Chapter 60: The Sin of Pride
The evening lesson still consisted solely of Agamemnon’s inquiries, and today he questioned the dispute between Ando and Melia, as well as Cicero who had stood by watching.
"Ando used his strength to bully Melia — does that count as bullying the weak? And Cicero, who incited from the side — does that count as deceit?"
"If so, did Ando commit the sins of Pride and Wrath, and Cicero, who incited him, commit the sin of Pride?"
These words made both Ando and Cicero very embarrassed.
"From the perspective of those outside them, the two of them undoubtedly committed the sin of Pride."
"But the reason why the Three Original Sins and the Seven Deadly Sins exist is because these are fundamentally part of human nature."
"Just like you yourself — you didn’t stop them, but chose to shy away from being associated with them. Isn’t that also a form of Pride?"
"In their eyes, could you also be seen as Prideful?"
"You can see, in the Holy Scriptures, there are chapters on Good and Evil, because whether it be sin or virtue, they are characteristics that humans must possess."
"What we must do is control our evil and our virtues."
"Just like Pride — is it not feeling proud of one’s own talent in some aspect? But if Pride is not well controlled, it becomes the sin of bullying the weak."
"Just like Honor — it is affirmation of one’s own achievements, but if pursued excessively, can it not lead to the sin of Greed?"
Corleon responded to him.
"In that case, I suppose I do possess Pride, but have I already amplified it into sin?" Agamemnon asked.
"You need to see whether your Pride has caused harm to others."
"Then Ando and Cicero must be guilty, for they harmed Melia."
"……"
Ando and Cicero became even more embarrassed.
"Miss Melia, do you feel harmed by them?" Corleon turned to ask Melia, who was leaning against Nyx.
"Yes! Ando was not gentlemanly at all. He hurt me, and if not for Cicero, things might not have escalated into a fight." Melia said without hesitation.
"Then, they are indeed guilty."
"I understand, Priest." Agamemnon bowed in thanks and quickly recorded the conversation on parchment.
"Priest, I am guilty. I should confess to the Lord." Cicero said.
"Priest, I am also guilty. I should also confess to the Lord." Ando quickly followed.
"You should apologize to Miss Melia. Your sins have hurt her. Only by obtaining her forgiveness can the pain caused by your sins be soothed." Corleon said.
"Miss Melia, I’m deeply sorry that my words hurt you." Cicero apologized to Melia and, after a moment of thought, took out a butterfly hairpin. "Please accept my apology."
"This…" Melia widened her eyes.
The butterfly was carved entirely from an emerald, wrapped in golden silk-thread patterns, appearing exceptionally exquisite.
Nyx looked at the hairpin in amazement.
It was a magical item.
"I forgive you, but this is too valuable. I can’t accept it." Melia said, though her eyes were full of longing.
"Thank you for your forgiveness. But since it was my mistake, I ask that you give me the chance to make amends." Cicero said.
"……" Melia was a bit flustered and looked toward Nyx.
Nyx hesitated, then nodded after seeing Cicero’s sincerity.
Only then did Melia accept it, but after doing so, she took out a small booklet and handed it to Cicero.
"This hairpin is too valuable, but I really like it, so I accepted it. This is a story collection I wrote. I’m giving it to you in hopes it makes up for the value of the hairpin."
When she handed it over, her eyes showed reluctance.
"Melia’s Story Collection? This…" Cicero could tell this meant a lot to her.
"I’ve already memorized the stories in it, so it no longer holds much value to me." Melia said with difficulty.
"……In that case, I will cherish it well." Cicero said.
"If you ever need it back, you’re always welcome to come for it."
"Or exchange for it."
"Mm."
Melia nodded and sighed in relief.
Then everyone turned to look at Ando.
Ando blushed with anxiety, regretting deeply that he hadn’t apologized first.
In the end, he bit his lip and took out an irregularly-shaped piece with twisted vertical lines and two horizontal lines visible.
Ando had asked Agamemnon to help him carve an emblem, but he thought it might be more meaningful to gift the emblems to his older siblings.
However, his carving turned out even worse than Corleon’s.
"I’m really sorry, Melia, but all I have is this emblem. I carved it myself — it might not…" Before he could finish, Melia had already taken the emblem from his hand.
"Hmph, I forgive you. But if you want to fight next time, I’ll make you taste the might of the Dance of Selene, so you know even girls aren’t to be messed with." Melia clenched her little fist and said huffily.
"……"
Ando was touched to the verge of tears.
"Now, do you understand?" Corleon asked Agamemnon with a smile.
"No, I still don’t quite understand." Agamemnon shook his head.
"Perhaps you need to go through more to understand." Corleon said.
"Alright, it’s time. Go back and rest."
At night, inside the church, the three monks finished their evening lesson and returned to their respective lodgings.
"As for Miss Melia, if you don’t mind, you can rest in the back room — my room. Of course, I’ve already changed the mattress." Corleon looked at the drowsy Melia.
"What about you, Priest?" Melia asked hesitantly.
"Tonight, I might receive enlightenment from the Lord, so I need to wait by the Lord’s Throne." Corleon said with a smile.
Melia looked to Nyx.
After Nyx nodded, she thanked Corleon and went to the back room.
"Mr. Nyx, you have a very kind granddaughter." Corleon said.
"Yes, she’s my pride." Nyx said without hiding his pride. But then he quickly asked, "That Cicero?"
"Yes, his full name is Cicero Lundex." Corleon did not conceal it.
There was no need to.
With Cicero’s pure nature, it was only a matter of time before someone discovered something.
Such innate nobility and charm could not be completely concealed, even with magic.
Even Agamemnon had subtly asked him about it.
"I see…" Nyx felt things were getting increasingly complicated.
He pondered, while Corleon turned around, his back facing Nyx.