Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Those Who Have Sinned (3)
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After finishing a brief prayer for Joseph and the inquisitors.
I straightened my posture again, and upon realizing my own actions just now, I felt unconsciously flustered.
"......"
Right now... I hadn't consciously prayed to use my ability.
I had simply clasped my hands together and meditated naturally, just for someone's happiness.
'Like a real saintess...'
It felt somehow embarrassing.
Had I been pretending to be a cleric for so long that even I got immersed in it?
This was an attitude I never would have imagined before coming to this world, and once again, I felt my own changes.
Of course, I had no intention now of denying the divine help granted to me.
Without miracles, I wouldn't have survived this far.
But... if I had to nitpick, shouldn't the reason have been explained first?
The reason why my perfectly fine life was suddenly turned into that of a lost child in an unfamiliar world.
Considering the hardships of the past few months, I couldn't help but still feel a bit resentful.
"....."
Whether it was really a god, Merciful Radiance, or some other unknown existence... what exactly did it want from me here?
Even when I prayed alone occasionally, no answer ever came back.
To that familiar silence, I could only let out a small sigh.
And I thought again.
'In that prayer just now... something sparkled, or was it my imagination?'
Had I unconsciously used a prayer?
Suddenly worried, I carefully introspected my inner self once more.
Then, near my heart, I felt the vessel of faith sloshing around.
'Is it... the same...? Has it decreased...?'
I wasn't sure. Even observing closely, it just felt ambiguous.
Since I wasn't seeing it directly with my eyes, it was hard to get a proper sense.
So after pondering a bit more, I shook off the lingering thoughts.
'Even if I used it unconsciously, it wouldn't have been a noticeable amount.'
Unless the vessel had emptied completely, this level of consumption wasn't regrettable at all.
Compared to everything Joseph and the inquisitors had done so far.
'The church now has countless people flocking to it. Not all of them joined after witnessing miracles firsthand.'
So not everyone had perfect faith.
There were those who coveted the funds and influence gathered at the cathedral.
As the organization grew massive, rotten elements inevitably emerged.
Abuses of power under the church's prestige.
Injustices among believers inside the cathedral.
Clerics who abused or distorted God's will.
Embezzlement of charitable goods or donations uncovered by some executives.
The inquisitors had cleanly excised those wounds that would tarnish the church's reputation or fester from within if ignored.
That role was still ongoing.
"Warnings were issued to 132 believers with minor offenses. For the 23 who habitually abused the church's goodwill, compensation for damages, fines, and expulsion were imposed. And for the 7 who completely violated the doctrines and committed grave sins, appropriate punishment under church law along with excommunication."
At Joseph's report, I cautiously asked.
"How's the external reaction?"
This incident revealed that the Radiance Church wasn't just a group offering selfless goodwill without cost, but an organization capable of imposing its own sanctions according to its rules.
I worried the public might grow wary, but it seemed unfounded.
Another priest continued the report.
"Favorability toward the church is trending even higher than before."
Demand for the church's affordable medical services was exploding.
But new hospitals and staff couldn't be built or hired overnight, so supply still lagged behind demand.
Thus, while desperate believers waited endlessly for their turns, exposing those abusing the system naturally directed public outrage at them.
It was scummy behavior no different from stealing others' chances to line their own pockets.
And uniting people against a common enemy was a timeless truth.
With the inquisitors publicizing evidence and sanctioning the unscrupulous through clear procedures, the public felt trust rather than revulsion toward the church.
Thanks to that, local sentiment was growing even more favorable.
"How are the holy mark contracts progressing?"
"About 30 percent of businesses registered in Epsilon Circle 3 Sector have signed on. At this rate, over half is a sure bet."
Epsilon Circle was the outermost district even within the city.
Mainly home to commoners and the poor, its residents closely resembled those in the outskirts.
Thus, once momentum built, the church's influence expanded just like it had beyond the city.
"...And all church operations are proceeding smoothly as planned."
Pride glowed on the reporting priest's face.
Everyone in the meeting room shared it.
More than just spreading God's will, they took pride in delivering better lives to people.
And admiring gazes poured toward the 'saintess' who made it all possible.
Feeling awkwardly bashful, I praised and encouraged the gathered executives before wrapping up the meeting.
"The church reaching this point is all thanks to your hard work. Great job, everyone. You're doing wonderfully. City expansion is just getting started, so keep pushing forward."
The executives bowed politely.
Then they filed out one by one.
"......."
Finally, with the meeting ended and silence settling over the office.
Gazing at the empty space, I sank into solitary thought.
'If plans keep going smoothly...'
Church influence would spread through the city, soon amassing vast faith.
Plenty of hurdles remained... but my position now was worlds apart from the hopelessness of arriving alone in this world.
A faint path home was starting to emerge.
'I'd be lying if I claimed no sense of accomplishment.'
The church began as a desperate bid to return home.
But if my journey helped others even a little... it wasn't so bad.
'At first, I just wanted to survive and get back safely...'
Before I knew it, I'd grown deeply attached to this world and the people around me.
Beyond mere self-protection.
Thinking of leaving all those bonds behind strangely made a corner of my heart ache with wistfulness.
'...But no choice.'
I shook my head, as if dispelling the humid thoughts.
No matter the attachment, I couldn't live here forever.
'What about my family and friends back home...'
My parents might still be scouring the streets for their son who vanished overnight...
Imagining it weighed heavy on my heart.
"......."
Time carried its own gravity.
And the life I'd known my whole time was early 21st-century South Korea.
The scales in my heart still tipped slightly toward my original world.
'So...'
Until I could return, doing everything possible for this world's people... that would suffice.
Even so, the looming farewell left an oddly bittersweet emptiness.
To shake off the stuffiness, I left the meeting room.
The bodyguards waiting by the door rose in unison.
"Saintess?"
"Ah, take it easy. I won't go outside the cathedral."
I waved off those starting to follow, and a bishop asked familiarly.
"To the rooftop again?"
I nodded.
"Yes, just a short solo stroll in the garden."
True to that, the cathedral rooftop featured a greenhouse garden open to all.
The city's sole taste of nature. My favorite spot there.
Suddenly, tales of New York's Central Park came to mind.
The foresight of preserving greenery amid the concrete jungle.
'If we don't create a park here now, we'll need a mental hospital this size in 100 years.'
Back in Korea, with mountains dotting even the city heart, nature's value escaped me.
But here, visible greenery proved vital for mental well-being.
Thus, the rooftop garden was my sole extravagance since arriving in Omega Detroit.
'Not just for me, of course.'
Open to all believers too. Thankfully, they adored it.
Usually bustling... but...
'Mass and meetings done, this hour's typically deserted.'
As expected, the elevator led to a silent rooftop greenhouse, devoid of presence.
"......"
Though called a greenhouse, it wasn't some grand arboretum.
Just a glass roof shielding landscape trees and flowers from acid rain.
Lacking stuffy humidity, ideal for walking.
After a few leisurely laps, time to head back.
"...So yesterday..."
"...Really? Me too..."
Then, faint voices and footsteps from the garden's far side.
'Who?'
Peeking 'round the corner: recent novice sisters, out walking.
'Names... Agnes and Emma?'
They hadn't spotted me, so I halted.
"......."
One reason for the pause.
I didn't want to interrupt their stroll.
New church staff often tensed excessively around me at first, overly deferential.
'Used to believers revering the saintess...'
But frequent encounters with insiders felt burdensome too.
Same here.
Sudden appearance would surely fluster the novices.
No desire to stir that in a relaxation spot.
Plan: hide behind tree, let them pass, slip away quietly.
"Ah, bench here!"
"Sit a bit, sister?"
But they plopped right by my tree.
'Awkward. Bad hide?'
Emerging now... way more cringe than casual meet.
Stuck hesitating.
Their chat began.
"...So, Sister Emma, cathedral life worries?"
"Yes..... Feels so sinful, agonizing."
Agonizing? Breath caught.
Snippets suggested counseling.
'Still church injustices?'
If grave... inquisitors needed.
Worries swirling, next words froze thought.
"...Because of the saintess..."
'Me?'
Stunned, ears perked from hiding.
".....!"
".........!"
Hushed whispers, faint but close enough.
"Last time... every meeting... that smile... remembering names... almost resentful..."
Stunned silent.
Tormenting her this much: me. Shocking.
Hoped rebuttal; instead, deep nod of agreement.
"Yeah, I get it..."
Wondered: my approach flawed?
Tried kindly approachable for newbies...
Maybe like oblivious manager crashing young staff vibe.
Uncomfortable truth sank mood.
Shifting in reverie, foot snapped twig.
Crack-!
'Gasp...!'
"....?"