## Chapter 721 – Paladin Kim Kat

I explained the situation to the Saintess in as much detail as possible.

The unidentified monster the Holy Knight was pursuing had escaped. However, his death was confirmed, his belongings were recovered, and those involved were dealt with according to due process. The Manticore was also slaughtered.

“…As expected, the world is rife with corruption.”

ㅡHoo.

The Saintess listened to my explanation while chain-smoking.

“So, you executed the five ringleaders on the spot and left the remaining individuals in the care of that church?”
“Yes. The Holy Knight there said they were planning to borrow a prison with the cooperation of the City Guard. They’re probably in jail by now.”
“…Well handled.”

She didn’t seem happy or playful as usual. She must be deeply saddened by the Holy Knight’s death.

ㅡSwish.

Opening a drawer, she took out a blank piece of paper.

“Let’s take care of it right away.”
“How do you plan to handle it?”
“I’ll report to the Pope first, then send an escort team. It seems we’ll have to make a detailed judgment after they’re arrested.”

Of course, they should be brought here for investigation.

“The Paladin executed five ringleaders on the spot, but frankly, I don’t think the remaining ones will escape severe punishment.”
“I think so too.”

I also wrote in the report about the circumstances of the five ringleaders’ execution and what the villagers had been doing all along.

The residents had merely mechanically sacrificed outsiders.

To atone for the people they had killed, they should have at least resisted the Manticore at the risk of their lives when the Holy Knight arrived. Since they didn’t, they have no excuse for whatever punishment they receive.

“Raising a Holy Knight costs a considerable amount of money. From educating them from a young age to crafting their armor, to gaining field experience. There’s no aspect that doesn’t cost money.”

And Holy Knights are worth their weight in gold.

In other words, both knights and Holy Knights can be considered tanks in modern warfare. They cost a lot of money, but they are weapons that certainly pay for themselves. Losing one is a painful loss.

“They contributed to the death of such a Holy Knight. Of course, they must receive punishment commensurate with that.”
“That’s right. But there were also children. What will happen to them?”
“Since they will become orphans, they will be sent to the Order’s manor or relief facility along with those who have escaped capital punishment.”

That’s obvious.

“The sinners will serve while paying for their crimes, and the orphans will do chores as compensation for being cared for. The Order’s relief facilities and manors are operated in that way.”

In other words, they will be filling in labor with manpower that doesn’t require labor costs. It’s more efficient than simply killing them.

“What about when the children grow up?”
“Since the children cannot be blamed for the sins, they will be released when they grow to a certain extent. Of course, this may vary depending on their current age.”

That’s good enough.

In the first place, there are no facilities that raise children for free.

“You’ve worked hard, Paladin. Confirming the Holy Knight’s death and bringing back his belongings is a great achievement. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated for this.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Still, it’s a shame that the unidentified monster got away.”
“I thought it was the Manticore at first, but the Manticore had been in the village for several years.”

What exactly was the monster? I chased after it, only to end up in that awful village and be eaten by the Manticore.

“Anyway, it’s really heartbreaking that the Holy Knight died.”

I can’t help but feel heavy-hearted.

ㅡGloomy mood.

It feels like a dark cloud is in my heart. Today’s Kim Kat is literally Rainy Kim Kat. The weather is dark, and it feels like it’s going to rain.

“…Looking at it, the Paladin seems to have a rather tender heart.”
“I’m originally a bit soft-hearted. I’m also overflowing with compassion.”

The word “benevolence” must exist for me.

The foundation of Fusion Confucianism lies in “righteousness” and “love.”

Love Demon King Kim Kat never forgives the wicked. But at the deepest part of that judgment is benevolence and love. My execution of the villagers can also be said to be a kind of love. Therefore… I am benevolent and soft-hearted.

“Hmph, you look like a beast.”

The Saintess, who lit another cigarette, said with a smirk.

“No, what’s wrong with my appearance? I’m more like glass than a beast. You can literally call me Glass Kim Kat.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“Nonsense?!”

What do you take me for…!

“Well, being called a beast is a compliment. I remember your body being… quite good.”
“Hehehe, that’s true.”
“A man should be like that.”
“I think so too.”

A man should definitely train his body.

Because my women like it.

“By the way, Paladin. I suddenly became curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“How old are you, Paladin?”
“My age?”

Come to think of it, I haven’t exactly introduced my age. I just vaguely thought the Saintess was older than me, but I don’t know her exact age.

In the first place, guessing the age of a woman who possesses mana or divine power is almost impossible.

“I guess I’m in my mid-twenties? I haven’t been counting properly, so I don’t know exactly.”
“Mid-twenties?”

I guess I lived for about 3 years in this world before I first met Elise? But I don’t know the exact number of months. Besides, my memory has faded a lot, so it’s unclear. Is it because there were so many awful things?

“…Younger than I expected.”

The Saintess looked at me with a surprised expression.

“Younger than you expected! Then how old are you, Saintess!”
“Asking such a thing is impolite, Paladin.”
“No, it’s okay for the Saintess to ask, but I can’t?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Eing.”

Why don’t women tell me their real age?

Claudie, Karin, Risha, Liz, and Hilde don’t try to tell me their real age at all. As if it’s something to be ashamed of. A woman’s age is originally determined by how she looks.

Even Karin looks young enough to be believed as my younger sister when she stands next to me.

“Saintess, you’re not actually twice as old as me, are you?”
“…Do I look like that?”
“No, you look like you’re in your twenties. You’re the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. But, you know. There’s a real age.”
“The reward will be paid after they are arrested and the procedures are completed. I’ll give you a generous amount this time too, so rest assured.”
“Saintess?”
“Anyway, it’s really unfortunate… that the Holy Knight died. It can be said that the Paladin’s contribution is very great this time. I think I’ll be busy from now on preparing for the funeral.”
“…”

Suddenly changing the subject.

Anyway, I finished the greeting with that kind of feeling and came outside.

ㅡDrizzle.

When I came out, the world was dark.

“…”

It was drizzling from the sky, which was full of dark clouds. I’m glad I didn’t wear armor. It’s a hassle to wipe it off when it gets wet.

“On rainy days.”

…It’s raining.

“I always…”

The teacher I respect the most is “Mr. Newton.”

“…Kui kui.”

I respect him so much that I don’t recognize any other teachers besides Mr. Newton. He is a teacher who has entered the ranks of great men because of his great achievements. My efficient Kwon-gak technique was greatly influenced by his scientific research.

ㅡDrizzle.

Anyway, it’s rain.

The law of universal gravitation.

The reason why something is falling from the sky, like the rain that is falling now, is because of gravity. A huge planet attracts everything around it, and that’s how it happens.

Therefore, the planet was greedy.

Because it can’t stand not attracting everything nearby. It’s already big, but it doesn’t know how to restrain itself and tries to covet everything.

People are the same.

They are so greedy that they attract everything around them and make them suffer, then fall into the abyss. They only think of themselves and do not care for others. People are corrupted by greed.

Thus, they fall from heaven to hell.

Is it because it originated from a greedy planet that people are inevitably greedy? Is that why they fall and fall? The law of universal gravitation established by Mr. Newton made me think a lot.

Finding the answer to the question posed by that law can be said to be the destiny of Fusion Confucianism.

“…”

The rain falling from the sky seemed to represent my heart.

The death of the Holy Knight made me that sad. I’ve never even seen his face, but Holy Knights are all good people. They are also cheerful.

A true righteous person who is rare in this world.

Since it’s the death of such a person, it’s okay to be sad for a day.

ㅡVerdeshiyeooooooo!!!

The Manticore’s impersonation showed how terrible his end was… I will never forgive such beings.

As I walked while thinking about that, my body got completely wet.

I went home with my wet body.

“Ah, Father?! You came in the rain…! Come in quickly!”
“Oh, Aria.”

When I went inside, Aria took off my clothes with a fuss.

“Really, you shouldn’t get rained on like this.”
“It’s okay. I don’t even catch a cold.”
“Still. Go to the bathroom first.”
“Okay.”

Let’s take a shower with hot water first.

“But Aria. Have the plants spoken to you since then?”
“Ah, yes. I tried it on weeds and grass in the backyard… I didn’t hear anything.”
“Is it because it’s not a forest?”

Next time, I should take Aria to another forest and test her ability. Anyway. When I went upstairs to get my underwear, I ran into Karin.

“Oh, honey, you came in the rain? Wash up quickly. I’ll hug you.”
“Hehehe, okay.”

But suddenly.

“Ah, Karin.”
“Yeah?”
“How old were you, Karin?”

When I asked that question, Karin narrowed her eyes for a moment.

“…Why are you asking that?”
“Just curious.”
“I don’t know. Anyway, you might get sick, so wash up quickly.”
“Okay.”

Karin said that and passed me without a care. I thought she had answered for a moment because it was so smooth.

I also asked Liz, who was changing clothes.

“Liz.”
“What is it?”
“How old are you?”
“Why suddenly my age?”
“Just curious.”
“I don’t know, that kind of thing. Is it important?”

It’s not important?

“…Isn’t age important?”
“Not at all? Ugh, but look at your wet hair. Aren’t you cold? Go wash up. There’s still hot water left.”
“Okay.”

As far as I know, she’s younger than Karin, but she seems embarrassed to tell me. So I asked Risha too.

“Risha?”
“Isn’t what’s important not age but appearance?”
“I haven’t even asked yet?”
“Don’t worry about trivial things. Ah, and I’ve already finished preparing. You can violate me as much as you want… I’ll be waiting.”
“Hehehe, okay.”

I showed you something cool like Risha Death Beam, so there’s no way I can resist. No, but all three of them didn’t answer about their age.

“Hilde?”

Will Hilde answer?

“I’m younger than Kat!”
“No, not based on this world, but based on Pandemonium?”
“Hilde is a succubus, so she doesn’t know difficult things other than sex! But more than that, my uterus is throbbing so much right now… I’ll be waiting?”

Hilde, who naturally changed the subject, whispered in my ear.

“Uh… okay. I have to relieve you if your uterus is throbbing.”
“Oohuhu, I love you, Kat!”
“Me too…”

How many years has Hilde lived in Pandemonium?

She says she’s younger than me… but maybe she’s actually a serious older sister.

Maybe she’s even older than Karin.

She’s a demon and a succubus.
Is there no concept of time in Pandemonium?

“Claudie?”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Claudie smiled knowingly even though she had heard everything.

“Claudie Mama? How old?”
“Hmph… Mama is still a half-elf. If you convert it to human age, it’s probably similar to Kat?”
“But how do you become Mama?”
“Even now you’re asking about the secret of birth…”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hehehe, you don’t have to worry about trivial things. Then let’s go wash up?”
“Okay.”

In the end, I couldn’t find out either Mr. Newton’s teachings or my wives’ ages.