Chapter: 184
“Ugh.”
Gurgle.
Using the Translocation Technique, I rolled on the floor feeling my insides twist.
Before, I could recover quickly thanks to something the Sloppy Fox did for me, but unfortunately, this time the Sloppy Fox wasn’t by my side.
That rascal refused to accompany me, saying she couldn’t even move a step.
Usually, I would have thrown a tantrum, but I owed my life to the Sloppy Fox. Knowing her kindness, I couldn’t push back against her.
As a result, I had to overcome the aftereffects of the translocation through sheer Force.
Ugh. Is it because I’m feeling worse than usual?
I feel worse than before.
“Lady.”
While I was groaning internally, I heard a woman’s voice near my ear.
It had been a while since I last heard that voice, but I immediately recognized its owner.
How could I forget?
It was the voice of the one who always stayed by my side and took care of me until I entered the Academy after being possessed by Lucy.
“Are you okay?”
In my hazy state, I saw her worried eyes gazing at me.
‘Erin.’
“Shoddy Erin.”
“Yes. I am Erin, your personal maid.”
She could have shown her dislike, as the person who had troubled her all day returned, but Erin fulfilled her role as a maid.
Indeed, she was a rare talent for Lucy.
“It seems you’re not feeling well. Should I carry you?”
“Erin. If that’s the case, I’ll…”
Before Karl could say a word, Erin shot him a glare.
Huh. Was she always this strong-willed?
She used to be just a stressed-out newbie, didn’t she?
“It’s my job.”
“Yep.”
In front of her, Karl had no choice but to feel powerless.
Erin, who forced me into her arms, flashed a gentle smile.
“Are we heading directly to the mansion?”
‘No…’
“No? There’s somewhere we need to go first, Shoddy Erin.”
Despite knowing that I would feel nauseous, I had one reason for deliberately returning to the Allen Family’s Territory.
To find someone who could lift the curse controlling Karia, the last remaining member of this party.
In the game, Phoebe usually performed this role.
With abilities and talents worthy of being hailed as a Saintess by the Church, she was like a cheat key for purification and salvation.
So much so that most veteran gamers intentionally excluded Phoebe because her presence made the game too easy.
However, I couldn’t do that now. The current Phoebe lacked the ability to fight against the Evil God’s curse.
It might be possible to mix several methods, but I didn’t want to struggle when I had already decided to take it easy.
I didn’t want to annoy Phoebe, who was currently resting.
So, I came to the Allen Territory looking for someone to fill Phoebe’s role.
Among the clerics I knew, the most trustworthy one was right here.
“Hello, Bishop.”
“Hey, Sloppy Bishop. Long time no see? Your old grumpy face has wrinkled even more, looking downright nasty.”
“Well, that’s just it. I’ve been working too hard lately.”
Johan.
In the game, he should be running around the Holy Land of the Jushin Church by now.
Due to the existence of the Allen Family in this world, he ended up here.
He’s an overly zealous believer, firmly believing that he must spread the will and goodness of God.
In the future, despite facing various opposition, he would rise to the position of Pope based on his skills and reputation. He was the best cleric I could currently recruit.
“I knew you’d return since the Soul Academy is on break. Are you here to train Divine Magic?”
‘No, not right now.’
“Sloppy Bishop. Do you want to torture me like that? You old geezer. Not right now.”
“Then?”
‘Please take a look at this.’
“Take a look at this.”
I used the sound-blocking magic ring I received from Alsatine and threw some documents in front of Johan.
He tilted his head slightly and picked up the papers.
At first, he had a puzzled expression, but soon it turned cold.
“…Where on earth did you find this?”
‘Hmm, where do you think?’
“Could it be? I wouldn’t know if the Sloppy Jushin Church, run by a Shoddy God, is too full of holes.”
“Please answer seriously. This is no simple matter.”
‘For now…’
“Just read it first. Even if you’re old, you can read, can’t you?”
“…”
What I handed to Johan was information on the shady dealings of the Jushin Church that Alsatine had previously investigated.
Time was running out to gather concrete evidence, but the documents were enough to suggest that the Jushin Church was up to something suspicious.
After reading through the documents with a stiff expression, Johan set them down on the desk.
“Lady Allen.”
He wasn’t surprised.
Even though the documents clearly indicated that the Jushin Church was committing some crimes, he remained unfazed.
Instead, he looked at me with pure seriousness, free from kindness or annoyance, and spoke.
“What is your intent by showing this to me?”
Johan was fully aware of everything contained in those documents.
Far more comprehensively than what Alsatine had investigated.
It was natural. A person with the capability and connections to become the next Pope would know about the numerous events happening within the Church.
‘What do you mean…’
“What do you think?”
“Threats…wouldn’t be it. If it were before, perhaps; but the changed Lady wouldn’t cause a scene with such flimsy evidence. It seems you’re expecting me to react, and your goal is to see my response, but what comes next, I’m not sure.”
His judgment was on point.
As expected of Bishop Johan. He was competent, even if his personality was a bit cranky.
When I nodded, Bishop Johan sighed dramatically.
“Whatever you were hoping for, let me advise you not to dig any further into this matter.”
‘Why is that?’
“Why?”
“Even if Benedict is backing you, there are limits. Your life could be at risk.”
Johan was giving this advice out of accumulated concern, setting the documents on fire.
The flames, composed of Divine energy, burnt the papers in his hand to ashes, which then disappeared.
“As you saw, the Jushin Church is not purely righteous. It may have been in the past, but now, it is a sinister and filthy place. They claim to uphold righteousness, but they don’t want it to spread.”
So forget it. He would also forget this matter, so you should erase it from your memory as well.
Johan said this and swept the ashes into a trash bin.
“You’re a capable Lady Allen, so I believe you grasp my meaning by now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I have strengthened the sound-blocking magic, so there’s no chance of anything leaking out. I’ll answer as long as it’s reasonable.”
Johan said this while looking at me with his typically indifferent eyes. Before I could respond, I called out to Grandpa.
‘What do you think?’
[It should be okay to trust him. From what I’ve seen, his faith is undeniably genuine.]
The Bishop Johan of the game was, in unkind terms, a cranky old coot, but to say it positively, he was strict with himself and thus strict with others.
He was the Church’s most fervent advocate, wishing to see the will of God spread correctly.
If it was to head towards the proper path, he didn’t mind if the Church crumbled at least once.
Currently, he was keeping his head down because the chances were low, but when the time comes, he wouldn’t hesitate to risk his life to oppose the Church.
When I chose to aid Phoebe in opposing the Church, he was always there as an ally.
He would likely still be the same.
If ever Phoebe encounters the Church to perform her righteous acts, and if he believes the conditions are right, Johan would protect her without hesitation, wagering his life.
Whether or not he was the same person as in the game, I wasn’t entirely sure. I had been hit by surprise before while thinking that way.
But one thing is for sure.
If Bishop Johan’s faith is indeed genuine as Grandpa affirmed, he would be a reliable ally for Phoebe, who couldn’t trust anyone in the Church anymore.
Eventually, when Phoebe realizes the truth, someone in the Church has to stand beside her, right?
In the distant future, Phoebe might solve everything on her own, but right now, she’s incomplete.
I need to find someone to support her.
You never know when something might happen.
I don’t want to see bad things happen to people I know.
That’s the very reason I endured the nausea of translocation to come here.
I needed to talk about this anyway, and it was the perfect opportunity.
Killing two birds with one stone.
Alright, then let’s convince this old man who’s worried about the stubborn kid connected to him and who has a bright future ahead!
“Grandpa! Help!”
<Sigh. If I ever find some spare time, I should teach you proper speaking skills.>
Of course, I mean Grandpa should do it!
I’m terrible at this kind of stuff!
Grandpa! Help me!
[First, we need to…]
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“Grandpa help…”
its kinda cute