Chapter 378: Fact Always Wins. (4) |
“A-Are there any disturbed soldiers?” I[1] asked.
“No… there aren’t, Miss Karina.”
‘Lies.’
“What about the other side?” I asked.
“T-There isn’t anyone from our side either. Of course, it’s difficult to say that the atmosphere is the same as before, but we’re trying to prevent the spread of the rumor as much as possible… Not only are we providing relevant training, but we’ve been keeping their mouths shut, so I’m sure it won’t affect their morale.”
‘That’s not true.’
I knew it was a lie. The honorary cardinal shouted while being enveloped by radiant light, and it happened after watching the incident that happened in Laios. The soldiers nervous about the war would feel even more nervous after watching that video.
‘It wasn’t fabricated…’
I had seen that brilliant light through the goddess’ mirror, but Lee Ki-Young had emitted a holy light brighter than that one. It hadn’t been a long time since I started living on the continent, so it was my first time witnessing a holy power that bright. Perhaps it was just a simple visual trick, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Basically, if he really was related to demons…
‘It would be impossible for him to obtain that kind of holy power.’
It was a certainty rather than speculation. I didn’t really know the mechanism behind holy power, but I knew that people involved in demon summoning and black magic couldn’t possibly obtain that type of holy power.
‘Don’t believe him no matter what, Miss Yevkarina. No matter what.’
Naturally, I recalled what Commander Jin Cheong had told me, but…
‘If he had been honest with me.’
If Commander Jin Cheong had a plan, I would have endured it and accepted everything. If summoning a horrifying being would benefit the Republic, then I would have nodded and agreed. If he had just told me the truth…
‘It’s useless to have doubts. He won’t do something like that.’
The anxiety of the command center would make the entire army anxious, so I couldn’t help but bite my lips.
All of a sudden, I heard a voice from outside…
“Miss Yevkarina, Father Bishop said he would like to speak with you…”
‘Shit.’
In some ways, it was expected.
“Please tell him to come in,” I replied.
“Okay, I’ll let him know.”
A few minutes later, a gray-haired old man came into the room. He was an ugly old man, but no one would think that he was a useless bum. The Republic wasn’t at the same level as the Sacred Democratic Country when it came to religion, but priests were still necessary for the Republic, and they were respected individuals. It was even more applicable to priests with military authorities. Ignoring their suggestion was the same as ignoring the priest’s faith. As such, I wasn’t really too fond of this meeting. After all, I could already deduce what the old man would say.
“What brings you here, Father Bishop?” I asked.
“Ahem, it’s regarding what happened yesterday, Miss Yevkarina,” he replied.
“I believe we already announced our position regarding the incident yesterday… There’s nothing else I can tell you about that situation. The Republic has already—”
“Of course, our position was already announced, but there are parts that don’t make sense to me. Could you delay the others for a bit?” he interrupted.
“There’s no need to do that, Father Bishop,” I pointed out.
“Please.”
“...”
‘This is why I don’t like him.’
Naturally, I sighed because I knew the meaning behind his request.
“Please have them return to their posts and look over the troops again,” he added.
“Okay.”
“...”
“So… could you tell me exactly what it is you want, Father Bishop?” I asked.
“I’ll have to discuss it with him first, but…” he trailed off.
“What? What are you…”
“I’m telling you that I’m willing to have a discussion with the Honorary Cardinal of the Vatican’s Sacred Democratic Country. If you can prepare a place for us to meet, then—” he answered.
“That’s impossible. You’re a priest, but the remark you made just now cannot be ignored. We’re currently in a war against them, but you want to meet him despite that? Our job is to secure this place, so you shouldn’t think about anything else other than that. It’s my job to stop the reinforcements and supplies heading for Castle Rock, and planning a meeting with you and him isn’t part of my job,” I explained.
“Our job is to protect the Republic, not win this war.” Father Bishop pointed out.
“Winning this war is protecting the Republic, Father Bishop,” I said.
“Do you really believe that?!” he yelled.
“...”
“Are you sure you’re not having second thoughts about what you saw yesterday? His holy power is real. Do you really believe Commander Jin Cheong’s words when he said that everything was fabricated by the honorary cardinal? Do you really think he can possess that much holy power after becoming involved with a demon summoner? I’m sure the Goddess of Benigoa will laugh at that idea. The gods do not get involved with the real world, but they’re not idle either. They won’t grant that kind of holy power to evil! He’s a saint and a holy man chosen by the light. He’s a saint sent by the heavens—”
“He’s a fraud! Father Bishop!” I yelled.
“How could a mere fraud show that kind of light? What we witnessed yesterday isn’t the same as the light we had seen through the goddess’ mirror. We actually saw it with our own two eyes. The priests are already talking about it, and to comfort them, I have to meet Father Lee Ki-Young,” he continued.
“But…!”
“How long have you been living in the Republic, Yevkarina? I grew up in the Republic, and I’m here to protect it. I have no intention of harming the Republic in any way. I just want to know the truth… I know that you’re loyal to Commander Jin Cheong, and I also don’t think he’s capable of doing something like that. However, I want to confirm for myself whether Lee Ki-Young has really been chosen by a god,” he explained.
“Commander Jin Cheong isn’t that kind of person,” I repeated.
“It could be the work of a third party.” he pointed out.
“Commander Jin Cheong also mentioned that possibility, but in the end, he said all of it was a trap set up by Father Lee Ki-Young…” I told him.
“That could also be the work of a third party, and I can tell just by looking at the eyes of the people by his side. Lee Ki-Young is not the type of person who could pull something like that. He was chosen by the light. Fabricating a situation by summoning a demon? It will be more believable for you to tell me that a demon is doing volunteer work,” he commented.
“...”
“More than that, do you really think that it makes sense for Father Lee Ki-Young to trap Jin Cheong’s group when he has never seen them before? Everything necessary to summon the demon, securing a place to summon it, and the mana to summon the demon. Do you really think that Lee Ki-Young would do all those just for Commander Jin Cheong, whom he had just met?” Father Bishop asked.
“It could be a way to suppress the Republic…” I commented.
“Father Lee Ki-Young didn’t even know that Commander Jin Cheong was in Laios.” he pointed out.
“How can you say that for sure, Father Bishop?” I questioned.
“You saw it yourself through the goddess’ mirror. Everyone in the neutral nation saw it happen. If what Commander Jin Cheong said is true, then it means that Father Lee Ki-Young was controlling that horrifying being like it was his servant. Do you really think that a powerful demon like that would deliberately plan to trick Commander Jin Cheong? Do you really think that a demon strong enough to threaten the continent would listen to one man and act to set Commander Jin Cheong up? Are you saying that he planned all that out in less than a month? Coincidence is rare. The things I’m telling you right now are all based on common sense, Yevkarina. If he really… if he really wanted to throw the continent into chaos, he would have summoned the demon again. He wouldn’t have done something as bothersome as this,” he explained.
‘Shit…’
I wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t because Father Bishop was right. The huge incident that happened in Laios… no one would believe that a demon would listen to a mere human and act to set Commander Jin Cheong up. It was more realistic to say that a third party was trying to ruin the relationship between the Sacred Democratic Country and the Republic. I knew I shouldn’t be like this, but my expression was becoming more serious, and when I mumbled, I immediately heard an answer.
“How can you… be sure, Father Bishop?” I asked.
“That’s why I want to talk to him,” he replied.
“...”
“I want to talk to him and get to know him better. I want to know whether he really is an envoy chosen by god, and I want to know what he’s thinking as well. And…” he paused.
“...”
“I want to know if there’s really a being threatening to swallow the continent up,” he finished.
“...”
“There’s a lot of things I want to hear from him. As he mentioned, we could be in a misunderstanding, and we shouldn’t be pointing our swords at each other,” he added.
“The talk…” I started.
“Please…” he begged.
“I can’t allow you to talk to him,” I told him.
“Yevkarina!” he shouted.
“Not officially,” I added.
“Ah…”
“I can’t allow it officially. If the troops found out that you met Father Lee Ki-Young, then it’ll have a huge impact on their morale, and there’s no guarantee that the enemy won’t use it as a part of their propaganda. However… I’ll make plans so that you can meet him unofficially, and of course, they’ll need to approve it as well. I’ll make sure we deliver the message. The fastest would be—”
“As soon as possible,” he interrupted.
“I understand, Father Bishop. We only have a few days until the war starts.” I pointed out.
I wasn’t sure whether I was currently doing a good job or not because my mind was filled with many complicated thoughts. However, I knew why I agreed to Father Bishop’s suggestion.
‘I want to know the truth as well.’
One hour after I sent a message, a letter arrived from the Everia Kingdom. Honestly, my expectations were low, but Father Lee Ki-Young approved the meeting.
[I also want to handle this incident through words. I salute Father Bishop’s decision, who is a beloved of the light, and the decision of the beautiful and noble Miss Yevkarina, who was willing to compromise. - From Lee Ki-Young, the Honorary Cardinal.]
“How about it? Will you come with me?” Father Bishop asked.
I found it difficult to agree.
1. Yevkarina’s POV ☜
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