was a person with her own emotions and agency.
Regardless of intentions, no one should arbitrarily trespass on what she herself must choose.
“If there’s no further business, I’ll take my leave. The Lady might be waiting.”
With those words, Carlyle offered a polite nod and rose from his seat.
◆
As Carlyle exited the room, Cardinal Felix sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
“What do you think?”
She addressed the empty room as if another presence lingered there.
No response came, as expected.
But.
Her ‘shadow’ beneath the light writhed and rippled violently.
As if something ‘within’ was reacting to her words.
“Ah, yeah, yeah. An innocent and cute one. Even I see it that way.”
The benevolent tone of a kindly priest from moments ago had vanished entirely, replaced by a cynical, irritation-laced drawl that pattered through the empty room.
“But a truly innocent and cute guy wouldn’t suddenly wield ‘the same power as the Hero.’ Wasn’t it you who advised me to keep a close eye on him from the beginning?”
Going further, she drew a pipe from her bosom.
Lighting it casually indoors, she puffed deeply and continued.
“Of course, glossing over a ‘trap’ that looks this delicious means it might just be that.”
Good intentions toward Gray, offering to help him get close to her.
By any measure, it wasn’t a bad pretext.
But.
“If he were a fly buzzing around the honey pot called the Hero, I would’ve just squashed him outright.”
If there had been any ulterior motive, of any kind.
Any desire whatsoever.
If he had been projecting his own wishes onto her.
She would have disposed of him. In the name of the Gray Cardinal.
“Too harsh? Don’t make me laugh. Considering the weight of the Hero title, a guy that carefree getting close is the real anomaly.”
She scratched her head irritably as she spoke.
But, in any case.
That guy had rejected her proposal right to her face. As if content merely helping Gray from her side.
And those parting words were a masterpiece.
‘That’s for the child to decide.’
What to say about it.
It was such a disarmingly good-natured response that laughter bubbled up.
Almost as if he had seen through how Felix herself regarded Gray.
Either way.
He was definitely an amusing one.
“⋯⋯Ah, ah, what a hassle.”
Cigarette smoke wafted into the air, swirling in an eerie haze.
“With that, I can’t help but take a real interest.”
Either way, that fellow had elegantly sidestepped the trap she had laid.
He had secured for himself the qualification to remain by Gray’s side.
Given his handling of unidentified power, a thorough investigation was in order, of course.
As those thoughts crossed her mind, her senses suddenly picked up something anomalous.
The feeling of someone moving nearby.
As if they had been eavesdropping on her conversation with Carlyle until just now.
A sensation all too familiar.
‘⋯⋯Gray?’
Perfectly undetected until moments ago, but now retreating from the room, her composure utterly shattered. So she had been caught.
She must have gleaned something from Carlyle’s words.
“⋯⋯.”
She cackled as she packed fresh tobacco into the pipe.
“Youth, eh?”
The shadow rippled once more.
“What, you took a liking to that kid just now? Cute, sure. Solid principles. And the looks are a bit to my taste.”
After a moment of silence, Felix let out a scoff.
“All your emotions dead, huh. You really a ‘god’?”
She heaved a deep sigh toward the shadow.
“Like I’d fall for a kid like that.”
◆
[ System Message ]
▶ You’ve left a strong impression on the ‘Gray Cardinal’!
▶ The ‘Gray Cardinal’ takes an interest in you.
▶ Target added to ‘Taming’ list!
▶ Try forming a close relationship with the target!
▶ Target-related event will generate soon!
[ System Message ]
▶ Trait ‘Hero’s Companion’ activates.
[ ★ Trust 40% → 70% ]
▶ Reward added!
▶ ‘Trust Level’ has reached a sufficient threshold. Positive trait may evolve!
▶ Related event will generate soon!