Chapter 178: Witness the Miracle-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: Witness the Miracle-2
I had poured out my strength to the limit, and then I simply closed my eyes as sleep came rushing in.
Leaving behind my Master, who was sobbing as if a faucet had been turned on, I surrendered myself entirely to human instinct.
And now, before I could even adjust to the new dimension I’d dropped into, the people surrounding me were already giving me a headache.
[Number of Dimension Transfers: 8]
The number floated before my eyes. Eight times already? That’s a lot.
Some people only die once in their entire lives, but I’ve done it eight times. Goddammit.
My eyes, momentarily blinded by an intense light, slowly began to adjust to the darkness.
I took in the surrounding scenery.
The landscape was similar to Emma’s dimension, though with a slightly more antique feel. It reminded me of the sights I’d seen in Spain back in my twenties when I traveled there without a care in the world.
Ah… where am I this time? And what am I supposed to be?
Just as I start getting used to a place, I die and get tossed somewhere else. I feel like the protagonist of a roguelike game.
“…W-What is your name?”
A woman beside me asked.
I hadn’t realized she was there until she spoke. Her blonde hair, framed by a nun’s habit I’d seen somewhere before, immediately caught my eye.
And then, her chest—so large it couldn't even be compared to Master’s or Mina’s—pierced through the darkness and struck my gaze directly.
I saw people prostrating themselves all around me.
In a situation that was difficult to grasp without an explanation, I answered the woman’s question.
“Kang In-ho.”
The woman who asked for my name threw herself to the ground.
“S-Saint… sir.”
Since the surroundings were so quiet, her murmur reached my ears clearly.
Saint?
“The Saint has come!!”
“The Saint has arrived!!!”
As soon as the woman finished speaking, the people below the platform began to shout one after another.
It was a situation remarkably similar to when I first entered the Black Sky Cult.
Blind faith, trust, and fanaticism.
Shit, what is it this time?
It seemed I would need a lot of time to adjust to this dimension.
*
The next day, the Cathedral was a hive of activity.
The fact that a prisoner executed the day before had come back to life was shocking enough, but the fact that he had returned while scattering divine light in every direction was an event so monumental the Pope might as well have performed three backflips in celebration.
Consequently, Runio, the current Pope of the Solarium Church, donned his finest vestments and headed toward the Cathedral.
When he opened the doors and entered, many people were already standing in their designated spots.
Runio took his seat and surveyed the room.
On the left was a group of Holy Knights clad in thick armor. They were the practical military force of the Solarium Church, responsible for fighting heretics.
In the center was a group of Bishops, the second most powerful figures after the Pope. They were responsible for managing each diocese.
On the right was the group of Inquisitors. While the Holy Knights fought external enemies, the Inquisitors dealt with internal ones.
“……”
The Pope remained silent for a moment, scanning the faces of those gathered in the Cathedral.
Despite his aging body, his eyes still shone with a sharp glint.
How many years had it been since such a gathering? Perhaps not since the resolution of the Holy War during his predecessor’s predecessor’s time?
Runio pondered.
A summons to the Cathedral.
For the Solarium Church, this did not merely mean a gathering of people.
Since ancient times, a summons to the Cathedral occurred only under the following circumstances:
When a new Pope was elected.
When more than fifty percent of the Holy Knights had to be deployed for a war against heathens.
When power had to be concentrated across all dioceses to deal with heretics and demon worshipers.
And.
When the Saint appeared.
“I believe you all know why we have gathered today,” Runio began.
“‘When chaos is added to the world, I shall send my most holy son to save you,’” Runio recited a verse from the Scripture.
“‘Treat my messenger, who comes with the light, as you would treat your own guest.’”
As soon as Runio finished speaking, a low murmur rippled through the gathered crowd.
“I have heard that divine light erupted from the deceased, and his damaged body was completely restored. We also confirmed this morning that there was no evil interference involved,” Runio said, drawing out his words.
“The Saint mentioned throughout the Scripture may have finally appeared.”
“Therefore, we must conduct the verification.”
At Runio’s signal, Maria, who had been waiting outside, guided In-ho into the Cathedral.
Though he had been a prisoner until yesterday, his treatment today was entirely different.
Every eye in the room fell upon In-ho.
Under that intense scrutiny, In-ho showed not a hint of intimidation as he strode across the chapel behind Maria.
Pope Runio pulled a sword from a space beneath the platform.
It was a sword with an impressive white scabbard.
Runio slowly descended from the platform and stood before In-ho.
He made the sign of the cross and handed the sword to In-ho.
“Please, take it.”
The sword passed from Runio’s hand to In-ho’s.
In-ho gripped the sword, stroking the scabbard as if appraising it.
Gulp.
Watching this, Runio swallowed hard.
“Would you… care to draw the blade?”
At Runio’s request, In-ho gripped the hilt.
Srrrng.
The metallic ring of the blade leaving the scabbard echoed through the Cathedral.
From the gradually revealed blade, a faint, pure white light began to glow.
As In-ho drew the sword and stared at the radiantly glowing blade as if entranced, the Pope immediately prostrated himself on the spot.
“Oh, Saint! This humble servant of the light only now recognizes you!”
Following the Pope’s lead, everyone gathered in the Cathedral threw themselves to the floor.
“I have one request.”
While everyone’s faces were pressed against the ground, In-ho’s voice drifted over their heads.
“Anything, Saint. Just say the word,” the Pope said, bowing his head even lower.
“I’m filthy. I’d like to wash up.”
The moment In-ho spoke, the Pope snapped his head up.
“It shall be done as you command, Saint.”
The Pope stood and turned toward the Holy Knights.
“The Scripture says, ‘The world is murky, a stench seethes everywhere, and impure things pour forth. You shall erase everything according to the words of my messenger.’”
“The Saint has just commanded us to eliminate the hordes that do not fear the light. Everyone, prepare yourselves!”
“Commander!”
“Yes! I will organize the units immediately!”
“Inquisitors…!”
“We will begin the execution of the sinners at once!”
“Bishops, notify every diocese. We are about to launch an all-out war!”
“Understood. All is according to the will of the Light.”
The Cathedral became a cacophony of noise as people moved busily.
Standing at the center of all this chaos, In-ho could only watch the scene in silence, his expression unreadable to ordinary men.
No, I just said I wanted to wash because I haven't been able to since yesterday. What the hell is wrong with these people?
Nursing a massive migraine, In-ho pressed his fingers firmly against his temples.