Chapter 130: Bonds Forged in the Holy Empire
There was no official name for the gathering aimed at preventing the world's destruction.
There were only two conditions to join: you had to genuinely work toward stopping the world's end, and you had to know about the goddess's avatar.
That was why the grand bishop had brought me here the moment he learned I'd met the goddess's avatar. A man chosen as a saint who'd encountered the goddess herself couldn't possibly be on the side trying to destroy the world.
"So you all knew already..."
I made a wry face, and Kim Hansol burst out laughing.
"What? Did you think you were the only one in on it? Like some protagonist burdened with a grand destiny?"
"No, nothing like that..."
"Ahaha! You're cuter than you look."
"No touching Siu!"
Elaine was already clinging to me tightly, but she squeezed her arms even harder, as if afraid Kim Hansol might steal me away. I couldn't help but smile faintly at her adorable wariness toward Kim Hansol in particular.
In contrast, Kim Hansol shuddered dramatically.
"Eugh, goosebumps. Anyway, you're smart enough to get the situation, right? So, what'd you talk about with the goddess?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
It seemed less like devout faith and more pure, unfiltered intrigue.
"The old saintess is curious too."
The 1st Saintess's anticipation, fueled by her faith, was the strongest; she took a step forward, drawing closer to me to hear more about the goddess up close.
But for me, these questions were nothing but awkward.
Most of what I'd discussed with the goddess—the supreme deity—was about my regression and the first timeline. It wasn't something I could easily share with others. I'd have to skip that and only mention the rest, but then there wouldn't be much left to say.
"Uh... she just said the world is in danger and asked me to protect it. She said she trusts me, so her avatar will rest and recover her strength for a while. And to make it easier for me to act as a saint, she'll bestow a few blessings on the Holy Sword..."
"Huh? That's it?"
"Yeah. That's all."
Kim Hansol frowned, disappointed by how mundane it was.
The avatar resting was significant, but it wouldn't affect things immediately. Very few people had even met the avatar anyway—it was practically good news.
As for the saint stuff, it was formalities. The Church of the Supreme God had decided to recognize me as a saint from the moment I pulled the Holy Sword. They'd just summoned me to meet the goddess and, if that happened, to brief me on this gathering.
"Really, just that? After meeting for so long?"
Kim Hansol put her hands on her hips and scolded me, but the 1st Saintess reined her in.
"Hansol."
It wasn't so much trust in me as a signal to let any omissions slide.
"No, it's true... The rest was just chit-chat with the goddess..."
I didn't think I was hiding anything. It was personal, not official—basically small talk. No obligation or need to share it.
"...Chit-chat? You gossiped with the goddess?"
"Let's drop it there. It'd take too long to explain everything, and the goddess probably meant for her to entrust it to us anyway."
"Urgh."
Kim Hansol grumbled but followed Ariel's lead, closing her mouth and stepping back.
"Han Siu Hero—no, Saint— you've heard you must prevent the destruction too. Do you know the cause?"
A glint entered my eyes.
Until now, I'd assumed it was the final war with the demons and demon gods. But Ariel's reaction suggested it wasn't just that. Winning against the demons was a given; there was another problem.
"...Dimensional rifts, maybe?"
"Correct."
Ariel grinned.
"It's odd that massive yin energy and power are pouring out from a rift caused by the goddess's mistake. Something beyond the rift is deliberately sending them. Our goal isn't just stopping the demon gods—it's that too."
"I see... That's why this secret group."
It wasn't news worth spreading.
On top of the powerful demons and demon gods, there was an unknown enemy.
"Exactly. We don't even know what it is, so we couldn't tell other nations. But not everyone's here—some are busy or can't leave at the same time. A few more members exist."
"Like the pope, for example...?"
"Hee hee. Sharp as ever."
I nodded at the 1st Saintess's chuckle.
The pope's expectant, intrigued gaze before sending me to the sanctuary must've been because of this.
It's a burden, but... no different from before. Just need more prep.
Maybe that's why it didn't feel as heavy as meeting the goddess.
"That about wraps it up? Elaine can fill you in on the rest. We'll contact you through her if needed."
With that, the meeting ended.
Elaine explained on the side: the unknown enemy beyond the rift wasn't moving, and we knew nothing about it, so it was inevitable. Since we couldn't predict how it'd come, gatherings focused mostly on demon-related discussions.
So, we're done now?
I wanted to head back and rest soon.
Right after crossing the gate, I'd met the 4th Saintess, then the pope, then the goddess.
Stamina was fine, but mentally exhausting.
"Alright, meeting's over—let's welcome the newbie with a party!"
But as I opened my mouth to tell Elaine we should go, Kim Hansol suddenly pulled out a massive wooden barrel from somewhere. She reached in and fished out a bottle.
A dark brown bottle adorned with an elegant label.
Wine.
"...?"
Baflled, I stared, but she casually grabbed my arm and dragged me along.
"C'mon, last time we barely talked—let's bond this time!"
"Wait, I..."
"Ah ah...! No! Siu's going to spend some intimate time with me now!"
"Better with everyone than just you two!"
Her idea of "fun" was worlds apart, but she was persistent.
As the Judgment Saintess—the only one specialized in combat—her strength was impressive. Even with Elaine pulling the other way, she didn't budge. She even dragged Elaine along.
"S-Siu!"
"..."
Elaine called out in panic, but unfortunately, my eyes were fixed on the wine bottle.
A rare vintage from the northern continent.
"...!!"
Realizing my attention was on the wine, Elaine whipped her head around, pleading with the 1st Saintess and grand bishop for help. But the two elderly women just smiled warmly at the young ones' harmony.
"Sorry, but this old saintess has work. Enjoy yourselves, young folks."
"Same here. Need to check the new blessings on the saint's Holy Sword... Well then."
"Wait! Saintess! Priest! No, what check on the Holy Sword here...? Ah."
Elaine stared blankly as the two old ladies vanished like the wind.
She suddenly realized she was seated, eyes widening. Beside her, I was flushed and chatting animatedly with Kim Hansol—about the wine.
"Magcôr Du Nuang, 18-year vintage."
"You know your stuff? Got it as a mission reward from up there. Super rare, right? Shame the 1st Saintess left, but with three saintesses here, couldn't not crack it open."
"...Cassandra's too young to drink."
Elaine grumbled peevishly, but Kim Hansol smirked, pulling another bottle from the barrel like she'd planned for it.
"Ta-da, got this too."
"Dolmangs Juice!"
This time, young Saintess Cassandra's eyes lit up.
Not as rare as the wine, but still a luxury drink. Meant more for cocktail ingredients than kids, but Kim Hansol didn't mind for Cassandra.
Cassandra quickly claimed the seat by Elaine and made hasty excuses.
"Not 'cause I want it—just for team bonding!"
"Kuh..."
Cornered, the pink saintess glanced up at silver-haired hero Ariel as a last resort.
She gave her most pitiful look, but Ariel just smiled, oblivious, and moved to leave.
"I'll head out too. Got work..."
But Kim Hansol's hand shot out like an arrow, grabbing hers.
"Whoa, where you going? Not urgent. You need a break."
"But..."
"Tch."
"...Fine, just a bit then."
Ariel looked troubled but sat without protest.
Five men and women gathered around the wide table.
They soon chatted idly, enjoying their drinks.
Elaine, who'd started sulky, brightened at the rare wine's taste and joined in. Beside her, Cassandra sipped her juice, giggling in the mood, looking content.
"Aghhh, if not for you, Hansol, I'd be alone with Siu by now!"
"Ahahaha!! Kid's right here—what're you saying."
"Kids know what counts! Sandi’s plenty grown!"
Elaine paused mid-sip, swapped seats with Ariel, and bickered with Kim Hansol.
Their banter evoked a comedy duo; Siu and Cassandra laughed, watching them.
Reaching for snacks while focused on them.
The snacks came from Kim Hansol's barrel too, along with two wine bottles and glasses. The barrel wasn't that big—amazing how it kept producing.
"Ah."
"Ack."
"S-Sorry. Wasn't looking and offended the saint..."
"Nah, forget it. I wasn't either. And treat me casual."
"I-I'll try..."
"Haha. Good."
Pink-haired Saintess Cassandra bowed her head, blushing shyly.
Her cuteness drew an inevitable fond smile.
Maybe the hair color, but she felt like Elaine's little sister.
Up close, their faces even look similar... Huh? Come to think of it...
"Why aren't the other two pink-haired?"
Ariel, now beside me after swapping with Elaine, answered.
"Magic. Holy power makes hair uniform, so it's for personality."