Chapter 191: Holy Kingdom of Rubenia
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191: Holy Kingdom of Rubenia
'How did he get here?'
It was the day after I’d jerked off like crazy, unable to resist Melanie’s cuteness.
When I boarded the private jet prepared by Rubenia, an unbelievable sight unfolded before my eyes.
It made sense for the Pope and the Saintess to be there, obviously.
But why on earth was Kim Min-su sitting in this passenger jet?
'He even took his shoes off.'
Kim Min-su had boarded the plane and was now wiggling his toes inside his socks.
Normally, someone would have at least brought him a pair of slippers, but everyone was staying silent.
'What the hell is going on?'
Even for me, the trip to Rubenia was something the Pope and Cheon Hae-il had to settle personally.
And yet, Kim Min-su was sitting there like it was nothing.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Huh? Me? Oh... I couldn't exactly miss out on a trip to a place like this."
If I’d known the most useless guy in the world was coming, I would’ve brought Melanie along instead.
I didn't need to wonder how Kim Min-su found out about the trip to the Holy Kingdom.
No doubt he got help from Chubby Ahn.
Otherwise, there was no way this guy could have properly convinced the Saintess.
'Maybe the Saintess just agreed because she heard the Hero was coming along.'
I thought about saying a few more words to him, but I figured it would just be a waste of breath.
I’d gained the penalty of having to drag around a piece of dead weight, but it was a manageable burden.
A journey is no fun if it's too easy, right?
Clap, clap.
"Peanuts over here, please."
Just as I was trying to settle my mind, Kim Min-su clapped his hands and called for peanuts.
To think he’d act like that when he was just hitching a ride on Rubenia’s private jet.
The thought I’d had just seconds ago vanished instantly.
'Should I just beat him half to death and toss him in the cargo hold?'
My murderous intent surged on the way to Rubenia.
*
The architecture looked Italian, yet it was strangely blended with 21st-century styles.
The white bricks looked ancient, yet they were spotless, reflecting the sunlight brilliantly.
'Incredible.'
The temple towering in the center of Rubenia boasted a magnificent dignity even when viewed from the sky.
Instead of a cross, a massive symbol of "Praying Hands" was attached to the top of the temple.
The symbol of the Holy Kingdom of Rubenia, known as the "Praying Hands."
It was the majesty of the Temple of Akabellum.
"Welcome to Rubenia!"
As soon as the private jet landed, the Saintess began her energetic guidance.
She completely ignored the Pope, who was beside her pleading for her to stop.
In a way, she was a figure shrouded in just as many mysteries as Kim Min-su.
'A being whose real name is rarely even heard.'
She was the one who contributed most to the hypothesis that Chubby Ahn wasn't the Creator.
The most essential key to the progression of the story.
That was the Saintess.
'The problem is that I have to act alone with the Saintess from now on.'
There were too many distractions.
Then again, even I would be worried about leaving the Saintess alone, even if it was within Rubenia.
From my perspective, I was a 'good guy,' but to the Holy Kingdom, I was merely an 'outsider.'
"So, are we starting the sightseeing right away? By the way, Baek Tae-yang, why did you suddenly want to come here?"
"Shut up."
"..."
I silenced Kim Min-su, who didn't have the slightest clue why we were here.
Baelson and the Pope were problems, but the biggest headache was Kim Min-su.
It was obvious he intended to follow right on my heels.
For Kim Min-su, he’d actually used his brain quite well.
'Since he doesn't know anything, he's planning to stick to me and pick up whatever scraps fall his way.'
Hah.
When did his intelligence increase like this?
Whether she noticed my inner turmoil or not, the Saintess remained energetic throughout.
"Then, please go to the lodging first, unpack, and wait. Baelson will guide you through the schedule."
"A schedule?"
"Of course! Since you came for sightseeing, you have to see all the famous spots!"
As she said that, the Saintess gave me a wink and offered Kim Min-su a smile.
'Ah, I see.'
The Saintess had no intention of taking Kim Min-su along from the start.
She only let him on the private jet because it was awkward to refuse when he asked to come.
Kim Min-su was completely unnecessary for the actual business at hand.
That’s why she was planning to have them wait at their respective lodgings and then leave Kim Min-su to Baelson.
'Is that okay?'
'Sounds good.'
Exchanging glances with the Saintess, I followed the instructions and headed straight to the lodging.
The accommodation was simpler than expected.
The interior gave off just enough of a "VIP" vibe.
Thinking it made sense since we arrived in a hurry, I was about to unpack when Baelson spoke up quickly.
"Tae-yang, you will be using a separate lodging. For now, the..."
"Ah."
I understood Baelson's intention immediately.
'They're going that far?'
At this point, they weren't just treating Kim Min-su as a nuisance or dead weight; they were actively keeping him in check.
Did the Saintess also know about the relationship between Chubby Ahn and Kim Min-su?
'I doubt it.'
It’s impossible for a character within a novel to know about an existence outside of it.
However, the Saintess had actually doubted Kim Min-su’s very setting before.
That comment she made back then—about how strange it was for him to be praised as a Hero without any achievements.
'There are a few other things too.'
Like how he effortlessly dispelled a curse laid by an S-Class Gate.
Or the fact that she didn't feel any affection for him, despite being destined to be one of Kim Min-su’s heroines.
I was moving to progress the story, but what was the Saintess's reason?
The Saintess's "why"—the most important factor in this whole operation—was missing.
"Tae-yang?"
"Oh, sorry."
Snapped out of my thoughts by Baelson's voice, I quickly repacked the things I had started to take out.
"Please leave your luggage with me and head straight to the temple. A car will be waiting outside."
"The temple?"
"Yes. The Saintess instructed me to bring you to the temple immediately. She said you would understand if I told you that."
"Ah... I see. Right."
But wasn't Baelson supposed to speak casually with me?
"Baelson, weren't we going to drop the formalities?"
"We were... but since you are a VIP visiting the Holy Kingdom, I wanted to show you proper respect while you're here."
"Sure, whatever."
If that’s what he wanted, what could I do?
It wasn't a problem, so I just let it slide.
'But a VIP?'
As I got into the waiting vehicle, more idle thoughts began to sprout.
'Why am I a VIP?'
I didn't remember doing anything to deserve VIP treatment.
But a VIP? That meant the Saintess had categorized me as a VIP separately.
I really couldn't guess how any of this was working.
*
'It's incredibly grand.'
The Temple of Akabellum.
I’d seen it from the private jet earlier, but its size was truly staggering up close.
It was no exaggeration to say it was among the largest buildings in the world.
'Is this even possible?'
From the massive doors that reached the height of a four-story apartment to the small side doors meant for people.
Bricks so white that even white paint couldn't replicate the hue.
And on top of that, a strange aura of divine power.
It felt more like a fortress than a temple.
"Welcome!"
"Uh... yeah."
As soon as I entered Akabellum, the Saintess greeted me.
The view of the chapel unfolding behind her was nothing short of overwhelming.
High-end wooden pews and the massive symbol placed in the center.
It was enough to make even the faithless feel religious.
'I think they said Rubenia prays for those who pray.'
In Rubenia, besides prayers for God, there are separate prayers for the individual.
Prayers that don't just rely on God, but on each other, creating a steadfast "us."
That was the reason Rubenia, which started as a religion, was able to establish a nation.
"I've cleared out Akabellum today specifically for you, Tae-yang."
The Saintess's words snapped me back to reality.
"Why are you going this far for me?"
I was the one who brought it up, and I was the one who asked for the favor.
But honestly, from the Saintess's perspective, I wondered if there was any need to be this kind.
She showed such hospitality despite not even knowing what my goal was.
'Just because she heard a single alias?'
Nothing could be more nonsensical than that.
As soon as she heard my question, the Saintess spoke as if she had expected it.
"Because a Saintess is a guide."
"Pardon?"
"I'll just say that you keep getting the answers right."
"Before I explain further, would you like to step forward?"
With those words, the Saintess turned and walked ahead.
'...?'
Step by step.
Every time I moved toward the symbol of Akabellum, my footsteps grew heavier.
At first, I thought it was just nerves, but I soon realized it wasn't my imagination.
"Tae-yang, why did you want to come to Rubenia as soon as you heard my name?"
"That's..."
Because I thought it was the path to uncovering the truth of this world.
"Doesn't it feel strange? Your attitude changing the moment you heard my alias... being treated as a VIP... isn't it fascinating?"
"Yes, it is."
I answered that part immediately.
The reason the Saintess was helping me so proactively.
I was dying to know.
"...Saintess?"
As we moved toward the Praying Hands, the Saintess's body began to glow.
"Would it make sense if I said it's because I have to?"
The light grew larger, spreading as if to fill the entire chapel.
Just like when Kim Min-su tried to swallow everyone up during the campfire festival.
With every word the Saintess spoke, my body was being drawn into the light.
"Finally, we meet."
With those final words, I lost consciousness.