Chapter 99: Best Supp Actor, Please

  "Exactly," Alex replied, pretending to be very "straightforward" as he o the round-faced bishop's inquiry.

  "During the ret mission, by a stroke of luck, I ended up fighting two mages. The magic they wielded left a profound impression on me. I believe that in order to effectively ter magiust first uand its principles. So, I do io study magic..."

  "I see."

  Before Alex could finish, the round-faced bishop interrupted him, his smile growing even wider. Beside him, the thin bishop frowned, showing a hint of dissatisfaeanwhile, Archbishop Carl remained with his eyes half-closed, as if he were dozing off.

  "I've heard from Stohat you possess a deep uanding of the power of the Holy Light, and you skillfully wield it. Now, are you saying that you believe magic to be superior to the Holy Light?"

  "That's not what I meant, Yrace," Alex responded with a slight shift in expression, as if he were flustered.

  "I simply believe that both the Holy Light and magic have their strengths in different fields. If I could learn both..."

  "I uand what you're saying."

  The thin bishop began to speak, but before he could tihe round-faced bishop cut in once more, still wearing his jovial smile.

  "It's rare to see someoh susight. Indeed, both magid the Holy Light are part of the forces of order. I think your idea is excellent. In fact, I personally agree to your request, and I'll ensure you gairy into the Tower of the Sky to study magic. Would you like that?"

  "Thank you, Yrace!"

  This time, Alex showed genuine delight, hurriedly expressing his gratitude. Meanwhile, the thin bishop g Alex with the expression of a poli watg a victim fall for a scam, letting out a resigned sigh.

  "Any thoughts from the two of you?"

  The round-faced bishop, now beaming even more, turo Archbishop Carl and the thin bishop. The thin bishop frowned, as if he wao say something. Unfortunately, at that moment, Archbishop Carl seemed to have awoken. He quietly gazed at Alex for a moment befiving a slight nod.

  "Since he agrees, I have no objes."

  "her do I."

  Perhaps after being interrupted multiple times, the thin bishop had lost i. He shook his head, gave Alex a gnce, and then nodded in agreement.

  "Then it's settled."

  After receiving firmation from the other two, the round-faced bishop turo Alex with a cheerful grin once again.

  "The cil has approved your request. vely, the iigative mages from the Tower of the Sky are here, and they will take you to the tower to begin your studies. As for the spirit crystals you requested, we will prepare them as well. You may leave now."

  "Thank you, Yrace."

  Alex, now wearing aed" smile, respectfully bowed to the three of them before turning to leave. As soon as he stepped out of the hall, he couldn't hold back his excitement, g his fist in triumph.

  Success!

  Though the round-faced bishop's smile seemed kind and amicable, Alex wasn't na?ve. After years in ma, he was more than familiar with the ws of people's minds.

  In any anizatio a pany or a fa, what is most valued in a subordinate?

  Ability and loyalty!

  While ability be scarce, loyalty is what any anization values above all else. Loyalty doesn't just meaion to a single person; it's about sharing the same values, is, and goals as the anization. This is the foundation of any enduring loyalty, whether for a small group or a rge nation.

  On the surface, the round-faced bishop wasn't wrong. The sanctuary serves as the protector of order, and both the Holy Light and magic are parts of that order. So, whether you study Holy Light ic, it's all in service to the same cause, right?

  But that's just the kind ument you use to fool a child.

  If there's no real difference, why haven't the Temple of ption and the Tower of the Sky merged by now? From what Alex had seen, it was a miracle the sanctuary and the tower hadn't fought each other to the death.

  Alex kly why the round-faced bishop had made that offer. By agreeing to his terms, Alex would essentially be barring himself from ever rising within the sanctuary!

  In simple terms, Alex, as an employee, didn't align with the sanctuary's corporate culture and cked a sense of belonging to the group. He also held views that cshed with those of his superiors. It's like if a pany decided to pour all its resources into creating the big FPS sequel, but you, the employee, argued that FPS games were doomed and they should develop an RTS instead. Which manager would value su employee? You'd be luot to get fired at the first opportunity.

  In accepting this reward, Alex was cleverly being pushed aside.

  As for the Tower of the Sky, they might be highly atteo Alex at first, but Alex khey wouldn't trust him much either. After all, he was a member of the sanctuary, and likely the only knight from there learning magic. That identity alone ensured he wouldn't be able to rise within the ranks of the mages.

  For someone else, the round-faced bishop's scheme would have been a vicious one, ensuring they'd never make it to the top. But for Alex, it erfect!

  I love you, man! You're like an Oscar-winning supp actor!

  Though it might seem like Alex, as a feter, would be disliked by both sides, the truth is, feters are despised because they are weak. But once a feter bees a t tree, the issue of being despised no longer exists.

  Alex didn't want to get too close to the sanctuary, nor did he want to be tied too closely to the Tower of the Sky. His position as a double agent was ideal. If things went south, he could easily abandon both sides and would feel no guilt about opposing them. After all, "don't hit a smiling face"—when people treat you well, it's hard not to reciprocate.

  Of course, Alex khat his so-called fiefdom was out of the question now. The sanctuary wouldn't hand over nd to a knight going off to study magic. What if those mages took it over? But that was fine. He hadn't pnned on managing that nd anyway. He was still waiting to dive into other "dungeons" and might be gone for weeks or months at a time. Who had time to handle fiefdom affairs? Extended absences would also raise suspi. It was better to stay free, so if he disappeared for a while, it could easily be expined.

  Just then, a voice broke the silence.

  "Is this the decision you've made?"

  Hearing the voice, Alex stopped and turoward it. From the shadows, Archbishop Carl emerged, watg him ily.

  "Archbishop Carl."

  Alex wasn't surprised by Carl's appearance. During the fight with the six-armed demon, Alex had used several different powers, and Carl had surely been nearby. If Bel, the demon, had sensed Alex's aura, then Carl must have noticed it too.

  "You've chosen to leave the sanctuary. you tell me why?"

  Clearly, Alex wasn't the only sharp one—Carl wasn't her.

  "I'm just an ordinary person."

  Alex sighed at the questioing the archbishop's deep gaze.

  "To be ho, I don't have the resolve of someone like the grand padins or Malt. During that battle, more than half of the meraries who went with me died. I know they were pensated, but… I'm not good at leading others to their deaths."

  "Every man must have the ce to face his responsibilities."

  "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this world is too big, and my hands are too small. Just proteg the people I know has takehing I've got."

  "You are still young."

  The archbishop paused, refleg on Alex's response.

  "Very well. Stubbornness and independence are the privileges of youth. Sometimes, running away isn't cowardice. At least you uand the weight of responsibility. That's better than those who dream blissfully, ignorant of what it means. I only ask ohing: stand with order and never bow to chaos."

  "...I'll do my best."

  "Good."

  Satisfied with Alex's respohe archbishop hen turned and disappeared bato the shadows.

  "Don't worry about the Tower of the Sky. I'll have an old friend look after you... grow strong, child."

  (End of the chapter)

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