-Regressor's Instruction Manual Episode 930
Zen (9)
Feedback is swift. The Holy See, is not incompetent.
It is only natural that the note I left would turn the Holy See upside down.
The ongoing power struggle that has continued since the last time is becoming embarrassing.
The corrupt ones, including Cardinal Johan, are now enjoying their time in the Inquisition Chamber.
Those who are suspected to be involved are all being investigated, and priests who were involved in the Templars' affairs are starting to emerge.
It was only natural for Benigore's sacred mace to be driven into their skulls.
-Aaaargh!! Aaargh!!!
-Honorary Cardinal....
Recent events, the monsters using divine power, have naturally drawn attention to the hidden Templars.
The note left by Honorary Cardinal, who had kept heavy truths to himself, is still just a note, but his stories about Benigore, which he had only revealed to Pope Basel, are also starting to come to light again.
The story that Benigore is trapped in a dark space, and demons are drinking her sacred blood.
The dark and unsettling truth. The disgusting prophecy that had never been revealed, hidden forever in the depths of the subconscious, is gradually surfacing.
-It must be the story Honorary Cardinal told me....
-How... How is that possible? Benigore... Venigor...
Putting strength into their speculations is not only the note left by the Saint of Light and the words of Pope Basel.
'They investigated thoroughly. Isn't that right?
The contents that Rafael, the Holy Swordsman, and his party were investigating.
The information they had been investigating for the past few days has been publicly disclosed, and the hypothesis that the current events are not just a simple kidnapping case but possibly part of a larger conspiracy has emerged.
No, it's the truth now. According to the information investigated by Rafael, the monsters that have recently appeared... have manifested under the influence of Benigore's sacred blood.
-Templars seem to have a similar...
-The dungeon might have been created. Cho Hye-Jin from the Blue Guild also suggested that this incident might be related to an unexplored dungeon...
-Rafael's party and Honorary Cardinal received the data they investigated and handed it over to the baby angels.
-Where is that dungeon, then?
-Honorary Cardinal... Honorary Cardinal is... Are you sure he's in that dungeon?
-It's not certain yet... but based on the circumstances, it's presumed that Templar Zen kidnapped Honorary Cardinal...
-Then, is there any meaning in discussing this? We need to find out where Honorary Cardinal is first! If Templar Zen took him, it will be exposed. There are no secrets in the world.
The traces of Templar Zen taking Honorary Cardinal on outings at suspicious times were revealed.
While the priests and knights on Cardinal Johan's side turned a blind eye to their meetings, new news is pouring out from some of the bought-off individuals.
The touching stories of how Honorary Cardinal wanted to believe in Templar Zen and showered him with love.
The scum of a Templar Zen, who repaid that trust with criminal acts, is now marked as a public enemy.
-This incident is also not unrelated. Think about what their real purpose might be. Those who obtained corrupted power by drinking Benigore's sacred blood. Is there any reason for them not to desire the blood of the Saint of Light?
-Such a dreadful thing... Benigore...
-What are we going to do about this?
As the motive for the kidnapping is naturally highlighted, public opinion rapidly changes.
Based on the thorough work done by Jihye Nuna, good and evil become clearer, and the judgment done by the righteous gains strength and legitimacy.
Rather than dragging out the time by nitpicking, they move forward based on strong beliefs.
-The rest of the Templars are nowhere to be found.
-Perhaps they are hiding within the Holy See.
-Then the dungeon may also be inside the Holy See. We need to search the Holy See first. We have to find it, even with the help of external sources.
- Templars have been an incredibly secretive and independent organization. I believe that this is a perfect opportunity to completely eradicate the corrupt forces within the Holy See, which has been decaying from its roots.
As an unprecedented crisis unfolds, everyone is starting to unite their strengths. The Holy Knights and the Guardian Team of the Holy See have begun to move within the Church to cut out the rotten parts, and the reinvigorated order is riding the winds of unprecedented change.
It probably won't take much time. Despite the Holy See's vastness, it's no more than a small city, and if we carefully investigate the Templars' movements, the answer should come quickly.
Ah! There might be more that we can obtain from Cardinal Johan.
-I... I know nothing. Inquisitor Helena.
-.....
-I really don't know anything.
-Everything is Templar Simon's fault. He orchestrated all of this. They deceived me, deceived us, with their cunning tongues, claiming they received new meaning and light from Benigore. If there's any blame on me, it's for loving Benigore... Aaargh!
-Where is Honorary Cardinal? You filthy heretic.
-I am not a heretic. I am...
-If you have caused harm to Him, Benigore will never love you. What you will see after closing your eyes will not be Benigore, but a trial created by Her.
-No, that's not true...
Inquisitor Helena's intimidation tactics are terrifying.
It seemed that there wasn't much to extract from Cardinal Johan's side.
Rather than Zen manipulating Templar Simon, it's more likely that Simon was being manipulated by Zen.
Watching the ongoing events within the Holy See in real-time makes me feel relieved.
It feels like the puzzle pieces I've gathered from here and there are fitting together perfectly.
The sight of our comrades approaching the truth based on the information we've slowly gathered is truly impressive.
-Honorary Cardinal has requested not to reveal any wrongdoing, even if it's his own, to the continent. Particularly, he asked for special attention to be given to Jeong Hayan and Kim Hyunseong.
-I understand his sentiment. He probably doesn't want to cause unnecessary worry. Honorary Cardinal has always been someone who prioritizes others over himself. Even in moments like this... he still thinks of others first.
-He must be worried about the turmoil among the continent's inhabitants.
-We have to resolve this. We've informed the surrounding countries, but we're not sure how effective that will be.
-The Rangers, Blue Guild members, and our Holy Knights are also tracking him. We will definitely find him. That's for sure.
-We've just issued a wanted notice for Templar Zen.
-Currently, the Continent Protection and Management Committee is mobilizing around the Laios and alliance borders. They are continuously deploying Griffin units and utilizing the Black Swan's help to manage the information guild.
-At our headquarters, we believe that Templar Zen is moving to the surface. We are closely monitoring the area near the Surveillance Crystal Orb 24/7...
-Currently, Rangers have been dispatched based on cases of similar individuals seen in certain areas.
It's systematic.
At least this time, we should keep Hayan and Kim Hyunseong out of it. It's better for the continent's inhabitants to avoid knowing about this if possible.
I don't know when it will reach their ears.
In reality, our Holy See and Holy Knights are jointly narrowing down the encirclement.
The Griffin units are being constantly deployed from far away, and they are working diligently to avoid the wandering eyes while utilizing the information guild.
There are no problems. Well, there's one. The problem is that it's becoming more and more difficult for me.
"It might be best not to stop by the city. Lee Kiyoung-nim."
"Yes? Then what about the food supply...?"
How about the Shower?
The hotel?
"Is it impossible to meet with the city's people?"
"Probably the encirclement is tightening. It seems like they are intensively searching this area right now. After staying hidden for a few days, if surveillance becomes lax, it would be best to leave."
"Maybe... Maybe it's my fault that I made Zen uncomfortable..."
"It's not like that. Lee Ki-young-nim. Wait a moment..."
"Zen was expecting this. Perhaps... Maybe it's better... to return like this?"
How about just going back? Without a plan, it's best not to drag this out and keep it clean.
Let's rest for a while.
"If Zen-nim suffers because of me..."
"It's okay."
"I can endure..."
"I'm okay."
I'm not okay.
"I am... I am okay, Lee Ki-young-nim. Didn't I promise to show you a better world?"
This isn't a better world. How can we live here for days, in this collapsing ruin... eating stale food, enduring...
We can't even resupply, and we have nothing. Are we going to eat grass soup? No, can we at least take a shower?
"No matter how difficult and tough it gets, we can bear it together."
No. I can't bear it. The era of bearing it with camaraderie and friendship is long gone. Now it's the era of capital and capability.
As Lee Kiyoung said, the useless one told me not to even look at him. And here you are, just his match.
"Yes, I also think so. It's tough, but... with Zen-nim, I believe we can bear it. However, Zen-nim, I don't wish for you to be hurt because of me."
So, let's turn ourselves in.
"There's a lake nearby."
Don't beat around the bush.
"I'll fetch some water."
Do we really need to fetch water? Have we fallen to that level already? Is there hot water? Do we have facial cleanser? Shampoo?
"I'll prepare warm water, so it's best for you to take a break."
"Zen-nim. However..."
"We can overcome this together. Lee Ki-young-nim."
I can't overcome this.
This journey was a mistake.
'Was the plan all along to live like this until finding a new identity?'
Is there no route to sell the monsters we hunt?
All the cities are locked down, and they're cracking down in this area. So, we'll have to remain hidden here for a few more days.
We don't even have the energy to resupply in the city. How much food do we have left?
I rummage through his belongings.
'I didn't bring anything.'
Was I so impulsively caught up in this that I didn't even think of preparing properly? Or did I believe I could manage everything through self-sufficiency?
'Three days?'
There's only enough dried jerky to last three more days in that godawful tasting stew.
'I don't have any coffee.'
And I won't be able to have coffee starting tomorrow. If I had a conscience, I'd give this to you. [[Zen.]
'It will be discovered soon...'
I can't even have warm milk.
No wine.
No snacks or tea either, damn it.
The only thing we really have is 60 gold coins, and except for the fact that there's a place where I can spend this money...
It's not an exaggeration to say that a sigh might escape my lips. But... [[????]]
The Holy See is not incompetent. They don't necessarily have to summon Jung Hayan or ask for help from Lee Jihye.
It's highly likely that Zen will be found and I'll be rescued naturally. I want to avoid creating an arbitrary situation as much as possible.
'If we just hold on a little longer...'
It will be a week at most.
The Holy See is not incompetent, so within a week, everything should be resolved.
The vile criminal will face the judgment of the law, and Honorary Cardinal will return to the embrace of the loving continent once again.
Like that...
Like that, damn it, two weeks have passed.
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It took me few minutes. ✨Proud ✨