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~Chapter 53~
I clicked my tongue.
The knights surrounding us wore black armor and black uniforms.
The Black Holy Knights Order.
They were the division responsible for arresting or investigating even members of the Church itself.
‘I thought this might happen.’
I expected that before this, we’d either find Bennet or that Usher would show himself.
“All who are at risk of going berserk must submit to investigation without exception. Even you, hero of the Church!”
At risk of berserk.
That was what they called a corrupted Holy Knight about to lose control.
‘I get that they see it as dangerous, but treating him like a criminal already?’
Maybe because I’d warned Dad that this could happen—
he didn’t resist, just frowned silently.
Still, I could feel a threatening aura coming from him.
The knights surrounding us looked tense.
“What are you doing! Sir Derrick cannot be a berserk risk—I’ve been with him the whole time, I’ll vouch for him!”
Thankfully, Laura spoke up for us, but they ignored her completely.
“The investigation is ours to conduct, Sir Laura Ashis.”
They even tried to separate Laura and her Pope candidate from us.
I tugged on Dad.
“Sir Ashis, we’ll be fine.”
Dad understood my intent and stepped back so Laura and Mel wouldn’t get caught up in it.
“It’s better if you leave here. Not a good scene for a child to witness. One should be a good… parent, shouldn’t they?”
“Th-that’s…”
Laura actually laughed softly, forgetting the situation.
“…I didn’t know the hero had a knack for jokes too. If I’d known before… Very well.”
Though worried, Laura left, thinking of Mel.
“Candidate Nemesia! If anything happens, come straight to my candidate’s room—or send an attendant! I swear on my name as a Holy Knight, I’ll always be there for you!”
“M-me too! I swear on my name!”
Oh, guess coming here wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
I held back a laugh inside.
After sending off the two chirping like baby chicks,
the real standoff began.
Since they’d cornered us at the entrance of the main Church building, passersby stopped to stare.
‘…This isn’t good.’
I couldn’t help a bitter laugh.
Usher, that damned fanatic.
So he finally pulled it off.
‘Got beaten by Dad once before, so he must’ve decided direct confrontation won’t work, huh?’
I didn’t know exactly how Bennet had tattled to him,
but since Usher now knew the truth, I expected he’d move to get Dad out of the way first.
‘He probably thinks removing Dad alone is enough. Predictable.’
But I’d thought he’d move the notorious Inquisition department,
or use other infiltrating fanatics.
Instead, the Black Holy Knights Order.
That bastard really had hands everywhere.
Dad tightened his hold on me.
“Move aside.”
The ominous aura from him grew stronger.
“Of course, we cannot.”
The surrounding knights tensed visibly.
The one in front ground his teeth.
“Do you still think you’re the Church’s hero?”
Apparently, Dad had earned grudges here and there.
The knight at the front glared at him with resentment.
‘Predictable. Probably just jealousy because he was too outstanding.’
Even in the last hope of this collapsing world—the Church—
factions and political fights still thrived.
Or rather, since the world was collapsing,
the struggle over scraps of power was even fiercer.
The families of long-time Holy Knights hated rising stars like Dad,
and tried to exclude them from power.
[Game Forum – Off-topic]
Title: The smell of my homeland in this game…
“Cleared a monster and had my credit stolen…
Reminds me of when my team leader stole my idea and project at the office… WTF
Is this even a game?!!”
Likes: 813
Comments
Savior1
Dev interview: “Haha, we wanted gamers to feel realism.”
└ Savior2: Feels too real… my real life sucks enough already!!!
└ Savior3: Just patch this crap already… Savior4
Not sure if I’m gaming or doing politics…
└ Savior2: I learned about the world through this game! Savior5
Cheer up! If a temple dog learns poetry in 3 years, in Salvatore 3 years you can run for president!
└ Savior5: Don’t stop me, I’m running next election lol
This political garbage was the devs’ “fun element.”
But for me, it was just painful memories of countless bad endings.
So, nothing to panic over now.
I looked up at Dad.
Once I gave a silent nod, he spoke as if waiting for it.
“I am the Pope candidate’s guardian.”
“If a report of berserk risk is made, no one is exempt from investigation.”
The knight didn’t yield an inch.
“Even if it’s the guardian of a Pope candidate!”
Dad frowned.
Ooh, scary.
‘Still, he looks so cool.’
Dad slid one foot back—ready to draw his sword any moment.
“…Ridiculous. Just because I was locked underground doesn’t mean I forgot the rules.”
His voice turned chilling.
“A guardian always puts the Pope candidate’s safety above any Church rule.”
If Dad left, a hole in my protection was certain.
Dad gritted his teeth.
“Do you realize what you’re doing? Surrounding and threatening a child—can you claim this doesn’t endanger a Pope candidate’s safety?”
Good job, Dad!
“And you know well that anything involving the Pope or a Pope candidate is exempt from any Church rule, don’t you?”
His eyes grew even darker.
“Will you claim a Holy Knight doesn’t know that?”
The knight in front flushed red.
“Y-you still think you’re the only one special! Do you still believe you’re the hero who commanded all the Holy Knights?”
Honestly, it didn’t matter who Usher sent—we weren’t getting separated.
But in this world, a 0% chance didn’t exist.
Too many possibilities always ran wild.
“This is by order of Cardinal Caleb!”
‘So I had prepared for the worst, that Dad and I might be forced apart…
And now it’s really happening?’
My mouth dropped slightly.
‘A cardinal?’
To explain: a cardinal was like a minister or prime minister in Korea.
And the Church of this world had no president-like Pope—only a prime minister figure.
So if a prime minister gave orders to a low-ranking civil servant?
You followed as if your life depended on it.
‘Usher, you bastard… how far does your hand reach?! And this is still early story?’
I wanted to smack my forehead, but there was no choice.
‘Time to switch to the next plan.’
While I was silent, the knight in front smirked as if he’d won.
“Surely you won’t claim Cardinal Caleb gave reckless orders without considering the Pope candidate’s safety?”
A bitter sneer.
“Cooperate while we’re asking nicely.”
…Who’s the real villain here?
They didn’t even know they were dancing in a fanatic’s palm.
‘Ha.’
Knowing it was one thing, but feeling it was another.
Our Dad, a powerless former hero, being treated this way?
All because of one fanatic?
I rolled my big eyes, scanning their faces.
The skill I’d honed from combing every pixel of the game screen hadn’t gone anywhere.
‘I’ll remember every one of your faces, you sorry excuses for kimchi rolls.’
I’ll show you what happens when you wrong a gamer.
But since fighting now would hurt public opinion,
I clicked my tongue and turned to Dad.
“D-Dad…?”
My attempt to loosen his grip failed—his hand only tightened.
I flinched at the veins standing out on the back of his hand.
Huh…?
Looking up, I froze at the terrifying face I saw.
For the first time, Dad’s lips curled in a chilling, crooked smile.
“So, you’d drag me out and split guardian from Pope candidate?
Your discipline is laughable.”
Shaa—
Though his grip wasn’t painful,
the dark blue aura rising from him was terrifying.
He looked every bit like a mafia boss in a noir film.
“Go ahead. Try taking me by force.”
…Dad?
No—
Who are you?
