Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 6. The Emperor and the Pope (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stalactites jutting sharply from the floor and ceiling, entwined with arm-thick vines.
Thick trees growing in the deep underground where no sunlight reached.
In their midst, the four members of the 1st Hero Party stood catching their breath.
Their expressions were all rigid.
"Hoo..."
Sylvia's Light spells, numbering over a hundred, floated throughout the dungeon where even securing visibility was a challenge, leaving no corner in darkness.
Red ogre corpses littered the uneven terrain everywhere.
Bodies sliced top to bottom, burned by holy flames, frozen solid, or pierced through the brow.
The corpses were too numerous to count, each felled in diverse ways.
Countless half hydra corpses dangled from the vines they had freely climbed.
The boss monster of this A-rank dungeon, which Penny hadn't uncovered, was the 'Titan Viper'.
They'd faced it before and remembered the strategy Ian had shared.
The 1st Hero Party had monopolized this A-rank dungeon, which was hard even to enter, and cleared it without a single injury.
Yet the four heroes felt deeply displeased right now.
"Haa..."
Aria let out a deep sigh.
Frustration, irritation, suffocation.
A breath carrying tangled emotions.
The other three felt much the same.
It might seem like pretense to some, but not to these four.
It hadn't been dangerous, but it nearly had been.
These were the ones who handled even S-rank dungeons effortlessly with Ian; now, just tackling an A-rank had nearly put them in peril.
The mere possibility of crisis filled them with shame.
Ambush from undetected foes, unspotted magic traps, unforeseen terrain shifts, and a boss optimized for that terrain.
Their exceptional individual skills had kept them unscathed.
But they'd nearly been hurt.
That alone made them keenly feel how much things had changed.
-Rumble...
The cavern floor split at the center, and a platform wrapped in a spiral staircase rose up.
The four merely eyed the large red magic stone atop it.
No urge to claim it stirred in them.
"I'll get it."
Sylvia ascended the stairs as their representative.
The remaining three silently checked their gear.
Kaily gazed down at the sword and armor from Ian.
Aria examined her holy relic necklace.
Beatrice fiddled with her bow and hairpins.
No words passed between them, but they all shared the same emotion.
Something's off.
A vague sense of unease they couldn't pinpoint.
They were still strong.
Proof was clearing an A-rank dungeon at speed without intel.
Yet something felt wrong.
Every time they used mana or invoked a miracle.
They couldn't shake the nagging sensation.
Like breathing through a sore throat.
The unease Sylvia had felt for days now gripped the other three as well.
Sylvia reached the top and grasped the palm-sized red magic stone.
An A-rank magic stone.
A dream for some their whole lives, forbidden even to dream of for others.
Yet holding this priceless reward brought Sylvia no joy.
Thinking back, she couldn't recall the last time clearing a dungeon for a stone or driving demons from the battlefield had thrilled her.
The day I passed the Temporary Hero exam and first held a magic stone, I felt like I owned the world...
Now, an A-rank stone felt meh.
The platform began descending, and Sylvia leaped off without waiting, landing smoothly.
A mage, yet thanks to Ian's training, her physical prowess surpassed most knights.
"...Let's go."
Kaily spat the words and took the lead, slashing through vines and trees.
Sylvia, clutching the stone and following behind, spoke as if resolved.
"Ian."
All turned to her at the name.
"We need to meet Ian."
A few days ago, when Sylvia had brought him up, they'd all snapped in annoyance.
Why drag up that name?
But now, no one rebuked her.
"...Yeah."
Kaily agreed softly.
"Me too."
Aria chimed in abruptly.
"I'll go with you."
Sylvia and Aria.
The two would seek out Ian, location unknown.
They didn't know what to do.
Or what to say.
Or even why they needed him.
But instinct told them only Ian could advise on this situation.
*
The pristine ivory Papal Palace dwarfed even the imperial palace.
Grand as befitting the abode of gods.
Yet sparse on ornate decorations, symbolizing divine mercy and humility.
In its grandest library, a holy knight in platinum armor sought the kindly-faced priest.
"Your Holiness. The Second Apostle has arrived."
Pope Johannes of the Holy Flame Church nodded.
His humble attire could pass for any aged priest to strangers.
"Bring him in."
Soon, two holy knights escorted a man inside.
"May the guidance of fire be with you."
Johannes rose and greeted him courteously.
"It's been a while, Ian."
*
Pope Johannes still couldn't forget the day Ian first visited.
It had been shocking, to say the least.
Trembling with emotion upon his delivery of three lost holy relics.
Trembling in fear when he revealed knowledge of the Church's secrets.
His persuasive—or threatening?—eloquence demanding aid for his future endeavors was audacious.
Yet defying him was impossible.
Hidden Pieces included 'artifacts' and 'holy relics'; the three he'd brought the Church were:
Holy Crown.
Holy Ark.
Holy Flame Statue.
Sacred crown and casket.
And the icon symbolizing fire.
Relics the Church had sought vainly for ages, central to scripture.
Ian had brought them like roadside pebbles.
His claims of foreknowledge were hard to deny.
As with the imperial family, he'd shared intel and prophecies on the Church's path and the war ahead.
The imperials called him 'prophet', but the Church couldn't.
To them, 'prophet' was reserved for the Pope alone—in a religious sense, not literal foresight.
Thus, the Emperor's label was political posturing against the Church.
Instead, they bestowed 'Apostle'—the Second Apostle from scripture, an atheist turned devotee.
And the Apostle's gold medallion.
An authoritative token commanding knees anywhere Church-affiliated.
Ian still disbelieved, yet knew the future and aided them.
No wonder many faithful hailed him as divinely inspired.
"Ian. I trust you're well."
Unlike the Emperor, no kneeling required.
Ian sat comfortably in reply.
"I avoid hard labor, so getting by."
"I heard you were expelled from your group."
"Yeah, that happened."
"Surely not Sister Aria too..."
Ian shrugged instead of answering.
"Ahh..."
The Pope clasped his hands and sighed.
Their doctrine most emphasized 'repayment' and 'self-sacrifice'.
Neglect repaying favors was forbidden.
Especially for those who sacrificed for you—repay manifold.
Yet Aria had betrayed Ian.
"Had you told me sooner, I could have provided aid."
"You've helped plenty already. Plus, I've been busy forming a new party."
The Pope nodded calmly.
"You've always shouldered heavy burdens, Ian. I understand not mentioning it earlier."
A gentle tone.
But laced with a subtle barb.
Mild reproach for withholding info, regret at lagging the imperials.
"I'll be more mindful next time. Assuming there is one."
The Pope chuckled at Ian's cheeky quip.
"Understanding suits my role. I know it wasn't intentional."
The Pope had to be gracious.
The Hero System belonged to the Empire.
No matter his Church support, Ian lacked grounds to meddle like the Emperor.
"What counsel do you bring today?"
Though Ian's advice built the Hero Party system, elevating the Empire to rival the Church.
He remained vital to the Pope.
No 'prophet' title, but his foresight was undeniable.
A priceless gift no power could buy.
Retrieving three relics alone merited honor.
Monitoring him was natural.
"Nothing major. Just gathering new heroes."
"New heroes..."
"Got one already; she passed the Temporary Hero exam."
The Pope's eyes gleamed as he nodded slowly.
"Have you found siblings already?"
"No, a mage."
"Then, have you heard of McDullin Abbey?"
Ian realized at the name: their public exam was indeed imperial-papal turf war.
"I heard they're holding an open test to select priestesses aspiring to Hero status."
"Precisely. As it's our first, we're pouring effort in. Can't promise blessings like Sister Aria's, but expect a worthy candidate."
The Pope subtly urged a visit.
Ian, already planning to, feigned it swayed him.
To stroke the ego.
"If Your Holiness insists, I should drop by."
The Pope smiled, pleased.
Ian's eye and skill proven.
A selected priestess thriving under him would let the Church raise and deploy their own.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ian hadn't much to tell the Pope.
Non-Hero priests served as Holy Flame Church clerics.
A group with overwhelmingly high superhuman rates.
So they could continue honing faith for healing and protective miracles.
He kept silent on warp portals.
If they snatched or sabotaged the innovation, the future might derail.
Instead, he tipped them on the sea dragon at the western trade port.
Slaying it yielded a Hidden Piece.
Artifact or relic unknown.
He'd only heard rumors in his second run, never seen it.
Prime bait for the Pope's interest.
Ideally for his future party including Vivian, but no guarantees.
Post-portal, Empire dominance; war would rebalance.
Holy Flame Church superhuman priests numbered vast.
They'd heal war casualties, soothe minds en masse.
Then, from imperial edge, mutual compromise.
Let's see... Answered Emperor and Pope's curiosities.
Roughly outlined their tasks ahead.
Business done.
Regular reports would suffice henceforth.
Share intel or visit as needed.
1st Hero Party would roll under his name via imperials.
Pushing through Dark Swin Forest, Kati's telepathy came.
[Master.] 'What.'
[When will you return?] 'Too tired, thinking of skipping.'
[......] 'Come pick me up.'
[Yes. Right awa...] 'Hey, no. Don't. Joke—don't actually come.'
[......] She might actually bolt here; no more jokes.
But I'd anticipated Kati's reaction.
Teasing knowingly makes me the jerk, huh...
'Just met the Pope too. Arriving tomorrow.'
[Tomorrow...] The telepathy mumbled like noise.
It transmitted thoughts almost verbatim, sometimes garbling.
To quiet her, another question.
'Eaten?'
[Yes. And you, Master?] 'Not yet. Will there. But when you dropping "Master"?'
[......] 'Ignoring me?'
[...You should be used to it by now.] 'What? Ha, me.'
Occasionally so brazen it shocks; I can't help laughing.
'Fair point, speechless. Years of this.'
[Accepting at last?] 'First quick reply in ages.'
Chatting idly with Kati, yesterday she'd lacked sleep cues; had to order growth.
*
Back in Superbia around noon next day.
En route to the abbey, a bulletin board loomed far ahead.
Where Temporary Hero exam passers were listed.
Curious, he scanned the latest results; eyes locked top.
The name and note made him grin unwittingly.
Vivian'll love this.
Agnes Abbey's iron gates soon appeared.
Kati visible beyond, opening at his sight.
Waiting?
"Why out? Coulda stayed in."
"......"
"Got it, thanks for greeting me."
"Yes."
"Ring properly on index now? Used to sneak to ring finger."
"...Of course."
Entering with Kati, Mercy and Vivian emerged.
"Oh! You're back!"
"Ian!"
Girls looked happy; gotten along well.
Mercy too, now close; kids clung to limbs.
"Business go smooth?"
"Yeah, no issues. But more importantly..."
Meant to mention Vivian's board on approach, but...
"Need a nap."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A bulletin board at a busy thoroughfare.
Names of latest Temporary Hero upgrade exam passers listed.
A passing boy glanced up idly; gaze fixed on the top name.
Familiar, yet baffling there.
...Vivian?
His girl companions spotted Vivian's name, murmuring blankly.
"Vivian...?"
Beyond them, everyone peering remembered Vivian's name.