Chapter 342
Chapter 342
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 342
Chapter Title: Pantheon (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
— Anonymous Believer Aouterica Church, day 24 of conversion. Prayed while gazing at Saint-nim's photo today too. — Devoted Fan Proof) Printed a huge photo of Saint-nim and stuck it on my bedroom wall—my loss of appetite and insomnia are gone, stress is down, and life feels happier! Let's all try one Heinrich a day, everyone. — Eye Candy Enthusiast Eye cleansing ritual complete today too♡ The White Knight who suddenly appeared on Earth, showcasing tremendous holy power and instantly becoming a celebrity: Heinrich Saint Landgard, the Saint of Aouterica.
Even after his debut at the Awakener terrorist incident, he steadily visited hospitals, imprinting his presence on the public.
Of course, Heinrich's striking good looks were a major factor boosting his popularity.
Mysterious silver hair that seemed to cascade with light, and golden eyes sparkling brilliantly like they held the sun itself.
His captivating appearance—like a protagonist straight out of a comic book—meshed perfectly with his abilities, character, and the various facts revealed about him, fueling outright cult-like fandom.
A hero chosen to save the world, a devout saint carrying out the gods' will.
When such a storybook figure appeared in reality, it was only natural for people to go wild upon learning about him.
Of course, his ongoing "volunteer work" drew complaints from the hospitals he visited and the medical community at large, but they couldn't openly protest.
Not only did he mainly use his powers for children with severe illnesses or rare diseases, but they also feared backlash from interfering with holy power miracles—something ordinary people rarely witnessed.
'Well, lately I've been sending avatars to the Hunter world more often, so my visits to Earth have been a bit sparse.'
Heinrich's outings from Aouterica's home base relied on spare capacity in the Otherworld Teleportation Circle. If it was already used for something else, he'd have to skip that day.
Of course, with the time difference, even "a while" meant just a few days at most.
And now, after a long absence, Heinrich had returned to Earth.
As streetlights began flickering on across the city, he stood atop a building rooftop, gazing down at the urban sprawl.
"...Things have gone even better than expected."
He murmured softly, recalling the people he'd just met.
He'd come straight from delivering a letter to Isea's family, as she'd asked him to.
They were stunned by the sudden, secretive visit from someone so famous—but that was nothing compared to the bombshell he dropped next.
"What? Is... is that really true?"
"Oh my god...!"
They cautiously accepted the unbelievable letter accompanying the astonishing news.
It didn't take long for Isea's family to fully believe Heinrich's words.
'Well, with her image popping up so vividly, they had no choice but to believe.'
The letter Isea had asked him to deliver wasn't ordinary.
Crafted with utmost care by the grand archmage herself, it was a magic tool that activated the moment her blood-related family opened it.
"...So yeah, I'm doing fine. I should be able to come back soon... Hmm, about two months in Earth time? It might even be shorter..." The moment her vividly holographic, movie-like image projected above the letter, her tense family erupted in reaction—it was hardly surprising.
"...You're safe. That's all that matters."
"Oh, Saint-nim! Thank you! And... please keep looking after our daughter from now on."
"Whoa, my big sis is a mage?!"
The father forcing a calm facade while his eyes reddened, the mother bowing repeatedly in a frenzy of gratitude, and the immature little brother cheering excitedly.
Only after receiving their fervent thanks could Heinrich finally leave Isea's home.
'Anyway, that wraps up the favor she asked. Got a proper reply too, so I can pass it along when I get back.'
Gazing quietly at the night view, he slowly nodded.
It might seem like a mere errand, but he didn't mind such trivial tasks.
They weren't difficult for him anyway.
And above all...
'...Alright, time to get serious.'
This was just light entertainment compared to what lay ahead.
All his appearances as a "traveler from another dimension" had been groundwork for this moment.
Exactly as planned—maximizing his reputation while definitively dragging the Reverse Heaven Society out of the shadows.
'Pantheon.'
The inter-dimensional religious alliance encompassing countless faiths from myriad worlds.
Now it was time to make contact.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ From the moment Heinrich appeared in the media, the Pantheon had shown immense interest in him.
Not just the Korean branch— even the usually hands-off U.S. headquarters dispatched an investigative team, rare for the alliance's structure.
But it was well warranted.
With so many denominations gathered, they could only verify faiths through holy power— and Heinrich's miracles were downright shocking.
Miracles of a scale only popes, saints, or apostles from their home dimensions could perform.
Holy power weakened drastically on Earth, and no Awakener-turned-priest had risen that high in another world, making him a natural focal point.
How could someone be so favored by the gods? What's his true nature?
That curiosity didn't fade even after he revealed himself as an "otherworlder."
If anything, interest intensified.
A god-chosen saint crossing dimensions to reach Earth?
An unprecedented event!
'At this point, whether he's really an otherworlder or not doesn't matter much. Either way, he's extraordinary.'
Kang Taesan, a low-level Ability Management Bureau agent dragged in to assist his senior, sighed inwardly as he busily set out tea and snacks on the table.
The office looked unremarkable, just like last time he'd visited.
Gathered here were delegates from all over: Pantheon HQ priests who flew across the ocean, Korean branch clerics, Returner Association reps, and bureau agents.
All obsessed with tracking Heinrich.
"So, what do you all think? Is the White Knight really an otherworlder?"
"He's done volunteer work at hospitals but vanished for long stretches in between. All tracking attempts failed. If those were trips back to his home world... I'd say it's highly plausible."
"But we can't rule out a returner pretending to be one..."
Their sole shared focus: self-proclaimed otherworlder Heinrich.
But the atmosphere differed from past heavy tension— now buzzing with inexplicable anticipation, curiosity, and excitement.
They exchanged cautious glances amid chit-chat, soon breaking into awkward smiles.
"Ahem, still, who knows what he's thinking. Calling this sudden meeting..."
"Right? He dodged us relentlessly when we chased him, never acknowledging us."
"...You have no idea the headaches from his constant teleporting—like he does it for breakfast!"
Today was the day to finally meet the man himself.
Memories flashed of fruitless days wasted.
They'd tried everything to contact him.
Yet Heinrich repeatedly evaded, as if deliberately keeping distance.
Then, out of nowhere, he reached out to meet.
They were thrilled, naturally.
"What's past is past. Who knows what held him back? Now that we're here, we can clear up misunderstandings openly."
"True. But time's almost up—when's he arriving? He wouldn't stand us up, right?"
"...No way. He'll be here any—"
Speak of the devil.
"This way, please."
As unease stirred the room, the door opened. An agent escorted a man inside.
Clank-clank—
The heavy metallic friction echoed rhythmically.
Conversations halted; all eyes turned.
"Ah..."
"Mm."
They faced him directly and instinctively clamped their mouths shut with soft groans.
A natural, primal reaction— no deeper meaning.
'That's the guy...!'
As silence weighed heavy, Kang Taesan swallowed quietly from the corner.
Striking silver hair and golden eyes matched exquisite features.
Unlike his gentle, benevolent smile and reverent aura, he exuded a fierce, blazing intensity like roaring flames.
His pristine white armor clashed not at all with modernity: Heinrich Saint Landgard, saint of another world.
'Huh?'
Kang Taesan's blank stare met his eyes briefly.
Golden pupils widened slightly in surprise.
But it vanished in a blink, replaced by serene warmth.
'Damn, he's ridiculously handsome.'
Kang Taesan grumbled inwardly after the unexpected eye contact and smile assault.
He knew this man had saved his grandma, friends— even himself— and felt gratitude, but that was separate.
Yet, unbidden, awe welled from deep within.
Not just him— everyone there felt it.
They already knew heaps about him from footage, witness statements, reports— everything available.
But facing him crushed mere data.
'How is that possible? The space around him feels like another world entirely.'
'He doesn't even seem human. An otherworlder... Could it be true?'
'That presence. Beyond expectations. Has he grown even more?'
Oppressive, like confronting a superior, unknown entity.
Minds raced.
They'd met so-called transcendents before, given their status, but this was different.
"Greetings. I am Heinrich Saint Landgard, First Sword serving Aouterica. Pleased to meet you all."
His voice turned simple greetings reverent. Scanning the room with a faint smile, his gaze settled on a foreign man.
Brown-haired, burly 40-something cleric.
Leader of the U.S. Pantheon investigative team.
'Holy Knight background. His church... Not sure, but definitely not an evil god.'
But knowing the team's backer was a Reverse Heaven Society scribe meant no room for complacency.
Direct ties or mere pawn— time would tell.
'I'll figure it out step by step.'
Sharp intent gleamed behind Heinrich's smile.