The Worth of the World – Part 03
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Translator: Kell
“Captain Orlux,” a subordinate said gingerly after they returned to the barracks.
Orlux turned to him with a smile. “What do you think righteousness is?” he asked.
“I believe it’s protecting the people.”
“Yes. It is self-sacrifice. It’s about giving up oneself for the sake of the people and becoming their shield. Even in the face of death, we, the Knights Templar, must expose ourselves to danger. We are the sword of God and the shield of the people. I am willing to take the abuse in order to fulfill that cause. I have been, and always will be.”
His men stirred. Smiles appeared on the anxious faces of the Noble Guards. Every one of Knox Cathedral’s Noble Guards, down to the chore boy, worshiped Orlux, because those who did not follow his policies all left their posts for compelling reasons—they fell ill, or committed crimes, or died in the line of duty. Some even disappeared, never to be seen again.
Suspicion fell on Orlux countless times, but each time, he proved his innocence. He would then proceed to say, “People assume I have an evil heart simply because I was born from infidelity,” gaining more followers.
The Church liked pitiful children. It loved seeing a child strive hard despite the awful circumstances they were in. It was exactly like the adjudicator from Dea Ignis said. And Orlux understood this better than anyone.
But he could not wrap the Bishop around his finger. Even when she could see through Orlux, she welcomed him as Captain of the Noble Guards with compassion.
The Bishop of Knox Cathedral had not changed since Orlux was young. He was the illegitimate child of a king and a disgraced member of the Knights Templar, but the Bishop accepted him like any other orphan.
She scolded him when he misbehaved, praised him when he did something good, and picked him up to her lap to read him books. She was like the real mother he dreamed of.
Orlux joined the Knights Templar because he sincerely wanted to protect the Bishop. Following his mother’s footsteps? Not once did he ever have such worthless motivation.
He wished that the Bishop was his mother. He wished that the blood flowing in his veins was her blood, not the blood of a lecherous king, or a woman who gave her child to the Church because of shame.
Orlux would not allow anyone who might harm the Bishop anywhere near her. It was impossible for him to tolerate anyone who could hurt her in any way.
“Her Excellency has a pure heart,” Orlux said. “It must not be defiled. As such, we must defile ourselves.”
“What do we do, Captain?”
“Gather some oil,” he replied with a smile. “Her Excellency has welcomed them. It will be even colder tonight. We must provide them a warm fire.”
Following the Bishop’s instructions, Zero and I took off our hoods, lifted our head, and boldly walked out of the main door of the cathedral.
The shocked gazes that fell on us made me feel restless, though in a different kind of way from when they looked at us with fear and hatred.
“I guess they’re not gonna welcome us right away with open arms,” I said.
“But the hostile atmosphere has clearly subsided,” Zero added. “The citizens seem to trust the Bishop deeply.”
“To say that the Bishop of Knox Cathedral is the most authoritative person among the Seven Bishops is not an exaggeration,” the priest explained. “Officially, they are all of the same rank, but the Bishop of Knox Cathedral is the one who hears the prophet.”
I snorted. “Since there’s no actual prophet at the Altar, doesn’t that make the Bishop of Knox Cathedral the Prophet? No wonder they assign the most respectable one to the position.”
“Keep your voice down! The people don’t know about that yet. We don’t want to make them more anxious than they already are.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
If it became known that the Church, the only one they could turn to, was lying all along, they would be thrown into the pits of despair.
“Since you’re here, why don’t you take a quick look around the town? You might find some items you want from stores. And it’s not a bad idea to show yourself to the people.”
“What does it matter if they see us?” Zero asked.
“Mercenary will explain that to you. I have some things left to do, so I’ll take my leave.” The priest quickly disappeared.
I had no idea how he could still move around. Gouda could not even walk properly. It reminded me that Dea Ignis was full of terrifying monsters.
After watching the priest go, Zero turned to me and asked, “What did he mean by that?”
“Uh, apparently there are plans to evacuate the people to Wenias.”
Damn you, priest. I already told him that nothing I could say would change her mind.
“Evacuate? That is a big decision.”
“And they want you to escort them.”
Zero’s mouth opened wide. She realized the Church’s intentions with just a few words. That’s a genius for you, all right. She saved me the trouble of explaining.
“You want me to turn around and return the way I came?”
“I’m not the one saying that.”
“Um, excuse me,” a voice said.
My ears perked up. I turned around to see a nondescript, merchant-looking man standing there nervously. “Are you talking to me?” I asked.
“Y-Yes. You escorted the Knights Templar from Wenias, didn’t you?”
“Y-Yeah, I guess.”
“We’d love to talk to you. We asked the knights, but they wouldn’t tell us much. We’d like to buy you drinks as a token of making your acquaintance.” The man turned his gaze to a group of people—young and old, men and women—staring anxiously at us.
I was a little unsure what to say. “You do realize you’re inviting a Beastfallen and a witch, right?”
“Of course. The Noble Guards said you were dangerous, but the Bishop welcomed you. Then we have to try to get along.”
“Huh.” Zero walked up to the man, her beauty fully exposed. “I see. After the Bishop recognized us as human beings, it is the people’s turn to evaluate us. They have realized that we can answer their questions.”
“I-I apologize. I meant no offense.”
“None taken,” Zero replied. “In fact, I feel great. By all means, buy me a drink. I will answer as many questions as you like.”
I almost let my voice spill. Ever since we met, Zero loved being asked questions and then answering them. She said she felt happy.
You ask questions and I answer them. By doing this, we learn more about each other.
That seemed to apply to everyone. Not that it mattered, really, but I couldn’t help but feel… weird.
The Church’s decision to coexist with witches would inevitably result in this. Other people would welcome Zero, and she would have no trouble finding someone to talk to.
“Mercenary.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you jealous?” She gave a smirk.
Her words shattered my frozen body. It was as if she knew exactly what was on my mind.
I almost yelled back, “Hell no!” but thought it over a bit.
She was right, I realized.
“I am,” I replied. “Got a problem with that?”
Her teasing look turned into a smile of delight, dispelling my petty feelings of jealousy.
“Are you afraid of losing me? Like how I am afraid to lose you?”
“Yes, damn it!” I barked. “Don’t make me repeat myself!”
Zero chuckled, then her face darkened, like she was thinking about something.
“Hello?”
“Hmm? Oh, uhm… We are probably thinking of the same thing.”
“Are you sure?” I wondered. “I don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
Zero pulled on my hand. “Yes, we are thinking of the same thing. Let us go. The powerless sincerely wishes to know about you and me. We must accommodate them.”
“You’re not just getting baited by food, are you?”
“Do not be silly. I have been looking forward to the dinner you made, but I have to put that on hold for this important duty.”
Riiight. Duty. I wagged my tail in exasperation.
Getting tired of me not moving, Zero left me behind and started walking toward the tavern with a spring in her steps. Reluctantly I followed her.
The people in town were jolly.
Some watched us afar at first, but once they realized that we talked like humans, they came over to us with drinks in hand and started conversations.
They begged Zero to show them Magic. They wanted to know how sharp my claws were. It was as if I had gone back in time, back when I was just a kid, helping my parents in the tavern, and people weren’t afraid of me.
Zero was next to me, drinking heavily and talking about how delicious my cooking was.
I felt glad I was a Beastfallen. If I had been a normal person, I would have started bawling like an old man.
Today I received news that my parents had passed away while waiting for my return. I learned that their love for me, which I had questioned until the end, was real.
Despite all that, I was able to keep my spirits up thanks to the presence of this one woman.
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