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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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Chapter 130
“Wow…”
Selena, sitting next to me, lets out a continuous stream of admiration. Her grandfather, following behind us, chuckles heartily.
I’m surprised too. To be more honest, I’m baffled.
No way. These crazy Church people. They rented out this entire train just to bring me here? Not just one cabin, but the whole train?!
And it’s not even a regular train, it’s a special express train with only first-class cabins. The train that ordinary citizens of the Empire can hardly even dream of riding! Does the Church have money to burn!?
“This is amazing, Karl! I’ve never seen anything like this! The Church sent a whole express train to invite us! And the people who came to greet us are high-ranking priests!”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Impressive, Young Lord Karl. It makes me realize what kind of grandson-in-law this old man has gained.”
“Hahaha. It’s an honor to hear you say that, Grandfather.”
A sense of foreboding rises within me. Shulifen’s words from a while ago keep floating around in my head.
“Why do I keep seeing a future where a medal is created in your name?”
A scene of a medal with my name on it pinned to my chest.
Even if it’s not that, I feel like a video of a medal being placed on the chest of a great Imperial hero in the near future, with the words ‘Awarding the Karl Adelheit Medal!’ automatically playing in my mind.
I wonder if that is too much. So, I grabbed a priest who looked very polite and asked him a question.
“Excuse me, Priest.”
“Yes, Brother Karl. How can I help you?”
“Well… first of all, thank you so much for the Church’s warm welcome.”
“That’s very kind of you to say. We are grateful to you as well. We were worried that we might not be able to serve you well enough.”
“What are you talking about? How could that be possible? Haha! But, you see, what I mean is… I’m a little worried that you might have gone overboard…”
It’s not like I have dozens of people with me. There are only three of us, three! And yet they rented this entire train?
I’ve never heard of the Church being extravagant. They’re just moderate, maintaining the dignity of the continent’s top religion.
I’ve heard that the Holy See is grand like the capital, but not the epitome of luxury.
In fact, even the grandeur of the Holy See was achieved through the free contributions of architects, sculptors, and painters from all over the continent who wanted to serve the Church.
Even the Holy See, where the Pope resides, is that frugal.
Moreover, those invited there, as important figures of the Radiant Church, also cherish frugality.
Therefore, it was hard for me to get used to the idea of renting out an entire train (capable of carrying hundreds of passengers at once) just to take three people.
“Hahaha! Brother, I understand your concerns. You truly have a kind heart. I didn’t realize you would consider the situation of the Holy See.”
“Ah, that’s just…”
“But the Church cannot compromise any further. You are not just anyone, Brother Karl. You received a personal letter from His Holiness and recovered the Church’s sacred relic. If you experience any discomfort on your way here, wouldn’t that be the same as inconveniencing someone who is loved by the Goddess?”
Of course. It’s that damn relic again. Seriously, where in the world is there a relic that pops out of a rock just because you split it?!
“Furthermore, there are others with you, so we thought this was necessary.”
Others? Ah, he means Selena and her grandfather. But they’re my companions too.
As I was about to remind him of that, the door to the rear compartment suddenly burst open!
“Man, it’s noisy! Young Lord Karl!”
“Right! The Church is willing to treat you well, so why are you whining?”
“Didn’t you say you never complained about anything in the military?!”
“No comment, Karl. I’m innocent.”
…Huh? Uh… I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Did I see that wrong? Yeah, I must have. I must be dreaming. Otherwise, why would the quartet be here…
“Shulifen?”
“Yes.”
“Wilhelm?”
“What?”
“Alexander?”
“Huh?”
“Joachim?”
“I really didn’t say anything, Karl.”
Oh my God. They’re really here. It’s not a dream? The quartet just burst out of the train compartment? They’re going to the Holy See with us?
“…Priest.”
Maintaining a smile with great effort, I turned to the priest standing next to me.
He doesn’t seem surprised at all. That means he knew about their presence all along. I had no idea! I couldn’t even imagine it!
“Could you explain what’s going on? I need some clarification…”
“Pardon? You didn’t know? They were also invited to the Feast of All Saints.”
“Those Hydras… I mean, the quartet?”
“Yes. Of course, only Brother Karl received a personal letter from His Holiness.”
That’s not what’s important right now! Why are they tagging along?!
I’ve seen enough of them at the academy! And it’s not just any place, it’s the holy Holy See we’re going to!
But the quartet, who always cause trouble wherever they go, are coming along?!
Damn it! This is no different from whispering in my ear, ‘You’re definitely going to see a medal named after you.’
I must never forget. The academy attack happened while those guys were around, and I also found the relic in their presence.
They’re like protagonists who always have something going on. That’s why I’ve been avoiding them lately!
“…Priest.”
“Yes, Brother. What is it?”
“Why were they invited to the Holy See for the Feast of All Saints?”
Let’s at least find out the reason.
Why were they invited to the festival? At least knowing the reason will make me feel less wronged.
“Aren’t they the ones who created the pension foundation named after you?”
“Is that all…?”
“Of course not. Because of them, all the nobles in the Empire were moved, and as a result, our Church also joined in. Imagine, future nobles who care for forgotten heroes. What could be more joyful? I’ve heard that many people have received help from the pension foundation!”
Because of them, the Quartet, many joyful things have happened throughout the Empire.
Everyone who participated in this noble cause with good intentions deserves the blessings of the saints on the Feast of All Saints, according to the Church’s official stance.
…Okay. So, to summarize, they’re going because they created a pension foundation in my name. Got it.
“Excuse me, just a moment. I need to talk to my friends.”
I left Selena and her grandfather with the priest and headed straight for the train compartment where the quartet were. I closed the door behind me and turned to the guys who were chuckling and snickering.
“Hey, you damn idiots! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Huh. This is what you call a surprise, Karl!”
“Surprise my ass! Would it have killed you to tell me beforehand?!”
If I had known in advance, I would have either stopped them or not gone myself.
Going to the Holy See with them? That means something is bound to happen there. A terrorist attack?! An assassination attempt?! Damn it! I don’t want any of that!
“That’s harsh. We came all this way just to keep you company, Karl.”
“Keep me company? Can’t you see Selena and her grandfather?”
“Oh, you’re calling him ‘Grandfather’ now?”
“So, it seems you’ve really asked for his blessing. Congratulations, Karl. So, when’s the wedding?”
“It goes without saying, but you have to invite us all to your wedding, alright?”
Wow, these idiots. They’re not listening.
Listen, guys, whenever you get involved in something important or a major event, something always happens.
Imagine if the Kanfras caused trouble at my wedding. Then, hmm… hmm. I think that day would be the day we chop off the heads of all the Kanfras on the continent and mince them.
Even if I don’t do it, I’m sure my sister or mother will!
“Sigh… whatever. It’s already happened. What can I do now?”
Yeah, what else can I say? They didn’t force their way in. They were invited, just like me.
And it’s not just any invitation, it’s an invitation from the Church for the Feast of All Saints. Anyone who would say no to that is probably not in their right mind.
Besides, incidents and accidents happen according to probability.
From that perspective, it’s unlikely that the Kanfras would attempt a terrorist attack or assassination at the Holy See.
First of all, before entering the Holy See, we have to pass through the Empire, and the chances of getting stopped there are very high. The Imperial Army isn’t exactly a pushover.
Besides, any Kanfra with that kind of skill would have been dealt with by my sister and Eloise long ago.
They’d probably be done with their meeting with the King of Hell by now and experiencing either reincarnation or hellfire.
‘Thinking about it, nothing much happened in the past six months even though I’ve been with these guys… Maybe it really will be okay.’
Right, right. Let’s think positively. Nothing has happened yet, right?
It’s possible that everything will go smoothly without any incidents, and I’m just overthinking things.
Hmm… but what if, just in case, something does happen—
“Hey, Karl. Karl? Karl!! What are you thinking about with that look on your face?”
“It’s fine, but can you stop fiddling with your greatsword while you’re thinking…?”
“Damn it, you’re scaring us! Get your hand off the greatsword! Hey, Joachim! Pull his arm away!”
“Why do I always have to do it?! I’m scared too! How can I touch him with that look on his face?!”
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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