#650
Religious Distancing (7)
Jibril Diop stared at the single light illuminating the dark room.
Tiny divine creatures huddled around him, rolling around like a ball.
The situation was obvious without needing to ask.
The Palace Lord [referring to the protagonist, known for his association with a palace] had been pondering something serious alone since dinner.
He was pretending not to, while subtly watching me—he doesn’t know how obvious it is that he’s working that little head—he tried to get rid of me, and when that didn’t work, he went to bed before ten o’clock and covered himself with the blanket.
‘Suddenly, the dishes are uncomfortable, so I need to rest early’ was his excuse.
Of course, Jibril didn’t believe it for a second.
Juliette wasn’t good at lying, and the wizard was a master at reading people’s minds.
He must have overheard the guards’ conversation outside the window.
He was trying to disguise his composure, but I could practically hear his eyes darting around from where I was standing.
‘Uh… then at two thirty?’
‘That’s right, we always switch at that time. Let’s go and sign up then.’
‘It would be better to be in the same group if possible.’
‘Right, if we’re going on a long journey, it’s better to stick together with people who work well together. Our captain always says…’
The Palace Lord probably didn’t even register what they were saying beyond the time.
He was so focused on the fact that there would be a security gap at ‘two thirty’ that he only half-listened to the rest.
Maybe it’s better he doesn’t know the full details.
“…Just a moment.”
The cleric, who had been silently beaming, finally spoke.
His thoughts seemed to be organized, as the light in his eyes under the magic stone glasses was clear.
“No, I don’t have that insignia.”
“Ah.”
I figured. I already swiped it and gave it to Marguerite.
Jibril shrugged lightly. He probably thinks he lost it somewhere.
“Then what are you looking for so loudly? I can’t sleep.”
Actually, I’ve been awake for two hours.
“I gave the insignia to a kid I know as a gift. I’m sorry for disturbing your rest.”
“Okay, a gift… What?”
What is he talking about? Jibril finally frowned.
The Palace Lord, who doesn’t know the time or place and does crazy things, is saying crazy things again today without fail.
“Don’t worry, I know it’s a precious item. But the child who received it is also royalty…”
“Wait a minute. When?”
I’m telling you I stole it.
“Yes?”
“When was it? The gift.”
“Uh… a few days ago? I don’t really know. A few weeks at most? Or was it a few years?”
“Huh?”
What is that again…? Jibril clicked his tongue, watching the Palace Lord who couldn’t even estimate the difference between a few days and a few years.
He said he wandered in another world and came back, so something must have happened there.
But the insignia he gave couldn’t possibly be ‘that’ insignia.
He’s carrying a whole moving truck in that bag, so he must have confused it with something else, but I can’t point that out, so I’m speechless.
“You…”
“Hey, it can’t be. I couldn’t have given him a chocolate wrapper… It was definitely an insignia.”
The Palace Lord muttered with a pale face. Jibril sighed and gestured with his chin.
“Okay. If you’re caught, just put the bag down and lie back down.”
“Gasp.”
“Even though I look like this, I’m an 8th-grade combat mage. Did you really not know and just sleep?”
Then a look of injustice settled in his gentle eyes.
“…You were snoring. I heard everything.”
“That’s acting.”
“You snored yesterday too.”
“That’s also acting.”
“…”
“I’m the most famous nobleman in the Imperial Salon for masquerades. Don’t you know?”
The Palace Lord glared at me for a long time, resentful that he had been deceived, and finally took off his glasses and slowly unpacked his bag in the dim light.
After taking off his robe and folding it neatly, he repacked the luggage scattered around the bed.
The divine creatures looked at him with regret and cried softly.
Jibril stretched his arms out behind him to support his upper body, and then caught movement in the shade where the red glow of the brazier didn’t reach.
Something small, not even half the size of his palm, was taking steps to silence the sound.
The blood-red iris flashed like the eyes of a beast that had found its prey.
The man quickly recognized its identity.
-Tok, tok tok…
It was the ‘Heart of the Four Dragons,’ which had been sleeping like death on one side of the Palace Lord’s bed for the past few days.
The fire lizard, clinging to the wooden wall, touched here and there with its tail, and then began to wriggle straight up as if it had finally found the right direction.
The wizard then realized that the window was slightly open.
The divine object looked like it was about to run out the window.
“…”
Jibril hesitated for a moment.
Strictly speaking, the only people he was escorting were Marquis Juliette and the divine creatures in front of him.
He had never heard any separate stories about the divine object.
His Eminence the Cardinal, who directly entrusted this task to him, did not mention the lizard either.
“…I know I shouldn’t go out. But I wanted to see my friends, even from afar.”
“Tsk.”
The wizard ruffled his hair irritably and took his eyes off the lizard.
He knew it well himself. This was a clear case of indirect intent [a subtle hint or suggestion].
“I’m sorry for causing trouble. I’m not a child.”
“…”
He’s being sentimental and making a fuss again. It’s so cheesy, I could die.
Jibril frowned as he looked at the Palace Lord’s drooping shoulders.
Seeing him holding a wing-shaped ornament made of braided thread (a thing with some meaning, as it was enchanted with high-level preservation magic) and a crystal bell inlaid with precious jewels in both hands, he was at a loss for words.
“…You’ve all had hard times without me, haven’t you? For quite a long time.”
-Kkiiiii
Oh my.
“I can’t tell you the details, but I was very sad too. So I hope we don’t have to go through that again. When I’m nearby, I want to be of help in any way I can, and if that’s difficult, I want to at least be there for you.”
“…”
“Does that sound strange? I don’t mean to say that I’m a very important person. It’s just that we’re partners and friends…”
“You are an important person.”
Jibril spat out coldly on purpose. The Palace Lord blinked.
“Not to me, but definitely to Sixth Uncle and Princess Pink. And to the Grand Scholar too. By now, rumors about you must have spread to the main camp of the Holy Nation and the neutral zone, so isn’t that an excessively important figure no matter how you interpret it?”
“…”
“And there’s something else you’re overlooking.”
Jibril pointed at him with his index finger.
“If they’re so precious, shouldn’t you consider their position too?”
“…Ah.”
“They might be a threat to you, but do you want them to come to you despite that? No. They’d want someone like me to stop them day and night.”
“…”
“They’re not backwater snot-noses, they’re all at least archbishops with frontline experience. The Grand Scholar has been officially a non-combatant until recently, but…”
He’s probably killed more humans in his life than he can count.
Jibril didn’t bother to add the rest. Anyway, he got the point across, didn’t he?
“Anyway. If you really care about them, trust them and leave them alone.”
“…”
“There are also bonds that grow stronger while enduring each other’s absence. It’s not like you’re dead like last time.”
“…That’s true.”
I was a little surprised that he nodded so readily.
The Palace Lord, who had hidden the ring ornament and bell deep in his bag, looked back at Jibril again.
His expression was somewhat naive.
“Thank you. Princess Marguerite has a good older brother.”
“…Huh.”
What? Did he just compliment me? Did I hear wrong?
“Then I’ll trust my friends and wait this time. Actually, I’ve been so anxious these past few days that I couldn’t calm down, but hearing the Gongja’s [a respectful title] words makes me feel a little calmer.”
“…”
The young man, who added that, patted the swaddling clothes of the sleeping baby divine creature and lay down on the bed.
To be exact, he made a place to lean by stacking pillows high behind his back, lit the creaking candlestick on the side table, and took out his notebook.
Soon, the divine creatures jumped and lay down next to him.
Jibril, who had watched the whole thing from beginning to end, finally tilted his head.
I don’t know how many times I’ve frowned already.
“What are you doing instead of sleeping? My job is to make sure you rest no matter what.”
“Studying. I can’t go to my friends right now, so I have to go somewhere else. I have to be helpful to Liester anyway, right?”
“What? Where are you going again—”
“Military conference.”
The purple eyes, which still had the aura of the Crown, stared straight at him.
Jibril felt goosebumps on his arms. Why isn’t he sleepy at all?
“My friends said they’re going there when they feel better. So I’m going too.”
…I’m going crazy.
“You’re a non-combatant forever, and even if you become a cardinal right now, you can’t go to Cheonro [likely a place name]. Do you know where that is?”
“I can read a map too.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes. Even if His Majesty draws Durandal [likely a legendary weapon], he won’t let you do that. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I have to attend the end-of-the-world conference no matter what His Majesty thinks. I have quite a bit of useful information for me. And I’ve been to commander’s meetings several times before.”
-Kkieueu
‘So please, Gongja, lend me some strength in that area.’ The young man’s innocent face, saying that, was so brazen that Jibril had to wonder if there was something wrong with him.
Even the divine creatures were looking at him with eyes that said, ‘You do the work, you pathetic human.’ It was truly absurd.
Are they all crazy?
“You’re not really thinking of participating in the war, are you? You just mean you’re going to observe the meeting, right?”
“Once you cross Cheonro, it’s not far to the royal capital. I will be my friends’ shield no matter what. I can’t fight, but I’m confident in that one thing.”
“…”
It felt like talking to a huge wall.
Jibril just closed his eyes and covered his head with the blanket.
“Ha…”
Yeah, damn it. Do whatever you want with those great friends, whether it’s fighting a war or getting married.
I’m the only one who’s suffering.
*
At that time. Back in the warehouse.
“Keuheok—!”
-Thud! Kwaaang!
“Sir Christel!”
The dry body thrashed violently as if possessed by a demon.
Elizabeth, horrified, barely held onto her friend’s body, which was rattling on the bed.
Everywhere was a sea of water, as if a huge tsunami had struck a land without a sea.
In some places, there was even thin ice, and cold water dripped from the ends of icicles on the ceiling.
The boy, Cedrick ‘Seidi’ Liester, frowned slightly as he looked down at his divine sword.
He had managed to bring out the Comet Sword of Mars, but now it was nowhere near enough to replenish his energy with it.
His whole body was soaked, and he was in a state of complete ether depletion, so he couldn’t use his power recklessly.
“Keok! Cough cough! Aeuugh!”
“Christel, just hold on a little longer! I’m here!”
But if I leave him like this, it will only lead to a rampage, so what exactly should I do…?”
“Goodness, Seidi! There’s blood coming out of his mouth! At this rate, something really bad is going to happen!”
“I’m thinking.”
“Whatever it is, do it quickly! Draw the Comet Sword!”
Elizabeth looked back at her childhood friend, sweating profusely.
Seeing him standing still in the same spot since earlier, it felt like fire and water were about to erupt from within her.
Being calm is good! It’s good—!
“Hey! If you can’t draw the sword because you’ve gotten shorter, just say so!”
Then the Crown Prince glared at her as if he would kill her.
The vice-captain of the Imperial Guard shouted, raising her voice without paying attention.
“Do something! You said it, you have to awaken the flame inside the Lord’s body! Isn’t fire your power? If you can’t use the sword or your abilities, you should at least use yourself!”
-Kuuuung!
“…”
‘Use myself’? Seidi fell into thought once again.
However, Elizabeth was on the verge of losing her mind due to her friend’s persistent silence.
“You crazy bastard! If you’re just going to stand there and do nothing, just get out! Your energy is making the resistance worse!”
“There’s some truth to what you say. I’ll try that.”
“What?”
-Swaaaaaa…!
The little boy, who had finally walked up to the bed, looked down at Gain for a moment.
Just as the ice that had covered her whole body couldn’t withstand the resistance and turned into water.
-Buuuuuuk!
The small hand suddenly tore her shirt open. Elizabeth was horrified.