Four Split Personalities

"Of course, thank you very much for your understanding."

Ramollok smiled gently, then nodded at the somewhat lost-looking Richard, indicating for him to follow to the command room across the hall.

"Richard..."

From the beginning, the counselor who had been glaring at Ramollok pulled Richard aside, clearly not wanting him to really go and "talk" with Ramollok. The reason was simple... if the match indeed unfolded as he imagined, then the humiliation contained within was truly overwhelming.

"It’s alright."

Richard shook his head, raised his hand to stop his friend, and then followed Ramollok into the command room where he feared he had been for less than ten minutes.

...

"Well then..."

Casually closing the door and confirming that the soundproof barrier was still functioning smoothly, Ramollok sighed softly and bowed slightly to Richard, saying, "I apologize, Mr. Richard Ryan."

"Ah!"

Richard was completely caught off guard by this turn of events, exclaimed in surprise, and quickly supported Ramollok, saying, "What are you doing..."

"I just wanted to apologize to you."

Ramollok no longer stubbornly maintained a ninety-degree bow, instead shaking his head with some helplessness and sighed, "I think you’ve already guessed it. I left the scene within ten minutes of the match starting, and everything that followed was my counselor executing high-frequency instruction card inputs according to a specific tempo as per my instructions."

Richard nodded, smiling somewhat wryly, "Indeed... although I only guessed it just after seeing you earlier."

"While I am not qualified to speak of such things from my position,"

Ramollok sat in his command seat, his clear, clean black eyes looking at Richard: "But losing in such a manner, especially to pre-designed commands under the scrutiny of everyone, must be hard to forgive easily."

Originally feeling somewhat stifled, Richard first froze, then laughed with relief, plopping down into the counselor’s seat next to Ramollok: "Yes, earlier I just wanted to find a hole to drill into, it really was quite embarrassing."

"Indeed, which is why I apologize to you, Mr. Richard. You and I are both clergy, and having you lose such face without explanation makes me uneasy."

Ramollok smiled, then leaned slightly forward, sincerely patting Richard’s shoulder: "I hope you believe that it was not to humiliate you, and choosing this course was because of certain difficulties that are hard to explain..."

Richard also smiled, "While I’m curious about the reason, since you’ve said it’s ’hard to explain,’ it must be something inconvenient to disclose. By the way, I trust your explanation, Chief Priest Ramollok, because you didn’t actually need to explain to me."

"That’s great."

Ramollok looked relieved, then said lightly, "Though if you, Mr. Richard, are willing to keep it confidential, I don’t mind telling you the specifics of the ’hard to explain’ matter, as you are indirectly affected."

Richard looked at Ramollok with some surprise, fell silent for half a minute before slowly nodding, "I would love to hear the details."

"The reason is simple."

Ramollok was clear and frank, saying immediately: "I was only provoking your sect’s Black Vatican Priest. Hence, regardless of the opponent in this match, I would do the same thing, with no intent to target you specifically."

"Black... Black Vatican?!"

Richard exclaimed in shock, saying: "Provoke him? Why?!"

"Because I worry... I worry that when facing me, Black Vatican won’t exert his full force."

Ramollok sighed, shrugging, "Hence, I competed with you using his signature style, hoping it might make him take things slightly more seriously."

Richard’s eyes were almost popping out at this point: "Black Vatican’s signature style... Ramollok, what on earth are you talking about..."

"Eh?"

Ramollok’s eyes also widened, curious, "Didn’t you know that the actual commander of the battle in Sumer some time ago was Black Vatican?"

Richard: (O_O)

Ramollok continued curiously: "Aren’t you all from the Church of the Dawn?"

Richard continued: (O_O)

"Uh, alright, it seems you didn’t know."

Ramollok awkwardly touched his nose, chuckling: "Anyway, the only reason I participated in the Warfire League was to spar with Black Vatican Priest. But he seems... if even you, Mr. Richard, didn’t know about it, it’s not just ’seems,’ it should be said he really is too low-key, always giving me the impression that even if matched against each other, he definitely won’t take it seriously."

"This... I... You..."

Richard opened his mouth, organizing his words for a while before stammering, "Chief Priest Ramollok, do you think Black Vatican Priest is on the same level as you in terms of being a commander?"

"Haha, same level is quite vague indeed."

Ramollok laughed, waving his hand lightly, saying cheerily: "But personally, I believe that Black Vatican Priest’s ability to incite a desire in me to spar a bit with him is itself quite indicative."

Richard trembled imperceptibly, then glanced down at his clenched hands, murmuring, "So, Chief Priest Ramollok, in your perspective, the difference between Black Vatican Priest and I..."

"To have him seriously compete against me, I decided to use his preferred style in the second round, and you, Mr. Richard, were my second-round opponent."

Ramollok lazily caressed the armrest, speaking calmly, "And I did not change my decision because of this."

"..."

Richard was silent, although he knew Ramollok was being very diplomatic, it still stabbed him.

Yet, amidst this pain, there was oddly a hint of thin relief.

"But I hope you don’t underestimate yourself, Mr. Richard."

Ramollok stood up again, patting Richard’s shoulder with a smile, "Though I apologize for my rash actions, it does not mean I would apologize to others for this matter."

Richard looked up at the other party, feeling somewhat bewildered, "I don’t understand..."

"To be clear, the reason I’m willing to come and have a chat with you is because I believe you’re an outstanding commander, an excellent player. Hence, I feel sorry for offending you, and among all the participants, those who receive my, Ramollok’s evaluation are no more than five."

Ramollok smiled modestly, saying softly with a twinkle, "Honestly, Richard, your defense is quite good, and what you’re lacking in that aspect isn’t something that can’t be compensated with effort. Understand?"

"Then may I interpret this as..."

Richard started smiling, standing up and shrugging at Ramollok, "I somehow used my skill to earn your respect?"

"Absolutely, there’s no doubt about it."

Ramollok laughed heartily, then abruptly fell silent, and after a thoughtful pause, he spoke quietly, "Bold question, Mr. Richard..."

"Feel free to say."

"If, I mean if you wish to achieve greater success in this domain, or to avoid needless detours, would you consider coming to the Dream Teaching Country for some guidance or assistance from me?"

"What are you saying!?"

"Please, don’t misunderstand, I’m not suggesting you leave the Church of the Dawn, I just feel... that maybe I can offer such a talented young person a... beneficial internship platform?"

"I don’t understand."

"The Southwestern Continent where the church country lies will soon become chaotic, and among the internship positions I can offer, the highest is... General and Deputy Chief of Staff."

"..."

"Mr. Richard?"

"You’re joking, right, Chief Priest Ramollok?"

"Ha, what else, of course I’m joking~"

"Ha... hahaha... you’re really too humorous."

"Many say so, well, see you back in competition, Mr. Richard."

"Thank you, Chief Priest Ramollok, I’ve learned a lot."

...

[Learned a lot, but... no way... am I going for a second match against you...]

...

Chapter 1277: Conclusion

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