<h4>Chapter 15</h4>


    “How to live a kind life?”


    “Yes.”


    Lube blinked her eyes. She didn’t expect him to ask such a question. Even Weig looked at Zich with curiosity. In his own way, Zich was really serious.


    ‘Even if I want to live a kind life, I don’t know the first thing about being kind. When I hit and destroy things, I don’t have to think about anything, so it is convenient.’


    For most of his life, Zich lived however he wanted. Even if he wanted to ‘live a kind life,’ he couldn’t think of ways to achieve that goal. So far, he acted ording to whatever random ideas popped up in his mind, but he wasn’t sure if his actions were really along the lines of ‘living kindly.’


    ‘This woman might be able to at least tell me where I can start.’


    Before Zich regressed, she had been a Saint. Even though she was not a Saint right now, being selected as a candidate for Karuwiman’s Saint position was a daunting task. From a young age, she must have possessed the main qualification of the Saint, which was kindness—a quality that Zich thought was not so different from stupidity.


    “Hmm, so about that…”


    Lube did not know how to answer. To live a kind life—the question was too broad to give a thorough answer.


    “Before I answer, can you tell me why you are asking me this question?”


    “Someone suggested that I should try living a kind life for once. But I once lived a pretty rough life, so it’s hard for me to grasp what exactly I should do.”


    Zich indirectly confessed that he had lived a bad life. However, Lube praised him instead of rebuking him.


    “That’s really impressive. It must have been a challenge to try to change your trajectory in life.”


    As a characteristic among kind people, she tended to think positively about everything.


    “There are many ways to live a kind life. Is there something that you are good at?”


    “I’m good at destroying things.”


    “I-is that so?”


    Seeing how Lube was taken back, Weig quietlyughed. They could perceive Zich’s character from his few words.


    “So, am I right to assume that you are proficient in tasks that utilize your physical strength?”


    “Yes, you can say it like that.”


    “Then what about helping people who are in need?”


    “People who are in need?”


    “Yes. There are many different ways to be kind. But fundamentally, I think a kind act is an act that gives happiness to another person, no matter how small or big it is.”


    “An act that gives happiness to another person…”


    It was an area that Zich had no experience in—no, a lot of contrasting experience in. Although Zich had made many people cry tears of blood, he had never made another individual happy.


    “Since you said you are good at tasks that involve physical strength, why don’t you help people in that way?”


    “So, I just have to help people who are in need?”


    “Yes. If you start doing that, won’t you be able to slowly grasp the concept of kind acts?”


    Zich nodded his head.


    “Thank you for your advice.”


    “No, I am happy that I could be of help to someone who is trying to change their life. I will pray for your blessing to Karuna.”


    Receiving a blessing in the name of Karuna sent chills down Zich’s back. However, he didn’t show this at all and received Lube’s blessing while constantly repeating in his mind that he was no longer an enemy of Karuwiman.


    Zich stepped down from the carriage and returned to t ground.


    “For what reason did you go up there, sir?”


    With curiosity in his eyes, Hans looked up at Zich. He seemed to still have a lot of interest in Lube.


    “Nothing much. I just asked how I can live a kind life.”


    “How to live a kind life, sir?”


    ‘Wait, was that crazy statement for real?’


    Hans had definitely heard Zich say that before they left Steelwall, but it was so nonsensical that Hans had long since erased it from his mind.


    “Why, are you so surprised?”


    “I-I’m not surprised, sir!”


    Even though he was obviously lying, Hans fervently denied it. He could not say that he was surprised because it didn’t fit Zich at all.


    “Why, does it not fit me?”


    “O-of course not, sir.”


    Hans’ mouth began to feel parched. He nced at Zich’s face. However, contrary to his expectation, Zich’s mood seemed alright. Zich moved the firewood around and began humming after starting a fire.


    Hans felt relieved that Zich was probably not going to hit him; feeling that the atmosphere was cordial, Hans asked Zich another question.


    “What did she say to you, sir?”


    “She told me to help people in need. After I told her I was good at destroying things, she told me that it would be good for me to help people by using my physical strength.”


    “...”


    It was a perfect fit for someone like Zich. Even though Hans had spent more years with the Zich who couldn’t even speak back to a servant and desperately sought for his father’s love, the recent Zich had made such a significant impact on Hans that he could only remember Zich as he was now—a dictator who tried to solve all problems with power and violence.


    ‘Well, maybe things will get better since Sir Zich received advice from the holydy, and it really does seem like he wants to perform kind acts.’


    But even while he thought this, Hans could not help but look at Zich with suspicion.


    * * *


    Karuwiman’s Saint was the poster child for the family. For that reason, the process of being a Saint wasplicated and lengthy, and one of the steps was to do what Lube was going through right now such as: traveling around the world and listening to the views and thoughts of a diverse group of people.


    “Let’s start.”


    Once again, Lube started the carriage after listening,forting, and blessing arge number of people in a vige.


    “Are you tired?”


    “Yes, I’m a bit tired.”


    At Weig’s question, Lube gave a strained smile. However, as if she was bringing out thest bit of her remaining energy, she raised her two fists.


    “But as Karuna’s follower, I have to obey Karuna’s teachings and always try to do my best. Even though I can’t do much for people, I can at leastfort them. My tiredness is a trivial matter.”


    “You will also have a higher chance of being selected as the Saint.”


    “Sir Weig.”


    Weigughed at Lube’s rebuking tone.


    “Fufufu, it seems that as I get older, I be less thoughtful.”


    “Stop teasing me.”


    “I apologize.”


    Weig lowered his head with great formality.


    “But it is true that you will have a higher chance of being selected.”


    “I am not doing this because I want to be a Saint!”


    “And that type of attitude makes you more suitable for the Saint role.”


    Lube could not beat Weig in a conversation since the man had gone through all sorts of adversities and knew how to be cunning. Lube pouted and turned her head away.


    ‘She is still young.’


    Her emotions were clearly visible. He could not criticize her for it since she had lived inside a small bubble all her life. Thus, this trip was necessary for her to gain experience and fix her na?ve attitude.


    ‘Butpared to the other candidates, she definitely fits the Saint role the most.’


    Even as a Saint candidate, it did not mean that everyone was dutiful and kind like Lube. For example, there were some people who made Weig wonder how the hell they passed the test. Compared to them, Lube was basically an angel. But she also had some ws.


    ‘She doesn’t have tenacity.’


    “After this trip is over, you will be returning to the Church again.”


    Weig said this out loud to test Lube. He clicked his tongue after seeing Lube’s expression darken.


    “I’m repeating this again, Lady Lube, but it’s not enough to just be patient and nice. As followers of Karuwiman, not only do we have tofort people, but we also must protect them. So, we must have strong hearts.”


    “…I know.”


    Lube heard this many times before, and she nodded to show that she understood. However, her voice was tiny.


    ‘It’s not easy.’


    Physical abilities could be strengthened by training like mad, but mental fortitude was much moreplicated. Speaking further about this topic only served to stress Lube, so Weig switched to another topic.


    “Now that I think about it, I’m wondering if our friend is doing well.”


    “Our friend?”


    “You know, that young man who asked you to teach him how to be kind.”


    “Ah!”


    Memories flooded back to Lube. It was not an old memory, so it was easy for her to remember.


    “I was really surprised then. I didn’t expect someone to ask a question like that.”


    “Yes, but it seemed like it was important for that young man.”


    As the Holy Knights strictly protected Lube, a person needed a lot of courage to even ask to meet her.


    “I also think so. His eyes were very serious when he asked me. I want to find out if my advice was helpful to him and how he is working towards his goal.”


    Lube quietly prayed to herself that he would find light in his path.


    * * *


    The followers of Karuwiman arrived in therge city. They first secured a ce to stay, and since they were in a big city, they visited a shrine for Karuwiman. But as Lube was in the process of traveling around the world as a Saint candidate, they could not use the shrine for their own means and Lube went out of her lodging with a couple of Holy Knights. Even in the city, she had to see how people lived firsthand and interact with them.


    However, Weig, her closest bodyguard, was nowhere to be found. Weig had received an order from the Church, so he was absent for a bit.


    “Let’s try going over there.”


    Lube pointed to a dark alley with a few people. From a nce, it looked dangerous, so the Holy Knights had conflicted expressions on their faces. However, no one could stop her since this journey''s purpose was for Lube to see even the lowest points of what this world had to offer.


    The Holy Knights hoped that nothing eventful would happen. However, contrary to their wishes, menacing cries came out of the alley.


    “P-please save me!”


    “I told you that I will spare your life if you just give me the item! Why can’t you listen!”


    Punch! Punch!


    “Agh! Arghh!”


    Fearful cries, threatening voices, and the sound of hard fists hitting flesh echoed down the alley. It was easy to understand the situation.


    Without hesitation, Lube and the Holy Knights hurried to the alleyway.


    “Stop!”


    The first Holy Knight to arrive shouted in the direction of the cries. At once, the punching sound ceased. Lube arrived a littleter and began to assess the situation. The first thing she saw was a person copsed on the floor. Seeing that the person’s face was puffy in different areas and blood was flowing out from his lips and nose, it was apparent that he was hit many times. With tears in his eyes, the man looked at Lube and the Holy Knight as if they were his saviors.


    Then, Lube shifted her eyes towards the offenders. There were four of them. Seeing their ungainly appearance and manners, they looked like gangsters or thugs. The offenders seemed to be taken back by Lube and the Holy Knight’s appearance—all except for one person.


    “Oh? Is it not Lady Lube and the Holy Knights? What sort of business brings all of you here?”


    “You…!”


    Lube was shocked. The person who was leading this violent attack—was Zich!


    “I didn''t think that we would be reunited this soon. Can I ask you what reason made youe here in such a hurry?”


    “What reason?”


    At Zich’s shameless attitude, Lube was left speechless. But she soon regained herposure and screamed, “So that I can help save people obviously! I should be asking what you are doing! Did you not tell me that you wanted to live kindly? Then what are you doing right now!”


    It had really been a long time since Lube was so angry, but Zich tilted his head as if he could not understand why, and that angered her.


    “But I’m acting ording to your advice?”


    “In what way are you following my advice!”


    “You told me to give my services to people who need help.”


    Zich pointed at the three thugs behind him.


    “That''s why I’m helping people who need my help.”


    ‘I-I told him to help people who are in need, so he is helping thugs?’


    Again, Lube was left speechless by Zich’s outrageous, almost ingenious, interpretation of her words.