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(250)
La Mateos Tomor.
A man with pitch-black hair, black eyes, and a deep gaze.
A saint of the Gwangmyeong Church who appeared after several decades.
A miracle incarnation that even saved people who should have died originally.
A man who passed new laws that greatly strengthened the influence of the Church over secular rulers.
He was the leader who sent dozens of knights to kidnap and imprison Valencianus, and he was also a devoted person who spared no effort in purifying hundreds of thousands of subjects by patrolling the tent village during the capital city's Magi incident.
Tentia's feelings for him could not be explained in a single word.
“… … .”
It was he who immediately gave Tentia the nickname of Red Knight.
At the same time, for Tentia, who was a devout believer, he was also a representative of the god who deserved to be supported.
Her masters Valencian and Matheos were sometimes at odds and sometimes joined hands according to political and practical needs, so she and Matheos could be seen as having a similar relationship.
“It's all done.”
But the most important thing was that he was a saint.
As a dazzling white light flashed from Mateos' hand, Tentia felt the deepest and widest mana rods within her body completely restored.
My body, which had been sore just a moment ago, was now full of energy.
It seemed like he could be back on the battlefield at any moment.
“Thank you, Saint.”
Tentia overcame her awkwardness and greeted politely.
“No, Sir Tentia. I heard that one of Archduke Valencian’s knights was seriously injured. Of course we must help him.”
Mateos answered with a bright smile that made you think it was out of place.
Tentia asked with a hint of bewilderment and unresolved thoughts.
“What on earth is this gang that makes you come to see a mere knight like me?”
Mateos answered in a still bright voice.
“Didn’t Grand Duke Valen tell you? This is a donation certificate. It records the donations of those who have brought the corresponding card so far, and according to their rank, it gives the opportunity to receive various graces with priority to higher-ranking clergy.”
“Then, does that mean… that the saint has donated enough to come out like this?”
Tentia narrowed her eyes.
The Valencian in her memory was one who would rather do business through bribery and corruption than make donations.
“During those five months, I donated a lot. Of course, it wasn’t really donations, but rather an attempt to distribute and stabilize public sentiment through the church. However, I had been donating consistently in various ways before that.”
“I didn’t know.”
Mateos shook his head.
“No. You know the hardships. The fact that our priests, knights, and administrators were able to go to Doroisen this time can be considered a donation. It had a positive impact on the church, both directly and indirectly.”
Tentia frowned without realizing it.
This was because the shadow of the scoundrel Valencian was visible behind the noble saint.
“… … I am afraid, but I have heard that the Inquisitors are causing trouble in the capital of Doroisen.”
But Mateos answered calmly.
“This is a country where even the king is a corruptor. Anyone can be suspected. High-ranking officials have influence over many people, so they should be investigated immediately and at an early stage.”
"ah."
Tentia was surprised to see herself immediately convinced.
'You could certainly see it that way. I see. That was also two-faced.'
She opened her mouth, hesitating slightly.
“Could you… … just listen to a few words?”
Mateos nodded willingly.
“I guess I’ll have to ask someone to bring me some tea.”
* * *
Tentia spoke vaguely, carefully avoiding any part that could be considered a serious embarrassment to the royal family.
“… … It’s not a personal deviation, but I feel a little embarrassed seeing one-sided sacrifices being forced upon other regions or countries.”
“I bet you’ve even thought, ‘Isn’t that really evil?’”
“I’m not a knight. I would rather conquer than let someone live and then suck the water out of them by putting a coffin in their mouth. But then again, as a grand duke, what’s wrong with pursuing the interests of the empire and the royal family? No matter what, isn’t there a line that must be kept between people? I also think about that and my head is complicated.”
Mateos tilted his teacup and blinked for a moment.
“Sir Tentia. But your loyalty will not change, right?”
Tentia nodded immediately.
Knights were a race that looked for reasons to follow their lord, not reasons not to.
No matter how evil a person was, if there was romance and honor worth pursuing, he could pursue it until his death.
Mateos smiled kindly, as if he had known this would happen.
“Sir Tentia. When swords clash, they eventually meet in the middle.”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you just stop in the middle from the beginning?”
Tentia opened her red eyes wide as if she had heard something nonsensical.
“What kind of nonsense is that? If you swing your sword with that much force, you’ll be pushed back in the middle. If you push forward thinking you’ll cut down the enemy with this one blow, you’ll barely be able to protect the middle.”
Mateos nodded.
“I think the same thing about Archduke Valen.”
“!”
“If I push hard, the other party will do the same. Right now, in the capital of Doroisen, the bishops of the capital have begun their own search for the Encroachers, and are trying to push out the Inquisitors I sent with the logic that self-regeneration is possible.”
“Hmm.”
“I admit that Archduke Valen has a tendency to come up with some rather outrageous ideas. When he first went to Gremorius with only five or six people, I thought he was crazy.”
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Tentia was also there.
She smiled fondly as she recalled old memories, and Mateos continued.
“But it is natural to use such drastic measures when it is not for personal gain, but for the sake of the imperial family and the empire. Rather, it is absurd for the royal family, who should represent the interests of the imperial family and the empire to make moderate demands while considering the other party’s circumstances. It is not necessarily because Grand Duke Valen is a loser. Didn’t I send my knights to him right away?”
Tentia chuckled.
“Yes, you did. You were in a lot of pain that day.”
“Yes. In the end, the knights were stopped, and I only gave Archduke Valen a warning not to interfere with the revision of church law any further. That’s how we found a middle ground.”
“… … .”
She nodded, feeling as if she understood something.
“It’s becoming a little clearer. It seems strange that I, a journalist, am even thinking about such things.”
Mateos shook his head.
“No, not at all.”
"yes?"
“There is a reason why knights are faithful. They often have such worries because they see the seemingly ruthless decisions of the great nobles right up close. They often have doubts because they carry out the orders given by the great nobles with their swords and blood. Even the commander of the knights comes every Sunday to confess.”
“!”
A look of sadness appeared on Tentia's dignified face.
“… … That would also be the middle ground. Then I guess it would be the same for me. Loyalty grows, but skepticism remains eternal. Do I continue to live while shaking off skepticism?”
Mateos nodded.
“Everything in this world is like that, Lord Tentia.”
"yes?"
“Even though you know you’ll be hungry in a few hours after eating breakfast, don’t you still eat bread?”
It was a playful voice.
Tentia didn't know what to say, so she just sipped her tea, and Mateos continued speaking seriously.
“The scriptures say that one day a heavenly kingdom will be established on earth.”
"yes."
“Then, at that time, there would be no need for priests to connect the light and the believers, and no need for knights to protect the believers. Of course, there would be no need for saints either. But even so, it would not be something that can be played around with because it will come true someday, right?”
“… … .”
“Yes. What Kyung said is right. We live by continuously reducing suffering. If we want to stop feeling suffering, the only way is to let go of everything. Isn’t that what we want?”
Tentia nodded as if it was obvious.
“Mateus said, the stigmata shining on his forehead.
“I know that Archduke Valencianus spread the title of ‘Holy Emperor’ for Emperor Jerilis.”
Tentia answered with a hint of shame.
“I had a guess, but-.”
“I’m not criticizing you. We’ve decided internally not to take issue with that title.”
"yes?"
It was a very unexpected statement.
Tentia leaned forward in surprise, and Mateos continued speaking loudly.
“Imperial Swordsmanship, Level 1, Everything is Suffering. Doesn’t that mean everything is suffering?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if she was an unexpectedly devout believer, or if she reached the light without the help of priests after much thought. Maybe they each walked their own paths and came across the truth. Kyung must have reached that state long ago, so he already knew.”
Tentia let out a deep sigh.
My head felt much clearer.
“Thank you, Saint.”
The gun flashed again in her red eyes.
Mateos smiled happily as he looked into those eyes.
“Sir Tentia. The part where Grand Duke Valencianus is truly a loser is not what you just said.”
“Then which part are you talking about?”
“Aren’t you running a smuggling business with gangsters in the red-light district, and protecting the places where alcohol, gambling, and adultery are said to be sins by the Lord? In my view, these are serious crimes.”
“Ahahaha.”
“When I ask him, he laughs and says, ‘If you break a trash can, won’t the trash spill out on the floor?’ It’s a ridiculous statement. As a saint, I cannot accept necessary evil. Even if I did, it would be an unnecessary and enormous evil.”
Tentia stood up with a proud smile.
“Yes, I think so too.”
She returned to the villa with a leisurely gait.
“Your Majesty! I would like to share with you the lessons I have learned from my battle with Ensis! Let us practice Mana Blast together.”
“King Tentia. The autumn leaves are so beautiful. Why are you practicing? Why don’t you go out of the capital and take a tour?”
“59.”
“Then, just rest until this evening-.”
“58.”
* * *
I headed to the workshop with Rudy.
After passing through the high walls and the guards of elite riflemen, and entering the eight-story stone building, the hall was bustling with people.
“Have you arrived, His Majesty the Archduke Valencian?”
“Everyone, say hello! The Emperor has passed away.”
“Oh my! I didn’t expect to see you here. This is Leon, who I met at the learning center last time.”
All the capital's bourgeois, dressed in fancy suits, came rushing in and bowing to me.
I asked the Iron Blood Lord, who was giggling.
“Marcus. What the hell is going on? Why are they here?”
When something unexpected happens, if you suspect this guy, it's usually the right answer.
“Your Majesty, there are more people who are interested in the study of magical engineering than you might think. This is especially true when it comes to prosthetic limbs and arms.”
“So are they all investors?”
“It’s more of a partnership and division of labor than an investment. They are the ones who want to buy and produce prosthetic limbs, prosthetic hands, and prosthetic eye technology from me. I’m also thinking of entrusting them with the mechanical engineering parts. Of course, the core parts will be made here, so don’t worry.”
Marcus looked at me with different eyes and moved his different legs toward me.
“Okay, I see. Are your legs feeling better now?”
“Yes. I’m slowly starting to get used to it.”
Marcus lost a leg during a fight in the mine where Kuit Az was buried.
Since he was wasting his time for me, I thought I could move the hearts of the high priests with a huge donation to restore his leg.
'Okay.'
'It's okay. Take it when it's given to you. It will grow back in a year.'
'I was planning to cut off one side and put in a prosthetic leg anyway. I'll take this opportunity to pay off your debt. If you feel guilty, please increase the research funds.'
He now had a prosthetic leg, like Cornell.
Of course, his prosthetic leg, unlike Cornell's, was made of steel and brass, with all sorts of custom circuits engraved into the steel fibers.
“How much longer will it take?”
Marcus waved his hand and drove the bourgeoisie out.
“I was thinking of sending them back since the bidding is almost over. I can’t keep them inside while I examine your precious body.”
Rudy frowned, and I doubted my ears.
Are you looking into it?