Chapter 67

He turned my casual question into bait and threw it right back at me.

As expected of the protagonist’s number one companion, the infamous “Cult-Hunting Hound.”

He’s already trying to start an investigation.

“…To be honest, hic, at first, I thought no one would take it seriously no matter who I told. That it would just get brushed off.”

I narrowed my eyes.

‘Oh? He knows the Order better than I thought.’

And that was exactly it.

On the surface, the Order looked like it was doing its job — rooting out infiltrated fanatics — but in truth, it was a tangled mess of politics and self-interest.

‘The most crucial information tends to get buried.’

So I hadn’t expected anything to come from a nobody like Bennett filing a report.

Everything was going exactly as I’d assumed.

“My steps felt… heavy the whole time. It felt like I was doing something wrong… to you, Candidate…”

Just moments ago, he’d been staring at me like a curious wildcat, and now? The guy was bawling like a baby.

‘…Was he always this much of a crybaby?’

“Dahddy, handky! Dun haf handky?”

“…I do, but that one’s yours.”

Seriously? That’s what matters now?!

Daddy hesitated, then set me down and brought over a clean cloth.

“First, stop cryin’. Wipe your face while you talk.”

I blinked calmly.

‘He’s like a puppy.’

The way he cried, trying to plead his case, looked just like a big dog begging not to be scolded. His droopy eyes only made him look more pitiful.

“Hrm, I’ll say this upfront — I’m not gonna scold you or anything. Honestly… it was something we had to go through anyway. I expected it.”

“…What?”

I gave the dazed Bennett the cold hard truth. I never trusted you in the first place, pal.

“I figured you’d talk. I even figured you might betray me.”

Ah. Maybe betray is the wrong word? Trust was never there to begin with.

“I-I didn’t betray you!!”

Whoa, geez.

I opened my eyes wide as Bennett suddenly yelled, his voice booming.

Daddy didn’t say much, but his brow furrowed as he quickly picked me up.

“Lower your voice. Do you even know who you’re shouting in front of?”

“S-sorry, sir…”

“No, Dahddy. Dun scold.”

He’s already scared and crying again. I’m not getting anything out of him like this.

“I-It’s just… hic, y-you probably won’t believe me, but… I don’t even know why… I said anything… to Lord Tatum…”

Even he seemed to realize how ridiculous it sounded, because his voice trailed off.

And honestly… I was surprised too.

‘Wait… don’t tell me he actually didn’t say anything?’

If he couldn’t remember it clearly, then that meant Usher had used his skill to extract the information.

I’d assumed Bennett had spilled everything before Usher even needed to use his powers.

And I figured Usher wouldn’t just let him live after that.

That’s why I was worried about Bennett’s safety…

‘But he didn’t confess voluntarily?’

I paused and thought it through.

Game Category [Post][Casual Talk]

[List of Main Character’s Companions #1]

Bennett Satin

◆ Division: Vice-Captain of the Azure Holy Knights

◆ Traits: Extremely intuitive, highly suspicious — ideal for rooting out fanatics. Nicknamed “Cult-Hunting Hound.”

Also, canonically, he’s got excellent investigation skills, and most importantly, a super high “Mental Fortitude” stat.

In other words, he’s resistant to mind-based attacks like “Brainwash” and “Stun.”

What does that mean?

He’s a counter to that bastard “Usher” everyone dreads. lol

“Tell me in more detail.”

“Huh?”

“Why d’ya think ya don’t remember? Anything at all ya can recall?”

I knew he was a top-tier recruit thanks to his mental resistance and intuition stat.

‘But most people don’t fully develop their abilities until adulthood. I wasn’t expecting much at this age.’

But he was already showing promise?

“Uh, I… I really don’t remember much… Ah! Wait, I do remember one thing.”

He hesitated, then spoke.

“‘It’s not working.’ That’s what he said. I-I don’t know what it meant, though.”

He looked at me as he said it.

“Lord Tatum… did something to me. I’m sure of it.”

Oho.

‘This is better than I thought.’

Is this what it feels like when a winning lottery ticket walks right up to you?

I shifted position. I tugged at Daddy to lower me and leaned in toward Bennett.

“Approaching someone’s attack range is risky.”

“‘sokay. ‘sokay. I got you, Dahddy.”

“…”

Bennett’s eyes widened as our faces ended up way closer than he expected. He looked completely flustered.

I grinned.

Maybe I could turn this crisis into an opportunity?

“Alright. I get it now. So… you think you owe me, huh?”

Bennett blinked, then slowly nodded.

“Y-yeah… You did save my life, and… I really didn’t want to say anything this time. I swear.”

“Really? Then does that mean… if I ask you for a favor someday, you’ll do it?”

Even if he said no, I’d understand.

Maybe he was just here because he felt uneasy about whatever Usher did to him.

But as I looked at him, an idea popped into my head — a way to use his mental resistance.

That bastard Usher’s been causing too much trouble lately.

‘Now it’s your turn to suffer a little.’

Still, if he said no, that was that.

“Yes. I’ll do anything.”

Oh. He agreed.

“Even if it costs me my life.”

That was… heavier than I expected.

I paused, slightly caught off guard by the seriousness in his expression.

‘Uhh… You don’t need to go that far.’

I scratched my cheek.

Bennett, sensing the awkwardness, added carefully:

“And also…”

“Hmm? Go ahead.”

“I’d like to serve you, Candidate Nemesia.”

Wait, what?

“…People in the Order can only serve the Pope, y’know?”

“N-no, I meant I want to… follow you! I didn’t mean it like that!”

He flailed as if realizing he’d said it wrong. His face turned beet red. It was kind of cute, honestly — though still surprising.

‘Where did the growling puppy who used to glare at me go?’

“I-I know I’m just a lowly Seed right now, and I haven’t achieved anything, but… I can make judgments for myself.”

When I stayed quiet, Bennett grew more desperate.

“You are the one truly fit to lead this Order!”

Then, maybe realizing he was jumping the gun, he quickly corrected himself.

“W-whoever becomes the Pope, I mean! Either way!”

…Wow. This kid.

He still hasn’t even explained why he was pretending to be a fanatic underground.

And just because I saved him, he’s dropped all suspicion?

And that’s when it popped up.

[Congratulations! You’ve moved someone with love! A new “Companion” has joined you in saving the world!]

‘…Huh?’

[Would you like to recruit ‘Bennett Satin’ as your companion?]

‘Why is this popping up now…?’

Nothing in this game ever came easy. Recruiting companions was no exception.

I mean, you were supposed to hit at least 80 affection points first.

‘What did I even do with this guy to deserve this!?’

I stared at the message window and stroked my chin.

Still… this was the game’s top recruit, rolling into my lap all on his own.

I didn’t think long.

Then I turned to Bennett and smiled sweetly.

“Nope. Not happening.”
 

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Translator: Japchae