Chapter 401: Confession (1)

    Kate came to find me while I was taking care of Ariel. Ariel could replenish her energy through photosynthesis, so she didn’t need to eat.

    Yet, the reason I stayed by her side was simple: she was just too adorable and lovely while sleeping.

    From her chubby baby cheeks to the sprout on her head and angelic wings, her appearance seemed to pour all the cuteness in the world into one being.

    I was quietly watching her, without even thinking of waking her up, when Kate entered my room.

    “...I’m sorry.”

    “Pardon?”

    She suddenly apologized for no reason.

    Startled, I looked at her face and was even more taken aback.

    She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, clutching her skirt tightly with both hands.

    The room was dark, with only the bedside lamp faintly illuminating her.

    Her blue eyes glistened, and her expression made it seem like tears would fall at any second.

    “Did something happen?”

    I decided to get to the bottom of it.

    She had apologized out of nowhere, so I had no idea what might be going on.

    When I asked in a slightly subdued voice, Kate flinched and slowly lifted her head.

    Her eyes met mine briefly before she quickly lowered them again with a sharp movement, like someone who had committed an unmentionable crime.

    Feeling increasingly puzzled, I shifted my gaze to Ariel.

    “Zzz...”

    Ariel was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.

    However, if our conversation woke her, it might interrupt things.

    Since there were unused rooms in the dormitory, we could go there to talk.

    “Follow me. This isn’t the best place to talk.”

    “Okay...”

    Kate followed behind me like a guilty criminal, her head still hanging low.

    I moved cautiously, careful not to wake Ariel, and stepped into the living room.

    In the living room, Adelia and Mari were chatting warmly. Adelia, as usual, listened attentively to Mari, while Mari led most of the conversation.

    “Hmm? Where are you two going?”

    Mari noticed us at just the right moment and asked with a smiling face.

    Her question prompted Adelia to glance at us as well.

    Feeling awkward, I scratched my head and looked at Kate. She still couldn’t raise her head and wore a gloomy expression.

    “I have something to discuss with Kate. When will dinner be ready?”

    “Let’s see... Adelia?”

    “No later than 20 minutes.”

    “We’ll be back in 30 minutes at most. Is that okay?”

    “Sure, but...”

    Mari trailed off, giving us a strange look as her gaze alternated between me and Kate.

    Feeling slightly uneasy under her scrutiny, I was about to speak when Mari suddenly broke the silence.

    “Surely... Ah, no, never mind. 30 minutes won’t be nearly enough for that.”

    “It’s nothing like that.”

    I could tell what she was insinuating.

    Knowing her, I could roughly guess her thoughts, and she likely knew mine.

    When I answered in an exasperated tone, she chuckled softly. Since she was adorable, I let it slide.

    “Alright. We’ll take our time preparing dinner, so take care of your talk. Don’t worry about Ariel.”

    “Thanks. Kate?”

    “...”

    And so, Kate and I made our way to an empty room.

    The academy dormitories were top-notch, so there were plenty of vacant rooms.

    Usually, they were intended for servants or attendants, but Adelia, with her meticulous nature, kept even unused rooms thoroughly cleaned.

    Creak.

    I had Kate sit on a soft bed, then pulled a chair over and placed it in front of her.

    Even as she sat on the bed, Kate kept her gaze lowered.

    Sitting down, I quietly observed her.

    She was entirely different from her usual self, a stark contrast to the bright smile she wore due to her fervent faith in God.

    Today, however, she seemed weighed down by melancholy.

    ‘It seems like there was some friction with her grandfather...’

    That was the only assumption I could make.

    Clark, on the surface, was a skeleton revived by sinister sorcery.

    To someone like Kate, a devout believer, he was a defiance of divine order, an abomination to be eradicated.

    Though she had grown since the time she blindly demanded the seed, her fanaticism remained.

    If anything, it had intensified.

    “Kate.”

    “Yes...”

    “Can you tell me why you apologized to me?”

    Everything was still conjecture.

    To understand the truth, I needed to hear her out. Kate flinched again at my question, clenching her fists tightly on her knees.

    Her reaction was filled with complex emotions, prompting me to take a more serious stance.

    “...Isaac.”

    With a gentle smile, I stroked her cheek softly, like a parent soothing a child, or a teacher imparting moral wisdom.

    “Kate, unlike others, there’s a good way for you to handle this. You feel compassion for that family, don’t you?”

    “Yes, but... he still committed a sin...”

    “Then how about you help treat the wife or pay for the medicine, and grant the husband clemency? This isn’t something decreed by Luminous.

    It’s a decision you made yourself. And you have the power to do so.”

    “...I...”

    Kate blinked her blue, shining eyes in surprise as she looked up at me.

    This is something only Kate can do.

    With her divine powers and status, she could surely save that family.

    It wouldn’t be blindly following the will of the gods but rather taking action based on her own thoughts—a mindset completely detached from fanaticism.

    I watched as Kate seemed to realize something, then gently removed my hand from her cheek.

    Taking both her hands in mine, I spoke softly.

    “Instead of blindly following the will of the gods, act on your own. Understand the other’s position, and if you’re wrong, be willing to change your ways.”

    “...I see.”

    “Don’t shift responsibility onto the gods. Take responsibility yourself. The gods love us dearly, but they don’t cover our sins. They only cast shadows over our eyes.”

    “Cast shadows...”

    Responsibility is easier said than done.

    It’s so heavy that even those who boldly claim, ‘I’ll take responsibility,’ are often wary of it.

    But if one truly resolves to bear that heavy burden, they’ll grow stronger, even if they fail.

    To completely strip away Kate’s fanaticism, the first step is helping her realize the importance of responsibility.

    “I hope this experience encourages you to reflect on yourself, Kate. I know it’s hard, especially since Luminous is like a parent and your entire world.”

    “...Yes.”

    “But Kate, birds are safest in their cages, but they aren’t born to die in cages.

    Just as children grow and eventually leave their parents, you must one day walk your own path, not the one Luminous laid out for you.

    That’s true growth.”

    Kate listened to my words silently, staring blankly at me. It was a new expression for her, unfamiliar yet still stunningly beautiful.

    To give her time to think, I slowly let go of her hands.

    “That’s all I have to say. Is there anything you’d like to ask?”

    “...There is. Just one thing.”

    “What is it?”

    “...Can you hug me... just once?”

    “A hug?”

    “Yes...”

    Her request felt a bit unexpected. I was puzzled but obliged.

    I stood and slowly opened my arms. Kate followed suit, waiting patiently for me to embrace her.

    “...Thank you.”

    As we hugged, Kate let out a soft, delighted sigh.

    I, too, felt a bit awkward at the sensation through her nun’s robes and coughed lightly.

    Though our positions felt a little odd, neither of us moved.

    Kate occasionally pressed her face into my neck or squirmed slightly, as if holding something back.

    “...Isaac.”

    “Yes?”

    “I’m sorry. Looking back, I realize I’ve been so selfish...”

    Finally, she understood.

    Internally, I celebrated. It seemed she’d finally broken free from her rigid fanaticism.

    Proud of her, I hugged her tighter, even patting her head gently.

    “That’s enough. It’s okay now. Just make sure to take responsibility for your actions moving forward. Understood?”

    “...Yes.”

    “Good. Then...”

    I slowly released the embrace and looked at Kate, whose face was flushed red with embarrassment.

    Her reaction was like that of a pure country girl experiencing physical contact with the opposite sex for the first time.

    Somehow, she seemed even more innocent than before.

    “Shall we go for a meal?”

    “Yes, let’s!”

    Kate jumped up eagerly and headed straight for the living room. Her posture seemed a little odd, but I didn’t pay much attention.

    Just as I was about to leave, I noticed something unusual in the spot where she’d been sitting.

    The white blanket beneath her was damp.

    “...Surely not.”

    It must be sweat. Yes, sweat.

    Muttering to myself, I followed her into the living room.

    “...Where’s Kate?”

    “She went back to her dorm for a moment.”

    “Why?”

    “She said her stomach hurt. She seemed a bit off as she left.”

    “...I see.”

    Even if fanaticism fades, desires remain, I realized.