Chapter 180: The Saint of Another World-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 180: The Saint of Another World-2
Snip, snip.
The barber produced a rhythmic, pleasant sound with his scissors.
With every busy movement of his hands, my shaggy, overgrown hair fell to the floor.
"......"
Watching my reflection change in real-time through the mirror was quite entertaining.
I hadn't noticed when I looked like a total vagabond, but my facial features were elegant, and my body was still somewhat underdeveloped. It was the complete opposite of my previous dimension, where I’d had sharp, rugged features and a physique hardened by training.
'If I’d paid just a little more attention to my appearance, maybe I wouldn't have ended up on the execution platform,' I thought, the useless sentiment drifting through my mind.
"Make it a bit shorter, please."
The hair brushing against my ears felt bothersome, but when I spoke, the barber hesitated.
"Um... S-Saint. Wouldn't it lack dignity if it's too short?"
The barber asked back, his voice wavering.
Unless it was some bizarre, outlandish style, I found it hard to agree with the idea that hair length dictated one's dignity.
"It's fine. Please, cut it."
I replied with a faint smile, and only then did the barber bring the scissors back to my head.
Snip, snip.
The sound of the haircut resumed, and I closed my eyes.
What awaited me after the haircut and the shave?
The sword the Pope had brought to me—it had emitted a powerful light the moment I drew it. I didn't know much, but it was likely the sword that proved I was the Saint.
Of course, I didn't actually consider myself a saint...
But since the system of this world insisted I was, there was no need to argue. At the very least, even if I lacked common knowledge for a week or so, being the 'Saint Proven by the Sword' would serve as a reliable shield.
What should I do during those seven days I’d bought myself?
Naturally, I had to learn about the religion I was now a part of. Who was the God they worshipped? What was the ultimate goal of the believers? What were the contents of their Scripture?
Even if I couldn't memorize it all, I needed to know the broad strokes.
"Is the style to your liking?"
A voice full of doubt reached me from behind. I responded with a small nod.
The barber brushed the stray hairs from my neck with a brush and tilted the chair back.
"What would you like to do with your beard?"
"Shave it all off. Cleanly."
"If I do that... Yes, I understand."
He seemed like he wanted to add something, but I closed my eyes instead of answering.
I heard the sound of the razor being stropped against a leather belt, and then the barber skillfully cleared away my beard.
"Saint."
While the shaving was in full swing, the priest attending to me called out.
I moved my arm slightly to show I was listening, and seeing that, he began to explain the next part of the schedule.
"Once the shaving is finished and you have changed into your vestments, we plan to return to the Cathedral."
Back there again? Was there more to verify?
"To ensure you have no discomfort while staying here, we intend to select personnel to assist you."
After the shave was finished and I was dressed in my new clothes, I followed the priest's guidance back toward the Cathedral.
As we crossed a beautifully landscaped garden, the priest began to explain various things to me.
"Originally, when a distinguished guest arrives in the Holy Kingdom, the rule has been for the Bishops to designate the personnel who will guide the guest."
"However, the Pope believes it is inappropriate to treat the Saint as a mere guest. Thus, it has been decided that the Saint shall personally choose his own attendants."
He finished speaking and stole a glance at me. It felt like he was checking to see how I would react.
Hmm...
Wait, I thought this was just about picking some helpers, but could this be a test?
If I fail to choose the 'appropriate' attendants, will they claim I'm not the Saint and chop my head off?!
Tension gripped my body.
Ah, if I mess this up, I might end up meeting a grisly end...
*
Back at the Cathedral.
I stood upon the dais of the Cathedral where the Bishops, Holy Knights, and Inquisitors were gathered.
Beside me, the Pope explained the roles of the Bishops, Holy Knights, and Inquisitors with a benevolent smile.
The Bishops were the core, participating in all decision-making within the Holy Kingdom. In terms of a national government, they handled the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The Holy Knights were responsible for defending against attacks from outside the Holy Kingdom. They were the military.
The Inquisitors were responsible for rounding up those within the Holy Kingdom. Were the Inquisitors something like the police?
The Pope described these three groups as the head, the torso, and the hands and feet, respectively.
If that was a sort of hint...
Who exactly should I, as the Saint, choose for my attendants?
Let's think about this simply.
What is a Saint?
Well, the definition might vary from dimension to dimension...
But there is a commonality among those revered as holy people.
They are moral.
Of course, if one were to ask, "What is morality?" it would require a debate so long it couldn't be contained in a single book...
But what I’m talking about is the general concept of 'morality.' Things like caring for one's neighbors, being frugal, and not losing one's temper easily.
Based on that, how should a Saint act here?
Right, I have to show a humble side. In professional terms, I need to be a 'man of the people.'
The correct answer would be to choose someone from the lowest rank.
In that case, it would be right to pick one of the Inquisitors.
I turned my gaze toward the Inquisitors, who were watching me with bated breath. Every one of them looked visibly nervous.
"......"
As I scanned the densely packed crowd, my eyes met those of a familiar woman.
Ah, that woman... She was the one closest to me when I first arrived here. And she was the one who had led me to the Cathedral.
Realizing I was looking at her, the woman lowered her gaze.
I slowly raised my hand and pointed at her.
"I will go with the person over there."
"...Understood. It shall be as the Saint wishes."
While the woman I pointed at looked around in confusion, the Pope nodded.
Since the Pope didn't object, I must have chosen the right answer.