Chapter 136

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 136

I had simply been invited to a grand festival, but over the course of a few days, I had somehow become something akin to a saint.

Taking a walk to clear my head, I kept hearing whispers behind me.

“Can we really call him Karl?”

“Shouldn’t we call him ‘Blessed One of the Light’?”

“But he might get mad at us again. Is it okay?”

“But after seeing that scene, how can we act like nothing happened?”

Hey guys. My proud protagonists? You damn Hydras? I can hear everything, you know?

You guys think you’re whispering, but after three years of fighting Kanfras, that level of whispering sounds like a military march to me. You guys need to learn some eavesdropping skills.

As if reading my mind, Shulifen spoke a little louder.

“He’s still our friend, no matter what. If we act weird, Karl might feel hurt. So I think it’s right to act like we always do.”

“Is that so...?”

“Of course it is! We can’t act like this if we’re friends!”

Ugh. Shulifen. You’re the first of the four, and you’re already making me emotional!

Right! Of course I’d be hurt! If you suddenly started distancing yourselves because I got some light, would I even be human if I wasn’t hurt?

Of course, I deliberately didn’t say anything and waited for the four of them to talk to me like they usually did.

To be honest, the past few days have been exhausting. Everywhere I go in the Holy See, everyone kneels and shouts, ‘Benefactor! Blessed One!’ as if they’re about to pray.

Thankfully, they respected my wishes not to make a fuss, otherwise, the Radiant Church might have turned into the Church of Karl Adelheit.

To make matters worse, this happened right during the Feast of All Saints. Now people in the Church are saying that I should be canonized.

[TL/N: *Canonize – (in the Roman Catholic Church) officially declare (a dead person) to be a saint.]

It was absurd. Canonized? Not even beatification, but canonized?

[TL/N: *Beatification – (in the Roman Catholic Church) declaration by the Pope that a dead person is in a state of bliss, constituting a first step towards canonization and permitting public veneration.]

I didn’t die a martyr for the church, nor did I receive a miracle. It’s a bit of a stretch to call receiving some light a miracle... or is it?

Let’s think back to what happened during the prayer. I received an abundance of light, something not even the Pope could receive.

And during the kiss, even the moonlight was... Wait. Does that mean I received two miracles?

“Hey, Karl!”

Meanwhile, Shulifen sidled up to me and put his arm around my shoulder.

Yeah, that’s it, buddy. Treat me like you always do. Cheer me up!

“Don’t worry too much. No matter who you become or where you are, we’ll always be friends!”

Thanks, Shulifen. You really have a good heart―

“It’s a shame, though! If you were bald, you could’ve reflected the light and passed it on to someone else! Looks like having a full head of hair isn’t always helpful! Hahahaha!”

“...?”

Did I hear that right? Did he just say it’s a shame I wasn’t bald so I could reflect the light and pass it on to someone else? Is this guy for real? Is he telling me to go pluck out all my hair?

I slowly turned my head to look at the other three—Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.

Did you guys agree with this nonsense? Even if you didn’t, did you at least support the idea? That’s what I wanted to know.

Shake Shake—

“May you build a brighter future, young souls. The world you change is one that an old man like me could not, but always wished to. I pray that you will achieve it.”

* * *

Marquis of Nafplion, former head of the Ifrit family, Roem. A devout believer of the Radiant Church.

Until a few days ago, he had considered himself incredibly lucky to have been invited to the Holy See thanks to his granddaughter’s fiancé, and to even have an audience with the Pope.

[ ...Father?]

The current head of the Ifrit family and the Marquis of Nafplion appeared on the other side of the communication device. He seemed quite surprised by his father’s sudden call.

“Marquis.”

[ What’s the matter? Why did you call so suddenly— ]

“I could die right now with no regrets.”

Roem’s words brought a look of even great bewilderment to the Marquis of Nafplion’s face.

Any child would react that way if their parent suddenly said they could die with no regrets.

[ What a strange thing to say, Father. No regrets? Your granddaughter hasn’t even gotten married yet. I understand you finally met the Pope, but it’s still too early to say such things— ]

“My granddaughter. Our Lenny. Yes, Lenny. Hahahaha. Hahahaha!”

Clearly, something had happened. And it was definitely related to Lenny.

The Marquis of Nafplion thought so as he gauged his father’s expression through the communication device.

“Marquis. About Lenny’s marriage.”

[ Yes, Father. ]

“Is it possible for them to get married right away?”

[ ...What? ]

I don’t understand why you’re acting like this. I tried to listen quietly, but I can’t take it anymore.

[ They need to graduate from the academy first, no matter what. ]

“Hmm. I see.”

[ ...Father. Why are you acting like this? You’re saying things that are shocking to hear as your son, and then you suddenly change the subject to Lenny’s wedding. I want to know why. ]

Why. Why, indeed. That’s a natural question, isn’t it?

Roem thought to himself and replied.

“Marquis. I assure you, Lenny’s marriage will be the greatest fortune for our family since its founding.”

[ The greatest fortune... you say? ]

The Marquis repeated his father’s words, then nodded.

He wasn’t wrong. Lenny. Selena. Her lover was Karl Adelheit.

He had been awarded the Empire’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, twice. He was treated as a state guest in Hyzens and Lasker, and even called a benefactor by the church.

The Marquisate of Nafplion was certainly a great place, but it couldn’t compare to Karl’s current influence. So, taking such a young man as a son-in-law was indeed a fortune.

But... father’s reaction seemed to go beyond even that?

“Don’t be surprised and listen carefully, Marquis. MMy granddaughter’s fiancé, the benefactor of the church, is actually a blessed individual.”

[ Father? ]

“God himself caressed the young man’s cheek, patted his shoulder, and stroked his head! It was a miracle! There’s no other way to describe it! If you had been there with me, Marquis, you would understand!”

What is he talking about? I don’t understand what Father is saying!

And a few hours later, the news of what had happened in the Holy See finally exploded throughout the Empire.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]