Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping? - Chapter 35
While the western and southern parts of the Holy City facing the coast were all under the Admiral’s influence, he said he didn’t directly govern any territory except for the southern castle.
I was moved when I heard that he doesn’t touch any of the taxes collected from citizens, using everything for the development of the respective regions.
He’s the epitome of a proper leader. They should have put him on the emperor’s throne instead of making him an admiral.
‘Perhaps because the war is over, it’s incredibly peaceful.’
When I went out to the balcony, I could see buildings lined up along the coast beyond the high city walls. The sight of white houses with blue roofs clustered together reminded me of a Mediterranean village I’d seen somewhere before.
‘At the temple, every day was filled with prayer, study, and healing time, but here I have nothing to do.’
While I might not miss the prayers and studies, healing people was quite fulfilling, so I wanted to treat residents if there were any who were unwell, but the Admiral opposed it.
‘Naturally occurring illnesses and injuries are burdens people must bear themselves. It wouldn’t be right to make them dependent on Shin Joo even for the things they should endure on their own.’
Though he says that, it seems he harbors strong resentment toward the temple’s approach of leaving me exposed to danger.
Thanks to that, my body gets to rest, but…
‘I can’t raise my reputation.’
Current Reputation: 100
Last time I reached 914, but the reputation reset before I could hit 1000. Since there are skills that can only be used with higher reputation, I’d like to build it up somewhat.
“Still, it’s a nice number since it’s an even hundred.”
“Does Shin Joo like numbers?”
I had been muttering to myself since I was alone when Kaint’s voice came from behind.
“Ah, Admiral.”
Kaint visited me every morning and evening to check on my condition. Usually, he would just greet me and leave, but this was the first time he showed interest in me.
“Yes, I love numbers. Especially round numbers are the best.”
That’s right. I love numbers. If someone were to ask why I chose liberal arts instead of sciences despite this, I’d have no answer, but anyway, that’s how it is.
Numbers are expressed only in exact values, and it’s impossible to over-interpret or undervalue them.
The reason I like games is also because my achievements and mistakes are expressed in clear numbers.
In reality, people’s feelings toward me might rise and fall depending on my actions and responses, but that’s not shown in numbers, right? It means it’s difficult to clearly judge the results of my actions.
However, in games, everything is expressed in numbers. Not just likability, but things like my reputation too.
There’s nothing more comforting than confirming the results of my actions through quantified numbers. It makes it easier to understand my position and plan my next moves.
For example, looking at Kaint’s affection level, knowing it’s 0 means I don’t feel particularly resentful when he puts up walls or just greets me and leaves abruptly. As long as he’s not outright rude, I can’t ask for more.
Thanks to this, unlike with Hexion, there were no restrictions placed on me for inappropriate behavior. I know when to maintain boundaries.
“What numbers do you like, Admiral?”
I pulled up my profile window and showed it to Kaint. He looked in the direction I was pointing at the empty air, then made a puzzled expression. His face seemed to ask what I was pointing at when there was nothing there.
As expected, the status window floating in the air isn’t visible to the target characters.
“…I’ve never particularly thought about having preferences for numbers.”
“Really?”
I thought he’d be interested in sciences since he’s so precise, but seems he’s not interested in numbers.
“Then, which number does Shin Joo like best?”
“Ten.”
I answered without hesitation. He seemed surprised, rolling his eyes sideways.
“May I ask why you prefer it?”
“One and zero are the smallest numbers, but when you put them together, they become the biggest number.”
“….”
“I find that appealing.”
From one to ten, or zero to nine.
When speaking of numbers, 1 and 0, which are the starting point and smallest numbers, become the largest number when placed together.
I’ve liked that aspect since I was young.
It seems to mean that even something very small and weak can achieve something greater when joined together.
“Ten, is it? I’ll remember that.”
Kaint answered thus, gave me a polite bow, and left the room.
I realized it wasn’t just small talk for building friendship when ten gifts arrived for me the next day.
***
I narrowed my eyes at the elaborate gift boxes placed in one corner of the room. They said they were gifts sent to me from the Holy City’s residents. Coincidentally, there were exactly ten.
‘It’s peculiar that they’re gifts from residents rather than from Kaint.’
I’m not sure if Kaint didn’t give me gifts because his affection level isn’t high enough, or if he thought I’d prefer gifts sent with sincerity from citizens since I’m the Divine Master.
‘At the temple, they ended up pocketing all the big and small gifts that believers sent to me.’
Perhaps because Kaint is of upright character, such things didn’t happen here. Indeed, it was just like the man who wouldn’t use even a penny of collected taxes for himself.
I called up the system window and examined the pile of gifts.
Item: Walnut Wood Comb A common hair comb. Has a small bird carved on the handle. Selling Price: 10G
Item: Butterfly Mask A butterfly mask with black lace. Won’t hide your identity even if it covers your face. Seems good for setting the mood at a masquerade. Selling Price: 80G
Item: Shell Necklace A necklace made by stringing together carefully dried seashells from the shore. Wearing it lets you feel the ocean’s atmosphere. Selling Price: 5G
“….”
While I don’t mean to disparage the gifts that residents worked hard to deliver, they don’t seem particularly helpful for progressing the game story.
I would keep even junk items if I could put them all in the inventory, but sadly, perhaps because I’m on Kaint’s route, I couldn’t use Hexion’s inventory.
There’s a physical limit to keeping all these items that follow the laws of physics in my room. Then there’s only one solution.
Would you like to transfer ownership of these items to [Kaint]? Yes / No
When I clicked ‘Yes,’ the door opened and servants entered.
“Divine Master, did you call for us?”
“Please move all these gifts to the Admiral’s room.”
“Understood.”
The servants quickly began gathering and carrying away the mountain of gifts without adding any commentary.
This will compensate for the living expenses I should pay while eating and sleeping here. Use them wisely, whether by selling them to supplement living costs or practicing love by distributing them to the socially vulnerable.
It’s definitely not because I’m afraid of the commission fees I’d have to pay if I sold them myself that I’m pawning them off on Kaint.
“Shin Joo.”
As soon as I sent the mental message, Kaint came rushing in. He must have been surprised when unfamiliar items suddenly appeared in his inventory.
“Welcome, Admiral.”
When I gave a light greeting, he approached me with his usual composed face and gave a polite bow.
His posture was exemplary enough to be included in textbooks. Despite being the highest military authority, who could be forgiven for being a bit haughty, his attitude was consistently elegant and dignified.
“Why are you sending me the gifts that citizens gave to you?”
“Because I can’t use them all anyway, since there are so many.”
“But they sent them hoping you would accept them.”
Judging by how exactly ten items were brought, it seems Kaint usually returns gifts but this time accepted them to match my favorite number.
If that’s the case, I should repay Kaint in my own way.
“You’re right, Admiral. They’re gifts sent to ‘the Divine Master'”
Not to Shin Joo-ah as an individual, but to the divine representative who will save the dying world. Therefore, rather than using them myself, returning them to society would be a more fitting behavior for the Divine Master.
Of course, the main reason was that my room would be unbearably cramped with things I couldn’t use, but for the sake of personal dignity and social justice, I should ignore that fact.
“As the Divine Master, I’d like these items to go to people who need them. I also want to repay your kindness.”
“Kindness?”
“The Admiral is taking care of me, aren’t you?”
Originally, the Admiral didn’t have a good relationship with the temple. More precisely, the temple kept him in check.
While the Holy City’s residents wouldn’t find it strange at all to worship both the Divine Master and revere a hero, to the temple people who wielded the slogan “you must come pray at the temple to receive salvation in this dying world” like a weapon, relying on the Divine Master’s authority, an uncontrollable national hero was nothing but a thorn in their side.
“You’ll face attacks from the temple because I’m staying here, won’t you? You’re also being harmed because of it. Though these things can’t fully repay you, I want to return the favor even a little.”
Though it was just a courtesy greeting, assuming he accepted because he could handle it, Kaint showed an excessively surprised expression.
“Shin Joo. I’m not protecting you expecting any compensation.”
“I know. It’s just…”
“However, if you wish to repay me…”
I was about to praise his selfless dedication when Kaint suddenly cut off his words and changed his attitude.
“Would you receive my siblings’ greetings?”
“What?”
Siblings?
