Ch.367Volume 27 (3)

Kate’s sincere admiration beside me didn’t really resonate with me. I was rather perplexed.

I clearly understood what Musk Grid was trying to say. He would grant an opportunity for a private audience with me to whoever eliminated the most demon worshippers.

This might seem ordinary at first glance, but it wasn’t just a regular event—it required risking one’s “life.”

There were plenty of other events that could grant a private audience with me. So I spoke with a slightly cautious voice.

“Um… Mr. Musk? Is a private audience with me worth that much? No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t seem worth risking one’s life…”

“Then would Issac please tell me what kind of event you think would be appropriate?”

“Hmm…”

I pondered deeply upon hearing his question. First, I needed to consider what position and authority I held.

In my previous life, there was a playful nickname for the American president: the World President.

Though meant as a joke, it perfectly represented America’s influence and authority in the world.

Historically, no empire had ever been as powerful as America, and many countries, including the Soviet Union, had challenged American hegemony only to collapse.

I possessed authority and prestige exceeding even the American president. It’s just a comparison, but it means I’m that powerful.

In fact, despite her personal motives, didn’t Arwen Elidia treat herself as a gift to me?

Of course, the citizens of Alfheim came forward voluntarily, but my status was so high that they were willing to offer their Queen as a “gift.”

‘To have a private audience with someone like me…’

One would either need to save a country from crisis or achieve something historically significant for national prestige.

And I’m someone who saved the world from crisis with just one book. That’s an undeniable fact, regardless of external perspectives.

I prevented the contamination of the World Tree’s roots in advance and clearly exposed the existence of demon worshippers operating in the shadows.

Not only that, but I also easily fulfilled the wishes of the demon race and made great contributions to cultural development.

‘…There really isn’t any way to have a private audience, is there?’

If there were sports I liked in this world, it might be different. Then I could simply ask to meet directly.

But this world barely has any sports, let alone the Olympics.

The most famous competition might be jousting. Although Animus will soon introduce something similar to the Olympics, I’m not particularly interested.

Given the era, there are virtually no fields for national prestige, and unless one defeats a dragon like my father, it’s extremely difficult to meet an emperor or king.

Unless born into nobility, this world is literally a place where one must risk their “life” to meet someone of high status.

“…I guess there isn’t any.”

“Issac needs to consider what position he sits in. The achievements you’ve accomplished are such that even those elves look up to you.”

“I’m embarrassed by your praise.”

“I’m merely stating facts.”

Musk nodded while maintaining his kind smile. I gave a bitter smile watching him.

I’d prefer a different event if possible. But if I said so, others would probably complain that my value would decrease.

They say that power should be used by those who know how to use it properly, but having absolute power didn’t feel any different to me since I kept doing the same things.

“So are we going with the demon worshipper elimination approach?”

“I only make suggestions; the choice is entirely yours, Issac.”

“Then…”

I paused mid-sentence as I felt an intense gaze right beside me.

When I turned my head, Kate Louise Angelica was fidgeting like an eager puppy.

Urging me to make a decision quickly. To choose the demon worshipper elimination.

Her blue eyes, more vivid than Adelia Cross’s, were mixed with both expectation and anxiety.

“…You must have a plan to suggest this, right?”

“Phew.”

When I gave a positive response, Kate let out a sigh of relief for some reason.

I wondered if she was planning to participate in the event herself, but my conversation with Musk Grid took priority.

The event Musk proposed would certainly be effective, but there would be proportional side effects as well.

“Of course. While the number of demon worshippers eliminated is important, demon worshippers aren’t just made up of minions. Isn’t that right, Cardinal Kate?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Just as insects grow into adults, demon worshippers are also divided into ranks.”

Kate answered Musk’s question by comparing demon worshippers to insects, as she always does.

If nothing else, she’s practically an expert when it comes to demon worshippers. Even before meeting me, she was cracking skulls, and recently she even captured a corrupted cardinal.

She glanced at me once before continuing in her characteristically gentle voice.

“Demon worshippers have special markings. Minions only have necklaces or rings, but those of higher rank engrave symbols on their bodies. However, these symbols aren’t visible during normal times, making them difficult to identify externally.”

“Hmm… if it’s just markings, wouldn’t that be difficult to use as evidence?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. You can just cut out the entire skin.”

“…”

Kate spoke as casually as a butcher slaughtering a pig. Both Musk and I were dumbfounded by her words.

While Kate had been enthusiastically slaughtering demon worshippers all along, Musk and I were people far removed from taking lives.

Her casual mention of something that gave us goosebumps was quite shocking.

“I-is that so? Is there no other way?”

“If cutting out the skin is difficult, you could just bring the head or extract the heart…”

“Ugh…”

Before Kate could finish, Musk shuddered and shook his head.

Sitting right next to her, I also felt goosebumps and shifted uncomfortably.

From Kate’s perspective, this might be routine, but for people like Musk and me who are far from violence, it was horrifying just to imagine.

That’s not to say she’s a psychopath or a pleasure killer. She simply treats demon worshippers literally like insects.

Her faith may be intensely strong, but the fact that she’s a good person remains unchanged.

…Probably.

“…Anyway, it seems we should score based on rank. This would be better handled by the church rather than the state.”

“Of course. The Church of Luminus has already declared a holy war, so we can gladly accept this. Ah! I should also inform the Church of Mora.”

“Who would you inform? I know about the Church of Luminus, but I’m not familiar with the Church of Mora.”

“There’s Princess Cecilly Drat Isillia Vin. She’s someone who has directly received Issac’s light.”

“…”

Musk looked at me with a subtle expression after hearing Kate’s answer. It was an expression that suggested he had much to say but chose not to.

I could roughly guess what he was thinking and simply shrugged my shoulders. At this point, anything I said would just sound like an excuse.

“I see. Then the two churches can coordinate to determine the exact ranks. Please also share know-how and precautions while you’re at it.”

“I’ll listen carefully.”

“The remaining concern is potential side effects… What if innocent victims emerge?”

That’s precisely what worried me most. While the intention is good, there’s a very high possibility of unfortunate incidents occurring in the process.

Even in my previous life, there were plenty of people who exploited human lives for profit, and this place would be no less severe.

In particular, innocent people could be labeled as demon worshippers, similar to “witch hunts.”

Additionally, there’s a high possibility of descending into madness, such as torturing or burning at the stake anyone even slightly associated.

It was so bad that in the past, Luminus had to intervene directly when such incidents occurred. History repeats itself, and similar events could happen again despite good intentions.

“We will desperately try to prevent innocent victims. But if such incidents occur…”

“Then we’ll cancel it immediately.”

When even Kate trailed off, unable to think of a suitable method, I stepped forward.

All eyes turned to me. I received those gazes and spoke in a calm voice.

“Letting 10 demon worshippers escape is less painful than sacrificing an innocent person. Whether by mistake or intention, if such an incident occurs, this event will be immediately canceled.”

“But the escaped demon worshippers could cause greater damage…”

“Feel free to curse at me all you want. Aren’t demon worshippers primarily hiding in the shadows and rarely coming to light? Even if they’re concealing their identity, don’t they show adverse reactions when exposed to even a little holy power? Without such verification, immediate execution would make us murderers, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah, I understand. I misspoke.”

When I took a rare firm stance, Kate acknowledged with a very embarrassed expression. Musk also looked at me with surprise.

Nothing is more tragic than innocent blood being shed for the sake of meeting me. If such a person emerges, I intend to take responsibility.

Anyway, with the path somewhat established, we decided that the churches would come to an agreement on the remaining details.

The key point to be cautious about is not executing someone just because they’re slightly associated with demon worshippers. The reach of demon worshippers is countless.

In fact, news occasionally surfaced about neighbors who turned out to be demon worshippers, and there were even demon worshippers among mercenaries or adventurers.

“The mercenary I hired was also a demon worshipper. It gave me much to think about.”

“Weren’t you in danger then?”

“If it weren’t for the potion I always carried, I wouldn’t be in this world anymore.”

Musk was actually one of the victims. The mercenary he hired for protection turned out to be a demon worshipper.

Fortunately, he barely survived thanks to a potion, but it was an incident where he nearly lost his life in vain.

“Leaving the rest to the churches, there’s the most important part. That would be the reward.”

“Is a private audience with me not enough?”

Honestly, for an event where one risks their life, a private audience alone seems insufficient.

Of course, I would provide additional rewards like signed copies or simple skinship, but even that might not be enough…

“Not at all. A private audience with Issac could be a once-in-a-lifetime honor, so how could you say ‘just’? I repeat, Issac needs to recognize what position he holds.”

“…I understand. Then what is the reward?”

“First place gets a private audience, and there are rewards for others who accumulate achievements. The biggest example would be signed copies.”

“…I’ll think about that gradually.”

A private audience was already dizzying enough, but to offer my signed copies as rewards? It made sense yet didn’t quite register.

Musk didn’t seem to care much about the rewards either, as he had planned to think about them slowly. The most important thing was getting my permission.

He also mentioned that he planned to offer substantial money as rewards. This is a matter that requires a contract with the church, so it’s not something I need to be involved in.

As everything was being established one by one, and after I had accepted all of Musk’s proposals…

“Issac? May I make a request?”

“A request?”

Kate suddenly made a request to me. It was extremely rare for her to ask for anything, so I couldn’t help but be curious.

And her subsequent request was enough to make me dumbfounded.

“I’d like to step down from my guard duty for a while so I can eliminate demon worshippers.”

“…You want to participate too, Kate?”

“Yes. How could I pass up an opportunity for a private audience with Issac?”

“No, I mean, this is… sigh.”

I had my suspicions, but I never thought they would become reality. I rubbed my face with one hand in embarrassment.

She has a stubborn personality in certain areas. Even if I told her it wasn’t necessary, she would shake her head and say it would be unfair.

But I couldn’t remove her from guard duty. Although Adelia is there, there’s hardly anyone in the world as safe as Kate.

Of course, I could be guarded by Helium’s organization, the Reapers, but they wouldn’t have holy power comparable to Kate’s.

“I refuse. I’ll reject it no matter what reason you give.”

“Why? As a faithful servant of Luminus, I want to have a private audience with Issac.”

“What if I say you already qualify for a private audience now?”

“That would be unfair to others, wouldn’t it?”

I knew this would happen. I let out a hollow laugh before speaking in a calm voice.

“It’s okay.”

“But…”

“I can’t be without you by my side, Kate.”

“…Pardon?”

Kate blinked in great surprise at my answer. Thinking I shouldn’t miss this opportunity, I quickly continued.

“I said I can’t be without you by my side. So I’ll give you private audiences or whatever you want, just don’t think about stepping down from your guard duty. Understand?”

“…”

“Kate?”

“Haah…”

What’s with her? Why are her eyes suddenly becoming unfocused? And what’s with that hot breath?

While I was bewildered, Kate stared at me intently with her unfocused eyes before slowly covering her face with both hands.

Eventually, she blushed and murmured quietly with an inexplicable sensuality.

“I… understand.”

“…”

“I’ll protect Issac… for life.”

I never mentioned “for life.”

“Hahaha. I’ll be going now. Goodbye!”

And why are you running away again?