Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Chapter 21: Advisor Savl (4)
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The path to the goddess statue was guarded by quite a few sentries lining the corridor.
‘Gotta knock out about three of them.’
There were spots impossible to bypass entirely without a place to hide.
Just like on his initial entry, Jamie fired a psychic wave at a soldier who looked bored.
The soldier began nodding off, then unwittingly toppled over.
Jamie leisurely passed by his side while spreading mana to detect presences. He sensed a total of three.
Fortunately, there was empty space above, allowing him to slip through without issue.
Having infiltrated deep into the church in an instant, Jamie opened a corridor window and slipped outside.
According to that soldier Milbuck's memories, the archbishop's office was right next door.
It was currently empty.
He scanned for any detection magic just in case, but nothing triggered.
‘Easy. Too easy.’
Entering the archbishop's office, Jamie surveyed the room.
A large wall bore the crest symbolizing the Pyro Church.
Aside from that, there was nothing special.
In fact, the room felt barren, almost empty.
Only a few books related to doctrine sat on the bookshelf. The desk was impeccably organized, making him wonder if the place was actually in use.
‘Must be a frugal sort.’
He rummaged through the desk drawers and around the room, but no important documents turned up.
No telling if they were stored separately or burned right after review.
Nothing more to see. He approached the door and checked for presences outside. No sounds.
He cautiously cracked it open, glanced both ways, then proceeded with quiet footsteps.
‘There it is.’
A door leading to where the goddess statue came into view.
One soldier stood guard before it. Unlike the others, he showed no signs of drowsiness, standing tall and vigilant.
‘No problem.’
Jamie could shatter the mind of a bishop-level priest. Neutralizing a mere soldier with no magic resistance was child's play.
It was then.
Jamie firmly grabbed the hand flying toward his head.
“Who are you?”
Jamie's eyes tinted purple.
He had no idea who it was, but they'd appeared out of nowhere.
Such incidents had been frequent lately, grating on his nerves.
Gathering mana into the captured hand, he turned around.
Jamie could only gape and release his grip.
“I was trying to scare you, but as expected, it's not easy with you.”
“Riki?!”
“Shh.”
Jamie had unwittingly raised his voice, so Riki clamped a hand over his mouth.
“We'd be in trouble if someone heard.”
With that, Riki dragged Jamie back into the archbishop's office.
Once in the quiet space, Jamie urgently demanded answers.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“How did you sneak up behind me without a sound?!”
Jamie was utterly shocked.
No matter that Riki was Pyro's apostle now, he didn't have the skill to hide his presence from Jamie.
Seeing Jamie like this, Riki responded with a faintly disappointed look.
“What? I thought you'd be happy to see me, but you're not?”
“Of course I am. So how'd you do it?”
“This guy... Well, that's more like you.”
Riki shook his head exasperatedly.
He then explained to Jamie how he'd approached without a presence.
“It's because this is the goddess's domain. I haven't fully awakened my apostle powers yet, but as her incarnation, I become somewhat... omnipotent here, I guess?”
In other words, within the church, Riki was near omnipotent.
More simply put, he became one with the church itself. So even Jamie's stealthy infiltration was plain as day to him.
Here, it was impossible for Jamie to overpower Riki through sheer force.
‘This is why apostles are such a pain.’
His memories were too old; he'd forgotten.
Or more accurately, since he'd grown desensitized traveling with Riki all the way to Abton.
And according to Riki, this was with his powers not even fully awakened.
If Riki matured and fully awakened as an apostle, he'd be invincible within the domain.
“Your apostle power's grown so strong it's suppressing your undead strength.”
“It did fade a lot coming in here. It comes back a bit outside, though.”
Riki was a unique being—an apostle of a god and undead. But in the church, a god's domain, his undead powers struggled to manifest.
“What about Anna?”
“Anna's resting.”
Adults grew stronger in a god's domain, though not to an apostle's extent.
But Anna hadn't awakened her saint powers yet, so she remained just an ordinary blind girl for now.
“Anyway, good thing it's you. I was seriously about to kill whoever it was.”
Riki could tell he meant it and let out an incredulous laugh.
“That's a scary thing to say.”
“So what's up?”
“What's up? There you go saying something upsetting so casually again.”
“What, should I cry about it?”
“I wouldn't go that far. I just wanted to surprise you a bit, and... the goddess told me to come see you.”
“......What?”
“The goddess said to go to you.”
There was no longer any need to head to the goddess statue.
“You mean that's true?”
“No reason for me to lie.”
Fair enough.
Jamie and Riki were comrades in the same boat, so to speak.
They shared each other's secrets, and above all, Jamie held Riki's leash—betrayal was impossible.
“I'll convey the goddess's will now.”
“Wai—!”
Before Jamie could finish protesting, a brilliant light began enveloping Riki's body.
Too bright to keep his eyes open, Jamie shielded his face with both arms.
As the light dimmed slightly, he cautiously peeked at Riki.
His face was obscured by pure white light.
Behind him, threads of light undulated like wings.
This was no longer Riki.
It was something far more transcendent.
What could be higher-dimensional than a god's apostle? Only one thing.
“Are you Pyro?”
Jamie addressed the entity possessing Riki's body, a hint of hostility in his tone.
The entity opened its eyes.
From its luminous face, only pink irises gleamed.
‘It's different from before.’
That time, she'd manifested hastily and couldn't take a proper form.
But now, having already conveyed her will through her apostle, the goddess summoned a part of herself without reservation.
Jamie swallowed dryly. Last time, she could do nothing to him. But now, with a fragment summoned, even he was at risk.
Jamie frowned at the rapid-fire words.
“Hold on. What did you just...”
But Jamie couldn't finish his sentence.
The goddess possessing Riki's body had vanished without a trace.
“Wh-what?”
He was thoroughly flustered.
Why make such a flashy entrance just to leave like that?
“Ugh...”
Riki, regaining consciousness, clutched his head and staggered.
Jamie supported him, helping him steady himself.
“You okay?”
“Just a headache.”
Even an apostle couldn't avoid overload from housing a god.
Jamie waited for Riki's condition to improve.
“Whew—better now.”
“What was that? Who shows up, says their piece, and bails?”
“I'll apologize on her behalf. The goddess isn't in great shape right now.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“A month ago. When you first turned me undead, she descended into me, remember?”
“Yeah.”
“That was a huge burden on her.”
Pyro had forcibly manifested into an unawakened Riki outside her domain.
She'd broken the laws set by the 12 Gods, bearing immense strain.
“So this time, she conveyed her will through me—an apostle—staying within the laws, but the lingering burden from before meant she could only remain briefly.”
He hadn't realized that manifestation had been so taxing.
How was he supposed to know about the 12 Gods' laws?
“Anyway, what was that request?”
Pyro wouldn't like him.
He'd declared himself Diablo Volpir's successor. Yet here she was, asking a favor.
He'd ignore a command, but her humility made it hard to brush off.
“Why does your goddess ask me—a black sorcerer, not you or her faithful?”
“Because only you can do it.”
“Explain precisely.”
“She said his successor would know.”
His successor—meaning Diablo Volpir.
Jamie frowned.
“Nothing more?”
“Even my connection cut off with that manifestation. She'll need to rest for a while.”
“Damn it! Who does that—drops their message and ghosts?!”
Jamie grumbled, then sighed upon looking at Riki.
He couldn't take it out on him.
“Fine, got it.”
“You leaving?”
“Gotta head back and prepare.”
The archbishop group was heading to the marquis's estate.
He couldn't skip it either, so he needed to return and stand by.
“See you soon then.”
“Yeah. Later.”
Jamie bid farewell and exited through the window.
Riki watched him go, letting out a small sigh.
“Goddess. My friend will be okay, right?”
Riki prayed to the goddess, though she couldn't hear.
Jamie landed quietly in an empty spot and returned to the mansion as if nothing had happened.
The archbishops hadn't arrived yet.
‘Time for a breather.’
Pyro's words echoed in his mind.
Go to the Dark Forest.
But where exactly was this Dark Forest?
And what did she mean he'd know once he got there?
First things first: figure out where the Dark Forest was.
He had a vague idea.
The Great Forest in northern Abton. He didn't recall the exact name, but he'd heard it was a forbidden zone due to its dangers.
‘The Great Forest doesn't quite sound like a “forest,” though.’
Doubting it a bit, Jamie glanced to the side.
“Is secretly watching people a hobby of yours?”
“I didn't mean to secretly watch. It's just a habit. Sorry.”
Savl, who'd been standing quietly nearby, approached with an awkward expression.
“No need to apologize.”
“But it looks like you were out somewhere?”
“Just took a short walk.”
“Aha—I see.”
Savl smiled brightly.
He clearly didn't buy it.
Jamie cleared his throat awkwardly and turned the question back.
“What brings you here, Advisor?”
“We have an important guest today. I was preparing the welcome.”
“Who?”
“Archbishop Sephira, who oversees the Pyro Church's Abton branch.”
“Wow. Quite the VIP.”
Jamie already knew but feigned ignorance.
Savl drew closer and asked,
“Is this your first time seeing a bishop-level priest?”
“No. I've seen a few before.”
At Jamie's words, Savl seemed to ponder briefly before startling and hastily apologizing.
“Ah! I've made a grave mistake. Truly sorry.”
“What mistake?”
“I'd forgotten about what happened in Hies.”
The sudden remark drew a chuckle from Jamie.
“It's fine. Father took care of it.”
“I was a bit shocked when I heard about it back then. Anyway, must be all the work making me forget. Apologies again. Sorry.”
Jamie waved off the excessively apologetic tone.
“I said it's fine. I'll head in first.”
“Understood. Rest well.”
As Savl turned with a smile, Bayril suddenly crossed Jamie's mind.
He called out to the advisor again.
“By the way, Advisor. Where's Sir Onyx?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Something bad seems to have happened at the marquis's estate, and our biggest asset, Sir Onyx, is nowhere to be seen, so I was wondering.”
“Goodness. We must seem so incompetent, worrying the young master like this. No need to fret. Everything will be fine until you depart. As for Sir Onyx... I wouldn't know. He often vanishes on his own.”
“Aha. Got it.”
Jamie started to head back into the mansion after a brief farewell, but Savl spoke up.
“If you're interested in that man, I advise against it.”
His tone lacked any playfulness, so Jamie turned back.
“Why?”
“I can't give the exact reason, but it's for your sake, young master.”
“......”
“Please rest well.”
Savl merely smiled.
As Jamie turned to leave again, Savl's voice followed.
“Oh, and even if you go out, please avoid the ‘Mirine Forest.’”
This time, his voice brimmed with playfulness.
Jamie cleared his throat awkwardly and entered the mansion.
Left alone, Savl dropped his smile and muttered,
“It's a really dangerous place.”