RSDCCI 19

Chapter 19

It’s Your Share.

The Pope and several cardinals headed to the room where the Book of Origins was kept.

“This is the place, Your Holiness.”

The scripture, as large as a human torso, rested upon a pedestal. A faint white light flowed gently from it.

“Oh… To see the scripture shining like this—it’s my first time since becoming Pope.”

“It is the same for me, Your Holiness. I will show you at once.”

Marcel put on white gloves and carefully approached the scripture, turning its pages.

The title of the new section read:

“Chronicle of Turmoil.”

Seeing it, the Pope murmured,

“A record of upheaval… Does this mean the world is about to enter a time of chaos?”

Marcel replied,

“That seems likely. However, as not much has been recorded yet, I cannot say for certain.”

“Then we should first examine the contents.”

“Yes.”

As Marcel turned the pages, sentences began to appear.

1-1.
Fate is not wholly fixed. If one deeply desires to change oneself and acts upon it, that fate may be twisted.

1-2.
However, fate is like a great wave, appearing impossible for a mere human to stop.
Still, do not fear. I watch over you, so endure and act.
If one righteous person steps forward, others will rise beside them and become a breakwater.

When they turned the next page, everyone could not help but be shocked.

1-3.
Kael of the Luminar lineage is one who proves that fate is not predetermined.
The sword that wandered the wilderness now advances like a hornless beast; his blade is the hammer that reshapes fate.

1-4.
At last, the fate of the world is stirred.
Those who cower in fear shall be swept away by the raging tide.
Yet even if the waves cover the sky, do not fear, little lambs. Look forward and act. The path lies within you.

That was where the record ended.

A stunned silence lingered before the Pope spoke.

“The fate of the world is stirred… Even if waves cover the sky… This is no different from a prophecy.”

“It appears so.”

Others nodded in agreement, and the Pope continued.

“For the name Kael Luminar to appear in the first chapter of this Chronicle… does it mean that the world’s upheaval begins with him?”

“That is likely. Above all, this is the first new entry in 102 years since Saint Eldoras.”

Saint Eldoras.

Among the Seven Virtues revered by the Church, Eldoras represented Humility. Though he was the most powerful holy knight in history, he always humbled himself and respected others.

The Pope stroked his beard as he spoke.

“Turmoil… Considering Inquisitor Kael’s recent actions, it is certainly not insignificant. He has already dealt with two heretics within the Church in such a short time—an apostle of the Black Scripture Society and a corrupted bishop.”

Cardinal Barun responded,

“Yes. Light reveals itself in times of chaos. His actions thus far deserve praise.”

“I agree.”

Several cardinals nodded.

Marcel then asked,

“How do you intend to handle this matter, Your Holiness?”

If this became known, the Church would fall into upheaval. It had been 102 years since the Goddess’s words were newly inscribed.

“For now, only those present here shall know of this,” the Pope answered.

“It is our duty to spread the Goddess’s words, but as the record is incomplete, I cannot yet offer a clear interpretation. If we cannot answer the faithful, confusion will follow.”

“That is true.”

“So we shall observe for now. It is not yet time to act.”

“Yes.”

“However…”

The Pope smiled faintly.

“I do hope this turmoil proves beneficial to our Church and to humanity.”

“I share that hope.”

At Barun’s reply, the Pope nodded with satisfaction.

“Then let us go.”

Leaning on his staff adorned with two sprouting leaves, the Pope began to walk.

“The trials ahead will only make humanity stronger.”

* * *

“From here, we’re going to obtain a saint’s relic.”

I said to Bella as we rode on horseback.

Bella blinked for a moment before asking,

“What?”

“More precisely, we’re going to obtain the relic of one of the Seven Virtues—Charity, Saint Vertior.”

A relic. An artifact imbued with the Goddess’s power.

The Goddess, moved by the deeds of the Seven Virtue Saints, had blessed their belongings, granting them miraculous abilities.

Anyone could use a relic, but how much of its power one could draw out depended on the individual.

“If it’s a relic, it’s incredibly rare. Is it really okay for us to just take it?”

“It is.”

Currently, the Church possessed only one relic: the Staff of Saint Serabio, representing Diligence. It had been passed down through generations of Popes.

“The Church once believed all relics should be collected. But after shedding too much blood with little result, they changed their stance. Even when they gathered them, others would seek them out again.”

Indeed, fifty years ago, the Church fought a war to protect relics from villains—the “Relic War.” In the end, the relics scattered once more.

“The current Pope has abandoned the idea of reclaiming them, saying relics will find their rightful place on their own. Something about divine providence.”

Not exactly a wise choice. In my previous life, most relics ended up in the hands of villains.

“In a way, perhaps the Pope simply chose to observe… letting villains use them freely.”

Bella looked around nervously, startled by my words.

“In any case, what matters is that even if we take a relic, the Church won’t interfere much. Others might complain, but the Pope will likely just observe.”

“I see… But why the relic of Charity specifically?”

“Because I know where it is.”

It was something I had used in my previous life.

“First, we head to the Rustven territory.”

* * *

As soon as we arrived in Rustven, we headed straight to the slums.

There was no need to gather information this time; we would visit the local church later.

The streets were sticky, filled with the stench of waste and faint traces of blood.

Most would find it disgusting.

To me, it was familiar.

In my previous life as a villain, I spent most of my time in places like this, beyond the Church’s reach.

Strange, isn’t it? The Goddess’s grace reaches least where it’s needed most.

Not all poor people are good. Poverty often breeds darkness.

But it’s also true that some wouldn’t have become villains if they’d just received a helping hand.

And even here, some still strive to remain good.

But that’s not my concern. I can only carry so much.

Bella asked,

“So the guy we’re after is here?”

“Yes.”

The target this time was Mordak, known as the “Chain Hunter.”

A former mercenary turned loan shark, he operated in the slums, committing countless crimes.

But that’s not the only reason I’m here.

In my previous life, he possessed a relic.

Back then, shortly after killing Baron Scalen, I encountered him here.

I’m not too late.

My pace quickened.

“Follow me.”

“Yes!”

* * *

In an alleyway, a boy named Rak handed over a silver coin to two men.

“H-here… the principal and the interest…”

One of the men took the coin, impressed.

“Oh? How did you earn this much in just a month?”

“I did odd jobs…”

Rak’s hands were rough. Even finding work as a child had been difficult.

“Then this clears my debt, right? I only borrowed medicine…”

“So what are you talking about? You still owe.”

“What…?”

“The interest increased as of today.”

“How much…?”

The man grinned.

“One silver coin.”

“What…?”

Rak had barely managed to earn even one coin.

“Everything you paid so far was just the previous interest. Now you only owe one more.”

“This is too much! I only borrowed medicine!”

“Did we force you?”

“You never said the interest would be like this!”

“Should’ve read the contract.”

“You bastards…!”

Rak glared, enraged.

The man raised his fist—

Thud.

A large hand landed on his head.

“What the—!”

The next moment—

Crash!

His face slammed into the ground, unconscious.

The other man turned—

“What the hell—!”

But as he tried to run—

He couldn’t move.

Kael was holding his clothes.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“L-let go!”

He tried to break free—

Crash!

Kael’s fist struck like lightning, slamming him into the ground.

Both men were down in an instant.

Kael walked toward Rak.

“Ah… uh…”

Rak bowed his head.

“Th-thank you…”

“Are you hurt?”

“…What?”

“I asked if you’re hurt.”

“N-no… thanks to you…”

“I see.”

Kael picked up the fallen silver coin and handed it to him.

Rak tilted his head.

“Take it. It’s your share.”

“N-no… you helped me, so—”

“Then I’ll throw it away.”

“N-no! I’ll take it!”

“Good.”

Kael placed the coin in Rak’s small hand.

Rak clenched it tightly.

Kael glanced down—at the oversized, worn sandals on Rak’s feet.

Good. I’m not too late.

They were the relic of Charity—Saint Vertior’s sandals.

And the very relic Kael had worn in his previous life.

Now I can focus on dealing with that bastard.

Kael rested his hand on his sword and smiled faintly.

(To be continued)