Chapter 68

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A few days later, I was finally discharged from the infirmary.

I could have left earlier, but Daddy kept insisting I needed more rest, so I ended up staying a few extra days.

Thanks to that, I was in perfect condition.

“…”

As we walked down the corridor, Daddy kept glancing over at me. I couldn’t ignore it anymore and whipped my head around.

“What is it?”

Why was he looking at me like some poor animal that just lost its treat?

“…It’s nothing.”

Daddy mumbled, clearly avoiding the topic.

“There’s no such thing as ‘nothing’ when it comes from you, Daddy. Spit it out already!”

Only then did Daddy finally open his mouth.

“…Are you really going to just leave that little Seed like that?”

I blinked in surprise.

He used to look so disapproving when I tied Bennett up for questioning before. But now, even the way he referred to him had softened.

At the same time, yesterday’s memory floated back to me—

The moment I turned Bennett down, despite him asking to follow me.

“Yeah, no can do.”

The moment I said that, Bennett looked like his world had collapsed.

Honestly, we barely spent any time together, so I had no idea how he built up that much emotional attachment to pull that betrayed look.

It felt kind of bad, since he looked like he was about to cry again.

[Would you like to recruit him as a companion?]

‘Nope.’

[Would you like to recruit him as a companion!!]

‘I said no.’

[Would you like to—]

‘No, I said NO!!’

More than anything, the pop-up practically shoved itself in my face like a pushy recruiter. It was overwhelming.

Like it was threatening me—You’ll regret letting him go.

‘This decision’s for you, Bennett.’

It’s not like I didn’t want to recruit him.

But there was a critical issue that made that impossible right now.

‘He’s too young.’

According to the rules, pope candidates can freely recruit Holy Knights or clerics as companions.

But the first companion is a different story.

Everyone in the Order watches that decision closely.

And in the game, that choice massively influences the storyline.

‘There were entire guide hierarchies on the forum based solely on the first companion recruitment order.’

If Bennett became that first?

He’d draw unwanted attention—and worse, his growth would be stunted.

‘I already get too much attention for being a candidate who passed the Labyrinth. Compared to the others, it’s intense.’

So yeah, this decision was for Bennett.

And besides, I already had someone in mind for my first.

“I can’t take in a Seed. I need a Holy Knight who can operate right away.”

That’s what I told him that day.

“So the next time someone tries something unjust to you like today… you’ll have the strength and authority to push them back.”

“…”

“When that time comes, I’ll become your power. But in return, you need to become my sword.”

At those words, the light returned to Bennett’s eyes, which had dulled with disappointment.

“If that’s your resolve, then come find me again—as a Holy Knight.”

“Understood. You mean… I need to become stronger, right?”

With that, Bennett stood up and bowed deeply to me.

“Please wait for me. I’ll become one as quickly as possible!”

And off he went, vowing to return.

‘Not that I said it out loud, but I’m totally keeping an eye on him.’

Didn’t want to ruin the cool mood.

I paused in the memory and looked back at Daddy.

“I’ll keep watching him. He’s got potential.”

“…If you’d told him that, I’m sure he would’ve been happy.”

I answered with a smile.

Wow. Look at Daddy, thinking about other people’s kids now. How touching.

That must mean he’s finally got the headspace to notice the world around him.

“Come to think of it, were you like that when you were little, Daddy? Talented and full of justice?”

“Can’t say for sure.”

Daddy tilted his head slightly.

“I became a Holy Knight right away, so…”

Oof. A genius speaks.

“But… yeah. If someone had said what you said to me when I was training with the sword, like you did yesterday… I think I would’ve grown even faster.”

His faint smile gave me complicated feelings.

“That’s not exactly good.”

“Huh?”

You started active duty when you were fourteen. If you’d grown even faster, what—would you have started fighting wars at ten?

That’s straight-up child abuse!

After the topic of Bennett ended, Daddy looked like he agreed… then his expression turned conflicted again.

“…Are you really going to see her?”

He hesitated as he held me, clearly mulling something over. I nodded without hesitation.

We were on our way to see Alexa, after all.

“Of course. I gotta greet Dame Alexa properly. And there’s stuff I need to tell her too.”

Yeah, greetings were part of it. But more importantly—I’d already chosen who I wanted as my first companion.

‘And a genius teacher just rolled right into my lap—how could I not grab her?’

She’s an ultra-rare NPC. Now that I’ve got a connection, I have to use it.

‘The key to unlocking Alexa’s cheat path is Derek—who just so happens to be my Daddy.’

Not long after—

I arrived at Alexa’s workplace.

She was part of the Council, more specifically, the Layperson and Civilian Oversight Division.

She was assigned to an external surveillance team.

Sounds scary, I know—surveillance and all.

But the reality?

‘It’s basically a field grunt job.’

She’s constantly out dealing with the paranormal, monsters, and fanatics… but gets almost no credit for it.

So yeah, no chance of promotion.

She got stuck in this role because she defied the upper ranks when Daddy got demoted after his corruption.

‘I remember the Derek Cinema moment crystal clear.’

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

Title: Are all the Azure Holy Knights like this…? (Warning: Emotional)

Tried to recruit one, and they said they couldn’t betray their loyalty to their captain… My loyalty’s crushed, man…

Damn…

.

.

So what am I, the one who stayed up all night planning the recruitment, huh?? FFS

❤️ Likes: 18

Comments:

👤 Savior 1
Lmao no emotions detected.

👤 Savior 2
Did you try poaching Derek’s sidekick? Those guys fall apart without him lol.

👤 Savior 3
Brave of you… Newbie?

👤 Savior 4
If not, check out that old min-maxer guide (link). You can recruit them using fanatic mechanics.

└ OP: Are you kidding me?? It says I have to corrupt a perfectly normal Holy Knight first! WTF.

└ Sayver 4: Oops, got caught ㅇㅅㅠ

“Oh my, is that the Pope candidate I see? Nemesia, wasn’t it? You’ve been discharged? What brings you here?”

Soon enough, I met Alexa. She still had that tall, commanding presence, wearing her standard Holy Knight uniform.

Her face lit up seeing me—but I didn’t miss it.

The way her smile really brightened when she looked at Daddy.

And then she pouted slightly.

“Haah, not exactly the kind of place you’d expect to receive such a distinguished guest!”

‘She’s a little salty about Daddy bringing me to this run-down place, huh?’

Fair point—the visitation room was pretty cramped and worn down.

Not surprising, given Alexa’s team had basically been tossed aside by upper management.

‘Still… what’s with all the mold?’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

“I got something to say.”

“Oh? To me, you mean?”

Alexa pointed at herself with playful disbelief. I nodded.

Then turned to Daddy.

“Daddy, can you wait outside for a sec?”

“…!”

Daddy froze like he’d just been struck by lightning.

“You’re… kicking me out?”

“Yup.”

“…!”

Yeah. I need to have a parent-teacher meeting—with this Captain Fangirl right here.
 

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Translator: Japchae