Episode 121

Ismail stammered for a while at my words.

‘What’s this? Is he embarrassed that someone younger than him is his sponsor?’

I tilted my head at his unexpected reaction.

Ismail quickly lowered his head as if trying to hide his flushed face.

Then, he muttered in a disgruntled voice.

“Well, you’re being sponsored too…”

If this were the modern era, I would have pointed out that I was being sponsored by a major corporation, making it a completely different case.

To be honest, with Ismail’s abilities, it seemed a bit of a waste for him to be backed by a small business—no, a mere sole proprietor like me.

‘But what can I do? It’s still better than the original story where he had nothing.’

In the original, before it was revealed that he was the Pope’s hidden adopted son, there was no mention of his childhood.

But even without seeing it, I could clearly imagine it.

He must have spent his entire life pretending to be mute, hiding from scumbags like Dunkeski and Magnus.

“…Still, I’ll earn a lot of money and make sure to pay you back.”

As I was picturing the tragic life Ismail would have endured if the story had followed the original plot,

a small voice suddenly reached my ears.

“I’m smart, so I’ll definitely succeed and become a great person.”

“……”

“When that time comes, don’t try to stop me.”

Ismail murmured as if making a pledge to himself.

Even though he was just an eight-year-old child saying he was smart, it didn’t sound funny at all.

Because, just as he said—he would eventually become the Pope.

“Mm.”

Since he was determined to repay my kindness in the future, there was no reason for me to refuse.

“You’ll definitely become a great person!”

I nodded in agreement with his words.

And I thought to myself—

‘So please, just this once, don’t go making public declarations about supporting Diana or anything like that.’

Ismail stared at me with wavering eyes for a while.

Then, as if snapping back to reality, he lowered his gaze and asked,

“…So, what happened? Did you catch that man?”

“Logan?”

“Yeah.”

The redness in his face had faded, replaced by a serious expression.

“That man kept saying weird things to the headmaster. Something about material supplies… That means kids like us, doesn’t it?”

As expected, those bastards must have assumed he was mute and ignored him, speaking freely in front of him.

He relayed everything he had heard to me without missing a single detail.

Since I had already witnessed Logan’s crimes firsthand, there wasn’t much new information.

“…Then that man suggested using you for something.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. He didn’t say exactly what he wanted to use you for, though…”

Hearing Ismail’s words, Logan’s earlier outburst suddenly echoed in my mind.

“I was going to offer you specially as a sacrifice to Lord Ursis, but that won’t do. Instead, if I present your heart to the goddess while you’re still alive, surely she will recognize my loyalty.”

It was highly likely that the “materials” Ismail had heard about and the “sacrifices” I had heard about had similar meanings.

Children like us—blessed ones with special abilities.

‘What exactly do they plan to do with those stolen abilities?’

I had no idea either.

Still, the one fortunate thing was that Logan had been captured alive.

‘Once the Duke interrogates him, he’ll probably spill something.’

What exactly is Ursis? Who are the remaining remnants? What were they really trying to do…?

‘I’d also like to know if Diana is truly involved.’

I wanted to believe the chances were slim.

But what if the heroine of this novel was actually a heretic?

What was I supposed to do then?

“…You’re okay, right, Belze?”

As I let out a deep sigh, already feeling weighed down, Ismail asked worriedly.

“Yeah, don’t worry!”

An adult shouldn’t show their struggles in front of a child.

I quickly put on a brave face to ease his concerns.

“Edwin and the Duke caught him!”

“Edwin? You mean… the young duke? The one I saw last time?”

“Yeah!”

But for some reason, Ismail’s expression remained unsettled.

“We’ll catch the others soon too! Even Magnus, that awful guy!”

“…I see.”

Only after I hurriedly added that did Ismail finally nod.

“But… what do you want to do?”

“What?”

He looked at me, confused.

I reached out my hand toward him.

“Do you want to come with me?”

His eyes widened in surprise.

“…To Duke Kallios’s estate?”

“Yeah.”

Since I had already decided to sponsor him, I couldn’t just leave him here.

But for some reason, he eyed me with suspicion.

“…Did you get permission from the Duke?”

“No?”

“Hah.”

At my confident response, Ismail let out a dry chuckle.

I flinched at his reaction.

‘But I left in a hurry earlier, I didn’t have a choice…’

There hadn’t been time to ask the Duke for permission.

Still, from Ismail’s perspective, showing up at a noble’s house without permission must have seemed ridiculous.

I hesitated and mumbled,

“But… if I tell him you’re my friend, he’ll be fine with it! You’ll only stay for a little while, and once I find you a new home, you can move in!”

Now that I said it out loud, it actually sounded quite reasonable.

Even though I hadn’t asked for permission, once the Duke heard the situation, he would surely allow it.

‘And once I open the Belze Trading Company, he could just live in that building, right?’

Technically, it was Crown Prince property, but he wouldn’t micromanage how I used it.

The plan was perfect.

But for some reason, Ismail shook his head.

“I… I’m just going to stay at the orphanage.”

“You’re… staying at the orphanage?!”

I had expected him to jump at the chance to leave this wretched place.

His unexpected answer left me momentarily stunned.

“Why?”

“Well, the headmistress is gone anyway… And now that people know I have a sponsor, they won’t mess with me.”

“But… but it’s still dangerous! What if Dunkeski or Magnus comes back?!”

At my words, Ismail suddenly scoffed.

“Do you think leaving the orphanage would stop them from coming after me?”

“…”

I had no response.

He was right.

Even Duke Kallios’s estate had spies infiltrating it.

There was no such thing as a completely safe place.

And now that they knew Ismail hadn’t lost his powers, he’d be an even bigger target.

“I’m going to stay here and find out who’s hiding in the shadows. I’ll uncover what they’re planning to do with the blessed children.”

Ismail’s voice was firm.

For a moment, I was left speechless by his determination—completely unbefitting an eight-year-old.

‘…A male lead candidate is still a male lead candidate, huh?’

Even after barely surviving a dangerous situation, he still had the resolve to fight back.

Just like Edwin, the key male characters all had something exceptional about them.

I suddenly felt both admiration and envy for Diana, the heroine who had captured the hearts of these men.

“…Then I’ll help too!”

I snapped back to reality and shouted.

After all, rooting out and eliminating these enemies was part of my destiny too.

To be honest, having Ismail stay at the temple and assist me was actually a huge advantage.

Like Logan, I now had my own spy inside the temple.

“What should we do first? Should I ask the Pope if he can help?”

Excited, I asked eagerly, but Ismail frowned slightly.

“…Do you trust the Pope?”

“Yeah! He’s a good person!”

“…You’re so naive.”

He shot me a sharp look, as if scolding me.

‘Am I really getting lectured by an eight-year-old…?’

I felt oddly insulted.

“I’ll find out myself whether the Pope is involved with them or not. So, for now, don’t come to the temple.”

“Why? Why?”

“It’s better if you don’t draw attention. As long as we act like clueless kids, they won’t think too much of us. But the moment we start poking around, they’ll try to eliminate us.”

His explanation was so logical and to the point that I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“…Wow.”

“What’s with that reaction?”

“Ismail, you’re… really mature.”

“…You keep forgetting, but I’m three years older than you.”

He pouted at my admiration, but the faint smirk tugging at his lips showed he didn’t mind the compliment.

“Anyway, just be careful for now. Got it?”

“Yeah!”

I nodded obediently, then tilted my head.

“But then… when can I come visit?”

“When I say it’s okay.”

“How will I know?”

“You can just send a letter.”

“Got it!”

Clenching my fists, I declared,

“If I can’t visit, I’ll write to you every single day!”

For some reason, Ismail suddenly looked flustered.

After stammering for a moment, he managed to say,

“E-Every day isn’t necessary…”

“Then, every other day?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

With a short sigh, he gave up.

But oddly enough, his face was turning red again, just like before.

‘Is writing letters that embarrassing for him?’

Once again, I tilted my head in confusion.

* * *

After bidding farewell to Ismail, I finally left the orphanage to head back.

Just as I was about to climb into the carriage waiting at the entrance—

Suddenly, with a loud bang, the carriage door swung open, and a dark figure loomed over me.

“So, you borrowed money from me just to rush off somewhere….”

“…….”

“You came all the way here just to see that guy?”