episode_0450

In a cold, rational perspective, it was an event long foreseen.

Didn’t we already know?

That Seoyeon possessed the same ‘qualities’ as I did.

From there, today’s meeting was predetermined.

Of course, if I had any desires, I would have hoped for us to meet as allies rather than clear enemies.

Honestly, I’m not sure.

Should I be happy about this meeting, or should I despair?

It’s a fact to be pleased that he received the choice of the Seven Great Sins rather than being clearly condemned by the Seven Deadly Sins, but… If one were to consider that a future where we may end up pointing swords at each other could come, the situation becomes even more complex.

Seoyeon, with a tense voice, slowly straightens her waist that she had forcefully bent.

As our eyes finally meet, his widen as if about to burst.

“D-D-Dojin…?”

“…Seoyeon sunbae.”

He stammers in considerable shock.

As expected, his emotions right now and mine are probably quite similar.

“Why, why are you here…?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing.”

I’m curious too.

Suddenly, I recall what the Saint mentioned.

She said something about joining the Guardians around the same time as me.

“Was it in China, by any chance?”

“Y-yes. That’s right. When I was in China, the Saint suggested it to me.”

I see.

It was indeed the Saint who saved Seoyeon, who fell into a critical condition after taking the attack meant for me.

Feeling the power of the Seven Great Sins during the treatment, she quickly made the offer to join.

“So, Dojin, what about you…?”

“I received the offer back then too.”

“I see…”

Nodding slightly in understanding, he asks me.

“So, Dojin, you also received the choice of the Seven Great Sins…?”

I shake my head.

“No, I wasn’t chosen by the Seven Great Sins. Just… a mercenary helping out for a price?”

“Ah…”

He lets out a short sigh.

Judging from his slightly disappointed expression, he must have wished to be chosen by the Seven Great Sins like me.

As our conversation starts to settle to some extent,

“It seems like you two already know each other?”

Angela, who had been watching from the sidelines, joins in with an interested expression.

“You could say we know each other, are on the same team, and in the same guild.”

Upon hearing this, Angela bursts into laughter.

“Hahaha! Hiring two members from the same guild and not even giving a hint? Our Saint can be mischievous at times, can’t she?”

“That’s true.”

I see.

The tone of her message hinting at a meeting within a few days seemed a bit excited.

Perhaps she wanted to surprise us like this.

Thinking of her playful expression behind the veil, I smile wryly, and Angela pats my shoulder.

“I get it. Our Saint is so busy that if she doesn’t enjoy herself like this, she might just die soon.”

Thud!

“…Your hand is surprisingly strong.”

“Oh, sorry! I’m not good at controlling my strength.”

Angela hastily withdraws her hand.

My shoulder feels numb.

It felt like she lightly patted me, but… What level is her strength stat at?

With a cheerful laugh and tone, she smoothly eliminates the slight awkwardness.

“Well then, now that we’ve seen each other’s faces, shall we start talking about the task?”

In an instant, the mood changes.

Feeling the flow and atmosphere changing as she desires, I once again realize how monstrous the Apostle chosen by the Goddess of Patience truly is.

—

The reason the three of them gathered together was one and only one thing.

To eliminate the Illuminated Apostle suspected of sloth.

However, to accomplish this mission, there exists one mountain they must overcome.

That is none other than whether they can maintain their sanity against the Apostle’s brainwashing.

“The Guardians have been researching ways to protect themselves from the Apostle’s brainwashing ever since we obtained information that the leader of the Illuminated Church might be the Apostle of Sloth. And recently, we’ve finally seen results.”

She finished speaking and took out a round object from her bag to show the two of them.

“This is our contingency plan.”

It was a thin band made of metal material, but its size was ambiguous. It seemed too large to wear on the arm or leg and too short to wrap around the waist. Kim Dojin, pondering briefly, found the most suitable placement.

“…Is this meant for the head?”

“Correct.”

She smiled slyly at Kim Dojin and proceeded to place the band on her forehead.

“Wearing this prevents falling victim to brainwashing.”

He observed as a brown aura emanated from the thin band when placed on the head, enveloping the surroundings.

‘Does this barrier prevent brainwashing?’

It seemed plausible, yet dubious.

As Kim Dojin looked at her with skeptical eyes, Angela seemed to anticipate and spoke up.

“Of course, it’s a product thoroughly tested. We directly placed it on the head of a follower of the Bright Church who had been brainwashed.”

“…And the results?”

“The existing brainwashing was undone. Currently, she is providing us with information from within the Bright Church with a clear mind.”

With such meticulous preparation, the effectiveness of the device was evident, instilling a slight sense of doubt.

“If such a thing exists, there seems to be no need for a small elite group.”

When he inquired, she responded.

“If mass production were possible, we would have done that, of course.”

“Although it looks easy to make…”

“It’s definitely not easy?!”

Angela snapped back.

“Even if it looks simple, do you know how difficult it is to create this?!”

At Angela’s unnecessarily heated response, Kim Dojin asked,

“…Did you personally make that?”

As if waiting for this question, she answered with a smirk.

“I am an excellent warrior, but also a great craftsman.”

“Ah, I see.”

In response to his vague answer, Angela shot him a sharp look.

Exhaling softly, she removed the band from her head and handed it to Kim Dojin.

“Anyway…, there are only 50 of these bands. In other words, we must cleanse the Bright Church with a maximum of 50 people.”

The number of wearers is already determined.

Here, gathered were the three of them and forty knights supported by the Vatican. The remaining seven slots will be filled by the priests of this church.

After receiving detailed instructions about the operation, Kim Dojin asked,

“So, when is the operation date?”

“We’ll start at midnight in four days. Make sure all preparations are complete by then. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of all the expenses needed for the mission.”

Kim Dojin’s ears perked up at her response.

“You’ll cover all the expenses? Regardless of the amount?”

Sensing some unease, Angela narrowed her eyes and replied,

“…Only the items essential for the operation.”

“Of course.”

After chuckling in response, Kim Dojin fell into thought.

If anything necessary for the operation, regardless of price, is covered, it means they will provide the means for a successful mission.

Fairly decent ideas came to mind.

The cost is quite… no, significant, but the tools promise definite effectiveness.

“Hehe.”

Chuckling to himself, Angela shivered slightly in an inexplicable chill.

* * *

On the way back after finishing the conversation.

“…Sorry.”

Out of the blue, Seoyeon apologized to me.

What’s this?

Is she apologizing for hiding the fact that she joined the Guardians?

“Did… I surprise you a lot?”

“I was surprised, yes.”

I was indeed very surprised.

I never expected Seoyeon to show up at the gathering to cleanse the Bright Church.

But I didn’t feel any sense of betrayal.

Well, I did feel it, but that feeling was directed not towards Seoyeon but towards the Saintess.

I never knew she could surprise people like this.

“Being surprised is one thing, but there’s no need to apologize for this incident. It was a secret from the start. Since I didn’t even tell my senior, it’s just a matter of course.”

“Well… that may be so.”

Honestly speaking, it’s not comfortable having Seoyeon involved in this situation.

It’s no ordinary matter; it involves dealing with the Gwangmyeong Church.

Although there are strategies in place to prevent brainwashing and skilled Holy Knights accompanying us, the danger level remains significant.

In my heart, I wanted to prevent his participation, but I endured it.

After all, she’s already grown up.

Moreover, now that she has decided to live in this body, in reality, she and I are essentially in the same boat.

In this situation, there is only one thing I can say.

“Prepare yourself thoroughly. The Gwangmyeong Church is much more ruthless than what the seniors think.”

“Yeah… that’s true.”

With a faint smile on his lips, he nodded hesitantly.

Suddenly, I became curious.

“By the way, senior.”

“Yes?”

“Who chose you?”

Indeed, among the Seven Guardians, whose choice was Seoyeon?

To which he replied,

“Temperantia.”

Having delved into the Seven Guardians and their connections, I remembered to some extent.

Surely the name Temperantia means…

“Temperance, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Temperance.

“Hah, I see.”

Unintentionally, a laugh escaped me.

The Seven Guardians and the Seven Sins… So, Temperance, one of the Seven Guardians, is fundamentally opposite to Greed, one of the Seven Sins.

This means that Seoyeon and I are truly at opposite ends.

The relationship that was once father and daughter is now a perfect contradiction.

Truly ironic, isn’t it?

“Why are you laughing…?”

“Just, you know… It’s fascinating that two people from the same guild are part of secret societies.”

“Yeah… I find that quite intriguing too.”

After casually skirting the topic, I threw another question to change the subject.

“By the way, why did you decide to join the Guardians?”

“Why?”

“Just because you were chosen by one of the Seven Guardians doesn’t mean you’re obligated to join. It’s risky too.”

While it’s said to monitor those who might become enemies in the future, there seems to be no reason for Seoyeon to join the Guardians.

If it’s for a sense of justice, then there’s nothing to say… Well…

Seoyeon, although kinder than most, doesn’t seem like someone that righteous.

To my query, he gave an unexpected answer.

“…Because I thought that’s what Dad would do.”

As a result, his face stiffened slightly.

“Just to be like Dad?”

“It’s not that simple.”

Firmly shaking his head, Seoyeon spoke with a dark expression.

“The power I possess… was originally meant for Dad.”

“What do you mean?”

What kind of nonsense is this?