Fortunately, after the appearance of the attention-seeking viewer, nothing particularly shocking happened.
In fact, the atmosphere flowed better than ever, and the chatroom’s temperature was calm and gentle.
When I was broadcasting alone, everyone teased me so much, but now they were behaving as meekly as sheep, hardly joking at all.
“Everyone, why is the chat so well-behaved today?”
Curious, I asked while maintaining the dignity of the Archbishop. The responses came rolling in immediately.
– Grandpa is glaring at us…
– I’m just staring in awe because you look prettier than usual.
– For real, the kids are behaving today.
– You seem like a different person than usual.
– It feels like the atmosphere is just more comfortable?
While opinions didn’t completely align, there was an overall acknowledgment that everyone was indeed more docile than usual.
I continued to scan the chat and said as calmly as possible.
“Archbishop, it seems my beauty has influenced the hearts of those watching.”
A wave of question marks flooded in, but I maintained my straight posture, ignoring them—just like when I chat with the Archbishop during work.
Kelaout nodded in agreement.
“Well, you do have a beautiful complexion. Ever since I faced the Pope, I’ve felt a bit proud and delighted.”
“Oh my, is that so? I wasn’t aware.”
“That’s simply a fact I never felt the need to speak aloud.”
“Indeed, the truth shines without being stated outright.”
We weren’t exchanging jokes; we were merely articulating objective facts while keeping the courtesy and dignity of our ranks intact, just as we always had.
During such moments, Kelaout tended to play along. Of course, he was equally genuine.
[CrankCrank donated 1,000 won!]
– They’re like two of the same kind…
[WateredBulgogi donated 1,000 won!]
– Is it a requirement to say weird things with a serious face to become part of the Order’s upper echelons? No clue.
[ksy11 donated 10,000 won!]
– I was wondering why you were being so calm today.
We were simply having a peaceful conversation, yet donations were pouring in suddenly. I liked this phenomenon, so I continued the conversation calmly.
“To be honest, sometimes it’s burdensome. Having something too exceptional compared to others can be difficult and tiring at times.”
“That’s the fate of those with unique talents or strengths.”
“Is there really no choice but to endure?”
“Exactly.”
“Ah, I despise fate.”
How long did we chat like this?
[Nung Corporal donated an innocent 100,000 won!!!]
– Please just stop…
Ultimately, a large donation came crashing down.
But is it something they want to stop so badly that they’d spend money? That’s some serious overacting.
Anyway, since big money came in, I couldn’t just sit idle.
I immediately wrapped up our conversation and smiled brightly.
“Nung Corporal, thank you sincerely. Ever since you joined as a member of our Order during my first broadcast…”
“Did you just say member?”
In the midst of conveying my gratitude, a deep voice interrupted. Kelaout squinted and asked.
“Did the person who just donated become a member?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
‘Nung Corporal’ was one of the early longtime members who donated during the first broadcast. I remembered him well as he had been consistently donating and watching since then.
“Archbishop, he’s someone who highly values my broadcasts.”
“What a grateful person. However…”
He trailed off, his expression slightly uneasy. Just looking at him gave me a good idea of what he wanted to say.
“Are you implying that even though he’s a layperson, you’re treating him too politely? That’s what you want to say?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Surprisingly, my guess was wrong. Then what was it about?
The reason soon became clear.
“Nung Corporal… The name is quite puzzling. But still, as a layperson, one must follow the established procedures when addressing the Pope. You can’t just speak directly without any formalities. Do you understand? Please be careful next time.”
He even started lecturing the donor…
I simply remained silent, with my hands on my knees, cautious of getting dragged into this by intervening.
What a nagging old man. Given that he didn’t impart any teachings, I was somewhat impressed it ended that quickly.
[Nung Corporal donated an innocent 1,000 won!]
– I’m sorry…
Only after the Archbishop extracted an apology from Nung Corporal did he clap his hands with a satisfied look.
“A person who can reflect is truly worthy of great achievements in the future. Excellent.”
“I share the same sentiment.”
I hastily agreed, then cautiously shifted the topic. At this point, I wanted to ask something.
“Archbishop, do you still think that internet broadcasting is undesirable?”
The way I see streamers is that they tell stories in front of viewers, entertain them, and sometimes act foolishly for a laugh.
And they comfortably interact with ordinary people, joke around, and express gratitude for the money they receive.
It’s a job meant to be enjoyed without formality with the general public, entirely unsuitable for the most refined and dignified Pope of the Order.
Thus, I initially thought he’d scold me sternly, then outright ban me because Kelaout is someone who values regulations above anyone else, and this world is riddled with elements that may make him uncomfortable.
However, he didn’t do that and said he would decide after firsthand experience.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected since he wasn’t the type to be stubbornly traditional to the point of being inflexible…
But frankly, I felt curious. Isn’t this vastly different from his usual way of thinking?
What could possibly have injected unexpected flexibility into our fastidious Archbishop’s heart?
I maintained my composed demeanor and waited for his response.
Meanwhile, Kelaout stroked his beard, lost in thought, before suddenly speaking up.
“To be honest, my view hasn’t changed. This internet broadcasting simply doesn’t suit you, Your Holiness. To put it metaphorically, it’s like a fire spirit in the midst of a vast ocean.”
“…”
An absolute contradiction.
That means it’s a job that starkly opposes the virtue I must always uphold. He was right—I knew that much.
I had to know that.
Yet, even so, the reason I’ve kept broadcasting all this time isn’t just for survival; it’s for a bigger purpose.
“Archbishop, my aspiration hasn’t changed. I wish for a world where everyone can feel joy in everyday life. My will to fulfill the Goddess’s wishes remains the same.”
The Goddess desires to create a world where everyone can live comfortably without worries.
And I, too, feel the same.
I understand that there are people who have fallen into despair and misfortune, struggling until they finally hit rock bottom.
What those people needed wasn’t something grand.
“I want to give hope to people.”
What those in hardships need most is the hope to live toward the future.
That’s why I want to be a shining memory and a light in some form for others. That’s the most crucial reason I want to keep streaming.
However, that wasn’t the whole story.
“And… to be candid, it’s the easiest way for me to make money. According to Church rules, healing can’t be used for profit, can it?”
“…”
Kelaout, who had been quietly listening, suddenly frowned and began to stare at me intently.
Was I too honest?
But what can I do about the truth?
“Please don’t look at me that way. It was the only choice I had.”
Now that I had opened my heart, I decided to say everything. With that thought, I relaxed my expression and posture a bit.
“Liam isn’t going to find a job, so I had to earn the living expenses. Don’t you think? Given that I have to manage a household on my own, with child-rearing and all, my choices were limited. Streaming at home without a commute was the best option.”
After laying my heart bare, I added one final thought.
“I stand proud of my choices.”
As I finished speaking, I shifted my gaze away from the Archbishop to the secondary monitor.
The chatroom was buzzing, seeming to enjoy the unfolding drama like it was someone else’s life.
– You were doing fine until suddenly?
– So in the end, it’s about the money, huh? lol
– The Goddess can’t pay a salary, after all.
– Well, with three kids, one has to earn some money.
– Grandpa is absolutely furious.
Even while reading the chat, Kelaout remained silent. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I could feel a chilling vibe coming from him.
…Could he be mad? It was a situation that could easily provoke anger, so I continued to keep my posture straight, avoiding his gaze.
During this uncomfortable silence, Kelaout suddenly broke in.
“You’re still the same.”
He broke the silence with a soft chuckle, not an angry scold or sharp reprimand, but a gentle smile, implying that he wasn’t angry but rather pleased.
I was taken aback by the unexpected situation and cautiously turned my head.
Only then did I meet soft, warm eyes, as if he were looking at his daughter.
“Are you not angry?”
I asked out of need, even though I could have let it slide, yet Kelaout just stroked his beard, chuckling softly.
Eventually, the Archbishop quietly spoke.
“How could I be angry? You’ve finally started living your life after sacrificing your personal life for the Church all along.”
“…”
“To be brutally honest, I had no intention of stopping you from the beginning. From now on, please live as you wish. I believe the Goddess would hope for the same.”
With his gentle smile, Kelaout officially granted me permission to continue my streaming life.
It was an unanticipated gift that felt like a present. A surge of emotions rose in my chest, making me feel a bit choked up.
To live as I desired.
Such a simple phrase filled me with excitement and gratitude. Memories of my time working as the Pope flooded my mind, creating a swirl of emotions.
While I gathered my feelings in silence, Kelaout added a condition.
“However, please maintain your dignity. Don’t be too frivolous.”
“…Of course, that’s only natural.”
I had never acted carelessly while streaming; well, maybe once or twice?
In any case, I had no intention of streaming so flamboyantly that I lost my dignity as the Pope. I wouldn’t want that either.
“I will maintain the ideal conduct and mindset of a Pope, as long as you don’t get upset.”
“I’ll trust you on this one.”
“You should’ve said, ‘Of course, I believe you will.’”
“Well, I’m not so sure you’re that reliable…”
Just as the lighthearted conversation between the Pope and the Archbishop continued…
[Renarnar donated a sun-warmed 50,000 won!!]
– Why is the mood so good? It’s infuriating.
The viewer who had created a scene before sent another odd donation. But this time, mixed with swearing, it was hard for me to hold back.
“Renarnar, I’m sorry, but in my room…”
As I was about to ban the attention-seeking viewer while moving the mouse, I suddenly realized the familiar feeling I had gotten from the name “Renarnar.”
‘…Isn’t that Lerorna’s name flipped?’
Lerorna.
That’s the nickname used by Kim Yi-jeong, our external affairs officer. I remembered it well from thoroughly reviewing the application during the last interview.
But why is Kim Yi-jeong sending such a donation? He had a mischievous side, but he’d never gone this far.
Could it be that he intentionally donated as a different character to stir up some drama?
Before I could finish that thought, another donation arrived.
[Renarnar donated a sun-warmed 50,000 won!!]
– Look forward to tonight. lol
It was an ominous message.
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