episode_0086

086 – Hyde questions Pope Gregory! #3

It was a shabby room.

The floor was creaky with old wooden boards, and the oil in the lamp on the old wooden table was almost empty.

The curtains on the windows were so tattered that it was impossible to tell how many times they had been reused.

Ssssshsss2sss-.

A room where cold wind blows through the broken window.

A man was sitting there, reading a book by the light of a lantern.

“I don’t think this is a place where a precious person stays. It’s amazing that there is such a shabby and shabby room in the gorgeous church.”

“That’s right. This is where Priest Arud stays, not Pope Gregory. I’m sorry for calling you so late. I was reading your book at the same time.”

Sze-.

It was Priest Arud who said that and showed me Volume 5 of “The Village of the Back Alley Nymphs.”

If you’re reading volume 5, it means you’ve already read volumes 1 through 4.

“This is a book that Sir Alter recommended to me some time ago. It was a more interesting story than I thought, so I read it right away. Since the content is not difficult to read, is it focused on children?”

“Yes. This is a book I wrote for my wife’s younger brother, Prince Dihon Agarpe.”

“Dihon. Son of Count Dovan. He’s 10 years old now. Is the child’s heart feeling any better? Hyde, I heard that you restored Dihon’s health with a mysterious medicine?”

“… … .”

I was quite surprised.

This was because Pope Gregory, who seemed arrogant, knew more information than expected.

It is true that Agarpe was a great family, but compared to Pope Gregory and the subjects surrounding him, it was a family in decline on the periphery.

I never thought I would know in detail about the events that took place in such a place.

“Don’t be too stiff and sit anywhere. If a tall young man stands up, shouldn’t I look up?”

also-.

Unlike the person I met earlier, Priest Arud seemed to have a quite easy-going personality.

performance?

No, it didn’t look like that.

Is this really what it looks like?

Soon Arud spoke.

“He’s making a face that says he’s curious. If there is anything you want to ask, please ask.”

“Is that okay? Alter Archibald says you should never ask Pope Gregory a question.”

“That’s the story of His Holiness Pope Gregory. Priest Arud is different. After 6pm is free time after work. I am no longer a king, but just a priest, Arud.”

He was a very strange person.

Was it possible for a person’s personality and position to be turned on and off like this?

Gregory and Arud.

We live our lives thinking of ourselves as two people who are identical to each other.

That guy is that guy.

No matter how you looked at it, Arud Gregory, the king of the priests, seemed to be out of his mind.

He’s a really strange person.

Does this have to be enough to make the king happy?

But if you think about it, it was natural.

This man’s daughter, Lucy, also had the personality of ‘Emma’ within her.

Of course, in this man’s case, it’s not a double personality, but a double life.

“I know. Strange. But just as the Bible is not made up of one verse, doesn’t a person also have many sides?”

“That’s right.”

“Me as a king. And me as a priest. Being able to differentiate between the two helps me maintain my mental health. Honestly, being a king is difficult. There’s so much to do. It’s annoying.”

indeed.

I thought I knew.

There are many stories about celebrities who are lively on TV screens becoming very calm and collected when the cameras turn off.

So, is Arud Gregory’s true self actually this easygoing side?

No, I thought that wasn’t necessarily true.

It may not be the same as what we saw in the first place.

Because both of them are themselves.

“Hyde, the reason I called you this was not for anything else, but to answer the question from earlier. Why do people meet? I think it’s because we are born.”

“Because you were born?”

“Yes. Because we are born, we meet each other, love each other, and fight with each other. Everything comes from birth.”

what.

It was a plausible answer in its own way.

Let’s say it’s about 55 points.

Arud soon asked.

“You don’t really like my answer? I can’t help it. Medici is good at this, but I’m not good at it. I honestly have no confidence in theory or theology.”

You admit it more honestly than you might think, right?

I decided to nod.

“It wasn’t perfect, but I was reasonably satisfied with the answer. However, there is something else I would like to ask directly. Do you know anything about Miss Lucy Emma?”

Priest Arud tilted his head lazily at my story.

This action alone was already a sufficient answer—it was time to think so.

“I felt it ever since I first met you, no, since I heard rumors about you, but you ask questions and act as if you have two lives. What are you feeling so anxious and angry about?”

“Do I seem angry and anxious?”

“Well. Maybe not. To answer your question, that child, Lucy Emma, is the daughter of I, Arud Gregory. Are you sure. There is no doubt about it.”

“Then─.”

“The daughter of Arud Gregory, an ordinary man who is neither a platinum priest nor a pope. But Arud Gregory, an ordinary man, is no longer in the world. I am the king. And a priest. Do you know what these two have in common?”

“Well. If you really want to ask, are you the one who leads others?”

“Yes. Being a leader makes you feel like you have all kinds of power and glory, but that’s not true. I am just a part that makes the human world run smoothly.”

this guy.

What nonsense are you talking about, abandoning your daughter on an island?

After all, he’s a weird and strange guy.

I recognized him from the moment he separated himself into Arud and Gregory!

There’s no way a person living that kind of life is normal!

Sze-.

Soon Arud Gregory extended his hand to me.

“I gave up on becoming a father a long time ago. But I will shamelessly thank you, Mr. Hyde, for saving my daughter. Do you have a wish?”

It’s a wish.

I didn’t specifically want that and saved Lucy Emma.

But I wasn’t foolish enough to pass up the opportunity.

“If I tell you my wish, will you grant it?”

“Depending on the story, you may have to go through a complicated process.”

“Then please allow me to take Milione Archibald as my second wife.”

I said what I had been thinking about for a long time.

In my opinion, this was the way to save Milione and myself.

Priest Arud Gregory of the Platinum Cross raised his eyebrows in interest at my opinion.

“Are you saying you want to welcome that tomboy into your concubine? Come to think of it, I heard that Medici was demoted and your marriage went sour.”

“Not a concubine, but a second wife. These two are clearly different. Also, I hope that the rumors floating around about Miss Milione will be prevented from spreading by order of the king.”

For example, Rust raped Milione—something like that.

Even now, I get angry every time I hear that story.

It was a rumor to begin with.

We must make Psyche test Milione’s chastity.

Then, the world will spread that Milione was in fact a ‘virgin’.

The stain that Milione was carrying was also washed away.

Of course, if that happens, stories like “Rust didn’t rape Milione?” or “Rust was actually a liar!”Stories will be going around, but—.

Rather, it was a good story.

From now on, there will be no more things like Rust in the world!

“Hoo.”

However, Arud Gregory had a very puzzled look on his face.

I guess you never thought I would make a wish like this, did you?

About 10 seconds have passed.

Priest Arud said as he placed the book he was holding on the table.

“Good. But you can’t just give out such a big award. Not a side wife, but a second wife. According to the etiquette of the church, even the legitimate king of the Uniger royal family cannot do that.”

Then, please at least stop the rumors.

Or maybe he had Milione here as a court lady in the royal castle.

It was time to say that.

“But the world is now about to face an unprecedented change, starting with Rust of the Demon. If you make a great contribution by stopping him, the ministers of the palace and the priests of the church will be able to fully understand it. And just in time, there is a good opportunity.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know that the “Great Sin Conference” will be held near Barakhan soon? No, before that, do you know what the “Conference of Deadly Sins” is?”

I was lost in thought for a moment at Arud’s question.

Do you know what the “Conference of Deadly Sins” is?

I know it too well so I can get away with it.

I didn’t want to know either.

“Isn’t this a conclave of infidelity carried out by heretics, cults, and evildoers? It’s a gathering where various villains gather to shit on each other and fight without being productive.”

“It’s a meeting that fights without productivity-. I envy the youth who can look down on the “Council of Deadly Sins” so much. You should never underestimate it. That dangerous thing is about to open.”

is it.

It was about time.

Even five years ago, I had to put on all sorts of shows to get a seat at the conference.

The reason I went on a conquest to the fortress of Taeman was to gain great fame and influence among the heretics.

Arud said when thinking about that time.

“Rust That man appeared in this sacred place, Barakhan, right? In that case, his partner Lars will also be there. It is clear that he wants to participate in the “Conference of Deadly Sins – Dark Moon Conclave”.”

no.

As of now, Rust has no intention of participating in it.

Even if I pay money to go, I don’t want to go!

However, Arud had a very serious face.

“I heard that the reason Rust wanted to meet Lord Agileth was to exert influence in this conclave. Fortunately, thanks to your actions, we were able to capture Agiles.”

Where on earth did you hear this?

Nothing fits.

For me, it was fortunate, but for the people of the kingdom, the lack of information from the leadership was truly a misfortune.

This is what happened because they appointed this crazy priest as their king.

“Priest Hyde. Only by understanding what is being said in the conclave of heretics can all people feel at ease. Could you possibly participate in the meeting?”

“Yes? Me?”

Why am I participating there?

No, do you know that I am ‘Rust’?

I was in a cold sweat when I remembered the phrase, “The human sitting on the throne knows everything.”

“Hyde, I heard that you have quite extensive knowledge about heresy and cults. Then wouldn’t it be easy to play a heretic and a cult?”

“Are you telling me to postpone heresy in order to participate in the meeting?”

“I know it’s not easy. I also know that if your identity is discovered there, you will be torn to pieces like a rabbit thrown into a lion’s den. You will never be safe. Never.”

It was like that.

If you were caught, you really had to risk death.

No, it might be better to die.

Soon after—Arud Gregory sighed.

“Originally, I had planned to send Oscar Archibald and Anemone, the witch of the Grande Convent, to find out what was going on. But now that they are gone, there is no one to go there.”

Oscar Archibald.

And the Anemone of the Witches’ Council.

For some reason, my conscience prickled as familiar names appeared.

It’s not my fault at all that those two things went wrong.

“Hyde, the fate of thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, no, the entire kingdom depends on this matter! If you have the trust of Medici and Doban, I think I can trust you too.”

“I am a more capable and outstanding priest than anyone else, but I think it would be difficult to portray a heretic so terrible that he could attend the Council of Deadly Sins. Because my godly faithfulness is not hidden.”

Just as the world cannot hide the light on the hill─.

No matter how much I hide my identity, heretics will recognize me, Hyde, through my faithful aura that cannot be hidden.

As if my story made a lot of sense, Arud Gregory also stroked his smooth chin.

“You’re in trouble. Or is there anyone else other than you who would fit this role? If so, please recommend it.”

Is there anyone other than me who is qualified for this infiltration mission?

As far as I can think, there wasn’t a single one.

Because there was no one in the world who could replace me, Hyde, the greatest and most pious priest.

I can’t do it.

“I will do it. Instead, if this project is successful, please appoint me as Bishop of the Silver Plate. Also, please place Hyde’s book, “The Village of Back-Alley Nymphs,” in all seminaries and churches.”

“… … .”

Arud Gregory made a subtle expression.

About 5 seconds later.

“Good. I will do so with the authority of the king.”

He nodded as if he had finally made up his mind.

This is the end of our story.

As I was about to leave the room, Arud bit my back.

“Sir Agileth, whom you captured, is being held in prison. Not saying a word. By any chance, did Sir Aguileth say something to you when you captured him?”

“If it’s a story, what is it?”

“No. Let’s pretend you didn’t hear this story. And when we meet again I will be the solemn Pope Gregory. Don’t test my patience then.”

# # #

When I returned to the room, it was late enough that the moon was high.

I thought everyone was sleeping, but Psyche was awake.

“Hyde!”

“Psyche, I thought you were sleeping.”

“I was wondering if something bad might happen to you, who is hated by His Holiness the Pope! I was praying for your safe return! Were you branded or beaten?”

I wanted to tell Psyche, who was circling around me to make sure I was safe, that she needed to participate in the ‘Council of Deadly Sins.’

However, the mission given to me this time was a top secret mission whose details no one should know.

“Pope Gregory has entrusted me with a task. I may have to leave Barakhan soon. It is a very important task and a great mission that only I can do.”

“His Holiness the Pope entrusts the job to you, Hyde!”

Psyche was touched.

Psyche grabs my hand.

“It is clear that His Holiness Gregory knows what a faithful and good person you are! It must be an incredibly important and complex task, right?”

“That’s right. If not me, no one else in this world can do it.”

Infiltrate the Deadly Sin Council by acting as a pseudo.

All you have to do is inform the Pope and his companions about the details of the meeting taking place there, right?

If I could succeed in this simple task, I could become a silver bishop!

Truly super-fast promotion!

Even that Medici Archibald wouldn’t have been promoted this quickly!

But there was a problem.

How could a good priest like me infiltrate the Great Sin Conference, which is attended by many heretics, cults, robbers, and murderers?