I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 181

The Saint has returned.

He ultimately did not open the door to the orphanage.

“Hoo…”

It’s really difficult and complicated.

The Vatican, the Pope, three Cardinals, Cloel Martina, Raphael Martina, character events.

Because I was ignorant of all that, it was something I had never done at the Romance Academy.

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.

‘Without gaming knowledge… in the end, I’m just left with deception and trickery.’

Getting closer to Liu, helping Rain, resolving Eun-ha’s desire to kill, becoming friends with Lucas, gaining trust from Kim Sung-il, embarking on a journey alongside the Hero, and even being called a fellow sinner by the Saint…

In the end, it’s not something ‘I’ accomplished. I was simply following a guidebook. Just a pathetic trickster, cheating my way through…

“…Dammit.”

Indeed, the more I worry about such problems, the more I feel like I’m sinking into a quagmire.

It wasn’t like this during the first semester. I was too busy solving the issues in front of me, too occupied with character events, to set aside this kind of self-reflection.

Am I paying the price for that now?

…As always, the conclusion leads to self-loathing.

Just as I was thinking this and trying to turn back…

“Well, Namgoong Min, brother.”

“…Eileen?”

“Don’t worry, Cloel unnie is asleep. It won’t take long.”

“Of course…”

Since when has she been here?

Before I knew it, Eileen, who had been watching me from beyond the window, opened the door and stood beside me.

Normally, it would be dangerous to come outside of the orphanage. There’s a chance someone might notice that Eileen is a saint.

Being the headquarters of the Church, it requires utmost caution.

Yet, I couldn’t stop Eileen at this moment.

Her smile, her conviction…

“Namgoong Min, brother.”

“Ah, um. Yes.”

“Um… how was I at the Romance Academy?”

“Huh? Well, you’re the daughter of Charles Teddy Bear the instructor, and you’ve been doing well at the academy—”

“Ahaha, no, that’s not what I’m asking… I’m talking about the ‘Romance Academy.’”

“…What?”

What did she just say?

“The Eye for Reading Hearts. You know what it is, right? Eileen unnie’s, the saint’s skill.”

“…”

“At first, it was awkward, difficult, and hard to see… but I kept watching you. I wondered what the person who saved me thinks of me; it was a bold thought.”

But…

“Your true feelings were very different from what I thought.”

“…”

“Obsession, self-loathing, familial love, resignation, will, confidence, alongside distrust.”

“…”

“It was quite complicated. I kept watching and watching, and finally today I got to see the ‘Romance Academy.’”

The reality where Eileen lives, not the aerial city in the sky.

Just a game created by Namgoong Min’s younger sister.

“Brother… self-deprecation isn’t good.”

“Eileen.”

“I read it from your heart. You played that ‘Romance Academy’ game more than twenty times and built up knowledge about everyone. Thanks to that, you made friends, but you believe you’ve done nothing.”

“…”

“I don’t want to say this, but it’s really a foolish thought.”

Eileen was smiling.

Even knowing she is a character in a game, she did not let her smile falter.

“Even if you throw a knife at everyone in the world, do you think they’ll all use it the same way?”

“…”

“Some might use that knife to kill someone, but some could use it for cooking, and someone might save another with that knife. Even if someone with the same knowledge and abilities as you faced the same situation, could they really do as well as you?”

“…”

“I understand. Your self-loathing has been much longer than I can imagine… and it can’t be healed just by a word of comfort from me. Still, I wanted to say it. I wanted to shout this proudly to the brother who saved me.”

“…”

“So let me ask you.”

“…”

“How was I at the ‘Romance Academy’?”

How can I answer that question?

She is… Eileen is an undeniable witness that denies all the worries I’ve had until now.

It’s not just because of gaming knowledge; it’s not just a trick.

She is the one I saved.

How could I explain she was merely an extra, that she could have lived or died?

“…”

I could do nothing but remain silent.

And as if my silence was a sufficient answer, Eileen smiled even brighter.

“Please remember, Namgoong Min, brother.”

──That I, this person, owes my life to you.

──Please remember that and keep it close… don’t forget.

──That will be enough.

Thus, the night passed.

The day of proof dawned.

*

Saint Raphael Martina ascends the Tower of Proof.

On a morning like any other, the sudden announcement made by the Pope sent ripples throughout the Vatican.

The Vatican Cathedral, alongside the Papacy, holds a unique position as both a tourist attraction and a spiritual beacon, known as the ‘Tower of Proof.’

Citizens unaware of the circumstances, priests, and high-ranking officials who had already heard the rumors all turned their attention to it.

“…And thus, Raphael Martina will ascend the Tower of Proof to prove the qualifications of a saint. That is all.”

“Uh, Cardinal Skoll. What is the exact time?”

“There’s less than 10 minutes left… You don’t need to be too nervous.”

“How can… I not be nervous?”

Though the original plan had been disrupted, it ultimately flowed as intended.

The Saint was to pretend to have lost his power, and opposing factions led by Cardinal Cassandra would push the Saint to ascend the Tower of Proof, gaining legitimacy while turning the opposition and the Church upside down.

The act of pretending to have lost power was not an issue, but the Pope caught onto it first and made the move.

Due to the content asking for the signatures of the three Cardinals, the opposition might suspect the Saint’s intentions, but thanks to the sinner comrade intervening, that was resolved.

Now, it’s just a matter of ascending the Tower of Proof to demonstrate the Holy Radiance.

…But for some reason, the Saint was engulfed in a feeling of inexplicable anxiety.

‘Why is that…?’

Even after using the Holy Radiance, there were no problems with the halo behind his head or his holiness.

It should only be a matter of proving the Holy Radiance in the Tower of Proof—

“Ah, Saint.”

“…Cardinal Skoll, what is it?”

“It’s nothing much, but do you still hold your previous thoughts?”

“Thoughts?”

“About what you’ll do after reforming the Church. Are you planning to reject all external donations, support, and demands from the high-ups?”

Yes, that was it.

The Church right now is rotten. Instead of faith, it seeks money and power, obsessed with worldly values.

That’s why I planned to reform the Church, to pursue pure faith free from money and power.

‘Even if I wash away the dirty hands, I can’t become completely clean.’

I’ve already borrowed the money of the rich tycoon, the powers of the psychic, and the authority of the crown princess to reform.

But can I really cut off money and power after the reform?

“…I’m still not sure.”

“Is that so.”

“However… wouldn’t it be okay to accept a minimum? That’s what I think.”

“…”

“Cardinal Skoll?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was also thinking along with the Saint’s intentions.”

“…I am always grateful, Cardinal Skoll.”

“Don’t worry, Saint. My intentions have remained unchanged from the beginning until now… Yes.”

They have never changed.

After looking at the Saint for a moment, Skoll continued speaking.

“It’s about time. The other Cardinals and His Holiness the Pope must be waiting, so you should go.”

“Ah, but first I need to meet the sinner comrade… Namgoong Min.”

“Only the Holy members of the Church, Cardinals, and His Holiness the Pope can enter the Tower of Proof. Although he has certainly helped you greatly, he cannot ascend the tower with you.”

“That’s…”

“Right now, ascending the tower and fulfilling the proof is the best path for him.”

There was nothing wrong with Skoll’s words.

Since it’s already past the point of no return, would meeting the sinner comrade change anything?

It would only be inconvenient to go up the tower secretly without saying anything.

‘Since it’s Skoll’s advice, it should be fine.’

I moved while Namgoong Min and Archbishop Karleya were sleeping. Meeting him now would be meaningless.

As I thought and steadied my mind, the Saint and Skoll soon reached the top floor of the Cathedral.

“This is…”

“Welcome to the Tower of Proof, Saint.”

Originally, there are no doors at the top of the Cathedral. There’s no need for one.

The roof of the Cathedral only has sharp spires, and it’s not like a regular building where you can walk or there is a flat roof.

However, there is one door at the very top of the Vatican Cathedral.

A very long, thin… door leading to the Tower of Proof.

“I’ll open it, old man. Please, go ahead.”

Creeeak.

The Pope himself opened the heavy iron door, and the three Cardinals, including Skoll, stood respectfully and made the sign of the cross.

For now, even Skoll, who is usually on his side, the overweight McLaren, who seemed to struggle to breathe, and the leader of the opposition, Cassandra, quietly closed their eyes.

There was nothing special beyond the iron door.

There was only the light coming through the windows and an endless cylindrical staircase.

“I’ve never been up this old thing, but according to the records, it said it would take 12 hours to climb.”

At the Pope’s words, McLaren immediately stumbled in his breath, but quickly regained it.

As if knowing his thoughts, the Pope smiled kindly.

“But we are all job holders. One hour should be sufficient.”

Well then.

“To prove it, please ascend the tower, Saint.”

“…Yes.”

For the reform of the Church.

For all those who trusted and followed him.

For the sinners who assisted him.

And for the promise between Raphael and Cloel.

‘This was your last words, Raphael.’

Now.

I’m going to fulfill that promise.