Chapter 95
His wariness significantly lessened when I told him I was monitoring Ruen under Archbishop Mikhail's orders.
The atmosphere suggested he was aware of Ruen's predicament and, moreover, what Archbishop Mikhail was planning.
That means this guy is likely an enemy too.
I didn't know who he was, but seeing him exude such powerful energy, I couldn't help but wonder if he was even higher-ranking than Archbishop Mikhail. Then, he suddenly vanished, disappearing from sight.
*...Could he be a Paladin?*
Just as I was wondering if he might be a Paladin, one of the few Masters, Shiren tugged at my sleeve and spoke.
Let's go back for now.
Thinking it best, I nodded and turned around.
*
Once inside Ruen's Office, I recounted the earlier events to her. The moment Ruen heard my words, she looked me over anxiously, her face full of concern, and asked,
A-are you hurt anywhere?
I nodded lightly at her words and showed her I was fine.
Ruen let out a sigh of relief and told me,
That's a real relief... Ah! The person you asked about earlier was probably a Paladin. Probably!
Her statement ended with a question mark since she hadn't seen him herself. She said there was a high probability that the person I saw was a Paladin. Hearing that, I recalled the overwhelming sensation I'd felt after seeing the Paladin earlier and let out a hollow laugh.
He's incredibly strong.
It wasn't just strong; it felt like a being on an entirely different level.
Well, I get this feeling even when I see Lorraine, who's a Highest-grade Expert. It's only natural to feel this way about a Master Paladin.
Just as I was wondering how strong I'd need to become to defeat someone like that, Ruen hesitated for a moment, then asked me a question.
By the way... I have a question. When you gave that answer, did the Paladin say anything?
"No."
"...I see."
Ruen seemed to realize that the Paladin was an enemy, and she nodded with a troubled expression.
I looked at Ruen and spoke calmly.
There's no need to worry. No matter how powerful a Paladin is, if we set our minds to it, we can certainly escape.
I deliberately mixed in a lie to reassure her. While we could escape, there was a high probability of sustaining significant damage... We'd likely be in a state where it would be hard to call it a proper escape, so it was best to avoid such a situation if possible.
For now, all we can do is wait and see.
So, thinking it best to avoid confrontation if possible, I nodded.
It's about time I moved up to High-grade Expert.
Both Daisy and I were present. I instinctively felt it was time to advance another step, so I decided to train rigorously during my spare time.
*Though, truthfully, Power Absorption is the right method rather than Training...*
Since there's no easy way to acquire it, I have no choice but to train. First, I decided to consume what I could only describe as Elysia's residue? Secretion? I wasn't sure how to explain it. I nodded, deciding to consume the orb created by the Fake Elysia.
*
Originally, I had intended to consume that orb myself. But Daisy was drooling and staring at it, so I reluctantly decided to give it to her.
I did promise Daisy I'd give her any orbs I found.
Because of that, I should have given Daisy the essence from Chetika Port City, as per my promise. However, the essence from there felt so potent that I ended up consuming it myself.
Considering that, I decided to yield this one to Daisy.
After all, this isn't Elysia.
If it had been Elysia, it would have been right for me to consume it. But if not, well, there was no real need.
I watched Daisy, who was beaming with joy, hugging the Black Orb.
Myaang-aang. Good.
Daisy seemed quite happy that I'd given her the orb, chirping and singing before she began to *nom nom nom* the essence.
I had hoped that consuming this essence might allow her to ascend to a High-grade Spirit. Unfortunately, it seemed this wasn't enough; even after consuming it all, she didn't become a High-grade Spirit.
Well, it had less power than the ones she ate before.
It would be stranger if she *did* become a High-grade Spirit just from eating that. As I was lamenting with such thoughts, Daisy, whose belly had once again grown *chubby*, proudly patted her stomach and hummed a tune.
Mnyan Mmyamyang~
I had no idea what kind of song that was. But as I thought it sounded pleasant sung in such a cheerful voice, Shiren, who had been staring intently, spoke to Daisy with an excited expression.
"You've become *Super Giant King Ddungddwaejji* again."
"Mgyak?!"
"*Chubby*."
"Myak!"
At that, the two glared at each other again, then started their usual palm-slapping fight.
I shook my head at the sight and let out a small laugh.
*
The next day, the Disciplinary Committee arrived sooner than expected. In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, I pulled up my hood and followed Ruen closely, subtly observing my surroundings.
By the way, it's clear Ruen is being ostracized.
The fact that no one welcomed her back despite her long absence, the fact that everyone tried to keep their distance whenever Ruen moved forward, and furthermore, the fact that Ruen acted as if all of this was perfectly normal only amplified that feeling.
High-ranking Clergy might know, but there's no way Low-ranking Clergy would know she's a Fake Saintess.
Just as I was thinking that this entire atmosphere must have originated from the higher echelons of the Order, the Holy Knight who came to escort us opened the door and spoke in a subdued voice.
Saintess Ruen, please enter here. Those behind her proceed to the Waiting Room.
It seemed we had to separate for a while, unfortunately. I gave a light gesture indicating “see you later,” then headed to the Waiting Room at the back, as the Holy Knight instructed.
It's well-organized.
As I looked around the Waiting Room, which, unlike Ruen's Office, was spotless, and subtly observed the Courtroom, a familiar face caught my eye in the distance.
*Archbishop Mikhail.*
It seemed Shiren's prediction was accurate; he was sitting calmly on the dais. The moment I saw that sight, I was overcome with the urge to drop a bomb. But I decided to hold back for now and observe, crossing my arms, when a voice spoke from beside me.
Excuse me, are you perhaps the Saintess's Assigned Attendant?
Curious, I turned my head to see a man with heavy dark circles under his eyes speaking to me. When I nodded in affirmation to his question, he sighed, approached me, and spoke in a low voice.
That could really get you into trouble, so it's best to make an excuse and ask to be assigned elsewhere. Why? Is there a problem? Ah, you really don't know, do you? Well, that Saintess is completely at odds with Archbishop Mikhail, so if you're associated with her, you won't get any promotions at all...
Was this information offered out of goodwill? Or was it intended to isolate Ruen? No need to think; it's obviously the latter.
Approaching a stranger, not even an acquaintance, to say something like this can only have one intention.
As much as I wanted to grab his head and shove a bomb in his mouth, I decided to hold back for Ruen's sake and continued the conversation.
"So, that means I should distance myself as quickly as possible, right?"
"Exactly. My colleague was there last time and was denied a promotion..."
A torrent of words poured out. I mostly tuned him out, then asked in a calm voice.
By the way, I have a question. Is Archbishop Mikhail's influence really that great?" "Of course. Rumor has it that a Cardinal and even the Pope himself are behind Archbishop Mikhail." "I see."
It seemed there was no more information to gain. Once that judgment was made, I excused myself, saying I needed to think for a moment, and moved to the side. As I moved, a very solemn voice echoed from the front.
The trial of Saintess Ruen will now commence.
It was a monotonous line, but perhaps due to the atmosphere, it carried an immense sense of pressure. As I watched this scene, finding it somewhat interesting, I noticed the man I had seen yesterday sitting in the distance.
*A Paladin.*
Even from a quick glance in the distance, I could feel an overwhelming, intense aura. The more I saw this, the more I wanted to grow stronger, and just then, a rather shocking announcement came from the front.
...Therefore, by the authority vested in me, I hereby order the stripping of Saintess Ruen's title as Saintess and her subjection to a Heresy Trial.
At the mention of a Heresy Trial, the entire surroundings began to stir. Stripping her of her Saintess title was already an absurd verdict, but a Heresy Trial... in other words, a verdict to torture her to death, was something no one seemed to have expected. As everyone began to murmur loudly about the verdict, the Judge slammed his hand down, imbued with divine power, and declared,
Silence.
At his words, the Courtroom instantly fell silent. Watching this, I decided that infiltration or not, I had to get Ruen out immediately, and I reached out my hand, resolving to summon a Worm Bomb.