125 – Subjugation of Negativity. (7)
“Hmm… There doesn’t seem to be a suitable method. Perhaps waiting is the only option.”
“It seems so. If we rush into an investigation, the saint could suffer significant harm. Just waiting for the saint’s influence to grow will make them naturally impatient.”
“That’s true… I understand. Thank you, senior.”
Adrian said that and left my room. I could have been in trouble if she had made a wrong choice.
I sighed. Still, it was fortunate that things were somehow settling down. An investigation. The purity demanded of the saint by people was much stricter than what Adrian had thought.
If she had really pretended to be my fake lover and an investigation had started, the entire Holy Kingdom would have been in an uproar, starting from the Holy See… I would probably… have been stoned to death somewhere.
No, before being stoned to death, wouldn’t I have been burned alive by my contractee?
In other words, the saint’s investigation was not a tool to be used lightly. Merely preparing her own trial judgment already significantly diminished her influence.
The public, people, don’t think deeply. If a sensational rumor spreads, tremendous effort is needed to quell it.
Moreover, if such a rumor led to the scarlet letter being pinned on the saint… it would be quite precarious.
She must maintain her influence at the Holy See, lead the entire Holy Kingdom in the right direction with the Pope. If she had already lost her influence, it would be even more difficult to prepare for what comes next.
The Holy Kingdom must remain as it is. If the Holy Kingdom falls, my path ahead will become even more challenging.
So, what should I do now?
Now that I’ve prevented Adrian from going out of control, it’s true that I need to dig into the back of the investigators in various ways.
I can’t just sit around doing nothing. I needed to uproot those rotten bastards. Yes, it’s probably better to stick to the original plan. Throw Dantalion among the investigators and let him wreak havoc to his heart’s content.
I glanced sideways. Asti, who had briefly hidden when the saint barged in earlier, was now looking at me with a strange smile. That meant Asti had overheard my conversation with the saint.
“Heh. So that’s how it is. Seems like you have a rough idea of what’s going on. With the Pope, and the saint.”
Like a girl who had found an amusing toy, she wore a mischievous smile.
“It seems like you need my help, Frah.?”
“It looks that way.”
“But before that, something strange.”
“What is it?”
“Why did it have to be you? A fake lover.”
Asking in a subtly unsettling tone, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
“I don’t know.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Why did it have to be you? With Ruslan around to handle the candlestick. I’m curious as to why you were singled out.”
“I don’t know… I really don’t. Why the Saint singled me out.”
“Perhaps some kind of emotion?”
Asti asked with a slightly playful expression. However, I didn’t think that playful expression reflected her true emotions at the moment. I knew behind that playfulness, there was definitely a hint of bitterness.
Having known Asti for so long and being so close to her, I could tell that her mood was slightly off just from her demeanor.
Honestly, it felt unjust. Wasn’t it all just pretending to be fake lovers? The Saint simply suggested involving me because she needed me.
“Is that so? Just because I know the Saint doesn’t mean I know her well. It’s the same for the Saint. We never had any real connection to begin with.”
“I know. But there was one strong connection. Este.”
Asti’s expression changed gradually. From a playful expression to something… something indescribable.
I couldn’t read the mix of emotions behind that expression. What should I call that expression?
Clearly, if I mishandled the situation here, Asti might get quite angry, so for now, I could only try to lighten her mood as much as possible.
“Even so, that doesn’t mean the Saint singled you out due to any special liking for you. You know that too, Asti.”
“…Sure, that’s probably true. But that will surely be a reason. The Saint had more than just a liking for you.”
“To that extent?”
“Of course, it’s not about romantic feelings between a man and a woman. But… Human feelings can sometimes be more intense than anything else. The Saint had such human feelings for you, Frah.”
Asti sighed.
“When someone harbors human feelings towards another, people usually make an effort to get closer to them. It doesn’t discriminate between genders. Just being with that person can ease one’s mind.”
“…”
I was at a loss for words. I never knew the Saint had such feelings for me. The fact was so absurd that I couldn’t even speak, and as I remained silent, Asti sighed and leaned closer to me.
“And that liking can suddenly swell at any given moment. As you know, as well as I do.”
She was right. Asti’s annoyance and complicated expressions were likely due to that reason.
“I’m just… sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for? The problem lies with the women who are infatuated with you. It’s not just the Saint, you know that too. The observant Frah Rancel.”
“I know.”
As I casually acknowledged it, it seemed to slightly irk Asti. Her previously complex expression twisted.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Whether you realize it or not, you influence many people. Those within the confines of your plans unknowingly receive your care. To others, it might seem like unwarranted dedication.”
“Yeah.”
“What angers me isn’t just the increasing number of women who have a liking for you. It’s how devoted you are to those within your circle, and that’s why it angers me. That devotion is never light.”
“I did it because it was necessary.”
“I know. I understand… it makes me angry. As your circle expands, the more tasks you’ll have, the more trying ordeals you’ll face. I don’t like that.”
“It’s inevitable. It’s something I have to do.”
“Yeah. I know. I understand. That’s why… I’m more frustrated and sad. Knowing that I can’t do much while you’re enduring so much.”
“No, you have limited choices. What are you talking about?”
“Even when I obtained the Sword of Restraint this time, it was the same. I haven’t heard in detail what happened to you yet, but I can still guess. How much you suffered there. I couldn’t offer you any help inside.”
Did Salus see something in me who obtained the Sword? She’s a high-ranking demon, so she can see much more than I can. That’s probably why she’s saying that.
Once someone gains enlightenment, change is inevitable in some way.
“It was my greed. I could have passed the test of the sword faster, but… I didn’t want to.”
“Your harboring of greed is ultimately because of what you must do in the future. I’ve always wanted to ask. Why do you go to such lengths?”
But I couldn’t say the reason.
From Noble mtl dot com
How can this world be a world in a novel, and the creator of that world be me? And how can I say that I do it because I feel that responsibility.
“I can’t say.”
“…I guess. You have too many secrets. Even more than me.”
Asti’s expression twisted.
I just don’t know why she did that.
I just hugged her and whispered in her ear. Then her body trembled slightly. This attitude of not expecting me to do this.
“Someday… I’ll definitely tell you. And Asti.”
“Yeah.”
“Just by you being by my side, it gives me immense strength.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. So, when you think I’m suffering, just stay by my side occasionally. That’s all.”
“Got it.”
She replied with a slightly relieved expression.
“Feeling better now?”
“No. I wish someone would treat me to something delicious. And… make a promise. No matter how dedicated you are to the people inside your walls, the closest spot to you is mine.”
Suddenly at her blunt words, my face turned red. No, this is too explicit. I covered my face with my hand and replied to her.
“Yeah. I promise.”
“How did I end up entangled with such an intrusive man… Anyway, let’s go. I miss seeing the cityscape after a long time.”
“Yeah. But I want to make a plan to help the Saint first.”
“Stop talking about work. Focus on me now. Got it? Anyway, my role will be part of that plan. I just want to relax now.”
“…Alright.”
