I approached Beverick cautiously. Even though he ignored me, I tried to get into his good graces.

Isn't there a saying that there's nothing effort can't achieve?

But eventually, after just a week, my patience ran out.

“You spineless worm. Why does Irene even bother worrying about someone like you... tch.”

A single comment shattered my resolve again.

This bastard is a hopeless scumbag!

“Hahaha.”

Today, you're in trouble. Let's go down together. I raised my hand with bulging veins, ready to strike him.

But Mierkant stopped me. He stepped between us and, as always, smiled.

“You need a hand. Beverick, could you help?”

“Make that bastard do it. Why should I? There's someone lazing around.”

“No one else can do it but you. Aren’t you still a student in need of learning? There's no one smarter than you in theology at this branch, so I have no choice. Please help me."

"...Sigh. Really, useless, every single one of them."

Mierkant winked at me. The mismatched wink made me sigh.

You should be thankful I restrained myself from hitting his head, you rascal.

I held the documents Matier handed me and flipped through them casually. There was a reason I hadn't exposed them immediately.

Bishop Brody.

One of the real power players at the Cult Headquarters behind that rascal.

His name was well-known. Even here, where the Sun God Religion was considered treacherous, his name was often mentioned.

He was said to be one of the leaders of the failing Cult of Ra. Due to his strong backing, even if we gathered evidence of Beverick violating the cult’s doctrine, it was likely to be buried.

I knew all too well how the sins of the privileged were covered up. I'd seen it countless times in my past life.

The subtle pardoning of sins was a given, and they'd probably send him off for some fresh air under some pretext. It’s all too predictable.

That guy probably acts recklessly because he knows all of this.

To unravel this, I can’t just handle it straightforwardly. It needs to be addressed at the right time and place...

To do that, I need to create a certain situation...

I considered a few scenarios, casually forming and discarding plans over and over.

The most beneficial way for me.

Although night approached, I didn't move. I sat in my room, lit a candle, and briefly organized my notes.

It’s a checkmate. For me to head to the Cult Headquarters, I have to either get rid of that bastard or get him to cooperate, which would involve sacrificing Irene.

Honestly speaking, it feels uneasy. Forcing the issue since that bastard is notoriously reckless. On top of that, Irene has unknowingly sided with me.

It bothers me, bothers my conscience.

But still... to break it in the easiest way...

Knock knock.

I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

I don't even need to look to know who it is.

It would be Mierkant. He was surely here to offer comforting words about the morning's situation, telling me to understand and such.

This has been going on for more than a day or two—it’s been like this for almost three days.

"Priest, I'm alright..."

"Junior."

I glanced back. It was Irene, someone who had never visited me before.

She was leaning slightly, whispering, a sight I had never seen until now.

"If you're not busy, would you like to take a walk for a moment?"

"......"

A late-night stroll, is it?

What could have caused this change of heart?

Irene walked silently. Seeking him before making a decision was unlike her.

She simply wanted to see him. The child who steadily transformed the church from small beginnings.

A child with exceptional talent, beyond what one would expect at such a young age.

The moonlight was bright. The footsteps she looked back upon shone distinctly beneath it.

They’d walked quite a distance.

Truly far.

"Junior."

"Yes?"

Under the moonlight, his appearance was more composed than she expected. Quiet and calm, he didn’t say a word until she initiated the conversation, which was different from his usual demeanor.

A child who knows how to read the room. She believed all men were like wild beasts in heat, but he was different. He wouldn't approach unless it was about studying, and though he seemed flattering, he kept within boundaries.

An Apprentice Priest.

Perhaps he was the best at operating within those limits.

"...Jahad."

She casually spoke his name. Irene stopped walking. The breeze that swept through tickled her bangs.

"How is life at the church?"

"Well, you know? Now that I'm well-fed and warm, I feel like I'm learning better."

"That's a relief. It seems you've adapted well."

"I'm the type to adapt wherever I go."

Jahad scratched his head, and Irene watched him.

"Do you still want to go to the Cult Headquarters?"

"Of course. I've learned everything I can here, haven't I? Honestly, I'm more interested in the holy spells than the doctrine. I want to learn more about it."

"I know. Your talent is exceptional, Junior."

"It's been a while since you complimented me. I don't think I've heard you praise me much before, Senior."

"One day won't hurt."

Irene looked up at the moon demurely. It was bright.

Brighter than the sun, perhaps. No, maybe that's an overstatement.

For some reason, she found herself smiling. Having made up her mind, it seemed there was no escape now.

‘Yes.

Let's not run away.

She sought out Jahad to make that decision.’

"...I am from a fallen noble family."

A past she'd told no one but Mierkant.

Irene looked at Jahad. She neither trusted him nor considered him precious. She was just sharing because she wanted someone to hear her lament.

The reason she acted this way.

She simply didn’t want him to have any foolish misunderstandings.

"I lost my parents when I was twelve. I was taken in by a relative, but the environment wasn't very bright. My only relative was a man, and he took quite a liking to me, in a bad way, of course."

Perhaps it was from that moment.

That all men seemed detestable to her.

"I ran away. With nowhere to go, I occasionally took refuge with innkeepers. There were kind owners, but they were few. Most wanted my body, and each time, I fled."

She wanted a sword.

She wanted strength.

The strength to face this ugliness. But before she learned the life of a mercenary, she met a man.

Through him, she learned.

How to live without wielding a sword.

"I met Priest Mierkant. He placed books in my hands at a time when I wanted to take up a sword. He is my benefactor. He helped me dream and perhaps saved me from a fate of becoming nothing more than a courtesan."

"...And so?"

"What Priest Mierkant wants is the revival of the Order. It's an atonement, and he wishes to bear the sins of the branch he belongs to alone. Junior, what kind of person do you think he is?"

"Well, he's a good person."

Jahad shrugged his shoulders.

"He's so kind that it's easy to deceive him."

"That's right, Junior. And such a person sees you as the future of the Order. To be honest, I don't think of you that highly."

A small laugh escaped.

"To me, you're just a shrewd and greedy person. You're quite good at grilling meat, smart, but equally have a wicked side."

"No, if you're going to criticize, just criticize, or if you're going to compliment, just compliment."

"I can't do that. I describe you as I see you."

Irene sighed.

"I don't consider you the future of the Order. However, if Priest Mierkant believes in you, I suppose it's right for me to believe in you too."

"Is that faithfulness, or just repaying a debt?"

"I believe I'm breathing here because Ra has looked over me. Yet personal desires always take precedence. I am... someone who feels more gratitude towards the Priest than belief in Ra."

Yes.

That was the conclusion she reached.

"I hope you go to the Cult Headquarters to learn more. I hope that just as Priest Mierkant believes, you will become the savior of the Order."

"You were just criticizing my character earlier. And yet you'll still make that choice?"

"Of course. You can be ruthless, cunning, and have a tendency to manipulate people at times..."

Irene slightly smiled.

"But if you are someone the Priest believes in, then I can believe in you too."

"......"

Jahad said nothing. He shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again.

A continuing silence. Jahad slyly reopened his mouth to inquire.

"Senior, why are you suddenly telling me this? Does this mean it's confirmed that I'm going to the Headquarters?"

"Yes. It has been confirmed."

"...What do I need to do in return? What's the price?"

"You don't need to do anything. With time, you'll be heading to the Headquarters."

"But Apprentice Priest Beverick hasn't said anything about this."

"You don't need to worry about him. I'll handle it."

"How can you manage it, Senior? I heard it's impossible to send an Apprentice Priest without Beverick's approval."

"......"

There is one way.

Offer oneself.

In a way, it could be considered akin to a prostitute's method. But if it can repay a favor...

If it can open up a future for a child, wouldn't that also be considered the path of a priest?

"...I will persuade him."

"How?"

"He is an Apprentice Priest too. If I appeal to his sincerity, the door will open."

"Resolve it through conversation? Is that even possible?"

"It is possible."

Irene looked at him calmly.

"Have you ever seen me tell a lie, Junior?"

"...No, but it feels like this is the first time."

"It's not a lie."

"Why are you going so far? Don't you think the cost is too high to be considered just repaying a favor?"

Upon reflection, it seemed so. However, Irene suddenly realized why she was opening up to Jahad in front of her.

She had observed him for quite some time. They conversed, studied together, and at times, felt jealousy and envy.

In the end, she was grateful to him.

To the person who completely transformed the place that used to be like a cesspool.

"Well..."

Irene smiled without realizing it. Thinking back, there had already been a lie.

It wasn't because Mierkant trusted him that she believed.

She simply believed in what she had seen, the change he brought to the Church.

Knowing his greatness, she wanted to support him without hesitation.

"It seems you've become fond of me."

"......."

Jahad looked at her. Then suddenly asked.

"These days, you don't mention demerits anymore?"

"There's no reason or score for demerits now."

"Am I now at a level lower than insects?"

"Even if I mention demerits, I don't speak of merits separately."

"What score am I at?"

"Well..."

Irene turned around.

"Jahad. Strive forward. Always strive forward, wherever you are. That's the one thing I hope for."

Hearing such a bitter story wasn't too pleasing.

"Damn it..."

As for me, I'm not too fond of one-sided kindness. I'd rather deal with transactions. When there's give and take, I can comfortably get what I want.

However, just receiving without giving anything in return is honestly unsettling. If you think about it, isn't that true?

I've only lived a life of conquering or being conquered. To be frank, my previous life was tumultuous. It wasn't easy at all, and there were many frustrating moments.

There was no one who offered kindness for free. That's why I didn't trust people. Since I didn't trust others, they trusted me even less.

So I thought this life would be similar...

"Both are easy targets for backstabbing."

Changing just one church, and talking about trusting or not trusting someone, it's absurd.

[Is there a problem?]

"No, there isn't."

[If that's your judgment.]

Having come this far, I decided to just accept it with my eyes closed.

Yeah, well. That's probably the best option.

Come to think of it, I wasn't at a loss. I could just pretend I hadn't heard anything and proceed to the Cult Headquarters.

Actually, it felt better this way. The part I was worried about resolved itself nicely.

The most important thing is clearing this world. Once the Corrupted are taken care of, it will ultimately benefit Irene too.

That was all I needed to do!

I whistled as I continued my evening stroll, leaving Irene who had gone back earlier. Walking helped me organize my thoughts, and my once cluttered mind became clear.

Yeah, what about it!

This doesn't concern me anyway, so why bother!

Let's just ignore it! It's resolved well enough, isn't it!

I headed back to the Church. But unfortunately, I came across a man and woman in the garden.

"As expected, I knew you'd decide like that."

The man was panting, and the woman had a blank expression.

"Keep your promise."

"Of course, since it's the woman who will be my wife saying it. Don't worry. I'll send that filthy pest straight to the Cult Headquarters."

Oh dear.

It seems they're in the middle of something significant.

I should step aside since I'm the one heading to the Headquarters! Everything is unfolding smoothly on its own!

It's all thanks to the good fortune I've accumulated!

I turned my back on the garden. From behind, I heard the man's whisper.

"It's quite special to have the first big event in the garden, isn't it?"

"...If you're going to do it, why not in a room..."

"Can't do that. Did you forget you agreed to obey me?"

“...Sigh.”

"Let's do it here. Here. Because that's what I like."

What a depraved bastard. Just go inside and do it.

What's with the bizarre outdoor play?

Move aside quickly or do something.

"Now, take off your top.

Don't forget to call me 'Master.'"

This is my chance to go to the headquarters...

"Obey me, Irene."

All I have to do is ignore this.

"You are mine."

......

...

...Ah, damn.

I let out a dry laugh. Then I turned back and went to the garden.

Beverick was startled when he sensed someone approaching. Irene, who had been half-undressed, hastily tidied her clothes upon seeing me.

I stood before them. Beverick angrily erupted.

"What, what is it?! Are you not going to get lost?!"

"Senior. I realized I forgot to give you something. I had meant to give it to you all this time, but it just slipped my mind."

"...What is it?"

"Well, it's this."

I extended my hand and slapped him across the face.

There was a choking sound, and Irene inhaled sharply.

Yeah. Damn it.

I can't just keep taking this anymore. This is infuriating!

I've been pushed down too much by this bastard to just close my eyes and head to the Cult Headquarters!

"How does that slap taste?"

"You bastard!"

"You son of a..."

This isn't because of Irene.

Absolutely not.

"Are you talking back?!"

I don't have any affection for her! I just can't stand this bastard!

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