The Location of Noah's Ark Was a Mountain Not Marked on Any Map
The place where Noah's Ark was located was a mountain not marked on any map. On the way back after visiting Noah's Ark, I rode in Seong Yu-da's car, but even the navigation didn't work near the Ark. I pulled out my phone, but of course there was no signal, and the time was set arbitrarily. It felt like a completely isolated space cut off from the world.
"......Due to Do Myeong-jun's spells, there's no signal around the Ark. It's impossible to pinpoint the location."
Seong Yu-da said, glancing at the malfunctioning navigation.
"Then how do we find our way back to Noah's Ark?"
"We have no choice but to remember the path. Even if we remember it, without permission from Noah, the Ark's owner, we can't enter."
"Permission."
"Since Noah told you to come back, permission won't be an issue. As long as you remember the way well, you can return anytime."
Seong Yu-da said. Fortunately, I'd memorized the scenery along the way, so it seemed possible to return to Noah's Ark.
As the car rocked and swayed along the winding mountain roads, I recalled Seong Yu-da's memories I'd seen in the Ark. I understood his relationships with my father and mother. The revenge he harbored against the Voodoo Cult had been implanted by the Pope, leading to tragedy for all three former friends.
The problem was the Pope. Why had he used Seong Yu-da to incite the Holy War and try to eradicate the Voodoo Cult? What had my father and the Pope discussed just before the war broke out?
Ma Yu-hyeon might know about this.
"......Shall we talk about the underground prison now?"
At that moment, Seong Yu-da, who was driving, spoke up.
"As I mentioned earlier, there's a way to enter the underground prison. We might even get there sooner than expected."
"Sooner?"
"If we create a pretext, it could be possible right away. Thanks to you being a Florence student with a good reputation among the clergy."
Seong Yu-da continued. He said that during his time with the Central Knight Order, he'd had a chance to enter the underground prison right after subduing the Satan Cult executive 'Greed.' If we could create a similar pretext, I'd have an opportunity to enter too. The issue was my status as a Florence student rather than Central Knight Order, but Seong Yu-da said he could pull strings using his clan's influence to make it work somehow.
"Normally, it wouldn't make sense for a single Florence student to subdue a Satan Cult executive....... But you could do it."
"Yes. I've done it once before."
"......So it was you who took down the Satan Cult executive 'Envy' as well."
Seong Yu-da said, piecing it together belatedly after hearing me. I nodded.
"Yes. But I couldn't tell the clergy that I'd subdued him."
"Why not?"
"I used too much Loa power and Voodoo magic at the time. Telling the truth might have exposed me as the Voodoo Cult leader."
Gu Jun-hyeok was strong. Far stronger than anyone I'd faced. That's why I'd overused my powers and spells. Even then, I couldn't kill him completely. He was alive in the underground prison, occasionally contacting me through taxidermy dolls, dropping meaningful hints about a reunion.
Seong Yu-da nodded at my words, then fell silent, just focusing on driving. It wasn't until we finally left the mountain that he spoke again.
"I still can't fully believe that Se-hwa is alive. But if she really is......"
He smoothly merged onto the highway and continued. The navigation finally started working properly.
"......I want to make sure you meet Se-hwa. For atonement, at least."
"H-Help. Save me. H-Help......"
Seong Yu-da's face hardened. My phone was blowing up with calls from Han Dae-ho too. I answered, and his furious voice hit my ear immediately.
"You bastard! Where the hell are you and what are you doing?! Why hasn't your phone been working?!"
"......"
"Get your ass to the Central Priest Order Affiliated Cathedral NOW! Hurry!"
Seong Yu-da turned off the navigation with trembling hands and switched to the news. An emergency broadcast reported that a figure presumed to be the Satan Cult executive 'Lust' had appeared at the Central Priest Order Affiliated Cathedral and was carrying out a terrorist attack.
The Central Priest Order was where Seong Ha-yeon was doing her dispatch training. Seong Yu-da's hands trembled violently. His eyes bloodshot, he stared at the news before suddenly flooring the accelerator.
Vroooom!
The car let out a terrifying roar and sped down the empty highway.
*
"Jin-seo, you going to the promotion ceremony too?"
"Yeah...... I have to."
Kim Jin-seo nodded at the girl's question. The Romanica Church held promotion ceremonies regularly every year, and this time the Northern Knight Order Captain had been selected for promotion. Along with the captain, various clergy from the Eastern Knight Order and Southern Priest Order were up for promotion.
With so many promotees, major figures and clergy would gather in large numbers. That's why Kim Jin-seo was even more reluctant to attend. High-ranking clergy and VIPs would surely recognize and greet her. She was the daughter of Florence Chairman Kim Chang-won, after all.
Still, she had to attend. She was an apprentice Holy Knight in the Northern Knight Order.
"It's mandatory, so I hate it but I gotta go."
Kim Jin-seo grumbled, twisting her face. The girl smiled faintly.
"Just think of it casually. You have to go anyway."
"I am thinking casually. It's just annoying...... What about you? Going?"
"Yeah, I have to. Not mandatory, but they've been pressuring me to come. Wanna go together since we're both going?"
The girl asked. Kim Jin-seo stared at her blankly. There was no real need to go with her. Normally, she'd refuse and go alone, maybe with a driver.
"Sure, let's do that."
But Kim Jin-seo nodded readily. Even if unnecessary, going together seemed better. Someone to talk to on the way would make it less boring.
Kim Jin-seo nodded and answered, then tilted her head curiously.
"......Wait, where's the promotion ceremony again?"
"Wow....... You really don't care. Central Priest Order Affiliated Cathedral."
The girl looked at her in disbelief. Kim Jin-seo narrowed her eyes and nodded.
"Central Priest Order Affiliated Cathedral."
She repeated it unnecessarily. If the promotion was there, the Central Priest Order Captain and members would attend. Even apprentice priests on dispatch training wouldn't be exceptions.
So Seong Ha-yeon would probably be there too.
Unlike Seong Ha-yeon, Kim Jin-seo wasn't close to her. They only exchanged words occasionally during executive or Seven Holy Mark meetings. They were distant enough not to even greet each other.
No fondness, no malice either.
'When should we schedule the next rendezvous?'
Seong Ha-yeon's words from when Kim Jin-seo had met her and Do Seon-woo lingered in her ears.
Kim Jin-seo didn't hold a grudge over that one line. But afterward, facing her felt awkwardly uncomfortable.
"......We probably won't run into each other."
Kim Jin-seo muttered, and the girl tilted her head.
"Run into? Who?"
"Nothing. Anyway, let's meet tomorrow and go to the cathedral together."
Kim Jin-seo quickly changed the subject.
On the day of the ceremony, Kim Jin-seo met the girl near school and headed to the cathedral together. Expecting crowded public transport due to the event, she'd called a driver. Seeing the driver and car, the girl gaped blankly.
"......You're rich?"
"Didn't know? I thought that's why you were acting friendly."
Kim Jin-seo said nonchalantly. The girl blushed and bowed her head.
"I-I knew, but....... Acting friendly? Aren't we friends......?"
"Kidding. Get in."
She laughed and opened the door, waiting until the girl boarded cautiously, shoulders hunched like she wasn't used to such courtesy. Kim Jin-seo followed, and the car departed.
The road to the Central Priest Order Affiliated Cathedral was jammed. All cars heading to the same place for the ceremony.
"......We're friends, right? It's not just me thinking that?"
The girl glanced at Kim Jin-seo and said. Kim Jin-seo stared at her blankly. Seeing her fidgeting, she felt like teasing.
"Hmm, what do you think?"
"I, uh, I......"
The girl hemmed and hawed. Kim Jin-seo enjoyed it a moment before smirking.
"Of course we're friends. Why else would I be going with you now?"
"......R-Really."
Kim Jin-seo stared at the girl's sullen response, then looked out the window. The road was packed.
Should've taken public transport. Can't be late.
While she gazed absently outside, the girl beside her watched her profile.
They finally arrived. Kim Jin-seo parted with the girl and sat in the seats reserved for Northern Knight Order members. She scanned the crowd in the cathedral.
Other Northern Knight Order members had arrived earlier, along with some high-ranking clergy she recognized. Then she spotted an unwelcome face.
"......Nice to see you."
Seong Ha-yeon greeted first. Kim Jin-seo nodded curtly in response.
Seats for Northern Knight Order and Central Priest Order were adjacent, and apprentice seats were together, so they were practically next to each other. No atmosphere for talk, no topics anyway, so Kim Jin-seo stayed silent. Seong Ha-yeon didn't initiate either.
Silence lingered.
"The promotion ceremony will begin shortly. VIPs, please take your seats."
At the announcer's words signaling the start, Kim Jin-seo looked around. She scanned the clergy faces for Do Seon-woo. With Eastern Knight Order promotees, he should be here.
"Do Seon-woo doesn't seem to be coming."
Seong Ha-yeon spoke as if reading her mind. Kim Jin-seo shot her an annoyed glance before forcing a casual smile.
"Oh? Didn't know. But why tell me suddenly?"
"......Looked like you were searching. If not, whatever."
While they talked, the ceremony had begun. Before the main promotions, prayers and hymns filled the formalities.
As the choir's voices filled the cathedral, Kim Jin-seo leaned toward Seong Ha-yeon and whispered cautiously.
"Do you know why he's not coming?"
"No idea."
Seong Ha-yeon answered softly, eyes fixed on the choir, mouth barely moving.
Kim Jin-seo nodded slowly.
"Ah, so that's why you didn't mention it at our 'rendezvous'?"
"......"
Seong Ha-yeon whipped her head around, glaring narrowly at Kim Jin-seo. Meanwhile, Kim Jin-seo stared innocently at the choir.
Seong Ha-yeon's attitude irked her, especially combined with Do Seon-woo's.
Do Seon-woo had suddenly stopped even secret meetings or proper contact. Calls went unanswered or ended with excuses, like he was avoiding her.
"You seem really interested in Do Seon-woo. Always talking to him. You two close?"
As the hymn ended, Seong Ha-yeon said.
Kim Jin-seo eyed her suspiciously before nodding.
"......Pretty close."
"Then he must've told you his secret?"
"......"
Kim Jin-seo stared at Seong Ha-yeon. This time, Seong Ha-yeon focused on the choir, pretending innocence. A faint crease formed between Kim Jin-seo's brows.
"The 12 selected promotees, please ascend the stage."
Amid their odd exchange, formalities ended, and the main ceremony began. The 12 promotees ascended as guided. The announcer stood center-stage with the mic.
"Before the promotions, we extend infinite gratitude to the VIPs gathered to celebrate these clergy."
The announcer bowed lightly to the seated clergy, then turned to the promotees.
"Promotion signifies not just ascent in the church hierarchy, but embracing Adonai's will and mission more greatly......"
Boring formalities. Kim Jin-seo half-listened, pondering Seong Ha-yeon's mention of Do Seon-woo's 'secret.' She'd never heard any secrets directly from him. It annoyed her that Seong Ha-yeon knew something she didn't.
"Serving as examples to all clergy, leading Romanica's revival, while combating heresy—!"
Screeeeech!
The announcer's words cut off. A piercing noise blared from the speakers. Kim Jin-seo clamped her ears shut, eyes squeezed. It eerily resembled the screech of the demon species she'd fought before.
When she opened her eyes, the announcer's face had changed grotesquely.
"Heresy, Satan. Satan, Satan Cult. Satan, Satan Cult. Satan, Lo-Lord Satan......!"
He babbled incoherently into the mic. His neat features twisted unrecognizably, mouth gaping impossibly wide as pitch-black smoke billowed out.
An unidentified vibration rumbled from the floor. It grew stronger over time.
BOOM!
The announcer's body exploded into pieces. Simultaneously, a familiar creature crawled from under the stage—the demon species that killed her adoptive mother, appeared at the practical exam, and fought her, but ultimately escaped disposal.
SKREEEEEEEEEE!
The demon's revival screech echoed through the speakers across the cathedral. Some clergy began collapsing, shedding black tears.
(To be continued in the next chapter)