Chapter 149
Chapter 149
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Papal Palace (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Pope's name was Julian.
He was such a lofty figure that he seemed distant and unreachable, so ordinary folk simply referred to him as "Your Holiness" or "His Holiness the Pope." But for someone like Galen, who had once been a servant, it was basic knowledge to know the Pope's name, even if he hadn't seen his face.
"Lord Galen."
The old man stared directly at Galen for a few seconds before slowly opening his mouth. Galen gave a light bow.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Sit."
Julian's gaze shifted slightly to the side, indicating the reception area furnished off to one side. Galen changed direction from his approach and headed there.
The armchair was so spacious it could easily accommodate Galen even if his weight doubled. It enveloped his body softly. Exquisite craftsmanship.
Galen sat in a posture that was neither overly humble nor arrogant, his eyes fixed on Julian as he walked over slowly.
'Young... truly young.'
The word felt a bit awkward for an old man, but that was exactly how Galen felt.
He knew that this Pope had held the position for over fifty years without change.
Julian's age was unknown precisely, but he was certainly over a hundred. Even in modern Earth with advanced medicine, such longevity was rare.
Yet there was no sign of frailty. He didn't just seem hale for his age—he looked healthy, period. If anything, exaggeratedly so, like a young adult.
"Young... truly young."
Coincidentally, Julian seemed to share the exact same sentiment toward Galen.
Of course, Galen's thought included "for his age," while Julian meant "for his realm." A subtle difference in connotation.
Julian spoke in a deep, resonant voice utterly devoid of any musty antiquity, settling into the armchair opposite as he added,
"I heard you were twenty-three."
"I've turned twenty-four. My birthday was about a month ago."
"Such distinctions hold little meaning. At least not for a Gem mage."
"Lilia puts great stock in the difference between nineteen and twenty."
"Does she now?"
A faint smile tugged at Julian's lips. He didn't seem the type to take even light banter amiss.
Still, despite the relaxed atmosphere, the pressure Galen felt was considerable.
'It's those eyes.'
Galen realized it instinctively.
All clerics bore the first miracle, the stigmata, within their pupils, so their eyes glowing was perfectly natural.
Galen had met three archbishops: Daimus, Varga, and Lilia.
Yet Julian's eyes were special.
They appeared only slightly brighter and clearer than an archbishop's... but there was undeniably something more. The sense that everything was being seen through.
"Sharp instincts."
Galen flinched at Julian's abrupt remark. Had his thoughts been read? But Julian let out a low chuckle.
"No need for surprise. One can easily guess your thoughts by where your gaze lingers. This may be your first time, but it's hardly mine."
"...So I'm not just imagining things out of fear."
"I said your instincts are sharp. Not every Gem notices it."
Julian lightly rubbed the corner of his eye as he said this.
"Truth be told, it's nothing so extraordinary. It's merely that standing a bit higher than others allows one to see a bit more."
"An acquired ability, then."
"Not one you can attain, mind you. Though Bishop Lilia might have the potential."
It seemed a miracle unique to clerics. Galen lost interest.
A priest entered cautiously around then, set down a teacup, and withdrew. The aroma alone cleared the mind.
Julian took a refined sip and spoke again.
"First... allow me to express the Church's gratitude for your handling of the southwest incident."
"I am deeply honored."
"'Deeply honored' is for when praise exceeds one's merit. What you did deserves far more acclaim than it has received."
Galen scratched his cheek. He knew full well how many lives he'd saved, but boasting would diminish the achievement.
"Well, then I'll stop being honored. But really, enough with the praise. It's embarrassing."
"If you insist."
"More than that... I'm curious why Your Holiness chose to see me before Lilia."
Galen shifted in his seat as he spoke.
"Wasn't your business solely with her?"
"Because we didn't send you an invitation?"
Julian shook his head lightly.
"No, Lord Galen. I had business with you as well. It simply proceeded in this intriguing fashion."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain the personal matters shortly. Let's address the official ones first."
Julian evaded a direct answer, his faint smile fading into a grave expression. The pressure from his gaze intensified.
"To be direct: Lord Galen, to what extent can you cooperate with the Church?"
"Coming in strong from the start."
Galen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Let me turn it around. If I said unlimited cooperation, what exactly would the Church demand?"
"The same level as any other cleric."
"...Cleric?"
"Ah, seems there was a misunderstanding in our communication. I momentarily forgot your background."
Julian clicked his tongue softly and continued.
"This question is reserved for Gems. It's not about secular politics—supporting or opposing the Church."
"I thought it seemed too blatant."
"We're not children playing soldiers, forcing a side in one's face. Politics isn't that simplistic."
Galen, who had sprouted at hyperspeed from bare earth, was a special case.
Most Gems grew in fertile soil—noble houses, whether warriors or mages.
Asking them to choose between family and Church yielded predictable results: platitudes before the Pope, then family loyalty the moment they left.
In short, Julian had no reason to ask such a foolish question, nor did Gems have cause to misinterpret.
The misunderstanding arose because Galen was truly unaffiliated. Fortunately, it was quickly cleared.
"I mean the Church's core mission."
"Demons, then."
Galen grasped it immediately. If only it had been stated so from the start—no need for deep thought.
Anything demon-related was a feast for Galen.
Experience came from killing, but massacring humans was impossible, and meaningful lesser demons were scarce now.
Demons and their ilk were the sole targets where killing endlessly earned praise, not scorn.
"Your Holiness knows all the Church commissions I've taken so far."
"Of course."
"If you guarantee that level of autonomy, I'll gladly cooperate."
"Could you be more specific? You've always said you follow your interests. I'd like the clear criteria."
"Well... exactly that."
Pinned down, it was hard to articulate. Galen let out a groan.
"The Church's commissions were all genuinely interesting. Hunting fake demons, fighting war-mages, exploring ruins, chasing shady mages."
"Sincere?"
"Not just me—most would find them intriguing, no? Dangerous to dive in personally, but hearing the tales gets the heart racing."
"True for most. You're not most, which makes it amusing."
Julian murmured meaningfully, then returned to his normal tone.
"In any case, your 'demand' is only natural—no demand at all. From our position seeking cooperation, it's something we must guarantee."
"Good. That sparks another curiosity."
"Speak."
"You said this question is only for Gems."
"Yes."
"Did you really summon each one personally to ask?"
"Indeed. At least those the Church is aware of—we've invited them here once each. Gems possess martial prowess worthy of it."
"So they're that uncooperative, needing separate inquiries?"
"Oh dear."
Julian burst into laughter at Galen's question.
As Galen looked puzzled, Julian spoke in a voice tinged with amusement.
"It's time for that personal talk I hinted at earlier. Lord Galen, the very fact you asked that reveals your uniqueness."
"Pardon?"
"A Gem at twenty-three, and per Bishop Hamel's report, you wield not just water magic but others too. Do you consider yourself ordinary?"
"No, but..."
"You're exceptionally special. Not just in magical prowess—Lilia's example makes that precarious enough."
"...Is that so?"
"Of course, Lilia's growth defies common sense. Mages drill one spell because mastery takes a lifetime. But a freakishly fast grower like her could theoretically master multiple, like you."
Spot-on insight. It matched reality, save that Galen's edge came from the status window, not pure talent like Lilia's.
"More crucially, your greatest uniqueness lies here."
Julian tapped his temple. Galen asked,
"The mind?"
"No, the spirit."
The Pope's eyes darkened as he replied.
"Holy power is like a shield—optimized for protection. All miracles stem from that. So what is the spear-like power?"
"Mana, surely."
"No, battle aura. The warrior's. Unpleasant for a mage like you, but that's my view. Humanity's spear is the warrior; its shield, the cleric."
"...And mages?"
"Metaphorically, obsidian."
"Obsidian?"
"Ever seen it up close? Obsidian's edge is astonishingly sharp. It slices cleanly with a light touch, its cutting power terrifying. But... it's fragile in proportion."
Think of an overly honed sword—it dulls after few uses. Julian likened it thus.
"Mages wield immense power, forming factions easily. Many noble houses are mage lineages. But they pale against warrior houses in number, and further down, even more so. You know how rare mages are among mercenaries."
"That rare."
"Self-taught warriors abound—so common we don't even call them that. Every mercenary is one. Self-taught mages? Rare. Even in great houses, not all kin achieve mastery despite endless tutelage."
Galen's expression hardened. Julian paused, then intoned the cold truth.
"That's why mages are so few compared to warriors and clerics. Mana isn't a power humans were meant to wield. The human spirit is too fragile for it."
"...Sounds like you're saying mages go collectively mad."
"Accurate for Gems, at least. Even Gold is questionable, but Gems require a twisted mind to reach."
"......"
"My view hasn't changed. You're the sole exception."
The arrow turned to Galen suddenly. He tilted his head.
"Me?"
"In your view, how does your conduct differ before and after becoming a Gem?"
"Hm."
Galen pondered briefly before hesitating.
"No idea."
"Nor do we."
"Pardon?"
"If even you and others see no change, then there is none. You're the same. That's your uniqueness."
"So... Gems are supposed to go nuts, but I'm fine, making me special?"
"Simply put, yes."
"Praise, then?"
"Not an insult."
"I'll take it as praise. Bit iffy, though."
"Another Gem mage wouldn't even question it."
"Pardon?"
"They've already decided inwardly. If praise, no query; if insult, they'd storm out raging."
"...Isn't that mental instability?"
"Exactly why I call them mad. 'Eccentric' falls short—they're profoundly warped."
Julian briefly grimaced in headache before relaxing upon looking at Galen.
"In that sense, what fortune for us. The mage who best grasps the Church's cause remains steadfast even as a Gem—a great blessing."
"Haha..."
"This means I can safely entrust Lilia to you ongoing."
"Y-Yes."
Galen unwittingly played along, then coughed.
"...Pardon?"