TLWCL 15🔐

TLWCL

Chapter 15 …

I decided to stop heading toward the hut and instead watched their fight from a safe distance.

“I didn’t expect to hear such words from you in front of me, Third-Class Priest Damiel.”

“I merely advised you to reconsider what it truly means to follow Lumensia’s will. If you respond so sharply… I, too, am quite taken aback. And, as someone who has reached First-Class Priest, using vulgar language—it’s common knowledge that Lumensia dislikes profanities, isn’t it?”

The tone of the conversation had escalated beyond a typical argument.

Cardil glared at him with a hollow expression.

“Lumensia instructed us to care for the sick and injured. Expecting mercy from those ignorant of such an important fact was my folly. Are the crude words I utter sinful? Then, wouldn’t it be slightly less embarrassing for you to consider just how sinful your actions are before criticizing me?”

Wow. I couldn’t win this argument against Cardil. I had better stay out of it.

“…I see now why someone as talented as you hasn’t become a bishop yet. It would be a waste to give the position to a brother who recklessly interprets Lumensia’s will and runs wild. Ah, though even the First-Class rank is somewhat a waste, I suppose.”

The opponent didn’t falter and shot back at Cardil. Impressive. If it were me, I would have retreated long ago.

“Is that so, Third-Class Priest Damiel? It seems even someone of lower rank than I can talk quite a bit.”

Though polite in words, it was essentially refined verbal abuse. But Cardil? No one could match his temper.

The expression on the opponent’s face hardened instantly.

Oh, he’d been provoked.

“Ah, and is there anything for you to feel sorry about? The powers priests wield are granted by Lumensia and judged by the Central Church. I wonder if you’re even at a level worthy of being considered ‘wasted.’”

Cardil landed another heavy blow with his words.

“Haha, well… one cannot remain Third-Class forever. That’s why I’m taking the bishop exam this time. Soon, I’ll stand before you as a bishop—you may look forward to it.”

Damiel’s face showed no trace of ease while saying that. In contrast, Cardil’s expression plainly said, “So what?”

“That’s a matter for the future, isn’t it? Oh, do you see the future? You foresaw yourself becoming a bishop? So you can use powers similar to Lumensia’s… seeing ahead…”

Damiel was cut off by Cardil’s mockery and shouted fiercely.

“Cardil!”

“Yes! I hear you perfectly well without shouting!!”

The voices of the two men echoed through the shantytown and the forest where the hut stood. In reality, it was mostly Cardil’s voice that carried.

The veins in his neck stood stiff and frightening. He wasn’t even angry at me…

Cardil was a healer type with little combat power—for now.

But imagining him punching someone with those clenched fists made me shiver. I could picture him, thinking he must show what true healing is, just pummeling people relentlessly.

Since I was a stranger, whether Cardil beat someone or not didn’t really concern me.

“Ha… to think that he comes to me just to say I should abandon the people and join the Central Church to make money off patients! Ha! Ridiculous. Does he really think this is Lumensia’s true will? Honestly… I grew up here, but now it’s almost nauseating.”

Oh… Cardil seems to be heading down the former path.

I felt like I was witnessing the introduction to his becoming known as the “Healer of Destruction”, someone disillusioned with the Central Church.

“Now that the money-making lecture is over, could you leave? Any more talking is a waste of time. Even now, the suffering are piling up in my hut like a mountain. There’s no need to engage with you further.”

“…Then I shall go, but behave yourself. Do you think this life will last forever?”

“That’s none of your concern, is it? Since when have you cared so much about my every move? Just continue being envious and jealous, praying to Lumensia for my downfall. Let’s see who truly receives God’s favor.”

He tried to throw one last jab but didn’t get the satisfaction. His steps down the shantytown were filled with anger.

Cardil seems skilled at cutting someone down with words. Perhaps that’s why he later earned the name “Destruction”—able to ruin someone verbally.

“Ha…”

He naturally pulled some tobacco from his pocket and lit it, probably to calm his furious mind.

Is it okay for a priest to smoke? I didn’t care. I could purify any bad effects myself.

“Good morning.”

The veil covering his face shifted as he adjusted to my movement. Cardil responded with a muffled pronunciation.

“…Yes.”

“Who was that man earlier? He spoke quite rudely to Cardil.”

“Ah… you heard?”

Cardil collapsed onto a tree stump beside the hut, taking a drag from his tobacco and exhaling.

Smoke billowed from the lit tobacco. Flicking the ash off with his fingers, he tucked the cigarette back between two fingers.

“Nothing special. Just another rotten religious man.”

Those who blindly believe in gods can, with the right opportunity, also blindly follow another.

Like a beekeeper moving bees to a different hive.

“Even among believers, there are foolish ones everywhere. Don’t let them trouble you. After all, Cardil is a devoted follower, isn’t he?”

“It’s a little funny hearing you say that.”

I tensed for a moment, expecting harsh words at me, but Cardil simply smoked quietly. He looked exhausted.

“Ha… who are these people who don’t truly follow God, telling me what to do? At times like this, it would be better if it were you… ha…”

He trailed off, but the meaning was clear:

—I’d rather it be you.—

Hearing that, a smirk tugged at my lips. Luckily, the veil hid my expression.

Smoke puffed from my mouth as I soothed him in a soft voice.

“Such people don’t truly believe in or follow God. They merely abuse the power given to them, greedy and self-serving. Those who exploit others instead of sharing their granted power cannot be said to follow God. Such acts are irreligious, far from divine will.”

“…”

Cardil listened, puffing his tobacco without interruption. At first, he hadn’t even paid attention to me, but now he was listening.

This works!

“The most important thing is helping our neighbors and brethren. Especially those of us with special abilities should take the lead. That is what God truly wishes. And you, Brother Cardil, who sincerely practices this, are a true priest and a true follower of God.”

I flattered him, but not clumsily—rather, I praised him while criticizing the rotten Central Church.

“I’ve thought for a long time—Central Church has long decayed… the emperor exploits it to strengthen his power. My activity within the church would only increase the suffering of the people, so I partially left the church and acted this way. At least then, I could directly help those in pain.”

Past event unlocked!

“Leaving your group to do what is right is never easy. Yet such actions bring you closer to God’s will. Brother, you are doing very well. God must surely rejoice in your devotion.”

Cardil chuckled.

I didn’t know if that was a good or bad reaction. Ugh… if this were a visual novel, I’d just pick choices, but in reality, I had to speak. Hardcore game.

“…The empire is in chaos. Continuous wars, the pope’s death, last time the plague spread unchecked, taxes rose due to ongoing war. Young men are dragged into the army, returning half-grown. Now is precisely when the Central Church should act with God’s power, yet they merely suck dry the people… I feel disillusioned.”

“…”

The empire was worse off than I thought.

“I became a priest to make this world slightly better… but now, I don’t know what to do.”

Deep despair clouded Cardil’s mind. I whispered encouragement beside him.

“Cardil, you are doing wonderfully. All those healed by your hands have returned home peacefully, free from suffering. That is proof of God’s grace flowing through you.”

“…You think so, Lumiere.”

“I’m just a humble pilgrim carrying a noble mission.”

Cardil flicked the ash clinging to the tip of his tobacco. The wind scattered it.

“But by carrying this mission, you’ve begun to see the world’s truths. Cardil, have you ever truly… contemplated your own inner power?”

“…?”

Cardil’s “Destruction” attribute awakening and utility as a top-tier healer event.

Cardil was originally an archmage disguised as a healer, capable of multi-element skills.

I hadn’t thought he’d advance to second-class with just a few pieces of advice… but I might as well build rapport.

Pretending to know things—that’s the essence of a con artist.

“I do pray… always…”

“I mean, aside from ‘God,’ have you ever reflected on your own self?”

“I meditate. Even during my Central Church Academy days, meditation was part of training.”