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Chapter 614: Plunge (3)

It wasn’t much different from ordinary people’s reaction whenever they saw Lee Kiyoung in real life, after all.

But…

‘It’s subtly different.’

I wasn’t certain if other people felt the same way as me, but I could sense that he was hiding his feelings.

I didn’t know if the emotion behind his nervous expression was anger, awe, or doubt, but I knew that it wasn’t a positive one.

It felt frustrating, not knowing how he truly felt, but…

‘I’m in a better position than him.’

He must’ve been feeling more frustrated than I was, and I couldn’t deny it.

I was the superior A, and he was the vulnerable B. Even if he proved to be the chosen warrior, I was the one holding the trigger. I was sure he was feeling nervous in more ways than one. What would he do if he got caught? How would he resolve the situation?

The person who needed to think a lot wasn’t me, but Raphael.

‘He’s got a lot of nerve.”

I didn’t think he had accidentally come all the way there. It would be more precise to say that he had been planning it for a long time. He most likely didn’t expect him to be chosen by the Holy Sword, however. From his perspective…

‘Do you feel like you’ve won the lottery? Your life skyrocketed, you lucky bastard. Meanwhile, I’m over here totally freaked out, and I have no other option but to hold on.’

I naturally approached him with a smile. It would be better to act normal. It was better to test him a little before doing a full-fledged investigation.

“I think I’m a little late, but… It’s nice to meet you.”

“No, it’s my pleasure, Honorary Cardinal. I’m so thrilled to finally meet someone that I only used to see through the Goddess’s Mirror.”

“I’m not that big of a figure, so you don’t have to be so formal. Rather, I’m the one who should be thrilled and honored. Aren’t you the chosen warrior who will save the continent? Of course, you’ll still have to train, but it’s undeniable that the Holy sword has chosen you… You’re undeniably a blessing on the continent. I’m sure Goddess Benignore is delighted about your appearance.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to meet Goddess Benignore’s expectations… which worries me. It’s just…”

“…”

“Everything has just happened in an instant.”

“You don’t have to worry too much.”

“…”

“Many people, including the Vatican and the Continental Protection and Management Committee, are always ready to help… I will also do my best to help you adjust to your new environment.”

As I took a step forward and patted his shoulder, he looked like he was suddenly on high alert.

He had the face of a cornered rat. It was a sight to see him pull the Holy Sword into his arms, but I didn’t show any reaction. He needed to know how much the Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung had sacrificed for the continent.

Rather, I gave him a warm smile. I showed him the utmost kindness and the affection I used to show to those in power in the past. I hadn’t shown such an expression to anyone except for Kim Hyunsung.

The expression worked successfully. No other words were needed, considering the young man looked slightly embarrassed.

‘You look flustered, you bastard.’

I must’ve looked so different from what he was expecting.

Of course, he might have thought that I was just acting before, but seeing it in person made my impact a whole lot stronger.

I didn’t act as the Honorary Cardinal, but rather as a real person.

The image I conveyed was that of a human being who was pure, kind, and warm. Someone who desired to reach out with a smile unknowingly. Essentially, I showed him Light Kiyoung. The sun even shone through the window just in time.

“Thank… you.”

“I think we’d better go somewhere else. I don’t think you’re familiar with the place, so I’d like to show you around… Can I do that, Archbishop Jaina?”

“Yes, of course, but…”

“Oh, did you have another schedule?”

“Yes, I think we have a short interview for media coverage. If you want, we can change our schedule.”

“No, it’s alright. I know that’s important. I’m sure the people have a lot of questions about the new warrior. What kind of steps you’re going to take, how you’re going to perform. Oh! Come to think of it, what’s going on with the issue I mentioned before?”

“Oh, yes. You mean the problem of supporting the underprivileged.”

‘Yes, I told you last time, didn’t I?’

“We’re taking care of it as requested by the Honorary Cardinal.”

‘Good to know, Archbishop Jaina.’

“There are a lot of people who are worried about surviving today and tomorrow rather than threats in the distant future. It might not be enough, but we’re proceeding as fast as we can…”

As if to prove that the story wasn’t out of the blue, in-depth conversations about the stories revolving around public relations began to pop out.

If I didn’t really intend to implement it, I would’ve never said anything.

He naturally listened in on our conversation. Picking up as much information as possible was the only option he could take at that moment. I felt like he already had a few plans in mind before he approached our territory.

“I’m getting too talkative. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“No. It’s fine, Honorary Cardinal.”

“We still have a little time until the schedule, so you should take a look around here. I’m sure you’ve been to the Vatican at least once, but… some parts aren’t open to the public.”

“I understand.”

“For example, the garden over there. Most people aren’t allowed to enter the space that the priests of the Vatican are using, and I’m sure you’re curious since you’re a member of the church.”

“I am.”

“If you go a little further that way, you’ll find a university where the probationary priests study theology. On the other side, there is a temple where only high priests are allowed to enter. The Vatican isn’t a place that you can explore completely in a day.”

“I see.”

“Since you don’t have time today, I can only take you to places near us, but I’d like to devote my time guiding you tomorrow or later.”

“You don’t have to…”

“I’m doing this because I want to. I’m curious about you, Mr. Raphael.”

I thought it would be better to smile again, so I gently raised the corners of my lips. I expressed using body language that I was doing him a favor.

His expression seemed to have loosened up. He even let his guard down a little, and even his replies were getting longer.

In fact, all we did was hold a series of shallow conversations.

“Do you like chess?”

We talked about hobbies.

“If you don’t mind, where are you from…?”

I also conducted a brief investigation into his background.

“My parents are both dead… When I didn’t know what to do, good people took me in.”

He was probably referring to the devil contractors.

“They’ve always told me what the right path is for the continent and what this place really is. Their influence is how I came all the way here.”

Even I felt surprised by how well we could communicate.

If we walked for about 20 more minutes, we would come upon a small lake park that was beautiful even by my standards.

‘What should I do?’

I thought about tossing him to the bottom of the lake.

‘What am I supposed to do about this…?’

It might’ve been worthless confidence, but somehow I felt like I could use him in the long term.

‘I can tell because the sword isn’t flying my way.’

I thought it would be fair to say that he was a rationalist. He could’ve attacked me without the fear of death at any moment since we met, but he didn’t.

Perhaps he wanted to stab my stomach and put me at the bottom of the lake. We were actually within the distance that would make that possible as well.

The fact that Jung Hayan and Park Li-ahn were following me at some distance meant he couldn’t guarantee success if he tried to assassinate me there, but… it didn’t seem like they were paying attention to such a situation.

‘I don’t want to be killed just yet.’

My death wasn’t the only thing Raphael wanted.

He desired to find out the truth, remove the false accusations about the Order’s members, and for Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung to receive just punishment and death.

Perhaps he was thinking about it.

He needed time, and I needed time as well, considering it was still hard to grasp the full extent of the situation.

‘I’ll wait and see.’

Hadn’t the Holy Sword Coin already plummeted to the bottom? Someone had once said that perseverance solved everything. If I couldn’t raise the Holy Sword Coin’s value with my own hands, then all I could do was hold on until it soared again. Those thoughts began to get stuck in my head.

When I tried to set the mood, I noticed him looking at my face as if he had a hunch that something unusual would happen.

“I think I put a big burden on you… I’m not very comfortable with it.”

“A big burden?”

“Ordinary people aren’t prepared to face the situation you’re in right now, and I don’t know what you’re thinking, but that’s what this is about. The reason the Goddess sent down the Holy Sword is to help us face the enemies threatening the continent.”

“…”

“It’s so we can fight back. That’s why you’re chosen by the Holy Sword. Power isn’t the only thing that comes with it. Responsibility and pain will surely follow. As I’ve said, it’s a heavy burden.”

“Yes… I see.”

“You might get tired or hurt in many ways. You’ll have to risk your life… You may have to sacrifice everything, and I mean everything.”

“…”

“There will definitely be times when you’d want to put your sword away. I can tell you with confidence that there will be difficulty and hardship ahead of us. Nevertheless, I’d like you to keep my next words to heart.”

“Okay…”

“Please don’t let go of your sword. For all who live on the continent, until the end, until the very end… Please keep fighting with us. Please.”

I thought it was better if I bowed down. I wore an expression fitting a tragic hero who had no choice but to sacrifice everything for the greater good. I shed tears as I slowly lowered my head.

It must’ve been awkward to watch me throw away my pride despite being called the light of the continent.

As expected, he hesitated.

“I ask you of this favor.”