Chapter 208: Main Chapter (2)
Chapter 208: Main Chapter (2)
There are times in life when a person's values are shaken.
I thought I was a genius, but am I actually a loser?
Breasts should be larger than the head. But Iris is still erotic.
I can easily write 5,000 characters in ten hours. ...Right?
A platypus has nothing to do with ducks or raccoons...?
And so on. As you live, countless self-doubts sprout, leading to moments of deep skepticism.
For me, that moment is right now.
"Am I... socially dense?"
"Well, Master, you have your circumstances. Right, Elisha?"
"Yes. You simply lacked the environment to develop social skills. It will be fine now that we're with you."
"The-there... Junior? Let's hang in there together, okay?"
Carla, Elisha, and Fay comforted me with awkward smiles.
If that weren't enough to make my heart ache, the long-lived duo was looking at me with genuine pity.
"My Master... wh-why not learn things one by one from now on? I was a Tower Lord, after all. I am quite confident in my social graces."
"Hey, hey. Starting from the second semester, why don't you take some liberal arts classes instead of just magic? I'll use my authority as a professor to pull some strings for you, so don't worry too much."
Don't... don't look at me with those eyes!
I understood the situation. They probably saw me as a boy who had been cooped up in a dragon's lair his whole life, learning nothing but information and how to fight, only to emerge into the world a few years ago.
Actually, that was my cover story.
But despite appearances, I had properly finished elementary, middle, and high school, and even attended university.
I wasn't some three-year-old baby who just stepped out into the world!
...Wait. How many people could I actually call friends back then? I think I just went home and played games the moment school ended.
"……."
A thick wave of skepticism suddenly washed over me.
Without a word, I tucked my hands under Iris's armpits and hoisted her high into the air.
"Master? Surely...!"
Ignoring the shocked Iris, I held her tight and shook her up and down, giving her the "up-sy daisy" treatment.
"L-let me down! Doing this... doing this outside is not proper!"
Iris flailed for a while, but as I continued to give her the "airplane" ride, she eventually gave up and went limp, as she always did.
Swing, swing.
I took a moment to heal my soul by watching Iris's limbs dangle helplessly.
Once I regained some peace of mind, I was finally able to look around.
The path was so wide it made my jaw drop. Sacred paintings filled every inch of the walls and ceiling. And a dense holy power permeated every corner.
Just walking here felt like it would heal most wounds and fill my entire body with vitality.
Indeed, this was the corridor leading to the Audience Hall inside the Great Temple.
We were currently being guided by Gilbert and Helena to meet the Pope.
...Though Gilbert and Helena seemed more preoccupied with something other than guiding us.
"Waaaaah! Uncle Gilbert! How am I supposed to live now?! I can't... I can't lift my head! It's so embarrassing...!"
"Now, now. Anyone can have a misunderstanding. Helena, you're at an age where you know how the world works, so it's natural you might jump to conclusions."
"I suppose so, right?! Brother Yandel is a wonderful person, but his private life is a bit... you know!"
"A bit what...?"
Gilbert glanced my way. When I gave a slight nod to show it was fine, he finally looked relieved and began to soothe Helena.
"It might be a bit much, but it's all within legal boundaries. Besides, the kind of thing you were worried about wouldn't have happened in the first place."
"That's... yes. You're right. Brother Yandel might be promiscuous, but he's not a bad person. But if that promise earlier was about a bet, I wonder what he'll ask for in exchange for this medallion..."
"Hmm? That's—gah!"
Gilbert's eyes widened as he saw the medallion Helena was fiddling with.
Seeing a muscular giant react like that was a bit intimidating.
While I flinched inwardly, Gilbert, who had been leading the way, strode toward me and asked.
"Lord Yandel!"
"Oh, yes."
"Did you possess another Divine Object?"
"It's not that I had another one. I just cleared a dungeon on the way here and got it as a reward."
"A dungeon... on the way...?"
Gilbert wore a bizarre expression, as if he'd just heard someone say they picked up a gold bar while walking down the street.
Well, it's true that dungeons aren't exactly things you find just because you want to.
I shrugged as if it were no big deal.
"It just happened. I figured we had enough strength, so we just cleared it. The medallion isn't really something we can use, and it clearly looked like a Divine Object of the Righteous Light, so I handed it over to Priestess Helena. Of course, it wasn't for free; I told her I'd ask for a few favors later."
"What do you intend to demand...?"
Gilbert asked cautiously. I knew now. Regardless of his personal liking for me, I knew why he was so wary.
He was worried I might use the medallion as leverage to do something untoward to Helena.
...To be honest, it was tempting, but what I wanted from Helena was something else entirely.
I gave a bitter smile as I noticed Helena surreptitiously eavesdropping on our conversation.
"It's nothing much. I was just... thinking of asking her to join my party."
"Your party, you say?"
"Yes. A party to conquer dungeons together and, depending on the situation, hunt cultists."
"Ho..."
Gilbert blinked blankly and tilted his head.
"Those are truly grateful words, but is that realistically possible? Helena's talent is certainly outstanding, but... I've heard rumors. She won't be at a level to keep up with you, Lord Yandel."
"For now, perhaps. But as we clear dungeons together, she'll soon be standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Above all, the Righteous Light, having regained her strength, might come to cherish Lady Helena even more."
"Hmm."
Gilbert's eyes sharpened the moment I finished speaking.
The fact that Helena was a Saintess Candidate was a secret for now. High-ranking officials of the Church—like Archbishops or Cardinals—would know.
Conversely, it meant no one else knew unless they were at that level.
So, since I had just mentioned making Helena a Saintess, he had no choice but to be wary...
"Ah. Come to think of it, it's only natural that you would know. My thoughts were shallow; I almost had a ridiculous misunderstanding."
"Pardon?"
Gilbert suddenly bowed his head. Then, he nodded with a smile that suggested he understood everything.
"It is only natural that one who is closest to the Sun would notice Helena's talent. Has the Light... chosen Helena?"
"Uh... it's not quite that, but I'm going to ask. The movements of the cultists have been unusual lately, haven't they? We need to prepare in advance. We don't have time to drag our feet wondering who would be best."
"...Something is happening, then?"
"I will explain the details to the Pope in the Audience Hall. It's that important."
"I see... Understood. Then let us focus on the guidance for now."
With a slightly stiffened expression, Gilbert took the lead again.
Helena, who still hadn't grasped the situation, was looking around, whispering, "Huh? What?"
My companions hadn't been told anything beforehand, but they seemed to have a general idea and quietly followed behind me.
Helena, who had been stomping her feet in embarrassment just moments ago, also grew quiet as she sensed the shift in atmosphere.
After walking down the long corridor in silence, we arrived before a massive door.
*
"Ah... I could feel the Lord's light from afar. Welcome. I am Albaor, the first servant of the Righteous Light."
As soon as we arrived, an old man descended from the high seat to introduce himself.
Unlike Gilbert, whose body was more impressive than most young men despite his aged face, Albaor had a small and frail frame.
However, that did not mean he was weak.
Perhaps it was because I possessed an A+ rank blessing, even though I wasn't a member of the clergy. I could feel an intense radiance emanating from within Albaor.
It was a sensation I had never felt from other priests. Was it because he was the Pope? Or was it a unique trait of Albaor himself?
In the game, he just felt like the typical old man character who looks weak but is actually the most dangerous.
Seeing him in person, I understood. His weakness was strictly limited to his appearance. The aura he projected didn't hide his true nature at all.
If necessary, that radiance would turn into a massive amount of holy power, becoming a miracle wrought by human hands.
I hesitated for a moment at the sight of the Pope of the Righteous Light, the most bellicose of the gods.
Soon, I smiled and returned Albaor's greeting.
"Thank you for the welcome. But it's a bit overwhelming. Please, treat me more comfortably."
"Nonsense. In this day and age, even the Pope is merely a temporary position elected from among the Cardinals. It is different from the true Popes before the Great War. It is more overwhelming for me to receive formal speech from one who enjoys the Lord's favor. Could you perhaps speak more casually...?"
"...Let's just keep it like this."
Albaor nodded with a gentle laugh.
No matter what, I felt a bit of resistance speaking informally to an elderly man.
Gilbert didn't feel like a much older senior because of his massive physique.
Anyway, Albaor briefly greeted Fay and Iona as well, and then shared a few words with Gilbert and Helena.
It seemed he didn't intend to hold us for long, as he smiled softly and prepared to dismiss us.
"I fear I may be bothering you when you must be tired from your long journey. I have prepared a VIP room, so please use it freely. We can always make time later."
"Thank you. However, before that, I have something I'd like to discuss and a favor to ask. Would that be alright?"
"Hmm? With this old man? It would be my honor. Come, please sit."
Albaor took a seat at a round table placed in front of the high seat, rather than the high seat itself.
I also took a suitable seat.
Then, I took the first step in the plan I had been contemplating for a long time: protecting the Church of the Righteous Light.
"Cultists are targeting the Church of Light."
"That is something that has always been the case."
"To be more precise, they are aiming for the fall of the Righteous Light."
"...That is not a story I can simply let pass."