The Paladin Owns the Relic

18 – Judicator (4)

“Irene Apprentice Priest.”

Irene stood up from her chair. What is to come has come. Inhaling her breath, she then exhaled deeply.

She didn’t forget what she had to say. All as it is to the Judge.

I did it alone…!

“Irene’s apprentice priest is a simple victim, so I’ll just listen to the circumstances. Do you have any objections?”

“…Yes? But I also participated in the assault…”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

The heretic judge sitting in front of me smiled.

“The only one who couldn’t stand injustice and committed violence was only apprentice priest Zahard, right?”

“What is that…!”

“I recorded ‘with something like that’. Irene Apprentice Priest.”

Dimona Inquisitor put on a pod. Her eyes twinkled as if she had found something interesting.

“Regardless of the future of the child who will be stigmatized, I really liked his honesty and boldness. To the extent that I want to invest in him. So, you are my gift to him.”

“I’d rather…!”

“No. You can’t. Unlike Zahard’s apprentice, you’re no fun.”

Dimona leaned back in her chair. She yawned lightly.

“Let’s finish it quickly. Irene, an apprentice priest. As you know, I’m a busy person.”

. . .

Heretic Inquisitor Dimona has left.

“I’ll pass on the position. You just have to come up with the Inquisitors, as I call you. Radatorque is a kind person, so get along with him. Okay?”

“…….”

A middle-aged man with a grim expression looked down at me. A bear-like man made up of muscles. I shrugged.

I know this guy too. How can we forget the guy who sticks with Dimona like one body? Not as much as the main NPC.

But it’s a supporting role.

Of course, I also know the strategy code. In order to seduce Dimona, I had to get over that bear first, so I defeated the guy who seemed unlikely to be defeated several times.

That’s right!

“Inquisitor Radatoque.”

“What’s your business?”

“Would you like some konjac jelly?”

“……”

He picks it up without a word. The grim expression remained. But I saw

Um. The brows that had been gathering fell slightly.

Um. Good.

Favorability UP!

While diligently bringing konjac jelly to Radatoque, the other attendant inquisitors were also paying attention. Besides the boss, paying attention to his subordinates will make the journey easier.

I purposely showed them a scene of prayer. I didn’t forget the scene where Irene taught me and immediately practiced the vocal method.

It is basic to sneakily prepare breakfast. The attitude of the Heretic Questioners changed quickly when they presented the grilled meat.

“You’re very kind?”

“It seems faithful…”

“For now, there is nothing wrong with the appearance.”

“There’s a b*tch.”

“The judge deserves a good look.”

The source of the donations led by Radatoq did not go unnoticed either. As a result of my wording in advance, Black Steel’s Martyr did the job neatly.

I asked about the story of Hector’s party, and ordered his subordinates to shut their mouths. In the first place, the power of the church does not reach that much. Since there was a purge, the Heretic Questioners couldn’t dig deep.

Seeing the lord’s eyes. He doesn’t like the Sun Cult, so of course his behavior is bound to shrink. If Radatoque had made up his mind and dug in, they would have all been caught, but I was relieved that there would be no such thing in the first place.

How much do I spend on this game? Uh. There is a way to say this!

As I was passing the day laughing, Priest Meerkant called me. I sat down in front of the desk and made a cup of hot tea.

“Pick up.”

“I can do it… I’ll drink it well.”

“I have received so much from you, can you please give me a cup of tea?”

Meerkant smiled warmly at me.

“It’s Zahard.”

“Yes?”

“Did you receive your unbreakable justice from Ra?”

I sipped my tea. I smiled broadly.

“Sure! It’s all from him!”

-Put saliva on your mouth.

Lick.

– A colt-like bastard.

Meerkant raised his teacup. After he took a sip, he looked at me intently.

I didn’t say anything in particular. Just looking Meerkand looked away from me. He looked around the room, then looked back at me.

“I have received a lot from you.”

“I got more from the priest. If the priest hadn’t picked me up, I would have been out there digging?”

“Things are but dust compared to what you have done. A lot has changed since you arrived here.”

Meerkand tapped the desk.

“Old and broken furniture was moved outside. In the desolate room, warmth began to permeate.”

“That’s about it…”

“The corner of the ceiling where the cobwebs were hanging has been cleared. The hole under the door has been filled.”

“It’s a place where people live, so we have to deal with that much. To be honest, it was because of that that it was cold.”

“Is that all? The orphans ate their fill. They learned how to work, and they started to look up at me who had been ignoring them. Thanks to them, I was able to teach my children my studies.”

“Ah. It’s too popular.”

“It will float.”

Meer Kant held out his hand. He took my hand and looked at me slowly.

“It’s not like that. It’s just expressing gratitude for what you should be thankful for. Zahard.”

Eyes looking straight ahead. I felt something embarrassed in those eyes. Gently, he pulled his hand back.

Come to think of it, it was always like that.

This person was always, always looking straight at everything. He was a man who was selfless and focused only on helping people.

A type I’ve never seen before. A real priest who affirms the lives of others more than his own greed.

The complete opposite of me.

“You really don’t have to thank me.”

I scratched my cheek.

“I did it because it was necessary.”

“He’s really stubborn.”

Meerkant pulled out a letter from his bosom.

“A call came from the church headquarters. Tomorrow, I will leave with the Heretic Questioners.”

“It went well. I wanted to finish it quickly.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“I’m more excited than afraid. You’re saying that you can take care of that crazy child, right?”

“What is branded?”

“What if I get stigmatized? I decide who will look at me properly. If it’s the eyes of others who don’t, well, I’ll tell them to talk loudly. They’ll only hurt their mouths.”

Meerkant laughed. He laughed out loud. He laughed for a while, then wiped away the tears.

“It’s Zahard.”

“Yes?”

“It’s nice to meet you. Without you, I might have given up on everything.”

“Ah. The priest is the strongest person I’ve ever seen.”

“I am weak. Even at the time I met you, I was weak enough to break right away. You helped me with that. Even that was not enough, so I covered myself in filth to protect Irene and myself. You are the strong one. It’s the same as being proud of me.”

Meerkant rose from his seat. He took the pouch out of his pocket.

“This is the only thing I can do for you.”

“…What is this?”

“Just as you were taught by Irene, there was a moment when I was taught by someone. Then I received this. To be precise, it is a keepsake from him. We were like brothers, and on the day of our death If this comes, we agreed to protect each other’s things.”

What came out of the pocket was a small earring. I opened my eyes slowly.

I think I saw it somewhere…

“Is this a keepsake?”

“Yes. It’s a keepsake. He said it has the power to protect people. I don’t know how to use it… But I’m sure you can figure it out.”

“You’re giving me something like this? It’s precious, right?”

“Of course it’s precious. But haven’t you already received more than that?”

He put the earring in my hand. He wrapped his own hand over it.

“Take it. It’s yours now.”

“…Too heavy?”

“Remember its weight and shape. He will be delighted too.”

“I didn’t ask for something like this. Just take it…”

“You are as important to me as it is to me.”

Meerkant’s hand landed on top of my head.

“If I had a son, he would be like you.”

…Not even once.

A word I’ve never heard before.

I slipped the ring into my bosom. I blew my nose for no reason.

“Ah. No way.”

I laughed.

“I bet you’re not as smart as I am? It’s not just about anyone.”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

Meerkant winked lightly. It didn’t fit and it was a little funny.

“Get out of here.”

“You haven’t finished your tea yet?”

“I’d like to wait until I finish drinking, but I can’t help it because there are passengers? I can’t take up the time of a popular apprentice priest.”

“A passenger?”

“You’ll find out when you get outside.”

Meerkant pushed me away. He lightly clenched his fists.

“For reference, I’m rooting for both of you.”

“Yes?”

The untouched door opened. As always, elegant Irene stood in front of him.

Silver hair bloomed beautifully in the moonlight shining through the window. She looked at me quietly, uncharacteristic of her.

For some reason, the cheeks are slightly flushed. Said Irene.

“Junior.”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you take a walk?”

She averted her gaze.

“…I have something to tell you before you leave. I want to say it before it’s too late.”

“You’re not scolding me now, are you?”

“You really…”

Irene sighed. She glared at me slightly.

“I will scold you. So follow me. After I scold you, I will tell you what I have to say.”

“Can’t we do it here?”

“No.”

Meerkand took a slight step back.

“Go away. Oh. And you don’t have to come back.”

“Yes? Did the two of you even kiss each other?”

“Maybe it’s not me who kisses you.”

“Yes?”

“Go away. Zahard.”

Meerkant gave an inappropriate smirk.

“Isn’t the senior calling you? It’s right to answer as a junior.”