## Chapter 682 – Paladin Kim Kat
The Pope’s voice was quite serious.
My initial impression, based on what Saint Kadia had told me, was of a crotchety old man. But hearing his deep, resonant voice made me see him in a different light.
Come to think of it, he stood ramrod straight, and the silhouette of his body beneath the robes looked solid. He wasn’t particularly large, though. He didn’t give off the vibe of a warrior like a holy knight.
He was a priest, after all.
He actually seemed approachable.
“You look like you can fight… I heard you were active in Isbanth?”
“That’s right. I cooperated with the church there to resolve various demonic and heretical problems plaguing the city.”
Ah, shit. I was trying not to get nervous, but his persona was so different from what I’d expected that I started sweating.
This was the master of this grand cathedral, the closest confidant of the god Verde.
No joke, he was a really high-ranking guy. He didn’t seem like the type who liked flattery, so I had to stay as composed as possible.
“It’s not easy to receive the title of quasi-priest… You managed it. Was that also because you worked with the church?”
“My greatest contribution was defeating the archdemon Andromalius. You… saw it yourself, didn’t you, Your Holiness?”
“I saw it very well.”
The Pope narrowed his eyes.
“It was a truly gruesome, loathsome, and disgusting arm. Defeating such a demon is a great achievement.”
“He was a very difficult opponent. But he couldn’t withstand the combined assault of the church members, led by Holy Knight Barkerel, and myself. Above all, it was an incomplete incarnation.”
“I see.”
He stared at me intently, as if probing me.
Being alone with him like this was making me uncomfortable.
“So, Quasi-Priest. Do you know what it means to become a paladin of the Order?”
“I’ve been fully informed, I know, and I’ve decided to do it myself.”
I knew my position and circumstances very clearly.
“But you’re not a paladin of the Order, but Saint Kadia’s direct paladin. I’m not a pure church member. I’m just the Saint’s hunting dog, killing heretics hiding in the city or demons threatening the world.”
“How is that any different from a mercenary?”
The Pope said pointedly.
I wasn’t a church member, and I hadn’t converted. I was talent recruited from the outside. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to call me a mercenary.
It felt similar.
“It’s very different. Unlike most unscrupulous mercenaries, I am devout, and I believe without a doubt that I am righteous. That is the decisive proof that the Saint chose me.”
But even if it was similar, I wasn’t a mercenary.
“I am not a mercenary. I am a Saint’s direct paladin from the quasi-priesthood. I do not misunderstand or exaggerate this. I simply accept my position as it is and do work worthy of the reward.”
—Sssk.
I stood at ease, looking up at the Pope on the altar ten steps above, and conveyed my intentions.
“That is my specialty and inclination. I believe in justice, but at the same time, I also believe in the status and honor that the position of paladin brings. Those are my driving forces. But even so, I pride myself on being righteous. The fact that I have annihilated countless demons will prove it.”
In fact, there aren’t many people in this world as righteous as I am. I was praised as a saint by three churches during the Holy War.
That’s the way of Fusion Confucianism.
I also beat up a lot of heretics and diligently saved the demon bastards. Not to mention the fact that I’ve been helping the weak and catching monsters all along.
“…”
The Pope listened to me in silence for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“Justice, justice… Certainly, annihilating heretics and demons is a righteous thing to do. But is that why you believe in justice? Do you believe you are righteous simply because you use violence against evil beings?”
That was a pretty sharp point.
“You can’t be righteous just by hating and killing demons. What are you but bloodthirsty people? Trying to destroy demons is only a secondary part of determining a person’s righteousness.”
“…”
This.
The Pope had more normal ideas than I thought.
He was right.
“…I have both a good heart and compassion. When I see someone in need, I naturally feel pity, and if it meets my standards, I can lend a helping hand. If I see injustice, I am willing to step in as long as it meets my standards. That standard is my justice.”
This is Fusion Confucianism.
To benefit people widely.
At the same time, I also benefit.
People cried and laughed at my justice. Those who cried were evil, and those who laughed were good. My life proves my righteousness.
“As Your Holiness said, a person does not become righteous simply by cutting, killing, and destroying demons. I know that very well, and the goodness and compassion I just mentioned will prove my righteousness.”
I am a man who practices justice.
There is nothing to criticize about my character.
“Anyone can have such a mind.”
But the Pope spoke as if he were denying me.
This was a question to find out about my character. A question to find out about my personality, character, and sense of justice.
“I not only have the mind, but I also put it into practice. If I have the position of paladin, I will practice it even more actively. In fact, no matter how righteous I am, if I do not have social status and position, it can be limited by external factors. But if I have the title of paladin, I will be free from that.”
I think my intentions have been clearly conveyed by now. I am righteous, but if I become a paladin, I can become more righteous.
So, I appeal to him to believe me.
—…
The Pope stroked his chin for a moment. But when I looked at him, I realized that it would take a considerable level of neck muscle to wear such a hat.
“…You speak very clearly, so I think I understand what kind of person Paladin Kim Kat is.”
“…”
“Well, I apologize for calling you a mercenary. Having a clear standard that you have set for yourself, that is, believing in justice and practicing it yourself, is not much different from the mindset of a pure holy knight.”
Did my words get through?
“However.”
I waited for the Pope’s words.
“You are a bit of a worldly person. I don’t dislike the attitude of not trying to hide it intentionally.”
Worldly, huh.
“The members of this church place more importance on justice and religious values than on worldly values. Don’t you know that? Knowing that, do you think you can use the name of paladin? Saint Kadia and I seem to have different ideas on this.”
The Pope said repeatedly.
“To uphold true justice, you need to transcend the secular. Don’t you think so?”
As he said, holy knights and priests have a part that transcends the secular. I’m worldly, well. There’s no need to say more. I’m a person who is swayed by money.
But even so, I believe in Fusion Confucianism.
I don’t do unjust things because of money. Then I am no different from a holy knight who has transcended the secular.
“As Your Holiness has seen, I am a worldly person. I like wealth, and I try to make moral choices in the midst of desire and restraint.”
Most people do, but there aren’t many people who keep it as well as I do.
“Like ordinary people.”
The Pope said after hearing my words.
“The position of paladin.”
That position?
“Don’t you think it’s a heavy position for an ordinary person to hold?”
“Of course, I do. But I have been bearing that heavy burden all along.”
It was what I did every day.
“I believe I am righteous. No matter how worldly I am, if I uphold the justice and correct morals that I have established myself, I don’t think I will be any different from a holy knight who has transcended the secular.”
That’s what I mean, but what’s the point of saying it?
“I will show you with results.”
“…”
“I swear to send you a comprehensive gift set of Paladin Kim Kat’s righteous actions.”
I am confident that I can bring benefits to the Brass Celestial Society.
“It’s good that you have a firm idea of what you think.”
“Saint Kadia seemed to appreciate that as well.”
“Tsk, there are things more important than efficiency in the world…”
“…”
It seemed that he didn’t like me very much.
“Of course, I respect the wishes of the Church’s Saint. If it will benefit the Church and the world, there is no reason to stop it. It’s not good to create the first case, but this is okay. Do your best.”
“Thank you.”
Looking at the fact that he nailed it as the first case, if I don’t do well, the work that the Saint is promoting will be put on hold.
That can’t happen.
“I will live up to your expectations.”
“I hope so. To be honest, I can’t completely trust someone who isn’t a church member. Saint Kadia seems to be trusting you…”
The Pope’s basic stance was that he couldn’t trust someone who wasn’t a church member.
Still, the fact that he talked to me this much means he respects me.
“I pray to the god Verde that it will be so, Paladin Kim Kat.”
“Of course.”
It seemed that the story was over.
Then should I go back now?
But I think I can only move if the Pope gives me permission first.
As I stood there blankly, he spoke again.
“Next week.”
“Yes.”
Next week?
“The new holy knight recruit training schedule has been set. Participate in it.”
Training?
“Are you talking about training?”
“Even though you have become a church member, you must complete basic training and education to be trusted. It is a training camp to provide basic combat training and mental education to new holy knight recruits.”
Put me…!
In the Nonsan Training Camp…!
“Your experience fighting the archdemon Andromalius is valuable. Your experience defeating other demons is also important. Your experience hunting heretics can also be highly valued.”
“That.”
“Let them know about it.”
“…I understand.”
I answered, suppressing the trembling of my whole body.
“Go out. I look forward to the results of the paladin. Ah… and you don’t have to stay overnight. Just get training on a commuting basis.”
With that, I left the audience room.
“Keureureuk…!”
Th, this is bullshit…!
What kind of training camp is this for someone who has been discharged from the military, you fucking crazy bastard!!! The good thing was that it was on a commuting basis. I can handle that much. I’ll be uncomfortable if I don’t get training or education now.
I have to do this no matter what.
I went straight back to Saint Kadia.
“Did you have a good conversation?”
—Hoo.
When I went in, she naturally exhaled smoke and asked.
“It went very well. But I don’t think he trusts me. I talked about my personality and sense of justice, but he didn’t seem to like it.”
“…Respect or recognition?”
“He gave it to me.”
“That’s okay. Now report on any special circumstances.”
“He said that the new holy knight training camp will be held next week and that I should participate.”
“Training? Ah, certainly.”
She nodded.
“It can be said to be important. Training will start exactly one week later, so come to this Saint early in the morning that day.”
“I understand.”
“Next… I want to tell you more, but it’s okay since you’re going to get training anyway. If you go, you’ll be taught basic knowledge as well as combat training.”
Of course, it’s important.
“But I’m a little interested in the combat training of the holy knights. I’ll need religious knowledge as well.”
“That’s right.”
What kind of training do those inhuman killing machines receive? I’m also spending my days with hard training, but they might be doing training that’s on a different level than me.
I can’t help but be interested.
If it was training that I could do at home, I would want to add it to my afternoon schedule on my days off. This is a little exciting in a different sense.
Aren’t I getting professional training?
“Anyway, you’ve come a long way, so get some rest and recover your strength.”
“Hehehe, I will.”
“If you want, I’ll give you time to stand there and admire this Saint’s beauty.”
This princess disease Saint is real.
“…”
As I was thinking about what to say, the Saint tilted her head slightly and said.
“Hmm? Don’t tell me… you’re having strange fantasies. It’s obvious, but just because I let you admire my beauty doesn’t mean I’m going to take off my clothes, Paladin.”
“No, damn it. I’m going back quickly.”
“Hmph, do so.”
I turned around.
“Ah, and your official certificate, insignia, and letter of appointment will be out soon.”
“Yes.”
With that, I left the church.
First, let me go home and tell my women about the training schedule.
