Ch.209Damn it…(4)

Somehow Kate ended up sitting at the dinner table. Since Marie and Cecilly were already occupying the seats beside me, she naturally sat across from me, next to Rina.

When I asked if she had eaten, she said she’d already eaten before coming. So she quietly waited until we finished our meal.

She wasn’t just sitting idle while waiting. When I checked on her occasionally, I could see her with eyes closed and hands neatly folded in prayer.

Thanks to her, our quiet meal concluded peacefully, and after ordering dessert, the real conversation began.

“First of all, how did you know I was here?”

“I followed the scent of lilacs. And this place was where the trail ended.”

“…”

Her first answer was truly something. She’s not some professionally trained dog to be following scents.

The lilac scent from my body is indeed strong, but Kate’s case seems rather unique.

After meeting each gaze directed at her, Kate carefully opened her mouth in a somewhat cautious voice.

“But Issac, is it okay to talk here…?”

“Ah. These people all know who I am, so you can relax.”

“I understand. But…”

Kate paused, alternately looking at Marie and Cecilly sitting on either side of me.

At her curious gaze, Marie pouted and wrapped her arms around mine, while Cecilly smiled sweetly and leaned against me slightly. Anyone could tell they were lovers.

Kate seemed to realize something from this sight and nodded.

“I didn’t expect you to have two fiancées.”

“I’m the only official fiancée so far. Cecilly is unofficial.”

Marie subtly emphasized that she was the first. Cecilly didn’t seem to mind as she said nothing.

I gave a wry smile at the two women’s affectionate behavior before looking back across the table. Rina, sitting next to Kate, was just drinking tea, apparently content to observe.

“So why did you come looking for me? I’ll throw you out if you start talking about seeds again, just so you know.”

“I sincerely apologize for that matter. I made you uncomfortable with my needless obsession, and I’ll gladly accept punishment if you wish.”

“Huh?”

What’s this? It feels like her character has suddenly changed.

I’m rather taken aback as Kate bows her head deeply and sincerely asks for forgiveness. Not just me, but Marie, who had been preparing to confront her, seems equally surprised.

Kate had been demanding my seed at every opportunity for the past two days, but today she suddenly appears and apologizes? Unless something happened in between, this doesn’t add up.

If that’s the case, there’s only one likely cause. Recalling Kate’s fanatical tendencies, I decided to probe.

“Did Luminus scold you by any chance?”

“…Yes.”

Kate lowered her head slightly with a gloomy expression at my question. I had suspected it, but the confirmation was spot on.

Luminus is a loving deity to devoted followers like Kate and me, even while bringing divine punishment to the impious. He rarely scolds and almost never raises his voice.

But given how depressed Kate looks, he must have scolded her quite severely.

“Seems like you got quite the scolding.”

“…He even shouted at me for the first time. He asked what I was doing, saying that no matter what, it was simply rude. He told me to apologize immediately.”

“…”

If he went so far as to shout, Luminus must have been very angry. Well, she almost caused harm to someone else in his name.

Especially since Luminus, though loving, has strict principles, he couldn’t have overlooked this incident.

It’s like a child almost committing theft(?) to please their parent—any normal parent would need to discipline them firmly.

‘I guess there won’t be any seed talk for a while.’

I stared at the dejected Kate and intuitively felt that the seed talk would stop for a while, which allowed me to relax.

Since Luminus had shouted at her, Kate had likely given up on the idea.

“Alright. Since Luminus scolded you, I’ll let this matter go. So what’s the real reason you came looking for me?”

“It might be related to Xenon—”

“Please just call me Issac. You might slip up later otherwise.”

“Understood. It’s a matter deeply connected to Issac’s safety.”

“My safety?”

I opened my eyes wide at hearing it was closely related to my safety. Curiosity also gleamed in Rina’s eyes as she sat next to Kate.

Could something be happening to me while I’m enjoying this peaceful time? Kate is someone who travels on pilgrimages.

She must have a clearer understanding of the current situation than we do at the academy.

She looked at me with emerald eyes filled with intensity, unlike before, and began to speak.

“Yes. As you all know, I’ve been traveling on pilgrimages, eliminating devil worshippers spread throughout the world. Just before arriving at the Empire of Minerva, I was dealing with devil worshippers.”

“Devil worshippers…”

Originally, devil worshippers operated secretly in the shadows, unknown to anyone. Areas with high numbers of missing person reports are usually deeply involved with devil worshippers.

The reason no one noticed until a series of incidents occurred is simple: judgment dulled by long peace, carelessness, and indifference.

The Devil War broke out 3,000 years ago, and even elves have diluted memories of it. Naturally, there’s little interest.

“Until the Biography of Xenon, we didn’t even know devil worshippers existed. But now their existence has surfaced, and their numbers are gradually decreasing day by day. Do you understand what this means?”

“That Issac might be targeted by devil worshippers?”

Cecilly immediately answered Kate’s question. Kate nodded in agreement.

I had roughly guessed this when devil worshippers were mentioned, but having it confirmed directly by Kate feels quite different.

“Yes. The Biography of Xenon, whether by coincidence or not, directly exposed the existence of devil worshippers, so they’re naturally determined to eliminate Issac. This is already a widespread message among devil worshippers.”

“Message…? Have devil worshippers formed some kind of organization?”

“It’s not certain, but almost definitely. There are traces of their activities going back at least 100 years.”

This is more serious than I thought. Another reason not to reveal my identity.

Although I have reliable knights around me, there’s a high possibility that my acquaintances could be in danger until devil worshippers are completely eliminated.

Since we don’t know how strong devil worshippers are, we need to act more cautiously.

“Moreover, most underground activities are influenced by devil worshippers. From drugs to smuggling and black markets. Complete elimination will take a long time.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t publish books and should hide until then?”

“Publishing books is fine. I’m just asking you to be careful not to reveal your identity. I also plan to stay for about a month before moving elsewhere. If I stay here longer, it might raise suspicions.”

Perhaps because she was properly scolded by Luminus, Kate explained in her usual calm voice.

A completely different demeanor from her previous days of constantly asking for seeds. There was a slight sense of disconnect, but it was satisfactory enough.

“Cardinal, do you think there are devil worshippers in the Empire of Minerva?”

Rina, who had been quiet, spoke up. Naturally, she would be concerned about her own country.

“Of course. Devil worshippers multiply like cockroaches unless you smash their heads. The Empire of Minerva is no exception. I might even find evidence of their organization here.”

“If the Cardinal wishes, I can provide military support.”

“I appreciate the offer but must decline. Devil worshippers hide immediately when large forces appear, so discretion is crucial.”

As I’ve heard, anything related to devils is treated worse than vermin.

To think she could ask for my seed with such an innocent face after smashing devil worshippers’ heads. Honestly, it’s hard to believe.

She’s said to have the title “Blue Flame” because her blue mana flickers like flames, but I can’t really tell just by looking.

“I understand. Is there anything else you’d like to say?”

“One more thing, Issac.”

“Yes?”

“This might be unpleasant, but it’s about the seed issue.”

I wondered when this would come up. As Kate formally(?) brought up the seed topic, the atmosphere changed instantly.

Not just Marie, who had been wary since Kate’s appearance, but even Cecilly, who had been showing a friendly attitude.

Finally, Rina elegantly sipped her tea while focusing more intently.

Feeling the strange atmosphere, I spoke with slight bewilderment.

“Didn’t you just say Luminus scolded you?”

“Yes. But I haven’t given up. Since both ladies are here, I’ll make a formal request.”

After pausing briefly, she spoke confidently with brightly shining emerald eyes.

“If it’s not too presumptuous, may I receive Issac’s seed?”

Simultaneously, a sharp answer came back.

“Absolutely not.”

Not from me, but from Marie. Marie tightened her grip on my arm and said to Kate:

“Cardinal Kate. Do you love Issac?”

“…”

“See? You don’t even love him, yet you want to have a child for Luminus. Would Luminus really like that? No. He would surely be sad. It’s like his beloved child is sacrificing her body for his sake.”

That’s right. My girlfriend speaks well.

As Marie made one valid point after another, Kate seemed at a loss for words, her mouth tightly shut.

She seemed to want to say something, fidgeting with her lips, but it was futile.

The problem was that it wasn’t just Marie.

“Marie is right. Marie and I love Issac, which is why we promised a future with him. What about you, Cardinal? You’re only coveting Issac’s divine power. I even wonder if you’d go to another man if someone with stronger divine power than Issac appeared.”

“Luminus would never forgive that.”

Cecilly delivered a heavy factual blow to Kate’s solar plexus. Kate immediately objected, but it was a statement that pierced the essence, so that was the end of it.

My women were saying everything I wanted to say, so I just needed to watch. Kate, having been firmly scolded by Luminus, didn’t throw a tantrum like last time.

Marie, seeing Kate maintain her silence, thought she had won and continued with triumphant words.

“Even if you win Issac’s heart, I will never acknowledge you. There’s nothing more despicable than using love as a means.”

“…I see.”

“Above all! I find you presumptuous. Even I, his fiancée, don’t have a child yet, and you’re trying to have one suddenly. Even if it were possible, you’d have to wait at least 4 years.”

Since graduation from the academy is roughly around that time, we’ll have an official wedding then.

Kate seemed to have no strength left to retort to Marie’s continued criticism and could only nod. Just when I thought it was over.

“Then…”

“Hmm?”

“If I truly love Issac, would it be okay for me to receive his seed?”

A question revealing her determination to receive the seed somehow flew out. Not just me, but everyone else couldn’t help but be surprised by this question.

Meanwhile, Kate smiled warmly, placed her hand on the center of her chest, and quietly began to speak.

“It’s true that Luminus scolded me, but afterward he said this: Find the happiness I truly desire, not just dedicating everything to him. He said that the happiness of his followers is his own happiness.”

“…”

“After hearing those words, I changed my thinking. To find happiness by truly loving someone. To bring happiness not only to myself but also to Luminus by loving someone. And the person I will come to love is…”

Then she looked straight at me, blushed, and shyly confessed.

“The author of the Biography of Xenon, beloved by Luminus. Issac.”

“…”

“Thinking about it makes my heart race and my face flush. The lilac scent emanating from Issac feels like a drug, and I feel his divine power seeping into me.”

Oh for the love of…

“Is this… what love feels like?”

What kind of thought process leads to this development?