Chapter 134: The Knight Is Being Tricked!? (2)

“Kunta has question. Answer, Arno.”

“…Uhh, I don’t mind answering your questions, but finish your food first, Kunta. Also, please don’t talk loudly, we’re in a restaurant.”

“Okay!”

Slurp!!

“…You aren’t supposed to gulp steak like that. It’s something you chew and eat…”

Kunta ate—no, gulped five thick sirloin steaks as they were soup. No matter how softly they were cooked, eating them in that manner would surely give someone a stomachache.

Actually, no… It shouldn’t be a big deal for him…

As expected of a Barbarian, truly worthy of their status as a mystical race…

Kunta finished gulping down the steak with a bright smile as that thought appeared in Arno’s head.

“This, tasty. A lot water came out.”

“That’s not water, that’s meat juice.”

“Common language, difficult.”

“Don’t worry, you’re doing well…”

Kunta might have looked a little lacking because he wasn’t good at speaking the common language, but Arno knew more than anyone how wrong that was. If anything, he had a quick wit that was incomparable to anyone else, and he absorbed new knowledge like a sponge.

Some people call Barbarians savages, but they’re just wrong.

Such information existed, as if to disparage the Barbarians. Even though the truth of the matter was, they were just discarding all useless information so they could live in harmony with nature.

If I hadn’t met Kunta, I might have been trapped in that prejudice forever.

Arno knew now, Barbarians were brave warriors and natural strategists. At the same time, they were respectable people who were naturally kind and sincere.

He hadn’t met any other barbarians besides Kunta, but from what Kunta had told him during the days he stayed in his family’s mansion, he could tell how great the Barbarians were.

I wish we could become knights together.

I’d be blessed to have such a reliable companion as him.

“Whew, Kunta ate it all!”

“…Are you full now?”

“No, but Kunta will endure. Kunta is fine eating this little meal.”

“…I see.”

Though he said that, Kunta had actually eaten ten huge steaks all by himself—a total of 7 kg worth of meat.

…He’s reliable indeed, but if we become knights together, won’t he end up eating all of our food?

“Can Kunta ask now?”

“Yes, go ahead and ask.”

“What is temple?”

“You…are asking what the temple is?”

Arno blinked for a moment at the sudden question, but Kunta continued.

“Yes. Most famous and wise old man in Kunta’s tribe said, when Kunta leave, Kunta should be careful of ‘temple’.”

“…”

Hearing that, Arno understood why Kunta expressed his curiosity. After all, the temple was particularly cautious of the mystical races.

“But, all temple people Kunta meet, kind and nice. The priestess in recovery room, pretty and kind. Kunta wants her as wife.”

“…Unfortunately, priestesses and priests of the temple are only allowed to marry after they reach their fifties. Before that, they have to live a religious life.”

“…Kunta’s heart hurt. Is this broken heart?”

“Also, they say that once they turn fifty, they will be rejuvenated back to their teens. It’s as if God is rewarding them for all the hardships they have endured.”

“So, Kunta, wait?”

“…No, just give up.”

Haaa…

Arno was momentarily speechless at his friend’s absurd behavior, but not for long.

“…Fundamentally speaking, the temple is a force of ‘good’. Not only do they heal all the sick people in the kingdom for free, but they also actively do volunteer work.”

“Then, why elder tell Kunta be careful?”

“That…”

Arno looked around. While this was a place where only people from the Offen Family visited, he knew that the temple’s eyes were everywhere. In other words, he had to be careful. He had to make sure that there were no signs of people around them before he could say ‘that name’.

The name of the force that was known as the most dangerous and vicious force in the temple.

“It’s because the temple has the ‘Inquisition’. Perhaps the wise old man you mentioned was warning you to be careful of them, not the temple itself.”

Even the people of the kingdom would be scared out of their wits if they were to confront them…

Arno reflexively frowned as he spoke.

“Why they dangerous?”

“…Among the Inquisition’s members, there are quite a few who ‘hate’ mystical races and insist that they should all be exterminated.”

“…Kunta suddenly lost appetite.”

“…”

Though he thought that someone who had already eaten a whole cheesecake for dessert didn’t have the right to say that, Arno understood his feelings. This was indeed an unpleasant topic to talk about.

“But don’t worry too much. You’re a student who officially came to study at the Academy, Kunta. Moreover, the Inquisition doesn’t commit indiscriminate acts of madness like it used to… However, you should still be careful. I recommend that you don’t walk around the capital alone.”

“…The more Kunta listen to Arno, the more Kunta is confused. Is Arno telling Kunta to be careful, or not worry?”

“Just try to avoid getting involved with the temple, if possible.”

This was the best advice Arno could give, but Kunta still had a frustrated expression.

“Then, what should Kunta do, if Kunta get involved by accident?”

“At that time…”

“At that time?”

“…Just treat it as bad luck.”

“…”

“In any case, it’s extremely unlikely that you’d get involved with them. The Inquisitors aren’t all that idle these days. Unless you’re born with misfortune such as breaking your nose every time you fall, you should be fine.”

“Kunta don’t think Kunta ever get hurt falling down.”

“…When I look at you, I understand why Barbarians are still a minority. Even though you people are strong enough to establish a kingdom since ages ago.”

“?”

Kunta tilted his head, but Arno just let out a wry laugh.

It was a peaceful, ordinary day for the two cadets.

On the contrary to the two cadets who had a peaceful life…

“Brother, how are you today?”

“…I was having a good day until you came.”

“Hahaha, you can even joke around with me now.”

“I wasn’t joking…”

There was someone who could not enjoy his peace at all.

Lee Han—the man who had such a deep misfortune that he’d end up in a sea of fire every time he fell—let out a sigh.

“…Have some tea and go back already.”

“I will bother you for a while again today.”

“…”

I swear this damn guy’s morality is my worst enemy…!

I can’t just act like trash in front of him—!

He hated himself for not being able to act badly toward the kind old man.

…His meeting with the old man, Father Raphael, was something that happened out of nowhere.

He was training as usual when he noticed an old priest holding a cane slowly walking towards his house.

The terrain’s too rough for a walk, though…

Lee Han found it surprising that an old man like him would walk to his house. After all, the terrains surrounding his house were rough—it was like an undeveloped area, even though it was still inside a city. The road was a mess because they never maintained it, and there was a risk of encountering wild animals and being attacked by it on the way.

Moreover, the night was so dark that one couldn’t even see their surroundings clearly even with a torch in hand. In short, his house was a place that people should avoid if possible.

Although, that was the reason why he got it for a cheap price.

In any case, he was completely taken aback when he saw the old man—who seemed to have difficulty walking—come to his house for the first time. Anyone could tell that he was a religious person just by looking at his attire, and he looked like a harmless old man with no powers.

That was why, at first…

-Excuse me, are you perhaps lost?

He thought of sending the priest away kindly. If the old man was indeed lost, he was going to guide him back to the city. He was even willing to carry the old man to wherever he wanted to go.

But contrary to his thoughts…

-Hehehe, no. I came to the right place.

The old man was a ‘big shot’.

-My name is Raphael. I am one of the servants whose life was saved by the Light of Brilliance.

…This was something that he found out later through the guild. The old priest was one of the only 5 cardinals of the Light of Brilliance. Although he had resigned from his position, the old man’s influence was still enormous.

That was part of the contents of the letter he received from Simon, the head of the kingdom’s Guild Union.

Of course the content came as a surprise for him.

He simply couldn’t understand why such a great gentleman treaded on this difficult terrain just to come and see him.

Hence why, at first, he was wary of him, and wondered what to do, but Raphael…

-Today, I just wanted to see your face. I will come again next time.

-…

…Was true to his words. On the first day, he just came to see Lee Han’s face and left.

However, the old man continued to come to his house after that. No matter whether it was windy days, hot days, or rainy days.

So Lee Han…

– …Assistant, bring a shovel and follow me.

-Pardon me?

-We’re going to fix the road.

-Who?

-Us.

-…

Decided to fix the messy road that hadn’t been touched in years. Originally, it’d take twenty workers to turn the road into a normal one in half a day, but he did it with only a single shovel and a useless assistant.

After that…

-Hehehe, the road becomes really comfortable to walk on now.

-…I’m going crazy.

This was the first time Lee Han had faced an opponent as formidable as the old man. It would be one thing if he had shown some hostility, but the old man just came to greet him and left without showing any hostility, so he had no just cause to drive him away.

Also, it wasn’t like he came just to his face either…

-I thought it would be rude to just visit you, so I brought a gift. Do you drink milk…?

He brought goat milk and butter that he had squeezed himself as a gift. It was definitely an act that proved that he was a priest with some sense, so gradually…

-…If you’re not here to bother me, tell me what your purpose is.

-Hehehe, I just wanted to see your face in person, Brother. I want to see the appearance of the hero who saved the royal capital.

-…

-Your appearance is better than I expected. You’re even better than the rumors—surpassing that of the heroes I met when I was young. How about following the Light of Brilliance?

-…Damn.

At some point, his visit came with an invitation to join the Light of Brilliance.

Lee Han to admit…

-He’s my natural enemy…

That he had met the greatest natural enemy of his life.

The old man only gave him a kind gaze without any hostility, he also looked at him favorably for some reason.

Moreover, he didn’t come empty-handed.

For Lee Han, he was more of a ‘normal adult’ than any other old man he had ever seen in the kingdom, so it was extremely difficult to deal with him.

…But he still had questions.

Like, how could such a kind gentleman join a radical group like the Heresy Inquisition? Why did he come to him and not ask him anything?

-Blackie said that the temple marked me as a dangerous person…

According to the regressor, the temple was offended by him to the point that they marked him as a person of interest.

The reason?

Well, no one knew. Of course, he couldn’t say that absolutely had no guess, it was just, he couldn’t think of anything specific.

-I’m going crazy…

That was why Lee Han’s head was hurting.

He hoped that the old man would tell him something, but each time he visited, he always left immediately.

Now, he had came to visit again.

“Hmm, it tastes good. What kind of tea is this?”

“…It’s just tea of dried herbs that grows in the mountains.”

“Heheha, it means I’m drinking the grace of nature. Thank you for giving me such a special treatment.”

“…The herbs grow everywhere, though.”

“No no. I know how hard you worked to make this tea. From picking the herbs, drying them, and making tea for me.”

“…”

“Humility and sincerity, those are the qualities of a true believer!!”

“…Just how did everything lead to that?”

At this point, Lee Han was reaching a state where he just calmly accepted such enthusiastic scouting.

Seriously though, he’s still so energetic for someone who’s over 100 years old.

I can see him live for another 30.

Slurp-!

Lee Han drank his tea as he thought so.

“It was a good meeting today too, Brother.”

“Please don’t come tomorrow…”

“Hehe, I am getting close to you for the first time, Brother, how could I do that? I will see you again next time.”

“…Hmm.”

The old priest’s steps were unsteady as he walked.

His cane looked weak, and his legs looked even weaker than that.

“Assistant.”

“Yes?”

“Carry him. Then rent a suitable carriage to take him home.”

“M-Me?”

“What? Do you want me to do it?”

“…No. I’ll do it. Fuck…”

“You are talking too much, Assistant.”

Damien grumbled and approached Raphael, but Raphael tried to refuse.

“I don’t want to hold a funeral in this midsummer heat, and I don’t want to feel guilty about it, so just accept the favor. I won’t let you refuse.”

“Isn’t this a coercive favor?”

“No, it’s a necessary favor.”

“Hmm…”

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re a kind person, brother, despite your appearance.”

“…What’s wrong with my appearance?”

“You made me want to bring you to the temple even more.”

“Hey, answer my question.”

“I will accept your kindness. Thank you. May the blessings of light be with you.”

“…What the? Am I talking to a tree right now?”

Raphael said what he wanted to say, then left with Damien, letting the punk carry him on his back before walkin away.

As the old priest’s back was getting smaller and smaller, Lee Han scratched the back of his head.

“… Kind, huh?”

Hmm…

Is it because he reminds me of my grandfather?

Back in his previous life, it was his grandfather that had raised him after he got abandoned by his parents. He passed away not long after, but thanks to him, he was able to live an honest life and not go astray during his teenage years.

Of course, that didn’t mean that Raphael and his grandfather were alike. Their personalities, speech patterns, and appearances were all different.

However…

He’s a good person…

Lee Han thought that they were similar in the way that they weren’t stubborn, but flexible in their way of dealing with the world. That was how they could keep living uprightly. Even though they hadn’t met for long, his senses told him that Raphael wasn’t trying to ridicule him.

Well, if he came here to ridicule me, I’d have sent him to heaven a long time ago.

Ugh…

This is hard…

Lee Han wasn’t so evil that he’d treat someone who wasn’t fundamentally bad harshly.

At that moment, the sky was getting slightly darker.

He looked at the shadows that had descended and the two silhouettes who were moving away. After he confirmed that even the two shadows had completely disappeared from his sight…

“So, why did you guys come so close today, you wicked bastards?”

Lee Han opened his mouth without looking back.

There seemed to be no one around him.

However…

“It’s fine if you don’t want to come out, but the next time you do this again, you’d have to put your life on line. I’m just inches away from getting mad.”

Crackle-!

Then, as if a curtain call had occurred, someone appeared.

From the curtain of space, a mystical sight, a situation that would make people doubt their eyes, ‘he’ walked out.

“I apologize if it felt like I was testing Sir Knight. I am just guarding the Cardinal.”

“That’s why I’ve been letting you off with it. If not, I would have killed you a long time ago.”

“I see. Seems like you knew all along.”

The man nodded silently, his face barely showed any emotion. At that moment, Lee Han turned around and faced him.

From the way he looked…

He looks like he’d be good at interrogating heretics.

The man was a priest, holding a Bible in one hand and a bell in the other. He was wearing a dull, old priest’s robe with dark shadows around his eyes and gray hair.

His dead eyes, like those of a dead fish, made him look older than his age, and he carried an  atmosphere that was even darker than his old priest’s robe.

Normal people would shrink in fear when they looked at him.

But for Lee Han…

“What are you waiting for? Scram.”

“…”

He was just a guy who made him think whether he should break his head or not.