Read Novel Full Chapter 27, The Case Of Calogero 1
Chapter 27, The Case Of Calogero 1
Translator: Lizz
Calogero was, publicly, the son of Baron Eliseo from the neighboring country.
In truth, he was the child of Marquis Onofrio and a dancer. His mother, the dancer, had passed away during childbirth. Marquis Onofrio, unable to bring the child into his household, sought his relative, Baron Eliseo, and begged him to adopt the child.
With the guarantee of continued support from the Marquis Onofrio family and the fact that the child was exceptionally pretty, taking the best features from both parents, Baron Eliseo agreed.
Calogero grew up cherished as the youngest son of the Eliseo family, but he was too pretty.
Countless suspicious individuals targeted him, and there were several attempted kidnappings every month.
The Baron Eliseo family alone couldn’t protect him, so the Marquis Onofrio family also deployed bodyguards to ensure his safety. Such was the spellbinding beauty of young Calogero in his childhood.
Thus, Calogero acquired a skill called ‘Illuminating Sin’ to protect himself. This skill allowed him to see the sins people have committed, and he had relied on it for his safety.
In reality, ‘Illuminating Sin’ wasn’t a particularly convenient skill. It showed even minor sins, like ‘lying’, and these sins were represented with extremely simple words.
However, it helped him identify people with malicious intent.
For those with greater sins, the words appeared darker and more vividly red. It took him some time to realize that avoiding people with sins as red as blood would keep him safe. Until then, he avoided everyone, stayed confined to his room, and constantly wore a veil.
Despite everything, Calogero was fortunate. Though he was adopted, his adoptive parents and siblings treated him well, caring for him as if he were their biological child. His biological father, Marquis Onofrio, actively supported him financially and arranged for his protection, feeling indebted for not being able to raise him.
Thanks to the support of those around him, Calogero’s distrust of others gradually eased, and he began to venture outside.
Calogero’s skill and magic were known only to Baron Eliseo and Marquis Onofrio.
Because of their unique nature, it was decided to keep them secret.
“It might be a good idea for you to become a priest in the future. You could rise to a high rank in the church.”
Baron Eliseo said. Calogero also thought that such a path might ensure his safety, but Marquis Onofrio expressed a different opinion: ‘If you are to reveal sins, then a role in the judiciary would be more fitting. Start studying now’. Respecting the Marquis’s stance, Baron Eliseo recommended that Calogero pursue a judicial career.
This was the turning point.
Had Baron Eliseo strongly pushed for a clerical path, Calogero might have risen to be a high-ranking priest in the neighboring country.
However, he aimed for the judiciary instead.
Marquis Onofrio sent numerous talented tutors from his household to teach Calogero, who devoted himself to studying. While some inappropriate individuals attempted improper acts when alone with him, bodyguards were always watching, and before such situations escalated, Calogero reported them to Baron Eliseo, leading to their dismissal.
Calogero felt uncertain.
Indeed, pursuing a judicial career would place him in a position to judge others. But was that truly the best path?
The reality was that even half of the tutors Marquis Onofrio carefully selected had committed serious crimes, while the others had accumulated minor offenses. If Calogero were to judge them all, they would all be considered criminals. Even his biological father.
Then, a decisive incident occurred.
When Calogero was ten years old, Marquis Onofrio introduced him to the Chief Justice, the current head of the judiciary. Marquis Onofrio, feeling like he owed Calogero, thought that connecting him to the Chief Justice would prove advantageous in the future. And indeed, that was correct.
However, it came at the expense of Calogero’s dignity.
On the day Calogero visited the mansion of the Chief Justice, he was rendered speechless at first glance.
Words like ‘Deceit’, ‘Rape’, ‘Cruelty’, and ‘Murder’ were written in bright red.
The Chief Justice spoke to Calogero with familiarity and in a manner that seemed genuinely kind, but upon noticing Calogero’s heightened wariness and fear, he quickly revealed his true nature.
Half forcing Calogero to be alone with him, he pressed a hand to Calogero’s mouth and whispered in his ear:
“You wish to pursue a career in the judiciary, do you not? Then you have no choice but to comply with my demands. I control all judicial appointments with my influence. If I take you under my wing, you will undoubtedly rise in rank, and with your looks – you could even succeed me. Or are you still thinking of refusing?”
Though nauseated, Calogero broke free and declared:
“I-I never wanted to pursue a career in the judiciary in the first place! That’s why I will expose your crimes!”
The Chief Justice merely sneered at him.
“What? Who would believe you? I’m the Chief Justice, and you’re just the son of a Baron. If I claim that you tried to seduce me and I refused, everyone will believe me.”
“My father and Marquis Onofrio will believe me! They know about my skill!”
The Chief Justice’s expression shifted from puzzled to sharply severe.
He suddenly remembered what Marquis Onofrio had said when introducing Calogero to him:
“Calogero possesses a unique skill that makes him perfectly suited for a judicial career. You must meet him.”
At the time, the Chief Justice had dismissed those words, preoccupied with concealing his excitement at the prospect of ensnaring the rumored pretty boy.
The Chief Justice, determined not to let Calogero escape, pounced on him.
Calogero, desperate, fought to flee.
“…Give up! There’s no one in this mansion who will side with you! Everyone here is either under my thumb or my beloved playthings!”
The Chief Justice shouted as he finally caught Calogero and pinned him down.
But Calogero kicked the Chief Justice in the groin.
“――――!??”
As the Chief Justice writhed in agony, Calogero shoved him away and escaped outside.
“–Hey! Someone, anyone, follow him! Don’t let him get away!”
The Chief Justice roared once he could speak again.
Though he wanted to pursue Calogero himself, he was unable to even stand at that moment.
He ordered his subordinates to go after him.