Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Traces (3)
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Balzam was a city located geographically in the center of the south.
In terms of size alone, it was a bit ambiguous to call it a metropolis, but it was still a place of immense political importance.
This was because it was the Balzam diocese, home to Archbishop Varga, the overall head of the southern archdiocese of the Church.
"Wow."
Lilia let out an exclamation of admiration as she stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the church building.
She had already seen the church where an archbishop resided back in Mezaya in the northeast, but the south was relatively more livable than the northeast, so it had a larger population and naturally stronger church influence.
Because of that, even though Mezaya was undoubtedly larger than Balzam in terms of city size, the grandeur of the church building surpassed it here.
"It looks like a building thrown up excessively large in some cheap rural land... Of course, this isn't the countryside..."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing. Just talking to myself."
Galen, who had briefly recalled his past life, brushed it off. Lilia tilted her head curiously but soon forgot about it and headed inside.
No matter how vast it was, it seemed those in the same line of work could read the layout like a map. Without even a single signpost, Lilia navigated the paths effortlessly.
After submitting the summons from Solta Church at the church office,
"His Excellency the Archbishop is currently out on official business..."
"When will he return?"
"He should be back soon."
"May we look around in the meantime?"
"Yes, of course."
With permission granted, they decided to tour the grounds.
The church, though aged, had been built with lavish high-quality materials from the start and well-maintained, preserving its antique charm. They toured it like a sightseeing spot.
"That looks like a chapel."
"Wasn't the one we saw earlier a chapel too?"
"Big churches sometimes separate them. Like one for external ceremonies and one for internal use."
Chatting amiably, Lilia entered the small chapel and suddenly froze.
Inside the chapel, a priestess in white robes was praying with her eyes closed, her lips moving faintly.
Her breathing was so quiet that she barely made a sound, and such prayers were usually done in private prayer rooms set aside for that purpose.
Relaxed in a comfortable place and engrossed in conversation with Galen, Lilia had noticed the priestess a bit late. Galen had known but paid it no mind.
In any case, they had ended up disturbing someone at prayer.
The priestess quietly opened her eyes, rose from her seat, and turned toward them.
She appeared to be in her mid-to-late twenties, with a gentle, kind-faced demeanor. Judging by looks alone, she seemed perfectly suited to her profession—very approachable.
Of course, that didn't mean one could take liberties just because she looked nice. Lilia quickly apologized.
"Sorry! We didn't know anyone was inside. We were too loud, weren't we?"
"It's fine, sister. The church isn't a place of silence—what's wrong with a little conversation?"
The priestess smiled softly.
"That said... though I've only been here a few days, you don't look familiar."
"Ah, you're not from the Balzam diocese?"
"No."
"Me neither! I'm Bishop Lilia from the Abaka diocese in the eastern archdiocese! I'm on pilgrimage right now!"
"...Bishop Lilia? From Abaka?"
The woman's eyes widened at Lilia's energetic self-introduction. She clapped her hands together.
"What a coincidence!"
"Huh?"
"I've been looking for you. You must have come here because of His Excellency the Archbishop's summons, right?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"The summons was on my account."
"Huh?"
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Bishop Diana, Third Captain of the Holy Knight Order directly under the Papal Court."
"H-Holy Knight Order?!"
This time, Lilia jumped in surprise. Galen's eyes, who had been quietly listening, also gleamed with interest.
The Church was a colossal organization spanning the entire world, but paradoxically, its sheer size meant its local forces were somewhat lacking.
Several city regions were grouped into dioceses managed by bishops, who were equivalent to Gold rank. In other words, only one Gold per several cities.
Compared to prestigious families that held Golds across multiple cities, it was indeed insufficient.
That was why prestigious families could only meddle in the Church subtly rather than openly.
In the worst case, an archbishop equivalent to Gem would step in personally, but the existence of the Holy Knight Order was an equally massive deterrent.
With no nations to grant titles anymore, the word "noble" had long been replaced by "prestigious family," and "knight," appointed by nobles, had become archaic.
The one notable exception was the Holy Knight Order.
The Church's sword and shield.
The undisputed world's strongest martial force, composed solely of combat-specialized priests.
"The Holy Knight Order that could wipe out even a prestigious family overnight?!"
"Not quite to that extent..."
"...Oh, really?"
"In terms of raw power, it's not impossible, but we don't actually do it. We're there as a deterrent, after all. The Church's blade is meant for demons, not humans."
The fact that they could but didn't do it underscored how terrifying the organization was.
Of course, to Galen, who had single-handedly crushed the Oceanis Family not long ago, it was merely intriguing.
Lilia, who had watched from the VIP seats right beside him, felt more curiosity than fear.
Even to fellow Church members, the Holy Knight Order had a bit of a celebrity vibe.
"But why would someone from the Order be looking for me...?"
"The Holy Knight Order recruits promising priests from around the world. I've heard of your skills, Bishop Lilia. You can already perform your seventh miracle, right?"
"Ah, yes."
It had been nearly a year since she awakened by smashing mud dolls in the Oclane Ruins, so "already" felt a bit off, but whatever.
Even sending a report to the center required detouring around the great mountain range, taking months, so delayed news was to be expected.
"Even before that, you've diligently handled pirate subjugations, demon purges, and fiend hunts. Not only your clerical hierarchy but your combat prowess is proven—who could be more perfect for the Holy Knight Order?"
"Uh, um..."
"Thus, we've unanimously recommended your enlistment and offered you the vice-captain position!"
Diana, missing Lilia's flustered reaction, spoke passionately with sparkling eyes.
"Bishop Lilia, do you swear to faithfully serve as vice-captain of the Holy Knight Order?"
"N-No, thanks...?"
Lilia replied with a reluctant face.
"We appreciate—Huh?"
Diana, who had reflexively assumed acceptance, paused.
"You're... declining?"
"Is it mandatory or something?"
"No, it's not—"
"Then no."
"Wh-Why? Surely you know how prestigious the Holy Knight Order is?"
Diana asked, bewildered by the blunt refusal. Lilia pouted.
"I'm still on pilgrimage."
"I know. You started last fall. Isn't over a year enough?"
"Why should Bishop Diana decide that? It's not enough for me!"
As Lilia stubbornly insisted, Diana was at a loss for words.
In truth, it wasn't even proper stubbornness—the Holy Knight Order didn't force anyone into the role.
It was just that no one had ever turned down a position others clamored for.
Pilgrimages had no fixed duration either; it was up to the individual, even if years passed.
Too long might draw side-eyes, but a year wasn't excessive.
Diana, growing troubled, finally noticed Galen.
At the same moment, info on Lilia's pilgrimage companion surfaced in her mind.
"Brother, are you Galen?"
"Yes."
"You're close with Bishop Lilia?"
"Yes."
"Y-You're awfully upfront about it."
"I can't exactly say we're not."
Lilia's slight scolding and Galen's shrug showed genuine familiarity, not feigned.
Over a year together would forge bonds even where none existed.
Diana decided to appeal to him.
"Brother, this is a huge opportunity. Not just any squad member or captain—vice-captain. If the current captain steps down, you're the next in line."
"I'm not Church personnel, so how high is a captain?"
"Right below archbishop. Directly under His Holiness the Pope—one of the top ten in the entire Church."
"Impressively high. But."
Galen tilted his head.
"You called it a huge opportunity, but for that to hold, joining the Order should improve her circumstances over now, right?"
"Y-Yes, correct."
"Yet a captain ranks below archbishop, meaning not archbishop-level. At best, high bishop."
"...And what's the problem?"
"I'm Gem rank."
"...Pardon?"
"Whether sparring or real combat, wouldn't being by my side be better for honing her skills?"
Diana's mind blanked momentarily.
"Gem... Gem rank? You?"
"Haven't heard the news yet, I see."
Galen smiled gently.
Just then, a deacon from the church office found them after a frantic search and arrived at the chapel.
"You two—His Excellency the Archbishop has returned. He says he'll see you right away."
"Yes. We'll go now."
Galen lightly bowed and turned to Diana.
"Coming along? You could confirm quickly with His Excellency."
"Y-Yes, I'll come."
Diana, barely regaining her composure, nodded.
The southern archbishop, Varga, was a stern-faced old man.
True to form, he showed no mercy in crushing Diana's hopes.
"Indeed."
When asked if Galen was truly Gem rank, Varga nodded immediately.
"To be precise, it's just the rumor mill saying so."
"Shall I activate Revised World for verification?"
"Not unpleasant? It'd be like testing you."
"Better than constant suspicion."
"Then I won't refuse."
"Can you discern it?"
"If you're genuine."
"Very well."
Galen casually invoked the mana of Water Flow Manipulation.
Tzzzzing—
He adjusted Revised World's range to the archbishop's office, enveloping the surroundings.
Diana felt nothing—this was normal. Priests couldn't sense mana.
But Lilia, gifted with innate sensitivity, faintly detected the anomaly.
"It's real."
A fierce smile tugged at Varga's lips.
Thoom!
A bizarre vibration emanated from the archbishop.
This, both Diana and Lilia clearly felt.
The eighth miracle, Selection.
The domain that erased all unpermitted by the priest clashed with the mage's absolute dominion.
Creeeak—
Space itself seemed to warp—a real phenomenon, not illusion.
"Aha."
Galen's lip curled slightly.
Daimus had said it before: against Selection's miracle of nullifying magic, a Gem mage could resist.
Now he understood.
Selection greatly weakened Revised World but couldn't nullify it completely. Thus, Gems could still cast inside it—far diminished, but possible.
Like Selection inflicting massive debuff rather than zeroing out, while Revised World overcompensated with buffs to counter.
Curiosity sated,
"Shall we continue?"
"Enough."
Galen withdrew his mana. Varga simultaneously retracted his holy power.
The office looked unscathed, as if nothing happened. The atmosphere said otherwise.
Diana swallowed dryly, behaving meekly.
Lilia was subdued for different reasons. Galen chuckled, glancing sideways.
Her unfocused eyes sparkled with stigmata waves—the look she got when deep in thought.
Though brief, an archbishop-Gem clash was a big event. She'd gained new inspiration from it.
Varga noticed too, chuckling dryly and lowering his voice.
"Thanks for cooperating so readily. Truth be told, I was a bit worried."
"Worried?"
"The Church avoids meddling with secular families as much as possible. Unless they've committed unforgivable sins."
"I know."
"And you, no matter how you see yourself, appear pro-Church from outside. With her traveling with you..."
Varga's gaze flicked to Lilia briefly before returning. Galen nodded.
"You're concerned about misunderstandings that the Church is using me to intervene in secular affairs? Like puppeteering heirs?"
"Exactly. Such rumors would trouble us both. Every action suspected."
"No need to worry. This was a special case."
"...Is that so?"
"A family tangled in my personal grudges needed tidying. Why else meddle in some random family's event?"
Galen snorted.
"I'm busy leveling up—why waste time on that?"
"...Just as Daimus described. Growth too fast for ambition alone."
Varga gave a wry smile.
"If you keep that mindset, what worries remain? Hope we stay on good terms."
"Me too."
Galen nodded lightly, then added as if it just occurred.
"By the way, Your Excellency. Unrelated to prior talk."
"Speak."
"This might sound out of left field, but could you examine this?"
Galen pulled a small vial from his bosom and offered it.
"Anything odd about the contents?"
"What's this?"
Saying it was the Oceanis family head's blood outright felt awkward, so Galen hesitated. Varga took it curiously.
The tightly sealed lid opened, and Varga's brow furrowed slightly at the blood scent.
Then his eyes gleamed sharply.
"Where did you get this?"