Ch.156Butterfly Effect (5)

Is this what it feels like to be hit hard on the back of the head? I couldn’t gather my thoughts for a while after seeing the news in the newspaper.

Luminus had said he would take care of everything and issue an oracle, so I shouldn’t worry, but the news that followed was completely different.

“What may be coincidence now will become inevitable in the future.” This was Luminus’s first oracle delivered to the Papal Kingdom of Sabre.

But whether it was a problem with wording or done deliberately, he issued oracles that didn’t need to be given.

The incidents from the Biography of Xenon appearing in reality were all coincidences, but it’s an undeniable fact that disasters were prevented.

Furthermore, the Biography of Xenon has had no small influence on the world, and its author deserves to be treated as a saint.

While Luminus might have intended it as praise for me, it seems to have taken on a slightly different meaning for the Papal Kingdom of Sabre that worships him.

That honoring the author of the Biography of Xenon—namely me—as a saint would be helpful to Luminus. They claim that by preventing the upcoming demon war and stopping the contamination of the World Tree, I’ve done a great service to the gods, including Luminus.

Perhaps because of this, whereas before they treated me as a “prophet” or “regressor,” now they’re treating me outright as a “saint.”

[Is he truly not a prophet or someone from the future? Is it something even Luminus cannot reveal due to restrictions?]

[If restrictions exist, Luminus would have issued the oracle from the present perspective, not the future.]

[Honoring him as a saint and knowing Xenon’s true identity are separate matters.]

Yet people’s suspicions about me being a prophet or from the future remained unchanged. The title of saint was simply so grand that it overshadowed everything else, but those who doubted continued to doubt steadily.

Moreover, oracles are often delivered in such ambiguous ways that Sabre sometimes interprets them as they please. There are many believers within Sabre, and each has their own thoughts.

Above all, oracles are issued by gods. It’s not uncommon to go off on tangents trying to fathom a god’s will.

So what is my current situation?

“Saint, is the tiramisu delicious?”

“Ah, somewhat.”

“Should I call you prophet or future person instead?”

“…”

What else could it be but being teased by my girlfriend?

When I let out a hollow laugh, Marie, who was eating dessert beside me, burst into laughter. I shook my head and put a neatly cut piece of tiramisu in my mouth using my fork.

The rich flavor and coffee aroma took over my mouth. Still, it didn’t improve my gloomy mood.

The day after Luminus blindsided me, I was now enjoying a pleasant date with Marie. Cecilly and Rina had returned to their lodgings, saying they had busy matters to attend to.

As they left, I recalled their gazes toward me. Cecilly had a smile that seemed to hide some ulterior motive, while Rina had a strange expression, as far as I knew.

Regardless, Marie was so happy about having a date alone with me that she couldn’t stop beaming.

“Haah…”

“Are you very troubled?”

“Of course. Until a few days ago, they were calling me a prophet or someone from the future, but now they’re calling me a saint. Honestly, I want to cry.”

“Want to cry in my arms? I’ll pat you.”

Marie suggested, spreading her arms wide. The impulse in my heart almost moved on its own, but I managed to suppress it.

Being in her arms is always happy, but right now I need to talk seriously. Besides, we’ll be doing more than just embracing soon enough, so it doesn’t matter.

“No, I’ll pass. Let’s do it later.”

“Tch.”

Marie was disappointed when I refused. The way she pouted, sticking out her lips, was really cute.

“I’ll hug you instead.”

“Hehe.”

Her melting response was cute too.

Marie quickly stood up when I said I’d hug her and slowly approached me. Eventually, she spread her arms as if asking me to embrace her, and I also spread my arms and hugged her small body.

It’s been over half a year since we started dating, but our affection hasn’t cooled—rather, it’s ripening more deeply. Moments like this, sharing warm body heat, reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

“Issac. Issac.”

“Why are you calling me, Marie?”

“Just because I like it.”

After briefly enjoying the warmth of my beloved, I thought about the current situation.

Being treated as a prophet or someone from the future is somewhat detached from reality, but being revered as a “saint” is a completely different story.

People belonging to the ranks of “Pope” and “Cardinal” are generally considered “saints,” but the case of a saint is slightly different. There’s no such rank as “Saint” or “Holy One,” like Lilly in the Biography of Xenon.

But Sabre seems to have been inspired by the Biography of Xenon and is creating a new rank. A position with authority equal to a Cardinal but serving as a kind of figurehead.

‘To think that even a Cardinal would walk the pilgrimage path to find someone like me…’

According to the newspaper, a Cardinal named “Kate” is making a pilgrimage around the world to find me. It’s practically an open-ended adventure, but for a cleric of Cardinal rank, such pilgrimages are common.

However, I don’t know much about this person called Kate. I glanced down.

I saw Marie burying her face in my chest, acting cute. Judging by her flushed cheeks and closed eyes, she seemed to be feeling my very existence.

If time could continue like this forever, nothing would be better, but duties must be fulfilled.

When I gently pushed her shoulders, Marie opened her eyes and looked at me with a puzzled expression. Her blinking blue eyes were truly lovable.

I softly stroked her head and quietly spoke.

“Marie, there are a few things I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Before that, could we talk a bit apart from each other?”

“No.”

Her firm answer suggests she has no intention of separating. Instead, she clung to me like a child.

In the end, we had no choice but to talk while embracing each other. No one would come until we called a waiter, so there was no worry about our affectionate behavior being discovered.

“As you know, a Cardinal has set out on a pilgrimage to find me. Kate, was it?”

“You mean Cardinal Kate Louise Angelica?”

“With a middle name like that, is she nobility?”

“No. ‘Louise’ is a baptismal name given directly by Luminus. And Kate is a famous young Cardinal within the Papal Kingdom of Sabre. She has such powerful holy power from birth that she rose to the position of Cardinal at the young age of 19. Currently, she also serves as the Grand Inquisitor.”

“Grand Inquisitor?”

“The highest rank of Heresy Inquisitors.”

Heresy Inquisitor… I hope the concept is properly established. It might be prejudice, but Heresy Inquisitors tend to have extreme personalities.

Moreover, the Heresy Inquisitors of Sabre in this world have a history of massacring demons after the ancient Demon War. Naturally, because demons are descendants of devils.

Now they’ve come to their senses and focus on their main job of dealing with heretics, but they still handle those associated with demons. According to newspapers, most demon worshippers are dealt with by Heresy Inquisitors.

“She must be incredibly strong to hold both Cardinal and Grand Inquisitor positions?”

“That’s right. She’s currently a figure of terror for demon worshippers. I’ve heard her holy power and will are so strong that blue flames rise from her weapons. That’s why her title is ‘Azure Flame.'”

“Oh…”

Azure Flame, huh? My father’s title is Red Lion, which makes me feel strange. People with such titles, whether for good or bad reasons, are often famous.

Of course, my father dislikes publicizing his achievements, so only those who know him are aware, but having a title can be considered a kind of honor.

“Seeing that such a person has set out on a pilgrimage means Sabre is serious about this. With demon-related issues surfacing everywhere, she’s probably also eliminating demon worshippers along the way.”

“But she won’t know who I am until I reveal my identity.”

“Well… according to rumors, Kate is very sensitive to holy power. Because of this, the talents she personally selects exert great influence within the church. You could call it an eye for talent.”

“…”

This is a bit dangerous. Fortunately, I haven’t directly received holy power from Luminus, but I’ll have many conversations with him in the future.

I need to revisit the temple soon because of what’s happening now. In such a situation, if Luminus gifts me with a massive amount of holy power?

It’s obvious I’d raise suspicion if I happened to meet Kate. Even if she doesn’t suspect me of being Xenon, she might suggest I visit the church.

“Well, don’t worry too much. Even if Cardinal Kate discovers you, she won’t treat you carelessly. She’s probably focusing more on eliminating demons than finding saints.”

“For what reason?”

“She recently said something like this: ‘The only good demon is a dead demon.’ Does that give you an idea?”

“Seems like she has quite a fiery personality.”

It reminds me of a famous character from a game. Calling a chainsaw an excellent means of communication, literally tearing apart large demons and commenting on their huge entrails.

However, without exceeding the limit of grudge and hatred, it’s almost impossible to have such a personality.

“Yes. But she’s infinitely kind to non-heretics, just like any other cleric, so you don’t need to be afraid. Despite her extreme actions, she’s also famous for her exquisite beauty.”

“Have you met her before?”

“Just once, long ago. I visited the church. To think such a person tears out heretics’ entrails… honestly, I wouldn’t believe it unless I saw it myself.”

“Hmm…”

Come to think of it, Lilly, a supporting character in the Biography of Xenon, is a saint, but stories about the church hardly appear after the beginning.

The church will surely participate in the upcoming great war, so I can develop that storyline then. As Jin’s romance progresses, the church will inevitably interfere.

Moreover, Jin is the son of one of the Seven Deadly Sins, specifically the demon of “Gluttony.” From the church’s perspective, they would definitely oppose his relationship with Lilly.

‘Anyway, this issue will come up after the beast-folk part.’

Gluttony still needs to deliver the legendary line “I am your father” to Jin, and there are many loose ends to tie up. It’s not an immediate concern.

“I understand. Since vacation is coming soon, I can relax a bit.”

“Vacation… Issac.”

“Yes?”

When Marie called me, I faced her directly. She stared at me intently and then quietly spoke.

“So… you said you’re going to Helium with Cecilly during the vacation, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then… will you do it then?”

“…”

I didn’t answer immediately and examined Marie’s expression. Her blue eyes were filled with deep concern, as if she were anxious.

Even though she had accepted Cecilly, human emotions aren’t simple. Though polygamy is accepted in this world, Marie might fear losing me.

I smiled gently to reassure her and caressed her cheek. Marie softly held my hand against her cheek.

After gazing at her beautiful face for a while, I reassured her in a gentle voice.

“I must. Cecilly is my woman now too.”

“I see…”

“But my feelings for you won’t change. I promise that.”

“…Cecilly is prettier than me and has a better figure.”

“Do you think that’s why I’m dating you? That’s disappointing.”

“…Hehe.”

Seemingly reassured, Marie buried her face in my chest and nuzzled against me. I embraced her, as if giving permission for more affection.

Then Marie lifted just her head to face me directly. I tilted my head, responding as if asking if she had something to say.

“Issac.”

“Yes, Marie.”

“Can I go to Helium too? To help Cecilly…”

“Ahem.”

Trying to sneak in her own desires, are we? Marie must have been joking because when I responded sternly, she smiled brightly.

But her desire must have been genuine because the arms that had been embracing my back began to move downward. Starting from my arms, they moved to my sides and then to my hips.

The final destination… doesn’t need to be specified. I smiled helplessly and scolded Marie.

“Marie, are you really a pervert?”

“You made me this way. Take responsibility.”

“Seriously…”

Judging by her heart-shaped eyes, she seemed to lack the self-control to wait until we reached the inn.

I checked if the door was properly closed just in case. Unless we called a waiter, no one would come, and we had paid a high price for thorough soundproofing.

Just before carrying out our first deed outside an inn, Marie, still in my arms, asked:

“Issac, can I ask one more thing?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“You’re really not a reincarnator or anything like that, right?”

A question that makes my heart skip a beat. Come to think of it, Marie has an ability similar to mind-reading that instinctively grasps people’s true intentions.

How should I answer to avoid this well? After hesitating briefly, I gave an ambiguous response.

“What if I say I’m not?”

“Hmm…”

After staring intently at my face for a while, Marie…

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter?”

She answered cheerfully with a bright smile.

“I just like Issac, that’s all.”

“…”

So this is why they say women drive men crazy.

And so I had a unique experience in the cafe.

[From Helium: Goddess Mora has also expressed gratitude to Xenon through an oracle!]

[Thanks to saving the demon race, her mind is at ease, and more people are finding true peace…]

This time, the mischievous goddess struck the back of my head hard.