Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 745

◈ 745. That’s Why I Want to Keep You Close

“Minister, as a person of your stature, you’re likely aware that exceptional individuals often attract jealousy.”

“!”

“At the Redrin Order, even the most gifted children live modestly until they turn ten. This is for their own protection. Especially Rembrary, who has several dangerous adversaries. If his exceptional nature becomes known, they will send even more formidable and perilous enemies. Therefore, I request that this matter be kept confidential from everyone except the two Emperors.”

The Minister observed the child. Rembrary was clearly delighted by the favor Redrin had shown him. Despite his intelligence, he was still just a child.

“I understand.”

He nodded.

* * *

By the time Rembrary and Raidal returned to the Florandia Order with Heather, it was the day before the next Divine Power test.

“Welcome back, Heather.”

Heather wearily instructed Rishue, who had come to collect the children.

“The children must be exhausted from days of carriage travel. Since it’s a group test, not an individual one, please excuse Rembrary and Raidal from tomorrow’s session.”

“Understood. But are you alright? I’ve heard troubling rumors about an attack on the Grand Order…”

As Rishue asked with concern, Heather subtly gestured towards Rembrary and Raidal with her eyes.

She implied that she would explain later, away from the children.

Rishue bowed and escorted Rembrary and Raidal to their room.

‘Redrin, I’m back in the dorm where I used to live. It’s a room not so big that I share with several other kids. Redrin, please remember that I stayed here for you and never forget it.’

Rembrary settled into his bed after a long absence, closed his eyes, and offered a silent prayer.

* * *

Having been away for an extended period, Rembrary and Raidal were granted three days of rest.

During this time, Raidal taught Rembrary how to play cards, and they enjoyed matching games together.

“You’re really terrible at this,” Raidal said, amused as Rembrary flipped cards over randomly.

“I don’t think you have a good memory.”

“I simply memorize things efficiently.”

“Efficiently?”

“I discard what’s unnecessary and quickly memorize what’s needed.”

“But you have to memorize everything when you play this game. I don’t think it’s very efficient.”

“I believe this type of game is inefficient.”

“Watch your tone.”

Children who were close to Raidal frowned as they passed by.

They were diligently studying, attending classes, and practicing hymns according to the established routine, and they resented that Raidal was spending his time playing with the peculiar Rembrary.

“Hey, Rembrary.”

Finally, on the last night of their break, the other children’s resentment boiled over.

“Come here for a second.”

Rembrary, on his way to bed after washing up, was confronted by three children from another room who entered without permission, their voices laced with annoyance.

“What?” Rembrary asked from where he stood, prompting the three children to approach him directly.

“Do you even realize that Raidal is a much better person than you? Smarter and more capable?”

Rembrary tilted his head, puzzled by the outburst.

“Hey. Answer me.”

Another child nudged Rembrary’s arm, demanding a response.

The children who shared a room with Rembrary began to gather around, watching the scene unfold.

Rembrary observed the three intruders as if he were merely a spectator.

“Hey. Raidal is getting worn out because you’re always clinging to him and causing trouble. Don’t you know Raidal doesn’t even want to play with you? He’s just being nice.”

One of the children nudged Rembrary’s arm again.

Rembrary paused, considering this, and then asked, “Did Raidal send you?”

“Do you really think Raidal would even care about someone like you?”

One of the children deliberately spoke with a sharp edge.

Rembrary raised his eyebrows.

*How should one deal with small children who spew nonsense with every word when they are angry?*

Rembrary, who considered himself a seasoned veteran in dealing with black magicians and monsters, realized he was ill-equipped to handle a childish squabble.

“The priests said so. Raidal is better than you, but he’s being held back and diminished because of you. They said they’re worried about it.”

“Which priest said that?”

“What does it matter?”

Rembrary thought it certainly mattered, given the child’s blunt tone. He recalled the Inquisitor’s warning about priests who might be targeting him, and the black magician’s prior knowledge of him.

“Don’t act like you’re so great!”

The tallest child stomped his foot loudly in front of Rembrary, startling some of the onlookers.

Rembrary glanced between the child’s small, indignant foot and his angry expression, then smiled and asked, “I’m just living as usual. But if that looks like I’m showing off, it must mean I look good to you babies.”

The children didn’t immediately grasp Rembrary’s meaning. One of them understood vaguely, while the other two exchanged confused glances.

“Shut up!”

The children immediately recognized the shout as Kentry emerging from the bathroom.

“Get out of here!”

The children scattered as Kentry swung his fist.

“Little punks!”

Kentry snorted, then glared at Rembrary when their eyes met.

“I didn’t step in because of you!”

“Who said you did?”

“It’s because you have such a bad personality that all the other friends hate you!”

Rembrary didn’t consider the children he lived with to be his friends.

“Thank you. You are a considerate baby.”

Instead of voicing his thoughts, Rembrary simply praised the tall blonde.

“No! I’m a very scary person!”

The tall blonde huffed and retreated to his spot.

* * *

“How is Rembrary doing?”

One day, Heather summoned Rishue to ask about Rembrary.

“The children are keeping Rembrary at a distance, favoring Raidal,” Rishue replied, recalling the instances where children had formed a barrier whenever Raidal attempted to speak with Rembrary.

“Not all of them dislike Rembrary. But even those who don’t are unwilling to risk antagonizing Raidal’s group by approaching him. Ironically, Raidal seems to genuinely want to befriend Rembrary.”

Rishue offered an awkward smile.

“I see…”

Heather muttered.

“I heard Rembrary played a significant role at the Grand Order. You seem to have grown quite close to him.”

Rishue noticed the subtle expression on Heather’s face and smiled.

“That’s right.”

Heather smiled awkwardly, unable to reveal that Redrin was monitoring Rembrary. Any children who bullied Rembrary would likely fall out of Redrin’s favor and potentially be barred from becoming ordinary priests. However, due to the highest priest’s request, she couldn’t disclose this information.

“Is that why you called me here?”

“Ah, no. The Inquisitorial Order has requested Rembrary’s presence this time.”

“The Inquisitorial Order?”

Rishue’s eyes widened, recalling the time Priest Niran had arbitrarily brought an Inquisitor into the children’s room.

“It’s not like that this time.”

Heather smiled and shook her head.

“I informed everyone about the black magician who infiltrated the Grand Order.”

“Yes.”

“Only two individuals clearly saw the black magician: Paladin Cheru and our trainee priest, Rembrary.”

“Ah…!”

“So, they’ve invited Rembrary to assist in the investigation. They wish to hear his eyewitness account. Rest assured, they are not trying to interrogate the child.”

Rishue nodded, visibly relieved.

Heather frowned.

“The problem is that my absence was longer than anticipated, making it difficult for me to leave again. Priest Rishue, who must care for the other children, is also unable to leave, and I cannot send a seven-year-old child alone.”

Rishue’s eyes widened.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“It seems an ordinary priest without designated child will have to accompany him. Who would be suitable…?”

At Heather’s question, Rishue glanced to the side, considering the various priests. After a moment, he said, “Anyone but Priest Niran.”

* * *

During self-study, Rembrary skimmed through the scriptures instead of reviewing the day’s lessons, searching for information about the feathers given by God.

“Rembrary.”

A voice from above startled him. He looked up to see Rishue standing with his hands behind his back.

“What?”

As Rembrary subtly closed the book, Rishue gestured towards the door.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

Following Rishue into the hallway, Rembrary learned about the invitation from the Inquisitorial Order.

“I wanted to go, so this is good.”

Rishue was relieved to see Rembrary’s enthusiasm, fearing he might be apprehensive about the Inquisitor due to the festival incident.

“But since you’re young, a guardian has to accompany you, right? Is there anyone you’d like to go with?”

“Heather.”

Rishue felt a pang of disappointment that Rembrary chose Heather over him.

“Heather is busy and can’t go.”

“Then Rishue.”

“Rishue was called second, so he can’t go.”

“?”

“…I’m kidding. I can’t go, Rembrary, because I have to take care of the other friends.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

Rishue led Rembrary to the office used by the disciplinary priests and produced an album containing portraits of all the ordinary priests working there, with their names listed below.

Rishue opened the page featuring the ordinary priests who were not disciplinary priests and said, “If you choose someone you like here, I’ll let you go with them.”

Heather had suggested letting Rembrary choose, as it was unclear who else to send.

Rembrary flipped through a few pages and immediately pointed to one person.

“This person?!”

Rishue was startled and looked at Rembrary.

“Really this person? You like this person?”

“I don’t like this person.”

“Then why?”

“I don’t like them, but I want to go with them.”

Rishue stared back and forth between Rembrary and the portrait, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The person Rembrary chose was Priest Niran, the one who had brought the Inquisitor to the trainee priests’ dorm without permission.

Because of that incident, Rishue had been keeping a close watch on Priest Niran. Moreover, this was the same priest who had abruptly dragged Rembrary into the forbidden forest incident and blamed him when the merchants were injured by the whirlwind. *To go with this dangerous person!*

Rishue looked around and lowered his voice.

“Wouldn’t it be a little dangerous to go with this person? I feel uneasy about him.”

“That’s why I chose him.”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to observe him up close.”

“!”