Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping? - Chapter 25
It was the second time I saw the maximum affection message. Though there were no pink atmospheres or heart-fluttering confessions, that made this number feel even more precious.
Because I recognized this man’s blind faith in me.
‘I like how generously the affection rises. I wish Kaint and Marvis would learn from this.’
I took a deep breath and faced Hexion. I’m no longer afraid or ashamed to meet his eyes.
If this solid oath were merely a game-setting value, like what happened in the prayer room that day, I would feel miserable again.
I desperately hope Hexion’s faith in me isn’t fake but real.
“Hexion… do you want me to trust you?”
Since the system blocks me when I say I trust you, I have to take this roundabout approach. Though it takes the form of a question, this was my best attempt at an answer.
That if you want trust, I want to give it to you.
“Yes.”
The answer was brief but firm. Did my feelings reach him? I hope they did.
“I understand.”
I gave a short reply and left the prison.
Perhaps because no suspicious conversation passed between us, neither Priest Baal nor Venom added any further comments. They didn’t bring any more evidence to corner Hexion either.
Only after returning to my room did I think I should have hinted to Hexion that Baal and Venom seemed to be the ones framing him, but I decided to let it pass since tattling wouldn’t look good.
Besides, what matters more to him than who framed him is whether I, the Divine Master, believe in him.
‘Of course, I believe in Hexion. The question is how to prove his innocence…’
The parchment Priest Baal brought is probably fabricated evidence. Then we’d need to expose it as fake in front of everyone.
‘Using the Scales of Judgment would be the simplest way.’
The problem is that the Scales of Judgment is a skill that can only be used once per quarter. I don’t have enough money yet to reset it.
There weren’t many ways to earn money either.
‘Besides, even if we prove that’s fake, the items I shared from Marvis through the inventory are real.’
If they bring that up, we’re back to square one.
So what should I do? I pondered seriously.
‘Hexion said he wanted me to believe in him.’
Despite having no way to prove his innocence, he only asked me to believe him.
Then that ‘belief’ must be the key keyword to overcome this obstacle.
‘Divine Master, a vessel containing god, god’s representative, being that people believe in…’
People believe in god and pray.
Then what happens when god believes in people?
“Skill window.”
I called up my skill window.
Besides Judgment and the Scales of Judgment, there was one more special skill.
Blade of Judgment A blade created by divine power that discerns truth. It cannot cut anything true but will surely cut down false beings. Cannot be used on demons. Usage condition: Reputation 800 or higher, 1 use per quarter (Currently available) Can reset usage count by spending 30,000 gold.
I thought it strange that a Blade of Judgment couldn’t be used on demons – what was this skill made for then?
It didn’t seem appropriate for the game’s age rating to directly judge and stab criminals to death either.
I wanted romance, not to serve justice, so I just considered it a useless skill.
But this skill couldn’t have been made just to fill a script quota.
‘A gamer’s skill level isn’t determined by what skills they have, but how they use them.’
There’s a reason veteran players show god-tier plays defeating boss monsters with beginner “trash” skills.
***
I gathered the priests and spoke calmly before them.
“I’ve confirmed sufficient evidence proving Hexion’s crimes. However, he still refuses to admit his guilt.”
“That’s right! He’s truly shameless!”
“He must be put on trial and punished as an example!”
I couldn’t understand why people called priests were so eager to slander and defame others, but I decided to understand since the more blindly faithful people are, the more zealously they rush to judge heretics.
That wasn’t important anyway.
“Therefore, I will personally judge Hexion’s crimes.”
“What? You personally, Divine Master?”
The priests were surprised. They probably thought since the evidence was clear, he could be put on trial immediately without needing the Divine Master’s involvement.
The response here was crucial.
Given the system’s track record, if I force things, I’ll likely be blocked from speaking again.
“It’s only natural that I personally judge someone who deceived me.”
Of course, in a society ruled by law, victims don’t have the right to judge perpetrators directly, but I’m the Divine Master so let’s make an exception. I decided this today too.
“This will serve as an example to prevent similar situations in the future.”
“Divine Master…”
After adding such a plausible justification, the priests who initially seemed perplexed gradually began nodding.
“Understood.”
“Let it be as the Divine Master wishes.”
Being priests, they seemed somewhat reluctant to personally execute a once-renowned temple knight.
I wish they had shown that reluctance earlier, but then the story wouldn’t have progressed.
“Then, to make it an even more effective example, how about holding a public trial?”
Priest Baal raised his hand and expressed his opinion. He was also the one who brought that parchment piece as decisive evidence earlier.
Given how he’s pushing things further, I suspect Venom didn’t frame Hexion alone, but Baal encouraged it for some reason… but I’ll have to investigate that later since I don’t have evidence now.
“Good idea. If possible, I’d like citizens and the Admiral to attend as well.”
Just in case, I decided to invite Kaint as an opposing force, not under the temple’s influence.
Also to lay groundwork for the next romance route.
***
It was a gloomy, overcast day. Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn’t raining.
Perhaps because the temple gates were fully opened, the view extended to the temple square, making the field of vision feel twice as wide. Though it wasn’t particularly welcome that the expanded view was filled with crowds gathered to watch.
‘In an era without TV or smartphones, public executions were supposedly the most stimulating entertainment… Everyone’s come to watch, regardless of age.’
It’s probably because this is the first time the Divine Master will pass judgment. From what I’ve heard, rumors spread that ‘the Divine Master will personally punish a traitor.’
‘Is it really okay to let such young children watch this?’
I briefly worried about whether it was appropriate for education when they might witness a criminal’s execution, but given the setting, I decided not to think too deeply about it.
Though I’m not obligated to maintain age ratings, I wasn’t planning to show them anything horrific anyway.
‘Has Kaint not arrived yet?’
If the Divine Master is god’s representative, the Admiral is the hero representing humanity.
Though his popularity probably rivals the Divine Master’s, judging by how the crowd’s attention is focused only here, he hasn’t arrived yet.
Or maybe he declined the invitation.
‘So you won’t respond to an invitation from someone with 11 affection? Good thing I didn’t ask for help.’
While men who fall too easily aren’t attractive, I wish he’d give me some opening – at this rate, I see no way to pursue him.
Hoping he’s at least not a character-broken Commander like in that other neighborhood game, I turned my gaze away.
Through the lined-up knights, I saw the bound Hexion walking out.
Though his appearance hadn’t changed from before, suggesting no additional torture, his eyes looked much more devastated. Having announced I would personally execute him, he must be despairing, thinking he’s lost my trust.
‘I’m sorry, Hexion. I believe in you! It’s this damn system!’
I want to tell him to blame the system if he must blame something, but I can’t explain since I’d either be treated like a crazy person or have my words deleted entirely. I can only lament.
I gazed steadily at Hexion in the distance. He seemed unwilling to meet my eyes anymore, keeping his gaze lowered.
‘Ah… must even his face look so handsome when avoiding me.’
Facing the melancholic Hexion, my heart started racing inappropriately.
It was a moment that made me understand how the saying “beautiful men look best when crying” came to be.
“…Divine Master.”
“Ahem! Since everyone seems to be here, let’s begin.”
Though Kaint hasn’t come, he’s not the protagonist of this stage so ignoring his absence shouldn’t matter.
‘I’ll repay today’s humiliation someday after completing your route. Just you wait, you troublesome younger man.’
