I Returned with the Cheat Holy Sword

Carlyle stared blankly at Cardinal Felix.

Gray inside the Holy Sword was silent, too.
Well, something completely unexpected had just been said.
“I think I misheard—”

“No, you heard correctly, Carlyle Belfast.”
Cardinal Felix continued, still wearing his gentle smile.
“It’s just my personal desire to keep you by Gray’s side.”

“⋯⋯.”
Lionel had made a similar request before.
Considering how rare it is for Gray to have any kind of human interaction, it’s not an outrageous request.

But that only made sense because Lionel genuinely worried about Gray.
This man, on the other hand—his intentions were unclear from the start. Without knowing the reason for this proposal, there wasn’t much Carlyle could say in response.
“May I ask… why?”

The moment he asked, an answer came back immediately.
“This feels like the last chance.”
“⋯⋯.”

…The hell is that supposed to mean?
“Pardon?”
“I mean it might be the last time that child interacts normally with a man.”

“⋯⋯.”
“She carries a heavy burden. This could be the last time she’s able to form a bond with someone who appears even remotely normal.”
Already, there were people in the imperial family showing interest in Gray.
Even overseas, her name alone held great weight. Back at the banquet, it had been obvious that plenty of people were trying to form connections with her one way or another.

And since she bears the role of humanity’s strongest—its protector—
Her human relationships were very likely to be soaked through with ulterior motives and transactional value.
That’s why he was being asked.

To stay by her side—before she strayed too far down that path.
“⋯⋯I already get scolded by her all the time. Are you sure you’ve found the right person?”
“Oh my. You already seem quite fond of her, don’t you?”

“⋯⋯.”
“As her greatest patron, I’d like to think I know the Chasefield girl fairly well. And I’ve never seen her take to anyone the way she has to you.”
Carlyle was on the verge of saying, “Seriously?”—but Felix said it so decisively that there wasn’t any space to push back. The conviction in his voice was ironclad.

Cardinal Felix added with a worried expression,
“So—this may be meddling, but—I’d like to help the two of you. In whatever way I can.”
“⋯⋯.”

Huh.
“I’m asking you, Carlyle.”
What was he supposed to say?

It was a surprisingly human request.
“Even if it doesn’t work out… I hope she can at least have one memory to look back on.”
Compared to the rumors, the proposal was entirely in consideration of Gray.

He really might have personal affection for her, just like he said—as her biggest supporter.
Still.
“I refuse.”

The words came out clean and firm. For a moment, a strange glint flickered in Felix’s eyes.
“—Hm? I don’t think it was such a bad offer.”
“Of course it wasn’t a bad offer. Still…”

Carlyle sighed and responded.
To be completely honest…
…You could’ve at least asked for my opinion, don’t you think?

If someone asked him whether Gray was attractive or not—sure, she was an attractive woman.
But if the question was whether he wanted to be romantically tied to her—that wasn’t a matter of preference.
It was a matter of survival.

Fall in love with someone who punches first and asks questions never?
Someone who could pulverize you with a single misstep?
Was he insane?

They’d been through too many regressions. He’d seen everything there was to see.
There was no room left for romance.
[⋯⋯To think you’d spout such nonsense right in front of me, you fool.]

Try telling me I’m wrong, just once.
[⋯⋯]
Helping you and dating you are two very different things, aren’t they?

[Still, couldn’t you have said something nice at least?]
Carlyle ignored the grumbling Holy Sword and turned his gaze back to the cardinal.
Honestly—

There was no real need to say this, but what followed came from pure irritation.
“No matter how noble the intention, relationships should be the young lady’s choice. Not something for me—or anyone else—to interfere with.”
“⋯⋯.”

“This is something she should ask me herself. Not you, Your Eminence.”
“⋯⋯.”
The cardinal’s expression vanished from his face.

It happened in an instant, so fast it sent a chill down his spine.
Like a mask falling away.
…Did I touch a nerve?

Well, obviously. A man of his rank wouldn’t enjoy being contradicted like that.
But Carlyle didn’t regret it.
People kept forgetting something.

Gray was still a person. She had her own emotions and her own will.
No matter the intention, no one had the right to impose themselves on the choices that should be hers.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. I believe the young lady is waiting.”

He gave a shallow nod and rose from his seat.
***
As Carlyle left the room, Cardinal Felix sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“What do you think?”
It was a bizarre sight—speaking into an empty room as though someone else were present.
There was no response.

But under the lights, her shadow writhed violently.
As if something inside it was reacting to her words.
“Oh yes, definitely. He’s innocent and adorable. Even I can see that.”

The benevolent priestly tone from earlier was completely gone, replaced by a cynical, irritated voice dripping into the empty air.
“But seriously, someone that innocent and adorable suddenly using the exact same power as the Hero? Come on. You were the one who said we should keep an eye on him, weren’t you?”
She went a step further and pulled out a cigarette pipe from her robes.

Lighting it indoors without a care, she took a puff and continued.
“Of course, if he’s walking past bait this juicy, maybe he really is that genuine.”
Helping Gray out of goodwill, building a bond with her—

Whichever way you looked at it, it wasn’t a bad excuse.
Still—
“If he’d been just another fly drawn to the Hero’s honey, I would’ve crushed him without a second thought.”

If he had hidden motives—
If he’d carried any kind of desire—
If he had tried to project what he wanted onto her—

She would’ve disposed of him. In the name of the Gray Cardinal.
“Too harsh? Don’t make me laugh. When you think about what the title ‘Hero’ means, it’s a worse situation to have someone approach her that casually.”
She scratched her head in frustration.

But whatever the case—
That brat had just turned down her offer. Face-to-face. Like it was nothing.
As if saying he’d # Nоvеlight # be content just helping Gray from the sidelines.

And what he left behind?
Was a masterpiece of a closing remark.
“It’s her decision to make.”

What could she even say to that?
It was such a good response, it almost made her laugh.
Almost like he’d seen through exactly how she treated Gray.

Either way—
He was interesting.
“…Ahh, damn it, how annoying.”

The cigarette smoke swirled into the air, cold and slow.
“If he’s going to be like that, I’ll have no choice but to take a real interest in him.”
Whatever the case, that kid had just expertly avoided the trap she’d laid.

At the very least, he’d earned the right to stay by Gray’s side.
Of course, he still needed to be thoroughly investigated, considering that bizarre power he used.
She was thinking just that when something caught her attention.

Someone nearby was moving.
As if they had been eavesdropping just moments ago.
And it was a very familiar presence.

…Gray?
Whoever it was had clearly been listening in unnoticed the entire time, but now that they were retreating, their composure was completely broken. That’s how she knew they’d been caught.
It seemed something Carlyle said had really struck a chord.

“⋯⋯.”
Felix chuckled, stuffing a fresh roll of tobacco into the pipe.
“Youth. Am I right?”

The shadow rippled again.
“What? You think he’s cute too? He was cute. And had a firm spine. Kinda my type, actually.”
Felix fell silent for a moment—then let out a dry laugh.

“Looks like my instincts are shot. You’re really a god, huh?”
She let out a long sigh toward the shadow.
“As if I’d actually fall for a kid like that.”

***
[ System Message ]
▶ You left a strong impression on ‘The Gray Cardinal’!
▶ ‘The Gray Cardinal’ is curious about you.
▶ Target added to the [Instructor] list!
▶ Try building a closer relationship with the target!
▶ A new event involving the target will soon be generated!

[ System Message ]
▶ Trait [Hero’s Companion] has activated.
▶ [★ Trust: 40% → 70%]
▶ Additional rewards granted!
▶ Trust level has reached a threshold. Positive traits may evolve!
▶ A related event will soon be generated!