Chapter 379: Fact Always Wins. (5) |
“I’ll stay here at my station,” I[1]replied.
“Really?” Father Bishop asked.
“Yes, and if you don’t return within three hours—”
“That won’t happen,” he interrupted.
“No, if you don’t return within three hours, I’ll make sure to send some soldiers over to you. As I’ve mentioned before, you have three hours, Father Bishop,” I repeated.
“Alright. I’ll make sure to come back within three hours,” he agreed.
“The condition is not to use this meeting in their propaganda. You must tell them that, and when you return…”
“I’ll tell you the conversation we had, Yevkarina,” he said.
“I leave it up to you, Father Bishop,” I said.
‘I’ll walk you to the entrance,’ I offered.
The conversation I had exactly two hours and twenty-two minutes ago rang in my head, and naturally, I doubted if I even did the right thing. Communicating between the forces during a war wasn’t unheard of, but this incident was definitely an exception. We didn’t even ask permission from the higher-ups regarding the high priest’s meeting with Father Lee Ki-Young. After all, I couldn’t imagine them agreeing with the suggestion.
‘Does he not think it can be a trap?’
The Republic would probably think that way. The propaganda the Republic worked on was mostly about slandering Father Lee Ki-Young, and they chose him as the enemy of the continent. However, he looked extremely calm when he was at the location where they promised to meet. As if he was saying it really wasn’t a trap. I met him momentarily, but the smile he had a few hours ago was still in my mind. It seemed that he knew the Republic wouldn’t do something foolish.
‘Actually… why didn’t I join Father Bishop?’
Telling him that I was going to remain at my station could just be an excuse in some way. After all, the answer was already there.
‘I wasn’t confident that I would remain steadfast.’
I was scared that my values, the Republic and everything I trusted were going to be destroyed. I wanted to know the truth, but I wasn’t confident enough to face it directly. It was contradictory, but there wasn’t much I could do because I was a coward.
‘He’s also someone I need to fight…’
I looked out the window and saw the small tent where the two were talking, and of course, I was curious about their conversation.
And that was when I heard a voice beside me…
“Are you sure it’s okay, Miss Yevkarina?”
“Ah, Jin Wing, you’re here,” I said.
“...”
“I’m sure it’s fine. They probably won’t do anything dirty. Even if it’s an unofficial conversation, it’s still a conversation between priests. Neither Father Bishop nor Father Lee Ki-Young will do something foolish,” I replied.
“I see. Father Bishop is…”
“Don’t worry about him. He’s a bit stubborn, but he’s someone we really need in the Republic. He won’t do anything that will harm the Republic. From his point of view, he might actually be thinking that we’re not reliable since we’re foreigners,” I added.
“Understandable, but Miss Karina…” Jin Wing started.
“Yes?”
“What’s the reason?” he asked.
“The reason?” I questioned.
“Yes, I honestly don’t understand it. I was told that it was because of Father Bishop’s honor, but…” he paused.
“I’m not sure either. Really,” I answered.
“...”
“I’m not doubting Commander Jin Cheong, but there are some things I don’t quite understand about this war. It feels as if everything is going according to a script someone had written. Perhaps…” I stopped.
“Yes?”
“The Republic probably started the war. I’m not certain, but it’s highly likely,” I continued.
“That’s…”
“It’s my personal opinion, and I’m thinking about suppressing that thought as much as possible. Even if it’s the Republic’s fault, I plan on staying on the Republic’s side and next to Commander. That won’t change, Jin Wing. However…” I paused again.
“Yes?”
“I want to know the truth because I don’t want to be dragged out to war without knowing anything. That’s the reason why I agreed to Father Bishop’s suggestion. I need to know what I’m fighting for. That’s what I think,” I continued.
“I see...”
“Have you ever doubted the Republic, Jin Wing?” I asked.
“Never, but I don’t think I have ever thought as deeply as you, Miss Karina. Of course, I completely understand how you feel, but thinking too deeply isn’t good. Now that I think about it, Commander said he was worried about you because of that,” he told me.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes. Thinking deeply is a strength, but being too deep into your thoughts is a weakness as well. And because of that personality of yours, he said that you don’t belong on the battlefield…” he answered.
I smiled bitterly. Although it hurt my pride, I completely agreed with those words. That was the reason why I was assigned to a defense army rather than to an assault army. It was also probably the reason I was dispatched to Everia and not Castle Rock.
“It sounds like Commander Jin Cheong is doing well…” I commented.
“But he also said that you’ll shine even brighter here because of your personality,” he added.
“...”
“...”
“Haha, that’s good news. It’s great that… he’s thinking about me,” I laughed.
“I’m sure there’s a reason why he told us not to believe Father Lee Ki-Young,” he said.
“Yes, I’m sure of it…”
‘I’m sure there’s a reason.’
“You mentioned earlier about wanting to have a reason to fight, right?” he asked.
“Yes, I did, Jin Wing,” I replied.
“Isn’t it good enough to fight for those who have faith in you?” he asked.
“Ah…”
For some reason, I felt like my mind was refreshed and my complicated thoughts were organized all at once, but that wasn’t the case. The doubt in my heart was still growing, and my head was still aching. However, I felt like I knew what I needed to do now, and it was to do my best in the task I was given. That was all I had to do.
Regardless, the war was going to happen, and many would die if I made a mistake. A battle between the soldiers of the Republic and the Sacred Democratic Country couldn’t be avoided. After all, we had already decided who was the ally and who was the enemy.
“I see… I see…” I commented.
A faint smile appeared on my face, and it was ridiculous how I had forgotten about something so simple. Tactics were effective ways of winning. It was a way to win while minimizing damage to one’s allies. What I had to do finally became clear.
“Shall we get going? It has been three hours,” I suggested.
“Yes, Miss Karina.”
Not long after we started walking, we saw Father Bishop. I was surprised to see Father Lee Ki-Young as well. They were walking together, and of course, he was with his guards, but it was kind of interesting how he seemed really calm. He had slightly small eyes, a sharp nose, and red lips. Overall, he wasn’t handsome, but for some reason, his face looked sexy. I saw him smile and saw the innocence on his face as well.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Karina. Thank you for making such a difficult decision,” Lee Ki-Young said.
“It’s fine, Father Lee Ki-Young. Please keep your promise. This conversation…”
“Of course, I won’t use it for our propaganda. I don’t enjoy… using conversations about god in that way. How about it? I think it’s a pity to just part ways like this, so how about we talk…” he suggested.
“It’s fine. We’ll return right now. I appreciate your kindness, but we’re enemies right now. I’ll be sure to visit you once this is over. If we don’t die… I’ll visit you first,” I offered.
“I see. If we don’t die… So you have already made your decision,” he commented.
“...”
“It’s unfortunate… Hm… Actually… Hmm… It’s really unfortunate. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to fight. I hope you’ll understand the current situation we’re in, Miss Karina,” he added.
“Of course, I understand. Your side and ours. I’ll see you on the battlefield,” I told him.
“I’m not sure if we’ll meet on the battlefield, but anyway… I look forward to it. Goodbye,” he said.
Afterward, he turned around and walked away slowly. Actually, I even heard him talking with someone else.
“Hyung-nim, I came all the way out here like you asked, but I hope that this won’t happen again. My heart was pounding like crazy. Are you okay?” his guard asked.
“Of course, I’m not okay. I just trusted them and you, Deok-Gu,” he replied.
“I’m thankful, but I’m feeling kind of embarrassed. Anyway, let’s hurry back. They might send pursuers after us,” he suggested.
“That won’t happen,” Father Lee Ki-Young said.
“The problem with you is that you trust people too easily,” his guard commented.
I was certain that the guard was the large-framed warrior I saw through the goddess’ mirror. I turned to look at him after feeling a sense of familiarity, but I turned my head away after hearing a voice next to me.
“What should we do, Miss Karina? Should I get the rangers…” Jin Wing asked.
“No, there’s no need for that… We’re going to meet them anyway,” I replied.
“Understood.”
“By the way, did you have a good talk, Father Bishop?” I asked.
“...”
“Father Bishop?” I called out.
“Ah… did you call for me?” he asked.
“Yes, how was your conversation with Father Lee Ki-Young…” I repeated.
“It was good. I ended up spending more time with him because he was a better person than I thought. I’m sorry about that,” he answered.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Hm… So you’re still thinking about fighting,” Father Bishop commented.
“Yes, we have no choice. I’m sure Father Lee Ki-Young can’t change the situation either since we’re not in the position to compromise,” I explained.
“That’s unfortunate,” he said.
“Did he clear the doubts you had?” I asked.
“I can’t really say he cleared it, but I do feel less frustrated, and I finally have an idea about the kind of person he is and his thoughts. If my eyes didn’t deceive me, then I can say that he’s truly an envoy chosen by the goddess. No, I’m sure of it. He’s a saint chosen by the Goddess of Benigoa,” he answered.
“Is that true?” I questioned.
“Of course...”
“In that case, the incident at Laios…” I muttered.
“There’s no way he was behind it, and he’s not the type of person to do something like that anyway. He couldn’t even lie to me. He was actually worried about the blood that would be spilled… the word ‘saint’ describes him perfectly. Indeed…” he replied.
“We’re… we’re still going to fight,” I told him.
“I see…” he said.
“Thank you for your understanding,” I said.
“...”
“By the way, the thing in your hand.” I pointed out.
“Ah, it’s wine,” he said.
“Wine?” I repeated.
“Haven’t you heard of the holy wine exclusive to the high priests of the Sacred Democratic Country? We drank it just now, and this is the leftovers. It’s not poisoned or dangerous, so don’t worry. Would you like to have a drink?” Father Bishop offered.
“No, I…”
“I’m not asking you to get drunk with me, Karina. Just listen to my story for a bit,” he added.
“That’s…”
“I’m sure it’s a very important story for you,” he said.
1. Yevkarina’s POV ☜
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