How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 108.2: 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 (8)

Bishop, please get up.

Hmm.

Bishop opened his eyes slightly and looked around. Realizing it was only Johan, Bishop got up.

There are many eyes watching. Why did you come?

I came to deliver a message.

Bishop was already fully recovered. Lying in bed was to shake the citys public opinion even more.

Ha. . . Ha ha ha.

Bishop laughed lowly. At that time, he really thought he was going to die, but now he could only laugh about it.

God really loves me!

Who could have expected such a sudden change in the situation? Its said that when one door closes, another opens, but. . .

Even just lying here, he could hear the citizens shouting his name outside. He knew without having to go out. There was no one in the city cursing him now.

Brother!

Oh. Are you calling me brother again?

Speak freely. Its not a bad offer for a brother full of ambition.

Johan sneered, but Bishop didnt mind. With newfound ease, his mind was working again. In this situation, Johans cooperation was even more crucial.

I wont deny that there was a dispute between us, brother. But wasnt it trivial? We fought together against the demon that attacked the city.

To be exact, I fought alone.

. . .Look, brother. Wouldnt it be good to have a friendly bishop in the order? Do you want to see this Biagione lose his bishopric? Surely not, with the friendship we have built?

Biagione appealed to emotion, but Johan didnt bat an eye. Johan spoke coolly.

Get to the point, please.

With the citys opinion like this, no council member can attack this Biagione anymore. Even those who were attacking me are now silent and anxious. Even unlucky ones like Giordano. . .

. . .? Giordano was killed by the gargoyle.

What? Is that true? Divine punishment indeed!

Bishop, excited, suddenly coughed to cover his embarrassment. It was awkward to rejoice over a person being killed by a monster, even if they were sworn enemies.

Anyway, with the city calmed down, the order is next. They wont easily dismiss this Biagione now.

Thats exactly why I came. Someone from the order is coming. Perhaps an inspector or a judge.

!

Bishop was startled. He had thought they would come, but so soon?

Is that true?! Theres no time to waste. We must prepare immediately.

So what are you saying?

We need to align our stories, brother!

Biagiones plan was simple.

It was Johan who had captured the gargoyle. Bishop, who had been captured and dragged from the mansion, knew it well. From start to finish, it was as if Johan had captured it.

Bishops plan was almost a desperate struggle not to be outdone.

But saying that wouldnt be very saintly.

When the gargoyle tried to tear this Biagione apart, I blocked it with a cross. Why do you think it backed off?

Because of silver?

No! Say that at that moment, this Biagione performed a miracle. Brother, say that I performed a miracle and immobilized the gargoyle!

. . . . . .

Johan looked at Bishop with an unchanged expression. Before that solid, granite-like face, Bishop suddenly felt anxious and deflated.

. . .Brother. Give your answer.

Bishop pronounced the sacredness and bound the devil. . . lets say.

The corpse of the gargoyle was immediately burned. Fearing its resurrection, the people of the city poured oil and burned it, then scattered the ashes in the river.

Given the situation, it was possible to make such a claim as per the testimony of the person involved.

If I concede that much, what do I gain?

The order will unconditionally cooperate with anything related to the brother.

The things a bishop of the order could do were boundless.

He could send a priest to the fiefdom to the liking of the feudal lord, subtly secure the judicial authority of the temple for the lord, or even support in a fight from a justifiable perspective. . .

If one were more daring, it was even possible to blatantly scrape up gold. With the help of someone like Bishop Biagione, such lies could be told over a hundred times.

The problem was whether one could trust a greedy person like Bishop Biagione.

, , .

Johan might be scary now, but would that still be the case once hes far away?

Johan opened his mouth lightly without much thought.

Would you swear in the name of God?

Hmm. If that satisfies you, then I swear upon the honor of this Biagione.

?

Johan was puzzled. Something was off.

No. Not on Biagiones honor, but swear in the name of God.

Brother. One should not swear lightly in the name of God. . .

Biagione tried to change the subject slyly. Of course, Johan wasnt fooled.

It was astonishing.

That this more corrupt and greedy bishop had a firm belief and fear in God.

This was the power of faith.

Just as a ruthless mercenary who even kills children deep down fears the existence of God, people of this world could never escape the existence of God. It was the limit of thought and belief.

, , .

There is power in an oath, and breaking it brings a curse, but thats because one cares about that oath.

If one truly doesnt care about that oath, it has no effect whatsoever. Johan could do that.

Swear in the name of God.

. . .Please spare me that, brother. There might be situations where I unintentionally fail to fulfill it.

Even in such situations, one must do their best, thats why you take an oath. Do it. Unless you want me to go outside and tell everyone that the bishop cheated with a silver cross.

Johan was adamant. The bishop, trying to persuade multiple times, was exhausted and collapsed. Eventually, he swore in the name of God.

All right. Should I say that the bishop performed a miracle with the cross and killed the gargoyle?

Yes. . . No! No! What madness is that! Just say I bound it!

The bishop, about to agree thoughtlessly, was startled. Such a lie was unnecessary. It would have only aroused suspicion.