New Bonds (1)
Over the past three hundred years, the Holy Empire had flourished. Ironically, when trials descended upon the world, it was the temples that became most active. Human beings, when life grew difficult, naturally turned to the gods for comfort and clung to them. And once the labyrinth—the greatest threat to humanity—had been sealed, the temples were forced to step down from their position of absolute authority.
The temples’ primary source of income had always been donations. With no immediate danger looming, they could no longer ignore diplomacy with other nations. Over those three centuries, the temples poured the wealth they had accumulated through the labyrinth into the domestic market, driving remarkable development. While stagnation and rot had begun to fester in certain corners, there was no denying that, overall, they had achieved tremendous growth.
“We cannot simply sit still after receiving an impossible order!”
“Do you believe destruction is truly impossible?”
“While it’s true the temples have made great strides over the past three hundred years, the exchange of knowledge among priests has been far from active. We acknowledge that exceptional talents have emerged, but they are few in number. On the whole, the priests’ abilities are no different now than they were three centuries ago.”
If knowledge exchange had been more active, would Bishop Haman have agreed?
“And yet they want to make the destruction of the labyrinth their goal… I truly don’t understand why everyone is so greedy.”
Bishop Haman, who had been fuming for some time, let out a long sigh. He took a sip of water before continuing.
“What do you think, Priest Arthur?”
“As for me… I believe aiming for destruction is the right approach.”
“The sacrifice will be enormous!”
Bishop Haman stared at me as if I were a traitor. I nodded.
“I know. Nevertheless, the objective itself must be set on destruction. If we aim only for sealing, doesn’t that simply mean the labyrinth will reopen in another three hundred years? For the sake of true peace in this world, destruction is the correct path.”
“What about the priests who will die?!”
It seemed Bishop Haman was most worried about the priests who would be sacrificed because the higher-ups had complicated matters by insisting on destruction instead of simply sealing the threat. But one could hardly avoid making pickles for fear of maggots. To abandon the possibility of destruction simply because the cost in lives frightened us would be unacceptable.
“Because that is the right direction for the world. Forcing destruction is wrong, but pursuing it as a goal is perfectly acceptable in my opinion.”
The higher the goal, the better. The more one strives to reach it, the higher it will lift you.
“Set destruction as the goal, but do not force it? In other words, if sealing is possible, we seal it. If an opportunity for destruction appears, we assess the situation and decide accordingly.”
Fortunately, Bishop Haman understood my meaning immediately.
“Yes, exactly.”
“The Holy Empire has issued an unconditional order to destroy it.”
“I believe it is unwise to issue such commands without ever visiting the site in person.”
My words carried the clear implication: if you’re so upset about it, come here yourself and try destroying the labyrinth. Bishop Haman burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha!! Now that is a truly refreshing thing to hear. You’re right. Those who have never set foot on the front lines should experience for themselves just how absurd these orders are.”
He clicked his tongue, lamenting that he wished he could drag them here immediately and force them inside, but unfortunately that was impossible.
“If a cardinal were to suffer some terrible fate inside the labyrinth, the entire Holy Empire would be shaken.”
“Ahem. Your Grace, you’re becoming overly excited.”
In the Holy Empire, cardinals were essentially equivalent to kings. While the Pope stood above them, it meant there was only one person above any given cardinal. Therefore, even in the absence of the person in question, casually speaking of such figures’ deaths was clearly a mistake.
When Bishop Haman noticed my discomfort, he chuckled and said,
“Honestly, you really are a kind and gentle soul. There’s no one else listening—just the two of us. What’s the harm in a little venting?”
“……”
He can hear you. He can!
“In any case, it seems we must accept the order. Thanks to your advice, Priest Arthur, I believe we can resolve this matter smoothly.”
If circumstances on site made destruction impossible and we had no choice but to seal it, what could they do? They could hardly demand that we unseal it again just to destroy it.
“From now on, the Holy Empire will take full responsibility for matters concerning the Evil God Altars, so you need not concern yourself with them, Priest Arthur. Focus comfortably on your own duties.”
“Understood.”
“And…”
And?
The news I was most eager to hear had yet to arrive.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Because so many personnel were reassigned to handle the Evil God Altar incident this time…”
“Must I continue waiting indefinitely?”
“It appears so.”
Why did everything involving this temple have to be so endlessly complicated? If I weren’t a priest who served the gods, I would have called a shaman to perform a cleansing ritual. The way matters kept twisting suggested that the temple built near the labyrinth had surely been tainted by misfortune.
“This may not be much comfort, but an official decree has arrived from the Holy Empire. They are entrusting you, Priest Arthur, with all authority over the temple here.”
“All authority, you say?”
“In truth, you have long since moved beyond the temporary position, but you have always been cautious, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Given my position…”
“Most priests would have been too busy enjoying the power they held, yet you have remained exemplary. The Holy Empire appears to have viewed your conduct favorably and has granted you full permission to exercise that authority without worry.”
This was incredibly good news for me. Although I had already been acting as the person in charge, my ambiguous status as Chief Healer had prevented me from taking truly decisive action.
“Even if I were to delegate some authority to Priest Chillan and Priest Ando?”
“Although they did receive disciplinary action once, if they have shown sufficient reflection, it would not be inappropriate for the person in charge to grant them another opportunity.”
This was precisely why I had been so pleased. Both Priest Ando and Priest Chillan held the same rank as I did. If I had been their superior, I could have given them another chance once they demonstrated remorse. But as their equal, I had no such authority. What use was forgiveness from someone who wasn’t above them?
Now that the Holy Empire had granted me full authority, it had finally become possible. What had once been a largely temporary role had now become an officially recognized position of true leadership.
“In that case, I believe I can hold things together until the new bishop arrives.”
“A wise decision. Who knows? If you continue holding the fort like this…”
Bishop Haman left the sentence unfinished, but I understood exactly what he meant to say. My heart fluttered for a brief moment before I quickly calmed it.
Me, taking over this place? That’s ridiculous. The scale is far too large.
If I showed even the slightest greed, I could easily have all my limbs torn off. I needed to continue behaving exactly as I had until now—as someone with no attachment to this position. It was that very casual attitude that had earned me the trust of both Priest Chillan and Priest Ando.
“My training is still insufficient. I have no desire to covet a position that exceeds my capabilities. There are surely others far better suited to lead this place.”
“The more I see your pure and upright character, the more I admire it. This is an opportunity that would naturally awaken greed in anyone, yet you choose not to seize it?”
“There is an order to all things.”
If one tried to take two steps at once by lengthening their stride, they might end up ten steps behind. Just imagine how the priests with powerful backers would begin to check and restrain me. A person with nothing to their name could easily be trampled by such people and find it nearly impossible to rise again.
“Hmm…”
If it seemed as though honey were dripping from Bishop Haman’s eyes, it must have been my imagination.
It had better be my imagination.
He clearly wanted to draw me into his own faction, but receiving such excessive attention from another man was not exactly pleasant.
“So, when is the next scheduled entry into the labyrinth?”
“After entering the labyrinth, we realized our preparations were inadequate, so we plan to select additional personnel. It seems we will be able to remain at the temple for the time being.”
“Hmm. What kind of people do you need?”
“We need someone capable of detecting and handling traps.”
“In that case, would you be interested if I recommended someone?”
“Pardon?”
He was going to introduce me to someone?
“To be honest, I have been concerned about you entering the labyrinth, Priest Arthur. This is the first time a priest has joined a personal subjugation party, is it not? Moreover, since you have accomplished the feat of discovering an Evil God Altar, it is only proper that you receive suitable compensation.”
It was clear he intended to attach a highly skilled individual to me.
“Since I am not the leader of the team, permission will be required. And I’m not certain whether they will welcome the addition.”
“Their side is currently in chaos due to the imperial succession struggle, correct?”
“Yes. So they will not accept just anyone.”
Bishop Haman waved his hand dismissively, as if telling me not to worry.
“Don’t concern yourself. No matter how chaotic things are, they will not be able to refuse this person.”
“Just who exactly are you planning to recommend…?”
“An Inquisitor who has only recently completed their training and is about to begin their duties in the outside world.”
“!!”
“They will not be able to refuse that child.”
Inquisitors were not something one could become lightly. They were talents whom the temple had invested enormous resources into raising from childhood in order to eradicate heresy.
My master was once a highly accomplished Inquisitor as well.
Though he now lived in seclusion. In any case, Inquisitors were the elite of the elite. Suggesting that such a person accompany me into the labyrinth as my guard was not something easily accepted.
“If they have only just finished training and stepped into the world, this should be the time when they have the most things they want to do. Wouldn’t they resent having to enter the labyrinth because of me?”
There would be no problem with an Inquisitor joining our team. Since they received every possible form of support, their faith would be flawless. Betraying me, a priest, would be tantamount to betraying the temple itself. Moreover, having only just entered society, this would be a pure, uncorrupted Inquisitor in the truest sense.
Just as Bishop Haman had said, there was no way Princess Reciel would refuse the addition of an Inquisitor.