Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Holy Site (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor's conversation with the Pope dragged on for quite some time.
Shouts echoed from within a few times.
Jun waited quietly in front of the door throughout it all.
A while later.
"……."
Eleanor's expression was unreadable when she emerged.
Her eyes were still covered by the black bandage, after all.
Instead, she conveyed her feelings through her voice.
"I feel relieved."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Turns out people shouldn't hold things in."
"Hm. Anger can be poisonous, after all."
"Anyway, I've said my piece. Now it's your turn to finish yours."
Stepping back inside, the Pope sat in his chair just as before.
But his expression seemed somewhat dazed.
To Jun, that humanized him a bit.
"I can be a bit rough around the edges, eh?"
"Heh heh. I'm just grateful it ended at this."
Regaining his composure, the Pope's face brightened compared to before.
He hadn't fully shed his burdens.
Still, they seemed lighter now.
Jun sensed it was finally time for a proper conversation.
"The world is truly complicated. And that's what makes it interesting, I suppose."
The Pope gazed at the mage before him.
He had already heard about this mage from his old friend Bern.
All unbelievable tales.
But Bern wasn't one to lie.
He was fundamentally different from the likes of himself or Elias.
"So, what does this secretive mage seek from this old man?"
The words Jun had been waiting for finally came.
* * *
The Pope of the Ariclotos Church.
Elahim.
Even in the game, he was a named NPC with a dedicated fanbase.
One might wonder why an elderly grandfather figure had fans, but it was because many players teared up watching him nobly sacrifice himself against a level 10 raid boss.
That said, he had plenty of haters too.
He was the Pope presiding over a declining Ariclotos Church.
In short, a miser.
Ever since the incident twenty years ago tipped the church into decline, it had steadily recovered—but not to its former glory.
Yet the priests of the Ariclotos Church boasted the finest healing abilities, forcing many players to grit their teeth and take their quests.
Difficult quests for stingy rewards.
Players who focused purely on performance didn't care much for Elahim.
'For such a Pope to personally discuss rewards. That's rare.'
Even in the game, Elahim never handed out rewards himself.
His priests always delivered them.
'Gotta squeeze out everything I can while the opportunity's there.'
Not that he hadn't before, but this time Jun's life had truly hung in the balance.
His biggest worry was now having made an enemy of a level 7 player, the Slaughter Monk.
The operation had been a long-term plan for the Celestial Church, and its failure meant...
Information on Jun and his group had surely reached them too.
'Plus, I've let it slip that I know too much for my own good.'
Miscellaneous knowledge was useful back on Earth, but flaunting it here invited knives in the dark.
That was why Jun traveled with a small elite group.
'They've got their own secrets, which is why they acted.'
Anyway, having revealed what he didn't want to, he intended to extract every last bit in return.
"I'd like permission to enter the church's holy site."
"The church's holy site, you say……."
He started off strong.
The holy site was truly an inviolable sanctuary.
Hard to enter, and even if one did, it took considerable time.
But now the chance had come.
'Holy sites of other churches would help too, but none aid growth like the Ariclotos Church's.'
Visiting the holy site would enable far more stable growth than now.
That was its purpose.
It was perfect compensation for this incident.
'The church's treasure vault would be a fine trade too.'
Items could be acquired through proxies in abundance.
A bit more roundabout and troublesome, but obtainable anytime later.
Jun had endless knowledge for that.
Growth was different.
The faster, the better—and the broader one's range of action.
In other words, massive acceleration for future moves.
'If he refuses, no big deal.'
He'd just demand the treasure vault instead.
But.
"Very well."
"……!"
For a brief moment.
He failed to mask his expression.
His fists clenched.
Impossible to help it. Even the Emperor couldn't enter the holy site at will.
It lasted less than a second, but the seasoned Pope didn't miss Jun's dumbfounded look.
"Heh heh heh. You've heard the rumors, I see."
"……."
"Indeed. I'm known far and wide as quite the tightwad."
The Pope was well aware of his reputation.
Yet he took no offense.
"As they say, it's the thirsty who digs the well. I'm no different."
This time, the Pope himself was the thirsty one.
"We've shared many secrets, haven't we? But you're alone. We are a collective."
The twenty-year incident. Eleanor's true identity. This recent affair. Jun knew far too much about the church.
In contrast, all they knew of him was his surprising knowledge of the enigmatic Celestial Church.
"So, you'll have change coming. Permission to enter the church's treasure vault as well."
This was beyond expectations.
The holy site alone was a boon, yet he got extra.
Stunned, Jun asked.
"……Really?"
"You lot have earned it. You saved my old friend."
The Pope was a miser, but he knew when to spend.
Indeed.
Those who fanned Elahim in the game had true foresight.
* * *
Once the church's reinforcements arrived, things progressed smoothly.
They resolved the issues, timed the unsealed period, and subjugated the five named bosses.
Jun and his group weren't involved.
The church also launched a major purge of the undead abominations.
"Sweeping them like this strengthens next season's seal even more."
Bern explained from beside him.
"Heard you've been granted entry to the holy site."
"Yes. Got lucky."
"Ha ha, hardly. Brother... er, His Holiness doesn't permit holy site access lightly."
The holy site was profoundly vital to the church in every way.
Inviting outsiders was unheard of; only the Emperor entered periodically.
Even he, outside special events, couldn't set foot there.
A mere five-circle mage? A silver-grade mercenary group?
Too absurd even for a hackneyed fantasy tale.
Yet Jun and his comrades achieved it.
Meaning their contributions were substantial.
"Just stay inside the carriage on the way. The path is narrow."
"Understood."
No church revealed its holy site's location lightly.
The imperial elite might have a vague idea, but even they never spoke it aloud.
In a world where divine power was real, that was blasphemy.
With the church's missions complete.
Jun and his group boarded the church's carriage.
Unlike the trip there, they received lavish treatment.
* * *
"You look lost in thought."
On the road out of Abomination territory.
With a fortnight until their destination.
Jun spoke, eyeing Aiden deep in contemplation.
"Ah, it's just..."
Aiden hesitated before speaking cautiously.
"Lately, my growth feels... a bit slow."
"Hm."
That indeed.
Any passing knight hearing that would draw steel first.
A kid barely over a year with the sword, wielding aura, complaining?
Yet Jun somewhat understood Aiden's feelings.
'My growth has been explosive lately.'
Which made it all the more intriguing.
Aiden had gained the Ore-Light Sword and [Beast's Body] in the Black Forest, but no other major boons.
Despite that, his growth was remarkable—and now he felt impatient compared to Jun.
'I've snagged multiple opportunities, especially compared to him.'
Possessing the cheat skill [Demon God Body], ties to a regressor, game knowledge exploited.
Even then, he'd faced near-death crises repeatedly.
'I was the impatient one, really.'
Before the Witch's Forest, watching Aiden's rapid rise, Jun had doubted if he could keep up with the game's protagonist.
'So I empathize.'
Trustworthy comrades were the sturdiest partners in the world.
But trailing behind them was tough too.
Jun didn't think Aiden's reaction was wrong.
Likely from watching Bern and the Slaughter Monk's battle helplessly.
Understandable.
He outstripped average level 3s, but was still only level 3.
Feeling that way after witnessing level 7 clashes showed Aiden's standards were exceptional.
Ordinary folk would envy or despair against overwhelming power.
"I can't give you a clear answer on that yet."
But Jun had no intention of solving it personally.
Not due to any malice.
'He has to overcome that himself.'
Empathy enabled that judgment.
And Jun chose to show rather than tell.
'The holy site.'
To grow properly there.
'That mindset is essential.'
He glanced at Maya, eyes closed, ignoring them entirely.
"What is it?"
Maya sensed his gaze without opening her eyes.
"Nothing."
He leaned back.
The luxury carriage barely jolted, and after noon, even that smoothed out.
They were on paved roads.
The holy site neared.
"Rest up now. Won't have time later."
* * *
When Bern announced their arrival and they stepped out, barely a tenth of the original escorts remained.
"Only select church members can come to the holy site."
Eleanor added.
Later, he learned they visited for senior priest ordinations or holy knight ceremonies.
"And holy knights for training."
Only Jun listened intently to Eleanor.
"Wow……."
Aiden's eyes sparkled, taking in the scenery.
It warranted it.
Majestic clouds drifted lazily across the blue sky like proud birds soaring free.
A verdant sea mirrored the heavens, birthing rippling waves.
Atop the cliffs loomed a pristine white temple, exuding grandeur no artist could capture.
Meanwhile.
"Quiet. Hush."
Maya muttered in her tribal tongue to someone.
Likely her ancestors' spirits in turmoil.
Being near this place probably tempted them toward nirvana.
'They won't ascend that easily.'
Her ancestors bordered on vengeful spirits, but not quite.
That issue could wait.
As they reached the temple.
The Pope greeted them with a benevolent smile.
"Welcome. This is the Ariclotos Church's holy site. 'Nuada Neferden'."