As expected, he knew.

There was no need to ask further.

“Yeah. Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Of course. I’ve already collected six stamps, so I have plenty of time. I’ll just buy some food and head over.”

I didn’t need to say where to meet. It was obvious where we were going.

“Thanks. Take your time.”

I waved goodbye to Narce and headed back to Elias and Leo.

In the meantime, Pai had moved to Narce’s shoulder and was waving at me.

As I approached, Elias grinned and nodded toward Leo.

“Luca, he got a prize.”

“He must’ve done well to the end.”

“He sure did. If I could just keep my balance, I’d win a prize too~. You have to see it later!”

Elias winked with one eye.

I’ve often seen him solve cases using guns, so I know the protagonist’s skills well without him having to say anything.

Just then, Leo, who was carrying his prize, scowled.

“What are you talking about? You’re not thinking of doing it now, are you?”

“Later, later.”

“Good. I’m relieved. If you try walking without crutches now, you’ll be in treatment for another month.”

Elias flinched reflexively. Just the thought seemed unpleasant to him.

Leo held up a human-sized stuffed toy he’d won as a prize.

“So, what should I do with this?”

“Sleep with it.”

“…If I leave it in the classroom, someone who wants it will take it, right?”

Now that I looked at it, the stuffed toy was similar in color to Pai.

Even though it was bear-shaped, its round features reminded me of Pai.

“Don’t you need it?”

“Nope.”

“Then try giving it to Pai. I think Pai would like it.”

“Really? Would an animal that builds houses out of stones like this?”

“You’ll see when you give it. I’m heading to Narce’s now, so if you want to give it, I’ll take it for you.”

“Oh, right, you said you had something to talk about.”

Leo handed me the stuffed toy.

“Do you think it’ll take about an hour?”

“I don’t know, why?”

“Let’s hang out afterward.”

He really seems to dislike hanging out in large groups. He probably prefers spending time with just a few close friends.

In any case, once the conversation is over, I’m free for the day, so I don’t mind.

“Sure, I’ll head to the main building afterward. See you then.”

—

“Ah, you’re here.”

Narce waved at me as he played with Pai. He pointed at the stuffed toy under my arm.

“What’s that?”

“Leo won it at the shooting range. He doesn’t have any use for it, so I was wondering if Pai would like it.”

“Are you giving it to me?!”

Pai circled around Narce’s shoulder excitedly.

I set the toy on the desk, and Pai leapt onto it.

I wasn’t sure how long the interest would last, but it seemed like a good idea to leave it with Narce.

“Haha, thanks. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a big stuffed toy, so Pai must really like it. And I got this from the administrative department’s booth. Let’s eat it together.”

Narce pulled out a chocolate cake from a small box.

As expected, cherries were scattered all over the surface.

“…….”

“They really made it delicious~. I actually had some earlier, but it was so good I bought it again. Here, have some.”

Narce slid the box towards me.

“Thanks.”

“Oh, no problem~. So, I’m curious about what you wanted to talk about.”

Whether he didn’t know, or was just pretending not to, I couldn’t tell.

I brewed a cup of coffee and placed it in front of him before sitting down.

“Narce, let me say this upfront. What I’m about to tell you might put you in a difficult position.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“If answering is hard for you, it’s okay not to respond. But the reason I’m asking… it’s something I can’t just let slide. I’m sorry for bringing this up today.”

Depending on our conversation, the probability of change will shift. If Narce is significant to me in any way, it will affect things.

If his favorability drops, it would mean Narce has been hiding his true intentions and might even be lying to me today. At that point, I must consider Narce as an enemy.

“No, you don’t need to explain your position.”

Narce paused briefly before continuing.

“I have a hunch about what you’re going to say. You want to know exactly why I’m here, right?”

“Yes. I can’t go into details about my evidence, but your presence here is related to me, isn’t it?”

Perhaps sensing the gravity of the conversation, Pai paused from eating the cherries Narce had peeled and looked back and forth between us. Although, given that Pai’s cheeks were already full, the phrase “paused from eating” might be a stretch.

I returned my gaze to Narce, who stroked his chin with his fingers.

“Hmm…”

It didn’t seem like he was trying to deflect the question, but I decided to cut off any excuses.

“When you pulled me out from Strauch’s coordinates, you saw my magic and said, ‘My judgment was right, after all.'”

“…Ah.”

Narce raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Whether you thought I wouldn’t remember because I was dying, or it was just an instinctive comment, I need to address that remark in understanding why you’re here.”

“Haha, you can’t say where you got your information, but there are suspicious parts… and it’s linked to what I said that day.”

“You could say that.”

“I was careless. So, you already know I received a similar power as you…”

There was a previously unfelt atmosphere in Narce’s laughter. It seemed unintentional, so I just drank my coffee, keeping a neutral demeanor while observing him.

“Yes, it’s earlier than I planned, but there’s no reason to hide it from you. I have another reason for being here.”

“…I see.”

He’s acknowledging it more straightforwardly than I expected.

“Of course, what I told you before is also true. I hope there’s no misunderstanding about that. I’ve had to live a chosen life since before I can even remember, and sometimes…”

Narce paused, getting lost in thought for a moment before smiling softly.

“There are situations even I can’t understand about myself. I trust in my faith, but separate from that, knowing my unchosen life is set until the day I die, and that I’ll never escape the path laid by my family and the Papal State sometimes makes me sick to my stomach.”

‘…Hmm.’

I couldn’t hide my surprise. Hearing such strong words from a clergyman was unexpected.

Now, I understood why he left the Papal State. Even though I first met him as a friend, it was difficult to view him outside the image that had been formed later.

After saying this, Narce let out a small sigh and fiddled with his rosary.

“…Lord, Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, I believe.”

“Have some coffee, Narce.”

Now I understood why the king told me to have some tea.

Narce chuckled.

“Haha, thanks. I’m not trying to undo everything now. I just sometimes wonder if there was ever a life with choices. Every time I do, I search the scriptures, pore over countless meeting records, lock myself away for days to organize my thoughts, but nothing ever resolves.”

I nodded.

Even a small reaction might help him continue speaking.

“When I watch those who come to me for confession, I find it amusing. Someone who has never accomplished anything on their own sits there offering to cleanse others of their sins, don’t you think?”

“…….”

“I want someone to validate my faith, yet here I am.”

Narce murmured and laughed.

I knew something was off from the moment they started indiscriminately appointing children just to secure a bit of divine power. Even if it wasn’t a problem for the group as a whole, it wasn’t a good situation for individuals.

“What I told you guys is truly how I’ve felt, and it’s genuinely one of the reasons that brought me here.”

“Yeah. I don’t doubt that.”

“And, as I said, there is another reason why I’m here. Your guess is correct. I came looking for you.”

I looked at him.

His golden eyes showed no sign of disturbance.

He was either ready to lie or had no intention of lying at all. It had to be one of the two.

“Why?”

“If I said it was because of His word… you, as an atheist, wouldn’t like that, would you, Lucas?”

He accurately guessed I was an atheist.

Anyway, I do want an answer I can understand a bit better.

When I didn’t reply, he continued speaking.

“I didn’t come here just as a student. The official reason is to protect the Empire from Pleroma.”

“The Empire wouldn’t want the Papal State interfering.”

“Haha, I don’t mean to disregard that, but Pleroma’s base is here, you know~”

I had no rebuttal to that.

Pleroma originated in the Empire, but the Empire couldn’t stop it from spreading across the continent.

The Roman Papacy is the only entity that has managed to contain it somewhat. Ironically, Pleroma has elevated the Papacy’s declining authority.

But that’s not the point right now.

“Then wouldn’t it be best to use your status as a cardinal? Coming here as a high school student instead of using that status still doesn’t make sense. I want to know why.”

“Hahaha… you’re sharp~”

Narce took a sip of his coffee and continued.

“I knew you could use divine power. Taking you to the Roman Papacy is part of my mission.”

‘Could use it,’ he said.

It’s true his actions changed based on mine.

“How did you know I could use divine power?”

“I have to answer like you. Sorry, I can’t explain it precisely.”

He can’t tell me at the critical part.

But I also couldn’t exactly present novels or favorability as evidence, so I understand.

However, there are some questions vital to my survival that I need to address.

“Then how many people know about it? How many people know that Lucas Askanian can use divine power?”

“Fortunately, it’s only the people you know, Lucas.”

“You said taking me is your mission. That means your superiors know about it, doesn’t it?”

“No, I didn’t tell them about you. I knew your situation already.”

“…….”

I’ve come to understand the limits of level 2 Insight over the two months I’ve known him.

Even looking at my level 2 Charisma trait, I know that no matter what the trait, it’s not an omnipotent tool.

‘It means he figured it out by means other than Insight.’

Just like the first impression, he is someone to be cautious of.

But it’s also worth considering that keeping the person you should be most wary of close by is safer. Especially since he knew about me even before we met, it means he’s beyond my sphere of influence.

‘Given the situation, I have to keep him close.’

The Insight ability is too dangerous to turn against me and, frankly, too valuable.

Honestly… it’s hard to see him as an enemy now that I’ve gotten somewhat used to him. If I have to, I will.

Narce spoke as I stared intently at him.

“Honestly, the Roman Papacy wants you.”

“Not me, but the divine power, right?”

“Haha, yeah, that’s it. Given the situation, I have to ask… what do you think? Do you want to come to the Papacy with me?”

Pai perked up, seeming pleased at the idea of going somewhere together.

“…Isn’t this a bit rushed? This is the first time I’m hearing about this.”

“I’m only suggesting it because it might be advantageous for you. Honestly, I wouldn’t want your fate to be like mine.”

I understand what he means by it being advantageous.

“If there’s any honorary position you could get, it would be easier to stand against Adrian Askanian. And, if I can fend off the Papacy’s unreasonable demands, you won’t have to follow the same path as me. You shouldn’t miss out on a good opportunity because of my grievances.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“What do you think, Lucas? Will you join me? Or do you want to continue living without making yourself known to the church? I’ll respect your choice.”

“Is joining you the only option?”

Narce chuckled softly at my question.

“That’s the only way I can protect you.”

Sure enough, there are many who would want to make use of the divine power. It’s not an easy ability to have.

And…

It’s true that he sought me out, and no one else knows I can use divine power.

Further digging into this will only lead to meaningless discussions. Let’s check the probability of change.

**Dawn 777**

― Days until the final outcome, ‘Chapter X. Death’: 693 days, 22 hours, 43 minutes, and 47 seconds

― Probability of Change: 18.5% (+0.1%p)

It was 18.4% before and after playing poker, and now it has increased by 0.1%p.

‘Is it because I received the offer?’

The test is complete.

I currently have no reason to be hostile toward him. Although some questions remain unanswered, hearing him talk about divine revelations doesn’t give me high hopes for additional explanations.

“Not yet. I don’t think it’s the time to decide.”

“Really? Okay.”

“I’ll think about it once this is over. Thanks for the offer.”

“No problem~”

“And… thank you for answering my difficult questions.”

Narce, who had been tidying up, widened his eyes at me silently and then grinned. He then subtly changed the subject and asked.

“By ‘this’, you mean the festival, right?”

“Oh.”

I only told Elias and hadn’t told the others. I quickly explained the situation to him.

Narce stroked his chin as he spoke.

“All you need is the list? That’s simple.”

“For now, yes.”

While the time is different from then, there’s no significant change in the area so far.

“You’re planning to find the list. You’ll leave finding Pleroma to me, right?”

“…Yes. I’m counting on you.”

“Hahaha! What’s with that look? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve known me~”

I replied with a light laugh and got up from my seat.

“It’s about time to head out. I have to meet Leo.”

“It’s only been 40 minutes. I should start heading to my play rehearsal.”

“Right… what role did you get again?”

All I knew was that he got a leading role in the Faust play, but I didn’t know the specifics. I hadn’t paid much attention to festival matters since I was busy studying divine power in class.

“Didn’t you know? I’ve been cast as Mephisto from the start.”

“Hmm?”

There was a prolonged silence.

“…No matter how much I try not to think about your image, this is hard to ignore. Not only are you, someone from the Papacy, participating in a Faust play, but you’re also playing the demon role?”

“Hahaha! Of course not~ But this is an opportunity. I don’t want to live solely by what my family decided for me.”

From what I’ve seen of this guy….

In my personal opinion, he doesn’t seem like the type to do what he’s told.

But it’s good he’s living as he wants.

“You won’t get excommunicated, right?”

“Unless I use up all my divine power, even if I tour as Mephistopheles, I won’t be.”

There was nothing more to say.

How do you respond to something that sounds like criticism of the Papacy?

I bid him farewell appropriately.

“Alright. Do well, and thanks for today. I’m off.”

“Sure, see you in the evening.”

“I might not go, though.”

“Haha, see you later~ We agreed to compare the audience numbers with Class 1.”

Narce waved his hand, dismissing my comment.

Afterward, I met up with Leo and Elias, just like in the morning, and relaxed.

As the sun began to set, Leo tapped his guidebook and asked.

“We got all the stamps now, right?”

“Oh, I still need one more. I didn’t do the shooting.”

“Me too.”

I don’t know if collecting them serves any purpose, but since we’ve collected them so far, we might as well finish it.

As we were deciding on the last place to visit, three or four students wearing magic department badges approached us and asked urgently.

“Leo, have you seen Faust? He’s been missing for five hours.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep