Chapter 115 "As a Proud Crusader of the Trinita Crusader Order, the Papal Court Permitted Carrying Swords to Protect Students, Not to Attack Them."
Chairman Kim Chang-won's cold voice shattered the heavy silence filling the chairman's office.
"As a proud Crusader of the exalted Trinita Crusader Order, the Papal Court permitted us to carry swords to protect the students, not to attack them."
So Do-jin nodded calmly, his head bowed low. There was no room for excuses.
"You deserve a demotion or worse, but considering the misunderstanding in the situation and the fact that the harmed student doesn't want you punished, we'll reduce it to a one-month suspension."
Kim Chang-won coughed dryly for a moment. So Do-jin stared at the floor, biting his lip—not out of injustice, but because the punishment decided in the meeting was far too lenient compared to his offense.
"Given that the Satanist purge is underway, it's not the right time for a suspension, so it will start seven days from today... That's what the meeting decided. Any objections?"
"......None."
"Good."
Kim Chang-won rose from his seat, and So Do-jin looked up at him in surprise. Should he stand at ease with hands behind his back, or at attention with arms at his sides...? He'd received plenty of punishments as a Crusader, but this was his first as a teacher, and he wasn't sure of the proper posture.
Tap.
Kim Chang-won placed a hand on So Do-jin's shoulder. As So Do-jin reflexively bowed his head, Chang-won, sensing his dilemma, waved it off.
"No need for that. Posture doesn't matter. The elders have all gone back to their duties, so relax."
"No, sir."
"No 'sir' about it... I overrode the elders' call for three months and made it one. We'll cover the pay cut from the Florence Foundation funds, so don't worry."
Kim Chang-won patted So Do-jin's shoulder. So Do-jin's eyes widened in shock. Reducing three months to one was one thing, but handling the pay cut too was excessive. It felt burdensome—more than that, apologetic.
"You don't need to cover the pay cut. I have sponsorship money from Crusader activities..."
"Orphanage... no, they call it a child welfare facility these days."
At Kim Chang-won's sudden words, So Do-jin's heart seemed to drop. Chang-won gazed at him with a gentle smile and kind eyes. So Do-jin felt those eyes saw right through him.
"You're donating all your Crusader earnings to the child welfare facility, right? Living off your teacher salary alone."
"......How did you know?"
"How could I not? I donate there every year myself. The director mentions you often."
Kim Chang-won smiled warmly.
"You've done a lot for me in many ways. Last time, when the magic beast appeared in the barn, you saved my daughter, didn't you?"
"Kim Jin-seo... Your daughter had it all handled; I just pitched in."
So Do-jin bowed his head as he spoke. Guilt clouded his eyes as he stared at the floor.
"......Above all, Do Seon-woo endured by pushing his body to the limit—that was the biggest contribution. I tried to kill that very Do Seon-woo. I deserve dismissal."
"Come on... But didn't you insist on giving Do Seon-woo a commendation too? I couldn't attend the meeting because I was nursing my daughter, but I heard if it weren't for you, the commendation meant for him would've gone to the wrong person. That would've been a disaster."
So Do-jin recalled the meeting right after the barn incident. He'd pushed hard against the other staff's opposition to ensure Do Seon-woo got a commendation too. Thanks to him, Do Seon-woo received one alongside Kim Jin-seo. That's what Kim Chang-won was referring to.
"Most importantly, Do Seon-woo doesn't want you punished."
"......"
"The kid begged so earnestly not to punish you—what could I do? I wanted to dismiss you, but held off because of him."
Kim Chang-won joked dryly. So Do-jin felt endlessly sorry and ashamed toward both him and Do Seon-woo; he couldn't lift his head.
Kim Chang-won patted his back and spoke.
"What do you think the Satanists' goal is?"
"......Pardon?"
Thinking he'd misheard, So Do-jin looked up. Kim Chang-won stared out the window. So Do-jin followed his gaze—nothing there. But Chang-won's eyes burned with clear, yearning intensity.
"I think their goal is to divide Romanica. When young, capable clerics like you cave to pressure and abandon the faith, rotten elders become the core, accelerating division among the faithful... That's what they're waiting for."
'Rotten elders'—So Do-jin almost nodded instinctively but held back.
"Well-fed clerics forget to pray. Fat and comfortable, they no longer need to cry out to Adonai. They lean on the church instead of God, becoming pathetic bullies hiding behind empty authority."
"......"
"Among the elders, Gabriel at least does his duty... Anyway, I've rambled. It's almost quitting time; I kept you too long."
Kim Chang-won snapped back and tried to shoo him out. So Do-jin stood still, gazing at him, then bowed deeply.
"I've learned much."
"I'm just another well-fed cleric like the elders. Nothing to learn here."
"No. ...If I may ask boldly, does that mean clerics shouldn't prosper?"
It was a genuine question. Kim Chang-won stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Not at all. A true cleric cries out to Adonai in hunger and thanks Him in fullness. Blaming God for failure and crediting oneself for success—that's not a true cleric. Does that answer it?"
"......Yes, I understand."
"Good. Finally, on the suspension: think of it as a one-month break. Sleep, play a bit. Pulling all-nighters will shorten your life. You don't want to go before me, right?"
"Thank you for your concern."
"You suffered through my boring lecture. I'm the grateful one."
Leaving Kim Chang-won's kind smile behind, So Do-jin hurried out. He reflected on the punishment, then on Kim Chang-won and Do Seon-woo. Chang-won had a sharp edge beneath his warm face, unyielding conviction in casual words. Do Seon-woo hadn't wanted him punished. Despite slashing his own palms and neck with the sword meant for the beast, then blurting threats to kill him in a fit of emotion when called to apologize—Do Seon-woo forgave him nonchalantly.
Kim Chang-won's upright beliefs and Do Seon-woo's calm in slaying the taxidermy doll were qualities for a Crusader to emulate; their mercy in forgiving him, for a teacher. Virtues to learn regardless of age or position.
"Fucking idiot..."
A teacher should teach students, yet here he was learning from one. For a fleeting moment, So Do-jin felt a twinge of pride wounded. And that shamed him anew. Even an elder could learn from a child—how much more a teacher from a student? Yet he'd thought there was nothing to learn from his. What an arrogant, deficient cleric and teacher.
So Do-jin sank into fresh reflection.
"Alright, quiet down. Hey, you punks—quiet! Sit your asses down, now!"
After classes ended, amid students buzzing with excitement to go home, someone burst through the classroom door, bellowing. The cheerful mood chilled instantly.
It was the notoriously bad-tempered Sacred Materials teacher. Among students, he was nicknamed 'Baldy'—my fault. I'd called him that once before. So our relationship wasn't great.
"Whoa... a walking octopus."
Gu Jun-hyeok beside me muttered as he sat. He had beef with the Sacred Materials teacher too, thanks to his trademark delinquent attitude.
Bam!
As students sat, the teacher slammed the desk, glaring.
"Listen up. A key item from the Sacred Materials lab—aka science room—got stolen. Cameras caught a student, but no clear face. So we're searching bags. Third- and second-years did it without complaint, so no bitching."
"Rationalizing like a pro..."
"What? Who said that?!"
The teacher barked at the grumbled dissent. Students glanced around warily, mouths shut. It was me, actually. Even if seniors complied silently, we didn't have to.
"Tch. Whatever—bags on desks, now!"
He tsked with a scowl. Students reluctantly placed bags on desks. I wondered: Is this part of the Satanist hunt? Using a stolen school item as an excuse to search bags for clues? Coercive and unethical, but something Yeo Min-seo would cook up.
"You're good."
The teacher prowled arrogantly between desks, checking bags. Exam period meant mostly books. Some had crosses or icons instead.
"What? Didn't hear me say bags up? And what's with your uniform?"
He scowled fiercely at Gu Jun-hyeok's desk. No bag there. Gu Jun-hyeok stared calmly, then flashed a cheeky grin.
"Haha... I don't carry a bag."
"What? A student without a bag? You got a brain or not?"
"Yeah, but it's a bit short."
The teacher furrowed his brows in disbelief.
"You little shit—think this is a joke? Bag out, now!"
"No, really don't have one."
"Don't? Fine, then—pockets. Stand still; I'll check."
The teacher roughly patted him down. Gu Jun-hyeok stood rigidly, arms spread, face beyond calm—almost icy.
Searching pants, the teacher yanked something from a pocket.
"What's this?"
"Family photo."
It was a tiny frame, finger-sized. Hard to see from afar, despite the claim. Flustered, the teacher fiddled with it, then tossed it on the desk.
"Unbelievable... no books, just this crap. Fine, whatever."
"Yes~"
Gu Jun-hyeok bowed perfunctorily. The teacher glared and moved on, resuming checks. After meticulously searching dozens of bags, his face darker, he reached me.
Clatter— I dumped everything out defiantly.
"Rebelling?"
"No, thought it'd be faster this way."
I just hated someone rummaging my bag. Better to empty it myself.
"......Fine."
He nodded, scanning the mess: books, Bible, icons for cover—nothing suspicious.
Then his eyes locked. On the Baal's Maw I always carried.
"This a relic? What kind?"
"Baal's Maw—for storage."
"Storage, huh? Nice hiding spot."
Without hesitation, he blasted divine power into it.
Crack— A chilling sound; the maw gaped.
He peered inside naturally, abruptly.
"This relic, box. What's the box—a relic too?"
Inside: the Fourth Angel's Trumpet from Bae Jeong-hwan, and Father's relic box. He held both, eyeing them.
I'd opened the relic box once, but kept it in the maw just in case. He ignored the trumpet, scrutinizing the box suspiciously.
Tricky.
"......Nothing special."
I snatched it back. Romanica hands shouldn't hold it.
As I tried returning it to the maw, his hand gripped my wrist roughly.
He glared unpleasantly, eyes narrowed.
"Trying to brush it off? What's inside? Stolen and hidden? Matryoshka in your bag, relic, box?"
"Nothing. Empty box."
"Hah, dense idiot. Open it then. And those bandages on neck and hands? Fighting?"
"No, this is—"
Snatch!
He grabbed it roughly mid-answer, forcing it open.
"What's so special you're freaking? Let's see—"
Thud.
The box fell from his hand. His trembling, shocked eyes looked up at me.
I stared at his face through blurring vision. Heart pounded in my ears; breath ragged. Headache throbbed at temples.
"Told you nothing, you dogshit bastard...!"
I snapped to, gripping his collar. Unfiltered rage spilled out.
Cold sweat trickled down my spine vividly.
[Getting angry now... How do you plan to deal with the aftermath?]
"......"
Legba's words jolted me; I released him hastily. But the mood was ice-cold. The class gawked wide-eyed.
The teacher pointed shakily, stammering.
"You, you—what the hell to a teacher—!"
Knock knock.
The scolding cut off. Ha Ye-jin peeked in, gazing calmly at him with a small smile.
"All done? Need to do homeroom..."
"Uh, yeah! Almost, but this punk, this little shit..."
His voice quavered as he picked up the box, handing it to her, explaining: Tried checking inside for the stolen item, but it won't open. Suspicious...
"Hmm. I get it."
Ha Ye-jin nodded.
"But it wouldn't fit. Physically—the height doesn't match. Wasn't the medicine in a flask?"
"Who knows? Could be a relic..."
"......Teacher."
Her perpetual smile vanished. Face stiff, she stared him down.
"That's enough? You said you'd ask questions—no mention of bag searches."
"Pardon? Well, thieves won't confess, so checking bags first..."
"Sure. I'll handle the rest; please leave."
"But, I—this guy—"
"Yes, I'll discipline him! Thanks for your help~"
She half-forced the pointing teacher out.
Ha Ye-jin returned the box with a wry, apologetic smile—not scolding, but sorry for me.
Stepping to the front briskly, she brushed hair aside.
"Sorry, everyone. Only two of these super-important meds in school, one gone... Sacred Science teachers are on edge."
So not Satanist hunt—just real theft. Ha Ye-jin bowed apologetically, smile awkward.
"Never heard of random bag checks like this... Sorry..."
Apologizing profusely though not her fault, unlike the bellowing, informal Sacred Materials teacher. Seeing the wrong person apologize felt off. Unexplained irritation rose. Thirsty for water.
(To be continued next chapter)