Chapter 236
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「How are you feeling? Dear Hero?」
Cardinal Gilbert fixes Ryūgūin with a sharp glare.
「Terrible.」
Ryūgūin responds.
Cardinal Gilbert begins speaking in response to Ryūgūin’s reaction. 「Many virtuous members of the Crater Church say they want everyone to be happy, but I’m a bit different. Oh, of course I want everyone to be happy too, but I think that can come second.」
Then, what comes first—
「First and foremost, I wish for those around me to live healthily and happily. If that spreads and results in many people becoming happy, well, that would be perfect.」
Cardinal Gilbert’s face shows not just anger, but clear exhaustion. It might be more mental than physical.
「You see, I consider everyone who belongs to the church as my family.」
Ryūgūin looks down.
「You did terrible things to many Sisters, didn’t you?」
「Yes, I did.」
Unable to lie, Ryūgūin confirms Gilbert’s question.
「Halo, who was in Lemone, was truly a good child. That earnestly serious girl practiced such extreme frugality that she would wear clothes that had been repaired many times. She would say she didn’t need new clothes for herself, asking us to buy them for poor children instead. Though she did everything for others, she never once showed a pained expression. More than that, her natural innocence was irreplaceable. No matter how troubled someone was, their heart would warm just by being near her. Halo was like the sun itself.」
He seems to be lost in memories.
「I realized it far too late. After learning about her case, I traced your previous activities. And my, what I found. I cursed my own stupidity. Jane, Cass, Kate, and everyone else—to you, they were just NPCs, just objects of your desires, weren’t they?」
「Do you understand?」 Gilbert asks, continuing without waiting for an answer.
「I’m angry, you see. So this is revenge, unbecoming of a clergyman. I can’t understand how someone could behave like you do. Earlier, you asked us ‘How can you do such terrible things?’ I should be asking you that instead. How can you be so insensitive to others’ pain? How can you act so selfishly?」
Ryūgūin maintains his silence.
「Silence is golden—huh. Well, fine. The four precepts we’ve placed on you are our gift to you.」
「What gift?! This is a violation of human rights!!」
He must have imagined his life from now on.
Ryūgūin’s hatred completely overtakes his fear.
However, Cardinal Gilbert continues undeterred.
「Well then, shall we get to the main topic of your treatment?」
Time stops for Ryūgūin.
I’m surprised too. This isn’t the end?
「Until now, you’ve done whatever you wanted under the pretense of conquering the Seven Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons. So, let’s make that true.」
「Huh?」 Ryūgūin asks.
「In other words, though it’s not all seven, I think we’ll entrust you with part of conquering the remaining five dungeons.
Although the ‘Limit Break’ wasn’t permanent, your rare ‘5x Growth Rate’ skill should quickly make you a first-rate warrior.」
「Why?! Why should I work for barbarians like you?!」
Ryūgūin loudly protests Gilbert’s proposal.
Seeing his reaction, Cardinal Gilbert raises his hand.
It’s a signal. The preparations were long complete.
「[Precept of Loyalty (Pride-phobia)]」
A pillar of light rises in a spot that deliberately misses Ryūgūin.
「I intentionally missed this time. This light is a precept that punishes arrogant behavior. If you make statements that belittle others like you just did, we’ll add more bindings to you. We can add up to seven more.」
Sensing Cardinal Gilbert’s determination, Ryūgūin mumbles something.
「Why do I have to go through this? Coming to another world should mean getting amazing skills and being overpowered and creating a harem and bringing knowledge and being praised and being acknowledged by everyone and everything should go well…」
These are nothing but foolish ramblings.
Unable to contain himself, Gilbert lets out a 「pfft」 of laughter at Ryūgūin’s words.
「What? Are you laughing at me?」
Cardinal Gilbert speaks soothingly to the wide-eyed Ryūgūin.
「You really are an idiot. You know, I know someone who achieved almost everything you just said. Who? The Holy Knight who was summoned with you.」
Hey hey, stop that.
It’s not a harem.
I haven’t done anything indecent at all.
If anything, I haven’t done a single improper thing.
I’m not even using knowledge cheats.
If anything, I’m cursed with ignorance—nearly died eating poisonous mushrooms and got swindled by some misters at a street stall.
「Unlike you, he put his all into everything.」
Cardinal Gilbert changes the subject, saying 「Well, that’s beside the point.」 Is it really? Praise me more.
「Hero, you will take part in conquering the Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons. This has already been decided. You may refuse. In that case, you’ll become parts for a biological golem. I’m sure we could create quite a powerful golem.」
Ryūgūin takes a sharp breath: 「Hii…」
「Feel free to try escaping when you see an opening. We’ll chase you to the ends of the earth with tracking items registered to your data. As soon as we find you, you’ll become biological golem—」
The phrase 「biological golem parts」 was an overwhelmingly powerful phrase.
「Uu, uu, uuu, whyyyy! I’m supposed to be the Herooo!!」
Though Ryūgūin cries out in tears, Cardinal Gilbert ignores this and announces the upcoming schedule.
「After meeting up with our prepared personnel, you’ll return to Lemone. Then, Hero, you’ll first tackle the ‘Time Dungeon.’」
Hearing Cardinal Gilbert’s words,
「Why do I have to be the only one who suffers like thiiiis!」
Ryūgūin breaks down crying loudly.
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