Chapter 1023: Cleanup (6)
‘Light Ki-Young must’ve made a huge impact.’
I was in the process of improving my image, but my first appearance to the public had to have left a strong impression.
It was only natural for people with a right mind to be wary of Light Ki-Young.
The continent was pro-Lee Ki-Young.
This was true for the Sacred Democratic Country, the Republic, Laios, and the Union of Others. I also had a connection with many influential people. Those within my domain felt comfortable and relaxed, but those watching from a few steps away were wary of me.
If Light Ki-Young were to awaken again, would the continent be able to handle it? The suspicion that started from a simple question led to another question.
Once it became out of control, I’d have to come up with a plan against it.
The transcendent beings on this continent were at my hands and feet, and they would not hesitate to sacrifice themselves for me.
The Sunset Swordsman, the archmage, and the Red Goddess of War were so obsessed with me that they couldn’t think straight. It was a fact that made many influential people keep an eye on me.
‘Looks like telling everyone to be quiet had back-fired. It’s understandable because they were told to keep quiet despite the chaos.’Investigating the incident right away would be the right thing to do; even if the Heretic Inquisitors weren’t the ones doing the investigation, we needed to go through the protocol, as there was obviously something wrong.
‘The decision was definitely strange in their eyes.’
If Light Ki-Young descended once again, the continent would surely be destroyed.
The fish of the Federation and the young ones probably felt that way.
They probably thought they needed to join forces in order to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Light Ki-Young was not the only reason. They thought they could no longer stand by and watch the continent being controlled by just one person.
If they were imagining the awakening of the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep inside me, then this situation would become even worse.
If the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep was really hiding inside the Saint of Light—no, if my current appearance was just a disguise…
I had no idea how they interpreted the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep, but I had a feeling they were treating it as if it were the dark version of myself. They saw me as the final villain who had enslaved the Sunset Swordsman using my excellent oratory skills and unique habit.
They were looking at me as someone strong enough to put Bahamut into an eternal slumber.
If they were assuming that the monarch was consolidating his power while waiting for the right time to strike, then it was only natural for them to be wary of me.
They believed that the monarch would use his powers and strike both the Federation and the Union first. I thought perhaps I was getting too ahead of myself by making that assumption, but I had a feeling that there was something bigger here—bigger than them being wary of a dictatorship due to the centralized system of the continent.
Of course, it wasn't like I was talking without any evidence here. My assumption was proven by the fact that the fish had spouted a bunch of nonsense and some people agreed with him.
“Then… we’ll hand over the Legendary item, Mithril Bow of the Lame Heretic Hunter, to the C&C Guild of the Federation,” I announced.
‘Of course, I might be wrong, so I need to confirm things first.’
“Please speak up if anyone has any objections,” I said.
“No objections here as long as the Union of Other Races is okay with it,” someone answered.
“What about you, Mr. Elias…” I asked.
“Yes, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. If we can have a bigger share of the monster’s corpse, it's fine. To be honest, no one knows how to handle it properly besides the dwarves…” Elias replied.
“If there are no other objections, we’ll hand over the Mithril Bow of the Lame Heretic Hunter to the C&C Guild,” I announced.
‘And that jerk Elias is so slow-witted. Stupid jerk.’
For some reason, Elias was supporting the Federation, and he was smiling with satisfaction as if he had nothing to do with this. I thought perhaps he made some kind of deal with the fish of the Federation, but he wasn't the type to do something like that.
‘I think he just wants to impress me.’
The Saint of Light was bothered by the fact that the Federation was being alienated, so he was trying to show that he was supporting me as the representative of the Union.
‘Wretched bastard. No matter what you do, I won’t let you have Hye-Jin, damn it.’
Of course, it wasn't like the Union was suffering any damages.
Since they had dwarf craftsmen, taking a high-ranking monster was more beneficial than taking an item.
The dwarves would be the ones working hard, but the dwarves enjoyed making things in the first place, so that was irrelevant.
Elias could help the marginalized group, improve his image, and help me, who was walking on thin ice because of the influential figures of the Sacred Democratic Country and the Republic. In his eyes, this was killing two birds with one stone.
“If there’s something you want, please tell me, Mr. Elias. The Bow of the Lame Heretic Hunter… is an item that ought to be returned to the Union of Others…” I told him.
“It’s fine, Father Lee Ki-Young. I appreciate the thought, but you don’t have to worry about me,” Elias answered.
“But—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted me.
I was annoyed by his warm smile. He’d probably tell Hye-Jin that the Union of Others suffered some losses for the future of the continent.
‘He hasn’t actually suffered any losses.’
“As I mentioned earlier, the Dagger of Chief Justice Calix… will be given to the Black Swan Guild,” I announced.
“Thank you, Father Lee Ki-Young,” Park Yeon-Joo said.
“I’m sorry I couldn't take better care of you, Miss Park Yeon-Joo,” I apologized.
“I appreciate the thought, Father,” she said.
The Black Swan Guild took four, the Red Mercenary Guild took five, and the Blue Guild took six. The other mid-sized guilds in Lindel took two items each.
Mist Summoner Cheon Kwan-Wi took three, and Sniper Yu Ran took two items.
Small guilds and parties either took one Legendary item or five Epic items. Jin Cheong, who was at the center of the Republic and was the representative of the Republic's guild and clans, took twenty-two items.
‘I’m sure he’ll distribute it as he sees fit.’
In addition, the representatives of the Republic took about three to six Legendary items. The Union of Others, who had provided dwarven supplies and had a decent performance, took over ten items.
“The next spellbook will be given to the Post Malone Guild,” I informed.
“Thank you.”
Things were going swimmingly. I took care of the Federation, and I had distributed the items pretty fairly.
However, I was about to face a problem.
“The Mythic items, Archbishop Draktaris’ Staff of Waiting and Templar Bahamut’s Shield of Sadness and Despair will be given to the Blue Guild,” I announced.
“...”
“And the Mythic item, Templar Simon’s Spider Web Dagger, will be given to the representative of the Republic. Templar Simon’s Spider Web Wire will be given to the Black Swan Guild,” I said.
“...”
“The Mythic item, Templar Gen’s Precious Rosario of Friendship and Respect, will be given to Rafael’s party,” I added.
“...”
“Templar Vulcamos’ Hammer of Despair will be given to the Red Mercenary Guild,” I said.
I couldn't give these items away.
[Archbishop Draktaris’ Staff of Waiting - Mythic]
[A staff used for eons by Archbishop Draktaris of the Underground Temple. The staff was in his hands every day, including during his prayers to Lucifer, Saint Altanus, and the Priest of Prophecy.
[The ordinary staff has been absorbing Draktaris' holy power, transforming it into a sacred and holy relic capable of wielding the power of those whom he respected and had faith in.]
[Increases the wielder's Holy Power by +20]
[Grants the wielder the Mythic skill: Draktaris' Priests.]
[Draktaris' Priests: Summons priests to fight for the wielder. Lasts for 1 Hour.]
[Priest of Prophecy… Priest of Prophecy… I'm waiting for you… I will be waiting until you find me.]
This staff would go to Hee-Young.
[Templar Bahamut’s Shield of Sadness and Despair - Mythic]
[The personal shield and secondary weapon of the Hero of the Distant Past, a Templar of the Underground Temple, the Crimson Prophet, and a demigod. The Hero of the Distant Past is a swordsman who rarely uses a shield.
[However, a shocking incident led him into losing his mind, and he abandoned all his weapons, turning his back on everything he had faith in. He abandoned his greatsword capable of killing a demigod and his helmet that could deflect any attack.
[For some reason, he did not abandon this shield. Perhaps the shield has a symbolic meaning, but the reason is ultimately unknown.]
[The shield will choose its master.]
[I couldn't protect him, but someday… someday…]
This shield would go to our Deok-Gu.
It was undeniable that the Archbishop Draktaris’ Staff of Waiting was an awesome staff.
In addition, the pig was definitely the best choice for the shield, as it would surely boost his strength. The problem was everyone else's reaction.
‘Nothing has changed compared to the situation earlier when the fish was talking a bunch of nonsense.’
A few Legendary items were given to the Federation, but there was a reason Mythic items were Mythic. If the wielder had good synergy with a Mythic item, Legendary-rank adventurers would get a taste of what it was like to be a transcendent.
If they wanted to face the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep, then it was natural for them to drool over this item.
‘So what? I’m giving this to our piggy.’
“If there are any other objections…”
“Well…”
It looked like they wanted to say something but they couldn’t say anything due to the atmosphere. I was sure they wanted a fair distribution of the items on their wishlist, but they couldn't tell me to distribute the Mythic fairly.
‘It’s because they did nothing, after all.’
“Just as I mentioned earlier, the item distribution is based on contribution to prevent any issues. I’ll ask again. If there are any objections—”
“Would it be okay if I said something?”
“Go ahead, Master Goodman,” I answered.
“I understand giving a Mythic item to the Red Mercenary Guild for participating in the Archbishop Draktaris’ raid and contributing a lot in the Templar Bahamut raid. I also understand giving one to the Black Swan Guild for spearheading the missions and fighting Templar Simon.
"I also understand giving one to Rafael’s party for discovering the dungeon and successfully luring Templar Bahamut. I also understand giving a Mythic item to Commander Jin Cheong of the Republic for leading the operation and the expedition group.
"Of course, I also understand giving an item to the Sunset Swordsman who played an important role in taking down Templar Bahamut,” Master Goodman said.
“Okay,” I said.
“I admit that the Sunset Swordsman's achievements are so outstanding that no one can be compared to him, but…” Master Goodman paused.
“Go on,” I said.
"The Bahamut raid would have been impossible if the other expedition teams hadn't helped us, Father Lee Ki-Young. In fact, the operation to lure Bahamut has thoroughly exhausted them. The success of that operation was all thanks to the sacrifice and effort of the other expedition members…” Master Goodman trailed off.
“Yes?”
“B-Basically… the Sunset wordsman has accomplished a lot of, but I think I-It's kind of unfair to use that as a reason to give him two Mythic—no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just… the Sunset Swordsman has already claimed Spirit Gelk’s Boots, and it was a Semi-Mythic item…” Master Goodman explained.
“Are you saying that the Sunset Swordsman’s performance isn’t worthy of two Mythic items?” I asked.
“That’s not… what I meant. However… I believe… it’s worth discussing it…” Master Goodman replied.
“There’s no need for that. I understand what you’re trying to say, Master Goodman. I thought about those things and concluded that giving him Spirit Belk’s Boots and a Mythic item is a good idea,” I explained.
“Then… the remaining…”
“Templar Bahamut’s Shield of Sadness and Despair is a reward for my achievements and contribution,” I told him.
I was sure no one would object, as everyone knew how much I had contributed as the Commander of the expedition and the Saint of Light. Some of the people here looked as if I had betrayed them.
‘They must’ve thought that I was going to give it away.’
I didn't even need to mention the fact that I had used the invitation to travel to the past. If my contributions were calculated as the overall commander of the expedition, I'd have more than just a Mythic item.
“As the honorary bishop of the continent, my mission is to watch over the peace and safety of the continent, but…” I paused briefly before continuing, “I’m also the Sub Guild Master of the Blue Guild."
I was being kind of greedy, but I had always been a selfless saint ready to sacrifice everything without receiving anything, so this was the first time I decided to claim what I deserved.