Chapter 191

“...I'm just saying, but Instructor, if you're thinking of touching the temple, give it up.” “...?” “Drop that ‘did you also learn mind-reading?’ look. I can predict this simply because I’ve become somewhat adept at reading your patterns of action.” “...Really?” “No matter how impressive that may sound, never even think about messing with the temple. Better to capture the main culprit than to complicate things by meddling with the temple.”

As if he had already decided that he would storm the temple, Roen’s expression was one of desperate patience.

“I, too, harbor strong ‘regret’ and ‘displeasure,’ ‘anger’ and ‘hatred,’ ‘contempt,’ ‘disgust,’ and ‘nausea’ towards the temple, but even so, it's not something you should attack.” “...Hey, um, it seems like you despise the temple more than I do?”

Before true madness, pretense doesn’t even have a chance to show itself, and Roen’s intense loathing seemed almost akin to his own feelings towards magicians.

To him, magicians were like horrific monsters that needed to be exterminated from the world, perhaps to that guy, the temple was something similar.

The only difference was...

“He’s better at suppressing his emotions and acting logically.”

Just like now.

“As you know, in the southern continent, the temple’s status is immense. Precisely, it’s the authority of the 'Light of Glory' that is considered great, but the temple’s priests are well known as the chosen delegates of the Light of Glory, and their authority is not to be taken lightly. Because of this, there are quite a few among the people who would believe and follow whatever the priests say.” “Isn’t that common knowledge? Who in the south doesn’t know that?”

Ihan shrugged his shoulders at the overly verbose explanation. It was too obvious…

“...And you’re saying you knew all this, yet you still planned to attack the temple?” “......” “Instructor, attacking the temple is a different scale of problem compared to hitting a magic tower. Until now, you’ve been fine attacking opposing organizations because you had a just cause, power, and some unknown ‘backing,’ right?” “That's right, isn’t it?” “It’s easier to speak when you admit it. I know it may be presumptuous of me to say this, but even if the king is your backer, you cannot attack the temple. An attack on the temple is literally making ‘the entire populace’ your enemy.” “......” “The faith and power that a [religion] possesses can be that dangerous.” “...Hmm.”

...Ihan was slightly startled by two things.

One was that this cold, rude guy was genuinely concerned about him and voiced his opinion, and the other was,

‘Did this bastard already try to do what I’m planning?’

He had no special ability to read thoughts just from looking at someone’s eyes, but there was such a thing as intuition.

Ihan cautiously guessed that this guy might have done a lot in the past or even in the ‘future,’ and that none of it had gone to waste.

A gaze that couldn’t help but pass through countless frustrations and despair.

‘...Surely, this guy must have fought a lot with the temple in the future?’

A sworn enemy? He tentatively guessed it must have been an even more horrific relationship of hatred.

...And he was already speaking from experience about how attacking the temple could lead to the worst situations.

“...Of course, Instructor, you could probably destroy the temple on your own, but you can’t crush the people’s faith and hatred. No matter how well you take care of the people, they will worship and long for a ‘god,’ and ultimately, they themselves will endlessly create second and third temples...” “......” “So, openly attacking the temple is not something you should do. It’s just a pointless act and will only make you a target of hatred.” “......” “Furthermore...”

...Whether it was advice, a warning, or just rambling continued.

Some might grow tired of the ongoing advice and even feel a bit stressed, but Ihan felt a different emotion as he listened to the rant.

Not annoyance, but pity.

‘He has a lot of grievances.’

It was the first time he realized that this guy was such a talkative person, but it seemed he had a lot to say. The young guy was already showing signs of developing hypertension. How much pent-up frustration must he have, indeed.

‘Feels worse than when I was in the military...’

Ihan cautiously guessed that the stress he might have faced in his previous life might be nothing compared to this guy’s.

‘...Poor guy.’

For the first time, Ihan thought this guy was truly pitiable and simply listened to his advice in silence.

“...Instructor, why are you looking at me like that?”

However, from the perspective of the one being looked at, it was a somewhat sour experience.

People often don’t realize how they appear to others, and the pitiable person (Roen) had no idea he looked like a drenched black dog.

*****

Ihan accepted his disciple's advice.

Although he often acted on impulse, Ihan was not foolish enough to leave everything to emotion alone.

Moreover, with such a commendable disciple offering advice, he felt compelled to listen.

Of course, if he really crossed the line, then he’d resort to 'kill you and then flee.'

'It might be time to seriously consider where to emigrate.'

Avoiding the temple was best, but one must consider the worst-case scenario.

He hesitated, honestly.

Half a year ago, he would have left without a second thought, but now...

'What is attachment, really?'

Over time, Ihan had accrued too many precious connections.

His people. The friends and acquaintances who had shared bonds with Ihan, and his disciples. With them around, Ihan could no longer easily leave the kingdom or casually speak of fleeing as he did in the past.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Thus, directly attacking the temple was now an extreme and worst-case approach for the current Ihan, causing him to contemplate deeply.

And on this decision of Ihan’s...

“You made a good decision! I also think messing with the temple isn’t right.”

The gray-haired Taechang expressed his joy.

“Do you also oppose attacking the temple?” “Yes, Instructor. You may not care about religion, but others do. Especially in a difficult world, people have to rely on a god. In that sense, the power held by religion in this world is absolute. And to mess with such a place... ah, the people would stone you.” “...You speak as if you've seen it happen?” “...Not in reality. I saw it ‘through a screen.’ ...Lord Roen being stoned...” “......” “...Shall I explain more?” “No...”

That was enough to hear.

On the way home. Taechang suddenly emerged from behind a tree as if waiting for him, but Ihan was not surprised.

Assassins-like sudden appearances were too common among his acquaintances by now.

However, while listening to the advice, he noticed a peculiar ‘red mark’ and tilted his head in curiosity.

Could it be...

“But why is your neck like that?” “Huh?” “It looks like a bite?” “Oh, this? Uh, well, I hid from Lady Karin that I was going to the Empire. It's been a month, but she still seems a bit angry, so every time she sees me, she bites my neck and shoulders. It doesn't hurt, but it’s...” “......” “Ha, did I do something terribly wrong?” “...You’re worse than a fool.” “Huh?” “Just don’t say anything, you deceiver.” “??”

The guy, clearly unaware of why he was being scolded, widened his eyes innocently, but such an innocent expression only seemed more detestable.

'He's a top-tier deceiver.'

Could this also be a talent?

Pretending to be clueless.

Ihan wanted to beat him up more than the temple, but knowing it would only make him look bad, he had to suffer in silence.

*****

“...But, Instructor, aren’t you going to ask Judia Pierre directly? Why she met with the temple’s officials and what they discussed? It seems like you could easily find out...” Derek cautiously posed the question. Although Ihan had suddenly scolded him, it didn’t seem he was genuinely angry, so Derek dared to ask, and fortunately.

“That bastard will talk nicely. He's a madman. Whether you torture him, beat him, or threaten him, he just endures or tries to kill himself. He has no attachment to life.” “......”

The response he received made his face stiffen.

“No, he does have an attachment to life, but he doesn’t value his own life highly. ‘Live if I live, die if I die,’ that’s how he lives. ...A detestable and unpleasant fellow.” “......”

A deep disgust filled his expression.

The way the priest named Pierre lived was utterly abhorrent to him.

“Those who use the name of God as a shield are disgusting. They think they can be forgiven for anything they do.” “...It's similar to modern-day terrorist groups.” “They're just madmen.” “Ugh!”

Pierre’s circumstances were known.

He had two personalities, the succubus personality [Judia] and the heretic inquisitor personality [Pierre]. Shockingly, the personality of Pierre was created when Judia, suffering as a test subject, ‘created a personality to transfer her pain and suffering to it and fall asleep.’

Thus, Pierre’s personality hated Judia and showed an obsessive attachment to the temple to affirm his own humanity.

...Pitiful, yet it was hard to say he was completely pitiable given the blood on his hands.

'The succubus personality is just a villainess.'

And a particularly vile kind of person at that. Literally, a villainess who fits the title better than anyone else.

“So, what will you do about it?” “We’ll resolve it the way any reasonable person would – with ‘dialogue.’” “......” “Hey, what does that silence mean?” “...Nothing.”

Derek couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Resolve it through dialogue...

‘Is that even possible for the Instructor?’

Of course, the Instructor wasn’t a violent person. One might think he’s aggressive based on his appearance and usual behavior, but he’s actually quite kind and reasonable.

The problem is...

“-Lady Irene, won’t you serve the Light of Glory? Even though you are the sinful foster daughter of Galahad and have learned such selfish magic, if you serve the Light, your sins will surely be washed away...”

“-Madman.”

─Crack!!

...The real issue was that his surroundings tended to provoke violence.

‘Did all his ribs just break? ...Considering his stomach didn’t burst, he must have controlled his strength.’

The Instructor's perfect hectopascal kick blazed, and a sinister sound came from the other's ribs, but Derek knew he had exercised incredible restraint.

Not killing him was indeed a show of remarkable patience.