Chapter 973: Alta.n.u.s (10)
“Then I’ll take that as a yes, Guardian Metel,” I said.
‘She still hasn’t come to her senses.’
“...”
“...”
“First of all, give me some time to organize the formulas necessary to create the program"s foundation. As I mentioned earlier, you won’t have a lot of time to learn them. I don’t think I’ll have much time to spend with you,” I told her.
“What? How am I supposed to do this alone…” Metel muttered.
“I think my role is to lay the foundation,” I answered.
“Didn’t you say you would spend time with me?” Metel asked.
“I’ll guide you in the overall direction, but I won’t explain every single detail to you. I told you, didn’t I? I have things to do as well. I was serious when I asked you to be my hands and feet,” I reminded her.
“...”
“...”
“What… do I need to do?” Metel asked.
There was a lot to do. First of all, she had to inform me of her connections by submitting a report about it. Then, she"d explore the Underground Temple in my place.
‘I don’t have enough time.’
At first, I was worried about spending too much time here, but now, I was worried about not having enough time here, as I had many things to do.
I had to keep delivering information about the dungeon to the future, and I had to ensure that Benigoa would become holy. Not only did I have to take control of this social gathering and prepare the foundation to drag Saint Alta.n.u.s down, but I also had to find a way to weaken the power of the Templars.
Moreover, I had just received a mission to train the Rift Guardians, so I was overloaded with work.
Of course, the foundation for bringing Saint Alta.n.u.s down was already prepared. Some of the awakened priests, including Father Draktaris, were already on the move.
Since the rock had already been thrown into the pond, there was no stopping the ripples. Once the social gathering was over, they’d gather and come up with a solution. After Alta.n.u.s’ downfall, they would then decide their own path.
‘For now, I just need to ruin the Templars and Father Draktaris’ relations.h.i.+p.’
It was still in progress. Actually, it was highly likely that it’d happen on its own without me getting involved. Draktaris had attempted to kill Templar Genny, so he obviously wasn’t very fond of the Templars.
Based on the situation, I wasn"t expecting a coup, but it was undeniable that he was trying his best to maintain this delicate power balance in the Underground Temple. I saw that clearly during the social gathering.
‘Did I do something wrong… or am I missing something?’
A few things were making me nervous. First of all…
‘It’s strange that they still haven"t defeated Draktaris.’
I was worried that I was giving Draktaris more power than he actually needed.
The prayer room was big, and if they were raiding at a steady pace, it would take them some time to clear it.
However, the fact that it was taking this long made me think of the possibility that he was getting stronger because of me and the possibility that he was growing stronger even now.
When I thought about the complex power structure within the underground world, it was possible that the Templars weren"t the only ones he was wary of. It was inevitable that others would grow weaker once he grew stronger, but the fact that there might be casualties in the raid made me feel like I was having a headache.
‘Is there a way to recruit Draktaris as an allied NPC?’
It was a bad decision.
Regardless of whether it was possible or not, it was worth a try. If I could make Draktaris even more hostile against the Templars and make him feel like getting rid of them was his long-cherished wish, his soul could end up helping the expedition group.
“I’m going to go take care of some work,” I told her.
“Wait. Come to think of it…” Metel paused.
The gathering was still in progress, but it wasn’t the right time to go back.
The first place I visited was the place where Atentas were located.
‘I need to talk to Benigoa again.’
“h.e.l.lo,” I greeted.
“h.e.l.lo, Father. How can I help you?” an Atenta asked.
“I’m looking for an Atenta with brown hair and freckles on her nose. She’s the cute… and… beautiful… Benigoa…” I answered.
“Ah!”
Then, I saw them whispering amongst themselves. I wasn’t sure whether Benigoa had already told them about the recent incident, but their gazes toward me weren"t friendly at all.
‘Looks like the rumor has already spread.’
“I’m sorry, but the Atenta you’re looking for is currently busy with other work…” the Atenta informed me.
“It’ll only be for a moment,” I begged.
I was sure Benigoa had already told them not to tell me her location.
“I- I’m not sure. I’ll try talking to her, but—”
“Can you tell her that I’ll be waiting in the library?” I requested.
“What?”
“Tell her that I’ll be staying in the library and will wait for her until she comes,” I told her.
It was so cliched. A man with a pure heart waiting in one place until the arrival of a certain someone. Honestly, I was certain that this was going to work. Rather than saying that she"d come to me because she genuinely wanted to have a conversation with me, it was highly likely that she’d come, as she found the situation to be quite enjoyable.
‘She"s a drama queen.’
I didn’t want to acknowledge it, but Benigoa and I had some similarities.
‘I understand that feeling, too.’
I could understand what she was going through.
A priest from aboveground was waiting for her in the middle of the night.
Of course, there was a small misunderstanding, but everything was a test so that our relations.h.i.+p could take one step forward. We were also going to talk about the misunderstanding in the place where we first met—the library.
Drama queens would always appear on stage before thinking about whether they wanted to appear or not. Upon hearing the news, she wouldn"t be able to resist coming here. If I were Benigoa…
‘I would go regardless of the result.’
“Please let her know,” I begged.
I obviously looked sad. The Atentas here would deliver the current situation to Benigoa, so it was right to show them a face full of regret. Even the way I dragged myself out of there was perfect.
I headed slowly to the place where Benigoa and I first met.
‘I need to deliver a quest, anyway.’
I also need to check in to see if the expedition group was doing well right now.
Once I was done, I would then act like I had been desperately waiting for Benigoa. I"d either bite my fingernails to show anxiety or pace around in one place, as people would usually do that to vent out their anxiety.
As expected, I saw Benigoa peeping at me nearby.
The smile tugging at her lips told me that she was satisfied with the current situation. This was kind of different, but it was like I was looking at Ji-Hye noona when she and I were pretending to be Lee Ji-Hoo and Lee Ki-Yeon.
‘Hurry up.’
Perhaps she wanted to see me become more anxious, but it took her a while to appear.
The drama queen wriggled her fingers while walking up to me and staring at me with a sad gaze.
“Miss Benigoa!” I greeted.
“W-What do you think you’re doing, Father?” Benigoa questioned.
“...”
“Did you think calling me out here would resolve anything?” Benigoa asked.
“...”
“I have my own circ.u.mstances as well. I have work to take care of as an Atenta… and my own problems… D-Don’t you think it’s really rude… to thoughtlessly… ask my co-workers to deliver a message to me?” Benigoa complained.
“It’s nothing like that, Miss Benigoa,” I told her.
“Hmph. There you go again with that smooth talk… The more I see you, the more disappointed… I… get—”
I took a huge step forward, and Benigoa couldn"t finish her sentence. She looked shocked, clearly not expecting me to do something like this. I took another step forward, and she revealed an expectant look.
‘No, it’s nothing like that.’
“Suddenly approaching me like this is…” Benigoa mumbled.
“Miss Benigoa, I swear to the G.o.ddess that my feelings are still the same as the first time we met,” I told her.
I grabbed Benigoa’s hand and placed it on my chest, allowing her to feel my pounding heart. Benigoa looked pretty satisfied upon feeling my pounding heart, but her expression remained slightly cold to ensure that I wouldn"t notice her satisfaction.
“W-What about… Miss Metel…” Benigoa asked.
“All I see is you, Miss Benigoa,” I told her.
“Even if you tell me that…”
It honestly wasn’t a romantic feeling because my heart wasn"t actually racing, nor did I feel nervous around her.
‘This is pretty strange as well.’
To be exact, it was like we were playing.
Just like whenever Ji-Hye noona and I were acting, I would create a situation and act out the character that was suitable for me.
It wouldn’t be strange if I were the only person who thought that way, but Benigoa seemed to be thinking the same thing as me. Actually, I was pretty certain that it was the case, and she probably thought that she was the one leading this play.
‘It’s probably because we’re both drama queens…’
But I had to think if I was doing something wrong or if I was missing something.
“I just thought of something I needed to do, Father. I-I’ll be going now!” Benigoa shouted.
“...”
“Also…” Benigoa trailed off. Then, Benigoa kissed my cheek while making sure to generate a kissing sound “I fully understand how you feel, Father,” Benigoa said before running out of the library.
‘I feel uncomfortable for some reason…’
I felt really uncomfortable, and it was because of Benigoa’s sudden kiss.
‘Draktaris… the raid…’
"No, don"t suddenly think about Draktaris. Think back to the beginning about Benigoa."
“Why did Benigoa pretend like she doesn"t know me?”
Why was that? She definitely didn’t lose her memories. I knew she didn’t like talking about her life as a human, but I had a feeling that wasn’t the case at all. When I looked at the current Benigoa, it felt like she had never really lived her life as a human…
‘Is that Atenta not Benigoa? Was I wrong?’
Many thoughts came into my mind. The things Benigoa had said to me up until now and her att.i.tude played in my head as if they were cross-cut.
How did Metel react when she saw Benigoa?
“That woman… just now…”
“It looks like there was some kind of misunderstanding. You don’t have to worry about what she said,” I told her.
“It’s not that…”
What was Metel trying to say before looking at the G.o.ddess’ Hand Mirror?
"At the entrance of the Underground Temple, why was Benigoa’s—"
It was so obvious. I already knew the answer, but I hadn"t been able to think about it for some reason.
"Yeah, it"s like a part of my memories were erased because it’s something I don’t want to even think about.’
It felt like I was preventing myself from knowing the answer.
And as if I had been waiting for it, I heard Metel’s voice.
“Did you have a good time with Saint Alta.n.u.s?” asked Metel.