Return of the Youngest Son with SSS-Rank Talent-Chapter 189: You will be interested

After his birthday, Kael found himself in a carriage moving smoothly along the cobblestone streets. His destination: Zone 3, where he was to meet with the cardinals again.

This time, his pig slave was not accompanying him; he had other matters to attend to. The absence did not concern him. In the silence of the journey, Kael always found space to think.

Leaning back against the seat, staring out the window, he watched the landscape slowly change. Houses passed by quickly, one after another, as did the shadows of people walking on the sidewalks, talking to each other without noticing the passing carriage.

Little by little, the structures began to transform until we reached zone 3.

Here, people walked around wearing fine, cloth robes, the edges of which were embroidered with gold thread. Around their necks hung ornate crucifixes, each one different, but all shiny and heavy, symbols of faith... and status.

Finally, the carriage, drawn by two blue three-horned horses, came to a halt. Their hooves clattered against the white flagstones before coming to rest in front of a large mansion.

The coachman immediately dismounted and opened the door with a bow.

Kael calmly descended from the carriage. He wore the same white priestly robe he had worn when he first arrived, although this time it looked different, not because of the garment itself, but because of the presence that inhabited it. The fabric seemed heavier, as if it carried with it the authority and weight of expectations.

He was no longer the guest brought in on Cardinal Schwein's recommendation.

Now he arrived as Rasen, the name everyone pronounced with respect and curiosity.

He crossed the garden with calm steps. The nuns working among the flowers stopped their hands and looked up.

The murmuring was inevitable. Their voices were soft, but the mixture of devotion and amazement was clear.

Some bowed their heads as they passed; others simply watched him, trying to confirm with their own eyes the rumors they had heard.

Kael showed no reaction. His gaze remained serene.

Upon entering the main mansion, he was greeted by the three cardinals: Hasin, Harold, and Ernest. All three had smiles on their faces, though each one was different in intent.

Without delay, they guided him to one of the luxurious sofas in the living room. The furniture, carved with sacred symbols and golden details, seemed designed to impress.

In front of him, they placed a table covered with various fine dishes, fruits, and crystal glasses.

Kael observed all this without getting upset. His expression remained calm, his smile friendly.

"There's no need to be so polite to me, cardinals," Kael said with a friendly smile, running a hand through his hair in a relaxed gesture.

Harold responded immediately, bowing his head respectfully. "No, young Rasen, don't worry too much about that. You've done a great job in Zone 1. Many people are already starting to call you a saint."

His voice sounded friendly, but behind that polite smile lay a mixture of surprise and caution.

As he took his seat opposite Kael, Harold couldn't stop thinking about the rumors circulating. The speed with which Rasen's name had spread was abnormal.

In just a few days, he had gone from being a stranger to a figure revered by the poor. His influence had emerged like a spark that, in a matter of nights, turned into a blaze.

Harold had seen many men rise through ambition, power, or faith, but none so naturally.

While pretending to be comfortable, his mind was quietly racing:

What method did he use? What really happened in Zone 1 for his fame to grow so quickly?

As far as he knew, young Rasen hadn't been in town long. That wasn't normal. No reputation grew that fast.

Harold took a sip of wine and hid his concern with a slight smile.

"If you put it that way, I can't refuse. For your generous hospitality." Kael drew a cross on his chest and then circled it, the traditional gesture of faith. His voice was soft, his expression kind. Then he added, "Now then, why have you called me?"

He looked at them without the smile disappearing from his face. It was a smile that could be taken as respect, but in its subtlety it conveyed something else: confidence.

Hasin was the first to respond. "Nothing special. We just wanted to congratulate you on spreading the name of our Lord. As you know, and have seen, in Zone 1 their faith is not completely rooted in our God."

As he spoke, he made a slight gesture with his hand. A nun who was serving as a maid bowed reverently and began to prepare tea.

Kael listened attentively, and then his eyes widened slightly. A gleam appeared in them, mixing surprise with genuine joy.

"You didn't have to do that," he replied, his voice warm, almost luminous. "A simple message would have been enough."

His smile widened a little more, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to soften. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden reflections on his face.

"You don't have to thank us for this. Just tell us what you need, and we'll provide whatever we can," Ernest said in a calm, almost fatherly tone.

"Will you really help me?" Kael asked, his gaze fixed on them.

"Of course," Ernest replied without hesitation. "Just tell us what you need."

Kael remained silent. He brought his hand to his chin, thoughtful, observing the three cardinals in front of him.

Their faces were kind, almost benevolent, but their intentions were as clear as glass. He knew perfectly well what they were looking for with this supposed help: recognition.

The silence lingered for a brief moment, just a few seconds, but enough for Kael to analyze every detail.

He knew what they wanted: for their names to be mentioned.

It was a simple but effective tactic.

For example, when Kael delivered the "aid" to the poor in Zone 1, he would have to say something like:

"Thanks to the generous collaboration of Cardinals Ernest, Hasin, and Harold, today you can dress without rags and enjoy a hot meal."

With a few simple words, the credit would be sown. The names of the cardinals would slowly spread among the people, repeated with gratitude by the very mouths that had previously been unaware of them.

On the surface, it would appear to be an act of kindness, a pious work driven by the desire to help. But behind that facade of benevolence lay a precise calculation, a move to gain influence.

But this is exactly what he needs to further expand his name in Zone 1.

After a minute of silence, Kael finally spoke.

"Since you are so generous, I will accept your help. If it's not too much trouble, I need better quality clothing for the people of Zone 1... and also a greater variety of food. Eating vegetable soup every day is not healthy, especially for children who are still growing."

"Is that all?" asked one of them, unable to hide his surprise.

It did not seem to them to be a request worthy of his rank or position. They expected something more, a hidden demand, a favor that would reveal his true nature. After all, even if he was said to be the chosen one of his Lord, he was still human... and human greed knows no bounds, even in a saint.

Kael looked at them, maintaining that same gentle smile that was so difficult to read.

"Yes, just that. That's all I need. After all, it's for those who really need it. By helping those people, my heart will be more than satisfied."

His words were simple, devoid of arrogance or drama.

The cardinals exchanged silent glances. They didn't know if they were facing a truly pure man... or someone whose self-control was so perfect that not even ambition could seep through his voice.

"And that's it. It won't be a problem for us. In two days, we'll send everything to the house where you're taking care of the children," said Harold, glancing sideways at the other two cardinals.

Both nodded silently, smiles playing on their faces.

The atmosphere inside the room was calm, but beneath that serenity lay a silent undercurrent of conflicting interests.

The kind words were only skin deep; what was really being negotiated in that room was influence.

Kael rose from the luxurious sofa with the same calmness he had maintained throughout the conversation. His movement was fluid, measured, without a single note of haste. Then he bowed with a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you for this." His eyes scanned the three cardinals calmly. "This will help the people of Zone 1 greatly."

His tone sounded humble, but behind those words lay another truth: Kael knew that this "please" would not only serve to help those in need but also to consolidate his own position.

The cardinals watched him in silence. None of them responded. Only the faint sound of a glass being placed on the table broke the silence.

Kael looked away slightly, with his usual serenity that gave nothing away. Finally, he spoke in a polite tone and calm voice:

"If there is nothing more to say, I will take my leave. May the Lord be with us all." He brought a hand to his chest, tracing a cross and then encircling it with a circle.

Before he could leave, a voice stopped him.

"No, young Rasen..." said one of the cardinals, in a more serious tone than usual. "There is something we want to tell you. And perhaps... You will be interested."

Silence returned immediately, but this time it was charged with anticipation. Kael stopped in his tracks, and without turning around yet, a slight smile formed on his lips.