ZEN [20]

Regressor's Instruction Manual Episode 942

Zen (20) (Illustration)

"Kiyoung-ssi..."

"....."

"Kiyoung-ssi, do you have a moment?"

"I'm sorry. Currently, the Honorary Cardinal has expressed a reluctance to meet anyone..."

"Please inform him that I've arrived."

"I've already conveyed the message, but he is still not willing to meet anyone. I'm sorry, Blue Guildmaster."

"Kiyoung!"

"I'm sorry, Blue Guildmaster. However..."

"Let go of me!"

"Please ensure your safety, Blue Guildmaster."

Loud noises could be heard from outside. Even though Kim Hyunseong was shouting loudly from outside, it didn't bother me much.

If it hadn't been for the audience command I'd given, he would have probably kicked the door open and come in...

'What can you do? I don't want to meet you anyway.'

The time since then had been a very confusing time for the Honorary Cardinal.

Apart from Jung Hayan, I had minimized contact with the outside world, and I had refrained from exposing myself to the media as much as possible.

The kidnapping incident involving the Honorary Cardinal had become an event that only a small portion of people knew about.

Did he think that the miserable life of eating awful-tasting food was tarnishing his reputation? Or was it because he didn't want to reveal their incompetence?

The Holy See was extremely cautious about revealing the truth to the media.

The reason for not meeting Kim Hyunseong also seemed plausible.

The Radiant Saint of Light, who had been greatly shocked, was resting, minimizing his interactions with others as a superficial reason.

Of course, Kim Hyunseong wouldn't feel that way.

The worst criminal among the Templar, Zen, was either preparing for his trial, disappointed in himself, or imagining other scenarios of that sort.

A state of psychological instability due to the fear of losing his brothers connected by a bond.

Considering how the resurrected Kim Hyunseong was pathologically obsessed with this bond, it wasn't surprising that he had become somewhat strange.

How absurd it must have been. This guy, who suddenly stepped into a new position within the order. [[Within the brotherhood.]]

Furthermore, he was a criminal. From Kim Hyunseong's perspective, this was a criminal who had caused suffering to Kiyoung.

Where had that bond gone? Why were they tolerating that criminal? It was incomprehensible from Kim Hyunseong's point of view.

Something was wrong, and he must have thought it needed to be corrected.

Currently, Kiyoung was in a mentally fragile state, so it wasn't strange for him to constantly remind himself that he needed to be there.

"It's been about three days... Oppa, is Kim Hyunseong really okay?"

"We can't do anything right now, Nuna."

"We had a meal together just two days ago. His face didn't lie. He's going around like someone who's lost everything... There's a cloud of bad luck over his face... Sometimes he mumbles strange things..."

"Mumbles?"

"I was too scared to listen closely. But his eyes seemed as if they were about to pop out. Like those people who do strange things before they're driven into a corner. You know, right before they commit a crime... Like that. Just before they do something criminal... It looks like it could burst at any moment..."

"But Nuna, why would you have a meal with that guy?"

"Oh! He told me to participate in the trial no matter what. He said he wants me by the Holy See's side. He called it a special investigator. He said that the criminal must be punished. He said I must be present. He'll take care of all the minor paperwork. He's offering quite a generous compensation... I didn't go into the details, but he said it's a huge sum. He even offered to pay me several years' worth of salary upfront. Gold doesn't really matter to me, though."

'This guy... really...'

"So, did you agree?"

"No. I told him it would be difficult due to my busy schedule. It's what I feel inside. I want to lend him a hand too... But I don't want to get into a confrontation with you, oppa. Probably, he's going to see Jin Cheong. But..."

"....."

"He... Is it possible that Oppa knows that he's going to defend Zen, and Kim Hyun-Seong feels the need to prepare accordingly? It seems like he's running around even more than what Oppa might think."

"...."

"But... Is Oppa really okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Look at your face and your skin. You're a person left with only this... You've lost so much weight. For no reason, it makes me feel guilty... I never thought it would come to this. I genuinely thought you would just live a decent life. If it's tough, you would say it's tough."

"It was really tough."

'It's been a while since my Nuna seemed genuinely sorry about something.'

Perhaps I looked pitiful outwardly.

Even Jin Cheong, who came to arrest the infamous criminal Zen, seemed to be at a loss for words.

The guy who I thought would hysterically babble nonsense upon seeing me seemed to have sealed his lips after witnessing the pitiable state of the Grand Elder.

Fortunately, there wasn't a tiresome argument, so it turned out to be beneficial in many ways.

Sometimes, I think it's okay to appear like this.

'Because he treats even chilly people well.'

Of course, it's only sometimes. I never want to regain my freedom again.

"Can you give me more tea?"

"Sure."

I had dreamt of a momentarily free life, but it seems the Saint of Light loves being in his cage more.

Finishing the half-bath, applying a facial pack, spending time at an upscale spa with Jihye Nuna – that's real relaxation.

It's a massive room beyond comparison to the mud bath, and instead of a damp smell, there's a sweet aroma from scented candles. Instead of loud noises, mellifluous music fills the ears.

The touch of the fabric covering the body is great too. Even the feet don't hurt. Since my body isn't sore either.

I especially appreciate Nuna for being even more caring than usual.

"Was our Ki-Young very tired?"

Just don't say it too much.

"Should I give you a hug?"

"No. I have to get ready for dinner now."

"...."

"Hmm, are you going to see Zen?"

"Yes. I have to gather as much information as I can. Are we having mirror salmon today?"

"Yes. I also brought rainbow cotton candy for dessert, so eat a lot."

'Comparing it to the miserable porridge is a bit unfair.'

"Today, we're not having Western cuisine, but we've directly sourced from the Mirror Lake."

"Really?"

"Yes. Kim Hyun-Seong requested it."

'He's quite dedicated and kind-hearted.'

I feel a bit sorry about it.

We didn't really have to go to such lengths... I want to explain the situation, but... what could I possibly say?

If I were to say that we're concocting such schemes and in reality, it's all just a play.

We designed it, creating a criminal character to immerse ourselves in the story. If I said that, I'm sure he'd be thrilled.

The sensation is as if all the complex thoughts are gently melting away from my lips.

Maybe it's because the portion isn't that big due to my smaller appetite, but just the fact that mealtime has become enjoyable is enough to lift my spirits.

"And it seems like the guild is in chaos."

"The Blue Guild?"

"Yes. It seems like Kim Hyun-Seong was causing a ruckus. Losing his temper and breaking things. I heard that Jeong Ha-Yan was busy with wedding preparations and wasn't around..."

"How do you know about the news so well, Nuna?"

"I have my sources. This tastes good. I understand now why you like it."

"To be honest, I don't really like it that much..."

"Considering that, you enjoyed it so much..."

"Anyway... starting today, we're going to be on the move, right? How are we planning to go out?"

"We need to be thorough. Wearing plenty of accessories."

Ji-Hye nods in agreement, her head bobbing knowingly.

After that, she quickly brings out some clothes. While it's true that we could move around more comfortably, this way is more effective.

The more the Honorary Cardinal shines, the more Zen will feel guilty as his sense of honor grows stronger.

It's a way to trigger his guilt. It might look like a comfortable setup to me, but it's as if I've become a doll.

Seeing him locked up again due to his own incompetence might loosen my lips.

"Do you want something like this? A beautiful bird in a cage. A dressed-up doll living according to others' wishes. Once desiring freedom, now with lost eyes. Accepting one's destiny unwillingly, like someone who's been defeated by their fate. It's tough, but enduring."

"That's right."

"Try putting on the hat. I'll also attach the necklace and the ring."

"Okay."

After roughly preparing, I finish getting ready to go outside. Of course, dozens of members of the Order of Paladins start surrounding the area, which is natural due to the safety issues that have arisen from time to time.

Seeing Park Lian, Kim Chang-Ryul, and Kim Ye-Ri also deployed as escorts, I can tell they're quite concerned.

Kim Ye-Ri slightly raises her hand to greet me, and I respond with a subtle wave.

She seems to know everything for some reason.

Maybe it's because she participated in the awakening event with Park Deok-Gu once.

Soon, as if I had been waiting, a voice began to be heard.

"Where are you heading, Honorary Cardinal?"

"Please guide me to where Zen is."

"... ... ..."

"I have something I want to hear."

"I will personally interrogate and listen to the story."

"I think, as I mentioned before, that you probably didn't use torture or coercive methods."

He must have been being tortured energetically.

But he probably didn't yield much due to his heavy mouth... Anyway, I see people nodding their heads.

"Kiyoung-ssi!"

The voice I heard was right at that moment.

"Hyun-Seong?"

'You're still here?'

Kim Hyun-Seong, who was waiting outside for a chance, was there.

"Ki-Young... During this time..."

"I'm sorry, Hyun-Seong. I don't want to meet you right now."

My nuna's words are correct.

Kim Hyun-Seong's face looks really serious.

'A face that seems like he hasn't slept.'

I might not be able to express it in words, but it's a face like hanging on the edge of a cliff.

An expression as if he wants to grab onto a straw.

"Hyun-Seong, you have your own tasks to take care of."

Leaving behind your duties in the Republic and being here?

"At the moment, those matters aren't important. Ki-Young."

If they're not important... damn it. Since they're not important.

That's why you recruited those kinds of brats into the guild.

"You should manage the new guild members."

Yeah. I beat up some of them. Those guys... the ones I want to kill.

"Those... guild members... are no longer here."

"What? Did you close down the branch of the Republic?"

"No. It's not that kind of talk. There are no more new guild members now."

"...."

"It's difficult to explain, but... anyway, there are none now."

Then where are they?

In the sky?

"There are none now."

Did you... kill them?

Kim Hyun-Seong's eyes seemed a little frightening.

*The next page includes a Cherubim illustration.

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Finally done with the Zen arc, yeepee, We'll soon get to see Benigore's past