“If you’re sincere, then… all right.”
I called out to Dieter, who was looking around the wrong way.
He and the knights turned to look at me.
The two knights, probably still pissed about getting outwitted with a dagger, were glaring at me like I’d kicked their puppy.
But then—
“It’s you!”
Dieter beamed as he looked at me, his eyes filled with nothing but kindness.
Just like the first time we met.
I know exactly how that brightness in this pure, kind-hearted priest eventually faded.
When the number of times he could do nothing but watch people cry out to God while dying only kept increasing… when even fighting with everything he had still led to loss after loss.
He had to keep lying to himself that it would all be okay, had to ignore the pain and keep standing up again and again.
But right now, Dieter looks so dazzling, so different from those days…
‘Ah, damn it.’
I started crying again.
I’d joked about maybe crying, but I hadn’t expected to actually cry, so I panicked and covered my face.
It was mortifying.
“Ah, wh-what do we do? I’m so sorry. Did I scare you? Please, come inside!”
If there’s any silver lining here, it’s that Dieter apparently thinks I’m crying out of fear.
It was super embarrassing, yeah, but I realized looking pitiful might not be a bad thing and just let the tears flow.
This way I’ll really look like someone who’s been wronged.
And I have been wronged, honestly.
People judge sincerity based on how much someone looks like a victim.
So making a good impression is important.
Dieter believes me, but who knows what those two knights are thinking.
“I’ll bring you some warm tea. Please, settle down first.”
Dieter kindly guided me to a sofa and even offered me a soft, silk handkerchief.
Like hell I could use something that expensive-looking to wipe my tears!
What if I left a stain?
But if I didn’t wipe my face, he’d worry more, so I just pretended to.
“I-I’m fine. I can talk.”
As much as I was playing the part of the pitiful victim, it’d be a bigger loss if I didn’t manage to have a proper conversation with Dieter.
I finally got the chance to meet a central noble, and I can’t waste it sobbing.
I tried to calm down.
Since it was just a sudden burst of tears, they dried up quickly.
More than anything, Dieter looked like a well-off young master who had everything he could want—kind of ruined the sentimental mood.
Right now, Dieter isn’t someone I should be pitying.
He’s a beloved noble and a priest.
“It’s just… seeing your mercy up close made me emotional all of a sudden…”
I blurred the truth with a half-truth.
Dieter gave a shy smile.
“I’m flattered by such generous words. But I’m also relieved. Judging from the documents you handed over, you’ve been suffering under some noble’s oppression, and yet you chose to trust me.”
Well, that’s because I know you’re someone worth trusting.
Not that I can say that out loud.
We’re not supposed to know each other yet.
“I can feel divinity from you, Father. There’s no way someone chosen by the gods could harbor ill intentions.”
Of course, the one actually chosen by the gods is Bati!
He’s the real Hero, the one meant to save the world!
Still, you fought with him, right to the bitter end… so I’ll call you a saint.
This time, I hope you survive and truly save the world—and get to be called a saint for real.
Ugh, I’m about to cry again.
Luckily, a servant brought in tea just then, so I took a sip to distract myself. Enough of these thoughts.
The warm tea spread through my chest.
I felt a bit clearer.
With a clearer head, something came to mind.
“Um, Father. There’s just one thing I’d like to ask of you.”
The two guards beside us shot me looks that screamed, “How dare this suspicious guy ask for something already?!” but I ignored them.
“Yes, if it’s within my power.”
“My friends have been trying to request a visit with you outside… but since we’ve ended up meeting like this, could someone go tell them it’s okay to leave now?”
When I asked them to make a scene, I said it should be until I got back after delivering the documents.
I almost got caught up in this conversation and forgot!
If they kept causing trouble for too long, they might actually get arrested.
“There are people who came to meet me?”
Dieter looked surprised.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
He looked at the attendants and guards in the room one by one.
They probably didn’t want to risk letting Dieter meet every random person claiming they’d been wronged.
I get it.
“Uh, well…”
“You only just arrived…”
“And they looked like rough adventurers…”
Dieter’s the weird one, really.
If he tried to hear out everyone he met on the road, he’d never get anywhere.
Still, not saying anything was a bit much.
They were probably just trying to protect him, but seeing them flustered made me feel kind of bad.
Maybe I’ll help out just this once.
“Um, but they said… they wanted to speak with me.”
“Oh, that’s right!”
Dieter smiled again.
“If you’re willing, I’d like to make you a proposal.”
A proposal?
Not to listen to my sob story?
“A proposal?”
I asked, puzzled. Dieter suddenly grabbed my hand.
For a well-fed noble boy, his hands were surprisingly small.
“Please, help me!”
Shouldn’t I be the one asking for help?
That’s what I thought—but I didn’t say it.
First, because contradicting a noble’s words can be dangerous.
And second, because I know Dieter’s not the type to ignore a sad story halfway through.
And lastly… having Dieter owe me a favor wouldn’t hurt.
He’s not like other nobles—he’d never use someone without giving something back.
“Would someone as lowly as me have anything to offer a noble priest such as yourself?”
I started with humility.
Even though he was the one to propose and I was simply agreeing, if I accepted too eagerly, people might get suspicious.
They’d say this was my goal from the start.
No matter how favorably Dieter viewed me, if the people around him grew suspicious and reported it to Marquis Zeppelin, things would get complicated.
“Lowly? Don’t say that! No one’s ever brought me such a precious gift before. Only you.”
His voice was bright and cheerful.
He must’ve really liked the documents I’d brought, exposing Count Covington’s corruption.
Well, most people wouldn’t even dream of sneaking into a count’s mansion.
And even if they succeeded, they’d usually aim for valuables to change their fortunes—not boring papers like this.
Only someone like me would pass up treasure and leave with nothing but evidence of corruption.
Still, I bowed my head.
“It was a personal matter that drove me to act. I’m simply grateful you see it as a valuable gift.”
Dieter shook his head.
“The fact that you brought this to me means you probably already know. But I’ll say it plainly—I’ve always believed we can’t just sit by while nobles enrich themselves through corruption and exploitation of commoners.”
His tone was far more serious than I’d expected.
He’s short, with soft cheeks, still looking like an innocent young master, but his voice held firm conviction.
He looks even younger than when I first met him…
We can’t be more than a few years apart.
He must’ve gone through a lot after that attack.
And yet, when he speaks with conviction, he’s exactly the same. It stirs something in me.
