READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 22
A shabby, worn-out tent set up in front of an abandoned factory in the slums.
This was where the board meeting of the newly born Karma Company—a whole three hours old—was taking place right after finishing their corporation registration.
The expressions of the people inside the tent were serious beyond belief.
Oliviera, Jonathan Karma’s wife, had been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer.
Cecilia, Jonathan Karma’s daughter, had been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer.
Jonathan Karma himself decided to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer.
And various other positions were swiftly assigned to others based on Jonathan Karma’s judgment.
No matter the organization, deciding who gets which role is one of the toughest challenges, but Jonathan Karma’s appointments were smooth as butter.
Everyone present was seasoned veterans who had once worked under Jonathan when he ran a distribution company.
“I declare this here today.”
Jonathan’s hand tapped on the worn-out table set up under the shabby tent.
“We received a startup fund of 50,000 salad from the Lilia Church. We’re still actively pulling in money in real-time, so if needed, we can secure even more funds. There are eager workers outside waiting to jump in, and we have an unbeatable business idea—the Elixir! Under these circumstances, failing would be utter nonsense!”
Gone was the image of an aging, sickly, hardened middle-aged man on Jonathan’s face.
Instead, he radiated the aura of an experienced and formidable industry warrior.
“I swore to the Saint of Healing who saved my daughter and family that I would make the Lilia Church the wealthiest church in the Empire! So let’s do what we do best! Let’s sell that blue gold and stack up heaps of money! So that the Saint of Healing never has to suffer because of money! To spread Grace far and wide, I’ll make it happen!”
Jonathan’s family, along with former colleagues gathered at his request, looked at him in awe.
They had witnessed firsthand how Cecilia’s disease had crushed Jonathan’s family.
After pouring a considerable fortune into Cecilia’s treatments, it had been a miracle to see her transform into such a beautiful person who was now proudly one of the executives of the company.
And Jonathan himself, acting as if he had completely changed.
If this isn’t a miracle, what is it?
“Alright! Let’s get moving! Let’s earn and earn some more! We just need to do what we’re good at! Mirda! Go secure those deals! Toby! Get permissions for large transport trucks and trains to ship the Elixir! Cecilia! Bring back technology from the Mage Tower! We absolutely need a wizard skilled in Elixir processing! Even a tech partnership will do!!”
“Understood!!”
Everyone scattered from the tent, rushing off to tackle their assigned tasks.
All their faces were bright.
After all, an unbeatable business idea was now in the hands of an astute businessman.
But Jonathan Karma was looking at something even bigger.
The Elixir was just the beginning.
To make the Lilia Church the wealthiest in the Empire, even larger ventures were necessary.
After establishing the Elixir business at its core, he sought to expand through various other types of businesses, building a massive corporate empire.
And to hand that corporate empire over to the Saint.
That was Jonathan Karma’s grand ambition.
***
Two months flew by like an arrow.
Honestly, it had been really comfortable.
My cell might have been cramped, but it felt incredibly precious to me to have time to read books, enjoy meals, sleep, and do simple exercises without worrying about punishment or burning at the stake.
This is what a peaceful life feels like.
Can we really talk about being a Saint all of a sudden though?
Does it make sense for me to be called a Saint?
A cowardly and selfish person like me?
I hope I can just get through this year and get out of here quickly.
“Today is the day, Jericho Amael.”
After having a simple yet delicious meal delivered early in the morning, a guard came to get me while I was working out.
Is today finally the day!!
Today I’m going to reveal everything!
I’m not a Saint, just the useless youngest son of a prophetic family, with zero Divine Power or anything, just a total loser.
But hey, I saved a lot of people, so let’s just keep it at one year in the dungeon and call it a day.
That’s what I’m planning to say.
With handcuffs clasped around my wrist, I followed the priests of the Silence Church with a satisfied smile.
After a long walk, I found myself in an enormous circular dome.
A massive number of people, definitely over a hundred, were surrounding me, and I could see the defendant’s stand where I would stand right in the middle.
Hmmm…
How do I even describe this?
It looked like the UK Parliament I’d seen on the news.
“Saint! Saint!”
“Saint of Healing! We are here!!”
The moment I stepped onto the defendant’s stand, a group of people erupted into cheers.
I could see the priests from the Lilia Church and people from the slums.
I smiled back at them.
Yes.
It’s finally the end.
From today onwards, I won’t be a Saint anymore.
So I can smile.
I’m sorry for leaving you all in confusion and misunderstanding.
Once today’s over, you might be disappointed when you find out my real identity.
But hey, what can I do?
I don’t want to be punished or burned as a fake Saint.
So even though I’ve deceived you all, please understand a bit.
After all, I did heal a lot of you.
Even if it turns out I’m not a Saint, you wouldn’t try to kill me or burn me at the stake, right?
The Goddess must see my good deeds and won’t be too harsh if I stop pretending, right? That’s what I think.
This is why one must live with good deeds!
This is just how I wanted it!
A perfect situation where I could escape punishment and say goodbye to being a Saint!
I must be found guilty for impersonating the Saint!
“Have the representatives of the 24 Churches of the Temple of the Divine attended?!”
As soon as I stepped into the defendant’s stand, a priest in black clothing sitting at the judge’s seat called out loudly.
Some of the people sitting in the gallery stood up at that remark.
“All the Apostles of the Gods from the Temple are gathered!!”
“Have the nobles of the Senate attended?!”
Another group stood up.
“Those representing the glory of humanity have gathered!!”
“Have the judges of the Supreme Court attended?!”
Yet another group stood up.
“Those who judge humanity have gathered!!”
“Have those walking the path of magic attended?!”
This time, wizards and witches rose to their feet.
“Those walking the path of magic are gathered!!”
I spotted the grateful Witch Tydel who had reported me and the four-armed Erpa among the witches and wizards standing.
Erpa and Tydel’s eyes were fixed on me like daggers.
“Then let’s begin! Today, we shall determine one thing! Is the man before us indeed granted by the Goddess of Grace, Lilia, or is he a heretic impersonating the Saint?! Everyone, please be seated!!”
Everyone who had stood up all sat back down at once.
A chilly silence hovered in the courtroom.
The judge glanced down at me with an expressionless face.
I swallowed hard as I met his gaze.
“Jericho Amael.”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“First, let me ask you this. Are you indeed an Apostle of the Goddess of Grace?”
Finally!!
It has come!
I closed my eyes gently and smiled.
Finally, goodbye.
To the role of a Saint that never suited me.
“I am not an Apostle sent by the Goddess of Grace. Your Honor, I am not a Saint.”
The murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
But who cares?
I’m going to lay it all out today.
“Does that mean you admit to impersonating the Saint of Grace?”
“I have never once claimed with my own mouth that I am the Apostle of Grace. I have simply treated people. At some point, those around me began calling me a Saint. I didn’t intentionally impersonate a Saint, but… yes. If that’s what you call it, then I suppose it is impersonation.”
I nodded honestly.
The murmurs grew louder.
But I had nothing to fear.
“I am far too weak, insignificant, and foolish to be called a Saint.”
Honestly, compared to the other reincarnated heroes I’d seen in stories or anime, I am truly a worthless existence.
Did I fight well?
Were any of my reincarnated skills exceptional?
Nope, I’m just an utterly average human being.
“Why did you treat people even though you were not a Saint?”
The judge’s words made me look at the witches.
More precisely, I looked at the four-armed Witch Erpa.
Hmm.
If I say that jerk is plain evil, I might risk exploding her with emotional turmoil!
While it’s true she’s shown signs of being more stable mentally, there’s no need to take that risk.
So let’s just gloss over things.
With a vague response that’s not totally a lie but not entirely the truth either.
“Because I felt sorry for them.”
“Sorry?”
“I saw children left on the streets without proper treatment. I saw the poor, hoping to die day by day without any hope. I witnessed a family crumbling under the weight of a daughter’s incurable disease. They were pitiful. So I healed them.”
Every word was the truth.
It was also true that I tried to survive by healing that volatile Witch, but it was also true that I wanted to help those countless unfortunate people.
They were truly people whose pain couldn’t be seen without tears.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I want to face divine punishment and become a roasted turkey.
So pretending to be a Saint ends today.
“Is that really all?”
“Yes. I still don’t understand why I was called the Saint of Grace. I just acted instinctively. I am certainly not a Saint. I am just a foolish and simple person who happened to gain the ability to heal.”
Lastly, I glanced once more at the people from the Lilia Church.
They seemed to be in shock, with some of the priests kneeling as they blankly stared at me.
Especially Vice President Yodel, his eyes glimmering with tears.
Yes.
I get it.
They must be shaken.
But what can you do?
This is the truth.
“I have no stigmata on my body. I have never heard the voice of the Goddess Lilia. I have not read a single line from the Scripture of Grace. I am just an ordinary human with no connection to the Goddess in any way.”
Taking a long breath, I exhaled.
“Once more, let me state clearly. I am not a Saint. I am just someone who has healed the sick and the weak. So, Your Honor, please render wise judgment.”
My words came to an end.
The judge began whispering to a few priests from the Silence Church, while the crowd continued murmuring.
The people of the Lilia Church were all crying.
A bittersweet yet relieved smile crept onto my lips.
Yes.
This is right.
This is the truth.
It may be shocking, but in time, they’ll forget.
Even if I didn’t mean to deceive anyone, I’m sorry.
This is my chance to say goodbye forever….
“Jericho Amael.”
The judge looked at me, a hint of a smile on his face.
“Congratulations on passing the first trial.”
The moment the judge’s words fell, the priests from the Lilia Church erupted in unison.
“He will deny his divine nature!! Ah Saint!!”
“He shall come with a pure body!! Just as the scripture proclaims!!”
“Ignorant yet glorious!! Saint!! Saint!!”
They were chanting my name with a level of passion unheard of before.
It was pure fanaticism.
Wait a second, what’s happening here?
Why are you calling me a Saint?!
I just clearly stated I am not a Saint!!