TRIAL [7]

Regressor's Instruction Manual Episode 948

Trial (7)

How should I interpret that expression?

If I couldn't understand what Kim Hyunseong was thinking, it probably would've been even more confusing.

Although a bit direct, I had no choice but to speak up.

"Do not kill him."

'Even so, it's not that straightforward. It's not like you can just chop off limbs and go on.'

I feel like his temperament has become a lot more volatile. Is it because of Doom Hyunseong's influence that still lingers?

Or maybe he's been stressed recently and has snapped.

My body trembles unknowingly at the eerie thought that Kim Hyunseong has finally gone insane.

I don't know why the image of this guy thrusting a huge knife into my abdomen suddenly popped into my mind.

'Sh*t. That really hurt…'

But there's no way I can express that. I stare at him with a cold, unyielding gaze.

Perhaps he understands what I'm thinking even without saying a word.

'Don't help Benigore escape to your side. Don't kill him. You bastard.'

If he doesn't listen to me, it's going to be a bit troublesome afterward. Do you get that?

I understand your feelings too, but this is already a closed chapter. It's going to be as if the person named Zen never existed from the beginning.

Just let him escape, that's all.

"I hope you let him escape in one piece."

"...."

"Please handle it quietly."

"Kiyoung, he..."

"Yes, Hyunseong's words are correct. But I also think he's someone who carries pain. While I might be doing something off-topic, I can't just let him die like this. He might have hurt me as Hyunseong said, but..."

You did the same. You stabbed my abdomen.

"...."

"...."

"Will you come in for a moment?"

"No, today it's already quite late. Besides..."

"I know what Hyunseong is thinking and what he wants to say to me. But I won't be convinced. I've already made up my mind. So please."

"...."

"I'm telling you once again, don't kill him..."

"I'll consider it accepted."

"...."

"And..."

"Thank you as always, Hyunseong."

Lets give him a slight smile.

It might have some effect. Kim Hyunseong didn't give a definite answer, but I think he'll make the right choice.

In many ways, it's not a favorable situation, but can this guy really refuse Kiyoung's request?

The request of a friend who sacrificed his life for his sake.

Anyway, we can hide Templar Zen somewhere unseen and...

In return, the lost sense of family will come back.

In trade, you can't have everything. If you gain something, you lose something.

Kim Hyunseong must realize he needs to choose and focus.

Rather than wasting time on useless revenge, he might be inclined to care for and protect his friend.

Of course, I prefer deals where I only gain, but Kim Hyunseong can't play the bravado game.

'He'll definitely do it. Even if he doesn't like it, he'll do it. Even if he doesn't want to.'

What's most important to Kim Hyunseong is regaining the sense of family that has escaped.

'And it's actually quite amusing how he talks to Zen. Saying he's going to kill him, beat him to a pulp, or something like that.'

Anyway, next is Zen.

'Anyway, the trial is just a tangent. I never had any interest in the damn trial from the beginning.'

If I had sincerely engaged in the trial, maybe the outcome would have been different, and I try to console myself with that thought.

To begin with, I didn't even care about the showdown with Jincheong. I just found a more rational way.

What really matters for the continent's well-being? What's important at this moment? It was a problem I couldn't help but ponder, a problem that I had to think about, over and over again.

Was that trial really the most important thing for me?

Did that trial have meaning? That pathetic fight for pride won't be of any help to my forward-looking self.

Different...

'I'm different from the lunatic in that game.'

A saint who prioritizes the common good over personal greed.

'I'm the Light Saint for a reason.'

Whether Templar Zen is guilty or innocent doesn't lead to the real fight. The jury's decision isn't what matters.

The extermination of the Templars, a group that brought chaos to the continent. Exploiting the cozy sanctuary of the Mole Saintess.

The ongoing battle to prevent abnormal phenomena from occurring on the continent right now, for the sake of making many people live a slightly happier life, dedicating oneself to providing a peaceful life for the people of the continent.

Is that not important as a continent manager, as an honorary Cardinal of the Holy See, as a human being?

'The nature is different. The fundamentals are different.'

That was the difference between a Demon Summoner and a Light Saint.

Let's place a Location-Tracking Artifact on the statue of Benigore and a Surveillance Camera Artifact. There's only one place Templar Zen can go if he escapes.

Maybe there's a chance he might head somewhere else, but he'll likely want to save the pitiful Light Saint.

Recognizing the need for the power of a group rather than an individual is natural.

A guy with no backing other than the group can't really go against it.

With my head down, I softly opened my mouth.

"Zen."

"Lee Ki-young...nim?"

"Yes, Zen, it's me."

"At this time... how..."

"Since the allotted time is short, I'll quickly tell you, Zen."

"Yes?"

"I... I think I can help you get out of here."

"Yes?"

An expression of incomprehension. A blank face.

"I decided to ask for help."

"Yes? What's this..."

"It's becoming difficult to explain..."

"What are you saying, Lee Ki-young-nim!"

The dying guy's voice suddenly got loud. But he can't comprehend that someone could help him get out at this point.

The public opinion has already been reversed. He should also be aware that there's no hope in this trial.

How could a Honorary Cardinal have managed to sneak him out? Considering that, showing such a reaction isn't unreasonable.

There was some sort of deal.

He's probably judging that there was some kind of deal.

How to interpret that deal, I don't know.

It could be selling one's freedom, a political deal, or something so harsh that it can't be explained in words.

The reality was that it was playing with Kim Hyunseong, but his imagination works in our favor.

Putting on a smile as if everything's fine is a natural sequence of events. It's as if it's familiar, like usual, showing a feeble smile.

"You don't need to sacrifice yourself. This is all... my arbitrary..."

"I'm okay. Zen-nim."

"I'm not okay. Lee Ki-Young-nim. I tried to ignore it for my pathetic self..."

"No. Zen-nim, you're not a pathetic person. You've shown me a wider world, and you've shown me the continent as it is. You've broadened my perspective and given me various gifts."

"...."

"..."

"In truth, everything was because of my own selfishness. Zen-nim, you might think it was your doing, but that's not the reality. It wasn't that way. It was something I had always dreamed of. Maybe deep down, you also wished to take me along. Despite knowing it was wrong, despite knowing that this end would be cruel... I tried to ignore it. Because that moment was happy."

"...."

"The joy of being able to see different skies every day, precious routines, unknowingly, I got caught up in a life that I found too regretful to let go of. Perhaps I pretended not to see the unease that Zen-nim might be feeling."

"It's not your fault, Lee Ki-Young-nim. This is all my doing. It was me who ignored the events that followed. I told you I would show you a new world, but my desire for freedom might have been even stronger. Not for you, but for myself..."

"A kind person."

A moron like him.

"I am a despicable person, unlike the person you think I am... I'm just a lowlife because of my selfishness!"

"...."

"It wasn't for you."

I can't tell if this bastard's words are true or false.

He projected me onto himself to a certain extent, but it's unlikely that he caused all those things just due to his own greed.

There were various emotional exchanges; that's an undeniable fact.

Even if this jerk says he doesn't care about the Honorary Cardinal, it doesn't matter to me. I'll start thinking about it from now on anyway.

"That doesn't matter, Zen-nim. I'm just doing what I believe is right."

Always a steadfast Honorary Cardinal. A saint of unshakable convictions. Sending you away was just the beginning.

A long fight lies ahead. From the Holy See issue to the concealed vices of the continent, you'll embark on a difficult battle.

"Go to a place where no one will find you. Zen-nim."

"But..."

"Pope Basel will declare a holy war against the Templars."

I'll make the proclamation.

"I want to prevent it as much as possible..."

Already, this has gone beyond the scope of an Honorary Cardinal's duties.

The Church's Faction problem had already deepened, and it's impossible for an individual to stop it.

You can only think of it as a rotten mess that has been festering for a very long time. Shit. The Humiliation Show is about to begin.

"Many will die, and much blood will be shed."

"...."

All an Honorary Cardinal can do is try to prevent events from happening as much as possible.

In fact, I know that I can't fully prevent them. It's a mere struggle, but even a small hand is needed to help the Light Saint.

"Lee Kiyoung, If you really must..."

No, you also know the truth. To minimize the damage from this incident, it's not the human Lee Ki-young that's needed, but the power of the Honorary Cardinal.

It feels like fate playing a trick on us.

For the continent, for the Church, for the supposed goddess, the narrative of an Honorary Cardinal fighting against a formidable power.

"Go as far away as you can."

'Don't leave. Crawl back into your corner. To where your friends are, where the Templars are.'

"Forget about the Church and the Papal Faction."

'Don't forget. Remember what the Church did to you.'

"Forget about me too."

"Never forget about me. Fuck. Discuss things once with the Templars, with the ones left there.'

"Don't ever come looking for me again."

'I might come find you.'

"This... This is my final gift."

I offer a small necklace. The ultimate gift, containing Location-Tracking, Surveillance Camera, and Eavesdropping Artifacts.

I don't think he realized the functionalities embedded within it. It looked like a necklace in the form of Benigore, and more importantly, it was the final gift from Lee Ki-young as Lee Ki-young. It will certainly be cherished like a treasure.

"Lee Ki-young-nim, Lee Ki-young-nim!"

"...."

"Lee Ki-young-nim!"

"...."

Don't look back. Parting is familiar, but tears might flow.

"Lee Ki-young-nim... Please... Please!"

Move forward with determination. After a brief hesitation...

".... "

"It was enjoyable."

Turning back to bid farewell.

"..."

-Aaargh!!

And then

-AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

-Lee Ki-young!!! You bastard! Crazy son of a bitch! You damn trash!!! You despicable and disgusting bastard!!

The sound of the morning alarm rang out.

----

Truly a tear inducing chap-- Nevermind.