Chapter 189: A Blade Does Not Choose the Hand That Holds It-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 189: A Blade Does Not Choose the Hand That Holds It-1
The clinking of knives against plates echoed through the banquet hall.
Once a week, In-ho had dinner with the Pope.
Perhaps it was because the shock of their first meeting had been so great, but In-ho found these meals incredibly uncomfortable. Still, he couldn't exactly refuse, so he quietly followed the assigned schedule.
His reasoning was simple: it was better than having to do it twice a week.
"It has already been over a month since you arrived, Saint."
Perhaps it was the Pope’s personal preference, but the meat was dripping with grease, squelching every time he moved his fork.
"It has been a month already," In-ho muttered, putting a pasta-like noodle dish into his mouth.
To him, the phrase "only a month" felt more accurate. In terms of how it felt, it might as well have been half a year.
"Ah, I heard you have been teaching Sister Maria."
The Pope spoke as if he had just happened to hear about it.
Every day, they held a "test" that lasted three to four hours. In reality, it was In-ho’s Bible study time disguised as an examination.
Having zero knowledge of the Bible, he summoned Maria to his room every day. He would have her read from the very first verse and then ask her a question:
[What is your opinion on that passage?]
Maria had been bewildered by this unheard-of testing method. At first, she had stammered, unable to say a word. She was terrified that if her interpretation was wrong, she would face a thunderous scolding from the Saint.
In-ho had comforted her, coaxing her to share her own personal interpretation.
Gaining courage, Maria would read the verses and explain her thoughts, while In-ho took notes on the paper he had prepared. Since he couldn't memorize the entire text, he aimed to summarize the core points.
He had been studying the Bible this way for nearly a month. Now, they were finally approaching the last page of the thick tome.
Of course, in an act of equivalent exchange, the life was slowly draining from Maria’s face.
"Calling it 'teaching' is a bit much. I am merely offering some guidance by her side."
While In-ho denied it, the Pope stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth and chewed. Juices dribbled from the corner of his lips.
"Handling your official schedule while also guiding the staff... You truly are the Saint."
Runio continued to heap praise upon him.
"Ah, speaking of official schedules, I feel like the number of meal appointments has increased lately."
Recently, the number of quiet meals in the dining hall had decreased, replaced by an increasing number of banquets with nobles. Whether it was lunch or dinner, he found himself booked for meals with high-ranking nobles and wealthy merchants.
"Ah... that is because there are so many people who desperately wish to dine with the Saint."
The Pope bowed his head as if apologetic. In-ho waved it off, signaling it was fine.
"No, that part is fine. It’s just... I feel like I’m only eating with nobles."
In-ho let his voice trail off.
"The nobles who have dined with you are people of profound faith. They also contribute significant offerings. These meals were arranged as a small reward for their devotion."
"I see."
Finding nothing else to say to the Pope’s explanation, In-ho stabbed a piece of salad with his fork and ate it.
"Of course, I fully empathize with your desire to meet those living in more difficult circumstances. I will make sure to arrange such a schedule in the future."
The Pope spoke while carefully watching In-ho’s reaction.
"And... I think it would be wonderful if you could lead a worship service soon..."
As the Pope cautiously broached the subject, In-ho shook his head.
"Not yet... I don't think I can do it yet. I'm not fully prepared."
When In-ho refused, the Pope nodded understandingly.
"I see. You mean our faith is still too lacking to comprehend your words. Then we shall take more time to reach a level that satisfies you, Saint."
Whatever.
In-ho had to block the words rising up his throat with a chunk of meat.
"Come to think of it, Sister Maria mentioned that the week of 'Saint Saniso' is coming up and a tournament will be held. What is that exactly?"
Having finished his last piece of meat, In-ho asked about the event he had suddenly remembered.
"As you likely know, it is an event to commemorate the deeds of Saint Saniso, who received divine power to strike down the heathens."
The Pope explained kindly.
Saniso. A figure In-ho had learned about during his Bible studies with Maria. He was a saint said to have decapitated three hundred heathens single-handedly.
"The Holy Knights of the Order gather to display their martial prowess to the masses."
So it's a sparring tournament, In-ho thought to himself.
"But do only the Holy Knights participate? Do the Inquisitors not attend?"
When he asked out of curiosity, the Pope nodded.
"The nature and skills of the two groups are quite different, so..."
At the Pope's words, In-ho picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth as if he understood.
"It’s a shame. It would be nice if everyone participated."
In-ho spoke in passing, and the Pope’s eyes flashed sharply.
*
After the meal with the Saint, the Pope summoned Lumen, the Chief Inquisitor.
The woman with short black hair entered with disciplined strides and stood before the Pope.
"I greet His Holiness."
"Sister Lumen. Have the Inquisitors participate in the upcoming tournament."
The Pope got straight to the point as soon as she finished her greeting.
"You are telling the Inquisitors to participate in the tournament?"
Lumen doubted her own ears.
"Yes. The conditions are the same as for the Holy Knights. The Commander and the Chief Inquisitor are excluded. Those with less than two years or more than fifteen years of service are also excluded."
"May I ask the reason?"
When Lumen questioned the sudden order to participate in the event, the Pope shrugged his shoulders.
"The Saint wants it."
*
"['And so, you shall make my will known to all the world. This is my command.']"
"I believe this means we must eliminate heathens and heretics and spread the will of the Light to the entire world. ...That is all."
Maria, with deep dark circles under her eyes, read the final verse of the Bible.
Finally... she had finished reading the entire Scripture.
I wrote down her final words on my paper and looked at her with a proud face.
"That was wonderful, Sister Maria. To think you finished the entire Bible in just one month."
"I-it was only possible because of your help, Saint."
Maria, covered in exhaustion, gave a faint smile. I felt a pang of guilt once again.
I'm sorry, Maria.
Thanks to her sacrifice, I had gained a decent grasp of the Solarium Church. While I couldn't yet recite the verses like the Bishops, I felt confident enough to at least talk the talk.
However, could I really preach in front of others with this superficial knowledge? No matter how much of a 'Saint buff' I had, my lack of depth would be exposed immediately in front of experts.
To preach, I had no choice but to use Maria a little longer.
"It was truly wonderful to see your level of understanding, Sister Maria. You have a very steadfast faith."
"...Thank you."
She replied with a voice that was half-filled with overwhelming emotion and half-filled with a sense of liberation.
"You passed the test."
"...Thank you."
She looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Ah... I feel so bad about this.
"Starting tomorrow, let's take some time to review. We'll start again from the first page of the Bible."
Thud.
"Oh, God..."
With a voice full of despair, Maria collapsed right there on the floor.
Sorry.