Chapter 293: Well Done, Boy (4)
Chapter 293: Well Done, Boy (4)
Perios’s fist slammed into Patrick’s face.
Patrick, whose legs were already wobbling, flew backward helplessly and collapsed the moment the punch connected.
Seeing Patrick sprawled on the ground, Perios roared in frustration.
“Why? Why?! Why didn't you dodge?!”
As Perios vented his pent-up resentment, Patrick thought to himself:
Because I’m exhausted, you brat.
How was he supposed to dodge a punch when he didn't even have the strength to move?
But that wasn't the end of it. Perios grabbed Patrick by the collar, hauled him up, and…
“Why? Why? Whyyyyy!”
Thwack! Crack! Bam!
“Hey. Hey, wait— urk… Hey, kid, let me speak— ack!”
In all his time as Patrick Schneider, he had never been beaten like this.
Actually, even looking back at his past life, once he’d reached adulthood, the number of people who had successfully landed a punch on his face—aside from his wife—could be counted on one hand.
Ah, how sorrowful and miserable.
To think the great Radiant Dragon Hero would suffer such humiliation.
If his friends from his past life saw this, how shocked and enraged would they be?
[Tsk, tsk. Heaven’s net is vast; its mesh is wide, but nothing escapes. That day has finally come.]
[What is this? This feeling of pure refreshment washing over me from my throat to my gut… what on earth is this?]
[Well done, boy. You are a true hero of the Martial World.]
[Stomp him. Stomp him into the dirt!]
‘…Those bastards.’
Patrick felt truly sorrowful. He never knew being beaten while having no strength to resist could be this miserable. Just then…
“Stop it, Perios.”
Someone stepped in, caught Perios’s fist, and saved Patrick.
“Lord Antorius.”
It was Antorius who had stopped Perios.
He spoke solemnly.
“Do you not see? Do you not understand why the Double Dragon is simply letting you have your way?”
“That… I do not know.”
“His heart is aching over the current reality. There may be reasons we do not know, but he, too, is heartbroken over the destruction of this Holy City, Promise.”
He’s probably not aching at all.
If this demon were the type to feel heartbroken over destroying someone else’s house, he never would have been called the Radiant Dragon in the Martial World.
But Antorius, having no way of knowing that, continued.
“That is why he took your punches without resistance. Because he recognizes your pure heart that loves and cherishes this Holy City, that great swordsman endured your blows in silence without even trying to dodge.”
“……”
“Acknowledge his vast magnanimity. And cease this unsightly display.”
“Urgh…”
Perios hung his head low. Meanwhile, Patrick…
Fifteen hits. I counted every single one. You little brat, just you wait.
Patrick Schneider was a sensitive man who knew how to hold a grudge.
However, in a reality where no one could read his inner thoughts, Antorius’s words shook the hearts of many Holy Knights.
“Now that I hear it, it is strange.”
“Why on earth would he suddenly cause such a commotion?”
“Because the soup was salty…”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Mmm…”
“Then why?”
As they whispered among themselves…
Finally, the person who could clear up the misunderstanding appeared.
“Everyone… stop.”
The voice sounded somewhat weary, yet it carried a natural aura of dignity.
The Holy Knights and monks turned their heads toward the source of the voice and flinched in unison.
“We greet His Holiness the Pope.”
“We greet His Holiness the Pope.”
They all knelt on one knee to show their respect.
The old man, who wasn't even dressed in his formal robes but was wearing loose pajamas, looked haggard and was being supported by those around him.
But this man was indeed the Pope who led the Saint Louis Holy Church State.
Pope Anonius Saint Faust XVII.
Having been hidden from public view for a long time due to illness, he had finally made an appearance.
Behind him stood the Three Sages, along with Riman, Matthew, and the rest of the companions.
Looks like they succeeded.
Only then did Patrick breathe a sigh of relief.
It had been a somewhat reckless and haphazard plan, but seeing the result, it seemed to have worked.
The Pope walked with staggering steps toward Patrick and…
Thud.
The Pope’s knees hit the ground.
The numerous Holy Knights were shocked by the sight.
“Your Holiness!”
“What in the world…”
Regardless of their reaction, the Pope bowed his head politely and spoke.
“For saving the Holy Church State on a grand scale, and for saving this foolish old man on a personal one…”
Tears began to stream down the Pope’s face as he continued.
“I offer you my sincerest gratitude.”
Only then did Patrick let out a sigh and speak.
“I’m glad you’re safe. Now, could you clear up this misunderstanding?”
“Of course, I shall do so.”
The Pope stood up and addressed the crowd as everyone watched.
“Everyone, listen to my words.”
And from his mouth, the entire truth flowed out without omission.
Starting from how he had been brainwashed and manipulated like a puppet by the Dark Mage who approached him, to how he had started an unreasonable war with the Empire because of it…
He spoke without hiding even the shameful parts that, if recorded in history, would pass down his foolishness for generations.
Patrick simply watched his calm demeanor as the Pope continued his explanation.
“…The Double Dragon noticed my condition and performed these eccentric acts to save me. Ultimately, if not for him, I would never have escaped the Dark Mage’s brainwashing and would have continued to commit sins.”
The long explanation finally came to an end.
The eyes of the Holy Knights and monks changed.
“The… the Double Dragon?”
“Then you did all of this… you did all of this for us?”
“And we didn't even know…”
“Oh… Ohhh…”
Respect, admiration, awe, and gratitude.
An overwhelming gaze of praise poured toward Patrick Schneider.
And then, the final blow…
Thud.
Tatius Owen, Antorius’s master, knelt before Patrick, bowed his head, and spoke.
“O Saint.”
A Saint—a term for a person of such outstanding wisdom and virtue that they are revered and emulated for ages.
Antonyms would include the Radiant Dragon Hero or Patrick Schneider.
And yet.
“Oh… Ohhh.”
“O Saint.”
“That man… that man is truly worthy of being called a Saint.”
“Saint Patrick Schneider.”
“May you receive God’s grace from the heavens and the worship of all people on earth.”
At this moment, countless clergymen were kneeling and worshiping Patrick Schneider.
At first, Patrick wondered what was going on. But then…
So this is… obviously a good thing for me, right?
In terms of the Martial World, it was like putting the Shaolin Temple—the pillar of the Jianghu—under a massive debt and gaining immense power to sway them at will. If that was the case…
“Hahaha. I only did what was natural, so why all this fuss?”
An unprecedented crisis had come to the Holy Church State.
…What was the world coming to?
* * *
A private audience.
In truth, it wasn't that big of a deal.
What was so grand about two people meeting and talking privately? However…
The value of such a meeting changed depending on the person.
The Pope of the Saint Louis Holy Church State.
The religious pillar for everyone on the continent and the only person who could stand on equal footing with the Emperor of the Empire.
A private audience with such a figure was an opportunity hard to obtain even if one brought gold piled as high as a man.
And Patrick had now gained that opportunity.
“Is there no booze instead of tea?”
Though he himself didn't seem particularly impressed.
The Pope gave a bitter smile and said, “I will bring you as much as you want if that is your wish. But shouldn't we discuss important matters first?”
“We can do that while drinking, can’t we?”
“Please bear with me. I am not as robust as you. I am too old to conduct a meeting while fighting off the effects of alcohol.”
“……”
Patrick smacked his lips as if slightly disappointed.
Well, anyway, the important business started from here.
The original purpose of infiltrating the Holy Church State.
That was…
“How did you end up falling for the Dark Mages? Weren't you people their natural enemies?”
The Pope replied with a devastated expression.
“I have no excuse. Even I did not suspect that child… no, that witch, when she approached me.”
“Was she by any chance a girl with blonde hair, pale skin, and a very innocent impression?”
“Do you know her?”
“Yes, well…”
“What was your relationship?”
“The kind where I chopped her head off.”
At Patrick’s words, the Pope’s eyes widened for a moment before he let out a deep sigh.
“I see… so that’s how it is.”
Patrick frowned at the Pope’s reaction.
It was because he could sense a thick lingering regret and attachment in his attitude.
Honestly, no matter where you go, those who claim to serve God are always steeped in worldly delusions…
He had a truckload of things he wanted to say, but there was no point in dwelling on it.
Patrick first asked what he was curious about.
“How can Dark Mages infiltrate the Holy Church State so easily? Don't you have the Aegis Barrier here?”
The Aegis Barrier was a divine realm barrier that only those possessing divine power—or those authorized, like Patrick currently was—could enter and exit.
If not for the divine power radiating from the holy symbol hanging around his neck, Patrick would have been bounced out of the barrier immediately.
So how did the Dark Mages bypass that barrier?
At that question, the Pope sighed and explained.
“There is a common misconception… In truth, the term ‘Dark Mage’ is incorrect.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“In the distant ancient times, they were called Dark Priests.”
“Dark Priests? You mean they’re clergymen?”
“Indeed. Mages absorb mana from nature and use it as power. But Dark Mages draw power from somewhere in the Demon World.”
“……”
“Their method is actually closer to us priests. They offer faith to some great being and borrow power in exchange.”
It sounded plausible when he heard it.
And if that were the case, it made sense how the Aegis Barrier was breached.
“So the demonic energy they use is also a form of divine power, in a way.”
“Mmm, that is correct.”
“As far as I know… there are two gods in this world, Yupinel and Kalaron?”
“……”
“Are you saying there’s another god?”
At Patrick’s question, the Pope let out a deep sigh and said, “What I am about to tell you is a secret among secrets. Can you keep it?”
Patrick nodded heavily and said, “I swear on my father’s name.”
“Mmm…”
The Pope nodded gravely. But he should have known.
Patrick didn't say he would keep the secret.
He just said he’d swear on his father’s name.
And right now, this guy was thinking…
Father’s fine. As long as it’s not Mom. Father will understand.
He was Patrick Schneider, a truly ‘fire-attribute’ filial son who had zero respect for his father’s honor.
Regardless, the Pope began to reveal the secret history in earnest.
“Yupinel, the Goddess of Harmony, and Kalaron, the God of Destruction. These two gods created this world.”
“I know that.”
It was common knowledge that even a three-year-old born in this world would know.
“The two creator gods divided their domains, created their familiars, and developed the world.”
“……”
“It was during that time. A new god appeared from the outside…”
“From the outside?”
“Yes. We call them Outer Gods.”
“……”
“They are gods from another world, not those who contributed to the creation of our world like Yupinel and Kalaron.”
“……”
Patrick remained silent, and the Pope continued his story.