Someone's Starting Point
The Pope's words had sounded like nothing more than polite encouragement at first. Honestly, becoming a "greater person" or a "radiant figure" here didn't exactly fill me with enthusiasm, especially since it felt like completing a bulletproof vest for my chest.
But the next words... the moment I heard them, my heart skipped a beat.
"And thus, more people will follow you."
"...Your Holiness?"
What? Really? That? More people will follow me. Is that not what you mean?
Like, 'Conquer the Empire, Lord Karl Adelheit.' No way. Not the Pope, of all people, trying to insert such a wish into an Empire noble.
Fortunately, the Pope hadn't meant it in that way.
"You see, what worried me most about the future was this. The war has ended, and the chaos will settle. However, the evil in the world is like a stain that is not easily erased. Even at the moment when everything seems to have ended, it remains in people's hearts, stirring up evil desires."
"..."
"Whether it's hatred for those who were enemies, regret for the hardships of the past, or the injustice and anger of those who lost and those who gained. In the end, anything could become a spark."
The Pope was trying to explain it as simply as possible for me.
So, rather, it meant that a greater poison could spread in society than during the war and chaos.
"That's what I was warning against. Throwing away the hope and light we could grasp so easily."
"I have fully understood Your Holiness's words."
"Then, it is fortunate. Yes. So, Brother Karl, I called you."
The Pope took my hand and pointed beyond the window to the warmly shining sunlight.
"Your words, your actions, and the results of those actions led here. People followed you with admiration for something about you, and as a result, more enlightened people emerged. Consequently, those enlightened people guided even more with light."
"..."
"What took decades of preaching with blood in their mouths to accomplish, Brother Karl has done in just a few years with his noble words."
It's like I'm being overly praised. This is on a different level from receiving the Medal of Honor.
Of course, I don't belittle the Empire's Medal of Honor, but still, something's off!
"So, I entrust you with this, Brother Karl. Become a greater person. Become a more radiant figure. Humans end up following the most noticeable thing, whether good or evil. Please be the former, not the latter. This is why I called you here."
I looked at the Pope sitting in front of me, no, the old man who had been worrying so much he couldn't sleep at night. Up until now, I had made a small misunderstanding, and it was starting to clear up.
Perhaps it was the influence of my past life. Even the Church couldn't escape the secular world.
And the reason the Pope, as the head, called me was because he wanted to use me to elevate the prestige of the Church.
Actually, that was the most straightforward reaction. Everyone was subtly taking one step forward.
If someone was the target of people's cheers, it was natural for those who seemed to be doing well in the world to try to get close to that existence.
But this old man, the Pope of the Church, wanted the world to go in a better direction because of me. He wanted me to be the point. Not a fleeting trend, but something that would continue endlessly.
Thinking about it... Yeah. I was doing that role really well.
The beginning was desperation to save my comrades. Medals, war heroes. It didn't matter what they were. I just didn't want the guys I ate with, slept with, and fought with to become corpses.
I never imagined it would become a Medal of Honor and the title of war hero.
But it didn't end there. Because I was this guy, others showed more interest in survivors, and developed gratitude.
Furthermore, thanks to the Four Idiots using their power, not only my comrades but also seniors benefited.
Then, the Empire as a whole started discussing greater rewards for those who had fulfilled their military duty.
Not just material rewards, but words that we must be grateful until the last fragment of the Empire's memory remains.
This change reached the elves, awakening the eyes of the low-class warriors who had been despised for so long.
Even the powerful families of the elves, who said fighting was narrow-minded, had to back down.
The atmosphere that hadn't formed yet was being transmitted to them through the Empire.
"...I will briefly reflect on my actions thanks to Your Holiness's words."
"Is that so."
"Yes."
"How did it feel, from your perspective."
"Because it was something I didn't intend, it was quite immature, and I was quite surprised with myself. I hadn't expected to bring about such results."
Then the Pope smiled.
"That's exactly it, Brother Karl. The strong will to change the world, not a divine mission. It's just the will, determination, and action of one person who can step forward first and fastest for the sake of one right thing, along with you. Seeing that, people change. And by seeing people, the world changes."
I understand why the Church invited the Four Idiots besides me. Not only me, but those guys also influenced in the right direction.
"It wasn't luck or coincidence that you found me. It was the will of the gods."
"Do you think so."
"I believe it without doubt. Otherwise, I couldn't explain the miracle."
—
The Pope suddenly stood up from his seat after finishing his words. I also stood up immediately, wondering why.
In the meantime, the surrounding priests rushed over and positioned themselves cautiously beside the Pope.
"Will you come with us?"
Was it suggesting a walk? I nodded right away and approached Selena, who had been observing from behind.
"May I come along, Your Holiness?"
"Who is that sister?"
"That is, um..."
I couldn't hold back from my confession attack and got hit, and then I did the crazy thing of enlisting as a soldier.
But how did we end up engaged or married now!
— I couldn't say it that long. So, after thinking how to answer.
Yeah.
I decided how to answer about Selena. This seemed right.
"This is my starting point, Your Holiness."
*
While talking with the Pope, Karl had been quietly waiting in the background.
He tried not to listen to the conversation as much as possible. But since the inside was so quiet, he couldn't help but hear what was being said quite clearly.
And he learned how the Pope thought of Karl and why he had been invited.
The Pope wanted to entrust Karl with the role of a beacon.
I nodded without realizing it. Actually, Karl was clearly doing that role.
He said he was definitely not, but he said he didn't have grudges. In the end, the Empire was receiving Karl's influence in some way.
The ones who had fulfilled their military duty, who were already well-regarded, received greater respect and admiration.
The great war hero. Not once, but twice recipient of the Medal of Honor. It was natural to think he was just fighting alongside the heroes.
Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim united to create a scholarship foundation in Karl's name.
It was a secret to Karl, but he told me. He said he was inspired by Karl. We realized what we had to do, what duties we had to go through.
And the next thing... well, no need to say. The foundation grew enormously.
"Will you come with us?"
It seemed the conversation between the Pope and Karl had ended. Or was it to refresh the atmosphere with a walk?
Karl nodded at the Pope's words and soon approached.
"May I come along, Your Holiness?"
"Who is that sister?"
Uh, um. Should I introduce myself now? But I just followed Karl.
What to do. What to say. It felt like seconds turning into minutes.
"This is my starting point, Your Holiness."
...Huh?
My head went blank, as if hit by a hammer. Without realizing, I fixed my gaze on Karl and muttered the answer Karl had just given.
Starting point. Karl's starting point. A bit messy, wounds exchanged, the beginning of difficult times. But in the end, without shifting blame to anyone, he overcame it himself. Karl's starting point.
That important thing, Karl had entrusted to me, of all people.
"A starting point. A starting point. Heh heh. Brother Karl. Seeing it like this, it seems very romantic."
"Ahaha. I'm grateful for your kind words."
My face was burning. But, I didn't hate it. Honestly, it was good. It felt like I was flying.
"Let's go, Selena."
"U-uh!"
I ignored the kind smile of the Pope and the priests behind him. If I saw them, I felt like I would sit down on the spot.
So, I quickly went outside with Karl to walk for a bit—
"...Karl?"
"Huh? Why, Selena?"
Strange. Why does such strong light keep coming from around Karl? Is it a trick of the light? ...No? Now it's past noon, so the sunlight should be coming from the other side?
"Brother Karl."
The voice of the Pope came from behind. It was with a very surprised expression.