The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 206
The Final Proposal (2)
The Pope, who is both the leader of a nation and the representative of Roena.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that what he governed was not just one country, but the entire Roena sect that spread throughout the northern continent.
It was extremely rare for such a pope to appear at an official function.
Even though there were those who assisted him in his position as high priest, it meant that their responsibilities and callings were by no means small.
That is why now, the saints of Roena were flocking to the capital.
“His Holiness said he would personally pass judgment on this matter?!”
The Pope makes an unusually public appearance, and the direction of the Holy Nation is announced there.
Because the news was announced to all the temples belonging to Roena!
“As expected, His Majesty has made a decision!”
“The temple will finally be built!”
Of course, the aftermath was not small.
The ambition revealed by the apostates who deified their own emperor.
Because all the citizens of the Holy Land wanted to condemn those who had joined hands with the minions of evil and began to threaten all sides.
… … but just one person.
Some people thought that was not right.
“Your Majesty, you should start preparing now.”
Archpriest Garden carefully moved his lips and walked slowly.
And when I tried to grab the firmly closed doorknob, I heard a low voice.
“Don’t come in.”
“… … .”
Swish-
The high priest silently removed his hand from the doorknob.
It had been like this ever since the meeting ended. To be precise, right after the King of Esteban himself announced that there would be a declaration.
“… …Saint.”
Of course, Archpriest Garden also thought that it was wrong.
Is that all? There is probably no high priest who has participated in the meeting who has not faced the truth of the Holy Land and felt regret or repentance at least once.
But that and this are different issues.
No one dared to go against the Pope’s wishes, even though it might seem cold-hearted in the eyes of the saint.
No, I couldn’t. Because I knew better than anyone the implications of that decision.
‘The truth is sometimes cruel. And there are things that must be protected, even if it means hiding them.’
To some, it was the accumulated wealth and the honor of being a high priest. And to himself, it was only the safety of the Holy Land and the saint he was now.
“My Lady, the Holy Father’s proclamation is coming soon. If you do not appear there, your people will become anxious.”
“… … .”
“I will call the priests so that you can move whenever you are ready.”
“No need.”
“… … I will wait.”
The high priest, who had his eyes tightly shut, slowly turned his body.
‘It is said that a lie breeds a lie. But if you want to maintain the status quo, you must not be afraid of it.’
Even though I will deceive the saints and the believers and pile up iniquity again.
It meant that no one wanted to give up everything in exchange for telling the truth.
It was at that moment when I was about to leave so helplessly.
“High Priest Garden. I will try to persuade him myself.”
“Your Majesty?! Why are you here… …!”
The man approaching with a gentle smile was someone who should be preparing to appear before the saints by now.
The high priest waved his hand in embarrassment, not responding.
“Go back quickly before it is too late, Your Majesty! There is no time left!”
“it’s okay.”
“Ha, but… … .”
“Isn’t there anyone who can persuade the current saint? Besides, there is still plenty of time.”
“… … .”
There are only ten minutes left before we have much time to spare.
In other words, it was at a point where even if he started to move hastily, it would not be enough. Nevertheless, the Pope walked past the high priest and opened his mouth leisurely.
“Your Majesty, may I come in?”
“… … .”
“Almighty Roena said that the conflict cannot be resolved through silence alone. I will go in, assuming that you have given me permission.”
Squeak-
A door that opened surprisingly easily.
As the Pope cautiously entered inside, he saw the saint with her face buried in the pillow.
The Pope smiled softly, as if embarrassed, at the sight of such a pitiful sight.
“Is this what a father with a teenage daughter looks like?”
“……yes?”
“I also feel sad and my heart is not at ease.”
The high priest’s expression was bewildered.
The Pope approached the saint without paying any attention.
“Saint. I also do not think that what you said was wrong. There may be innocent ones among the warlocks, and most of the moderates you mentioned are like that. It may be natural to feel pity for them.”
“… … .”
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“But that is why evil must be eradicated from the continent. So that no more innocent victims are created, so that such things do not happen again… … .”
“That’s nonsense!”
The first saint to react raised her body.
The two red-rimmed eyes were trembling.
“I will kill them so as not to create innocent people… …! If you wanted to avoid making sacrifices, couldn’t you find another way!”
“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.”
“… … .”
“Since the existence of the Dark Magician has already been revealed, if we tolerate this, the status of the Holy Nation will fall.”
The Pope, who had answered so definitively, recalled his past communications with ‘him’.
-You are trying to prevent annihilation by embracing the moderates… … I am sure you understand what you are saying.
-The Pope is saying the obvious.
-……great.
The fact that they were hiding the black magician while being allied with the Holy Empire.
It was a shocking confession, but that wasn’t what mattered at the time.
– Leaving one black magician behind is a disservice to the Holy Nation, even if they are moderates who do nothing.
He clearly promised to create a justification that would convince the high priests.
Without revealing the mistakes that have been made so far.
But if what he said is true, then we will lose even the trust we had previously built up.
‘Why is the existence of the black magician, which was previously suppressed, now tolerated?’
‘Why don’t you take the initiative?’
The first ones to have doubts about this will undoubtedly be the citizens of the Holy Land.
No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.
That was the moment when the Pope thought so.
-So what if there is a good reason to leave them alone?
-… … What do you mean?
-It forces you to acknowledge its existence.
-… … !
You want to make them acknowledge the existence of warlocks?
It was a story that was so absurd that it could be dismissed as nonsense.
Even more so if the person who said it was not the King of Esteban.
-Well, for example. It might be easier to think of it this way.
… … But now that the communication is over.
“… … .”
The Pope was forced to admit that it was not entirely an absurd statement.
“But Saint, think differently. If they are not the forces of ‘evil,’ then it will be fine.”
“……yes?”
“What if the Holy Nation succeeded in reforming the servants of evil?”
“… … !”
At the Pope’s smiling words, the saint’s eyes opened wide.
It was the same with the high priest.
“Are you saying that you converted the black magicians… into servants of Roena?”
“It’s just an assumption after all.”
“Even if it’s a family, that’s… … .”
“Yes. Even if it is a family, it is impossible. In the first place, there is no possibility that they will be persuaded by the Holy Nation, which is their enemy.”
“… … .”
“But if that happens… … it will secure sufficient legitimacy.”
Moderates and hardliners? What do they know?
To those who did not know the circumstances, all warlocks were the same absolute evil.
In their eyes, all they see is that they are simply cooperating with the Federal Empire and posing a threat.
But such a ridiculous thing… … .
“… … What if the Holy Nation really succeeded in reforming the black magicians?”
Even if it’s decorated.
What if we give it all to the Holy Nation and Roena?
“It is a more difficult task than condemning the forces of evil. The people will be amazed by the great achievement, and the black magicians who have successfully converted will become the antithesis of the enemies who help the Holy Nation.”
“That means… … .”
“We have already completed all preparations regarding Esteban. They will be free from the scope of the necessary evil of judging evil.
“… … !”
The saintess covered her mouth in surprise.
And helping them is the King of Esteban. He has figured out a way to strengthen the faith of the Holy Nation while also saving the moderates they harbor!
The Pope smiled and patted the surprised girl’s head.
‘Allen Esteban.’
There have been a lot of instances where I’ve been calling that name.
So now we have no choice but to admit it. The only thing that can fix a tree that has rotted from the roots is not its branches, but a new wind blowing from outside…
“Your Highness.”
“… … You called, Your Majesty.”
The Pope looked at the high priest.
Then he lowered the hand that had been stroking his head and began to open his mouth.
“Please hurry and finish preparing to go out, Saint.”
So that I can deliver this amazing news.
Now, it was time to make a decision.
* * *
The black magicians were given a new life thanks to the king’s consideration.
They were living each day with satisfaction.
If it’s natural, then it’s natural.
The place where they were hiding was in the abyss where not even sunlight could reach.
Because it had been drying up and dying for decades.
The old wizard leading the moderates also felt the change in the atmosphere.
‘… … Helping Esteban underwater and blossoming hope.’
He was the one who was more satisfied than anyone else, at least now that he didn’t have to worry about meals.
… … It should have been that way, obviously.
‘Why… … .’
A tear runs down her wrinkled cheek.
It fell down his faded beard, its former glory behind it, and crumbled endlessly onto the paper in his hand.
“… … .”
Swish-
The old wizard wiped it away with his fingers without saying a word.
Of course, that didn’t mean that the small stain would be erased.
But for some unknown reason, that action was repeated until the tear stains disappeared… …as if caressing a treasure that was being cherished.
I was pouring out my feelings on that piece of paper.
[With the declaration of His Holiness the Pope on the same day, we are pleased to announce that the decades-long campaign to eradicate the Dark Magicians has come to a complete end.]
[I promise that the Holy Land’s spear will not be pointed at those who desire peace.]
[I know that your grudge will not disappear with a belated apology. Also, the world’s gaze will not change immediately.]
[The Holy Nation will continue to work to restore the places where you belong.]
[I hope that the two rivals will meet peacefully someday soon.]
… … At last, the chains that had bound them were gone.
And they were finally saved.
“iced coffee…….”
A feeling of sorrow and despair.
From that fleeting abyss.
“My lord… … !”
The kneeling wizard’s right arm presses against his chest.
And from that hand, I felt a rapidly throbbing heartbeat.
“I dedicate this heart and life to you forever… … !”
Allen Esteban.
The man finally engraved the name in his heart.
