Chapter 64
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Chapter 64 - 64.
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Audience with the Church Leader
After returning to the inn, we rested for a day before heading to the headquarters.
Aktaion took a break.
Ekyon and Antiope stuck close by my side as we went.
It was about an hour's walk to the headquarters.
Plain walking would've been boring, but sightseeing along the streets made the time fly by.
'We're here.'
A massive wall loomed ahead, with a thick wooden gate leading inside.
The structure called to mind a castle.
"Excuse me."
"Yes. Who is it?"
We knocked and waited just a moment.
Someone must've been standing by, because the reply came quicker than expected.
The Salvation Church was a religious organization.
They didn't usually lock their doors like this, but the headquarters was the exception.
It doubled as a repository for intelligence from various nations and precious historical texts.
Access was strictly controlled for that reason, and I'd heard they conducted inspections like this.
"Crown Prince."
"Yes?!"
The moment I revealed my identity, a startled exclamation burst from the other side.
It was only natural to be shocked, whether it was genuine or an impersonator.
"Uh, are you really Crown Prince Your Highness?"
"I have my credentials. If you're with headquarters, you should recognize my face. Take a look."
"Ah...! Understood."
Whoever was on the other side of the door stammered a reply before promptly swinging it open.
It looked incredibly heavy, yet it glided smoothly.
"Excuse me."
As the gate parted, the man beyond bowed his head politely.
He must've composed himself in that brief instant.
'Pretty ordinary.'
He wasn't bad-looking and wore the same robes as the church priests.
No hint that he practiced magic or mana either.
"Y-You're truly Crown Prince Your Highness. It's an boundless honor to meet you like this."
The man peeked up briefly before bowing his head again.
It was over the top, but that was the reaction from someone who definitely knew my face.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Yes. We've heard of the hardships Your Highness endured on your pilgrimage. I truly respect you."
"Thanks, but 'respect' might be going a bit far."
I straightened him up, and tears welled in his eyes.
His acting deserved an award at this point.
"Not at all. Isn't Ion thriving precisely because the imperial family undertakes such penances? The neighboring countries have all changed rulers at least once by now."
"Can't argue with that."
Ion was thriving, but plenty of nations had crumbled from disease in the interim.
Too many to count on two hands.
Some had even presumed to call themselves Ion's vassals...
In the end, they'd ruined themselves through greed.
"By the way. Is the Leader inside?"
"Yes, she is. I'll fetch someone to guide you right away, so please wait just a moment."
"No rush."
The moment the man left, I leaned back against the nearby wall.
A quick scan revealed a guard post by the gate, along with buildings and people milling about.
'Feels like Paris.'
If the imperial palace and border fortresses felt like bustling towns, this place was like the heart of Paris.
The boxy buildings gave off an almost academic vibe.
One might think it too lavish for a religious site, but it wasn't quite that.
This wasn't some overnight creation.
It had grown alongside Ion's long history.
Besides, for all its vast grounds and numerous buildings, it didn't feel ostentatious.
That scholarly impression came from exactly that restraint.
'Lots of people.'
I waved lightly to the wide-eyed folks bowing frantically.
There were too many for anything more.
Every glimpse brought fresh surprise, followed by greetings.
I felt like some celebrity.
"Your Highness...! Forgive the wait."
Three minutes of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ekyon, and a man came dashing up to bow.
"S-Sorry, so sorry...!"
"Calm down. Catch your breath, then talk slowly."
I sighed as I soothed the man on the verge of collapse.
I got it, considering the status gap, but it was still excessive.
"Hoo, hoo...! My deepest apologies."
Only after several deep breaths did he stand tall.
Up close, he was a fairly burly fellow.
"No need for apologies. You're the one who's guiding us?"
"Yes. I've taken over, so I'll escort you to the Leader. This way, please."
"Alright. Thanks."
We followed the man across the grounds.
Winding paths and alleyways...
Not overly complex, but enough to get lost in.
"This way."
The man leading us entered a pure white building.
It was square and pitch-black.
'Feels off somehow.'
I frowned as I stepped into the black building.
Its boxy shape made it feel like crawling into a coffin.
But the interior was nothing like one.
Books lined every wall.
The furniture and railings had a subtle dark brown patina—worn yet refined.
If I had to compare, it was like those magic libraries from fantasy comics or games.
Exactly that vibe.
'Tight fit.'
The man climbed stair after stair upward.
They grew narrower with each flight until barely one person could pass.
"We're here."
Finally, the man stopped before a door one step higher on the stairs.
It really gave off secretive vibes like this.
"Leader? I've brought an honored guest."
"Bring them in."
A unfamiliar woman's voice answered his knock.
I'd never heard it before.
"Yes, understood."
He carefully opened the door before stepping inside.
Best he could do in the narrow hallway.
I stepped through the open door with Ekyon.
Spacious.
The preceding narrow corridor made the space feel all the more grand and imposing.
'Practically a mansion.'
Plenty of rooms, easily over 3,000 square feet, though I couldn't say for sure.
I'd never lived in a house this big.
"Then, please converse comfortably."
The man retreated carefully, closing the door behind him.
Left in the vast space were me, Ekyon, and the woman standing far off.
"Ah, ah...! Welcome!"
As the door shut, the distant woman turned around.
She'd clearly inherited great genes—plump tits and a full ass.
Her beautiful blonde hair framed a particularly striking smiling face.
Heroine material from a game, easy.
"What an honor to meet the great Crown Prince! Thank you so much for visiting!"
She dashed right up to me in one breath and bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
A bit much.
"...Uh, nice to meet you. Get up."
"Yes!"
She sprang upright, eyes sparkling.
The sudden motion set her heavy tits bouncing heavily.
'Wow, check it out.'
An old meme flashed through my mind.
The kind that went from flop to classic.
"Pleased to meet you. I oversee the southern branch. Call me Minos."
The woman—Minos—gave her name politely with a smile.
Ekyon standing beside me was completely off her radar.
Not like she was ignoring or looking down on her.
More like tunnel vision from excessive focus.
"Niu. This is Ekyon."
"An honor to meet you."
Ekyon bowed a beat late after my intro.
Only then did Minos's gaze shift to her.
"Ah. Sorry for the late greeting. Was I rude?"
"Not at all. I actually felt fondness seeing how you treat His Highness. It's reassuring to know there's someone like you as Leader."
"Thank you for saying so."
The two women faced each other and clasped hands.
Seemed like overzealous loyalty had its own wavelength.
'Mom was right.'
The Salvation Church's Leader came from an imperial collateral line.
Typically descendants of Ion royals who'd fallen for commoners.
Their blood was extremely diluted.
Practically commoners at this point.
That said, they didn't live hard lives.
Wealthy enough, befitting imperial descendants.
Plus, that imperial blood lent them exceptional loyalty, or so I'd heard.
Enough to found a religion? That said it all.
"P-Please, have a seat. I should offer something... What would you like?"
Minos seated us before frantically rummaging through a corner shelf.
She was on the verge of knocking everything over.
Thankfully no mishaps, which made it all the more impressive.
Flailing around with zero openings.
"Here. Tea and treats. Far from enough, but please enjoy."
The flustered Minos assembled a respectable spread.
Cookies and tea on a tray.
The aroma marked them as top-shelf goods.
"Thanks. Been a while since I had something this fancy."
I emphasized the gratitude as I picked up a cookie.
As expected, nicely balanced—not overly sweet.
The tea had just the right bitterness, with a sweet aroma that covered it perfectly.
No complaints.
Ekyon said nothing but smiled in satisfaction.
High noble by birth—she was used to luxuries.
"Glad it suits your taste."
A soft smile played on Minos's lips.
She seemed relieved we were eating without complaint.
"All done."
I set down my teacup after clearing half the cookie plate.
Drained it clean to the bottom.
"Wonderful. If I may, what brings you to our humble branch?"
Minos's upturned lips drooped, ears included.
Signal to get to the point.
'Works for me.'
I gathered my thoughts briefly before meeting Minos's eyes.
"I've heard some unsettling rumors lately. That right?"
"Do you have any leads?"
"Nah. Just a hunch, no hard evidence. More like a shady vibe floating around?"
"From a distant chapel?"
Minos nodded lightly.
Affirming it meant something was indeed up.
"Yeah."
"I see. Good thing mouths are sealed tight. At that level, it's not really leaked."
"That dangerous?"
"From the perspective of a mere believer like me, yes."
Dangerous for believers.
Meaning not so much for me.
"I'm fine, though?"
"No one in Ion would dare challenge the imperial family's authority—Your Highness included. Not even nobles."
"Ah. Another noble, huh?"
I rubbed my forehead and shook my head.
The type most likely to stick their hand in the wrong pocket.
Did Mom not know? Or was she leaving it be on purpose?
'Probably the latter.'
Orpheus was the type to let it fester, then sweep it all away at once.
More entanglements meant easier faction realignment, greater deterrent effect.
Bigger gains overall.
"I'll hear you out. Take your time."
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