Chapter 79. Whim (1)
Did Eleanor recommend me to be the 'Archbishop'?
"What is going on?"
I had contemplated at length why I shouldn't become the 'Archbishop'. I then looked at Eleanor, who had recommended me for the position.
"This crazy... "
... Shit.
Swear words surged up to just below my jaw, but my character of 'Yulian's' distinctive cynical demeanor and the 〈Formal Speech〉 characteristic bit them back.
"It's strange, miss Eleanor. Arch...."
As I was speaking, I scanned the surroundings, utilizing my 〈Mana Detection〉.
It was clear that if someone was listening, things could become troublesome.
Fortunately, after confirming that no one was around, I continued to speak.
"Didn't you ask me to help you become the 'Archbishop' yourself? But now you're...."
"Oh, I did say that. But after talking to you, I did a lot of thinking and agonizing. And the result is... as you can see."
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, nearly provoking another outburst from me.
What exactly are her intentions?
"The reason I asked you to help me become the Archbishop was not for any other reason. What I want is the survival of the Dawn Society."
"......."
"Oh, and while the position of Archbishop is slightly, just slightly, tempting, I thought it would be better for Sir Yulian to take that position for the sake of the society's continuation."
That's the same thing!
The Dawn Society, which Tenelon manipulates, stirs up infamy, but it doesn't last long.
In the end, the story concludes at the Sword Saint's hands.
"I didn't recommend you without thought. I made my own judgments and, Sir Yulian, I recommended you after weighing it all."
She spoke with a smile to me, who was standing there with a blank expression and slit eyes.
"It's not just me. Including myself, there are three bishops supporting you."
Three in total?
What did I do to earn the support of three people?
Shouldn't the bishops dislike me instead?
I've accumulated nothing but infamy, I'm a rolling stone who received the title of 'Bishop' as soon as I joined, and I'm surely a thorn in the bishops' eyes favored by Tenelon.
"Sir Pintel and Sir Dantes. Those two agree with me."
Excluding Eleanor, the other two supporters were also incomprehensible figures.
Of course, I expected Pintel to change a bit during the process of handling Gerard, but not to this extent, and even though he was threatened, Dantes supporting me?
"...... But has Sir Pintel become a bishop again?"
"You're really not interested in the internal affairs of the Dawn Society, are you? He took Gerard's place this time."
Damn Pintel!
Now that he's regained the position of bishop, he should stay true to his usual self!
What is he doing!
Where's that intimidating figure from the audience room?
"I see. Nonetheless, I have no interest in the position of Archbishop."
"...... Why not?"
Why, you ask? Because I don't want to get deeply involved!
"I'm not sure what your aim is, Sir Yulian, but a larger number would certainly be of help, wouldn't it?"
Oh, the ignorance!
Having more of the Dawn Society may help, but they would only tighten the noose around my neck!
"Weaklings gather, the strong spread their will in solitude."
"So, you mean to refuse the position of Archbishop?"
"As expected, miss Eleanor, you're quick-witted, which is good."
Saying that, I deliberated on setting up an appointment with Tenelon. No, it seemed better to take a strong stance.
By doing so, I could dismiss the authority of Tenelon, now the 'High Pontiff', and even undermine his affinity.
"... Ridiculous."
I mused over how before I had to get in Tenelon's good graces by aiding the Dawn Society, and now I had to fall out of favor.
***
"Has the morning sun risen in a different place today? Considering you used to growl at Yulian, and now you're supporting him..."
Pintel moved towards the monastery, slowly turning his head towards the man who spoke to him.
He noticed a man who radiated a strangely light-hearted atmosphere.
"It's been a while since we've spoken, Dantes."
Pintel replied, showing no sign of being pleased.
Dantes Cristo.
A noble of the Cristo family, pride of imperial transport, known for his close ties with Gerard.
He could afford to be cordial and kind with a smile 'outside,' but the prospect of conversing in such a way 'inside' the Dawn Society made Pintel shudder.
"Ha, don't speak so harshly, Pintel!"
Whether Dantes was aware of Pintel's thoughts or just feigning ignorance, he approached amicably.
"We used to have different aspirations, but aren't we in the same boat now?"
In the same boat...
Pintel's gaze turned piercingly sharp at those words.
"Don't look at me with such a cold gaze. Why don't we sit down? Chatting while standing will only tire our feet, won't it?"
"I find it bothersome to say we're 'in the same boat.' Did you not choose Sir Yulian as a shield to replace Gerard?"
"Hmm..."
Dantes, who had suggested sitting down, sighed at Pintel's continued words.
"Weren't you the same?"
"What...?"
"Like me, didn't you find a giant shield necessary to use the name 'Dawn Society' conveniently?"
Everything could become poison.
Especially organizations associated with such dark matters.
In that sense, Dantes himself needed a breakwater to quietly reap profits from below the surface.
"Interests are such things, haha!"
"Don't equate me with you!"
However, Dantes was caught off guard by Pintel's thundering voice.
"Sir Yulian gave me a new opportunity! I don't care if you support him for impious reasons, but do not expose those intentions to me."
A voice imbued with even a sense of strong belief.
As a result, Dantes was bewildered beyond measure.
"Ha, haha... Pintel. I thought you were a more rational man..."
"I'm rational enough. Moreover, I belong to the House of Obradin."
'What does that have to do with anything?'
Dantes was about to speak, utterly baffled.
"Devote your life to the one who gave you a name. Isn't that the family motto?"
'He's truly out of his mind.'
Dantes thought to himself, clicking his tongue inwardly.
"I didn't think the relationship was so deep as to say a 'name was given', Sir Pintel."
Then, Eleanor suddenly interjected into the conversation.
Observing this, Pintel displayed an unhappy nuance, yet Dantes welcomed her with open arms.
"Miss Eleanor, your beauty develops day by day, like a bright flame attracting a humble firefly like me."
Despite Dantes' sweet talk and flattery, Eleanor ignored the words.
"And that 'name-given' part comes from the Empire conferring a title to the first Lord Obradin. Wasn't it a roundabout way of saying devote yourselves loyally to the royal family?"
"Keuk."
Pintel laughed short at Eleanor's words.
It was as if he'd prepared his response after listening to her words, responding quickly.
"That's a story of our ancestors, lady Eleanor. Neither the emperor who bestowed the name nor the recipient exists in this world now."
Indeed it was ludicrous.
Even if allegiance to the royal family were forgotten, nobility is nobility.
Speaking irreverently without caution was an act that could justify wiping out three generations.
"It's ludicrous."
"I have no interest in carrying the names of the deceased. Like decadents prioritizing worthless matters... huh?"
"... Why, Pintel?"
"Sir Yulian has arrived."
When everyone turned their gaze in the direction of Pintel's eyes, as he said, they saw a slit-eyed man walking through the monastery.
His appearance, walking through the quiet monastery, caught the eye, like a moon floating on a tranquil lake.
"A pest has swarmed."
Naturally, the 'pest' referred to by Pintel was one of the congregants belonging to the Dawn Society.
More precisely, those currently regarding 'Yulian' with contempt and jealousy.
"Haha. Looks like it's a Monsignor following Gerard. I know that friend well!"
"Then why not go and intervene? Sir Yulian doesn't seem to be in a pleasant mood."
"Oh, miss Eleanor, do you possess telepathy? To me, he looks the same as usual... Pintel, where are you going?"
As Dantes spoke, he addressed Pintel, who began to leave his seat.
"That rude guy. Does he know who Sir Yulian is, daring to speak to him so carelessly?"
Dantes chuckled at Pintel's words of extreme loyalty, then looked at Eleanor.
She shrugged at Pintel's behavior, uncharacteristic of his usual self.
"Keuh, keuaaaack!"
A sharp scream echoed through the once-silent monastery.
It was because Yulian twisted the Monsignor's arm and slammed him to the ground.
"I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now."
Afterwards, Yulian continued to walk towards the inner part of the monastery as though it were natural.
Though it happened in an instant, everyone watching him was taken aback.
The unspoken rule of avoiding conflicts in the monastery had just been shattered before their eyes.
"...... Miss Eleanor's telepathy was accurate. Contrary to his infamous reputation, he maintained a quiet presence in the monastery, but today he has caused such a commotion."
"Well, it's only natural."
At Dantes' soliloquy, Pintel nodded his head.
Some inexplicable pride lingered on his face.
"Sir Yulian, who will soon become the 'Archbishop', is rightly addressing the situation. Unlike 'Bishops' or 'Monsignor', the 'Archbishop' is a position of responsibility. Sir Yulian provided an example to preserve the dignity of such a position for the Dawn Society."
Pintel spoke with a commanding tone.
Seeing him, Dantes once again looked at him as if on the verge of laughter.
This time, Eleanor felt the same.
'... You fool.'
He was absurd, talking on and on without knowing why Yulian had come here.
Indeed.
'That person came to reject the offer of the 'Archbishop' position.'
Eleanor was privy to this fact, knowing that no one else in this place did.
'But... the most suitable person to take the 'Archbishop' position and exert influence right now would be that man.'
Regret washed over her knowing that the only one who could stand against Tenelon and halt his rampage refused the 'Archbishop' position.
"It is not the position that shapes the person, but the person who adapts to the position! Sir Yulian handles matters more wisely than anyone else!"
"Alright, Pintel, keep it down."
What on earth did he do to make someone change this dramatically?