Chapter 611: Holy Sword Coin (2)

[Benignore’s test, temporarily suspended. Where is the owner of the Holy Sword? -Reporter Kim Seong-gyeong, the State Daily.]

[The voice of concern is deepening. Is the interpretation of the prophecy wrong? -Reporter Park Danji, the Danji Daily.]

[Spokesman Archbishop Jaina: the test will continue, the status of the Holy Sword is currently being investigated… Every support and effort will be made to ensure that the test continues as quickly as possible… omitted -The Holy See Daily]

[Northern child soldier Gareth has no big problem with his body, but it is determined that there is something wrong mentally. What are the common symptoms that the aspiring warriors who have gone through the tests have? Why are they complaining of these symptoms? -Reporter Park Danji, the Danji Daily.]

[Pope Basel: it is clear that the problem is that the unclean ones touched the Holy Sword, and today we will summon Gareth, the child soldier, and entrust his interrogation to the heresy inquisitors. -Reporter Kim Seong-gyeong, the State Daily]

[The child soldier, Gareth, excommunicated after the cruel actions he committed during the war were revealed. What are the two faces of Gareth, who was loved by fans for his innocent appearance? -Mercenary Guild]

[Why did the Holy Sword deny Gareth, the child soldier, when there’s a need for a strict judging process of wannabe warriors. -Reporter Kim Seong-gyeong, the State Daily]

As I looked at the newspapers on my desk, my mouth tasted bitter.

‘Fuck…’

“…”

‘Isn’t that supposed to soar…?’

“Sigh…”

That was because even if something happened, I couldn’t even imagine it would explode like that.

The event was enough to stop all the work I was carrying out in the 5th District.

Of course, Han Sora remained behind and made common creatures, but it was undeniable that the work that was running like a runaway locomotive was put to a halt.

It was enough to seriously consider whether it would be a better option to cut off the Holy Sword Coin.

‘I wish I would be able to do that easily.’

Of course, I could only imagine doing that. Not using the Holy Sword at all wasn’t an option.

The biggest problem was that the exam itself had paused.

I was in a situation wherein the test itself couldn’t progress due to the repulsive force that it was emanating.

Even the media and the public were confused by the sudden signs of the Holy Sword’s abnormality, making me feel flustered. From my perspective, I felt like I was being drained from every front.

‘Why the hell is that doing whatever the hell it’s doing? What the hell is its problem? All we’re doing is trying to find its owner… gosh…’

Most of the warrior candidates it pushed away were innocent guys, but it didn’t exclude those a little twisted.

My expectation that it wouldn’t be picky was wrong.

I prepared a buffet for each type of food to find out what the Holy Sword wanted, but it seemed to be more comfortable not being touched by anybody and exerting their power into it.

I couldn’t stop myself from spitting out swear words due to the sudden plunge.

“Fuck, really…”

“Why? Don’t you like it? It would be better to control the media, after all, wouldn’t it?”

It was Lee Jihye, the one managing the site, that answered the silent voice.

“No, you don’t have to do that. The atmosphere’s flow isn’t bad, and it seems to be a self-cleaning effect. Benignore Net’s reaction isn’t that bad, either.”

“I was surprised that this broke out. It would’ve been better to just drive Gareth as a scapegoat and get rid of him.”

“No, Jihye. If I raise him well, he will be quite useful… It’s a waste to throw him away. We urgently need strength… Just put on air once that he is repenting for the mistakes he made on the battlefield, and let him shed a couple of tears. After he announces that he will reflect on himself, for the time being, help him return to the show… If you manage the comments properly, it should cool down quickly.”

“Well… that’s true, but… He’s so unlucky. There was no one who wasn’t brutal on the battlefield at the time… They’re being unreasonable. Rather, he seems like a poor kid who was forced to go to the battlefield… To think he was suddenly called out as a heretic.”

“You’re right. Even if Gareth looks like that, he’s a devout believer. It won’t be a waste to take care of him when I can. He said that the person whom he admired the most was the Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. It would be better to meet later, take a picture, and spread it in the media to calm public opinion. How’s the situation?”

“It’s well sorted out. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like something you would run to right away like this… there’s something wrong with that sword, right?”

“Yeah, I think I should go see it myself…”

“Yes, yes. Sure, you should.”

“Why don’t you try to be the chosen warrior?”

“I don’t want to. I just want to get the benefits of that. Why would I put my hands on something that might have a side effect? You’re just saying that, right? Do you really want me to wield that sword?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think my words through. That sword is a weapon I brought for someone who can use it, not a hand ornament.”

“See? Just looking at your expression is enough for me to know you’re kidding around… Oh, and it looks like Pope Basel is waiting. After work, have a cup of tea with him. I know you’re busy, but you should also manage your relationships. When he came last time, you’ve just left, causing the atmosphere here to become a complete mess. Knowing that the old man likes you…”

“I was already going to do that, though…”

“So be diligent about it. Do you think we focus on managing our network because we’re not busy? It’s a little annoying, but isn’t this all going to benefit you anyway?”

Lee Jihye’s words were right a hundred times.

“I know that if you can’t even afford to look around, that means you’re really busy, but… Well, if I keep nagging, what will change? Your work is going well, right?”

“Well, it’s not too bad. If you’re asking about how I’m progressing, then the process itself is pretty smooth… At least things are much better than here. I have to go for now. I think my schedule is pretty tight if I want to chat with Pope Basel within the day…”

“I knew that already and prepared the meeting in advance.”

“Thank you, Jihye.”

‘What would I do without her?’ Such thoughts came to my mind unknowingly.

She was delicate and meticulous in taking care of every detail.

Jihye didn’t come that far with a body that didn’t have any abilities for no reason.

Even if I didn’t ask for it in advance, she still prepared the necessary things ahead of time.

Even while she was doing her job, she was still concerned about me… It was undeniable that her skill was enormous.

The appearance of the surrounding scenery, which was clearly controlled, was quite amazing. Everything was destroyed by the repulsive force emitted by the Holy Sword.

Wasn’t the fact that there was no human injury enough to be grateful for? If it had been a bigger case, I would’ve had to sacrifice Gareth and create a new truth.

“The damage is a little bigger than what you see on the screen, right?”

“Yes, it’s amazing that there were no deaths.”

“For some reason, this kind of accident seems to keep popping up at least once. Hence, we decided to install defensive magic here. Isn’t it amazing that the child soldier didn’t die? Fortunately, he fell on his back, but if he hit his head, he would’ve died immediately. We were indeed lucky. Even though it’s me, I didn’t want to bury a child soldier that was forcibly dragged into such a trashy reality.”

‘What was that earlier? You said we should set him up and get rid of him.’

“Considering that it has defensive magic…”

“Yes, it was completely smashed. Also, I don’t know why, but the sword glows periodically.”

‘…’

“I’m not even sure if that’s normal. It probably didn’t get anything bad…”

‘I think that’s the case. Fuck…’

“I feel as if there’s something it doesn’t like… Let’s find out from here on out. So… are you saying it’s silent right now?”

“Yes, it started behaving itself exactly the moment you came. Until then, it was emitting constant temper. I think it has something to say… should I put the priests on standby just in case…”

“I think I’ll be alright…”

“If you think so, then I’ll abide by your words, but… I can’t take responsibility if you accidentally get flung away and break your skull.”

Although I was uneasy, the sword wouldn’t cause such a big problem.

‘This thing seems to be protesting.’

It was clear that there was something it wanted.

It felt like it was acting up to screw us since it didn’t like what was happening around it right at that moment. It wasn’t accurate, but I had to think of it as a possibility.

When the incident happened, there was also that feeling that it was looking at me for some reason…

Above all, as Lee Jihye said, it stopped acting up as soon as I arrived. I couldn’t help but believe that there had to be something.

‘Okay, fuck, what do you want? I’ll listen to everything. Do you not like the rookies? Do you like those with a little bit of a base? Is that dissatisfaction because I have only pushed in newbies?’

It was difficult to deal with a skilled adventurer, but I was willing to agree if it responded.

‘Or do you prefer those with rotten personality? That’s not the case, right?’

Was it just my illusion that I thought it would prefer to corrupt ordinary people?

It could be a little tricky to handle, but to a certain extent, I could tolerate it.

‘So wake up. If your value plunges like this, it won’t be great for either of us. You probably don’t want to go back to Lucifer. No, even if you go back, you have to play an active part at least once. I thought you wouldn’t be like this. Why are you so picky?’

Brrr.

“Is the sword trembling?”

At Lee Jihye’s words, I nodded. Obviously, I felt like it was shaking slightly.

Brrrrr.

No, it wasn’t just a slight shaking. It was quaking so violently that I could see it with my own eyes.

‘What? What’s up with you? Fuck, please express yourself.’

Little by little, the closer I got, the more vibrations it emitted.

For the time being, I steeled my resolve.

At least reacting to me was an indicator that there was still room for negotiation.

‘Right, right, it’s been hard during that time, hasn’t it? You can tell me all about it. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say.’

Brrrrrrrr.

‘At least give me a hint about the qualifications that are needed. Was Gareth a bit…?’

Brrr.

‘Or do you just not like the situation itself?’

Brrrrrrr.

‘I’m just trying to find a good owner for you, but why? Let’s not get too sensitive, my friend. I’m doing this all for you, after all. It’s not good to be too picky about people. Can you live by eating only meat? Sometimes you have to eat vegetables, right? And water. If there is no one you really like, then how about we make a deal? Let’s do it. Let’s make a compromise with reality.’

It was just when I said that to myself.

“What the… fuck. What’s up with you?”

I didn’t even touch it. I could see the Holy Sword picking itself up.

“…”

“…”

‘Don’t come out, you bastard. Don’t come out. Why are you suddenly floating?’

“What’s that? Is that… I think it’s being picked up alone right now…”

I couldn’t afford to answer Lee Jihye’s voice from afar.

I had to deal with the urgent matter right in front of me. It was no wonder that I moved my body right away.

I had to put the sword that was trying to pop out back in again.

“Go in. Go back, you bastard. Go back in, fuck…”

The situation was now considered highly urgent.