Ch.208Damn it…(3)

Kate’s presence alone is extremely dangerous. The reason she embarked on her pilgrimage was to find me, so imagine if she suddenly settled in one place.

She might not realize it herself, but the higher-ups in the Church would certainly grow suspicious. Why would someone on pilgrimage stay confined to one area? Could she have found him? They would wonder.

Then there’s a very high probability that someone from above would be assigned to watch Kate. Therefore, her presence is more harmful than helpful to me.

Of course, if I gave her my seed as she wants, she would leave quietly, but I don’t want that. To begin with, mixing bodies with someone I’ve just met is burdensome to me, and who would willingly accept being treated like a breeding stallion?

No matter how pretty her face or how desirable her figure, I feel repulsed by being viewed as a tool. Above all, neither Marie nor Cecilly have had my child yet, so I can’t possibly create an illegitimate child already.

For these reasons, I plan to visit the temple this weekend to politely ask Luminus. Though I feel sorry for Kate, I’ll ask for a restraining order.

Even though Luminus favors Kate, if I beg desperately enough, she will reluctantly agree.

“Did you guys hear about it?”

“About what?”

“That Cardinal Kate visited the academy three days ago.”

“…”

The day before the weekend approached, I couldn’t help but flinch when I heard what Rina brought up on the way to the cafeteria.

The day Kate came to my dormitory was exactly two days ago. She came again the next day asking for my seed, and there’s a very high probability she’ll come again today.

That’s why I plan to spend time with other acquaintances and return as late as possible. Though she’s a person with common sense in strange places, she probably won’t come late at night.

While I was thinking this to myself, Rina and the other girls began to chat pleasantly.

“Ah, I heard about that too. I heard she’ll be staying here for a while? She said there might be devil worshippers hiding in the capital.”

“I heard she’s incredibly beautiful. I’d like to meet her once, but aren’t you going to meet her, Rina?”

“More likely my brother or Duke Reckyless will meet her. Due to her rank as Cardinal, she should be received by someone of at least ducal rank.”

A Cardinal is the second highest rank after the Pope, and Kate is the Grand Inquisitor, the final rank of the Inquisition. For official matters, she must be received by at least someone of ducal rank.

That’s how powerful she is, and if you say even one wrong word to a Cardinal, you’ll be internationally disgraced. So only the Crown Prince or a Duke can meet her.

‘Still, to me she just looks like a pervert.’

A perverted clergy who tries to extort my seed whenever she gets the chance. I wonder how she’ll ask for my seed today.

I wish tomorrow would come quickly. Kate’s very existence was enough to risk exposing my identity.

Perhaps she noticed my mood. Marie, who had been chatting pleasantly with others, looked at my face and asked in a puzzled voice.

“Issac, what’s with that expression?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with my face?”

“You look like you’ve eaten something disgusting.”

“…”

Is there any other way to describe it? I gave a bitter smile at Marie’s answer.

Actually, I do intend to tell them about Kate. It’s an issue I must inform especially Marie and Cecilly about.

I sighed deeply in frustration and then glanced to the side. Having noticed my poor expression, they all had worried faces.

“…I’ll tell you when we get to the cafeteria.”

“Is it a big problem?”

“I’m not sure if I should call it big or small… you’ll understand when you hear it.”

I feel somewhat sorry for dampening the good mood. But it’s something they absolutely need to know.

Afterwards, we arrived at the cafeteria and, as usual, got a private room and finished ordering. Then I told them what was bothering me.

“Two days ago, Cardinal Kate came to my dormitory.”

“What?”

“She knows I’m Xenon.”

They all had similar reactions to hearing not only that Kate had visited but that she knew my identity.

They all opened their already large eyes wide in shock. Honestly, it’s understandable to be surprised.

While they processed this information, I clarified the points they might be curious about.

“It seems Luminus gave her an oracle about my identity. Fortunately, it seems only Cardinal Kate received it, but… it doesn’t matter now that I’ve been discovered.”

“Oracle? What oracle?”

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

Though complex, the phrase itself was memorable, so I remember it clearly. When I mentioned the content of the oracle, the women looked even more puzzled.

I probably had the same expression at first. So I explained the interpretation slowly.

“The meaning of viewing through a clean sun seems to refer to my golden eyes, and pure passion seems to refer to my red hair.”

“Don’t your father and uncle have the same features?”

“That’s true, but the modifiers ‘clean’ and ‘pure’ seem to mean not having blood on one’s hands. My father is a knight, and Dave used to hunt frequently.”

Unlike me, my father, brother, and Nicole were strong from a young age. So they occasionally hunted monsters and beasts that were rampant in the territory.

In contrast, I had such a weak body that even knight training was difficult, so my family treasured me. Being much younger than my siblings, I was pampered.

“And because of the lilac scent from my body, she wouldn’t believe any denial. I heard my scent is even stronger than the Pope’s?”

“I see. So what did Cardinal Kate say? Is that all?”

“I wish that was the end of it. What Cardinal Kate said was…”

Should I really say this or not? I was too embarrassed and sorry to speak.

After hesitating a bit, I sighed deeply and confessed everything.

“…She asked for my seed.”

“Seed? What kind of see…”

“…”

As expected, they each had different reactions.

Marie stopped mid-sentence as if she realized what I meant, Cecilly momentarily froze in thought, and finally, Rina blinked her blue eyes before her face rapidly turned red.

They were all old enough to understand what my statement implied.

“…You probably know about these kinds of legends. A man and woman chosen by a god have a relationship to give birth to a hero. Kate’s reason for asking for my seed is similar. She says she’s a blessed body, and I helped her escape the devil’s clutches through the Biography of Xenon. Do you get the idea?”

“Is there something wrong with that woman’s mind?”

Marie asked a question that seemed to clear the air. From her perspective as my fiancée, this situation was not just infuriating but absurd.

Not just her, but Cecilly too. She seemed unsure whether to be angry or dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Rina… her face was bright red, but her lips were tightly sealed. Probably because she wasn’t directly involved, she remained silent.

“She seems a bit… off, but her thoughts are entirely focused on Luminus. She said the reason she wants to have my child is for Luminus.”

“That sounds like…”

“A fanatic? I think so too. She wouldn’t listen even when I said no. I’m planning to go to the temple tomorrow to ask Luminus for a restraining order.”

“…That won’t work.”

Rina, who had been quiet, unexpectedly offered a negative opinion. This drew the attention of everyone, including myself.

She fanned herself to cool her flushed face and explained her reasoning.

“Cardinal is the second highest position after the Pope. To become a Cardinal, one must be directly chosen by Luminus. Moreover, Cardinal Kate is someone who has received direct blessing from Luminus. Even for you, Issac, a restraining order would be difficult.”

“Even if I use divine power?”

“Then Cardinal Kate would use divine power to nullify it. Of course, Luminus would scold her sternly.”

“Ah, that would be fine.”

For someone who would give her body for Luminus, a warning should be enough. If nothing else, she’s a person with genuine faith.

But she’ll still look for opportunities. Given her persistent personality, she might ask again if there’s an opening even after I visit the temple.

“Still, it’s outrageous. Did you tell her you have a fiancée?”

Marie asked with a voice full of discontent. Conversely, Cecilly seemed to be pondering something.

Since getting rid of Kate was the priority, I planned to tell the truth.

“Of course I told her. But she said she’d be ready anytime if I was okay with it. When I said I wasn’t interested, she asked if she should seduce me.”

“…I’m speechless.”

Finding it absurd, Marie let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.

However, a positive opinion came from an unexpected source—Cecilly.

“I actually think it might be fine.”

“What?”

“Are you in your right mind?”

Both Marie and I were startled by Cecilly’s response. Marie even asked if she was sane.

Cecilly looked at our faces demanding an explanation and brought up a very practical point.

“Of course, I’m also displeased with the Cardinal who suddenly wants to have a child. But there’s nothing to lose. Rather, it would connect us to the Papal Kingdom of Sabre, which could bring many benefits.”

“I’ve thought about that too. But sister.”

“Yes?”

“That’s not how I connected with you.”

If Kate had approached me gradually like Cecilly did, I might have considered it briefly. Perhaps I would have sought Marie’s permission in private and accepted her.

Having already accepted Cecilly and even considering Adelia, adding one more wouldn’t be a problem. As long as I don’t cheat on my lovers with another woman secretly.

But when a direct fastball comes straight to the solar plexus, one naturally has to dodge rather than catch it.

Cecilly blinked her red eyes at my answer, then slightly raised the corners of her mouth into a gentle smile.

Then she subtly grabbed my hand under the table and spoke in a warm voice.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to help Issac. Can you forgive me?”

“There’s no need for forgiveness. Anyway, that’s all that happened to me. Is there no other solution?”

“Rather than a solution, I think it would be better if Marie and I went to talk to her directly. Right, Marie?”

“Of course! To be honest, I’d be fine if she accepted it, but I don’t like that forceful attitude.”

After saying that, Marie glanced under the table and gently stroked my thigh instead of taking my empty hand.

As everyone knows, this is a kind of signal. She must be stressed about the Kate situation.

I briefly stopped Marie’s sensual stroking of my thigh and returned to the main topic.

“Then I’ll go to the temple tomorrow. Can you talk to her well until then?”

“Of course.”

“We’ll handle it well.”

Now even Cecilly has released my hand and is caressing my thigh.

From the outside, it might look like two beautiful women on either side of me are being affectionate, but I’m actually afraid of what’s to come.

Perhaps because I mentioned seed, they seem to want to extract seed from me too. This is unavoidable.

“Well… then this matter seems settled. By the way…”

Knock knock knock-

Just as Rina was about to speak, someone knocked, probably because the food had arrived. Marie and Cecilly immediately stopped what they were doing.

Knock knock knock-

“What is it?”

“Is it someone else?”

If it were a waiter, they would knock once and then enter after a pause. But knocking more than twice means someone else has come.

Momentarily puzzled, I got up and immediately opened the door. And at the door was…

“Hello, Xe… no, Lord Issac.”

Somehow knowing I was here, Kate was standing at the door. Speak of the devil, as they say.

I was too shocked to say anything, when Kate opened her mouth with her characteristic benevolent smile.

“Actually…”

I was about to close the door before hearing her out.

THUD!

Noticing I was trying to close the door, Kate quickly stuck her foot in the gap. I tried to push it closed, but it wouldn’t budge.

Somehow, no matter how hard I tried, it didn’t feel like it was moving at all. Rather, it felt like she was pushing back against me.

Regardless, Kate maintained her previous benevolent smile and said to me:

“Please listen to me until the end. I’m not here to talk about seed this time.”

“The conversation will end up being about seed anyway!”

“…”

“See!”

Her silence confirmed it. As I was trying to push the door closed somehow.

“This is perfect timing. Tell her to come in.”

Marie’s voice came from behind.