Chapter 529: I Pardon Your Sins (1) |
“Did you not hear me tell you to bring it?!” Father Basel shouted.
‘Wow…’
“You scums! You bastards possessed by the demon! How dare you spout nonsense! How dare you!” he continued.
‘What’s wrong with him? Seriously?’
“Actually! Call Helena, the heresy inquisitor! I must investigate their minds! I must check for myself whether those empty heads of yours are filled with demons!” he ordered.
“It’s fine, Father Basel. There’s no need to be that angry. I understand… how they feel,” I mumbled.
“Father Lee Ki-Young…” he called out.
“They’re speaking honestly because they care about the goddess and you. Entering the goddess’ sanctuary in this form… is definitely…” I told him.
“What are you saying, Father Lee Ki-Young? Goddess Benigoa hasn’t abandoned you,” he said.
“Don’t be like this. Let’s just go. Don’t let their comments affect you, and there’s no reason to listen to them. Those idiots only care about what they see on the outside…” he suggested.
“Please don’t scold them too much. I’m sure they have their reasons… Cough,” I said.
“O-Oppa…” Jung Ha-Yan called out.
“The holy knights are just doing their jobs. Please… calm down. And I’d like it if they supported me. I’m really thankful that you believe in me, but…” I paused.
“...”
“I’m scared that I might bring harm,” I continued.
I glanced at the holy knights, and I saw them walking toward me quietly, looking touched. It was clear that they were reflecting on their mistakes. A weak-hearted female knight was trying to hold back her tears while biting her lips. They were only human. The light that had once illuminated the continent was gasping for breath because of the demon’s curse. They were holy knights, so they had no choice but to give a different opinion. However, they actually felt the same as Father Basel.
“Your Holiness. If you leave Father Lee Ki-Young with us, we’ll do our best to aid him,” Laura said.
“You better do your best. If something happens to Father Lee Ki-Young’s body, I will never forgive all of you,” Father Basel threatened.
“Understood, sir,” she said.
“I’m really… really sorry… and thank you very much,” Laura said to me.
“There’s no need to apologize or thank me, Miss Laura,” I told her.
She looked surprised, and it was probably because she didn’t expect me to remember her name. I actually didn’t memorize her name. I simply read her name that appeared on the status window, but she looked touched when I mentioned her name.
“I’m… sorry,” she apologized.
“It’s fine. No need to worry,” I said.
The holy knights seemed to regret the fact that they even doubted me. An unknown sense of responsibility covered their faces, and it seemed that they believed in me once again. There was nothing more heartbreaking than a regretful scene.
Sun Hee-Young and Elena sighed in relief.
Meanwhile, Kim Hyun-Sung kept his guard up. It wasn’t obvious on the outside, but I could tell he was trying to maintain a certain distance from me.
“How long have you been in this state?” Father Basel asked.
“It hasn’t been that long, Father Basel. My vision suddenly became dark… I honestly don’t remember. I’m sure it’s not that different from the information that the holy knights provided,” I replied.
“I see…” he mumbled.
“I’m sorry for making you worried,” I apologized.
“No, please don’t say that, Father Lee Ki-Young. This happened because I’m not good enough at my job, so I can’t really blame anyone. It should be me who should apologize to you. Don’t be in despair. Don’t give up. The goddess cherishes you more than anybody…” he said.
“No, it’s not just that… The things… I did before…” I mumbled.
“...”
“So you’ve heard,” he said.
“I haven’t heard the details,” I told him.
“That darkness isn’t you. The Father Lee Ki-Young I know is the kindest and most selfless person I have ever known. He is also willing to lay everything down for the goddess. That’s what I think and feel about you. Don’t give in to the darkness, and I already told you, right?” he asked.
“...”
“I already told you that I can still see the light inside you,” he continued.
“I’m really thankful… that you still think that way,” I said.
After exchanging several lines with Father Basel, we soon arrived at the goddess statue. At first, it seemed like they were going to run several examinations on me before entering the sanctuary, but every examination was bypassed because of Father Basel.
He believed that everything would be resolved once I arrived in front of the goddess.
If the light inside me had already disappeared, then he wouldn’t have done something like this. Of course, this was still a dangerous move for him.
If I were truly Doom Ki-Young, and I managed to enter the Vatican by acting like I was still Light Ki-Young, Father Basel would be in danger. He would have to step down from his current position, and I was sure that the cardinals would attack him.
I figured that was the reason he was thanking me.
“How can I see the goddess looking like this…” I mumbled.
“The goddess will forgive and embrace you,” Father Basel assured.
“I-I’m afraid…” I told him.
“Let’s head in together, then,” he suggested.
‘Of course, you should come with me.’
Kim Hyun-Sung also walked with us with a grim and wary look.
Jung Ha-Yan and Elena looked the same.
‘Guys…’ The atmosphere caught my attention. ‘I’m really touched.’
I could see that they were worried about Benigoa turning hostile against me, and it was obvious from the way they were biting their lips as they walked into the sanctuary.
They would start cheering if Benigoa fixed me, but if she became furious because of my current condition, then they would have no choice but to pull out their weapons.
‘Wow, our Hyun-Sung is even thinking about turning Benigoa into an enemy. You’re seriously amazing. Yeah, I knew you were going to act like that Ha-Yan. Still, I’m thankful. It’s not Elune, so it’s understandable for Elena to act that way. Yeah. I’m also thankful for Hee-Young. Let’s gooo!’
We were about to enter the most sacred place throughout the entire continent, but the party members looked like they were about to enter the most dangerous dungeon instead. Even the other guild members of the Blue Guild silently took positions, while some of them quietly secured an escape route.
Quite a few Red Mercenary Guild Members, and even the Black Swan Guild were waiting with bated breaths. Benigoa would definitely not turn hostile against me, but if she were to do such a foolish thing, then she would take a lot of damage.
‘By the way, she hasn’t said anything? Is she busy right now?’
I was sure she was busy. I wasn’t sure what was going on up there, but if she was preparing Benigoa Patch 2.0 and was organizing information related to the contract, then it was only natural that she didn’t have time to take care of the real world.
If she were monitoring us, then she would have already sent me a quest.
‘She’s busy, but I’m sure she can hear the cries down here.’
The statue of Benigoa was looking down at me. Father Basel started praying while the holy knights sang about their beliefs and faith. A warm light was shining through the stained-glass window, and it was such a holy sight that I actually felt overwhelmed.
‘Benigoa. Your loyal servant—Lee Ki-Young—has arrived.’
I shouted with all my might in my head, but I didn’t hear her voice.
Meanwhile, Father Basel was also calling out Benigoa’s name.
“The great and benevolent goddess, your lowly servants have arrived! Please give us an answer to the situation we have encountered. Please guide these pitiful servants with your beautiful voice.”
However, the woman didn’t answer.
‘Isn’t this considered negligence?’
If Benigoa didn’t speak, then the situation would become a bit serious. I thought about smacking the silent statue that still hadn’t emitted any light.
‘Benigoa, damn it… Benigoa!’
I had saved the continent from danger, so I didn’t expect that she would ignore me like this. I frowned and thought that perhaps her true goal all this while had been recovering from her bankruptcy.
[My lovely Lee Ki-Young! I-I’m here! I’m here!]
Fortunately, the statue finally emitted a faint light. Father Basel and the holy knights looked at the statue quietly while crying tears of joy, but I was busy talking to her.
‘Why are you so late, Benigoa?’
[I’ve… been really busy recently… It’s really annoying to wrap things up. I definitely wasn’t ignoring or neglecting you… So don’t have any strange misunderstandings… And that form of yours…]
‘I have my reasons as well, Benigoa.’
[I’m sorry. It’s because I’m not good enough… I’ve disappointed you. I hope you’ll stop being mad… You’ll accept my apology, right?]
‘Forget it. Your apology won’t make me feel better. I’ve actually been asking for you since I woke up.’
[I-I’m sorry, my lovely Lee Ki-Young. I was really busy, and I had to leave for a bit. I’m sure you already know, but I also have to handle the contract…]
‘Is that a good enough excuse in your eyes?’
[I-I’m sorry, but you must have a reason for coming here. I’ll do my best and use my powers. Additionally, I’d like to express my gratitude… What do you need? I’ll provide it as long as it’s within my powers…]
‘I don’t really have a reason. It’s just…’
[Yes?]
‘I wanted to apologize.’
[What?]
‘It was for the peace of the continent, but I still ended up slightly damaging the Federation and Lindel. And I’m also wearing this mask right now, so I want to receive forgiveness for that.’
[Uh…]
‘Forgive me.’
[I… I forgive your… sins.]
‘No, not like that. With full confidence.’
[What? You crazy bastard! What are you saying… Unni! Unni, are you just going to endure it? Why are you the one forgiving him for the mess he had made at the Federation?! My people are in so much pain…]
[Quiet, Lauren! Do you have any idea how important this is right now? I-I’m sorry, Lee Ki-Young. You must’ve been surprised. You see—]
‘Is that Lauren, the guardian deity of the Federation?’
[Uh?]
‘If possible, I’d like to ask her for forgiveness.’
[...]
[...]
[You… You crazy bastard!]
A brighter light engulfed the sanctuary.