Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Riki (1)
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Riki finished his morning meal, took his younger sister Anna back to her room, and was sweeping the courtyard.
The daily routine repeated every day. But it wasn't boring.
The grace received from God. If he could repay it with this, he was happy to do it for life.
"It's overcast today."
The humidity was high, too.
It looked like rain was coming.
Summer brought a lot of rain, so it wasn't unusual.
He used to hate the rain. He couldn't avoid it. Whenever he tried to shelter somewhere from it, the local beggars would beat him up, yelling about some bastard kid invading their turf.
It was the same in Ribal. They wouldn't yield their territory. The only time they let him in was to beat him senseless.
He and his sister got drenched in the rain every day in those filthy alleys.
Even barely covering themselves with discarded cloth, it soaked through quickly and drenched them in no time.
'But not anymore.'
Riki smiled brightly.
Now he had a place to shelter from the rain.
No one beat him, and no one bullied him.
Everyone lived in peace and happiness.
Just like that.
"Riki!"
A nun called out to him then.
"Yes?"
"The bishop is calling for you."
At the words that the bishop had summoned him, Riki tilted his head.
He first thought if he'd done anything wrong. It was a habit. Back then, he was always getting scolded, so to avoid it or prepare excuses, he'd rack his brain for any misdeeds.
Of course, even then, he hadn't done anything wrong.
And now, even more so.
"Yes!"
He hadn't committed any sin.
And here, there was no need to fabricate sins or excuses by force.
Even if he sinned, it was okay. The bishop didn't discipline sinful children with beatings. He just admonished them so they wouldn't sin again.
So, the bishop's summons shouldn't be scary.
"Come in."
"I'm coming right now!"
Riki's steps were light.
He took the nun's hand and chatted briefly with her as they headed to the bishop's office.
"Bishop, I'm here."
"Haha. Our Riki is here."
Lincoln welcomed Riki with a kindly face.
His chubby cheeks jiggled.
"Sit down."
"Yes."
"Something to drink."
"Understood."
At the bishop's words, the nun hurried out of the office.
Riki looked around the room in admiration.
Seeing that, the bishop smiled and said,
"This is your first time here, right?"
"Yes. First time. But it's really cool. Lots of books, soft carpet, nice chairs."
It was like a miniature version of the grand chapel.
Riki's eyes sparkled.
In the meantime, the nun brought tea.
The bishop sipped his tea and opened his mouth.
"Are you enjoying life in the church?"
"Yes! I love it. There's a place to sleep, no hunger, and most of all, I have priest and nun family-like figures, and friends."
"That's fortunate."
"It's all thanks to you, Bishop. Thank you so much."
Riki stood from his chair and bowed 90 degrees to Lincoln.
To him, Lincoln was the savior who pulled him and Anna out of despair. If the Zenith Church hadn't taken root in this land, they would still be living in hell.
"Everything is the will of God. Me finding you and Anna, you entering this place, and now sitting here drinking tea together. All happens because Zenith God wills it."
God is great.
God is amazing.
God is omnipotent.
Riki nodded.
Their siblings' savior was Lincoln, but ultimately, it was the god they believed in, Zenith, who made it happen.
It wasn't for nothing that he vowed to devote his life here. Besides his sister's well-being, it was because he'd experienced a miracle firsthand.
"I will become the blood and flesh of Zenith God. I will become a priest who carries out His will. I want to live my life in devotion."
"Zenith God will be pleased."
Lincoln patted Riki's head as if proud.
"So, why did you call me?"
"Nothing much. Just curious how you're doing. Glad you're well."
"Hehe."
Riki laughed like a child.
Then, a sudden thought came to him, and he asked Lincoln.
"Can I ask one thing?"
"Anything."
"I'm curious how Sinno's doing these days. The orphanage kids talk about him a lot. Is he doing well?"
"Of course. He's praying for everyone there."
"That's a relief."
The orphan boy chosen by God, Sinno.
He'd once envied him, but now he just hoped he was well.
"And tomorrow, there will be good news."
"Good news?"
"You'll know when tomorrow comes."
Lincoln nodded with a kindly face.
'When tomorrow comes.'
His eyes gleamed sinisterly.
The next day dawned.
After morning passed and the sun was high in the sky.
Riki, Anna, and Ban were eating lunch in the dining hall.
"Sinno's doing well."
"Good. But why'd he call you yesterday?"
Ban tore his bread in half as he asked. He'd been out on outdoor service yesterday and returned late, so he hadn't heard.
Riki dipped his bread in soup and answered.
"Just checking if I like church life."
"I see."
"Oppa. Ahh—"
Anna opened her mouth, and Riki carefully fed her the soup-soaked bread.
She stuffed her mouth full with the softened bread, chewing slowly with her cheeks puffed out.
Ban grinned at how cute she was.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
"Don't look at someone else's sister like that."
"Damn, you sister-obsessed idiot."
Tears welled in Ban's eyes from the flick to his forehead.
Riki chuckled and fed his sister some salad this time.
"That paladin who came before isn't around anymore."
"Yeah. Probably went somewhere else. Seemed like he was just visiting briefly."
The children knew nothing special about the paladin, as they hadn't received any particular information.
"He was super cool."
"Yeah. First time seeing armor like that up close."
"I wanna be a paladin someday."
"Training's gotta be brutal."
"Even if it's tough, it's cool."
Ban grinned playfully.
"True. You could do it. You're the biggest and toughest among us."
The Ban that Riki knew was a boy full of persistence.
He wasn't sure if he'd really become a paladin, but if he did, he'd do it spectacularly.
At that moment, an announcement blared throughout the church.
"Oppa, what's that?"
"Dunno."
"Something happen?"
The three musketeers tilted their heads at the sudden announcement.
One hour later.
After a short rest, they headed to the chapel.
Many people were already there.
They found seats roughly and waited for Bishop Lincoln, who would soon take the podium.
Soon, Lincoln ascended the stage and greeted everyone.
"Did everyone enjoy dinner?"
The gathered people replied "Yes."
Lincoln nodded in satisfaction and got straight to the point.
"The reason I called you all is not something else—Zenith God has given me another oracle."
At the word "oracle," the assembly grew noisy.
The last oracle was four days ago, declaring the choosing of Sinno.
Lincoln looked at the commotion and affirmed it.
"You're thinking correctly. Yes. Zenith God wishes to choose someone again this time."
God's choosing had come again!
All believers' eyes wavered. Who would it be this time? Me? Or someone else? I hope it's me. Please, please!
Though they didn't voice it, Lincoln could almost hear their thoughts.
Ignorant fools. So innocently excited, not knowing what awaited.
'Well, even to them, it might be a blessing.'
Sinno hated it, but hadn't he become a paladin?
For an orphan boy with nothing to become a paladin was extraordinary.
Though now he was just a bug trapped in a small jar.
'I'll use you again soon.'
Anyway, that wasn't important now.
Lincoln's gaze turned to Riki, sitting near the back.
He too was watching tensely.
A boy more desperate than anyone.
For his blind sister, he'd do anything. What attitude would he show if put in that situation?
Lincoln opened his mouth.
"The one Zenith God desires is..."
He pointed to Riki, seated far away.
"Riki. It's you."
That day. A bell tolled in Riki's mind.
Jamie was watching the drizzling rain.
It had been falling nonstop since yesterday.
Summer rain wasn't strange, but why so persistently?
"It's coming down refreshingly."
"Yes."
Jamie was currently sitting on his mother Sears' lap.
Sears rested her chin on her son's head and rocked her face side to side.
"It's a shame we can't enjoy tea outdoors today, but days like this have their own charm, don't they?"
"I like the smell of rain."
"Mom likes that too. And watching with my son makes it even better!"
With that, she suddenly rubbed her cheek against his.
This situation was truly agonizing for Jamie, no matter how used to it he should be.
"Where's Sara?"
"Sara's sleeping. More importantly, how's your magic training going lately?"
"I'm studying hard from books. Hehe."
"As expected of my son!"
For some reason, Sears hugged Jamie tightly and nuzzled him.
It felt like his organs would burst!
"M-Mom!"
"Oops. Mom hugged too hard."
Realizing her mistake, Sears hurriedly released her son.
Jamie's face paled. Maybe because they hadn't had tea time lately, her affection was intense today.
"That's why we need daily tea time with Mom. Otherwise, I get so lonely and end up overdoing it like today."
"...Sorry."
"No, Mom's sorry."
With that, Sears hugged him again.
This time gently, comfortably.
Of course, it was still uncomfortable for Jamie.
Then the butler called the two.
"A guest has come for Young Master Jamie."
"Hm? For Jamie?"
"Yes. He says he's a friend... a commoner child."
"A commoner friend?"
Sears looked at Jamie with curious eyes.
Jamie opened his mouth with a bewildered face.
"I don't have anyone I'd call a friend."
There was no one among noble children he'd call a friend.
'Ash Valle? Or Rebecca Valle?'
He didn't know about the younger sister, but he quite liked the older one, Rebecca. Still, not enough to call friends.
If nobles weren't friends, there was no way commoners were.
'My friends all died tens of thousands of years ago.'
"I thought so. Then we'll send him away..."
"Wait!"
At that moment, a figure flashed through his mind.
He didn't consider that person a friend, of course. But from the other's perspective, it might be different.
"What's his name?"
"Um. Riki. He said Riki."
"...He's my guest."
"Our Jamie has friends. Mom's so proud."
Sears stroked Jamie's head proudly.
Jamie felt that uncomfortable touch and looked at the boy sitting across from him.
"H-Hello. I'm Riki. I live at the Zenith Church."
"I see. How did you meet my son?"
"Uh... a while back at night..."
"Whoa! Mom, let us play alone! You go first!"
"My? What's gotten into him?"
As Riki was about to drop a bombshell, Jamie screamed and started pushing Sears.
But she wouldn't budge no matter how he pushed.
And why would a 7-year-old's push be strong?
Still, he kept pushing.
"Hurry! Hurry!"
Sears looked at her son in bewilderment.
Her son, who never threw tantrums like this, so it flustered her more.
Because of his friend?
Well, kids want to share secrets with friends.
'But do 7-year-olds do that?'
She'd heard kids these days hit puberty early. Was 7 puberty?
Sears's mind grew complicated, but if her son wanted it, what could she do?
"Okay, okay. Mom will go first. But first, here."
Sears pointed to her cheek with a finger.
Thunder seemed to crash in Jamie's head.
He rolled his eyes to look at Riki, who was awkwardly watching across from him.
"...Mom."
"Come on, kiss."
"Please. My friend..."
"Then Mom won't go."
Jamie felt the heavens were indifferent. He'd collapse them someday, but now they were too indifferent.
He had no choice but to barely close his eyes and—
Mwah.
"My son's kisses are the best. Tell me if you need anything."
Sears waved lightly to Riki and went out.
Only Jamie remained, slumped on the floor with a world-lost expression.
Riki muttered enviously, looking at him.
"Lucky. Having a mom who loves you."
Jamie glanced at him.
As an orphan, he didn't know parental love. He only felt it indirectly watching other families.
"Sorry."
He shouldn't have shown this in front of the kid, even politely.
Sears would not have demanded such affection if she'd known the situation.
Jamie awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"No. Don't mind it. It was nice to see."
"Yeah. Should've been more careful."
He sat back in the chair and looked at Riki.
"So. What brings you here?"
Riki was a commoner. An orphan at that.
If it were a nasty noble house, he'd have been beaten for it. A commoner casually summoning a noble, future territory heir at that.
It passed peacefully because it was the Weltons.
"Nothing much, but I felt I should tell you."
"What?"
"I've been chosen. So I'm leaving soon."
Jamie's eyes widened.
Chosen. That meant one thing.
'He'll become a chimera.'
Riki's fate was sealed.