Chapter 28, The Case Of Calogero 2

Translator: Lizz

 

Calogero ran while looking for his guards.

However, the guards had been persuaded by the Chief Justice and withdrawn.

“—Someone! Isn’t anyone here!?”

He could feel the pursuers getting closer and closer.

The guards were nowhere to be found.

Having taken off his veil, even if he sought help from someone, he might instead be attacked by that very person.

Everyone chasing after him had crimson letters of sin written all over them.

“—There is no longer any way to escape—…”

 

Ah, why?

What had he done to deserve this?

Why was everyone trying to attack him?

How could they commit sins so nonchalantly?

 

In despair, Calogero, deciding that he’d rather throw himself into the river than die at their hands, plunged into the water.

 

When he woke up, he was surrounded by faces, faces and faces, all peering at him with concern.

“Whoa!”

Startled, he jumped up, causing those around him to also recoil in surprise.

 

Surrounded by faces that seemed kind, Calogero felt confused.

He didn’t know where he was.

However, he realized that he hadn’t been captured by those people, as the sins of everyone around him were minor, at most ‘lies’ or ‘concealment’.

“Good, good, he’s regained consciousness.”

“When we found you drifting down the river, we thought you might have been dead.”

“You’re lucky, aren’t you?”

Hearing those words, he understood that he had been rescued while drifting along the river.

 

When asked about his background and why he had been drifting in the river, Calogero instinctively pretended to have lost his memory.

(Ah, surely the reflection in the mirror will show those crimson letters clearly written on me. For deceiving such kind-hearted people.)

Thinking this, he lowered his head in despair.

The people misinterpreted his somber demeanor as anxiety caused by his amnesia and consulted with the Mayor.

The Mayor grumbled:

“If you were swept down the river, then you must be from the neighboring country… Which means it’s a diplomatic matter. We’ll have no choice but to rely on the Lord of the land.”

He sighed while explaining that although he had sent several letters to the Duke’s household, there had never been a response, and it was doubtful whether the letters had even been delivered.

After all, despite being sent to the same domain, the letters had to be routed through the neighboring country.

The Mayor, asking him not to have any expectations, prepared to send yet another letter, but Calogero stopped him.

“Please, don’t waste your efforts on someone like me.”

Those words reflected his true feelings, but more than that, he thought that if by any chance the letter fell into the hands of the Chief Justice, they might invade the place and, at worst, massacre all the inhabitants.

He wasn’t sure what the Chief Justice would tell Marquis Onofrio or Baron Eliseo, but if he knew Calogero was alive, he would certainly silence him.

It wasn’t guaranteed that Marquis Onofrio or Baron Eliseo would believe his side of the story. However, throughout his life, he had only ever been attacked, and he bore the ability of ‘Illuminating Sin’, a skill that reveals the sins of others.

Furthermore, he had never desired the position of Chief Justice.

Considering these factors, it was overwhelmingly clear who was lying.

…Even Calogero could understand as much, so the Chief Justice surely would, too.

Thus, he would come to silence him.

In a secluded place like this, even though it belonged to a neighboring country, the Chief Justice would likely consider it no issue to send in troops.

 

Calogero was taken to the church, where his skills and magic were examined.

He couldn’t resist. After all, he was supposed to have lost his memory. Checking his skills and magic for clues was only natural.

The High Priest examined Calogero’s skills and was rendered speechless. Seeing Calogero lower his head in response, the High Priest seemed to realize something, then gently smiled and patted Calogero’s head.

“This is proof that you are loved by God.”

When the High Priest said this, Calogero lowered his head even further.

“…I don’t think so. …I cannot trust people.”

He hadn’t chosen to be born beautiful.

He hadn’t chosen to be able to see people’s sins.

After reflecting for a moment, the High Priest spoke to the Mayor.

“I will take care of him. The attribute of his magic is holy magic. Surely, this is the guidance of God.”

 

The High Priest provided Calogero with a room that could be locked.

He intended not to ask about what had happened until Calogero was ready to share, and he sensed that Calogero, deeply hurt, might prefer to isolate himself.

Just as expected, Calogero locked the room and remained inside.

The High Priest brought meals and engaged in one-sided conversations with him.

The townspeople’s offerings were also delivered during this time.

Touched by the High Priest’s thoughtfulness and the kindness of the townsfolk, Calogero felt healed and decided to live out his life in this town and become a priest.

When he unlocked the door and conveyed his decision to the High Priest, the High Priest gently smiled.

“It’s just a small, old church, but everyone here is deeply devout. One day, I’m sure you’ll discover the true purpose of your skills and magic. …Now then, what is your name?”

“…My name is Calogero.”

“Then, Calogero. From today, you shall be a priest. We’ll hold an abbreviated priestly ceremony.”

From that day onward, Calogero became a priest.