Chapter 10
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Audience with the Pope
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“Investigator! Did you hear the rumor? They say the Pope himself summoned you!”
“Yeah.”
“You're incredible! For someone as high-ranking as a grand archbishop to come all this way in person!”
“Incredible my foot. He's just showing off. Go get back to work. And don't waste your time gawking.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ian shook his head as he brushed off his clingy subordinates. He was bone-tired, honestly.
'Ah, how many days has it been like this?'
The golem business had worn him out enough, but now this grand archbishop visit was adding insult to injury, pestering him to no end.
What was so special about a grand archbishop dropping by that everyone had to make such a fuss?
It is a big deal, coming from someone like him.
In the real world, a famous overseas celebrity's concert could set a whole country abuzz. Now imagine a figure like a grand archbishop visiting just to see a lowly civil servant from commoner stock?
'Yeah, I get why everyone's losing it.'
Of course, the worlds were different.
But that's exactly why the commotion was even bigger here.
In a world without TV or the internet, even the ignorant masses knew who this guy was.
Just then, the office fell silent. An unexpected superior had dropped in.
Ian looked up amid the hush and saw Deputy Director Bren approaching with a wave.
“What brings you here at this hour, Deputy Director?”
“I couldn't hold back my curiosity. Have you made up your mind?”
“About what?”
“The Pope's summons. Are you really going to the Holy See?”
“Ah, that. Of course I'm going.”
“Hmm. That's unexpected. I figured you'd brush it off politely.”
Bren rubbed his forehead, his expression darkening.
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No problem. Not really. Hmm.”
“Argh, you're killing me. Spit it out plainly instead of hemming and hawing.”
The junior officials gasped at Ian's blunt tone. Talking like that to the deputy director!
But Bren's face didn't change. Their conversations had always been like this.
“Going to the Holy See means visiting the Holy Kingdom's capital in person. To receive an award, no less. Don't you get what that implies?”
“Beats me.”
“Tch. A man who should know better, pretending otherwise.”
“I'm no mind reader. How am I supposed to figure it out from vague hints?”
“It doesn't sit right for someone under His Imperial Majesty's banner to bow to another nation's king.”
Bren's last words were a whisper, likely not for the juniors' ears. Ian couldn't help but smirk.
'Oh, that's what this is about. Power play drama.'
The Pope was head of the Church of Light, the world's top popular religion—and king of the Holy Kingdom to boot. A summons to Church headquarters was the same as an invitation to the kingdom itself.
The issue? Relations between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom weren't exactly chummy.
Not enemies, but hardly allies—a delicate standoff.
For an imperial official to visit the Holy See, bow, and accept an award from the Pope? A massive hit to imperial pride.
Imperials took fierce pride in their empire being the world's strongest.
That's why high-ranking officials often turned down such papal honors for meritorious servants.
Ian knew this full well.
But he had zero imperial pride holding him back.
Power plays? Pride? Who cared?
Pride? Imperial honor? Did that pay the bills?
Am I nuts? Trading that for a holy relic?
Besides, deriving pride from such nonsense baffled him. The Pope praises you and offers a gift—why wouldn't you go to the Vatican? “I'm a top American citizen, so no thanks to the Pope”? Ridiculous. You'd go, and sightsee Italy while at it.
'Okay, the analogy's a bit off.'
The point was, Ian felt no such qualms.
So he was going. Just not right away.
He had one thing to do first.
“You're not doing this for a holy relic, are you...? Nah, couldn't be. Traveling all the way to the Holy Kingdom for some shiny useless trinket? Absurd.”
“Y-yeah, exactly.”
Ian agreed, but inwardly he flinched.
Because yeah, he was going for the relic.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that's the only reason.
'Deputy Director, if only you knew. Most papal relics are junk, sure—but pick right, and it's a jackpot.'
If his plan panned out, this trip would net him a high-grade soul stone.
But he couldn't voice that, so he played along.
The journey to the Holy Kingdom took exactly three days.
Warp portals could've gotten him there in a flash, but he'd dragged it out to finish one alchemy research project.
[Research Project: Soul Detection successfully completed!]
[Your knowledge of souls deepens.]
[Mana sensitivity has increased.]
[You have gained the ability to detect lost, pitiful souls.]
[Skill 'Soul Vision' awakened.]
Ian closed his eyes, savoring the changes.
Mana swirled through him, transforming his body in a rush that ended quickly—but felt intensely vivid.
'Mana sensitivity keeps climbing.'
Now he could sense it clearly without much focus. Proof his mana perception was sharpening.
But that was secondary. What he'd really aimed for was the next skill.
Eyes that see souls. Potentially key to sourcing quality souls for life synthesis.
Ian could already feel its effects intuitively.
'Whoa.'
He rubbed his eyes. Not because he was in the Holy City's holy cathedral, heart of the Church of Light.
No, the mystical new vision overlaying everything was the real marvel.
'What the heck is all this?'
Something hovered over the heads of people on the street. Instinct told him they were soul manifestations.
'Why's that guy's bright red while that one's pale? Ah, that's soul purity.'
He didn't need lessons to know how to use it.
'Color shows purity, size indicates grade.'
Pale colors meant pure souls, dark ones impure. Small blobs were low-grade, large ones high-grade.
Soul Vision laid souls bare, intuitively stark.
'Damn, this is awkward. No off switch...? Oh, there is.'
Thinking don't see made them vanish.
'Nice, toggle function.'
Whatever the mechanism, it was handy.
Gawking at souls, Ian made his way to the Holy See.
Holy knights and priests welcomed him as if expecting him.
“Welcome to the Holy Kingdom. May light guide your path, brother.”
“Thanks. You too, priest.”
Warm greetings led to a guided tour. They showed him to a modest one-room suite.
“Let us know if anything's amiss. We'll handle it with utmost zeal.”
“No complaints, but I do have a question.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“When can I have an audience with His Holiness?”
“Unclear, but likely at least a week.”
“Huh? A whole week?”
“Yes. That... is correct.”
“Insane.”
The priest looked apologetic at Ian's shock.
“It... might take longer. Last visitor waited two months. I... I don't know what to say. Please forgive us...”
“No, no. Why would I be mad? Sounds great.”
“Pardon?”
“Forget I said that. No big deal.”
The priest tilted his head. Ian was grinning ear to ear.
To him, it made no sense. Who enjoyed waiting?
Especially an imperial official, who knew this endless limbo was the Holy Kingdom's petty jab at the Empire.
Why the hell was he so thrilled?
There was a reason.
So I get a legit week off—paid? For real?
Ian's heart raced. A full week of vacation! Paid!
And it could stretch to months!
“The Holy Kingdom's a great place. The Empire should take notes.”
“Pardon?”
“Kidding. Heh.”
Stifling his glee, Ian thought:
'Man, three months of waiting would be perfect. Catch up on alchemy big time.'
Regrettably, Ian's wish didn't come true. Not even a month—just three weeks.
“His Holiness summons you. Prepare and proceed to the audience chamber.”
“Already?”
“Yes. Thank you for your patience. You've been so accommodating without complaint—truly grateful. Sincerely.”
“Aw, why...”
“Pardon?”
“I could've waited longer. Why call me now?”
“...Pardon??”
“Never mind.”
Ian clamped his mouth shut. He'd blurted it out.
'Damn, my paid vacay. Only three weeks.'
His face fell. Three weeks of sweet nectar, over!
“Ahem. Pretend you didn't hear that.”
He composed himself. Still, three weeks of solid progress. Massive gains.
[Research Project: Deep Soul Understanding successfully completed.]
[Research Project: Speed Enhancement successfully completed.]
[Research Project: Durability Reinforcement successfully completed.]
[Research Project: Iron Golem Creation successfully completed.]
...
Alchemy hit level 9. Unlocked tons of new recipes and advanced research projects.
A few specializations leveled up too.
Too bad Material Transmutation didn't hit 5. But it'd come with time.
Backlogged research cleared, including delayed golem tech.
Leveling up spawned more branches. Advanced tech was an endless tree—truly boundless.
'Ugh, wanted to finish Supreme Healing Potion...'
Ian smacked his lips. Next up might be Elixir, the legendary dream potion of rumors.
Imagine crafting that...
'Pace yourself.'
Ian prepared for the audience. Dressed in imperial uniform, combed his hair neatly, reined in his restless mana. Ready.
Guided to the chamber: a vast hall with a central red carpet.
'Whoa. Like a movie set.'
Even as a central imperial official, this was his first audience hall.
'How much gold did they pour into this?'
His father, a top imperial merchant, would blanch at the opulence.
“It is an honor to have audience with His Holiness.”
Ian recalled crash-course palace etiquette and bowed. A voice echoed from above.
“Lord Ian, young hero who rooted out the minions of evil. I have longed to meet you.”
“No need for such words. It was merely my duty as an imperial magic investigator.”
“Hoho. Humble too. Raise your head. Let me see your face.”
Ian looked up at the Pope and couldn't stifle his awe.
'Whoa. Check out that soul color.'
The soul blob overhead was pure white.
Not blank paper-white—flecks of impurity dotted it—but cleanest he'd seen since gaining Soul Vision.
'No wonder he's Pope.'
But Ian's face soured soon after.
The Pope's crown was gleaming bald.
Even great men couldn't escape that.
'Can alchemy make a hair growth potion?'
He pondered, but doubted it. Probably not.