Chapter 154
After resolving the commotion at the pilgrimage site, Clael returned to the Grand Shrine.
Without even taking a break, he visited the cardinal and reported on what had happened.
"......So, that's how it went."
"I see... in other words, you were able to wipe out the gang targeting the Saint?"
Receiving Clael's report, the cardinal, Dilet Horst, nodded with his hands clasped atop his desk.
"I'm glad it ended safely. Saint Burn wasn't injured, I hope?"
"No, there's no problem. I had made plenty of preparations in advance."
"I see......"
The cardinal let out a sigh as he muttered, casting a gaze at Clael that was hard to read—somewhere between astonishment and admiration.
"......What is that look for?"
"Well... how should I put it, you're more versatile than I imagined. I've heard that at the academy, you teach not only theology but also music. And on top of that, you can even handle combat... The monster beneath that pilgrimage site was supposed to be fairly strong, wasn't it?"
"Ah, so you knew about the dungeon underground."
"Of course... though, the password to descend underground should only be known to a limited number of people..."
"Ah..."
Crap. I let that slip.
Come to think of it... knowing an unpublished password is definitely suspicious.
As Clael struggled to come up with an excuse... the cardinal shook his head.
"Well, it's fine. It seems you have your own circumstances... I won't pry."
"T-Thank you..."
"You really are a mysterious man... Could it be that you're actually a divine messenger sent to guide the Saint?"
"......Well, who knows?"
Clael shrugged his shoulders.
In truth, Clael's encounter with Reina felt like fate.
Perhaps... it was the will of someone or something with supernatural power.
"Anyway... you really helped us this time. Thanks to the Temple Knights you lent us, we were able to capture them without letting any escape."
"No need for thanks... I also bear responsibility for putting you in danger."
"Are you referring to the Saint designation?"
"............"
The cardinal's face twisted into a grimace.
If Clael hadn't been designated as a Saint, he might not have been targeted.
"......So it was true. I was just bait from the start, wasn't I?"
"......I do feel sorry about that."
The cardinal accepted Clael's words without denying them.
Clael had always wondered... why was he recognized as a Saint?
Raising and educating Reina was certainly an achievement.
But was that enough to elevate him to the status of a Saint—something few in history had ever attained?
"Maybe the Holy Nation was involved... By making me a Saint, the goal was to divert the enemy's attention?"
In reality, the gang had targeted Clael more than Reina.
Reina was a woman, but she slept and lived within the Grand Shrine, and was escorted by the Temple Knights during her commute.
On the other hand, although Clael lived in the academy's dormitory... he had no guards around him, and could easily be lured out, making him an easier target.
"Oh, I'm not angry. If anything... I'm grateful."
If his role as a decoy ensured Reina's safety, then he was more than happy.
In fact, the thought of Reina being targeted by the gang in an unknown place sent chills down his spine.
"Please continue to prioritize Reina moving forward. If it's for her sake, I don't mind being used up."
"Just to be clear... making you a Saint wasn't solely to use you as a shield for the Saint. Though, that was one reason."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You've become a Saint. And... by capturing so many thugs targeting the Saint this time, you've earned another great achievement. Your 'status' will only continue to rise."
"............?"
He didn't understand what Dilet was trying to say.
As Clael tilted his head... the cardinal gave a wry smile.
"It means you're being cornered from all sides. Well, if you haven't noticed, then that's fine."
"Huh?"
"You may take your leave for today. For tonight, why not stay at the Grand Shrine instead of going back to the dormitory?"
"......Understood. I'll gratefully accept your offer."
He had already been thinking that returning to the staff dormitory at the academy would be a hassle.
If they were offering him a place to sleep, he might as well accept it without protest.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Clael bowed his head and left the cardinal's office.