Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Handclap of Devout Worship (2)
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Aluerd closed his eyes and bowed his head.
The area near the castle walls looked as if it had already been cleaned up.
But the bloodstains seeped into the ground proved just how many casualties there had been.
"O Lord God and Earth Goddess Iliasi, please embrace these souls warmly."
If he had come here sooner, could he have erased these bloodstains?
After finishing his short prayer, Aluerd gazed at the still-sealed gates.
He also noticed the holy knights grumbling nearby.
"The Goddess of Night, Iris, has visited twice already..."
"Exactly. Why haven't they opened the gates yet?"
"During such a crucial time, no less. Do they even know what's happening?"
Aluerd shook his head at their words.
With this devastation right in front of them, all they could complain about was the gates not opening?
And the mention of Iris visiting twice didn't sit well with him either.
Their words were spat out with arrogant swagger.
It was obvious they were caught up in the privilege of being priests.
"...."
Aluerd scanned the holy knights before fixing his gaze on the gates.
The wooden statue that no one paid any attention to.
Aluerd couldn't fathom how they could ignore it.
It overflowed with such divinity.
It felt different from the time he visited Chris's residence last time.
"How could that small wooden statue..."
Aluerd had definitely felt it.
Holy energy flowing from that statue, driving away the undead.
But no matter how closely he examined it, he couldn't detect the divine power typical of priests.
It simply felt holy.
"There are so many inexplicable things."
What artifact could possibly repel undead like that?
Only a sacred relic brimming with holy power could do such a thing.
And as far as Aluerd knew, no sacred relic took that form.
"..."
Aluerd's thoughts drifted to the rattle Chris had been shaking.
This incident had made it clear.
The sound of the rattle influenced holy power.
He was probably the only one who sensed it, though.
"...Hm?"
At that moment, sensing a sudden gaze, Aluerd lifted his head.
A figure in a deeply hooded robe.
Even though his face was hidden, Aluerd knew instantly who it was.
"Lord Chris...?"
Aluerd hurriedly averted his eyes and turned his head.
He felt like he had committed a sin.
Ashamed and embarrassed—that's what it was.
An unfamiliar emotion for Aluerd, who had lived according to the words of the gods.
He felt it every time he met Chris's eyes.
"Haa..."
What good was being the next pope candidate?
He still knew so little and could do even less.
"Iliasi..."
Aluerd bowed his head and began to pray.
"Ow... my eyes hurt."
I thought I was getting used to it, but then Aluerd suddenly started glowing.
He seemed to be praying...
"...I don't like it much."
That's how they pray in the church, apparently, but it didn't look right to me.
Offering prayers with bare words? At least put out some food, even if it's simple.
"Well... prayers seem to work, at least."
Every time Aluerd bowed his head here and there, the base of the walls flashed brightly.
If everyone did it together, it would have been much more effective.
"What are the rest doing just standing there?"
"...Chris."
"Yeah?"
Serena had been fidgeting since earlier and finally spoke to me.
She was always quiet, so I'd been wondering what was up.
"Why?"
"...We need to water the totems."
"...Huh?"
The holy knights had been camped at the gates for two days, so Serena couldn't go.
"More devoted to the totems than I thought..."
"..."
"Wait a sec."
I immediately called out to old man Closel.
He was the one handling the holy knights' provocation.
"Old man. When are they letting those guys in?"
"Hm? Is it time to let them in now?"
"No, not that..."
They said they'd contact the church and do background checks, right?
When I asked the old man, he just snorted.
"They haven't even made contact yet."
"What?"
"Their identities are clear anyway. We've already gotten everything from our informants."
"Hmm..."
"They're formally protesting to the church. Apparently, during the period for receiving oracles, they must avoid combat."
"Oracles?"
What kind of oracle reception requires ignoring people dying?
"And yet they had the gall to say they'd send reinforcements."
"Ramon said there's probably some other political motive involved. He's looking into it now."
"Sheesh..."
After what those bastards did, I want to leave them out here longer.
"Was there a reason you asked?"
"Ah... well... we need to water them..."
The mages nearby flinched and gathered around at my words.
Their expressions were serious.
"Lord Closel, the holy knights are annoying, but what if..."
"What if something happens to the artifacts?"
"We haven't even started research yet."
At the mages' protests, old man Closel sighed awkwardly.
"Well... true, but we still can't open the gates."
"If we research those artifacts, wouldn't it help greatly against the undead?"
"I agree."
It wasn't wrong.
If they could replicate the totems' effects with magic.
Probably impossible, though.
As the old man stayed silent, the mages whispered among themselves.
"What if something happens to the Generals?"
"I hear they only drink water made by spirits."
"....?"
Generals...?
"Um, are you calling the totems 'Generals'?"
"Ahem..."
The mages exchanged glances and shut their mouths.
And those glances were directed at Serena.
"...Serena?"
"...."
"No way...?"
Nod.
"Do whatever. If the one watering them calls them that."
As the conversation ended, everyone looked at old man Closel.
And he was looking at me.
"You sure it'll be okay?"
He wasn't asking if I'd divined it.
Word had come from old man Klein.
And it was a bit absurd.
One faction in the church was claiming I was a heretic.
On top of that, Klein said he'd handle it, so I should lay low for a bit.
He seemed quite sorry about this incident.
"Hm... a heretic, huh."
Getting tangled in heresy issues complicates things.
saints and saintesses exist here, and divine power manifests the gods' will.
In such a situation, being labeled a heretic...
But my answer was already set.
"It's fine."
"Really? It's not as simple as you think."
"Doesn't matter. I need to visit the church anyway."
"...Business with the church?"
I did have business.
One of my guests was Aluerd.
If not for this, I'd be at the church by now.
"It'll be tough, but my fate's always been like that..."
Then old man Parmon walked over.
"It's not that simple."
"Pardon?"
"I just finished talking with Klein. You're more deeply involved than you think."
What business could I have with the church?
I've only met three people from there.
At old man Parmon's glance, everyone around dispersed.
It was a private matter.
"The church is currently split into two factions: pro-pope and anti-pope. Klein holds considerable power in the pro-pope faction."
"And?"
"Their pretext is this: 'We cannot proceed with receiving the oracle while associating with heretics at a time like this.'"
"...?"
"They're using you to oust Klein."
"Sheesh..."
"Ironically, once heresy is involved, there's no basis to oppose them."
Old man Parmon was right.
Who could stop punishment in the name of the gods?
They'd get tangled as heretics too.
Plus, as a commoner, they probably thought they could easily sweep me aside.
Seeing my serious expression, old man Parmon spoke up.
"No need to worry separately. You're already more remarkable than you know."
He pointed at Serena.
"You're the elves' benefactor, aren't you? Hans reported it, but the church doesn't believe it."
Come to think of it, yeah.
Once you become a great shaman, connections start forming one by one.
Now I have connections too.
Not that I did it for that.
"Well, that doesn't really matter..."
I have to go that path anyway; avoiding it won't help.
It'll be a rough road, obviously.
It's not about safety.
It's one of my destinies.
"That's why they've kept the gates closed until now."
No wonder they'd locked them for two days.
I thought it was just venting, but no.
The old men's consideration, I suppose?
"Just open them. It's fine."
"Hmm... if they come, you might get dragged to the church."
If I have to leave, there's something I must say first.
I hadn't said it yet since no direct attack had come...
"Whatever you do, don't go up the mountain to catch the necromancer."
"Hm...?"
"Going there is the worst omen among omens. It'll be a disaster."
"I'll keep that in mind."
After a few more warnings, the old men nodded.
"We won't just sit idle, so don't worry."
"Reinforcements from nearby territories are coming, so we can hold here."
With that, the gates opened.
In my eyes, a path of hardship opened.
"Aigoo... my fate..."
The handclap ritual is done, I wonder if my fate got even more tangled...