Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Granting the Oracle (3)
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The main temple of the church.
This place, where countless people had begun to gather, was packed full of people by dusk.
Almost all the priests from the surrounding areas must have come here.
The general populace, excluding the priests, was no exception.
"I can't even remember the last time we had an oracle."
"Lady Ilia is watching over us."
The apprentice priests chatted as they walked toward the temple.
"Have you heard the rumors?"
A priest cautiously glanced around before whispering to his colleague.
"They say the holy knights are secretly arming themselves near the temple."
"What nonsense is that? Don't speak such blasphemy."
"Ahem... I've heard it too."
An undercurrent of unrest rippled through the priests, clashing with the reverent atmosphere.
And rightly so—the rumors spreading in secret were quite ominous.
"They say the oracle might not even come..."
"I heard even the Pope has already..."
Zzt.
The whispering apprentices fell silent under the sharp glares from beside them.
The one glaring at them now was the instructor responsible for their doctrinal education.
"Do not speak carelessly."
"...Yes, Hubert."
The middle-aged man called Hubert took a deep breath and scanned his surroundings.
He had heard the rumors too.
Moreover, among the higher-ranking priests, even stranger rumors were circulating.
'...Holy power disappearing?'
How could such a thing even be possible?
But the faces of those who had been thorns in his side were nowhere to be seen.
Everyone wore urgent expressions as they hurried off somewhere.
'What in the world is going on...'
The preparations for the oracle were also full of suspicious omissions.
Normally, they required several days of preparation.
Gathering in the oracle chamber, purifying body and mind, fasting, and offering prayers—that was the standard procedure.
This time, that process had been drastically shortened.
There were scarcely any priests handling the preparations.
'Everything's so strange... And considering who's missing...'
They were the ones steeped in corruption.
Those people hadn't shown their faces during the preparation period.
'And they were definitely...'
Holy knights loyal to Berte.
How could he not know?
Hubert had taught them since their apprentice days.
'The situation is far from normal.'
How could armed holy knights be present at an oracle ceremony?
Where were their sacred robes? Why were they in armor?
"...?"
As Hubert sensed something off and moved to enter the temple, holy knights blocked his path.
"You need to come with us."
"...Where to? The ceremony is about to begin."
The holy knight approached Hubert and whispered secretly.
"It's an order from His Holiness the Pope."
"...!"
Hubert whipped his head around urgently, looking behind him.
Groups loyal to Berte were scattered everywhere.
Given the circumstances, he needed to slip away quietly, avoiding their eyes.
"...I'll follow."
A glance passed between the holy knight and Hubert.
Hubert, scanning the area, met eyes with someone and gave a subtle nod.
A priest who lived faithfully, just like him.
Hubert's colleague had made contact with another holy knight as well.
Swoosh—
They began following the holy knight, clad in their pristine white robes.
They didn't utter a word until they reached a secluded spot.
After moving away from the temple to a deserted area, Hubert finally spoke.
"No one's around now. Tell me."
"...We need to go further."
His colleague from earlier must have been taken elsewhere.
"Where exactly are we going? Hurry and relay His Holiness's words."
"..."
There were no signs of people nearby anymore.
The holy knight, after checking the surroundings, came to a halt.
"His Holiness said..."
Hubert swallowed dryly.
The atmosphere was gravely serious.
"Do not enter the temple. And stay safe, out of harm's way."
"...What does that mean? Do not enter?"
They were already short on priests for the oracle.
The prayers and holy power of the faithful were essential.
"No other words?"
"Only that command."
What could this order possibly mean?
Hubert's brow furrowed in confusion.
"We lack the people to fill the temple with holy power."
"..."
"With the Saintess absent, shouldn't we gather every last strand of holy power?"
The holy knight repeated his stony-faced words.
"His Holiness commanded no entry."
"Why in the world..."
Flinch.
Hubert's body trembled momentarily.
A smile had crept onto the holy knight's lips.
"So that the oracle won't descend."
Stumble.
Stumble.
Hubert backed away.
This felt wrong.
"Is this truly His Holiness's command?"
Even as he asked, his instincts told him otherwise.
This was no order from the Pope.
"How dare you! Impersonating His Holiness! Have you no fear of the heavens?"
"Impersonating?"
When had he moved?
The holy knight's arm was already extended.
And in his fading vision, Hubert heard one last phrase.
"Soon... Lord Berte will ascend to the Papal throne."
"..."
Kline's eyes busily scanned the hall.
No matter how hard he looked, the people who should have been there were missing.
All he could see were Berte's followers filling every corner.
"...Something's off."
Their attitudes were far too relaxed.
He had sealed the temple with holy knights, prepared even for the worst-case scenario.
There would be plenty of time to suppress them if force came to force.
So what was with their demeanor now?
"...My head aches."
Political infighting in the church was unnecessary.
Following the words of the gods required no politics.
Yet here was this mess.
"A priest versed in power struggles like this..."
He couldn't guess what else they had prepared.
Just then, one latecomer slunk in.
"Tsk tsk... Where has that fool been..."
"Master...!"
It was Kline's disciple, Hans, rushing over.
"What kept you? Do you think the oracle is a game...?"
"Master, something's wrong outside."
"...What happened."
It was surely related to the people filling this place.
"The priests are following the holy knights somewhere."
"Explain."
Kline's face hardened.
The holy knights guarding outside were the Pope's faction.
It was shameful to divide forces, but that was the reality.
"...Seemed like secretive conversations... They didn't approach me."
"..."
"Did they receive separate orders?"
Impossible.
Kline's only command had been to guard the temple at all costs.
Berte, meeting Kline's eyes, flashed a smug smile.
"Looks like that bastard's up to his tricks again."
Kline swept his gaze over the priests behind him.
"We're already short on numbers..."
Every additional person pouring holy power increased the chances of receiving the oracle.
Even filling this temple with holy power offered no guarantees.
"...Why does that person come to mind."
The one who had boldly said to proceed as planned.
The figure from the Saintess's revelation.
"...Said they'd come to grant the oracle."
Kline shook his head.
He couldn't rely solely on that person.
"Take your group and gather more people now."
"Yes, Master."
"...Seems we have traitors."
"..."
If they followed the holy knights, they were likely captured somewhere.
Or already...
That's why they hadn't arrived.
"The ceremony to receive the oracle begins at sunset. Gather as many as you can before then."
Every extra prayer was needed.
These people before him would never pray.
"Absolutely no clashes until the ceremony ends."
This was the moment to hear the words of the gods.
They couldn't start with something unsavory.
"Go quickly. Time is of the essence."
A holy knight approached a priest heading into the temple.
"I have a secret order to relay."
Flinch.
"...From Lord Kline?"
"From His Holiness."
"...His Holiness himself?"
The priest, hearing the whisper, glanced around and followed the holy knight.
But soon, someone grabbed the priest's arm.
"Lord Iaelt, you mustn't follow!"
Iaelt turned at the familiar hand pulling him back.
It was a face he knew well.
A young priest he had always kept an eye on.
Iaelt smiled gently.
"It's important business, so don't worry."
"...That's not it."
The holy knight whispered to Iaelt again.
"It's urgent. His Holiness's order—hurry..."
"Lord Iaelt, everything that one's saying is a lie...!"
Iaelt's eyes wavered.
What was this situation?
If one were from the opposing faction, he wouldn't hesitate.
But both were familiar faces.
People he had discussed doctrine with regularly.
"..."
Both the holy knight's face and the young priest's brimmed with sincerity.
"You must enter the temple right now...!"
"It's not too late even after hearing His Holiness's words."
"What in the..."
The same scene unfolded around them.
Holy knights and priests tussling over individuals.
The priests' eyes began to waver amid the whispers.
"The order is not to enter the temple..."
"Don't listen to them."
"It's a command regarding the oracle."
Ding-a-ling—
"...It's over?"
"For now, yes..."
My body felt light.
Too light.
Even my skin felt refreshingly dry.
My clothes were sticky with blood-soaked grime, but my body was lighter than ever.
"...This is what they mean by it all at once?"
This fainting spell wasn't ordinary.
Far worse than what happened in the elven forest.
Flinch.
The horrific memory flashed back, and I spoke with a queasy expression.
"Even if I faint..."
"Pardon?"
"Never hold a rite for me."
"...A rite?"
"Don't set up a funeral table either."
How absurd was that?
A funeral for someone still alive.
They probably didn't know any better...
Anyway, it was time to go now.
"I wonder if it's started already..."
"They say the prayers for the oracle have already begun. But the situation is..."
"I know."
I knew all too well.
Hostile energies had whizzed past my head the whole time I was shaking the rattle.
I knew exactly what was happening.
"The snakes are slithering about..."
Time to clean up.
"Keep pouring holy power as you follow."
"Yes, Chris."
Step—
My footsteps were light too.
Before I knew it, the rattle moved in my hands clasped behind my back.
Who knew hands behind your back could be this convenient?
"Let's go. Time to brew some snake liquor."