Ch.138EP.34 – The Knight Raised a Switch (3)

“I’ll apologize first. I’m truly sorry.”

“Hmm, maybe don’t bow your head? It makes me feel like I’m the bad guy…”

Ihan felt uncomfortable seeing the elderly priest bowing his head to the floor with such formality.

Receiving an apology from a respectable elder—no, “respectable” wasn’t enough to describe this 116-year-old man—made him feel guilty instead.

He tried to make the old man rise, but this old gentleman…

“When one has committed a wrong, what does age matter? Isn’t it proper for an elder to set an example by apologizing for mistakes?”

“…You truly are a proper adult.”

He was an elder with impeccable manners.

Ihan was reminded once again that this person was more decent and normal than any adult he had encountered in this world. Feeling his internal approval rating rise slightly, he spoke.

“…I just worked hard because I received an advance payment. I heard that the holy water you gave me, especially the highest grade, takes three years of effort to make? And it’s incredibly expensive too.”

In martial arts novel terms, the highest grade holy water was like the “Shaolin Grand Pill” or “Azure Stone Oil.”

A rare treasure among treasures that couldn’t be bought with money.

A treasure that not only cured all kinds of diseases but also ensured a healthy life.

It was also said to be as rare as catching a star, comparable only to the blood of trolls with their famous 99.99% rarity.

For a knight who lived by the sword, it was like gaining an extra life.

So the advance payment seemed excessive, and Ihan considered it a satisfactory transaction.

…Above all.

“I think that’s too much of an advance payment just for dealing with those youngsters. I would have done it for just a few gold coins.”

“They are valuable combat personnel for the temple, hehe.”

“…Those guys?”

It was a statement he couldn’t relate to at all.

And for good reason.

“I don’t think you could find more incompetent fools anywhere…”

All except one were useless.

That was Ihan’s cutting assessment, and those useless ones…

“Urghh…”

“P-please kill me…!”

“Ugh…ugh…”

Were just writhing in pain and howling like beasts.

“……”

Only the red-haired priest, the only one deemed somewhat capable, was enduring the pain with his eyes closed.

“……”

…Raphael gazed at the red-haired priest, Pierre, with sorrowful eyes.

* * *

“You must have heard that your brother is under suspicion of heresy.”

“That nonsense?”

“It’s a shameful matter.”

“How frightening. One gets suspected even after accomplishing something, nearly gets killed, how can one live in such a scary world?”

“…It’s the temple’s lack of virtue.”

“Hmm…”

Ihan recalled what the priest had said three days ago when he called him a heretic.

Clearly.

“Did he say I was suspicious because I suddenly became too active?”

“That’s merely the surface reason.”

“?”

“The Inquisition suddenly designating you as a heretic was because some high priests and cardinals in the temple deluded themselves into thinking they suffered losses because of you.”

“…What nonsense is that…”

Nonsense that left him speechless.

Ihan blinked his eyes. Raphael sighed for the first time.

It was a rare sight for someone who never lost his composure.

“…It may sound like an excuse, but I only clearly learned why you were designated as a heretic less than two days ago. Before that, I simply acted because I noticed the Inquisition brothers showing suspicious movements and signs of targeting you.”

“So, you were protecting me?”

It was surprising, even shocking for Ihan.

Assuming those words weren’t lies.

‘So he voluntarily became my shield?’

Raphael had been protecting Ihan from the temple’s targeting without even knowing the reason.

That explained why he visited every day, and while Ihan felt both unfamiliar and grateful that a complete stranger had protected him, before gratitude or unfamiliarity, the emotion that came first was…

“But why?”

Why did he protect him? – This ‘question’ came first.

They were complete strangers, so why did he act as a shield against the temple’s wishes?

And he was considered the highest elder of the temple.

To this question, Raphael…

“Isn’t it obvious? What wouldn’t one do for someone falsely accused? Even with this humble body, I had to act.”

“……”

“However, I couldn’t be of much help, and my frail body couldn’t stop my brothers. For that, I’m truly sorry. I made you work hard unnecessarily. Although I gave you holy water, how could that compare to your health? Compared to the emotional wounds you nearly suffered without reason, even this is just cheap consolation money.”

“…But I’m satisfied with it.”

“Are you concerned about me?”

“No, really, I’m not…”

…Come to think of it.

‘This man really is a good elder, isn’t he?’

Ihan felt he had met someone worthy of respect besides his grandfather.

The attitude of helping others without seeking reasons, a selfless dedication.

It’s a life stance that many might know about but few could emulate, inspiring awe.

‘Perhaps such a person…’

Is what they call a great person.

* * *

Raphael unintentionally had many eyes and ears throughout the temple.

Thanks to those who still respected him and considered him a cardinal.

It was truly the virtue of his character, and thanks to this, Raphael quickly learned about the temple’s shameful secret when he set his mind to it.

That shameful secret was none other than-.

“-So, to summarize, these high priests of the temple…”

Should I understand it as them having ‘shares in the tunnel’…?

“And those shares became worthless after the tunnel collapse, so they got angry at me for collapsing the tunnel and designated me as a heretic because of that, right?”

The tunnel was both a den for criminals and the largest fertilizer production site in the southern continent.

It was considered a “safe asset” like gold, and was an appropriate place to hide various black money to avoid detection by the royal family.

And using this safety, the high priests of the temple also bought shares in the tunnel, but unfortunately.

‘…I turned it to dust.’

They would have thought it would never collapse, but how could they have known?

That a mere knight, no, two knights could collapse a tunnel with a hundred years of history.

Those who invested in the tunnel probably suffered losses comparable to the [Dutch Tulip Mania].

It was an unexpected situation for everyone, and while their frustration was understandable…

“Religious people lost their dirty money and requested an assassination? And to the Inquisition at that?”

“……”

“Even the temple must know that tunnel was a ‘genuine heretic den’…right?”

“…They would know.”

“Yet they blame me?”

“……”

“Is, is this right…?”

“…I have no words, even if I had two mouths.”

“Wow…. Really?”

“……”

“This is crazy. …I’m genuinely shocked right now.”

Silence was affirmation, and Ihan was truly stunned.

Yes, generally, it’s natural to get angry when losing assets, and it’s common to vent anger at the cause of that loss.

But…

‘The temple does such things?’

Religious people who claim to believe in God in a world where God actually exists?

‘Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?’

Such doubts arose, and Ihan slapped his forehead.

…It hurt.

He had learned through history education how terrible corrupt religion could become.

But he had only learned it, never experienced it firsthand.

He had only heard stories about it.

But now, experiencing religious “corruption” and “depravity” directly, he understood that its baseness and unpleasantness were beyond imagination.

To the point where the back of his head felt numb…

“Wow, no, wow…”

It was even admirable.

‘So that’s why they warned me to be careful of the temple?’

The black-skinned returnee and the timid status window.

The common warning about the temple from these two:

– You must not get involved with the temple.

– You should be careful of the temple.

That’s what they always said, and Ihan now understood why.

Weren’t they beyond imagination, no, “more foul-smelling than filth”?

“It’s deplorable… I never imagined such things would happen while I was away…”

“…It’s not your responsibility, is it?”

According to information he received from the guild, Raphael had been on a pilgrimage after stepping down as cardinal.

He had become a commoner, spreading the word of God, and had been away from the temple for about 7 years…

‘They said he suddenly returned, right?’

In reality, it was like a political heavyweight who announced retirement suddenly returning.

“Is your return to the temple and becoming an Inquisitor related to the current state of the temple?”

“In a way, yes. I never imagined such a situation would arise after 7 years…”

“Hmm, I don’t think so.”

“Pardon?”

“I think you just didn’t know, but it was probably progressing gradually? It’s not normal for such a large organization to become corrupt in just 7 years. The corruption probably continued even when you didn’t know about it. Just secretly enough that you wouldn’t notice. It only takes five people to make one person look foolish.”

“……”

“Or maybe not.”

“Hehe, no. I think you’re right.”

Hearing Ihan’s words, Raphael looked like someone who had just been enlightened by unexpected wisdom.

“Indeed, I was lazy and foolish. Rather than going on a pilgrimage, I should have stayed at the temple and made some effort.”

“Can one person’s effort change an organization? Once mold starts growing, it’s hard to stop.”

“…Brother, you are indeed kinder than you look.”

“What’s wrong with how I look?”

“Hehe.”

“Are you laughing?”

The old priest laughed with a more relaxed expression.

As if the conversation had lightened his burden a bit.

And so the knight and the old priest continued their conversation.

For quite some time.

* * *

After the conversation progressed to some extent, Ihan learned why he was falsely accused of heresy and that there might be others targeting him.

Raphael told Ihan:

“Don’t worry about that. I will do my best to protect you.”

Although he didn’t have much official position, he still had the dignity of being the temple’s highest elder.

If he set his mind to it, he could serve as a shield.

It was a statement that hinted at his determination, and while Ihan was grateful in a way.

“No, let them come.”

“…Brother?”

“I needed a good punching bag anyway. They can keep coming.”

If the temple’s level had been higher than expected, Ihan would have welcomed Raphael’s statement, but Ihan added that there was no need for him to intervene.

Because:

‘They can’t harm me even if they keep coming.’

They were not bad opponents for passing time.

He had been feeling limited training alone, and opponents using the unique power called [Holy Law] provided fresh stimulation.

Additionally…

‘If all Inquisitors are like this, I’ll never be in danger.’

They were useless.

He had joked with old man Raphael, but this wasn’t just empty talk.

They were truly useless.

‘Those young masters are similar to the Order of the Silver Lion, aren’t they?’

People who rely solely on Holy Law.

They might be bullies to those weaker than them, but they couldn’t stand against anyone stronger.

In other words, they were just thugs who relied on Holy Law.

‘At least that Pierre guy was somewhat decent.’

While the others just relied on Holy Law, he seemed to use it as a supplementary means while training his techniques and body well.

It was quite impressive, and Ihan wanted to fight him more as he had a fresh style.

…However.

‘His mental strength is rotten.’

Ihan frowned deeply.

He had excellent skills but lacked mental fortitude.

To attempt suicide just because things got a little unfavorable, or rather, because defeat became certain…

He was the type Ihan despised and abhorred the most.

‘Some people struggle to live even when life is utterly miserable…’

That guy might have excellent qualities and talents, but Ihan didn’t hide his contempt for his base humanity.

“Hehe, you seem quite disappointed in that child in many ways.”

“…I am.”

“…Please be lenient. He’s a child with many wounds.”

“That’s no excuse. Even if ‘he’s young’.”

“……”

“How did I know? I could tell from his skeletal structure while hitting him. Still, he’s tough. He maintained his facade until the end.”

“…Being with you seems to be full of surprises, brother.”

“This is nothing.”

As Ihan was chuckling.

Thud…

The red-haired priest suddenly fainted again from the excruciating pain.

And then.

Whoosh!

Like a snake shedding its skin, the priest’s disguise peeled away, revealing the red-haired priest’s true appearance.

A figure slightly smaller than the original build, with better skin, not he but…

“Hmm, I’m just asking out of curiosity, but is that person presenting as male because of gender identity? If so, I would understand…”

“Is that what you’re curious about?”

“What else should I be curious about?”

“……”

One should respect preferences, and Ihan respected others’ identities as well.

…Well, he respects preferences, but he’ll raise his fist equally if someone lacks decency.