I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 179

The signature of three cardinals.

Neutral McLaren, Saint faction Skoll, opposing faction Cassandra.

None of them know each other.

“I’ve never even heard their names before.”

No matter how much I played “Romance Academy” for nearly 30 sessions, the only thing I could gain was knowledge from within the game. For characters that appeared outside of it, ignorance was inevitable.

I had no information about my opponents. That’s the worst scenario for trickery and deception.

It’s nearly impossible to con someone when you don’t even know who they are.

Thus, it would be impossible for me, Namgoong Min, the rotten scum of “Romance Academy” and a Fortuneteller. It’s doubtful that someone in the cardinal position would even want to see me.

“My fame is only limited to Romance Academy.”

Due to my activities during the first year, progressing to the martial arts competition finals, and the media play with Kim Woo-sung, I had gained a fair number of acquaintances, but that was it.

Archbishop Karleya alone is a high-ranking figure who needs to be courted with a barrage of gifts and developed goodwill before I’d even have a chance to meet her, let alone a cardinal.

In the end, I couldn’t do it alone.

So, I decided to leverage my connections.

Not as Namgoong Min, a student of “Romance Academy” and a Fortuneteller.

But rather, as a rich tycoon disguised with Arthur’s letter of introduction, adorned with the insignia signaling my status as a temporary diplomat of the Daehan Empire.

“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, Cardinal Skoll.”

“What do you mean? How could I overlook a distinguished guest recognized by His Holiness the Pope?”

Thus, if you wanted to meet in the morning, you could meet for lunch right away.

Cardinal Skoll was a middle-aged man with graying hair.

He wore a worn-out robe that clearly had seen better days, coupled with high-end glasses, accompanied by a gentle smile and a physique that even his attire couldn’t hide.

At first glance, he looked like a mild-mannered scholar, but if he were merely gentle, he wouldn’t have reached the position of cardinal.

His office was located just below the highest level of the Vatican Cathedral.

As I looked around the modest and slightly ordinary office, which was not fitting for someone of his stature overseeing millions of worshippers, I couldn’t help but smile.

“A distinguished guest, how embarrassing for me.”

“Fear not. It is not common knowledge.”

First and foremost, I had to understand my situation.

Let’s be honest, I’m essentially an illegal immigrant and a suspect for terrorism.

To secretly come to the church, I had asked Cloel to let me enter under the guise of a sinner, which led me to be imprisoned, and then escape due to an explosion caused by that murderous bastard.

That’s me right now.

Fortunately, thanks to the “Spatial Isolation” used by the Pope, I avoided having my face plastered on wanted posters, but outside, many priests and holy knights were busy scouring for me, someone whose face they didn’t even know.

“Have you heard from His Holiness?”

“Yes, the heretic planning to terrorize Romance Academy died in the explosion caused by a notorious serial killer who was imprisoned there. How unfortunate.”

“Oh, then what about the serial killer…?”

“I’ve heard that he’s hideously fled and is hiding somewhere. Until then, the church will likely be chaotic.”

Oh, quick work. Have they put the blame for the explosion on me instead of the serial killer?

Since it was indeed the serial killer who caused the explosion, it wasn’t outright wrong either.

While I glanced out the window at those frantically searching for a non-existent serial killer who had already died in his own explosion, I decided to speak.

“Have you heard about the signatures?”

“Of course. I’ve been wondering how to convey that. Lately, Cardinal Cassandra’s checks have become quite severe…”

“The rumor that His Holiness is losing power… must be a godsend for Cardinal Cassandra in this drought.”

“Indeed. Fortunately, thanks to your various credentials, I was able to meet you. What I received with Arthur’s letter of introduction, the insignia of a temporary diplomat of the Daehan Empire, and being a rich tycoon… I didn’t expect so much.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Conversing with a distinguished guest is truly enjoyable, but I can’t afford to take up too much time. Here is your signature.”

As if to say a picture is worth a thousand words, Cardinal Skoll handed me the prepared signature.

This was as expected—not only from the Saint but also from Archbishop Karleya.

Could Skoll be any different?

“Well… I see why you’re staring at me. Has His Holiness and Archbishop Karleya expressed concerns?”

“Indeed. What about the cardinal…?”

“His Holiness wishes to overthrow the church with lies about losing power, and Archbishop Karleya is aiming for the cardinal’s position.”

“……….”

“Both are a bit disappointing in terms of their objectives… they have no issue with ability, but their political insight is somewhat lacking, wouldn’t you agree?”

“It sounds like you think I wouldn’t be like that.”

“That’s actually true. His Holiness wouldn’t have advised me to seek you under a false identity. To be honest, I’m quite surprised. To me, you seem scarcely out of your teens, and yet… your vision is quite keen.”

“You’re too kind.”

“What do you mean by kind? From the standpoint of serving His Holiness, it’s simply delightful to have someone like you close to him.”

“Indeed, it seems you are genuine about His Holiness’s predicament. Ah, it’s almost time to meet Cardinal McLaren…”

“My, I’ve kept my distinguished guest too long. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Not at all.”

With gentle smiles exchanged between Skoll and me, the conversation proceeded smoothly without any strange interruptions or clashes of opinions.

‘… Cardinal Skoll, huh.’

A modest office, worn robes, polite speech.

Yet, the glasses were of the highest quality, and his political insight was exceptional.

‘That seat…’

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary wooden chair, but it’s actually made of gold.

Many might gold-plate a wooden chair, but who would layer wood over a golden one?

── Cardinal Skoll had been someone I relied on since childhood. He’s modest and honest, so you can trust him.

‘Well, that guy, the Saint.’

Had it not been for my extreme “Observation” skill, I might have missed it completely. Who would recognize that chair? The Pope?

And was that the only golden thing in his office?

……While I could delve deeper into that thought, I paused instead.

For now, Cardinal Skoll was aligned with the Saint. That was enough for me.

As I walked through the cathedral to meet Cardinal McLaren, I naturally smiled and lowered my head.

“Greetings, Cardinal Cassandra.”

“… You’re the distinguished guest His Holiness mentioned, the Fortuneteller.”

“But I do have Arthur’s letter of introduction, am a temporary diplomat of the Daehan Empire, and I work closely with a rich tycoon.”

“Well, I prefer to believe only what I see firsthand.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, I checked the letter myself, and since you’re wearing the badge of a temporary diplomat… Given how restless McLaren is, it must be true that you are connected to a rich tycoon.”

“Thank you for believing me.”

“I did say I only believe what I see, didn’t I? Now that I’ve seen you, I can tell you’re quite trustworthy.”

Cardinal Cassandra.

Despite being over fifty, she was showcasing beauty that could easily pass for someone in her late twenties, thanks to the talent of an Actor.

We were not in her office, just navigating the countless corridors of the cathedral. If we were to have a proper conversation, we really should move somewhere else.

But Cardinal Cassandra did not move, nor did I intend to change course.

“I heard you were under the Saint.”

“That’s correct.”

“How about joining me? Regardless of the Fortuneteller title and the heretic label, your existence is quite an appealing one.”

“You’re showering me with compliments. How embarrassing.”

“I can’t help but notice you have quite the appealing face. Your eloquence is even more appealing.”

“Then how about signing something? My heart might waver, you know.”

“And the reason?”

“Three reasons.”

“Lay them out.”

“First, your desire for the Saint to climb the Tower of Proof is what the opposing faction wants, including Cardinal Cassandra. Second, this opportunity may never come again, as it’s extremely unlikely for the opposing faction to successfully unseat the Saint thereafter. Third, since I’m bound to get a signature anyway, a gentlemanly discussion beats a full-blown faction war for energy conservation.”

Those are the three main points.

Initially, the goal of the opposing faction, including Cardinal Cassandra, was to see the Saint up at ‘proof’ so garnering her signature would be straightforward.

Of course, neither the Saint nor Archbishop Karleya were oblivious to this either.

“…… How tempting, very tempting indeed… If I was joking earlier, now I might be quite sincere.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll ask just one thing. You mentioned that the Saint climbing the Tower of Proof is our goal… but shouldn’t the Saint, who should avoid the proof, be so eager to get a signature? Isn’t that contradictory?”

This right here was key.

The Saint, who pretends to be losing power, should avoid the proof. But at the same time, he’s taking action to ascend.

The contradiction makes it hard to figure out without careful consideration, which could cause the opposing faction to hesitate.

But I didn’t care about this at all.

“It should not matter.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’m not on the side of the Saint.”

“…?”

“To be more precise… I’m on the side of whoever benefits the rich tycoon.”

“… Oh.”

For Cardinal Karleya and the opposing faction, I was merely an outsider.

I’m an outsider backed by Arthur, the Daehan Empire, and a rich tycoon, whatever my abilities may be.

For now, I’m acting with the Saint and receiving assistance from Archbishop Karleya, so they might see me as an ally.

By looking out for my back, cardinal Cassandra must find me to be an exceedingly tempting presence.

“How can I be sure of that? If it’s an eastern counterplan, I know the game too.”

“One billion dollars.”

“………?”

“The amount the rich tycoon donated to Cardinal McLaren.”

“… Ten billion dollars a year?”

“And Cardinal McLaren was worth ten billion dollars… but he’s now become worthless. So, a change in investment is only natural.”

“Ah.”

Currently, the investment goes to Saint and Cardinal Karleya.

However, if I show enough value── that investment could switch to Cardinal Cassandra.

As I hinted at this, a glimmer appeared in Cardinal Cassandra’s eyes.

She was re-evaluating me, changing my status from the lackey of the Saint to the lackey of the rich tycoon.

In the end, I’m just someone’s lackey, but being identified as following the rich tycoon, not the Saint, changes everything significantly.

And so.

“What does the rich tycoon desire…?”

“The ‘proof.’ Whether the Saint ascends with the weak power he has left just before disappearing or whether the opposing faction ousts him entirely. The rich tycoon will invest in the victor.”

“Now that’s a sweet temptation. The Saint would be driven to act desperately for proof.”

In an instant, the perspective shifted from “The Saint might be pretending to lose power for a lie” to “The Saint is rushing to proof before losing power for the sake of the rich tycoon’s investment.”

Money trivial, merely an investment, one could not say it like that.

With Skoll and then Cardinal Karleya’s support, if the Saint becomes a Cardinal, it would shift the balance of power more than neutral McLaren had done.

For the Saint, it’d be a gamble worth taking.

And the same goes for Cardinal Cassandra and the opposing faction as well.

‘In the end, it’s about the money.’

It’s money that can create a Cardinal, maintain that position, and even overturn one.

Cardinals.

Apart from those with titles like Saints and Holy Ones, it’s the position just before one can become a Pope, the highest a common believer can aspire to.

Standing at the apex of the church, built upon faith, they too can be swayed by money.

Religion can become money, and money can become religion.

That’s why my connection with Liu is the greatest weapon I could wield.

… Cardinal Cassandra smiled, and I followed suit.

Moments later, when I began walking down the corridor again, I had one more signature from some Cardinal in my pocket.

*

“So that’s how it is.”

“Cardinal McLaren…”

“He kneeled and presented me the signature upon seeing me.”

“McLaren…”

While Cardinal Karleya gritted her teeth with disdain for the money-hungry McLaren, the Saint’s expression was not as favorable.

Well, I can understand what he might be thinking.

‘It’s entirely different from the coup the Saint envisioned.’

The Saint dreamt of a truly devout and spotless church, not this secular, money-driven institution.

Yet to reach this point, he’s been pretending to lose power, associating with me—who he had no intention of befriending as a heretic—and now he’s almost at proof.

However, to get this far, he’s had to recklessly employ that very ‘money’ he despises.

It’s like a pacifist waging war for peace.

‘Is this a character event for the Saint…?’

I know the Saint is a character torn between power and money.

Power and money are the roots of the church’s decay, but at the same time, they are essential for reforming the church.

So how will this situation conclude?

‘What’s this hidden ending about?’

Among the hints Ji-soo gave, she mentioned that one could witness a hidden ending through the Saint’s character event.

Like the Saint’s intricate thoughts, my head was also cloudy.

But no matter how much I pondered, time continued to pass at the same pace.

The Saint, I, and Archbishop Karleya had gathered signatures from the Pope and the three cardinals, and now, once we submit them tomorrow, we would be able to climb the Tower of Proof.

“…… For a moment, I’ll take a walk outside.”

“Ah, enjoy your stroll!”

“……….”

Thus, I did not stop the Saint from taking a nighttime walk.

After all… I already knew where he would go.

“Then.”

“Ah, Namgoong Min too…?”

“I’ll just be a moment.”

Now then.

It’s time to meet Cloel Martina.