喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 132

“Become an even greater person. Become an even more radiant figure.”

Honestly, to become even greater and more radiant here would mean becoming an even bigger target, something I’d rather avoid.

But his next words… Honestly, my heart sank the moment I heard them.

“So that even more people will follow you.”

“…Your Holiness?”

What? What did he just say? More people following me? Surely he doesn’t mean… it couldn’t be, could it?

Like, ‘Take the Empire, Lord Karl Adelheit.’ No way. Surely not even the Pope would whisper such aspirations to an Imperial noble.

Fortunately, the Pope didn’t actually mean it that way.

“I’ve been deeply worried about what comes next. The war is over, and the chaos will subside. But evil in this world is like a stain that won’t easily fade. Even when everything seems to be over, it lingers in people’s hearts, stirring up wicked desires.”

“….”

“Whether it’s hatred towards former enemies, regrets about a difficult past, or resentment and anger over who lost and who gained, any of these could become a trigger.”

The Pope was explaining it to me as simply as possible.

In other words, he was saying that an even greater poison could spread through society than during the war and chaos.

“That’s what I was wary of. That people would foolishly reject the hope and light they could finally grasp.”

“I fully understand Your Holiness’ words.”

“That’s good. That’s why I called you here, Brother Karl.”

The Pope took my hand and pointed towards the warm sunlight streaming through the window.

“Your words, your actions, your deeds led them there. People admired something in you and followed you, and as a result, more leaders emerged. And leaders guided even more people towards the light.”

“…”

“What some have spent decades preaching, you accomplished in just a few years through your noble words and actions.”

I feel a bit… overestimated. This is on a whole different level from receiving the Medal of Honor.

Of course, I’m not devaluing the Empire’s Medal of Honor, but this feels different!

“So, I ask you, Brother Karl, to become greater. Become more radiant. People inevitably follow what stands out to them, whether it’s good or evil. Please, be the former, not the latter. This is why I called you here, Brother.”

I looked at the Pope sitting before me. No, at this old man who seemed to have lost sleep over his worries. I’d been harboring a small misunderstanding, and it was starting to clear up.

Perhaps it was the influence of my past life, but I had believed that even the Church couldn’t escape worldly concerns.

And I thought the reason the Pope, the head of the Church, had summoned me was to use me to further elevate the Church’s authority.

Truthfully, that would be the most logical reaction. Everyone tries to subtly gain an advantage.

It’s natural for those who are successful in the world to try to get close to someone who is being cheered by the masses.

But this old man, the Pope of the Church, wanted the world to become a better place because of me. He wanted me to be the focal point, not a passing trend, but a lasting influence.

‘Come to think of it… yeah, I’ve been playing that role quite well.’

It started with me just desperately wanting to save my comrades. Medals and war hero titles meant nothing to me. I just hated the thought of the guys I ate, slept, and fought with becoming corpses.

I couldn’t have imagined back then that it would lead to a Medal of Honor and the title of war hero.

But it didn’t end there. For some reason, other people started paying more attention and showing more gratitude to the survivors, including me.

Thanks to the efforts of my four friends, not only my comrades but also my seniors benefited.

Then, the entire Empire began discussing greater rewards for those who had fulfilled their national defense duties.

Not just one-time material rewards, but expressions of gratitude that would last as long as the Empire itself.

That change spread to the elves, opening the eyes of the lower-class warriors who had been looked down upon. Even the influential elven families, who had considered fighting to be vulgar, had to back down.

The atmosphere that had never existed before spread to them, following the Empire’s lead.

“…Your Holiness’ words made me reflect on my actions, even if it was just for a brief moment.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“What did you think of it?”

“It was unintended, so it was quite immature, and I was quite flustered. I didn’t expect it to lead to such results.”

The Pope smiled.

“That’s exactly it, Brother Karl. Changing the world isn’t about strong will or divine mandate. It’s about the will, decision, and action of a single person, like you, who steps up first and fastest for what’s right. People change by seeing that, and the world changes by seeing the people.”

I think I understand why the Church invited the other four along with me. They, too, played a role in guiding things in the right direction.

“It wasn’t luck that led you to the sacred relic. It wasn’t a coincidence either. The Goddess made it happen.”

“Is that what you believe?”

“I believe it without a doubt. There’s no other way to explain the miracle.”

Clank—

The Pope suddenly stood up after finishing his sentence.

Wondering what was happening, I quickly followed suit. The priests nearby rushed over and carefully positioned themselves around the Pope.

“Will you come with me?”

He must be suggesting a walk, right? I nodded immediately and went over to Selena, who had been observing the situation from behind.

“May she come with us, Your Holiness?”

“Who is this sister?”

“Well, you see…”

I couldn’t say, ‘She dumped me because she couldn’t handle my confession, and I did something crazy like joining the army. But somehow, we got back together and now we’re talking about engagement and marriage!’

So, I pondered how to answer―

‘That’s it.’

I decided how to answer the question about Selena. This seemed perfect.

“She’s my starting point, Your Holiness.”

* * *

I(Selena) had been waiting quietly behind while His Holiness and Karl talked.

I tried not to listen to their conversation, but the room was so quiet that I couldn’t help but hear their words clearly.

And I came to understand how His Holiness viewed Karl, and why he had invited him.

‘His Holiness wants Karl to be a guiding light.’

I nodded unconsciously. Indeed, Karl was playing that role. He would never admit it, and he claimed he never wanted it, but the Empire was being influenced by Karl in one way or another.

Those who had fulfilled their national defense duties, who were already well-treated, were now receiving even greater respect and admiration.

It was only natural that they would look up to the great war hero who received the Medal of Honor not once, but twice, even though he claims he merely fought alongside other heroes.

Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim joined forces to create a pension foundation named after Karl.

They told me it was a secret from Karl, but they said they were inspired by him. They realized what they had to do, the duties they had to fulfill.

And what happened next… Well, I don’t need to say it. The foundation grew enormously.

“Will you come with me?”

It seems the conversation between His Holiness and Karl has ended. Or perhaps they’re just taking a walk to change the mood?

Karl nodded at His Holiness’ words and then came over to me.

“May she come with us, Your Holiness?”

“Who is this sister?”

Oh, um. Should I introduce myself now? But I just followed Karl here.

What should I do? What should I say? A few seconds felt like minutes.

“She is my starting point, Your Holiness.”

…Huh?

My mind went blank as if I had been hit with a hammer. I unconsciously stared at Karl, muttering the answer he had just given.

Starting point.

Karl’s starting point.

It was a bit messy, with hurt feelings exchanged between us, and it was the beginning of a difficult time.

But it was also the starting point where Karl overcame it all on his own, without blaming anyone else.

He had attached that important thing to me, of all people.

“Starting point. Starting point. Hahaha. Brother Karl, that’s very romantic.”

“Ahaha. I’m grateful you see it that way.”

My face flushed. But I didn’t hate it. To be honest, I liked it. I felt like I could fly.

“Let’s go, Selena.”

“Y-yes!”

I tried to ignore the kind smile on His Holiness’ face and the priests behind him. If I looked at them too, I felt like I would collapse on the spot.

So, I quickly went outside with Karl to take a short walk, but—

“…Karl?”

“Huh? What’s wrong, Selena?”

That’s strange.

Why does the light seem to be getting stronger around Karl? Is it just me?

…No, it’s not. It’s past noon, so the sunlight should be shining from this side to that side, right?

“Brother Karl.”

The Pope’s voice came from behind. His expression was one of astonishment.