Chapter 504
The scenery of Enestitiy was better than I expected. Given that it was a city specialized in religion, I was worried about a stern and serious atmosphere, but thinking back, even Rome and Vatican City in the world I used to know were heavily frequented by tourists. So there was really no need to worry.
‘This is the essence of tourism!’
Even someone like me, who doesn’t know much about architecture, couldn’t help but be amazed by the cathedrals and the monuments steeped in tales of saints and esteemed priests. The multicultural vibe emerging from the places settled by various believers from all corners of the continent made the whole city feel like a museum.
Moreover, the safety, cleanliness, and prices felt fantastically blessed by Enen. After all, being the center of the Dawn Sect, if something went wrong, it could tarnish their image. Maybe that’s why the Sect tightly managed everything around here.
‘A tourist spot without tourist prices!’
My heart swelled with pride. A tourist place without greedy leeches sucking off the guests. It was like a military base without harsh treatment or a journalist who only speaks the truth—something out of a dream!
It truly felt different as a holy site—it was like living in a fantasy that could only exist in dreams.
“Shall we head over there next?”
As I strolled around, arm in arm with Trixy, I pointed toward a towering structure that was asserting its presence magnificently from a distance.
Honestly, I had been eyeing that tower ever since we entered the Holy Kingdom. It was taller than any building in Enestitiy, even towering over the St. Togra Cathedral, which was practically the city’s center.
It could be considered blasphemous for a tower to be so grand, yet that only made it all the more intriguing. How did such a sacrilegious tower come to be erected in Enestitiy?
“Yeah. I’m curious to see how Enestitiy looks from up high.”
Trixy seemed to like my suggestion and nodded enthusiastically.
For her, being a mage, it was a given response. If I, a mere regular, found that tower notable, you can imagine how much more a mage, whose life revolves around research and exploration, would feel. If I hadn’t brought it up, Trixy probably would’ve suggested it first.
“There was only the Magic Tower that tall in the Empire.”
“Thinking about it, that’s pretty amazing. Is this the Holy Kingdom’s Magic Tower?”
Looking up at the tower as Trixy murmured, I realized it might be more appropriate to call it a sanctified spire than a Magic Tower.
As soon as I showed the Pope’s silver emblem, the administrator standing at the entrance of the tower began to explain politely.
“This tower was built after the religious wars ended, by the surviving paladins and priests who fought fiercely, as well as by voluntary believers who came together. Though they fought for the glory of the Lord and true faith, it is also a penance for having blood on their hands as priests and not being able to save their fallen comrades.”
With every word I heard, I couldn’t help but feel a profound reverence. There was no way to express the tower’s meaning simply as a ‘sanctuary.’
“It was built to connect with those of their comrades who ascended to the heavens first, and out of a desire to get closer to the Lord’s mercy. It could have been interpreted as sacrilege, but thanks to the benevolence of the Pope at that time, this tower stands as it does today.”
“Thank goodness.”
I blurted out my relief at the administrator’s words without thinking.
Seriously, thank goodness! If the builders had ulterior motives and the Pope hadn’t seen it in a positive light, we could’ve interpreted it as a Tower of Babel! And a Tower of Babel built by war veterans at the center of the Sect? It wouldn’t have been strange for the Pope to impose an excommunication with a flick of his wrist!
“Indeed, as your Grace said, it is fortunate. Thanks to the merciful decision of the Pope back then, we can now take pride in this tower in Enestitiy.”
The administrator cracked a small smile as he gazed lovingly at the tower, as if he felt a sense of pride in being responsible for it.
Of course, it’s a tower worth taking pride in. You could think of it as a monument to the victory of the Dawn Sect in the religious wars, or an oath never to stain their hands with blood again, or even as a tomb for the fallen martyrs.
“Right now, each floor houses the priests’ laboratories. They research theology and guide the right direction the Sect should go. Moreover, some retired seniors even operate bookstores and cafés, so I hope you enjoy your visit!”
It felt odd. I had just listened to a tourist attraction’s description, but it made me lose all interest in going inside. Listening to that explanation and then casually looking at the tower felt like I’d be heartless…
“Carl, let’s head to the top first!”
“Sure.”
Thinking it over, I realized I had gotten too sentimental.
If I came to a tourist spot, I should see and experience it myself. Considering the administrator’s thoughtful explanation, that was the right thing to do.
*
Overlooking everything from the highest point—while it might thrill ordinary people to make their hearts race with excitement, I was unfazed.
To be precise, I could no longer feel that rush. I had been the owner of the towering Magic Tower for almost a century, gazing daily upon the most prosperous city in the Empire. Now, looking down on another city just felt different, not thrilling in the least.
Yet the reason I climbed to the top of this sanctified spire was simple. Sharing this view with Carl would etch this moment in my memory forever. Plus, it would stimulate even my bored soul greatly.
Of course, the view would be similar from the top of the Magic Tower, but seeing it from a workplace is a whole different vibe from seeing it as a tourist.
“Hmm?”
While I was gazing down at Enestitiy, Carl tilted his head.
“What’s up?”
“Isn’t that the St. Togra Cathedral?”
Following Carl’s finger, I indeed spotted the St. Togra Cathedral.
“Uh?”
I also tilted my head just like Carl.
‘Why is it… glowing?’
The cathedral was glowing.
But it was a strange kind of light. It wasn’t quite like the cross that shone during Mar’s wedding or the light that appeared when the World Tree resurrected.
It wasn’t like the whole cathedral was glowing either. The light was leaking irregularly through the cathedral windows.
“Could they really be fighting?”
At Carl’s serious mutter, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Yesterday, the cardinals were in a fierce debate, but could they really be exchanging divine rites amongst themselves during this Council? It was like saying that mages would start shooting spells at each other during a discussion…
‘Are they really fighting?’
A hazy memory caused my laughter to fade away.
Mages could very well fight using magic, and there’s no rule that priests were any different.
“Let’s go down.”
“Uh, right.”
Eventually, I decided to abandon my thoughts and make a run for it.
Noble affairs are better left to nobles, and priestly matters should remain with priests.
It’s best not to take too much interest in church affairs from the secular community.
*
Despite the minor commotion, the tour of the sanctified spire remained interesting. As the tallest building in Enestitiy, its interior was spacious, filled with nothing wasted.
Especially, as the administrator mentioned at the entrance, the abundance of priests’ laboratories was overwhelming, filling the first-time visitor with a familiar aroma reminiscent of the Magic Tower.
‘Is it rude to take a look around?’
I quickly shook off the urge that suddenly surfaced.
The silver emblem Carl received was a symbol indicating that the owner was on par with the Pope. In other words, even if it was a laboratory discussing the future of the Sect, Carl would have enough qualifications to enter.
But having qualifications and actually taking action are entirely different matters. It would be uncomfortable if curiosity ended up putting us in awkward spots.
“Not all priests are serious, it seems.”
“Whether they’re at work or not, they’re all human.”
And just then, I spotted something that piqued my interest even more than the laboratories:
[ The Overly Direct Life Advice Café of the Elder whose final rank is Archbishop ]
Just looking at the name made my head spin, and at the same time, a strange sense of curiosity swelled within me.
“Moreover, some retired seniors operate a bookstore and a café, so I hope you enjoy your visit!”
I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of blame toward the administrator. They should’ve specified that something like this existed rather than vaguely mentioning a café. I almost missed out on this quirky café!
“Shall we go in?”
“Yeah.”
Nodding in a daze, I echoed Carl’s almost hypnotized response.
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