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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“How much time has passed?”
“Huh? About five minutes…?”
The flow of time seemed to be different.
I had spent over a day in ‘Original Body’s Memory’, but in reality, we were still waiting to meet the Pope.
“What? Were you asleep?”
“Yes…”
“Must have been a nightmare, huh?”
“…”
Erica said mockingly.
I had been staring blankly into space and then suddenly asked how much time had passed, so it was understandable that she found it amusing.
But I couldn’t afford to show any weakness in front of the others.
It might give the impression that I was unfit to lead them in war.
“Yes, it was a nightmare.”
It couldn’t have been anything but a nightmare.
I had been overwhelmed by an inexplicable despair, reliving the experience of losing my sight and hearing for over a day.
Even now, a lingering sense of melancholy remained, making me feel inexplicably… shitty.
“Do you usually sleep with your eyes open…?”
“Don’t worry. This will never happen during battle.”
“No, that’s not what I… I was just worried…”
“I’m saying you don’t need to worry.”
“Jeez, you’re such a jerk.”
Erica turned away, offended.
Thanks to her, I was able to regain my composure but I still couldn’t turn my head.
I couldn’t look at Iris, I had no idea what to say to her.
But I had to say something.
I was Schlus now.
There were things I had to say to Iris.
As I was about to speak, the door burst open and the Cardinal entered.
“I’m so sorry. His Holiness has had a sudden change of plans…”
“We informed you of our arrival a day in advance.”
“I’m sorry, Schlus. There’s nothing I could do…”
The Cardinal shook his head, his expression apologetic.
I could guess what had happened.
The Pope didn’t have a sudden change of plans.
He had simply refused to meet with me, out of caprice or perhaps for political reasons.
Well, he probably wasn’t that politically savvy.
He was probably just in a bad mood and throwing a tantrum.
In essence, it was a message.
‘Why didn’t you come to me first before causing trouble, you foolish commoner?’
“Ha… I understand. It was nice seeing you again.”
“Ah, yes.”
I shook the Cardinal’s hand.
He might not be Iris, but he was still Schlus’s benefactor.
He had willingly lent him his name to help him escape from the Kingdom army.
“Did you encounter any problems because of the last name you gave me?”
“Hahaha, I became a Cardinal before you became famous. There are still rumors circulating within the cathedral about me having an illegitimate child, but I punish those who spread them severely, so they never spread beyond these walls. Hahahaha.”
“…”
Ah, so power solved everything.
As long as he didn’t run for Pope, it wouldn’t significantly damage his reputation.
It seemed there was no need to worry about using someone else’s name.
“Schlus, there’s something I… it’s a difficult question to ask…”
“Please, ask away. You have the right.”
“Huu… Did you really never find your mother?”
“…”
I had no answer, I could only remain silent.
“Don’t misunderstand. If it’s what I think it is…”
“It’s not like that.”
I didn’t like the Cardinal’s pitying gaze.
I had been speechless because he was talking about something I didn’t know, and now he was treating me like the most pitiful person in the world.
I didn’t know Schlus’s circumstances, but I couldn’t just stand there in silence.
“She’s alive. She’s definitely alive, somewhere. Don’t say such things.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
“It’s alright.”
I didn’t know for sure, but I believed Schlus’s mother was alive.
He had to believe that.
His father had died in the war, and he was wandering around, broken and penniless.
It would be too cruel if he had lost his last remaining family.
I had another person to find, besides Ms. Mary’s son.
Of course, I wasn’t planning on becoming some kind of filial son and taking care of Schlus’s mother.
I would simply fulfill my duty as a son.
It was the least I could do after taking over Schlus’s body without his permission.
“Wow, the Pope is unbelievable. We even sent a message beforehand, and now he suddenly cancels…”
“Ainz, you shouldn’t talk like that inside a cathedral…”
“I know, I know, Erica. Why are you getting all worked up when the Saintess is staying quiet?”
“Can’t I point out blasphemy just because I’m not devout?”
“Well, at least…”
“The three of you can head back to the inn.”
“…?”
I interrupted their bickering before it escalated.
They were exhausting to watch and I needed to talk to Iris alone.
“Why? What’s going on, buddy?”
“Iris and I have something to see inside the cathedral.”
“Can’t we come along…?”
“Ah! Yes! Go ahead! We’ll be at the inn!”
“Erica! Why are you pulling my hair! Aaaagh!”
Erica, after reading my expression, dragged Ainz out of the room by his hair.
She was surprisingly perceptive at times.
It was much better than Ainz’s constant obliviousness.
Trie glanced at us hesitantly, then turned to leave.
“I, I’ll… wait outside.”
“Alright. Thanks, Trie.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
I patted Trie’s shoulder.
She smiled and left.
It seemed she took her role as my bodyguard very seriously.
I was grateful for her presence.
Though it felt awkward being called “Teacher” when I had taught her nothing.
We were now alone in the vast hallway of the cathedral, just Iris and me.
As we started walking, Iris followed close behind.
“You said there’s something we need to see inside? Hmm… I wonder what it could be. I’m intrigued.”
“I guess your foresight couldn’t see this?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“You’ll like it. A lot.”
“Hehe… I hope so.”
I noticed how beautiful her smile was.
Not her usual, artificial smile but her genuine, unrestrained laughter, like now.
Perhaps it was because of its rarity.
Trie smiled so easily that it wasn’t as… captivating.
Rarity must be the key factor.
“Iris, I remember.”
“Remember what?”
“The person who restored my sight and hearing. I just remembered who it was.”
“Hehehe… That’s great! Who was it?”
“…”
Iris, with that artificial smile again, leaned towards me.
I turned away, feeling a little flustered.
It wasn’t because I was embarrassed.
“Ah, your ears are red.”
“You held my hand… What were you trying to do?”
“Oh, that? It was just a prank.”
A prank.
‘What a joke,’
I was about to say when—
“Do you remember when our sleeves brushed in the training room? Your eyes were strange, Schlus. Like you were seeing something… otherworldly. Or maybe you were remembering something… And then there was the time you kissed my hand… You might not have realized it, but you froze for a long time. So I came to a conclusion. You remember something whenever we make physical contact. And the more similar the contact is to something from your past, the clearer the memory. So… you understand, right? I was simply trying to recreate the exact situation. Though I didn’t expect you to completely lose yourself in your memories like that.”
“Ah…”
“I’m sorry for triggering that memory. And for making it so vivid, especially after you said it was a nightmare. I’m really sorry…”
“Iris, thank you. It’s late, but thank you.”
“…?”
“I’m a cunning bastard who forgets his debts. I’m sorry for remembering so late. And thank you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for opening my eyes and ears…”
“Pfft… Ahahaha…!”
In the middle of a serious conversation, Iris burst into laughter.
The cavernous space filled with her laughter.
Genuine, unrestrained laughter, a sound I had never heard from Iris before.
I was initially annoyed, but the feeling quickly faded.
Her laughter was contagious.
“Ah… I laughed too hard… Hehehe… You haven’t remembered everything yet, have you? You already thanked me profusely. You even knelt down and kissed my hand.”
“…”
I suddenly remembered.
When I kissed Iris’s hand, triggered by ‘Original Body’s Memory’, what I had said to her—
– Thank you for restoring my hearing…
– I will never forget this debt.
– I will definitely save you next time.
That was my expression of gratitude to Iris, now the puzzle pieces were falling into place.
“Consider it a two-for-one deal, since you’re so grateful.”
“Hehehe… Does that mean I can make you forget and receive your gratitude again? Infinitely. Eternally.”
“I won’t forget again. I won’t.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
“I won’t forget until I repay this debt.”
“Oh my, I never knew you were capable of such noble thoughts.”
“…”
Iris, with her artificial smile again, stood on tiptoe and patted my head.
It seemed she had finally realized how foolish I was.
I wasn’t just a fool.
I was an idiot, unable to even understand the personality of a character I had created.
No matter how blunt or antagonistic she might seem, Iris was always kind.
I had been shadowboxing, treating Iris as an imaginary enemy.
Now I was certain.
Iris was on my side, on Schlus’s side.
She always had been, and she always would be.
I didn’t need to be wary of her anymore, I could trust Iris completely.
“Huu… Our friends are probably waiting. Shall we go now?”
“Go where? I haven’t shown you what I wanted to show you yet, Iris.”
“Huh? Wasn’t that just an excuse to get me alone?”
“Have you ever seen me make empty promises? Just follow me.”
“…?”
I led Iris deeper into the cathedral.
It was my first time here, but the layout felt strangely familiar.
Sophia Cathedral was a building that I had loved.
I went so far as to create a 3D model of its architectural design.
The memories came flooding back, and I could navigate the cathedral’s labyrinthine structure with ease.
We descended a series of staircases, arriving at a dead end.
“Sch-Schlus, are we allowed to be here?”
“It’s fine. This place is open to all believers of Aegis.”
I pushed the door open with both hands.
It creaked open, revealing a vast chamber.
The ceiling was a dome, a hole at its apex letting in a shaft of sunlight that illuminated the altar.
A statue of Aegis, the God of the Sword.
Before it, a small figure was kneeling, their head bowed.
“Could it be…”
Iris’s voice trembled.
It seemed she had recognized the figure from their silhouette alone.
As Iris had guessed,
The hermit known as the Great Sage.
The Majin who had been bestowed the title of Sage by the Pope.
Tirpitz.
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Iris the GOAT