Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Super Stealthy Kid Looking for Dad 132

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The Church's roots lay in the Central Continent.

Deep in the heart of the Central Continent, within Roxe Forest, stood the World Tree—the symbol of the god the Church worshipped.

The World Tree had once been a sacred tree that governed all the continents.

The wounded found healing simply by drawing near it, and the chosen could receive its divine oracle.

But scarcely twenty years after magic stones began emerging, the World Tree became corrupted.

"Isn't it famous? The incident where the Pope... beheaded the six High Custodians."

Enraged by the World Tree's corruption, the Pope sealed off the entirety of Roxe Forest and held the six High Custodians—who had been tending to it—responsible.

They had failed to properly care for the World Tree, so they at least had to pay the price in the name of the god, he declared.

And so, all six High Custodians were executed by beheading.

Even though every one of them held a position equivalent to archbishop—no, cardinal.

"That's right. The Church of today tolerates not even the slightest irreverence."

Edmund replied.

He continued in a flat tone.

"The problem is how vague the standard for that 'irreverence' is."

Blasphemy was a grave crime, yet its criteria for judgment remained unclear.

For instance, just a few years ago on the Central Continent, a young holy knight had been publicly executed.

All he had done was accidentally step on a holy cloth dropped by the Pope.

"Still, the Church's control is lighter in the Empire. Piety is emphasized, but in the end, it's the Emperor who rules the Empire. Things change if you head to the Northern Continent, though."

The Northern Continent was currently the region where the Church wielded the greatest influence.

There, as long as they had even a flimsy 'pretext,' the Church handled everything as they pleased.

Which meant you could be extradited to the Central Continent on absurd grounds or subjected to intense investigations.

And herein lay yet another problem: these 'investigations.'

The Church frequently imposed binding seals on suspects for torture or manipulated their minds to rummage through their thoughts.

With magic stones having emerged and the world plunged into peril, they justified it as necessary to protect divinity more strictly than ever.

"But Lady Tiye is here in Talochium right now."

Even so, not even the Church could arbitrarily seize someone outside the Holy Kingdom.

"And Lady Tiye isn't even affiliated with the Church. She's just a mercenary."

Basto nodded.

As Edmund said, the Church currently lacked any 'pretext' to investigate Tiye by their own methods.

Of course, Agaveert Mercenary Corps had no intention of providing them one in the future either.

Leonardo stepped forward as well.

"Even if the Church makes contact again, we'll handle it on our end from now on."

He turned to the squad members.

"So stay in Talochium for the time being. No—don't leave Talochium if at all possible. Then everything will be fine."

Upon returning to the estate, Tiye stopped in the garden instead of heading inside.

Beyond the fence to her right.

The neighboring house still stood empty.

'...To think that place belonged to Dad.'

Even now, she couldn't quite believe she'd learned her dad's identity.

The fact that her dad was the leader of Treba felt even less real.

"Kid, you not coming in?"

Veil asked, but Tiye shook her head, pretending it was nothing.

"Let Tiye play just a little in the yard."

"We'll watch from the window? Don't go anywhere?"

"Yeah!"

Only then did the squad members head inside.

After watching the door close, Tiye hurried to the right fence and plastered herself against the railing.

Her wistful gaze swept over the front yard overgrown with weeds.

The upstairs window still rattled faintly, and now she noticed the stone steps and railing were thick with cobwebs.

"...Tiye was gonna go find Dad first."

Last night, Tiye had made up her mind.

'For now, keep it secret that Dad's the top mercenary.'

The reason was simple.

Even if she went to him, Dad would surely dislike Tiye and push her away.

In truth, Tiye had grown okay with the idea that her dad might not recognize her.

She'd already experienced it in Pulsity, and she'd steeled herself for it repeatedly.

But that didn't make it any less sad.

Tiye was afraid that seeing her dad not recognize her would shock her too deeply.

'I was prepared, but still.'

What if Dad told Tiye, 'Get lost!'?

What if he scowled fiercely and acted annoyed...?

Just imagining it already hurt her heart so much.

The problem was what the squad members would think seeing Tiye like this.

"...Uncle Basto, the big brothers, Grandpa—they'd all be super sad together."

Tiye didn't want to burden the people around her anymore.

Even back in South Korea, she'd always just caused trouble for the adults who took care of her.

'They're all raising Tiye so hard. I can't keep making them upset.'

If she told them about her dad's identity, everyone around her would feel so frustrated.

Veil might even get so mad he'd bash his head against a tree every day.

But confessing the truth to Dad?

'No guarantee he'd even believe it.'

He might think Tiye was some weirdo and push her away even more.

If she put herself in his shoes, even Tiye would probably react the same.

So last night, Tiye had devised her own dark and intricate plan.

First.

'Tiye's gonna go to the Northern Continent! Blackie will help.'

Head to the Northern Continent to meet Dad first.

Once they saw each other's faces, she could figure out what to do next.

She felt like she couldn't hold out if she didn't see him soon.

She figured the rest wouldn't be too hard.

Life was unpredictable, just like Granny from Room 107 had said—'Saiwongjima' or whatever—and sure enough, a stroke of great luck awaited Tiye to make things easier.

'Dad lives right next door, so Tiye can just wait at home till he comes back!'

Dad owned the house next door.

'We've met once in the Northern Continent, so he knows Tiye's face, right? Then, since we're neighbors, we can slowly get close.'

Just like how Tiye and Dad had lived like family with Granny from Room 107!

Tiye imagined the day Dad finally returned from the Northern Continent.

He'd surely be shocked to see Tiye.

'Oh! You're that Astie I met back then? You're my neighbor!' he'd say, delighted.

Then Tiye would play dumb: 'No way, what a coincidence...!'

'And we'd become snack-sharing buddies!'

Since both Tiye and Dad were mercenaries, they'd have plenty to talk about.

Before long, they'd become family again, right?

Tiye planned to subtly warn her dad once they grew close.

Because of the 'Law of Fate Reversion,' he might get sent back to South Korea again, so he had to be careful.

But then.

Trouble erupted from an unexpected quarter.

Nordics Grandpa had laid down the law: absolutely no Northern Continent!

Even Grand Commander and the Lumen uncles all said it was way too dangerous.

Because the Church was curious about super stealthy Tiye's identity.

For safety, better not go anywhere near there.

"Sighhh..."

A long-suppressed sigh finally escaped.

Tiye gazed forlornly over the fence at the neighboring house.

If Tiye couldn't go to the Northern Continent first, only one option remained.

"Wait here till he comes..."

But not knowing how long or how to wait made her chest feel stuffy and tight.

Overwhelmed with disappointment, Tiye pursed her lips.

"He needs to come back soon..."

As she murmured listlessly at the dreary neighboring garden.

"He's not coming back, you know? The head maid said this house is just for show."

A voice suddenly piped up from beside her.

Startled, she whipped her head around to find Selina standing there before she knew it.

Selina shook her head, a leaf stuck in her bangs.

"The owner's a mercenary or something? It's rotting away just to show off to the nobles. Flaunting wealth, don't underestimate me, that sort of thing. You can tell when he bought it two years ago and hasn't visited once."

As Tiye's mouth fell open.

Selina's eyes widened.

"Anyway, where've you been for days? Leaving the house empty this long. I was waiting forever thinking you'd gone somewhere..."

Tiye tilted her head.

"Selina was waiting for Tiye?"

When she asked, Selina's cheeks flushed bright red.