Chapter 379: Fact Always Wins. (5)
‘I will remain here and keep my seat.’
‘Will you?’
‘Yes, if you don’t come back within three hours…’
‘That won’t happen.’
‘No, if you do not come back within three hours, I will send troops right away. I told you clearly. It’s just for three hours, Senior Bishop Priest.’
‘Okay, I’ll make sure to come back within three hours.’
‘The condition is not to use this meeting for propaganda. You must tell him. And right after returning…’
‘Yev Karina, I’ll tell you what we talked about.’
‘Yes, then, please, Senior Bishop Priest.’
‘No, I’m feeling rather grateful. It must have been an unreasonable request… Then, I’ll be back.’
‘I’ll accompany you to the entrance.’
The conversation I had exactly two hours and 22 minutes ago was constantly lingering in my mind. Naturally, the thought of whether or not I did the right thing crossed my mind.
It was certainly not impossible to communicate between the confronting troops during a war, but this was certainly an exception.
I didn’t even ask for permission from a senior unit for the meeting of Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung, and the Senior Bishop Priest of the Republic.
I couldn’t even imagine them accepting the proposal from this side so easily.
‘They don’t think it’s a trap?’
From the standpoint of the State, it was certainly understandable to think of this as a trap. The Republic mainly contained propaganda that slandered Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung and actually pointed him as the official enemy of the continent.
However, he seemed overly calm, waiting at the meeting place. He really didn’t look like to be thinking this was a trap. I had only encountered him for a second, but his quiet smile was still in my mind.
He believed that the Republican camp would not do anything useless.
‘No… why didn’t I go in with Bishop Priest?’
This was an excuse telling myself that I had to stay here. In fact, the answer was already there.
‘This was because I didn’t have the confidence not to be shaken.’
I must have been afraid that all my beliefs regarding the Republic and about my values would collapse.
I indeed wanted to know the truth. However, I didn’t have the confidence to face him directly. Though contradictory, I thought it couldn’t be helped because I was a coward.
‘It’s also someone I will fight…’
Looking out the window, I could see the small tent where they were still talking.
It was natural to wonder what kind of conversation was going on. It was then that a voice came from the side.
“Will it be fine? Yev Karina.”
“Oh, Jun Weng was here.”
“…”
“It will probably be okay. They’re not going to do anything stupid. Although it’s an unofficial conversation, it’s a conversation between priests. The Senior Bishop Priest is not going to do such a stupid thing either.”
“I see. Senior Bishop Priest…”
“No need to worry. He’s a little stubborn, but he’s someone that the Republic really needs. He will never do anything that harms his home country. From his point of view, it’s us instead that wouldn’t look trustworthy, because we are foreigners.”
“I guess so.”
“Yes.”
“But Karina-nim…”
“Yes.”
“What is the reason?”
“What do you mean?”
“Yes, I honestly don’t understand well. Of course, it is because of Bishop Priest’s honor…”
“Well, I’m not sure either, really.”
“…”
“I don’t doubt Jin Qing. However, this war has some weird aspects. It feels like it’s moving according to someone’s plan. Maybe…”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps the Republic started the war. I’m not sure, but there’s a high probability.”
“That’s…”
“It’s a personal thought. And it’s also the thought I’m suppressing as much as possible. Of course, even if the Republic is wrong, I will be with the Republic and Jin Qing. That doesn’t change, Jun Weng, but…”
“Yes.”
“I want to know what the truth is. I don’t want to be dragged around without knowing anything. That’s why I nodded to the Bishop Priest’s proposal. I need to know what I’m fighting for. At least, I think so.”
“I see.”
“Has Jun Weng never doubted the Republic?”
“It’s not that I haven’t, but… I don’t think I’ve ever thought deeply like Karina-nim. Of course, I can fully understand Karina. But… it wouldn’t be nice to go too deep. Come to think of it, Jin Qing always said that he worries about such Karina.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he said that thinking deeply is an advantage, but being too indulged is a disadvantage. And also, because of that personality, he said that it doesn’t suit the battlefield…”
A bitter smile had been created. My pride was hurt, but I was able to understand enough.
That was why I was assigned to the guardian rather than the one who fought. That was why I was confronting Eberia, not Castle Rock.
“You know well, Jin Qing…”
“But that’s why he said you would shine more in a place like this.”
“…”
“…”
“Haha, that’s good news. He was really thinking of me… that’s good news.”
“There must be a reason why he told us not to trust Cardinal Lee Kiyoung.”
“Yes. That, too…”
‘There must be a reason.’
“You said that it was for fighting. A little while ago.”
“Yes. That’s right, Jun Weng.”
“Is there not enough reason to fight for those who currently believe in Karina?”
“Ah…”
At this point, it now felt as if the complicated things were being organized all at once.
Of course, nothing had been organized. Still, the seeds of doubt were growing in my heart, and my head hurt because of many thoughts.
I felt like I knew what to do. I had to do my best in the work given. That was all for now.
Anyway, the battle would take place, and if I were to make a mistake, many would die. It was inevitable that the soldiers of the Republic and the soldiers of the State would collide.
Which side was friendly and which side was the enemy had already been determined.
“I see… yes, I see.”
There was also a faint, unknown smile on my lips. Absurdly, I had forgotten such a simple thing. Tactic was indeed an efficient way to win. It was a way to win the battle while minimizing the damage of allies. The work to be done was set.
“Let’s get up. Three hours have passed.”
“Yes. Karina-nim.”
After taking a few steps, I could see the Bishop Priest. What was a little surprising was that Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung was coming with him.
Of course, the escorts were together, but the very casual appearance seemed a little strange.
There were eyes that could be said to be a little torn, a sharp nose, and strangely red lips. Overall, it was difficult to say that he was handsome, but his face felt erotic somehow.
However, when he smiled, a very nice-looking face came into my eyes.
“I heard about you, Yev Karina-nim. Thank you for making this difficult decision.”
“No, Honorary Cardinal. Please keep your promise. This conversation is…”
“Of course, I will not use it for propaganda. To use the way we talk about God is… I don’t enjoy it either… what do you think? It’s a little disappointing to just go like this, you could talk with us, too…”
“No, I’ll go back right away. Thank you for being friendly, but as of now, we’re enemies. Afterward, I’ll meet you once everything is over.”
“Okay, unless any one of us doesn’t die… Yes. You’ve decided that way.”
“…”
“Unfortunately… hmm… no… hmm… it’s really unfortunate. I don’t want to fight either… I want you to understand our current situation, Karina-nim.”
“Of course, I understand. Your side… and our side, too. Then see you on the battlefield.”
“Yes, I don’t know if the meeting place will be the battlefield… anyway, thank you. Bye then.”
It was no wonder that I could see him slowly turning his back. Even the voices of conversation could be heard.
“I came out so far as Hyung-nim said, but I hope this will not happen next time. My heart was beating, but are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be okay? I just trusted. Deokgu, them, and you, too.”
“Well, thank you, but it’s a little embarrassing. It would be better to go back quickly. Maybe the chase team will follow us.”
“It won’t happen.”
“You trust people so easily.”
The one he was talking to must be the warrior that I had seen through the Goddess’ Mirror.
I thought that was a familiar face. Although I was interested, I was forced to turn my head right away. This is because a voice was heard from the front.
“What should we do? Karina. Even now, rangers…”
“No, we don’t have to do that… we will meet them anyway.”
“Yes, then, I will do so.”
“More importantly, how was the conversation, Bishop Priest?”
“…”
“Bishop Priest?”
“Ah… Did you call me?”
“Yes, how was the conversation…?”
“Well, that’s it. He seemed to be a better person than I thought, so I spent a little more time talking to him. I’m sorry about this.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Hmm… You’re still thinking of fighting…”
“Yes, there’s nothing to be done. Perhaps the same can be said of the Honorary Cardinal that the situation cannot be changed. It’s a situation where each side can’t yield…”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Instead, have you solved your questions, priest?”
“It’s uncertain to say it’s actually solved, but I feel refreshed. I think I know roughly what he is thinking… and I think I know what kind of person he is. If the eyes of this old man are certain, he can be said to be an envoy chosen by God. No, I can be sure. He is a saint chosen by the Goddess Benignore.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes…”
“Then the Laios case…”
“He wouldn’t do that. He’s not like that. He’s a man who can’t even lie properly. He is the one who is worried about the blood that would spill again… He is someone who suits the expression of a saint. Yes, absolutely…”
“Still… we are going to fight.”
“I see…”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“…”
“…”
“And the thing in your hand…”
“Oh, it’s wine.”
“What?”
“Have you heard of the sacred wine that only high-ranking priests of the State can drink? This is what is left after drinking today. He said to take it as a gift. It’s not poisonous or dangerous, so don’t worry. So, would you like to go in and have a drink?”
“No, I…”
“I am not talking about getting drunk together. Karina, please listen to what I have to say for a moment.”
“That’s…”
“Maybe it will be something very important.”