Chapter 380: Fact Always Wins (6)
“Maybe it can be something very important.”
For some reason, everything that was unfolding was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. However, I had to nod slowly. I had to figure out exactly what they talked about inside.
The disadvantage of the current Republican camp was its ignorance of enemy information and the influence of the World Tree of the Kingdom of Eberia. I had only learned recently that the Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung had been staying in Eberia, so there was no need for other expressions. It was stupid to think that this was the only card they were hiding. If I were to think about them hiding various cards…
‘There may be some information.’
Even in a very small conversation, you could make a lot of guesses. In order to effectively finish this battle, I needed first to understand what the opponent is thinking.
‘It’s not just about defending.’
The issue was how long it would take. In terms of time, there was a high probability that the war would start tomorrow if it was early, and the next day if it was a little slower.
Enemy troops must be prevented from arriving at Castle Rock, so they must be held for at least five days. Even if the enemies were to arrive, it must be after the capture of Castle Rock.
“The situation is favorable.”
The walls were solid, and the troops were superior. They were in the position of a castle defense battle, not a siege. If I induced long-term battles around the wizards’ physical distribution and priests…
‘They won’t break down so easily.’
They would never fall easily. Soon after a while, I heard a knock on the door. Who it was was obvious. I could see the Bishop Priest’s face, entering the room with a slightly complicated expression. It was a dark face, depending on every angle I looked in. I thought I could roughly see what he was thinking.
‘He doesn’t want to fight.’
That was probably it. From the priest’s point of view, it couldn’t be helped.
“What do you want to talk about, Senior Bishop Priest?”
“Oh, nothing special. Perhaps, Yev Karina, you have more you want to hear from me…”
“You’re… right, Senior Priest. The lack of current information is undeniable. Which cards do they have on the State’s side? Also, you have to tell me what kind of conversations you had inside.”
“It was a simple conversation between priests. You probably won’t be able to earn anything even if you listen. What we talked about was not about the war in the first place… It was about peace and coexistence and a new step. It was about what the Goddess really wants, and it was also the direction we priests should move forward. There is a difference between the gods enshrined in, but everyone’s roots are the same… Haha. Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung, he said he was an atheist until he came here. Can you imagine? An atheist… to be an atheist on this continent!”
“In fact, the place where we came from, there were a lot of people who had the same idea. There is no such thing as divine power there.”
“I heard there was constant war. On Earth, where the foreigners came from. What was interesting is that the wars caused by religion also took up a large number of them. Of course, this doesn’t mean that religious war doesn’t happen either, but… it would be impossible to compare it with the Earth. I heard that countless people fought for their religious beliefs. Fighting for a god who may or may not exist, a god who does not reveal himself and does not have divine power…”
“Certainly, it happened. No, maybe even now… they will be fighting.”
“He didn’t understand it, but he said now he can understand. Of course, that doesn’t mean he can understand distorted fights. He said he could understand the faith of fighting for what he believed in. I think I can see why Goddess Benignore and Elune made him their messenger. Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung, his faith is pure. He is a very clean person.”
“What?”
“He’s a real priest with pure faith. He knows the road he’s trying to go is dangerous, but he’s not afraid. He doesn’t hesitate to fight in the name of God. He even said he was studying Varian’s doctrine… Hahaha. It’s time to reflect on myself once again. Have I ever fought under the name of God? Am I qualified to say I am a priest? About what I’ve done far…”
“You did many things. And the Senior Bishop Priest will still do a lot in the future.”
“No, all I did was… nothing. I didn’t do anything for God.”
“No, priest.”
“Open the way.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You have to open the way. They have a cause, and we don’t. You have to avoid fighting. There is no reason for the people of the Republic to shed useless blood. All he wants is to be one under the name of light. All he wants it’s to catch the demon summoner Jin Qing and end this chaos. We have to open the road and head to Castle Rock together.”
“What?”
“I told you we should be with them, Yev Karina.”
“What are you talking about, Senior Bishop Priest? We’re at war now. Opening the way? That makes no sense… And doesn’t the Priest Bishop know better than anyone else that Jin Qing is not someone like that?”
“I was talking about possibilities. If he is really confident, why didn’t he come out in the continental trial? Why was he consistent by not answering questions from the State? He’s the demon summoner. I saw it clearly with these two eyes.”
“I think you are drunk. I’ll listen to that tomorrow. Please go back now.”
“I’m not talking nonsense, Yev Karina. I saw it clearly! He said he received divine revelation! He’s the demon summoner… He has to get the proper Inquisition trial.”
“I told you I thought you were drunk! Bishop Priest!”
“Jin Qing, didn’t he say he was the demon summoner?! Yev Karina!”
“If you talk about useless things anymore, I will rule it with military law!”
“…”
“…”
“I’m sorry… It Looks like I got excited for a moment…”
“Phew… No. I can fully understand you…”
“Would you have a drink with me?”
“I’m fine, priest. My head hurts, so just go back. And what happened today will be posted regardless. No, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything. Please, think again.”
“Okay… Okay.”
“I didn’t say much, but I respect the priest a lot. I want us to meet him with a smile tomorrow.”
“…”
As I watched the priest walk away, his drooping shoulders came into sight. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what conversation they had.
I bit my lips tightly. I looked at the wine on the table. Naturally, I took it without knowing it. But soon, I had no choice but to throw the glass that the Bishop Priest’s poured to the floor. It was because I realized my choice had been a mistake.
“Fuck.”
And…
“You should have drunk that drink, Yev Karina.”
I turned to the place where the voice was heard in an instant, and what I see through the cracks of the dark was the old man with gray hair. His eyes were full of madness, and an unknown hostility lay in his face. Naturally, I started chanting a spell.
However, the moment I saw the dagger in the hand of the old man who ran into me suddenly, sudden fear and disconcert hit my mind. It didn’t mean I hadn’t been through this kind of situation. However, the unusual appearance of Bishop Priest made it difficult to think about other things.
“Ahhhhhhh!”
“You should have drunk it! The sacred wine I handed you!”
“This… This crazy old man!”
“I’m crazy? You think I’m crazy?! The crazy one is you. You bitch, servant of the filthy demon!”
“What… are you?!”
“Do you think we don’t know the plans of the demon worshippers?! A plan to summon the demon once again to Castle Rock?! Do you think we don’t know you’re trying to summon a complete demon once again by offering sacrifices to everyone there? When I received the revelation from Varian, you thought I would be deceived by obvious means!”
“This is bullshit!”
“I saw it! I saw the future, and I’m actually experiencing it! I also received a revelation! Varian’s revelation saw the Republic become a sea of fire! What you guys are trying to do in Castle Rock! I realized it all, this stupid thing! I realized why you were going to start this war!”
“This… Let go of me!”
“Do you dare try to harm Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung? Are you trying to harm him, knowing that he has been chosen by God?! He is Varian’s son, and a chosen messenger! A mere demon’s servant like you can’t do anything to him!”
“Crazy… old man!”
It felt like my mind went blank instantly. I struggled, but once again, it was difficult to speak out because of the metal stuck in my stomach.
“I will fight, too. To protect the people of the Republic, I I will be with Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung!”
My vision became blurred. However, it was no wonder that I thought that I should hold onto my mind properly. Stuttering, as I reached out my arm, something of an unknown shape was caught in my hand. I then hit his head with it.
When the Bishop Priest fell to the ground, my body was released from his restraints, and I heard him gasping. I didn’t know what had happened, but what was certain now was that Bishop Priest was not normal. Looking ahead again, I saw that his broken head was rapidly recovering with divine power.
“You finally revealed your true color… You dirty demon’s servant.”
“No… I’m not that…”
“This dirty bitch!”
“I am not that!!!”
Once again, I struck the object in my hand at the priest who stretched out his dagger. I felt a dull sensation for an instant, but my body, which had already swung in fear, was now out of his control. To survive, I let go of reason to survive.
“I’m not!”
“Ugh!”
“Demon’s!”
“Gasp…”
“Servant!”
“Gasp!”
“I just want to protect!”
“Ahhh!!”
“The Republic! I just want to protect Jin Qing!”
“This… dir… ty… serv…”
“Just die!”
“…”
“Die! You traitor!”
“…”
“Dieee!!!”
Something sticky splattered on my face. As I leaned down my arms without strength, what was in my hand had statue.
whose sword and shield was covered with blood. The reason was unknown. However, looking at the statue, somehow, I laughed. It was then that a huge sound came out.
Baaaaaannngg!
Before even knowing what happened, I could see the soldiers’ faces coming in to report turned pale.
“Yev Karina! Interracial coalitions are flocking to the walls… what… w-what have you done…”
“…”
“What have you done?!”
There was no way I could answer. My whole body was losing strength.
‘As expected… Jin Qing… was right. Jin Qing… was right.’
It felt as if the voice I heard before was echoing in my head.
‘You must not trust him, Yev Karina. Absolutely.’
“As expected… Jin Qing… wasn’t wrong…”