Chapter 692: Let’s prepare the end (1)

[You’re a real human trash.]

[What, Jihye?]

[You really had to disturb us like that? Was it that revolting to have fun with Hyejin and me?]

[I’m not sure what you’re talking about… Oh! But yesterday, Hyejin stayed until 3 am.]

[You can’t do that while breaking our promise. It was an appointment I made a long time ago. Do you know how hard it is to make a holiday just before the war starts? Yesterday was my only free day, and you reneged on me? Honestly, you could’ve met her today, right? You did it on purpose to screw with me, didn’t you?]

[We took pictures together. Hahaha]

[This Jihye is so upset, she doesn’t even read my messages. Really.]

-Lee Kiyoung has sent a picture.

[It’s a good picture, right? Hahaha]

[Do you think I don’t use the excuses of memory loss or time limit because I don’t know how to use it? You just wait and see. I’ll make something amazing too.]

‘But she’s already too upset. What are you talking about?’

It was a message that made me click my tongue.

I thought that Lee Jihye could say such a thing because she didn’t see the face Cho Hyejin made yesterday. No, with that personality, she would have forced it even if she knew that.

[Let me buy one anesthetic potion.]

[I’ll use everything I have.]

[You said you made a lot of them. You kept on it because you didn’t want to feel any pain. Let me buy one at least.]

[I’m making it because I really need it, and you’ll just use it to make a frame-up.]

[Yours is also a frame-up.]

[No, I might really die. It’s because I truly do need it, Jihye.]

[It’s a frame-up anyway, you scammer.]

‘It’s not, Jihye.’

I began to have mixed feelings about how she couldn’t know the will of the light that sacrificed for mankind.

[Still, I heard that you had fun calling Yeonsu and some other people.]

[It was a meeting. Cho Hyejin was also supposed to be there…]

[It’s a job. If It were you, I wouldn’t say that. And what do you mean I have nothing to do today? I have to prepare my speech a little later, and I have to finish the Hayan project. Do you think I’m in the State for no reason? I have important things to do, and none of them are easily done. I have to get in the mood. Seriously, my emotional line is important for this job.]

[I’ve got a full schedule after work. I haven’t gotten a reply yet, but don’t disturb it either.]

[Don’t worry. If anyone hears that I did, they’ll think I don’t like seeing you and Hyejin being close.]

[But that’s true.]

‘No, it’s not.’

[Let me get into the mood, Jihye. It’s really important.]

I could feel Lee Jihye’s anger through the hand mirror.

Although she muttered control freak to me, I was sure that Lee Jihye had such a tendency as well.

She provoked me, but she seemed very resentful that she didn’t enjoy the time she wanted.

Considering she even wanted an anesthetic potion, it seemed that she was trying to use extreme methods, but there was no way to beat Lee Kiyoung, who sacrificed himself.

Thinking I had to leave the loved ones and burn my body for the continent, I already felt the tears of light running down my cheeks, and that feeling was real.

‘I have to protect it.’

I had to protect my beautiful land, as well as those who lived on it.

I wasn’t honestly afraid of death. Thinking that Lee Kiyoung’s life was over, it was unavoidable to feel sad.

I had many things to prepare… For example, an anesthetic potion. A strong one at that…

I also had something to sort out by myself. I felt like I knew why I needed time alone.

Although I thought I’d be a little drunk on my own figure, quietly praying to the Goddess and receiving the pouring light, it was undeniable that I had complicated feelings.

‘I have to prepare.’

I had to be prepared emotionally and get ready to go.

“Honorary Cardinal.”

“Pope Basel…”

“I don’t know if I interfered with your time with Benignore without notice.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did because the Honorary Cardinal’s back looked so sad. It’s hard to put these words in my mouth, and I shouldn’t do it, but… it made me feel like I was looking at someone I’ll never see again.”

“No way… how could that happen?”

I had to be a little more careful. I couldn’t show off because precious people might be hurt.

“Right. There’s no way. Benignore cherishes the Honorary Cardinal too much… I shouldn’t have said that…”

“I think you care about me too much, Pope Basel.”

“Haha. Still, the Honorary Cardinal knows what to say and what I like to hear. But I don’t feel the lie like what others say. You wouldn’t… you wouldn’t have even lied once in the first place.”

“I am human too, Pope.”

It wasn’t unreasonable to laugh bitterly at Pope Basel’s words.

I had to think that he hit the nail right on the head. I was reminded again if it was really okay to deceive everyone like that.

Was it really helpful for me to laugh and just say I would be fine and that there wouldn’t be any problem?

Was it a healthy ending to say goodbye to everyone and tie the knot abruptly?

However, when I thought about the sadness they would bear, I had to shake my head. I didn’t have the courage to face that.

‘Lee Kiyoung… you cowardly bastard.’

Imagining others mourning like Cho Hyejin, my body trembled with unfamiliar emotions.

Lee Kiyoung alone was enough to deal with the sadness. If the guild members, which could be said to be the main force, became affected by it psychologically, there was bound to be a problem in the continent’s security.

Once again, I had to make up my mind firmly for all those who would live in that realm.

‘Let’s not be afraid, Kiyoung. Don’t be scared. You are doing what you obviously have to do.’

“What’s with that face?”

“I was just thinking of a lot of complicated matters.”

“That’s understandable. Won’t the prophecy begin tomorrow? I am also encouraging many believers that the Goddess will not abandon us, but that doesn’t mean I’m not afraid.”

“…”

“It’s scary. It’s so scary that I can’t even bear it.”

“Goddess Benignore will always look after Pope Basel.”

“What can I do with the Goddess’s protection when it’s almost time to die? Even if she takes me, I hope she doesn’t take the Honorary Cardinal as well. I can’t leave the Holy See even in this war… This is the first time that I’m resenting my old body this much.”

“You don’t have to blame yourself. Look at them gathered in the Holy See. Are not they the people who only believe in Pope Basel? I, too, wouldn’t have been able to focus properly on this matter if it hadn’t been for Pope Basel. Look at them again, Pope, those who are praying. This is the last sanctuary. If all the strongholds in the north fall into the hands of the enemies, the only person they’ll be able to rely on is the Pope. I’m sorry if I sound presumptuous, but you have to show yourself with a little more confidence.”

“R-Right. That’s right. I said something only the weak would say… I shouldn’t have done that.”

“…”

“Let’s go down together, Honorary Cardinal.”

“Yes.”

“What are you going to do next?”

“I plan to spend time with my lover.”

“I see… of course you will. As expected.”

“This is embarrassing.”

“You don’t have to be at all. Haven’t you been working only for the continent in the meantime? It would be natural to spend time with someone the Honorary Cardinal loves. Did I make a useless request?”

“No. In fact, it was something I had to see earlier. The State is my hometown and the place where my soul can breathe. Encouraging war refugees is a natural duty of mine as the Honorary Cardinal of the State.”

“You’ve always been such a person.”

A quietly smiling face passed by.

As we kept moving, I heard a loud noise made up of small sounds.

It was the refugees who were making temporary evacuations at the Holy See. No matter how much support from the Holy See they got, as the number of personnel was high, they were bound to be exposed to the harsh environment.

That’s how they looked. I realized that everyone was feeling fear and terror, and it was enough to make me bite my lips tightly and make a big commitment once again.

“Honorary Cardinal.”

“Please save the continent.”

“Honorary Cardinal…”

“Goddess Benignore. Please, the Honorary Cardinal…”

“Please, the State…”

“Please protect the State.”

“Honorary Cardinal.”

“The incarnation of Benignore.”

“Son of God. Please save us.”

That was indeed scary.

That sense of responsibility and the pressure that weighed on me scared me. However, wasn’t I in a situation where I couldn’t back off?

The Holy Knights were also struggling with the crowd gathering.

For some reason, I hoped that a small child would come out after penetrating between the Holy Knights in such a situation. I had a memory where one popped out in a similar situation… It was regrettable that he didn’t appear again.

‘Ah, fuck. Who created this scene? Is it Jihye? Really?’

As I bit my lips tightly for a moment, just as expected…

“Catch him!”

A loud voice started to be heard asking them to grab someone.

As I looked at the side where the sound was heard, I saw the confused Holy Knights and a boy coming out of their hands.

He wasn’t a child. He seemed to be about 16 years old. Seeing that he moved unusually, it seemed that he was used to running in the back streets of the capital.

He was dirty, and what he had in his hand was Benignore’s Rosario. That, too, was dirty.

‘Gosh. This cute bastard.’

I unknowingly gave the boy who appeared in good timing a warm smile.

“It’s fine.”

He wasn’t like an assassin. The unknown boy simply ran over to me to deliver the Rosario in his hand.

“I apologize Honorary Cardinal. Right now…”

“No. I said it’s fine. Please help him come this way.”

I was grateful for the incompetent appearance of the newcomer of the Holy Knights. As I looked forward again, I saw the boy breathing wildly. He continued talking with a trembling voice.

“I… I really want to give this to you.”

“Thank you.”

“I really… wanted… to give it to you…”

“Thank you.”

“I really… um…”

I had to express gratitude properly. Hence, I held his dirty hands.

As if he didn’t know I would react like that, he looked startled. The appearance of trembling as if committing blasphemy was quite fitting for the scene.

Brilliant light spread out. I didn’t know who he was, but I wondered if he realized that my body’s full of divinity.

“Huh… huh…”

Of course, it was a sight that could be understood. After I snuck out the Rosario he held in his hand, I had to wear it around my neck. No, I thought asking him to put it on me would be more effective than that.

“Will you put it on me?”

When I lowered my head a little and made eye contact with the kid, I noticed his nervousness.

Fear, joy, embarrassment, faith, and countless emotions were too vague to describe the expression in his eyes.

The children who would lead the continent in the future, the hope of the State, the future of mankind. Lee Kiyoung would die for them. It wouldn’t be meaningless death. It wouldn’t be death without regret. No…

‘It’s not without regret.’

It was a pity that my eyes wouldn’t be able to see that child’s future and the world in which the boy would live in.

“Really… thank you. You gave me great strength.”

“Um… um…”

Did he read the emotions in my eyes just as I read the emotions in his eyes?

“Um… I’m… sorry. Sniff… I’m…”

Should I eventually… assume the saint’s responsibility to carry everything on my own?

“I’m sorry… Sniff… I’m… I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but hug the guy who couldn’t say anything as I shed tears.

“Thank you.”

I was really grateful to him.

“Cheer up. Cheer… cheer up. You have to… win.”