142 raccoon
‘······The old man is from the Knights Templar?’
I grimaced at the shocking fact.
What kind of place is the Knights Templar?
If the Empire had the Imperial Knights, the Church had the Knights Templar.
The Knights Templar were famous for their arrogant attitude toward only listening to the commands of the Pope and God.
The Knights Templar were called the Judges of Demons and the Wrath of God.
Since he rarely showed up unless it was related to a major demon and no detailed information was known, only rumors about him were rampant.
There were many unbelievable rumors, such as that the Knights of the Temple subdue demons with their eyes, that demons tremble and lie flat on their stomach when the Knights of the Temple appear, etc.
Although the rumors were obviously exaggerated and unbelievable, the Mini Lung-class’s armament was real.
Even at a glance, the iron’s purity cannot be determined, and there is even some kind of silver surrounding it.
Judging by the soft light it gave off even in the darkness, it was clearly something out of the ordinary. It was no less than the armor of an imperial knight.
‘But if the person in question is from the Knights Templar…’
The skill of the lung-level was also excellent. However, since the weapon was a greatsword, it was not a very difficult opponent.
A greatsword would be effective when dealing with large creatures like demons or monsters, but it was not good for dealing with humans because it required large movements.
It would be a different story if he could handle the greatsword freely, but even though the level of the dead was good at handling the greatsword, it felt lacking.
Of course, apart from his skills, my expectations disappeared when I saw that he was from the Knights Templar. I clicked my tongue slightly and looked at the two of them.
“It’s been years already! Joanna, who was even mentioned as the next leader of the Knights Templar! Why on earth is she here like this?”
While I was thinking about something else, my emotions got the better of me, and Mini Lung-gyup started to vent at length.
‘······Is the next short story about the waste?’
Expectations for the Knights Templar were dashed.
“I’m not going.”
The lungs were clearly showing their intention to break.
“Why on earth!”
“It’s not fun.”
The answer from the lung was very short and decisive.
“······.”
Mini Lung-gyup looked shocked and dumbfounded at that short answer that had no clue whatsoever.
What would you say to a child who says it’s not fun? It was a perfect answer that left no room for refutation.
“I’m not going back.”
Mini Lung’s mouth opened slightly at the firm declaration.
After a moment of silence, Mini Lungeup lowered his helmet. The face of Mini Lungeup seen through the gap resembled a face that had been bitten by a puppy that had been raised with great care.
“Yes! Do as you wish! What do you think the next leader of the Knights Templar is! Do as you wish! You’ve thrown away the blessings of the temple that others couldn’t receive, so it’s over! How much money was donated to you! I’m doing it for you…! Just do as you wish! Do as you wish!”
Mini Lung-gyup kept repeating what he had said, as if he was so angry that his voice grew louder at the end, enough to make the residents of District 7 stick their heads out.
District 7 was full of people drinking and talking, so they didn’t pay much attention to noise. It was to the point where they would sneak out.
The guys who had been sticking their heads out saw my face and hurriedly went back in.
Nod.
The old man nodded his head lightly, making the long beating seem futile, and walked away.
As the lung cancer passed me, it glared at me, and its gaze was quite sharp.
It was self-defense, since the old man had dragged me to a service last time. The old man knew him, so I nodded, and he wrinkled his nose for a moment before nodding along.
Now it was a tie.
The old man disappeared somewhere without even looking back.
Only the mini-lung that had been generating heat was left there.
Not only was he small in stature, but he also looked even more insignificant because a faint light was emanating from his armor.
Mini Lungeup, taking a deep breath and making small noises, approached with brisk steps.
The mini-luggage in front of me was crouching. It seemed like it was trying to get down to eye level, but crouching wasn’t enough.
Then I bent my leg and adjusted it so that the mini lung could look down. Then the mini lung coughed.
“Swear to God that you will forget everything you just saw.”
It was that oppressive voice, the ornate helmet, the huge greatsword behind it, and the silver armor that gave off a soft glow.
Although he seemed like a flawless knight in shining armor, I had already seen his failed upbringing.
‘Well, the fight just now was a bit dirty.’
If a noble or a knight had shown such behavior to a commoner, they would have attempted to kill him, but this was quite a gentlemanly act of silence.
I put my right hand on my forehead, measuring the distance.
“I swear that I will never reveal what I just saw, no matter what happens.”
Mini Lungeup was the first to mumble. When I followed suit, Mini Lungeup nodded vigorously.
It seemed a bit odd to see the stupid helmet dangling, but I imitated the abbot and recited a prayer.
After a moment of silence, Mini Lunggyup spoke first.
“Are you close with that kid?”
It was awkward, as if he was intentionally raising his voice.
‘···Are you close?’
I thought about it for a moment, but it seemed better to be positive in the current situation.
Anyway, Mini Lung was close to the Devil Candy Cardinal. I was able to get information and a connection about him from Mini Lung.
“That’s strange. He’s a kid who doesn’t talk to anyone else… Did something happen?”
That question made me remember when Lunggeup first opened his mouth.
‘It was fish bread.’
Clearly, there has been some interaction since I fed him.
However, I hesitated for a moment about how to say this.
“We became close friends after eating the fish bread, which is a famous and special product of Cassidy.”
As I explained it in the most stylish way possible, Mini Lunggyup muttered quietly, “···Fish bread?” Mini Lunggyup nodded after mumbling several times as if trying to remember.
“Okay, I’ll tell you again, if you tell anyone else what you just saw….”
A small gust of wind blew as the mini-lungs trailed off.
I was nervously watching the guy’s shoulder, so I knew the greatsword was going to swing. However, it was faster than I expected.
The greatsword was swung so quickly that it was questionable how someone of that small stature could handle it so well.
In that split second, I wondered how to react.
It was fast, but not so fast that it couldn’t be stopped. Since it was a greatsword, if you just changed the direction, you could cut off the head right away.
His hand flinched, but considering what he had said before he pulled out his greatsword, it was clear that he was swinging it as a warning.
Those who were confident with their swords would often stop their swords right in front of their opponents to intimidate them or show off their strength.
Of course, such medieval threats often had negative consequences.
I knew the words meant something as a warning, even though they didn’t carry much weight, but it didn’t sit well with me to just sit there until the sword was pointed at me.
But if he draws his sword, it will spread out of control. He is a Templar, so it will be a very troublesome thing.
At that, I raised my left hand and blocked the greatsword.
He grabbed the greatsword awkwardly as if he had been startled and moved, and placed his right hand around the hilt.
If by any chance the bastard doesn’t let up, I can cut off his neck by holding out my left hand.
However, the greatsword was sharper than I expected. The gauntlet on my left hand split open in an instant, causing a spurt of blood with excruciating pain.
‘It’s not made of iron.’
No matter how sharp the iron was, it could not easily cut through the thick gauntlets without an aura. I looked at him and held the handle of the sword with my right hand.
The greatsword stopped exactly in front of my left eye.
The sight of the sword blade sticking out through his left hand was chilling.
‘That’s pretty good.’
First, I released my right hand, which had been tense, since the greatsword had stopped.
“Ah… no! What the hell is this!”
The greatsword was pulled back at the same time as the panicked voice. Then, blood spurted out from my left hand. I felt a stabbing pain.
“You put your hand on the greatsword! I was just trying to scare you! How could you do such a thing!”
‘I guess it was often used for scaring purposes.’
Certainly, if I could stop that greatsword right in front of my eyes, it would be an effective preemptive strike.
It was also my favorite method for catching vampires.
‘To handle a greatsword with such care.’
I took in the length, the speed, the sharpness of the greatsword.
I underestimated it a bit because of its small size, but it was completely different when I actually saw it.
So I couldn’t know the outcome until I faced the sword myself. How could a small man swing a great sword like this?
‘The Knights Templar… They seem similar to knights who use auras, but they don’t really exist.’
My expression was grimacing in pain, but I saw the guy’s sword and he didn’t, so it wasn’t a bad deal.
“Idiot! Look where you are! I’ll cure you!”
I relaxed my right hand at the sound of the panicked voice of the mini-lung that had untied its crow’s feet.
The expression on his face was not visible due to his stupid helmet, but his confusion was conveyed in his voice.
The pain in my left hand was excruciating, and the panicked mini-lungs were obvious, but there were plenty of guys who boldly demanded sword repair costs even after cutting their hands.
Compared to that, my flustered attitude was something to be exploited.
The situation changed drastically. As I thought about him calmly, I had a rough idea of how I would deal with the Cardinal.
It might not work, but that’s something we can think about when the time comes.
“Eww! Eww! There’s blood coming out of my hands!!”
After finishing the calculation, I held my left hand and rolled on the floor.
“No… It was just a little puncture to my hand… Calm down! Calm down! It’s okay! I can treat you!”
The mini-sword-wielding rascal yelled at me instead, but I shouted even louder, thinking of a weasel.
“I’ll treat you…! Just stay still!!”
Then, a mini lung gun stuck to me and started emitting white light. When I moved my hand slightly, its reaction speed was quite fast.
The strength that held my body was also imaginary. Soon, a mini lung sprayed white light in the place where blood flowed.
‘You’re recovering quickly.’
The wound healed in an instant. I squinted my eyes.
It was a healing power higher than that of a priest. If he possessed the divine power to instantly heal a penetrating wound, it was certain that most wounds would be healed in no time.
Also, judging from the fact that he said it was just a pierced hand, he seemed to have some tolerance for pain.
‘If we ever get into a fight, I’ll have to cut off his head.’
I hope that doesn’t happen, but it’s good to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. That was the secret of medieval generalship.
I could guess the intensity by looking at the stupid-looking mini-lung helmet that covered up to the neck.
“Is that okay?! Look! He’s completely fine without a single scratch! Shouldn’t the one holding the sword scream because there’s a hole in his hand?”
Mini Lung-gyeop, who was threatening to treat her by piercing her hand. I could see why Lung-gyeop’s home education was a failure.
Mini Lung-gyeop looked relieved that the treatment was over, but the aftereffects were scarier than the original wound.
“Eww! It hurts! My hands are bleeding! Eww!”
I rolled around, imitating the guys I saw on the battlefield.
“No…! Look! It’s completely fine, without a single scratch….”
“Mom! Dad! Grandma! My hand!”
Then, the residents started to come out little by little, and the noise grew louder.
Even though he was wearing a stupid helmet, he looked like a mini-lung with a puzzled look on his face.
“I’ll treat you again, so just stay still! You’re a tall guy…!”
The aftereffects wouldn’t get better with treatment. As my screams grew louder, Mini Lungpup hurriedly covered my mouth.
The situation continued until I got the answer I wanted.
“Is something wrong? Let’s go to the synagogue first! I’ll ask the Cardinal for treatment… Just bear with it for a little longer!”
I suddenly stopped screaming.
The pupils of the mini-lungs seen through the gap in the helmet grew larger.
***
‘How on earth can it not change?’
Fourth… no, Cardinal Gobert was in great shock.
I couldn’t believe it.
From cardinal to abbot – despite his almost vertical decline, despite his demotion through no fault of his own but the schemes of those around him – he remained the same.
Still dazzlingly faithful and nagging.
Gobersan wiggled his fingers. He couldn’t understand.
He was talking about the duties of a cardinal that no one cared about.
Once a cardinal was promoted to the rank of cardinal, the only person who could criticize him was the Pope, so in reality, no one fulfilled the duties of a cardinal.
Gobert also just learned for the first time that the Cardinal had a duty. But he was at a loss for words when he kept nagging about the Cardinal’s duty.
If there were no eyes to see, I would have twisted its neck, but there were those from the Inquisitors to the Knights Templar.
There were also priests who greeted me warmly, as if they knew a lot about Brighton. If I were to twist his neck here, it would all go down the drain.
The constant nagging and the current status of one’s own neck.
Gobersan seriously considered him, but if he was going to collapse in a place like this, he would have twisted his neck a long time ago.
However, I quickly left Brighton as I felt like I couldn’t stand the murderous intent any longer.
‘Where did the Johelia Temple Knights go?’
I didn’t think much about it because I felt more comfortable without that blunt guy whose thoughts I couldn’t figure out. Soon the carriage stopped.
Gobersan exhaled deeply and got out of the carriage.
As expected of a remote castle, the shabby inner wall caught my eye. Compared to the outer wall, it was extremely shabby.
A man who appeared to be Baron Fullfoot and others were waiting in front of him.
He must have been a little anxious because he was caught by Brighton and it took a long time.
“It is an honor to meet His Eminence Cardinal Gobert. I am Baron Pulpouts.”
Although his head was slightly bald, he had a sharp impression with a large, sharp nose and sharp eyes. He gave off a difficult and formidable feeling.
“I am a little late because I was praying. This is Cardinal Gobert.”
Gobert greeted him with a gracious and appropriately gracious smile that a cardinal might wear.
“I tried my best because Cardinal Gobert was coming. Of course, it won’t be much, but…”
“Can I come in and talk? I guess it’s because I’m old, but my bones feel cold when the cold wind blows.”
Gobersan dismissed useless conversation in case of a pursuer.
“Oh, come in.”
Fortunately, the other person seemed to have noticed and guided me inside.
Gobersan glanced behind him and followed him in.
The place we were guided to was a shabby banquet hall befitting a shabby castle. It was so small that it was difficult to even call it a banquet hall.
The heat from the brazier in the corner filled the banquet hall.
Gobert sat across from Baron Pulpouts at a long table. Next to him was a woman of a pale complexion, but beautiful despite her age.
‘There’s not much time left.’
On the way up to the Cardinal’s Mountain, Gobert was a place where he encountered countless patients, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
Just by looking at her complexion, I could tell that she didn’t have much time left.
The woman was not sick, but literally at the end of her life. She had no choice even if the Pope, not the Cardinal, came.
Of course, he would live a little longer if he helped, but he had no intention of wasting his divine power on something like the Baron’s wife.
“This is my wife, Mary. She is a devout believer, and she always reads the Bible or prays morning, noon, and evening. She said she really wanted to meet the Cardinal…”
The woman gave a small greeting with an old-fashioned smile at the introduction of Baron Fullfoot. However, her smile was so devoid of strength that she looked like a weak flower.
‘It must have been fun to watch when I was young.’
Gobert accepted the greeting roughly and said the words and greetings a cardinal would say.
The meal was served and Gobersan was reasonably full. It was edible for a castle in the outskirts, but it wasn’t very tasty.
After he finished and dried his hands, he spoke briefly about heresy and sects. It was the usual stuff.
The story goes that the heresy investigators will begin their full-scale search for heretics starting tomorrow. After finishing that story, he got up from his seat under the pretense of praying.
There was no need to have a long conversation with the Baron.
Unlike the other nobles who had been holding him back, the Baron let him go easily. He seemed to be very perceptive.
The room Gobersan was shown in was supposed to be the best in the castle, but it was shabby.
Gobersan sat in the center and seriously thought about how to proceed with the work. However, no matter how much he thought about it, the conclusion was the same.
‘If you try to be shallow, you might end up making the situation worse. You have to meet the third one.’
The brothers, having recently lost Count Behart, were on edge. It was not good to disobey orders in this situation.
Anyway, since his identity was revealed, he was holding the leash.
Gobersan recalled the mission he had been given.
‘I will confirm the third and open the passage to the brothers. I will give them maximum convenience so that they can know the strength of the brothers.’
The biggest problem was Brighton. If I stayed with Brighton any longer, I thought he would lose control of his killing intent and make mistakes, but he could avoid it if he stayed in his inner self.
‘But how do I face it? I can’t suddenly call an honorary monk.’
A cardinal visiting the castle suddenly calls an honorary monk. It wasn’t quite the right flow. It was clearly strange.
“Huh! It’s dark!”
At that moment, a small sound was heard outside.
Since entering the classroom, Gobersan has been so tense that he wakes up even at the slightest noise.
Gobersan headed to the window, waving his hands in anticipation of any possible scenarios.
What Gobersan saw while standing in front of the window was-.
‘······goddess?’
In the dark night, the goddess was falling, emitting bright light.
Her golden hair, fluttering as if oiled, looked just like the wings of a goddess.
Her white skin, as if she had never seen sunlight, was as beautiful as a sacred relic of a religious sect.
The moment he met those sparkling eyes that seemed to melt the sun, Gobersan’s spirit was greatly shaken.
Gobersan always kept his distance from women.
There was a time when I struggled with that temper, but at first I endured it with anger and pity for those who lied, and later I was able to endure it with the tension that felt like a knife to my throat.
“hello!”
Gobersan opened his mouth wide at the woman’s smile that contained all the warmth and freshness in the world.
The time it took for the woman to say hello felt like an eternity, but it also felt so short that it would only last a cough.
The woman disappeared downstairs.
Gobersan watched blankly as the woman fell to the ground with a thud and climbed over the wall.
Behind the woman, a loaf of bread with teeth marks on it was lying there.
***
“It’s okay now, isn’t it….”
“Eww! My hand!”
“Okay! Okay! Okay! Just a little···!”
When I shouted again, the mini-lung that had been questioning closed its mouth.
Mini’s lung function seemed to have been strange, but he seemed to be the type of person who kept his word and did not raise any questions.
The plan I roughly drew up and put together turned out better than expected.
“I know you think it’s great that you’re receiving a blessing or treatment from the Honorary Monk or Cardinal, but not as much as you think···.”
However, after hearing what happened next, it seemed like Mini Lung had misunderstood my intentions.
I guess they probably saw me as some kind of churchgoer pretending to be crazy just to see the cardinal.
‘Well, there are so many weird guys out there.’
We arrived at the synagogue following the mini-lodge, but it was empty.
The only visible figure is···.
“You are making excuses for not being able to read the Bible. If you were really curious about the Bible, you would have asked me to read it to you. If you were just saying that the Bible is good for sweet bread······.”
The abbot was holding a child who was not even tall enough to his waist and was scolding him for a long time.
The child yawned and held out his palm again.
“No. Didn’t we set a rule? If you memorized the Bible verse when the sun was halfway up, you would get a delicious bread. The sun wasn’t even halfway up yet, and the verse you just said was the same one used yesterday…”
“Ouch! Seriously! I told you the Bible verse! Give me bread!”
“Let me explain again. The verse you just memorized is the verse I wrote yesterday. Hasn’t the sun set yet? It’s not the appointed time. If I may tell you another verse…”
The abbot explained again at length without blinking an eye. The child shouted ‘Bye-!’ at the logical explanation and ran away somewhere.
Mini-lung approached the abbot.
“The Abbot of Brighton.”
Mini-lung-gyup bowed his head politely, completely different from the arrogant attitude he had shown me.
I thought about screaming at him, but held back because I thought the abbot would nag me.
“Johelia Temple Knight, oh- Aaron Honorary Monk is here too. Have you come to worship? You came at a good time, as preparations are underway for the midnight service.”
‘······What is the late night prayer service?’
I suddenly wondered how many times a day the abbot prayed, but quickly dismissed the question as a dangerous curiosity.
“I haven’t seen the Cardinal at the synagogue. Do you happen to know where Cardinal Gobert has gone?”
“Oh, is that what Cardinal Gobert said? He went to the castle while preparing for the midnight service. There is still much service and prayer to be offered…”
Mini Lungeup nodded at the abbot’s answer and stepped back.
“Are you thinking of going to see the cardinal?”
The abbot asked with a slightly tired look on his face.
“yes.”
“That’s good timing. I heard everyone is gathered over there, so let’s go together.”
In response to the mini-lung-level question, the abbot brushed the area where the child’s handprint had been and said:
***
Entry into the inner castle was originally prohibited after the sun had set, but it seemed that additional instructions had been given to allow the cardinal inside.
As we entered the inner sanctuary, a man who appeared to be an inquisitor guided us.
As I followed him down the hallway, I came across Google in a maid’s outfit.
Google really bowed her head and walked past us like a maid. She handed me a small piece of paper as she passed by.
“So even if you are a Knight Templar, you must not neglect to read the Bible. In addition, you are closest to the Pope······.”
“Umm······.”
I glanced ahead and examined the paper.
The paper contained detailed information about the cardinal.
‘You’re more capable than I thought.’
I didn’t search for it, but it automatically delivered it at the right time. This function could be called AI.
The abbot disappeared, saying he would speak to the lord, and Mini went first to the room where the cardinal was staying.
I looked around and read him quickly.
It seemed like he was a pretty famous person, so there was detailed information written down, but my face hardened at the content at the end.
‘······이 개새끼가.’
Just then, a mini-luggage opened the door and came out, and I tried to swallow my rising curse.
“The Cardinal has given his permission. Be polite and refrain from any irreverent behavior.”
Mini Lunge nodded and pointed inside.
I crumpled up the paper in my hand and hid it, then went inside.
A sweet smell fills the room as soon as you enter.
In the middle of it all was a guy wearing a cape so flashy that you’d wonder if he was really a member of the church.
The guy looks exactly like a raccoon.
However, the smell and presence it gave off were not those of a priest.
It had a different kind of power than the Five Elders. It was a feeling that was both creepy and sweet. It was like looking at candy in a trash can.
“Aaron, the Honorary Monk······.”
The guy nodded and trailed off.
I studied him, enjoying the tension running down my spine.
He was small in stature. He had some flesh, but it was moderate, and he had no weapons on his body. Only a neat Bible tucked under his side.
Although he was clearly unarmed, the warning bells in his head continued to ring.
At the same time, the corners of my mouth went up.
“······No, would it be better to call me the third brother?”
The guy said with a big grin.
I looked at the bastard’s disgusting smile and thought about the contents of the paper Google had given me.
‘So that bastard threw the abbot at me?’
As I recalled the worship I had experienced, my hand reached for the hilt of the sword.
