The Master of Blades Does Not Hide Their Hands-1

The clattering of knives and dishes echoed through the banquet hall.

Inho had dinner with the Pope once a week.

Perhaps it was because the shock of the first day was so great?

Inho found the meals with the Pope quite uncomfortable, but he couldn’t refuse, so he silently followed the assigned schedule.

It was better than having it twice a week.

That was his thought.

“It’s already been over a month since the Saint arrived.”

Perhaps it was the Pope’s preference, but the meat was dripping with grease, and it splattered every time he moved his fork.

“Already a month,”

Inho mumbled, putting a pasta-like noodle dish in his mouth.

For him, ‘only a month’ was a more fitting sentiment.

It felt like half a year.

“Ah, I heard you are teaching Sister Maria.”

The Pope said it as if he had heard it by chance.

Every day, a three-to-four-hour test.

In reality, it was Inho’s Bible study time disguised as a test.

With no knowledge of the Bible, he called Maria to his room every day.

And after having Maria read the first verse of the Bible, he would ask,

[What are your thoughts on that verse?]

Maria was flustered by the unheard-of testing method and initially couldn’t say anything.

She was afraid that if her interpretation was wrong, the Saint would severely reprimand her.

Inho reassured Maria and encouraged her to share her own interpretation.

When Maria, emboldened, read a Bible verse and shared her interpretation, he would jot it down on a piece of paper he had prepared.

Since he couldn’t memorize the entire verse, he tried to summarize the key points.

He had been studying the Bible in that way for about a month.

The thick Bible was now nearing its final chapter.

Of course, in equal exchange, the vitality in Maria’s face was gradually disappearing.

“Teaching is too grand a word. I’m just helping her from the side.”

While Inho denied it, the Pope put another piece of meat in his mouth and chewed.

Juice dripped from the corners of his mouth.

“You’re handling official schedules and guiding the staff… truly, you are the Saint.”

Lumen continued to praise him.

“Ah, about those official schedules, I feel like there are more meal appointments lately.”

Recently, the number of times he ate quietly in the dining hall had decreased, and the number of meals with nobles had increased.

Whether it was lunch or dinner, he had meal appointments with prominent nobles and merchants.

“Ah… so many people want to have a meal with the Saint, that’s how it turned out.”

The Pope bowed his head apologetically at Inho’s words.

Inho shook his head as if to say it was okay at the Pope’s apology.

“Ah, it’s alright. However, I wonder if I’m only eating with nobles too much…”

Inho trailed off.

“The nobles who have eaten with the Saint are very devout. They also donate a lot of offerings. The meal with the Saint was arranged to repay that faith in a small way.”

“I see.”

At the Pope’s words, Inho couldn’t find anything else to say and picked up the salad on his plate with a fork and put it in his mouth.

“Of course, I fully understand that the Saint also wants to meet people who are living in more difficult circumstances. I will try to make such a schedule later.”

The Pope said, watching Inho’s expression.

“And… I think it would be good if you could lead a service once…”

As the Pope cautiously brought up the topic, Inho shook his head.

“Not yet… I don’t think I can yet. I’m not ready enough.”

When Inho refused, the Pope nodded as if he understood.

“To understand the Saint’s words, our faith is still lacking. Then we will take more time to reach a level that will satisfy the Saint.”

‘What is he saying.’

Inho had to block the words that rose to his throat with a piece of meat.

“Come to think of it, I heard from Sister Maria that the ‘Saint Saniso’ week is coming up soon and a competition will be held. What is that?”

After eating the last piece of meat, Inho suddenly remembered and asked about the schedule.

“As the Saint knows, it is an event to commemorate the deeds of Saint Saniso, who received divine power and executed heretics.”

At Inho’s question, the Pope kindly explained.

Saniso. A figure he learned about through Bible study with Maria.

A saint who single-handedly beheaded three hundred heretics.

“The Order’s Holy Knights gather and display their martial prowess to many people.”

‘A martial arts tournament.’

Inho thought to himself.

“But, do only Holy Knights participate? Do the Inquisitors not attend?”

Suddenly, a question arose, and when he asked, the Pope nodded.

“The characteristics and skills of the two groups are so different…”

At the Pope’s words, Inho took a napkin and wiped his mouth as if he understood.

“It would be nice if everyone could participate, it’s a shame.”

Inho said casually, and the Pope’s eyes flashed sharply.

After the meal with the Saint, the Pope called Lumen, the head of the Inquisitors.

The black-haired woman entered with precision and stood before the Pope.

“I greet His Holiness.”

“Sister Lumen. The Inquisitors will also participate in the upcoming tournament.”

As soon as Lumen finished speaking, the Pope got to the point.

“Are you saying that I should have the Inquisitors participate in the tournament?”

Lumen doubted her ears.

“Yes, the conditions are the same as for the Holy Knights. The Commander of the Knights and the Head of the Inquisitors cannot participate, and those with less than two years or more than fifteen years of service cannot participate.”

“May I ask why?”

When Lumen asked back at the sudden order to participate in the event, the Pope shrugged and replied to her.

“The Saint wants it.”

“[Therefore, you shall make my will known to all the world. This is my command.]”

“I believe it means to eliminate heretics and infidels and spread the will of light throughout the world… That is all.”

Maria, with dark circles under her eyes, read the last verse of the Bible.

Finally… she had finished reading the Bible.

I wrote down her last words on paper and looked at Maria with a proud face.

“Amazing, Sister Maria. You finished reading the Bible in just one month.”

“It was possible thanks to the Saint’s help.”

Maria, covered in fatigue, smiled kindly, and I felt a pang of conscience again.

I’m sorry, Maria.

Thanks to her sacrifice, I was able to get a grasp of the Solarium’s teachings to some extent.

It is still impossible to memorize the Bible like the Bishops, but at least I am confident that I can tell a plausible story.

But, is it possible to preach in front of others with this superficial knowledge?

Even with the Saint buff, immature knowledge will be quickly exposed in front of experts.

If I want to preach, I have no choice but to use Maria a little more.

“It was great to be able to confirm Sister Maria’s understanding of the Bible. You have a very strong faith.”

“…Thank you.”

She replied in a voice that was half overwhelmed and half relieved.

“The test is passed.”

“…Thank you.”

I felt like I was about to burst into tears.

Ah… what should I do, I feel so sorry.

“From tomorrow, we will have time to review. Let’s start with the first chapter of the Bible again.”

-Thud

“Oh, God…”

With a voice full of despair, Maria collapsed to the floor.

Sorry.