Chapter 73

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

[Central Committee Strategy Guide 1]
~Notable Figures~

Hello, comrades.

If you’ve finally set foot in the Central Committee, I suppose that means you’ve all grown up.

◆ Caution) Going to the Central Committee when you’re still young is basically a suicide mission, so I don’t recommend it!
→ But don’t worry, there’s also a strategy guide for weirdos who do just that! (link)

◆ Anyway, I’ll just say one thing for now.
If you’ve chosen a Corrupted Holy Knight as your Guardian (ex—Derek, Betty, Audrey, etc.)… then either don’t go to the Committee at all, or be prepared for things to get extremely hard.
Because of the person you’re about to meet below.

This bastard absolutely despises Corrupted Holy Knights.

And who is that, you ask?
That’s Bishop One, and I’ll introduce him now.

Nathaniel Hessentine.

Despite his name meaning “Gift of God,” all he throws at players is crap.

If you didn’t choose a Corrupted Holy Knight as your Guardian, relations with him are fine. He cherishes Holy Knights deeply, so if your Guardian is a regular Holy Knight, you’ll actually start with very high favorability.

‘But that’s not me, is it?’

The problem is, this man is a self-made bishop who rose from the ranks of Holy Knight—and a total lone wolf. That’s why, as much as he hates the Evil God, he also loathes Corrupted Holy Knights.

‘Considering that most Corrupted Holy Knights became that way while defending the front lines or protecting civilians.’

It’s absurdly contradictory.

Like most people in power, he’s partly rotten, yet also brimming with a certain sense of justice.

I could understand his hostility toward Derek, who could be considered the prime example of a Corrupted Holy Knight.

‘Well, I was expecting this.’

“…”

Daddy held me in his arms, his eyes fixed quietly on the First Bishop.

At some point, the spear had slipped away like smoke, only to reappear in Nathaniel’s hand just as smoothly.

Nathaniel gave a crooked grin, as if to say, go on, try me.

‘Wow, that attitude. He looks like pure trouble.’

Thick brows with a scar running through one, hair brushed back but still rough in style, fierce beast-like eyes. Broad-shouldered enough to pass for an active knight.

“Alexa.”

Daddy called Alexa quietly.

“Y-yes? Y-you called for me, sir.”

He briefly handed me over to Alexa, then raised his hand in salute to the bishop.

“Former Captain of the Azure Holy Knights, now Regular Knight Derek Sacrum, greets the First Pillar of the Order.”

The salute was crisp and without excess. The First Bishop’s brows furrowed in disapproval for only a moment.

“Though it is true you—someone who should still be holding the front—have become a disgrace to the Order, I am not wrong to find you unpleasant. However, my Pope candidate was within the range of that attack.”

…Daddy, you could talk this sharply and decisively?!

“So what?”

The First Bishop tilted his head, spear in hand, looking amused.

“An attack that could harm the Candidate is unacceptable. Therefore…”

For a brief instant, Daddy’s eyes met mine.

“Please apologize to the Candidate.”

Being this close, I could feel it—there was a tremor in his voice.

I stared at him blankly, frozen.

‘Ah, this isn’t the time to just sit here.’

I was about to hurry and say it’s okay when—

[“Daddy” is feeling distressed!]

[“Daddy” is feeling anxious!]

[“Daddy” is struggling to endure! Let’s give him a hug!]

And I realized.

Daddy was barely, barely holding it together.

I bit my lip hard.

It would be best if Daddy and the First Bishop didn’t confront each other at all—but to see the bastards who’d treated him so cruelly get punished, this had to happen.

‘This son of a… First Bishop…’

I clenched my tiny hands. My head felt like it was rattling from sheer anger.

“At present, my Candidate is a fragile child.”

“So what? Whether the Pope Candidate was within range or not—that’s for me to judge. And I judged they weren’t.”

Utter nonsense.

That attack had assumed Daddy would dodge or block. If it had landed, I’d have been hurt too.

“What, got a problem with that?”

“If you refuse to apologize, then as the Candidate’s Guardian, I cannot… stand by.”

“Huh?”

The First Bishop clicked his tongue.

“So you’re saying you’ll disobey orders?”

In the instant his mocking voice hung in the air, a strange light flickered in Daddy’s eyes.

“That’s enough, Nathaniel.”

Just as things were about to explode, another bishop stepped in.

“It’s unseemly in front of the Candidates, who are still children.”

It was a woman. Bangs covering her forehead, a pure white headpiece, eyes closed—yet still looking directly toward Nathaniel.

“What, Bishop Leriel? You just had to butt in while I was having fun?”

“I’m telling you to stop the undignified behavior.”

Contrary to my expectation, the First Bishop actually changed his stance, dismissing the spear and leaning back, interest fading.

The woman turned toward us.

“It seems I haven’t been greeted by the Candidates yet. It’s been a while, Candidate Flora.”

“Ah…!”

Flora stepped forward, lifting her frilly skirt in a cute curtsey.

“Hello, Bishop Leriel!”

Bishop Leriel Morron, the Second Bishop—arguably the real power among them.

‘So she’s the one I need to win over…’

My goal was right there in front of me.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the hero of the past as well. A pleasure, Sir Sacrum.”

“…I greet Bishop Leriel, the Second Pillar of the Order. Breath of Rest.”

“…Hello.”

Even with her eyes closed, I could feel her gaze land on me.

“Very well. I heard you charged in here like a runaway carriage just to be here today.”

I couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm or just stating facts.

“Personally, I consider that a kind of skill as well. So then, what business brings you here?”

She must have been briefed by the lower councils, yet she pretended not to know.

I glanced around the round table.

Two older bishops with unremarkable faces—not worth much attention.

‘They’re basically lackeys for the First and Second Bishop.’

Then my eyes stopped.

Strangely…

Fsshhh— Fsshhh—

One bishop was lying face-down asleep on the table, the youngest of the group.

Long green hair, a neat appearance—and, oddly enough, a pillow under his head.

I swallowed hard.

[Faction: Royal Spy]

‘You had better stay asleep…’

Truly, this was a minefield no matter where I looked—though I had known that coming in.

It was fortunate he was unlikely to wake anytime soon. In fact, him waking up here was the last thing that should happen.

Alexa handed me back to Daddy, then stepped forward.

“So… you’re one of the Azure Holy Knights’ lackeys?”

Even at the First Bishop’s provoking tone, Alexa smiled sweetly.

“Yes, that’s right, sir! I’m Regular Knight Alexa Michelle, now serving Candidate Nemesia. It is an honor to greet the Pillars of the Order, Breath of Rest!”

“I’ve heard you took the lead down in the lower council, so state your business.”

The Second Bishop’s words were brisk.

Alexa didn’t flinch—she bowed neatly.

“Yes, not long after I began serving the Candidate, a terrible incident occurred, as you know. The Candidate was caught up in the spoils of a fanatic’s rampage.”

The air grew heavier at the seriousness of the matter.

“I managed to persuade the Candidate, who was trembling with fear and anger, to come here today.”

Then, the smile vanished from Alexa’s face.

“Our Candidate wishes for all parties involved in that suspicious incident to be punished and disciplined—without exception.”

I clenched my tiny fists in secret.

Yes! We’d taken the risk to come here for that!

‘I’m getting my payback, no matter what.’

If we didn’t set things right this time, my enemies in the Order would target Daddy again.

They wouldn’t hesitate to label him a danger and drag him off.

Once they’d succeeded once, they’d think it was easy.

No way. Not twice.

“On behalf of the young Candidate, I request that you conduct a thorough investigation and declare their punishment here and now.”

No sooner had Alexa finished speaking than a laugh rang out from somewhere—closer to a scoff.

“Amusing. And under what authority?”

But Alexa didn’t flinch. She glanced at me briefly and smiled.

‘Here it comes.’

“If Alexa says this line, then… the Second Bishop will definitely respond just like this.”

Because I’d told her even that part already.
 

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Translator: Japchae