Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Like a Child
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-Wow, it works. This is so fascinating.
Loan, his face still lit with a bright smile, continued to knock on the inside of the archbishop’s mind.
-It seems you have to channel a level of intent around your vocal cords almost on par with casting a spell. I’d get tired quickly if I’m not used to it. To think you can do this even while eating, Archbishop. It’s truly amazing.
His expression was one of genuine admiration, but from Fabian’s perspective, it was simply baffling.
Who was calling whom amazing?
The Orthodox Church’s inner voice required one to imbue sound with spirituality, a task more difficult than the manifestation of a divine power.
Of course, there were others besides clergy who used similar methods of mental communication, but it was a skill only achievable after reaching a certain level of mastery.
And yet, it had only been a short time, just a few words exchanged while sitting across from each other.
To gain enlightenment in that time and immediately put it into practice?
* * *
-It feels like I’m dreaming.
It was the only way to describe it.
But this unfathomable talent was not satisfied with just that.
-But this inner voice doesn't require us to be face-to-face, does it? If I can limit the path of the waves, I should be able to choose who hears it. Is that right, Archbishop?
-Ah, yes. I’m not sure what you mean by ‘waves,’ but if you’re referring to spirituality filled with earnestness, then yes, such individual transmission is possible.
Delighted, Loan wanted to test it immediately.
He briefly wondered who he should send a message to and what he should say, then recalled the man from a moment ago who had been needlessly blaming the Union.
The man with the unpleasant impression, the ends of his eyebrows curled upwards, was still picking fault with this and that in a disgruntled voice.
Loan first gauged the path the sound would travel, then calculated the amount of mana and speed needed for a vibration exceeding his physical capabilities.
Finally, after preparing a convection tunnel to contain the waves…
-While you complain idly, there are those fighting for their lives. Do not doubt.
He projected the words at the back of the man’s head.
Instantly.
As if struck by lightning, the man shot to his feet, looked around wildly, and finally stared up at the sky.
Though the ceiling was grimy and dark, the man looked up at it, clasped his hands together, and shouted something.
The words were unclear, but he seemed to be moved by a divine message.
The people around the man began to question him about his sudden strange behavior.
Fabian, who had grasped the situation, asked.
-Ha, haha. Did you really just pull that off?
-It’s not easy. It would be very helpful if I could use it in battle, but I’ll need a lot of practice.
A very humble reply.
In his long life, he had never seen such talent, and this calm demeanor was also unfamiliar.
What kind of environment had he grown up in to be like this?
Fabian fought to suppress the urge to make a fuss.
-Everyone will be quite surprised when they find out that Loan, who has returned from Shion, can use the inner voice.
-Hmm, I’m not so sure. The Commander and the other seniors always seem to be looking at something beyond. They might have anticipated this…
-Incredible. As expected of the Union…
Sharing their inner voices and marveling inwardly.
Loan and Archbishop Fabian exchanged far more words than usual, but at the table where they sat, only the quiet sounds of eating could be heard.
*Clink— Clink—*
After his first meeting with Archbishop Fabian, Loan rested for a day in the lodging the archbishop had provided.
His plans had been slightly modified.
Archbishop Fabian had expressed a wish for Loan to accompany him to a city in southern Shion.
Loan sent a message regarding the matter, then wondered what he would do if Commander Adrian left the decision to his judgment.
His original mission to Shion had two main parts.
First: Meet the archbishop.
He was also to find a way to resist the influence of dark mana and discuss how to exorcise demons from possessed humans—a request that had been given by Commanders Hans and Magda.
The second was a journey assigned by Commander Adrian.
Though phrased that way, it was actually a more difficult mission: to experience, grow, and return.
The archbishop’s proposal seemed like an opportunity to satisfy all these objectives, so there was no reason to refuse.
Loan opened his notebook and reviewed the latest information again.
Coincidentally, the messages sent by Loan and his seniors had been compiled by the administration office and, with new information added, were distributed to all members.
[Shion Central Region: Increase in civilian casualties near Orthodox Church facilities. Riots caused by black magic identified as the primary cause. Suspecting a sensitive issue within the Orthodox Church, the Stability Division has dispatched an on-site investigation team.]
[Schwerin Northern Region: Brien Corps movements detected. Believed to be connected to recent events in Shion and Schwerin. Commander Magda of the Honor Division scheduled to visit Schwerin in person.]
[Practical Division: Confirming information on the Stone of Goetia, focusing on the Bersawa and Ferrara merchant guilds, and forming a dedicated collection team.]
[Faith Division: Ascertaining the organizational structure of the six major powers of Grave. Special directive from the Governor-General.]
[Shion Northern Region: Lull in the first major battle with Norfolk near the Tique Mountains. Time of re-engagement unknown. Large number of Shion personnel deployed. Freedom Division considering withdrawal.]
[Rhodes: Signs of impending civil war. Local Practical Division unit assessing the situation. Responsibility Division gathering in Ferrara to provide support.]
The place the archbishop had asked him to go to was in southern Shion.
According to the message, it was highly likely to be related to the Brien Corps in northern Schwerin, which bordered Shion.
With a significant portion of Shion’s forces concentrated elsewhere, the archbishop would likely be investigating alone.
‘Who am I to worry about him?’
The Archbishop of Shion was on par with or even superior to a Union Expert. He was said to be capable of single-handedly managing a city.
It wasn't something a mere Runner should be concerned about.
The only regrettable things were not being able to visit the Orthodox Cathedral and being far from the Freedom Division, which might be withdrawing from northern Shion.
‘The Captain seems to be the hardest person to meet.’
He was a figure Loan looked up to. He had been secretly looking forward to it. He was also curious about what the white suit would feel like.
As Loan looked in the mirror, imagining his future self, he suddenly sensed a presence and opened his notebook.
He had inquired with Commander Adrian about the archbishop’s request—
[Have a good trip.]
A simple reply had returned.
Thinking it was a very Commander-like response, Loan finished his preparations and left his lodging.
Before long, he spotted Archbishop Fabian walking from the direction of the monastery.
He was dressed similarly to yesterday, in a simple priest’s robe with a cloak. With his shaggy hair, the elf looked nothing like an archbishop.
-Good morning, Archbishop Fabian.
-Haha. Are you planning to speak only with the inner voice again today?
Loan’s face flushed slightly.
It was fun, but more than that, there was no one else he could use it with right now, so he wanted to practice as much as possible on this occasion.
-If it’s alright with you, I’d like to.
-Very well. There’s no reason we can’t.
And so they did, yet as they passed the lake, crossed the long bridge, and traversed the river…
The two exchanged few words until they had completely left the city.
Loan had many questions but did not ask them.
The look in the archbishop’s eyes and his expression as he watched the people coming and going were so pleasant that Loan didn’t want to interrupt.
As they entered a quiet, less-traveled path…
Archbishop Fabian conveyed his thoughts.
-When one is always looking up at the heavens, there are not many opportunities to observe the world like this. Thank you for your consideration.
-Not at all. I felt at ease for the first time in a while, too.
Fabian smiled at Loan’s reply.
-I should have come down to look around like this sooner. With Matthias, as well.
His inner voice felt a little deeper.
Speaking aloud about Matthias’s identity was something to be cautious about in many ways.
-I was the one who brought Matthias into the Orthodox Church.
-Ah…
-He was a child with nowhere to turn. I brought the trembling boy to stay in the chapel. He grew up there. You could say he was raised on prayer.
Loan felt he was getting somewhat used to the archbishop’s way of speaking.
His words contained a lot of information, but they were also concise.
Looking in the direction of the Chapel of Tribulation, Loan asked.
-Did you know that Matthias was a demon?
-A demon. I wonder. I didn’t particularly think of him as something, and therefore, I must treat him a certain way. Perhaps because I am not human myself, I felt no aversion?
He then turned his head with a very gentle expression. Following his gaze, Loan saw a line of lime trees.
The archbishop’s eyes held a hint of loneliness as he looked at them.
-When I first met Matthias, he was like a small tree. Very slowly, he would release darkness and accept the light. Just as a real tree does.
He said that, regardless of species, no one had a deeper faith than Matthias.
His life, utterly faithful to the doctrine, was enough to inspire the other believers.
-He was a special child. Those who stayed with Matthias and devoted themselves to prayer were able to drive out all the darkness within them.
Purifying darkness was the third power bestowed by the Great Mother Goddess.
Having achieved this through prayer alone without embarking on a path of penance, he was soon recognized by the Orthodox Church.
Matthias, who never left the Chapel of Tribulation as if isolating himself, became a priest as the years passed, then a head priest, and eventually rose to the rank of Doctrinal Bishop.
But recently, as darkness began to run rampant, he had started to spread an unexpected doctrine.
-I didn’t know. I believed he was a child who grew up only under the Great Mother’s grace, so he only opened his heart to believers. I never imagined it would come to this. What a foolish boy.
Following his inner voice…
Archbishop Fabian let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with regret.
-I also have someone like Matthias in my life, Archbishop.
-Ah, I’ve heard. That you travel with an owl.
Watching the sunlight leave faint scars on the forest path below, Loan spoke aloud for the first time in a while.
“Aul.”
Aul appeared, its tiny steps leaving prints in the air. It tilted its head once at Fabian, then flew in circles around him.
-He came from a Stone of Goetia. I purified him.
-Ah, so he would be what the world calls a demon. Was he cleansed through a process similar to the purification of a ghoul?
-Yes. In the case of ghouls, the power of the Great Mother Goddess was necessary, but with the Stone of Goetia, it was possible because it was sealed with a magic formula.
-You mean it requires a power that can draw out the darkness. The magic formula would naturally release it upon being dispelled.
-You really do understand quickly.
The genius who had dispelled the formula was now praising him, making Archbishop Fabian feel a bit awkward.
To top it off, Aul landed on his shaggy hair and began to peck at the strands.
-Haha, this… It seems to be comfortable with me.
He couldn't help but express his inner bewilderment.
-He’s not usually like this… I’m sure it’s because you are a good person, Archbishop, but I think it’s also because you were the one who took in Matthias.
Loan tried to stop Aul, but Fabian waved his hand, insisting it was fine.
Fabian’s hair was beginning to take the shape of a nest.
-Did Aul know Matthias?
-Yes. It seems they were acquainted. Matthias was happy to see him, and Aul treated him with unusual kindness.
Fabian’s face brightened slightly.
-So the boy had good memories, too. He never told me anything of the sort.
Curious about the top of his own head, which he couldn’t see, Fabian glanced upwards.
Lost in thought, he asked Loan.
-Loan. There is something I wish to ask.
-Yes. Please speak.
-If Aul were to change like Matthias and act against your beliefs, what would you do?
Loan looked at Aul.
Perhaps pleased with its grooming, Aul had settled down and was dozing off.
As if to deepen Loan’s contemplation, Fabian added.
-Matthias was like a son to me. What is Aul to you?
Though he had an owl nesting in his hair, his expression was utterly serious.