Chapter: 601
Lazarus, having finished his dialogue with the Pope, straightened his back with a long sigh.
What he’s up to, I have no clue, but it seems he has no plans to return to the church just yet.
It’s been quite a long time since he stayed with that guy at the holy land, but this year has seen more outings from the Pope than ever.
Essentially, the position of the Pope is like the very symbol of the Jushin Church.
The creation of the Saintess position kinda diluted that meaning, but really, she’s just a mascot and can’t perfectly replace the Pope.
The church absolutely needs someone to sit in the Pope’s seat.
Because of that, the Pope of the Jushin Church, the most influential position on the continent, must live without ever knowing the word ‘rest.’
In fact, there have been several past Popes who perished from exhaustion, so it’s not hard to imagine how heavy the workload is.
The current Pope has been more passionately engaged in work this year than any Pope in history up until now.
While those beneath him are struggling at their limits, the Pope has been working tirelessly.
After several years of this process, the current Pope has become a person with enormous influence within the church.
It wasn’t surprising that there wasn’t a place untouched by his reach.
Right now, I’m maintaining things somewhat through continuous contact with His Highness, but this won’t last long.
The gap in abilities is immense. His Highness can solve issues just by glancing, while I have to grapple with things for tens of minutes, so obviously, I’m at my limits.
“Talk about a lack of personnel.”
Thanks to the thorough culling that took place over a few months, the manpower within the church has significantly dwindled.
In this situation, the Saintess performed something close to a miracle, which only spread the manpower distribution even thinner.
I have no intention of blaming her.
She’s already admirable just for being chosen by the Lord despite being born to be hated, and she doesn’t stop there—she steps out for a better world.
How could I complain about someone doing what they ought to do?
Sigh… Damn it. If only I were about twenty years younger, I wouldn’t be whining like this.
“Pope’s Delegate.”
At the sound of his secretary’s voice, Lazarus lifted his head, tightening his brows at the pile of documents in his arms.
“What’s this again?”
“These are petitions from those awaiting trial. I’ve only brought those from individuals of standing.”
“And yet, this is how much there is?”
A sigh escapes involuntarily. This is how large the corruption within the Jushin Church has become.
How could the darkness of the evil god have crumbled, yet the darkness settled within the church seems endless?
“And today, the Saintess and her friends have come to the holy land.”
“Those who made achievements in the fairy forest extermination? I’d like to meet them and chat a bit.”
“Shall I convey your intentions?”
“Forget it. What would an old man like me want to steal their time for? I don’t even have the time for it.”
“Cardinal Cesare has already met with them.”
“… Cardinal Cesare?”
What’s that old man up to now?
That useless trash who’d deserve to put his head on the guillotine! Why is he poking at the young ones who should lead a new age?
As Lazarus contemplated whether to bring that up, he took a deep breath and picked up a pen.
“Any other news?”
“The Arts Church has dealt with the former followers of the old darkness. This is new darkness, derived from…”
*
While wandering the holy land with Phoebe, the most palpable sensation wasn’t the stunning scenery, tasty food, or the unique divine grace but the sheer fame Phoebe now possessed.
“Saintess! What brings you here?”
“If there’s no seat, you can sit here…”
“Please, if it’s not a bother, pray for us…”
“Saintess…!”
“Saintess…!”
Watching the crowd so fervently excited, it felt like this was how the Shoddy God would be welcomed if he descended to the holy land, making me realize yet again Phoebe’s status as a Saintess.
I already knew Phoebe was popular.
Even back at the academy, when Phoebe passed by, numerous people appeared flustered to the point of not knowing what to do.
However, I’m her friend, and I’m one of the few who has seen her both in her noble form and her goofy, silly side.
Seeing Phoebe stand tall as a Saintess in front of others while next to me, she’s all shy and awkward—it feels kinda awkward.
“Uh. I’m sorry. I’m dragging this out because of me.”
After returning from offering prayers for the faithful, Phoebe apologized, but we honestly had no thoughts about it.
It’s true that time dragged on because of her, but we gained much more than that.
‘Phoebe must be having a tough time too.’
Being worshipped isn’t always a good thing.
To worship someone means you must consider that they are different from you.
The worshipper and the worshipped can never be close. While surrounded by thousands in the holy land, Phoebe ends up feeling isolated.
[This child is bearing the hardships in your stead. Cherish her.]
‘You don’t even have to say it. I’m already cherishing her.’
[Hey, that’s not enough. Give her a bit more generous service.]
[It’s rare for you to say something right.]
‘Excuse me! You two! Can you stop bickering and keep fighting instead!?”
In a sudden outburst at the two who had effortlessly teamed up, I took a deep sigh and turned my gaze around.
‘And if I want to do something here, I can’t.’
The only reason those in the holy land respect us is that we are friends of Phoebe.
But if I were to call her a Sloppy Saintess here and insult her!?
I’d be roasted alive hanging from a tree!
It’s a bit much to have the Apostle of the Lord Jushin burned at the stake within the holy land of the church!
Isn’t that too far-fetched?
Maybe not! The people of the Jushin Church don’t seem too fond of me.
I often catch flak from hostile glances when Phoebe isn’t around.
It’s not my other friends’ doing.
It’s purely because of me.
At first, I thought it was because of Lucy’s past. That little brat who kicked a bishop and broke an idol, of course, they’d have a reason to hate her.
But talking with Joy and Arthur, turns out, it doesn’t matter much.
‘It’s inevitable that the followers of the Jushin Church dislike Lucy. The situation dictates it.’
‘You’re close to the Saintess, possess a noble divine grace, and wielded the legendary weapon of the Holy Knight under the guidance of the Lord, but it gets awkward when you’re asked if you’re a member of the Jushin Church. Working together with the Arts Church isn’t just a few instances.’
My friends who know I’m the Apostle of the Lord Jushin would never doubt my allegiance, but for those who know nothing, the story is different.
To them, I’m merely some pathetic bum who’s taken lots from the Lord but dove into the Arts Church.
So, with such a little brat proudly showing her face in the holy land, just how disdainful could they feel?
Understanding the situation, I decided to revel in their hostility.
To clarify in case anyone misinterprets, I’m not turning into a masochist. It just started getting interesting when I changed my perspective.
Just think about it. The Saintess, who’s going all red just from holding hands with me, and the God they worship, waiting to insult me—what a twisted scenario!
It’s practically a form of NTR!
A wicked combo of Mesugaki and the Golden Sun? What a horrendous hybrid!
While similar thoughts filled my head, stifling laughter became a struggle.
As that delightful holy land tour came to an end that night, we decided to stay here, using the excuse of it being late, and secretly snuck out of our lodging in the night.
There were several people wandering around the holy land, but that was no problem for us.
Because we had someone who could handle the Power of Darkness!
This authority the Evil God wielded was beyond the grasp of even me, the Apostle of the Lord Jushin, and Saintess Phoebe!
But would some useless clergy be able to recognize us!?
Sneaking out from the lodging at night, we easily slipped into where Phoebe was and smoothly headed to our intended location.
“Using the Power of Darkness to roam about the holy land. Just saying it makes us sound like heretics.”
“Shut up! Prince! I was bothered by it too!”
“…You two. How do you think I feel, going undercover while holding the title of Saintess?”
“Well, that is…”
“Sorry, Phoebe.”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Who gives a damn about those rules set by trash? My voice is worth more than that!”
Is it actually a matter worth worrying about? As long as the Apostle of the Lord is willingly participating in unlawful activities, isn’t that okay?
I questioned aloud, but my friends’ subtle expressions still didn’t change. I suppose there’s a part they can logically accept but not emotionally.
In this relaxed stroll through the holy land, we arrived at our target spot as the moon reached its zenith.
“This is… the Confession Room.”
Feeling the stench of blood from the place made for clergymen to confess their sins, I moved to place my hands on the idol at the far end of the room.
There was no need for anything grand.
The condition to open the door into the dungeon was solely to ‘breathe divine grace into the idol’.
As soon as I infused the idol with divine grace, a door appeared, and I told them to follow and leaped into the dungeon.
‘…Huh?’
And the moment I stepped inside, I instinctively froze. A smell that should never be present underground in a dungeon wafted up.
“Urgh! Can I finally drop this Power of Darkness?!”
“I really don’t want to do this twice.”
“Right? It was too easy to be fun… Huh? Is that the smell of blood?”
“…Young Lady, this is…”
A gag reflex arose at the scent of death.
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