Chapter 531: Mirror Lake (1) |
[We need your help.]
“Goddess Benigoa…”
[Lauren and I have vanquished most of the darkness inside of him, but it is only a temporary measure. The darkness is still inside of him. The light of the continent relies on you the most, so please watch over him. Support and guide him.]
“We understand.”
[Father Basel, thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for not doubting this incompetent goddess.]
“How… could I doubt you, Goddess Benigoa…” Father Basel muttered.
[Believing in Father Lee Ki-Young also means that you believe in me. You’re qualified to sit next to me because you saw the light hidden in the darkness. I hope you’ll continue working hard.]
“Sniff…!”
[Swordsman of Light, I have high expectations of you.]
[You’ve put down the heavy burden.]
“...”
[I ask that you guide him in the right direction so that he will not walk down the wrong path.]
“I don’t plan on being his guide, but…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.
[I understand what you’re trying to say, but…]
“I can walk with him,” he said.
[...]
“...”
[If that is your wish.]
“...”
The light intensified as Benigoa smiled and wrapped the situation up. I was really satisfied, and my smile widened as the light washed my sins away.
I reviewed the footage that Lee Ji-Hye had recorded in the comfort of my room, so I could edit the parts that were weird, but nothing really caught my attention. I wanted to applaud because it was basically a miracle.
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that this recording would spread throughout the Sacred Democratic Country and the continent. I became even happier when I thought about how I finally managed to get out of that jail and the fact that a Doom Reset was now unlikely to happen.
It had been four days since then, and the Sacred Democratic Country had been praying all day over the past four days. The Vatican was also abuzz with conversations about the miracle that Father Basel had witnessed.
Father Basel asked me to stay at the Vatican for a few days to obey the goddess’ request, but I would like to return to Lindel as soon as possible to continue the restoration works, but there were a few things bothering me, so I changed my mind.
‘I should read the room.’
The city was ruined, so nothing would change even if I were to hurry over them. I had been really thirsty for information since I woke up, so it was about time I found out what the public thought about me and how the adventurers of the Sacred Democratic Country felt about the crisis.
My heart fluttered at the thought of reading the articles and news that I couldn’t read while I was in that jail. I was born during the Information Age, so it would be an understatement to say that I was excited to start reading articles and news.
‘I’ll start from the articles that were released right after the battle…’
[The Miracle Created by Goddess Benigoa. Nightmares Are Lifted, and the Sunset of the Continent’s Crisis Has Arrived. - Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report.]
“Hmm… Mmm…”
[A Great Victory That Was Close to a Miracle. A Few Casualties Confirmed. - News Anchor Michael of the Democratic Newspaper.]
‘He’s right.’
[Prisoners in the Federation. Miraculous Rescue. The Nation is Gone, But the People Remain. Reporter Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report.]
[Dialugia, the Guardian Dragon of the Democratic Country, Moved to Celia to Recover. - Reporter Kyosuke of the Celia Daily Report.]
[Father Lee Ki-Young Still Unconscious. 20th Day of Coma. Father Basel Appears at the Prayer Meeting at the Capital of the Democratic Country—We must pray. - News Anchor Michael of the Democratic Newspaper.]
[Difficulties in the Recovery of Lindel. A Full-Scale Restoration Is Expected to Begin Only after about Three Months. Cha Hee-Ra, the Guild Master of the Red Mercenary Guild, Is Expected to Make an Announcement Tonight about Securing a Temporary Shelter and Benefits for the Adventurers… - Columnist Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Democratic Column.]
[Denizens of the Democratic Country Are Furious from the Lack of News about Father Lee Ki-Young. 34th Day of Coma. The Denizens Are Worried That the Democratic Country Is Hiding Something. - News Anchor Michael of the Democratic Newspaper.]
[The Spokesperson of the Blue Guild, Team Leader Kim Mi-Young’s Announcement Isn’t Effective. Conspiracy Theories about Father Lee Ki-Young’s Death Are Making Rounds. - Reporter Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report.]
[A Candlelight Vigil Held by the Denizens of the Democratic Country. Will Their Cries for the Truth Work? - Reporter Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report.]
[The Entire Democratic Country Is Celebrating the News of Father Lee Ki-Young’s Awakening. Some Are Concerned… - Reporter Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report.]
I finally had a gist of what happened while I was asleep. Dialugia was resting in Celia, and it seemed that everything was wrapped up pretty well, aside from the ongoing restoration works of Lindel.
However, I was bothered by the fact that the Blue Guild didn’t announce to the public the news that I was already awake.
‘They just announced that I was still in bed. Man… they’re just…’
I wasn’t sure what they were thinking, but they made it seem like I was still in a coma, even though I was already awake. I couldn’t help but think that they would have continued hiding the fact that I was already awake if it hadn’t been for the candlelight vigil that the denizens held for me.
I was sure there were many political reasons, but I felt a shiver down my spine when I thought about how they imprisoned me and announced that I was still in a coma.
‘I’m sure it’s all over now.’
I turned and saw holy knights gathered in one place.
There were many other interesting articles.
[What did the Swordsman of Light see while he was unconscious? A vivid story told by the Guild Master of the Blue Guild, who has appeared in the news for the first time. The Guild Master’s ultimate move—Hope of Sunset—was a gift from the honorary cardinal. This heart-warming story has become a hot topic throughout the Democratic Country.]
‘Our Hyun-Sung really showed off this time, but his moving story was great. I’ll allow him to tell as many moving stories as he wants.’
[The new volume of How the Alchemist and the Genius Swordsman Loves has been published! The mysterious author has been interviewed—I hope my writing strengthens the people. - Report Jung Yumi of the Lindel Cultural Team.]
“Things like this are nice as well. They’re definitely helpful.”
I nodded because articles about mundane things would give people strength during difficult times. We had driven away the demons, but we were still recovering from our wounds.
There were definitely many adventurers who had been driven to a corner mentally. It didn’t seem much, but things like these were helpful, so it was only right for guilds or the nation to support them.
[How the Alchemist and the Genius Swordsman Loves movie adaption confirmed! Many investors are expected, and many fans are cheering. However, there are some concerns about the possibility of derailing from the original work…]
At this point, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Blue Guild used this opportunity to officially invest in the book. We were going to be a platform that would provide services rather than a publisher, and it wasn’t that difficult to invest in things. Our business would only grow moving forward, so it was best to start thinking about it ahead of time. The profit wouldn’t be as big as other businesses, but it would be better than nothing.
I also thought that it wouldn’t be bad to create a play of some sort…
I couldn’t help but smile while thinking of ways to grow the Blue Guild’s business products. This relaxing time that I got after a while helped me realize just how precious this time was because I had enough time to read and do things.
There was also some news from Mirror Lake, and the news was mostly about how Father Lee Ki-Young met the goddess at the Vatican. The denizens of the Democratic Country gathered and prayed today as well, and it was a sight that kept me entertained.
I felt really comfortable because the guild members gave me guidelines on what actions I should take, so I didn’t have to use my brain.
Right now, it wouldn’t be bad to go outside and start a publicity campaign.
I could help with the restoration works with my bare hands and exhausted body, and I could also shed tears of remorse while holding the hands of the denizens.
In a nutshell, there were many things I could do.
While I was deep in my thoughts, I saw Oscar—no, Aris bringing a pot of chrysanthemum tea into the office.
“Miss Oscar…” I greeted.
“Please call me Aris, Father Lee Ki-Young. You did the same thing earlier… I’ll be sad if you keep calling me that,” Aris said.
“I’m still not used to it,” I said.
“You’re feeling fine, right?” she asked.
“Yes. As you can see, I’m fine. I can already walk around without any issues,” I replied.
“Still, don’t push yourself. The others are very worried… Your body doesn’t belong only to you, you know?” she reminded me.
Her last line frightened me for some reason, but I was sure that it was all in my head.
“I understand that you want to run over to Lindel right now, but please wait a bit longer. You’re already carrying a heavy burden, and even though it’s just temporary, I want you to enjoy your time off,” she said.
“I know, but…”
“How about a cup of tea?” she offered.
“Thank you,” I said.
“It’s been a while since we got together like this, so it’s nice. Ah, how was it yesterday?” she asked.
“Yesterday…”
“I heard that Senator Caitlyn, Elise, and Marilyn stopped by,” she answered.
“Ah, I had a good time. It was kind of burdensome because they were worrying about me a bit too much, but it’s been a while since I saw them, so I had fun,” I replied.
“Still, it must have been exhausting,” she commented.
“I appreciate your worry, Miss Aris,” I told her.
‘It was an important matter…’
It was important for me to take care of my connections. I could be sitting in the highest position right now, but I would still make sure to stay grounded.
‘It’s about time I take care of them.’
Senator Castlerock, Marilyn, the chief senators, Bishop Jayna, Helena of the Heresy Inquisitors, the important merchants of the nearby cities, the representative of the denizens, and the Eight Seats of Dawan and Celia had already visited me.
It was indeed exhausting, but I had a lot of fun.
I managed to enjoy myself because they told me a lot of information about the world outside, and it was also a rare opportunity to learn about what they thought of the crisis.
I found out that everyone had their own opinions about the crisis, so I had to make sure to organize the information.
I couldn’t really spend time with Kim Hyun-Sung and the guild members because so many people had been visiting me recently, and I considered that to be the drawback of the attention I had been getting from the people.
Still, I had enough of seeing them while I was still imprisoned, and I was sure that they weren’t complaining about my visitors because they were quiet.
While I was talking to Aris, the door was flung open, and I saw a familiar face. I already knew the identity of the visitor judging from their footsteps and panting from afar.
“Hyung-nim! Huh? You were here as well, Miss Oscar?!” Park Deok-Gu called out.
“H-Hello,” Oscar greeted.
“You’re always working hard… Anyway, hyung-nim,” he said.
“Yeah?”
“It’s about time we ride a boat to Mirror Lake!” he replied.
“What?”
“We have decided to finally visit the Mirror Lake that you’ve been wanting to visit for the longest time!” he answered.
‘When…? When did I say that I want to go there, you pig?’
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