Chapter 499
Just before heading off to the Holy Kingdom.
“Wow, the Executive Manager is leaving his loved ones behind and running off solo!”
“Please, call it a business trip rather than running away…”
To calm down Erich and Pine, who felt abandoned, I made my way to the Information Department’s office.
With my departure imminent, bouncing around everywhere felt somewhat burdensome, but this was a necessary procedure. If I had to leave right this second, I would’ve had to find a way to delay my departure.
‘Of all times for this to happen.’
It’s frustrating. Mar, who lives in the mansion, Trixy, who commutes with me, and Rizie, whom I see during club time—all of them are fine. But unlike them, Erich and Pine are swamped with work, and we hardly get to meet.
That’s why I was waiting for vacation—a 24-hour stay at the mansion for my honeymoon—but instead of enjoying that, I’m apparently leaving the Empire. They must feel utterly ridiculous and aggrieved for having waited so long for this.
“And I’m not going alone; I’m going with Trixy.”
“That’s even worse! You’re ditching us for Trixy!”
Erich puffed up her cheeks, hands on her hips. Clearly, she was acting exaggeratedly, but I couldn’t brush it off since I had some guilt.
Whether it’s a joke or an exaggeration doesn’t matter. The truth is, I’m really leaving Erich and Pine behind.
“Erich, it’s not like I’m going on a vacation.”
What makes it even more heart-wrenching is Pine defending me despite everything. If she expressed her grievances like Erich, I could take it, but the lack of anger from her leaves me in a bind.
Isn’t it said that friends tend to resemble each other? If Pine only had a fraction of Erich’s expressiveness, I wouldn’t have any regrets. Then she’d speak her mind more openly and stand up for herself when wronged.
Of course, if that fraction exceeded a certain amount, it might become problematic.
“No matter what, it’s true that the time I can spend with you has vanished. That’s worth getting mad over.”
I gently embraced Erich while dismissing Pine’s words, patting her back.
I didn’t want to see a quarrel arise between the two just because of me. I’m the guilty one, yet they’re the ones suffering. Dividing and ruling isn’t my strategy for escaping this mishap.
In truth, this is all thanks to the commotion surrounding the council in the Holy Kingdom, but if I trace it back, I find my involvement so blaming only the Holy Kingdom is a bit dubious.
“I’m sorry. But from next year, I’ll be able to spend time with you, so please forgive me.”
“Then from next year, you’ll be working late with me every day!”
At her words, my hand patting Erich’s back stopped.
Working late every day? Isn’t that a bit harsh? It’s like telling a university senior on the brink of graduation, “Hey, how about studying more?”
“When the department is established, the Executive Manager will be busy too! Surely, you can manage to work late with me!”
Hearing the title switch from Executive Manager to Minister filled me with a dismal calmness.
I acknowledge I’m guilty, but that stung. After calling me Executive Manager all this time, now they suddenly switch to Minister? Seeing a glimpse of my future made me want to shed tears.
Especially when even the Information Department officials, who used to call me Executive Manager, now refer to me as Minister—I feel like I’ve crossed a river I can’t return from. Though, technically, I crossed that river long ago.
“Aren’t you better off going home early and relaxing instead of working late?”
I steadied my trembling hands and spoke.
“Really? Then let’s go with that.”
Erich nonchalantly nodded in response.
I was a bit taken aback. Just when I was shaking in fear at the prospect of a terrible future, she suddenly switched gears so coolly!
“I’m only letting it slide because you look genuinely sorry!”
Her words seemed to resonate with me, as Erich slipped away from my embrace, giggling.
“Normally, I’d have tackled you the moment you said this nonsense, but I tried to reason with you instead.”
What a ridiculous accusation! I’ve never hit anyone. Even though I wanted to throw a playful nip, I bit my tongue and held back.
“Thank you…”
At least I was forgiven, so I let it go. From next year onward, I wouldn’t have to feel apologetic.
“Uh, Master.”
As soon as I received Erich’s forgiveness, Pine, who had quietly been observing, grabbed my sleeve and broke the silence.
I felt like bursting into tears. Not only did she understand my circumstances and defend me, but she also waited patiently, even soothing Erich’s anger. What a dear; if I had a soft spot, it would undoubtedly be Pine.
“I can work late with Pine.”
I said it half-jokingly and hugged Pine enthusiastically. Since she’s sturdier than Erich, it should be fine.
“……”
“Pine?”
But wait, something’s off. Pine, who usually reacts dramatically to even the slightest skinship, isn’t responding at all.
After all her efforts, she definitely built up a resistance, but she shouldn’t be tone-deaf to a hug. Could she possibly be angry…?
“Ugh!”
With a cute battle cry, something touched my lips.
After a moment, something thin and delicate fell away with a faint line.
“M-Master… you said we’re right to be angry…”
Her face, turning as red as Mar’s, trembled as she moved her eyes around.
“This much… seemed okay…”
“Wow…”
Erich’s soft gasps voiced the astonishment I felt inside.
‘Oh my gosh.’
Who would’ve thought it would be Pine, of all people, taking such an aggressive stance? All my past efforts weren’t in vain after all.
“Of course it’s okay.”
Thus, I replied with a beaming smile.
Way to go, my Pine! Keep showing me this side of you!
“I-I want in too!”
In the midst of all this, Erich tackled from behind all in with her full body.
I nearly threw my back out right before the business trip.
*
We arrived at the Holy Kingdom via comfortable and safe teleportation.
Although the central area of the Holy Kingdom has a magic seal blocking teleportation, reaching the port nearby was hassle-free, and it was just a walk to the heart of the Kingdom.
“Welcome to the Holy Kingdom.”
It seemed I would be bothered by the welcoming party that had come for me.
“I never expected the next Saint would come to greet us.”
“The Blessed is arriving with that lady, so how could I greet you lightly?”
Seeing Tannian smile broadly made me smirk. I expected a high-ranking official to come out due to the Pope’s formal invite to me for the council as a reference, but sending the next Saint felt like overkill.
Tannian, my student and the member of the club with no sense whatsoever, still conveys an incredible presence even beyond the Holy Kingdom—across the continent. Isn’t there a customary mutual respect rather than a strict hierarchy between the Pope and the Saint? Even with the ‘next’ label hanging on, it’s a foregone conclusion that Tannian will become the Saint.
‘Just as a reference, huh.’
Instinctively feeling anxious. I had heard the Pope dubbed him a reference because he witnessed the revival of the World Tree, but judging by this reception, they seem to want more than just my simple testimony.
Of course, it could also be pure goodwill. I could spin my line of thought to suggest, ‘To consider me, a stranger in a foreign land, the Pope kindly sent Tannian as a familiar face.’
But the Pope is the one who pulled off such a colossal event as the council. He wouldn’t simply assign the Saint to me for mere courtesy.
‘That doesn’t make sense.’
If he were that innocent, he wouldn’t be the Pope. Surely there’s something more to this.
“Now, let’s get on the carriage. His Holiness also wishes to see your brother and sister.”
“What an honor. Which noble gets the chance to meet the Pope on an invitation?”
Following Tannian’s lead, I climbed into the carriage.
I might not know the Pope’s intentions, so it’s better to remain calm and not draw attention.
*
Letting out a sigh, I put down the communicator.
– I have confirmed that Brothers Advisor and Duke Marcilio have arrived.
I received confirmation of their arrival from Tannian, who had gone out to greet my two references.
‘It’s about to begin.’
Though the official council hasn’t commenced yet, the moment the Blessed Count Tailglehen entered the Kingdom, it’s as good as started. Cardinals entering the Holy Kingdom would also be quick to put their brains to work, having heard the news.
The Count of Tailglehen isn’t just any reference; he’s a Blessed of the Dawn Sect. Even Cardinals must show respect to a living Blessed—no one can deny that he is favored by the Lord.
And he, witnessing the resurrection of the World Tree, is also the leader of nobles from the Northern nomads. He’s deeply connected not just to our God but to other deities as well.
‘His mere existence is a variable.’
Yeah, his very existence is a variable. When discussing faith, he cannot be excluded, and nobody can arrive at a clear conclusion regarding him.
Such a person lives in this era. And Tannian is his club advisor—how wonderfully peculiar, isn’t it?
‘…It’s the Lord’s arrangement.’
Sighing again, I picked up the next document. Since I could not persuade His Holiness as the Chief Cardinal, I must now fulfill His will as a secretary.
Thus, I enlisted my student Tannian. Naturally, this was only possible with the Pope’s consent. Yet, should this council fail, the repercussions would also fall on Tannian.
“If that’s what’s right, why should I worry about personal safety?”
‘What an arrogant little brat.’
As Tannian’s words came to mind, I couldn’t help but chuckle. That young and reckless kid has grown just enough to try to comfort his teacher. It’s outrageously presumptuous.
Which grown-up in this world would take comfort from a child? Which teacher would watch their disciple sacrifice themselves without doing anything?
‘It shouldn’t be possible.’
If the council fails, Tannian, who acted on my request, would undoubtedly suffer too. That’s the natural order of things.
However, what kind of council would be held strictly by the natural order? It was called to dismantle what was accepted as natural and to seek something truly right.
If so, it is indeed my duty to bear any burdens that might fall on Tannian. It is right for a teacher to be a shield for their disciple.
If it’s natural for the next Saint to bear political repercussions, I’ll also defy nature to ensure that happens.
‘…While the best-case scenario is that the council succeeds.’
Regrettably, I find it much easier to prepare for the worst than to assume the best.
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