Chapter 615: Negative Public Opinion (1)

“Raise your head, please. Honorary Cardinal, you don’t have to do this…”

“Please.”

Once again, when I lowered my head, I saw more and more restlessness evident on his face. If necessary, I would even kneel or lie flat. It wouldn’t have been a problem if I had to go back and forth between his feet, but…

‘I don’t have to go that far…’

I already felt embarrassed enough just by bowing down. Raphael was determined, but he seemed a little confused because I acted completely different from what he probably thought and imagined.

Of course, I didn’t think that was enough to change his mind. I wasn’t certain, but I thought that was within my expectations.

So to speak, it could be considered as part of the build-up.

It could be seen as one of my attempts to draw a bigger picture.

As part of the work to show that Light Kiyoung wasn’t desperate for fame, power, and money and that I was a person who lived only for the continent, I became curious about the face that Raphael was making.

I thought he wanted to unsheathe the Holy Sword and slice my neck with it.

In a way, it was a dangerous act, but it could be seen as an act that showed that I didn’t doubt him. It’s obvious how he’d react in that situation.

As expected, I saw him sneak up on my shoulder.

‘Nice.’

“…”

“…”

“You don’t have to do this. Honorary Cardinal, raise your head.”

“…”

“You don’t have to bow to me. It’s unexpected in many ways, but I’m also fully prepared. I don’t know why the goddess chose me, but I’ll do my best to fulfill my job. So raise your head.”

“…”

“On the contrary, I’d rather ask you a favor. I still lack in many ways. It’s not the Honorary Cardinal who needs help…”

‘Yes, it’s you.’

His stats were too shabby to be the owner of the Holy Sword.

When he slightly raised his head and showed his relieved expression, I saw him biting his lips tightly. I wondered if he felt pretentious, but in fact, it didn’t really matter what he thought. He’d change his mind little by little, anyway.

‘Can you still make that look even if the Kasugano shows you the future?’

If he saw what was about to happen, he was bound to feel something. I didn’t think it was possible, but if Benignore had enough room, he could come to the statue and she could express her thoughts on what was happening on the continent.

As most of the Order’s members thought that the miracle of Benignore was a false force, wouldn’t he change his mind if he really saw a miracle?

Although the methods were slightly different, the options themselves were endless.

Above all, I believed that there was a reason why the gray Holy Sword chose him. No matter how hard anyone wanted to screw our side, they couldn’t really rely on someone who wasn’t very good at it.

Perhaps the sword felt that Raphael’s personality was similar to mine.

A person whose route, goal, or inclination wasn’t clear at all. Someone who influenced others without any distinct values.

[Checking the unique quirk of Raphael.]

[Will that doesn’t shake easily.]

The quirk looked like a bit of a trap, but…

‘You’re saying that he can be shaken, right?’

He wasn’t an opportunist like a bat. Rather, it wouldn’t be wrong to describe him as a neutralist or a cautious person.

He was the type that took a very long time to choose between black and white and the type that became careful when reaching out to either side.

In that sense, Raphael had the same purpose…

‘I can understand you a little bit.’

Most of the Order’s stories were fabricated, but their stories were believable enough from a third party’s perspective.

If they incited such detailed and meticulously fabricated data, there was room for discretionaries like him to be swept away. He was still young, as well.

Of course, I didn’t judge how old he was, but there was room for problems in accepting at least various values.

Thinking about how much their surroundings influenced human beings, the term “Pseudo Religion” came to mind.

‘I wonder how much the devil contractors sugar-coated everything… That’s how it must have been. It’s a pity… Really.’

He just didn’t have a proper environment.

‘I’ll take good care of you. Don’t doubt me, okay?’

“Then… shall we go back? I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry you had to listen to such a heavy story. I feel like I’m putting too much pressure on you right from the beginning…”

“Today’s talk was helpful, considering I already knew I couldn’t just feel happy about being chosen. If you hadn’t told me this, I wouldn’t have seen anything really important because I’m in a sweet dreamland.”

‘That’s right.’

“You don’t know how fortunate I am to have you, Honorary Cardinal. This is a whole new environment… I don’t have anyone else I can count on… So…”

“I’m glad that Raphael is relying on me.”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry if I was arrogant.”

“No, it’s fine. I think that’s my role. So please don’t be too hard on yourself and be a little more at ease around me. We’ll be seeing each other a lot, both publicly and privately.”

“…”

“…”

“Well… if you don’t mind, can I speak a little more comfortably?”

‘Look at this bastard.’

“No. Just pretend you didn’t hear what I said, Honorary Cardinal. I’m so… so happy that now I’m just talking nonsense…”

I used that timing to give him a warm smile since he expressed his desire to get close to me first. I tried to look surprised, as if I didn’t expect it.

“It’s okay. I think it’s more convenient for me if you talk less formally. Thank you for understanding.”

‘You’re more aggressive than I thought. Yeah… You want to get closer to me, don’t you?’

“Then I’ll call you Hyung.”

‘That was a smooth one, you bastard.’

He pushed in really quickly. Although he continued the warm conversation while talking about many things, it was awkward timing considering that it hadn’t been that long since we met.

Of course, his original personality wasn’t likely to be what he was showing. Perhaps he wanted to build an image that approached everyone without hesitation. It was undeniable that it would create a more comfortable environment for him to work in.

At first, he would have thought I would accept him, and even if I didn’t, he might’ve wanted to show that his personality was open.

Of course, I couldn’t reject his proposal. I also wanted to get closer to him anyway.

Once again, when I put a smile on my lips, I saw him clenching his fist to see if his judgment was right.

“Yes, you can call me whatever you want.”

“Honorary Cardinal… I mean, Hyung-nim, I hope you make yourself comfortable as well.”

“I’m not really used to speaking informally. I’ll try to let go gradually. Of course, it won’t take too long. Today is a good day. I’ve been looking for the warrior chosen by the Holy Sword, and I think I’ve got a trustworthy brother. I feel great.”

‘This was half-successful.’

I said I would take it easy, but I didn’t mean to. I thought the person standing in front of me felt it the most?

“Uhm… Hyung-nim…”

“Huh?”

“Then from now on, how can I… Where and what should I do?”

‘Yeah, I’m sure that’s what you’re most curious about.’

He was still in a position to do something first, considering he could judge that it was a situation that would inevitably flow as the waves went. And that was true… Perhaps the most important thing for him at that point was to gain even a little more initiative.

Even if the Holy Sword chose him, what could a man with no foundation do alone? He was probably most curious about where to go and what to do.

“Well, maybe… After the basic procedures are over, I think we can decide on where you’ll stay. It could be the Vatican. It could be the Blue Guild or the Continental Protection and Management Committee. You should probably look at the Red Mercenary, the Black Swans, or any other national group or guild as well.”

‘Of course, you won’t do that.’

“The first priority is to be tutored by the Blue Guild Master and other powerful people on the continent… Other times, I will be able to teach you many things. It would be easy to understand if you think of it as a liberal arts subject. It’s good to learn the basics. Do you happen to have any idea where you want to go?”

“…”

Perhaps considering many things, he thought it would be the best option to act in a guild or group’s arms that was based in Lindel or the capital, the Blue Guild, or the Continental Protection and Management Committee. Among them…

‘Would the Blue Guild be a little better for him?’

I was sure that he would have a lot of burdensome situations to act in close proximity. I thought it was the best option to slowly build his base where I was.

The Vatican might not be bad, but it wasn’t appropriate because there would be limited access to information.

For me, the best option was to keep him close.

Of course, there would be physical threats, but considering his real purpose, it wasn’t too much of a concern. I wasn’t the weak Lee Kiyoung like before, and above all, he couldn’t try to take me down.

“I would like to give you a recommendation. Perhaps it would be best to serve on the Continental Protection and Management Committee.”

“…”

“Tutoring you is a matter of time.”

‘I can do the chimera when he’s in training…’

“And… it’s not really about belonging, even if you’re a member of the Blue Guild… It’s going to be a longer stay on-site than a stay in Lindel. I’m sure you can’t get tutoring from Lindel or the capital. I know it’s a bit burdensome, but I think you’ll probably move according to the schedule. It may be inconvenient for you, but this is the most efficient way to grow.”

“Ah…”

“This is a bigger case when we think about the impact we have on the continent. It may be hard right now, but after learning how things work, we will be able to help those who need Raphael’s help directly or indirectly. We can look at the huge forest first… Above all, I can take care of you in many ways.”

‘That makes it easier for me to observe you. And the same goes for you, right?’

I certainly didn’t feel like he was taking it badly. Perhaps he was going to join the Continental Protection and Management Commission.

I naturally nodded without realizing it, but as always, things didn’t go smoothly.

A negative public opinion had emerged among Blue Guild members, including Kim Hyunsung.