Kays Translations

Chapter 7: The Cardinal is Disturbed

"Fi... Fimia-chan, with this man...?"

"Yes. I saw it with my own eyes. The destruction of the 'Culling.'"

"T-That's...!"

With a grim expression, Cardinal Miopete rises from his chair.

The restlessness among the holy knights has escalated considerably.

"Why not ask her yourself?"

Saran says, gesturing to a corner of the cathedral.

There, unnoticed by anyone, Fimia stands quietly.

"Fimia-chan... This can't be true? With such a barbarian?"

"What Saran-san is saying is true, Cardinal Miopete."

As she answers, Fiona steps forward beside me.

Her pure white priestly robe sways gently, exuding a beauty that is incomparable to the tomboyish girl from the other day.

"He is indeed the hero I selected. He has truly brought peace to this land by exterminating the 'Culling.'"

"It's about time His Holiness receives a report on this matter."

Following Fimia's words, Saran speaks up.

"This is a serious matter, despicable... to bestow the favor of the sainten upon such a man!"

"In other words, Cardinal Miopete cannot approve?"

"Of course not! A man who speaks in such a manner is not fit to be a hero!"

As if prompted by Saran, Cardinal Miopete speaks words of denial.

Though I'm not quite sure of the current situation... Saran seems pleased, indicating that things are progressing as he had planned.

With Fiona's timing, it seems Saran is smoothly advancing her retaliatory actions from yesterday.

"Fimia-san, the Third Seat does not approve."

"So it seems."

"?"

What's the meaning of this exchange?

Fimia seems oddly cheerful, which is somewhat unsettling for me.

"Then, I shall be excommunicated."

"──Eh?"

Smiling slyly, Fimia leaves the cardinal dumbfounded.

I, too, am left dumbfounded beside her.

"Ignoring the holy decree of the Saint Order and even conducting the hero selection without permission. Ah, Fimia-san... this is unacceptable."

"Yes, it seems I was a disobedient girl. But I suppose there's no helping it if I'm to be excommunicated."

While it's a blatant act, the words she speaks are indeed true.

Fimia using the 'Courage-boosting Magic' on me, and me slaying the monster I couldn't defeat without a relic... that's exactly what happened, no mistake about it.

"Oh, dear. I've made a mistake. We must send a revocation document regarding the hero to His Holiness. Since the Third Seat has excommunicated Fimia-san, Jurg is no longer considered a hero."

"Yes, I will no longer be the saint from now on."

"Fool, I haven't excommunicated anyone!"

The shitty cardinal who seemed to have finally regained his composure raised his voice.

"Well, you clearly stated you didn't approve earlier."

"You said you didn't recognize him as a hero!"

"In other words, you also do not recognize my selection as the saint? Cardinal Miopete."

"Fimia-chan, stop throwing a tantrum. For such a man..."

You have no right to call me 'such a man.'

"It's not a tantrum, Cardinal Miopete. The selection of the saint is a sacred decree to be carried out at the appropriate time according to the divine destiny. If you refuse to recognize it... then I suppose I am not the saint after all."

Fimia declares firmly.

At times like this, she's truly an admirable woman.

A woman who stands by her principles is quite appealing.

"Think it over! Fimia-chan has a role as the saint──"

"──That's not for you to decide."

Stepping forward, I glare at Cardinal Miopete.

Despite his round belly. After all this time, does he still want to suck up to someone?

"Fimia's way of life is determined by her. Or is there something else? Is the church in the habit of changing people's lives as they please?"

"Stay quiet!"

"Another order? Is that all you can do, huh? Is that the only way you've interacted with people?!"

"Y-You...!?"

With flushed face, Cardinal Miopete stands up and leaves his seat, followed by the furious holy knights.

In response, I also radiate hostility.

"Jurg, that's rude. His Excellency, the Cardinal, is concerned about Fimia-san."

Suddenly, Saran reproaches me.

I'm not sure what his intentions are, but for now, I lower my clenched fist.

"I've heard that the church organization is like a big family. Fimia-san is like a daughter, isn't she? Isn't that right, Cardinal Miopete?"

"W-Well, yes. That's why──"

"Yes, that's why His Excellency the Cardinal is worried about the relationship between Fimia-san and you."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the cathedral froze.

What is this guy saying?

"For example, it's difficult to ask if she’s being treated kindly in bed, right, Cardinal Miopete?"

“.............”

This guy, I did tell him to do as he pleases...!

Is he really going to provoke him like that?

Ah, delegating everything to Saran was a bad idea after all.

"Jurg is kind. Always."

"Hey, Fimia."

As Fimia smiles and leans closer to me, I feel a slight jolt.

No, Jurg, this is... dangerous territory.

"...I shall take my leave!"

After trembling in silence for a while, Cardinal Miopete walks boldly out of the cathedral.

The holy knights follow suit.

"So, he's gone?"

"Effectively retreating. We could also call it our victory. It's enough to leave the impression that things won't always go their way."

"I feel a bit relieved. I've never been fond of that man."

Smiling happily as she leans on me, Fimia says.

Honestly, Saran...

Getting Fimia to play along like this.

What if Rolo finds out?

And anyway, that vulgar man seems to have a short temper.

Can such a man respond to voices seeking salvation?

It's even questionable if he can use divine magic.

"So? Is it okay to kill him?"

To my question, Saran softly growls.

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