Episode 27

I’ve Can Encourage Someone I Know, but I Can’t Make Any Progress on My End

All the people present, including the fat man, fell to the ground. I looked at Suzuna in annoyance. When I looked at Suzuna, she stuck out her tongue and spoke to me in a whisper.

“I’m sorry, I just got caught up in the moment. I’m sorry. Actually, I’m quite fond of historical dramas.”

I don’t know what it is, but there seems to be something like this in the theaters. Well, I didn’t want her to stay on her knees forever, so I spoke to the priest.

“It’s been a long time. I thought I could not overlook this, so I interrupted you. It seems to me that the deputy has been unjustly threatening you. Oh, you may stand now.”

The pastor, who had been prostrating with his daughter, replied as he stood her up.

“It’s been a while, “Great Demon King”. I’ve been taking care of orphans at the orphanage attached to this church while relearning the teachings of God. However, the orphanage had been struggling even before I arrived, and the previous priest who had been struggling died suddenly. I succeeded him and earned money by treating the sick and injured with magic, but since I could not get much money from the poor people, I ran short of money and had to borrow money from the deputy. Being a naive person, I didn’t realize that the loan was at a huge interest rate and I couldn’t repay it. Instead, I was told to leave the church or give up the most beautiful girl among the orphans, neither of which I could accept.”

“I see. You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

As I answered, Suzuna, who had been staring at the pastor’s face, suddenly shouted.

“Oh, you’re the cardinal who tried to assassinate the Demon King back then? Oh!”

“Yes. I was so naive at that time. I was expelled from the Orthodox Church and the royal family and drifted to a neighboring country. When I lived among the poor, I realized how blessed and arrogant I was. Even the poorest of the poor are helping each other to survive. After living here, I realized for the first time the greatness of God’s love.”

The former cardinal and brother of the First Kingdom’s King had a calm and contented expression on his face as he spoke sullenly. Even his language has become more gentle. It seems that this man has also come to the true faith.

Incidentally, male clergy are called priests in the Orthodox Church, but in the Sacred Church, they are called pastors. He must have been expelled from the Orthodox Church, so he joined the Sacred Church. It seems to be a common practice in scriptural churches to accept clergy who have been expelled from the Orthodox church for heresy and other reasons.

“I’m glad to hear that. But on the other hand, it’s not good that the orphanage can’t make ends meet. Also, it is outrageous that the deputies are lending money at unreasonable interest rates and making the Church their private property! We must hold him accountable for this. I will consult with the King of this country, and we will provide aid to orphans throughout the country, as well as enforce discipline on the deputies and knights.”

Then I had the captain of the knights arrest the deputy and took them with me to the royal castle of the Second Kingdom, where I discussed the best course of action with the King and ministers.

After the discussion was over, I returned to the small church and was greeted by the pastor, his daughter, and other children. I decided to teach the pastor how to use his magic to repair buildings, furniture, and mending clothes.

“I didn’t know this kind of magic existed. I’ve only ever used attack and healing magic, so this was a real eye-opener for me. This will make life much easier for me.”

“Thank you, Great Demon King.”

“Thank you.”

I was greatly appreciated by the pastor and the children. Hmmm, it feels good.

Suzuna, who was having a long conversation with the daughter in the corner of the room, came in front of the pastor with his daughter.

“This girl wants to talk to you. It’s important, so please listen to her.”

As she said this, she made his daughter stand in front of the pastor.

She was a little hesitant, but when Suzuna tapped her lightly on the back, she looked up at the pastor in the face, and began to speak, as if summoning up her courage.

“Pastor, …I… love… you. I love you!”

When the pastor heard this, he closed his eyes and pondered, and then opened his mouth.

“I knew it, Margarete. But I’ve decided to devote my life to God. And how much old do you think I am? We’re almost thirty years apart. How can a middle-aged man of forty or more marry a young girl like you who is rich in her youth?”

However, as if to interrupt the pastor, the girl called Margarete shouted.

It doesn’t matter! It’s only been three months, but I’ve been watching the pastor, no, Charles, I’ve been watching you! You’re a wizard and a learned man. As a wizard and a learned man, you could have joined the Royal Magical Order of this country or served the royal family as a bureaucrat, even though you were exiled from your homeland. I’ve been watching you for a long time, and you’ve been working hard for us, not paying attention to the path of prosperity! Please, let me stay next to you. Or… do you hate me?”

Pastor Charles faltered as he spoke out against Margarete’s complaint.

“No, I don’t hate you. I know Margarete is beautiful, smart, and the kindest person I know. She’s too good for me. But I am a servant of God…”

This is going to be a watery argument. Since I’m here, I might as well help out a little.

“Wait. You have not forgotten, have you? Unlike the priests of the Orthodox Church, the pastors of the Sacred Church can have wives. You are no longer a cardinal or a priest of the Orthodox Church and since you are disowned by the royal family, there is no need to worry about involving her in the turmoil surrounding the succession to the throne.”

The Sacred Church believes in the teachings of the Savior that are found in the Holy Scriptures. And not a single word in the scriptures says that a pastor should not have a wife. In the First Kingdom, there is an official document announcing the deportation of the royal brothers and the permanent deprivation of the right of succession to the throne.

“My King…”

“She likes you so much. You’re not a man if you don’t reciprocate her feelings. Or is there another girl you like?”

At my words, Charles reflexively shouted.

“There is no such person! No such person!”

Hearing this, I smiled and replied.

“Then there is no problem at all. It is time to pay the tribute.”

It was a phrase from Suzuna’s world, but similar words existed in this world as well. Suzuna followed suit and began to give me covering fire.

“I’ve been listening to you for a while now, and you don’t seem too happy about it. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. In fact, the Demon King, who has been acting all high and mighty, is actually in the middle of a one-sided love affair and is too embarrassed to confess himself.”

“Aah! Aah!”

It is indeed an effective covering fire, but at the same time, it’s friendly fire as well. Especially when you call me a ’embarrassed, that’s the hardest part.

“Is that so?”

“Uh-huh. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but she is right. She likes you. Don’t waste the opportunity.”

“Okay.”

Nodding, Charles turned to Margarete and opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“Margarete, the truth is that I loved you, too. Not as a guardian, but as a man. I want you to marry me. So let’s protect this church and the orphanage together, shall we?”

When Margarete heard this, she shouted “Yes” and jumped into Charles’ chest with tears streaming down her face.

The children surrounded them and congratulated them with words like, “Congratulations, Pastor,” and “Congratulations, sister”.

“It’s all over now. Right.”

“Mm-hmm.”

I nodded to Suzuna, who said happily in a theatrical tone and said goodbye to them, promising to return at some point, before returning to the Demon King’s Castle with the kitten.

As a matter of fact, when I found the kitten, I had realized that Charles was the former cardinal who had tried to assassinate me. I also saw that the orphanage was struggling, so I thought I would show my “kindness” by helping them, but the result was … I think I gained Suzuna’s favor, so it’s all good.

And that’s when Suzuna spoke to me.

“It’s been tough. Thanks to you, the world has become peaceful, but I guess injustices and inequities like that haven’t disappeared.”

“Yes, you are right. I have recognized the vested interests of the royal families, aristocrats, and religions of many countries. If the common people are in trouble because of their arrogance, is there any good way to find out about it and correct it?”

When I answered, Suzuna gave me an idea.

“In the past, a great man in my country made a box where common people could write down their problems and opinions and put them in various places. In fact, he once built a free hospital for the poor based on the opinions he received from the suggestion boxes.”

“Well, that’s a good idea. The problem is that if you can’t write, you can’t express your opinions, but if compulsory education becomes widespread, even the common people will be able to write. Let’s consider introducing it right away.”

The actual operation of the system needs to be discussed, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to create a way for people to submit their opinions directly to me first. It would be useful to have constructive opinions, and if any abuse of authority or wrongdoing is discovered, I can handle it, as I did this time.

“Well, I guess I’ll be going home for the day.”

After saying that, Suzuna turned around and stared at me with a fixed gaze as she continued to speak.

“But don’t be a fool, Demon King, why don’t you confess properly? The other woman might be waiting for you.”

“Uh-huh. I’ll take care of it.”

I can’t confess because I’m not sure you’re waiting for me!

I can’t say that. I’m weak. You are weak, my friend!

“I also need you to do one thing for me…”

Well, I’m willing to grant anything that Suzuna’s wishes, but she seems to have a hard time saying it. Is it a difficult wish?

“That’s all right. Go ahead and say it.”

When Suzuna heard my words, she blushed a little embarrassed and then whispered a wish in a small voice into my ear.

“You know, the next time I’m in a situation like today…”