Ch.206Damn it…(1)

Storms don’t usually come one after another. They typically arrive with at least a few days in between.

However, I found myself facing an unexpected second storm. One much more powerful than the previous one.

Knock knock knock-

“Hm?”

It was time to rest in my quarters. I had finished all my classes as a teaching assistant for the day, and was working on my writing while waiting for other people’s classes.

I heard someone knocking on my dormitory door.

Usually, the people who knock on my dormitory door are very limited. Aside from occasional visits from Marie or Cecilly, it’s usually academy staff coming about academic matters.

‘Who could it be? Marie or Cecilly?’

I checked the clock. The current time was 2 o’clock. Classes were still in session.

As I’ve mentioned before, student dormitories are off-limits to anyone other than the resident. If someone wants to enter, they need to get permission from the academy in advance.

Of course, Marie had visited my quarters before, but that wasn’t a problem since she wasn’t caught. As long as no one finds out, it’s fine.

So it must be someone from the academy. Just in case, I stored the manuscript I was working on in my desk drawer.

“Yes, I’m coming.”

I got up from my seat and spoke to whoever was waiting behind the door.

Then I walked to the door without much thought and pulled the doorknob down.

Creak-

“Who is… it?”

I had expected someone from the academy, but a completely different person was standing at the door. The first thing I noticed was the atmosphere.

It wasn’t as strong as when I spoke directly with Luminus or Mora, but I could feel holiness touching my skin. Just being near her gave me a sense of comfort.

Second was her appearance. She had a pure beauty like a country maiden, along with emerald-green eyes that shone like jewels.

Particularly, while Rina had hair that looked like gold spun into thread, the woman before me had golden hair that reminded me of golden fields, braided into a single plait.

Adding to this, her slightly drooping eyes and gentle smile exuded a sense of benevolence.

Finally, her figure was revealed by her form-fitting white nun’s habit. Her ample bosom and the lines below it, and lastly her thighs exposed by the side slit, stimulated a man’s baser instincts.

“…Who are you?”

So who was this beautiful woman? I blinked my eyes a couple of times at this unfamiliar face and asked again, regardless of her atmosphere or beauty.

From her attire, I could tell she was a believer of the Church of Luminus, but to me, she was just an unfamiliar woman.

However, the beauty before me looked at me intently with a benevolent smile, and then…

“Inhale… Exhale…”

She suddenly took a deep breath and let it out.

“This strong scent… the beautiful fragrance of lilac…”

Then she started muttering to herself. She was an incredibly beautiful woman, but her behavior was quite strange.

While I was feeling perplexed, the woman looked at my face with somewhat moist green eyes and spoke.

“…Excuse me. Is your name Issac Dukar Mayshall?”

“Yes, that’s right… But why are you looking for me?”

Since she mentioned my name, it was clear she was here for me. Though I still didn’t know her purpose.

When I nodded and confirmed, the woman’s eyes brightened even more, and she looked around. She seemed to be checking if anyone else was around.

“This isn’t a suitable place to talk. May I come in?”

“That’s fine, but… did you get permission?”

If it had been Marie or Cecilly, I would have gladly let them in. But the woman before me was clearly an outsider.

I couldn’t carelessly allow her in without knowing her purpose. Even if she was a believer of Luminus, caution was necessary.

“I’ve already received permission from the academy, so you don’t need to worry. I have a certificate here.”

As if she had anticipated this, the woman took a certificate out of her pocket and showed it to me. It had a clear seal on it, so it seemed she had indeed received permission.

It felt a bit awkward to let a stranger into my dormitory, but I had no choice. I was also curious about what she wanted to discuss.

I had safely stored my manuscript in the drawer, so there was no worry about it being discovered.

“Then please come in.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

The woman bowed her head politely and entered with light steps. Given the atmosphere, there was a sense of holiness in her every movement.

I had visited the Luminus Temple and seen many clergy, but few seemed as solemn and devout as the woman before me.

She was similar to Cecilly but different in temperament. I had felt a faint scent of lilac when I met her earlier, so it was clear that Luminus favored her as well.

“This scent filling the room… it’s clear…”

“…”

Her mental state didn’t seem… particularly good, but she seemed deeply devout, so it should be fine.

Afterward, I seated her on the bed, and I sat on the desk chair, facing each other.

But the problem was the woman’s attire. The material was already form-fitting, revealing the curves of her chest, and it was sleeveless.

She wore gloves that reached her elbows, but the fair skin in between was fully exposed.

Moreover, like the dress Arwen wears, it had a prominent side slit. With more than half of her thigh exposed, just sitting created an embarrassing atmosphere.

‘Should I call that holy in a different sense…’

Anyway, I had no choice but to focus on her face. I cleared my throat and quietly asked a question.

“…May I ask your name?”

The woman, who had been looking around every corner of my room, looked at me when she heard my question. Her emerald eyes shone with intelligence.

She stared at my face for a moment, then placed her hand on the center of her chest with her characteristic benevolent smile.

“I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Kate Louise Angelica. I serve Luminus.”

“…What?”

Did I hear that wrong? I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded by the woman who introduced herself as Kate.

I had heard the name Kate Louise Angelica before. It would be strange not to know it.

She was a Cardinal of the Church of Luminus and a Grand Inquisitor, the highest rank of heresy inquisitors. Even high-ranking nobles from other countries couldn’t treat her carelessly.

And a few months ago, she became famous for personally embarking on a pilgrimage to find me. I heard she had recently arrived in the Empire of Minerva…

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

“The Cardinal and Grand Inquisitor I know?”

“Humble as I am, that’s correct.”

This woman right in front of my eyes. I had only heard about her and never seen her in person, so I couldn’t even guess.

I blinked my eyes for a while, unable to grasp how the situation was unfolding. But I thought it would be better to know her purpose first.

But first, let me confirm once more.

“…So who are you again?”

“I am Kate Louise Angelica, a servant of Luminus.”

“Why did you come looking for me?”

To that question, Kate looked at me with a profound gaze and revealed her purpose.

“May I bear your child for Luminus?”

“What the hell.”

I couldn’t help but curse. She suddenly came and asked if she could bear my child.

I know she cut straight to the point without any preamble. But this is too much.

I don’t know what’s going on in her mind, but this Cardinal Kate is not quite right in the head. I can guarantee that.

I looked at her expectant expression and first asked about her reason.

To be honest, I had a rough idea of why she was making such a request, but I wanted to confirm it.

“Cardinal Kate? I don’t understand, what’s the reason for such a request? Please give me a detailed explanation without cutting corners.”

“That’s because you are Xenon.”

As I thought, as I thought, as I thought. I never expected to actually use this phrase.

So how did Kate notice that I was Xenon? Was it because of the lilac scent emanating from my body?

This alone is far from enough evidence. There must be plenty of clergy who smell of lilac besides me.

So I calmly refuted her claim. For now, I’ll just deny it.

“For what reason? For what reason are you asserting that I am Xenon? It seems like you’re accusing the wrong person.”

“I received a divine revelation.”

“…”

Lord Luminus. It seems that Lord Luminus enjoys watching me suffer. Why did you give a divine revelation to such a woman?

While thinking that inwardly, I barely managed to suppress the boiling anger in my chest.

I was curious about what kind of divine revelation she received to determine that I was Xenon. Originally, divine revelations can be interpreted differently by different people.

“…Can you tell me what the divine revelation was?”

To my forcibly maintained calm question, Kate nodded and placed her hand on her chest as if recalling the divine revelation.

Then she closed her eyes and recited the divine revelation in a pleasant tone.

“Find the one who views the world with a clean sun and acts with pure passion.”

“…”

What does that mean? I didn’t understand at all, so I just blinked my eyes.

It seems to be referring to me, but the words that came out in succession were so incomprehensible that I didn’t know if they were worthy of a divine revelation.

While I was feeling puzzled and unable to say anything, Kate quietly opened her eyes and interpreted the content of the divine revelation.

“From ancient times, the sun has had a ‘golden’ hue. The reason people want to possess gold is because it resembles sunlight. This means having golden eyes. Just like you.”

“…”

“Next is pure passion. This was the most difficult part. There are countless things that signify passion. But passion is something that burns brightly. In other words, ‘fire.’ Fire usually has a red color, so someone with red hair would be appropriate. In other words, the divine revelation refers to someone with red hair and golden eyes.”

“Isn’t that completely forced? ‘Clean sun’ could refer to one’s gaze, not eyes, and ‘pure passion’ could be a metaphor for the heart.”

As I said before, divine revelations can be interpreted differently by different people. Because of this, believers strive to receive clearer divine revelations by offering enormous tributes.

The above divine revelation is similar. Kate interpreted it based on appearance, but as I just mentioned, it could be interpreted differently.

“Moreover, my father also has red hair and golden eyes like me. It seems too presumptuous to assert that it’s me, doesn’t it?”

“The divine revelation mentioned a clean sun and pure passion. This could also be interpreted as not being stained with dirty blood. It means being young.”

“What does that…”

“Even if you are a prophet or someone who has returned from the future, it doesn’t matter. As of now, you wouldn’t have any blood on your hands.”

After saying that, Kate smiled more deeply than before and spoke with a confident voice.

“Finally, the lilac scent emanating from you. Even the Pope doesn’t emit such a strong fragrance. Unless it’s a saint that only appears in novels. Oh, in the case of Lord Xenon, I should say a male saint.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter if you deny it to the end. I can just seek confirmation through another divine revelation.”

“Sigh…”

I rubbed my face in frustration and let out a deep sigh. Now there’s no way out.

I don’t know why, but like Cherry, I seem to be having my identity discovered by strange people lately. This time, even a god has given a divine revelation, so there’s no solution.

Even if I deny it now, as Kate said, it will be over once she receives another divine revelation. Since she’s a Cardinal, Luminus will reluctantly provide confirmation.

‘…But what’s with asking if she can bear my child?’

Let’s go back to the main point. Kate suddenly proposed bearing my child for Luminus.

What could her real purpose be? I glanced at her as she waited with a benevolent smile.

On the surface, she’s a beauty that would make one’s eyes roll. Her figure is not just excellent but explosive.

She has a demeanor that combines holiness and sensual charm, naturally evoking a sense of blasphemy.

It was hard to believe that such a person would go around smashing the heads of demon worshippers, but seeing how rough her hands were, it was certain.

“…Cardinal Kate.”

“Please call me Kate. Lord Xenon is a saint recognized by Lord Luminus.”

“Damn…”

I almost cursed out loud. Who’s recognizing whom as a saint… Oh, Luminus. It’s Luminus again.

I gritted my teeth inwardly and struggled to ask a question.

“…Fine. Let’s say I am Xenon. But what’s with suddenly coming here and asking if you can bear my child?”

“Would you like me to explain this slowly as well?”

“Yes.”

With my consent, Kate began to slowly reveal her past. She said she grew up in an unremarkable countryside, but at some point, she acquired immense holy power.

It was almost impossible to acquire holy power without any connection, so she thought it was Luminus’s grace. Later, when she asked Luminus, it turned out it really was ‘grace.’

Grace means that a god directly chooses a believer, and such individuals are often recorded as great figures of their time. The current Pope of Sabre is also said to have received Luminus’s grace.

“Although Lord Xenon did not receive grace, you must have holy power no less than grace due to your achievements. That’s why I want to repay Lord Luminus.”

“…”

“Lord Luminus will surely be pleased. Perhaps the child born between you and me might also be bestowed with grace.”

There’s only a paper-thin difference between someone with genuine faith and a fanatic. Kate is similar to this.

Just by listening, she sounds like a devout believer, but in my view, she’s just a fanatic. A fanatic who treats even her own body as an offering to the god.

I was at a loss for words at her incredibly absurd mindset, but then quietly opened my mouth.

“…Do you know I have a fiancée when you’re saying this?”

“Ah. You have a fiancée? I didn’t expect this…”

Whether she really didn’t expect it or not, Kate opened her eyes wide and pondered. Seeing her contemplation, it seems she at least has some common sense…

“But it doesn’t matter. For Lord Luminus.”

“…”

“If you’re uncomfortable doing it here, you can come to the temple yourself, Lord Xenon. I’m always ready.”

What kind of Cardinal encourages adultery?

I frowned and immediately expressed my refusal. No matter how beautiful Kate is and how excellent her figure is, this is not right.

It’s unpleasant to be treated like a stud, and above all, suddenly coming and making such a request is uncomfortable for me, who has memories of a past life.

“No thanks. I won’t give you any seeds, so understand that.”

“Why not? This is embarrassing to say, but I think I have enough charm as a woman.”

“That mindset is the problem. I don’t believe in mixing bodies without any connection.”

Cecilly was similar in the past. She acted hastily and once committed an indiscretion towards me.

Although it led to an awkward situation in many ways, we later maintained a close relationship and even shared affection.

In this world that emulates medieval or modern times, adultery and infidelity are rampant, but that’s because of the unique custom of political marriages.

At least for me, with the remnants of past life’s values, I want to refrain from acts that are no different from adultery. I believe it’s my duty and obligation to consult sufficiently with women.

“Hmm… I see. I understand.”

Kate nodded as if she understood my words. It’s fortunate that she seems to understand…

“Then should I seduce you?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake.”

She doesn’t understand at all.