#043

‘Cut… my tongue?’

As I froze in shock and horror, Casimir let out a smirk.

“It means I’m worried because you’re far too silver-tongued.”

‘No, fuck, who uses that as a compliment?’

Is this some kind of Heretic Inquisitor joke?

“…Th-thank you. I’m just not used to that kind of humor, so I was a bit surprised.”

“Humor? I wasn’t joking.”

“Pardon?”

“No, really. I said it would be better if you became a mute.”

“What?”

I sank into an even deeper state of shock than before.

‘Is this guy completely insane?’

I’d heard stories of tyrants who were so moved by a master craftsman’s masterpiece that they cut off the artisan’s hands so no one else could possess such a work, but I’d never heard of a lunatic who was so moved by someone’s eloquence that he suggested cutting out their tongue to make them mute.

And he’s thinking this even after being System-certified as ‘Influenced’?

Antonio and Nasir, who were Influenced, acted like they’d give me their own livers or gallbladders if I asked.

That crazy man Antonio even gave me something absurdly precious.

And Nasir seemed to have already factored me into his future life plans.

But this bastard Casimir? After being Influenced, the first thing he says is: ‘How about cutting your tongue out and becoming a mute?’

This is it?

‘He sincerely thought that would be for my own good?’

“…My apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

‘Saying you didn’t mean to frighten me makes it even scarier.’

“It is simply… a word of caution, as I fear you might stand out too much.”

‘No, a mute serf would stand out way more than a regular serf…’

“Then, how about you tell me the precautions in more detail?” I said with an awkward smile.

If he was Influenced, shouldn’t his basic Affinity have gone up?

If so, maybe he’d actually feel like doing a good job on the tasks I’d dumped on him out of laziness?

“Precautions?”

“Y-you know, things I should know while serving as a Chanter, or people I should be careful around…”

“…….”

Casimir silently stroked my hair, which wasn’t quite dry yet.

‘Is a nuisance still a nuisance even after Influence?’

Is he just such a piece of trash fundamentally that this is the best result Influence can achieve?

Really?

“Right. There is no need for you to be cautious.”

“Pardon?”

“Forget what I said. You may say whatever you wish.”

“Lord Casimir?”

“Because no matter what happens as a result, I will handle it for you.”

‘No, don’t think about cleaning up the mess after it happens; just tell me the precautions beforehand.’

Is that really so hard?

“If anything happens, tell Elamin. He will help you unconditionally.”

‘In the end, he’s delegating the delegation.’

Wow, he really hates working…

‘I wonder if they can even catch players like this…’

Just as worries about the Church of Order began to creep back in, Casimir continued.

“Alternatively, you may come to me. You are welcome anytime.”

‘You’re too lazy to even give me a list of precautions, yet you…’

“Wait.”

Casimir suddenly leaned over, lifted the hem of his garment, and untied his garter.

‘What is he…’

“I will give you this.”

“What?”

“It is a garter engraved with my name. Wear it.”

‘Why is he giving me that…’

I mean, if you’re going to give me one, give me a new one. Why the one you’re wearing…

“If anyone bothers you, simply show them this, and they will stop.”

‘…I’m supposed to show this?’

Isn’t the location a bit… awkward to show?

The priests’ attire consists of tunics that reach the ankles; what on earth am I supposed to do to show this?

‘No matter the situation, it looks devoid of dignity.’

Imagine if the King of Cooking B-something engraved his Master Chef mark on his garter and wore a long top like this.

To reveal it by accident, wouldn’t he have to stand over a subway grate like Marilyn Monroe?

To reveal it intentionally, he’d be the guy lifting his own skirt?

And if someone else shows it, it’s just a total freak show.

No matter how I imagined it, it was hideously tacky, but since I didn’t have the courage to refuse a gift from a brown bear, I took the garter.

“…Thank you.”

‘If I think about it, maybe it’s an item intended for use only in the absolute worst-case scenario where I can afford to lose my dignity.’

An identification tag could be lost, but one rarely loses their garter.

Casimir left without ever saying he’d actually do any work.

Holding the garter, I thought:

‘Even if you Influence a bastard, he still gives you a chewed-up bone…’

A man of character like Antonio gives the best of what he has, but a personality-disordered wreck like Casimir just gives whatever is handy.

I tossed the garter into the chest by the bed and stepped out of the room, where I saw Elamin.

“Fabio. If you’re up for it, shall we go have dinner together?”

‘Yes, Elamin is the only one I can trust now.’

I replied with a beaming smile.

“That is the best thing I’ve heard all day!”

So much had happened today that I hadn’t even realized I was hungry.

Now that he mentioned food, I suddenly felt starving.

While Elamin guided me to the dining hall, I asked with anticipation.

“What does everyone eat here at the Capital Church?”

“I’m not sure. There is quite a variety…”

“A variety! I’m really looking forward to it!”

‘A serf’s meal is turnip and bean soup today, tomorrow, and the day after!’

The mere fact that the menu was varied made me happy enough.

If there’s even one dish with actual meat in it, I’ll offer prayers of praise to Loclem every single day starting tomorrow.

The dining hall I entered with such modest expectations completely exceeded them.

Today’s Main Courses:

Roasted Game Bird

Roasted Rabbit

Lamb Stew

Steamed Cod

“…Is today a special occasion?”

“I’m not sure. It might be a feast day for a subordinate deity I’m unfamiliar with, but it isn’t a holiday celebrated by the entire Church of Order.”

“Then you’re saying meals like this are served normally?”

“That is correct.”

Oh God!

Oh, Loclem!

‘Thank you!’

I am so glad I came to the Church of Order!

I shed tears of joy inwardly.

Compared to the trashy food that made me miss even the army rations!

The days I wondered if there was a mental illness caused by eating nothing but tasteless food!

‘I finally understand why heaven is described as a land flowing with milk and honey…’

For people of that era, the ultimate pleasure and unattainable dream must have been to eat milk and honey to their heart’s content.

Truly.

‘To think I can eat actual food… and meat at that.’

Loclem is the best!

Long live Loclem!

May Loclem rule this Dark Realm forever!

Forget the doctrine; the place that feeds you is the best…

In conclusion, I finished my first day at the Order feeling incredibly happy.

‘I wonder what’s for breakfast tomorrow…’

How wonderful it is to be able to fall asleep looking forward to tomorrow!

I lay on the plush bed and basked in Happinesss.

* * *

The breakfast menu was white bread, cheese, olive oil, and a stew with chunks of meat.

‘Moving…’

And my first day as a Chanter was…

“Fabio, this is something you do not need to know.”

‘…Does he even intend to teach me anything?’

No matter what I asked, this was the answer I got.

Does each color of Pasia have a meaning? — You do not need to know.

May I greet the other Chanters? — You do not have to.

What are the other Chanters like? — There is no need to know.

How do the other Chanters spend their time? — I wonder?

Is there anything I can help with? — There is not.

Even when I asked when the services were held, the answer was this: “…Fabio. When you were a serf, what kind of services did you attend?”

“There wasn’t really a service; we just bowed our heads for a moment when the bell rang.”

“Then you may do the same here.”

‘…This bastard is definitely discriminating against me, right?’

To confirm, I asked once more, pretending to be a naive serf who hadn’t noticed anything.

“Um, since I’ve come all the way to the Capital Church, I’d really like to attend a service presided over by a priest…”

At that, Elamin replied with a slightly troubled expression.

“If you feel strongly about it, I will let you know when there is a service appropriate for you to attend.”

‘Fuck, it is discrimination.’

100%.

I mean, there are other things to discriminate over.

A service appropriate for me?

Does that mean normal services aren’t appropriate for me to attend?

‘I’ve never heard of putting conditions on attending a prayer service.’

Are you people even religious?

I mean, I know I’m a being from outside the Order, but I’m in a situation where I can’t let that be discovered.

If he ostracizes me this openly, I’ll stand out even more to others…

But since I wasn’t in a position to complain, I complied meekly.

“Thank you! Then what should I do today?”

“You may do whatever you wish.”

‘…You have to tell me what I can do so I can choose what I want to do.’

It’s like telling me I can’t have noodles, rice, bread, cakes, or meat, and then telling me to eat whatever I want. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

“May I read books?”

Perhaps unable to bring himself to say no to that, Elamin nodded and guided me to the library.

However, he took me to a Branch Office instead of the Main Hall.

“There are few people here, so you will not feel uncomfortable, Fabio.”

‘What…’

I won’t feel uncomfortable here?

He means that I won’t make others uncomfortable here.

‘He’s basically putting me in solitary confinement.’

But what choice did I have?

I gave a bright smile and thanked him.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Elamin smiled back, told me to come to the dormitory if I needed anything, and immediately left.

I took a deep breath.

‘Let’s think positively.’

I have to do this, not for others, but for myself.

Anger is a particularly difficult emotion to hide. In this Church of Order, where there are people with eyes that can see emotions, I had to be even more careful.

I had to change my mindset from the ground up.

I reminded myself of my position.

I am a being outside the Order, a non-blessed heretic.

What is a heretic in the Middle Ages? Someone who is not human.

Of course, as a modern person born in the 21st century, it is nearly impossible to truly understand what it means to be ‘not even human.’ Living in modern Korea, I may have suffered insults to my character, but I’ve never been treated as a non-human entity.

In fact, character assassination only happens because the other person is considered human.

Who would try to humiliate a robot vacuum cleaner?

You only do that shit because you believe the opponent has a personality and pride.

Therefore, if I want to truly understand the position of a medieval heretic bastard, I must think like this: ‘I am a goblin bastard.’

And a goblin bastard who is only alive because the merciful humans allowed me to keep breathing.

The fact that the apostles look upon me kindly must be because they find it novel and admirable that a mere ‘Demi-human’ serves the God.

For even a goblin, unable to receive the Blessing of Order, to praise the Lord—what a magnificent miracle!

Of course, the magnificent one is the Lord who performed the miracle.

Not the hideous goblin bastard.

Keeping in mind that I am nothing more than a goblin, Elamin’s treatment suddenly felt natural.

No, not just natural, but actually quite kind and generous.

Where else would he guide me to a library just because I asked to read books? If I were a goblin in charge, he’d just give me one disposable book and tell me to read it over and over in my room.

And even though he doesn’t give me answers when I ask, he always treats me with a smiling face without frowning…

‘He even ate with me.’

At that rate, he’s probably in the top 10% of personalities in this Medieval Land.

‘Adna suddenly getting pissed and wanting to beat me up, or Casimir suggesting it would be better to pull out my tongue…’

When I thought that my behavior must have triggered the ‘uncanny valley,’ it all made sense immediately.

How dare a goblin try to ‘persuade’ a human?

If the content of that advice was actually good, it would feel even worse.

Isn’t it humiliating to hear the truth from a goblin?

Thinking this way, my anger vanished completely, replaced by a very humble heart.

‘I am a lucky goblin…’

Even the fact that he took me to a Branch Office instead of the Main Hall felt like something I should be deeply grateful for, given his profound consideration.

Where does a guy who can’t let it be known he’s a goblin dare to stay in a crowded place? Absolutely insane.

With that thought, the empty Branch Office began to feel like a very comfortable and serene place.

‘As expected, it all depends on how you think about it.’

Chapter 44