ZEN [3]
Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 924
Zen (3)
[Templar Zen's POV]
"Yes, that's right."
"As I thought. Is it because of your mission?"
"It's hard to explain in detail, but yes, mostly."
"Fascinating. So, it involves secret missions?"
"Yes."
"And you've been to many kingdoms within the Kingdom Union?"
"I have visited almost all of them. Although it was a short time, it was enough to understand each country."
"What about the Lamaria Mountain Range? Have you visited the Gelira Kingdom, known as the Kingdom of Culture? What about the ancient ruins of Pohoah, rumored to hold mysterious secrets? How are the people there?"
"I spent quite a long time in the Gelira Kingdom."
"Can you tell me more about it?"
"Of course, Honorary Cardinal. Well, in that place, there were renowned artists..."
"I have seen some of their works from a distance. Their artistic techniques are quite unique, and the architectural styles that depict ancient history... Oh! I also heard that there is a place where the legacy of Jarrbahan, the hero who unified the Kingdom Union, lies dormant."
"Yes, the dungeon has been cleared, but the owner of the legacy has not appeared yet. Perhaps the owner will never appear. Besides that..."
"Ah, so there are secrets hidden in the Lamaria Mountain Range?"
"Yes, there is a village where the fairies live. I haven't had a proper encounter with them, though..."
"Fairies... It sounds like something out of a fairy tale. I've heard they love playing pranks... By any chance, have you... been tricked by those fairies before?"
'Yesterday's conversations are coming back vividly'
'So different.'
Because they were so different. I had even doubted if I had a conversation with the Honorary Cardinal yesterday; that's how incomprehensible it all seemed.
The descriptions that portrayed him as the God of Sacrifice and Resurrection, the Son of Benigore, the Saint of Light... They felt exaggerated until I saw it with my own eyes.
Of course, I didn't doubt the miracles performed by the Benigore.
I just had some lingering suspicion. Could there really be such a saint in the world? Was he truly the chosen one blessed by Benigore? Was he genuinely a messenger of the gods? In my mind, I kept telling myself not to doubt Benigore's will, but my heart often felt an alien sensation.
The turning point was when I met the Honorary Cardinal in person. Not through any medium or video, but after witnessing the Honorary Cardinal's prayer gathering.
'Perhaps a new crisis is approaching the continent. The current situation is far from normal...'
'Honorary Cardinal...'
'Lee Kiyoung..'
'But I believe we can overcome it. Benigore will never give us a trial we cannot overcome. She always grants us the strength to prevail.'
'I think the continent has always been like this. We faced dangers many times, but we became stronger and more resilient. Those trials may have hurt us and made things difficult, but the beautiful continent we see now, the blue sky above us, is all because of the past pain.'
It was the turning point that completely changed my perspective. He was exactly as people described him.
Always humble, always loving light and humanity, always ready to sacrifice himself. The Son of Benigore. The Incarnation of Light. A saint transcending humanity. A saint who had no choice but to sacrifice himself.
Despite this change in perspective, the alien sensation did not disappear completely. But I felt like I could understand the true nature of that sensation.
Perhaps... Perhaps that alien feeling was not the image of the Honorary Cardinal as a saint, but rather his identity as a human.
Maybe it was because the Honorary Cardinal had taken off the guise of being the Son of Light and cast away his responsibilities and duties. Perhaps what I saw yesterday was not the divine side of the Honorary Cardinal but rather his human side.
"That's interesting, fairies... Can you actually see them?"
"Fairies never leave their designated places. It's also prohibited by continent law to keep them as individuals or hold them in captivity... You might have to visit their habitat directly to see them."
"Oh... I see... That's a shame. I would have liked to see them someday."
It was a short but seemingly long period. It was the Honorary Cardinal's disheveled appearance, which I had never seen before.
The moments of stumbling under the influence of wine, the bright expression when listening to adventure stories, and the excitement he showed like a child while engrossed in his own stories—all those moments must have been his human side.
Being chosen by Benigore was undoubtedly a blessing, but... No, it would undoubtedly be an honorable thing, but was the life the Honorary Cardinal desired truly that life?
A life devoted to faith, the continent, its people, and sacrificing everything for them—was that genuinely the life he wanted? Was a life confined to what he loved more than anyone else—beautiful landscapes—truly what he desired?
I knew these were unnecessary thoughts. Thoughts I shouldn't have, thoughts that had nothing to do with me, but the genuine expression on his face remained vivid in my memory.
"It must be nice to explore all corners of the world."
"You, too, Honorary Cardinal..."
"Oh, yes. I've been exploring various places on the continent as well... I used to... briefly act as an adventurer."
It probably wasn't the form he desired, surrounded by temple priests, guarded by guild escorts, visiting designated and secure places to handle his schedule.
Perhaps that was the Honorary Cardinal's journey, his adventure. He might not have much to see in reality. It felt like he was trapped at the top of a tower.
"Excuse me, but can we meet again tomorrow? I'd like to hear more about your adventures, Zen."
Just when I was lost in thought, a familiar doll came into view from behind.
"Yes, Templar Simon."
"What happened with the Honorary Cardinal?"
"I haven't told you yet."
"...."
"That sounds like a good plan, Templar Zen. It might be more effective to draw him closer after getting to know him better. As you have a good relationship with Pope Basel, it's best to approach cautiously. Currently, the Honorary Cardinal holds a central position within the Papal Court..."
"Yes."
"Anyway, it's fortunate that he is friendly towards you. I'm not sure why, but... Haha. How about that? I sense that you might have noticed something."
"Do you think so?"
"Of course. After all, he is the Honorary Cardinal. His only concern is likely the safety and faith of the continent and Benigore. Do you think he would be interested in how the Holy See operates or whether the followers are corrupt?"
That was true, but for now, I could only nod my head.
"If he acknowledges that the true light is here, the Honorary Cardinal will undoubtedly lend us his support."
"Templar Simon."
"Yes, Templar Zen."
"Are you considering withdrawing the plan?"
"Do you dislike the idea of bringing the Honorary Cardinal closer?"
"....."
"Templar Zen, you have always been like this. Kind, warm, and possessing many unnecessary emotions. But right now, what we need is not those weak sentiments. Look around the continent. Open your eyes and face what's happening here. Before Benigore truly forsakes us, we need to undo everything."
"...."
"We must restore the corrupted Holy See, capture the fallen followers, and dedicate them to her. Templar Zen, you know better than anyone that we cannot sit back and do nothing. We received power to take action. Templar Zen, nothing will change if we do nothing. The continent has always been this way, changing by the will of the righteous, evolving through faith and light. Like us."
"But, Templar Simon..."
"The Honorary Cardinal will understand us. Even I don't want to drag him into the place where the impure and corrupt reside, but isn't that his role?"
"Sacrificing isn't his role, Templar Simon."
"It's not a sacrifice; it's evolution. If we gain the support of the Honorary Cardinal, many followers will stand with us. Templar Zen, it's only natural..."
"Yes."
"I believe that he will support us. It's Benigore's will. If he truly is the Son of Benigore, then he will undoubtedly exert his strength for our sake."
"....."
"I understand that it's risky, Templar Zen. But you should think about a better future."
"...."
"I heard from Cardinal John, that Pope Basel is already making moves."
"Is that so?"
"There are rumors circulating that members and powerful figures are gathering to hold Cardinal John, responsible for the recent events. Among them are maliciously instigated and fabricated stories."
"....."
"We have a week."
"If you say we have a week..."
"We must bring him to our side within a week. It all depends on you. I want to resolve this situation without shedding blood, Templar Zen. The Honorary Cardinal wouldn't want bloodshed within the Holy See either."
Of course, that was true. He would undoubtedly find it difficult to even imagine such a situation. It was almost impossible to distinguish if this was the right thing or the wrong thing to do. No, I already knew that justice was on this side. Why Benigore bestowed her powers on us, why all of this happened—it was already clear.
Using the power received from her, using it for her—finding an answer to this question was easy.
"But... What about the Honorary Cardinal?"
At the sudden question, I found myself gazing into the distance. The sight of him surrounded by followers, praying in front of the statue, giving a smile so radiant it could blind anyone, embracing and comforting them with open arms—it was all too familiar.
But that smile probably wasn't his true smile. After finishing his light schedule, when he looked up at the sky with empty eyes, I couldn't help but think that way, especially after yesterday's encounter.
----
Another poor man being decieved. *Sigh*
By the way ask me anything you don't understand, I'll do my best to answer them.