Chapter: 599
The very next day after deciding what to do, I immediately contacted my friends. I needed their help, so I told them to cooperate.
Of course, that was a much tamer version of what I really thought; I actually meant it as a high-handed statement, practically giving them an opportunity to be useful. But my friends, accustomed to my tone, simply asked when they should come without asking any further questions.
“Is it the place where a doll resembling the past Ruel is lurking?”
“Are we fighting the hero?”
Before long, when I told them about the opponent we had to face upon arriving at the territory, Arthur and Frey’s eyes sparkled.
One of them looked calm, but he was an otaku obsessed with heroic tales; the other was a fool who didn’t care much as long as the opponent was strong.
Hmm. They really match well together. Arthur denied it last time, but isn’t there something going on? Maybe there’s an emotion they aren’t even aware of.
“But. Lucy. Ruel is dwelling within your weapon, right?”
When Joy asked, I nodded. Last time, Grandpa said he saw Ruel lingering in my body, so denying it would be pointless.
“The one we’re going to meet now is a fake created by that sympathy loser. It’s a doll that reenacts the time when the old man was vigorous.”
Even if it’s a fake, it wouldn’t be something easy to defeat.
Especially now that I’ve turned into a burden rather than a powerhouse.
But with my friends here, we should be fine. It wouldn’t make sense to lose with a team like this with these specs gathered together.
“By the way, that old man is still whining and begging not to go.”
“…Why?”
“Huh, you silly fool. Remember when you used to kick your blankets because you remembered a dumb thing you did back in the day?”
“W-Why are you asking me that?”
Seeing their eyes twinkle makes it clear there’s something to it. Ironically, it’s odd for a fool like him to not make a mistake at least once a day.
“Just imagine if that fool suddenly appeared in front of you.”
“I’d turn him into dust.”
“That’s right.”
Right now, it’s quieter than last night. Understanding the situation, Garad started subduing Grandpa, saying it would be entertaining.
Thanks to that, a fight between heroes is currently playing out in my inner world. Not a duel to hone their abilities, but a genuine battle to kill each other.
Observing the two of them fighting has been quite helpful in many ways.
I wished so badly there were popcorn. It was more cinematic than any movie.
“I think you’re just underestimating yourself. Others probably see you as a remarkable individual. Ruel is considered legendary, treated as a saint in the church.”
Phoebe said she was looking forward to it, but reality would likely differ from her expectations. If that were the case, Grandpa wouldn’t be resisting so desperately.
“Back to the main topic. Lucy Allen. Where are we headed now? Is it the same desert as last time?”
“Your brain is quite empty, huh? That sympathy loser wouldn’t keep a toy in the same place, right?”
“Then where is it?”
“A place filled with idiots who mistakenly believe they’re believing in God.”
The Holy Land. It’s a place I’ve been avoiding like the plague. Originally, I had planned to sneak in without anyone noticing and then get out.
But since I decided to ask my friends for cooperation, I need to change my plans now.
If my solo infiltration gets detected, I can shrug it off as Lucy Allen’s extraordinary conduct, but if all of us are caught while sneaking in, it becomes a national issue!
I don’t want to give the First Queen any reason to rejoice!
“I usually would’ve had a headache from those hypocritical losers pretending to be noble, but luckily for us, there’s someone among them who truly loves that trash and doesn’t know what to do with it.”
Phoebe now deserves to be called a true saint.
Back then, it would only end with lower-ranking folks adoring her without knowing the situation, but now she has even gained the favor of some higher-ups.
The last cardinal who came with us seemed to respect Joy in a way that didn’t seem like mere delusion.
“Possible, right? Sloppy Saintess?”
I assumed Phoebe would jump at the chance saying it was possible, but oddly enough, no answer came back.
What is it? Please tell me that my assumptions weren’t wrong after all this! I don’t know the exact situation since I didn’t ask Karia!
“…Y-Young Lady.”
Cringing under our gazes, Phoebe hemmed and hawed before she finally called out to me with a shaking voice.
“Are you coming to the Holy Land, Young Lady?! The Apostle of God is finally going to the place she needs to be!?”
And then I realized. The reason Phoebe had been silent for so long was not due to hesitation but to suppress her excitement.
“If you had let me know in advance, I would’ve prepared to receive you, Young Lady! No, it’s fine since I found out now! First, I’ll contact Cardinal Johan to at least make basic preparations! And as for clothing… Huh?!”
Where had her usual calmness gone? Grabbing Phoebe’s cheeks, which were puffed up like a West Cowboy in a hurry, I ruthless stretched them like rubber.
“I don’t want to be received by those old farts over there, okay? It’ll be a problem if you misunderstand that I’m into that kind of stuff.”
“Y-Yes, understood! Y-Understood!”
Doing something like that at a time when I didn’t know what kind of schemes the Pope had wouldn’t go unnoticed!
I’m already getting migraines from the First Queen and Rene; what do you expect me to do, add more headaches to the mix!?
I understand you’re excited that I’m visiting the Holy Land, but you’ve got to tone it down!
Having dished out punishment until Phoebe’s cheeks puffed up a bit, I let out a sigh and glared at her as she looked like she was about to cry.
“You can cater to those smelly old farts over there. I have no intention of doing anything there.”
“Understood. With the Pope suddenly absent, the fact that you’re coming has led me to misunderstand. The one you’re most wary of is His Holiness.”
“…What?”
According to Phoebe, after the last time at Fairy’s Forest when we intervened, the Pope has vanished without a trace.
Even though there’s a secretary who would relay messages from the Pope and Phoebe who can substitute for him, it seems there’s been a situation due to the Pope’s sudden disappearance.
“The situation isn’t quite desirable. The final decision-maker disappeared during the culling process. Karia mentioned that there are many who think this is their last chance.”
Still treading carefully, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow as I listened to Phoebe’s worries.
This couldn’t be happening. Of all times, I decide to visit, and now the Pope goes MIA?
There’s no event of sorts happening either. It wouldn’t make sense for a powerful being like the Pope to have problems while being with Lasha, so this disappearance must be intentional.
But why?
As I frowned at the unanswered question, I suddenly realized I was oblivious to the situation in the game and clicked my tongue.
“Helping with the entry itself isn’t difficult. After all, I may be the Church’s saint. However, if you choose an official route, there are a few procedures to follow.”
“Are you saying it takes time?”
“No. Third Prince. Such trivial matters can be overlooked with my authority. What I intend to convey is about the rules of the Holy Land. The regulations established from the creation of the Holy Land are not something anyone can treat lightly.”
*
Cardinal Johan, who used to be a bishop, took a long breath in front of the mountain of tasks that only seemed to grow.
Although it was all for the church, the burden felt somewhat heavy for this old body.
That’s why he was pleased. It meant that the great Lord Jushin had told him that he held value.
Though if he continued to work in this state, there would surely be mistakes, so he needed to take a moment to breathe.
Just as Johan reached for the beloved tea leaves he’d enjoyed since his days as a bishop, a glow erupted from the crystal he had carefully kept on one side of his desk.
“Saintess?”
– Cardinal Johan. I urgently need to contact you.
“Speak.”
– I intend to visit the Holy Land with my friends. Can you prepare the procedures in advance?
“Friends? Are they those people?”
– Yes.
Hearing Phoebe’s affirmation, Johan felt his heart thump rapidly.
After such a long time, the Apostle of God was coming here. The hero chosen by the Lord Jushin was finally arriving in history!
Now realizing this, Johan thought he must prepare the appropriate etiquette right away and jumped to his feet.
– One moment, Cardinal Johan. The one coming here is still my friend, Lucy Allen of the Allen family.
“…Ah, I see.”
Okay, Lady Allen right now doesn’t want her identity to be revealed.
She knows the current church wouldn’t recognize the Apostle’s existence.
Haah. Damn it. I know I shouldn’t think this way, but I can’t help but curse out loud.
A year.
If only you had come just one year later.
At least after this culling was over, I could have conveyed all the etiquette that should be presented to the Apostle of God.
“When should I prepare?”
– The sooner, the better.
“Then come at noon tomorrow. By then, I will have everything ready.”
The only silver lining was that His Holiness wasn’t in attendance.
If that person, who Young Lady Allen is excessively wary of, were there, I would have to dissuade her from visiting for her own sake.
– Uhm, Cardinal Johan.
“Why?”
– I have one more favor to ask.
“Considering you’re hesitating, I assume it’s a personal request.”
– …I’m embarrassed to say, but yes.
“Just tell me. If I find it reasonable, I will agree.”
– …C-Could I have my friends wear the church’s attire?
I expected it to be something trivial, but I never anticipated it would be this personal.
Johan immediately guessed Phoebe’s wish from her bashful demeanor, paused for thought, and then nodded with a light smile.
“Understood. I’ll come up with an appropriate excuse.”
– Thank you!
There’s no need to stick rigidly to rules and become a stiff human. After all, what’s really important is the intention to act righteously, and the Apostle of God made me realize that deeply.
So, no one would bat an eye at doing this for a saint who felt like a granddaughter to me.
Also, I wanted to see her wearing the church clothing.
Feeling that I had changed significantly compared to a year ago, Johan took a sip of tea and exited his office.
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