Chapter 108
My first impression of the Central Church was this:
Was it built this large for giants?
It was of overwhelming size that it significantly lacked efficiency if it was meant for people. It was right in the middle of the lake, almost looking like an island at a glance.
Despite being named a church, its appearance was quite alien compared to the churches or cathedrals we commonly know.
It felt like a mixture of various religions from the world outside the novel.
However, just because it was mixed doesn’t mean it couldn’t blend together like oil and water; it was harmoniously integrated.
The entire structure was stacked with stones that seemed like they would shed white resin powder if scraped, decorated sporadically with glimmering green stones as if they were the canvas.
Daldaldal⎯.
Normally, landing and flying into the Central Church’s sky like this would have been impossible.
But since the airship we were on belonged to the church, it was possible. Otherwise, we’d have probably been shot down.
Thus, the airship reached the Central Church’s designated airship landing zone, and we could finally set foot in this sacred place.
“I think I would go insane if I stayed here for too long.”
That was what I muttered as we arrived at the Central Church.
The inside was no different from the exterior.
The imposing size and the walls so white that it was strange they showed no signs of age. And the green moldings that somewhat moderated the brightness.
Upon hearing my words, Finn gasped in surprise, trying to shift the topic.
“B-b-Bargan! Look at the spire! How high does it need to be to pierce the clouds!”
In the center of the church.
A tower that shoots up into the sky without fear, located in the central donut shape of the Central Church.
Just that tower alone seemed enough to fulfill the purposes of the Central Church.
I had realized it when I saw Academia, but it seems the Yggdrasil Church really enjoys showing off.
“I heard it’s full of mana stones; it’s quite impressive how they built it that way,” I said, intrigued by the spire.
“They say it’s used to defend Altife, but I wonder how,” Finn rambled on.
“Well, you’ll see it in a few years anyway.”
“Hmm?”
“If you become a hero and get assigned to the Central Church, you’ll have to see it to death whether you like it or not.”
Of course, that possibility was extremely low.
But my offhand remark seemed to resonate with Finn, who looked deeply moved and soon regained his determination.
“I’ll do my best!”
As we stepped out of the airship and followed the guidance of a clergyman, we were briefly separated from Helion’s group.
Helion’s team had to meet the Holy Emperor and report their achievements as a formality, so they moved separately.
Later, they would have to prepare written reports, but it was a regulation to verbally report first.
Actually, both Finn and I had our merits in the achievements of Dortmund, so I thought we’d go together, but no, we were to be recognized for our achievements separately.
“This is where we’ll be,” said the clergyman, leading us to a large door suitable for the scale of the building. After doing his duty, he recited the unique phrases of the Yggdrasil Church and stepped back.
It’s a massive door fitting for the scale.
As I pushed open the huge door and checked inside, a spacious room came into view.
It felt like seeing real color for the first time in ages, unlike the white walls, the room had a regular shape and color.
On one side, a man was sitting.
With long, deep red hair, he seemed to have been waiting for our arrival.
He wore a robe that matched the colors and patterns of his hair and eyes, strikingly vibrant.
Seeing the man entirely adorned in red, I recognized him immediately.
Though it was my first time meeting him face to face, it was clear. With that kind of flamboyance, there was no way I could miss it.
I lowered my head and offered my respects.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Sylvester.”
Sylvester was the holder of the rank that Helion could never surpass in the original work.
The pinnacle of heroes.
He had held the first place in the Hero Ranking for over ten years.
*
“Have a seat.”
Sylvester’s deep voice echoed, and Finn and I sat down on the sofa prepared in front of him.
His eyes were gentle, but the sharp energy emanating from him was enough to create pressure for someone meeting him for the first time.
He felt like a phoenix in human form, hiding his true self.
From his aristocratic mouth came a voice full of authority.
“I’ve heard about your accomplishments. You’ve done quite an impressive job.”
Sylvester wanted to see for himself which students had safely resolved incidents in Dortmund.
He spoke, and I replied.
“I’m not from the Academia, but I hold it in high regard.”
“So that’s why you enrolled your daughter in the Academia,”
“Looks like you know.”
“It would be strange not to know.”
The prestigious martial family of the Ocel Kingdom, Julio.
Though currently active as a hero, he doesn’t use his title, as his full name was originally ‘Ocel Julio Sylvester,’ making him a direct descendant of the Julio family.
Bright and talent-rich, Sylvester was expected to carry on the proud name of ‘Julio’ as the firstborn of the Julio family.
However, he chose to pass the family head’s authority to the second son and walked the path of a hero alone.
His sense of justice and skills make him incredibly exceptional as a hero.
Because of this, he decided to retire at an appropriate time, elevate his fame as a hero, and return to the family to become the head—a classic elite path discarded.
What he desires is nothing more than two things.
To eradicate Altife for humanity.
To protect the peace of the family he built.
This aligns with Sylvester’s principles of action as mentioned in the novel.
Among the existing heroes, he has killed the most Altife and saved the largest number of people.
He is even the only hero possessing the Judgment Weapon of a former Archbishop.
Last year, the only daughter of such a man entered the Academia. Naturally, Vargan, who is deep in the noble society, would know.
It’s a well-known tale even inside the Academia.
“Ocel Julio Clemens, the senior, is a pride of the Academia.”
“That’s right! Since her enrollment last year, she hasn’t dropped from first place in her year!”
Finn added an appropriate basis to my statement.
It’s not an exaggeration.
Currently, the second-year first place, Clemens, continues to shine without overshadowing the glory of her father, Sylvester.
Thanks to that, Francesca, who belongs to our research society, has been stuck in second place for ages, but that’s another story.
Sylvester, hearing news about his daughter from someone else, merely lifted the corners of his mouth slightly.
His expression of emotion was restrained and seemed familiar.
“She’s a child that wouldn’t be ashamed wherever she went. It’s proud as a father to see she’s trusted by her juniors.”
Sylvester changed the subject of the conversation.
Naturally, he didn’t call us just to talk about his daughter.
“You aren’t official heroes yet. Therefore, your achievements this time in Dortmund are valued even more.”
“Now, the achievements shown in Dortmund are being rated even higher.”
When one becomes a hero, they often encounter Altife and pile up numerous accomplishments.
At this point, instead of gaining other rewards, heroes focus on climbing the Hero Ranking.
Of course, in cases where a major city is invaded or if the Twelve Divine Beasts are involved, they might reward actions by opening the main warehouse, but that’s rare.
For instance, if heroes were to take out a large number of bishops, handing out relics to all of them would drain the church’s treasury.
Sylvester’s piercing gaze is directed at me.
He intends to give us a gift from the Central Church on behalf of the Holy Emperor. Sylvester holds that much authority.
“Vargan, you played a decisive role in lifting the stigma of Frikkanrisk. In this process, you were not hesitant to bear the disgrace of citizens slandering your name.”
This refers to the time before Craine’s sins were made public.
Sylvester mentioned various minor actions and stories about the war as if recounting a memoir of most events that took place.
Though it wasn’t written anywhere, he recited them smoothly without a hitch.
“The Church wishes to pay you a deserving reward.”
Sylvester spoke as if assessing an item’s value. I couldn’t find a single detail missing from what he said.
No need to skirt around the subject with phrases like ‘it doesn’t fit the occasion’ or anything of the sort.
I showed my willingness to receive it by expressing my gratitude. Refusing this would be foolish in the extreme.
By the way, what are they planning to give me?
What I need is pretty clear.
I’ve already secured enough funds through my family and the guild.
Relics would be alright since I plan to rummage through the main warehouse via the Holy King’s seal.
While obtaining more of these would be great,
it’s not what I need at this moment.
The rare opportunity that seldom comes. That’s what I need the most now.
“Vargan, the Church has decided to give you a choice.”
That means,
I can choose between territory and title, money, or a relic.
Oh, Yggdrasil.
Just for today, I’ll put my trust in you.
You’ve made it so I don’t have to engage in tedious conversations.
Having received the will of God, I suppose I should refrain from cutting down innocent trees for the time being.
Naturally, I won’t refuse this offer.
“I choose the territory and title.”
Sylvester’s eyes sparkled with interest at my statement. He asked,
“You realize that the territory and title given by the Church differ from the conventional concepts, right?”
The territory and title bestowed by the Church.
This isn’t about governing a region, but rather, the hero who receives the title protects it while receiving compensation.
There’s no hierarchy; it’s an equal standing.
Close to an honorary title.
But of course.
I didn’t choose this to do good for others or to suffer a loss.
If the benefit for me wasn’t significant, I would have surely chosen the main warehouse without a second thought.
“I will accept the land of Church Ordinance No. 31.”
That place is where Rubid Village and Naias’s secret dungeon are located.
It’s time to start putting into action what I’ve secretly prepared thus far.
*
Having never ventured out of the northern regions of the Troa Empire, the dragon Frikkanrisk headed southwest with her son.
That place was land not belonging to either of the two great powers dominating the continent: the Troa Empire or the Ocel Kingdom.
Surrounded only by mountains, it was a remote spot.
In that quiet place was a small village.
She stopped by Rubid Village for guidance to the secret dungeon that Vargan had mentioned.
The guidance was provided by the oldest village chief, a man named Bart, who, despite being over 70 years old, possessed an untamed vitality not fitting his age.
Her back was straight and her muscles were quite well-defined.
Frikkanrisk expressed her caution towards humans and carefully followed her child from behind.
Then, she spotted two little human girls trying to hold her child’s hand.
Just as she was about to separate them to prevent these little rascals from causing any nonsense.
“Wow, it’s really cold! Oh, I’m Edel! Nice to meet you, pretty oppa!”
“Um… me too.”
“…….”
Looking into those bright, twinkling eyes, her resolve started to wane.
Aside from the curse embedded in her hand, they were ordinary little human kids. She had the Cardinal’s contract, so she couldn’t act recklessly.
And above all.
“…….”
Because her son showed no signs of rejection.
She had a fear of humans due to that bastard Craine, but it seemed that didn’t apply to children.
The Village Chief, who was guiding them, chuckled.
“It’s understandable that you are still cautious. But it’s alright. You and the Divine Beast here are our esteemed guests. We have no thoughts of causing you any trouble.”
Even with the old man’s reassurance, Frikkanrisk kept her ability to read others’ thoughts active as she followed behind.
As they moved farther from the village, a large lake appeared.
It was clear and transparent.
The old man naturally entered the lake and urged them to follow.
Although Frikkanrisk found the sight unfamiliar, seeing the other two kids excitedly following along suggested it was nothing out of the ordinary here.
Walking along the waterway with her child felt magical.
The area the old man was leading them to was inside the lake, yet they weren’t getting wet. There was a clear sense of being underwater, buoyancy, but they didn’t soak in at all.
After delving deeper for a while, they reached a transparent barrier.
The old man uttered some special words, creating a human-sized opening in the barrier.
As she inserted her body into the hole in the transparent barrier, the hidden dungeon revealed itself, and without pausing, they entered.
Inside the dungeon, there was no water.
Just like above ground, the air was full.
“I would like you, Divine Beast, to oversee those here. It shouldn’t be difficult for you. Even though there are quite a few, I can’t imagine you refusing such a request.”
The old man, introducing himself as Bart, excitedly continued to explain. It was as if he could finally show off his pride to an outsider.
“It took a lot of time and effort to reach this current state. Most of it was thanks to the manpower and materials provided by Lord Vargan, but I want to feel proud that I also contributed quite a bit, you know?”
As they entered deeper into the dungeon, a familiar power began to stir.
As a descendant of the species that ruled the monsters, she wasn’t too fond of the dungeon that served as a prison for them. Strange enough, however, this place didn’t evoke any discomfort.
Did it take time to shape into what it is now?
While pondering this, they arrived.
The cave-like interior suddenly opened up.
“This is ⎯ Rubid Village.”
The one presenting this sight.
Bart extended one arm to speak, but was abruptly interrupted by Edel rushing in.
Edel was like a child who had come to an amusement park.
“Let me introduce you, Divine Beast! This place is ‘Sierra’. A paradise where all monsters live peacefully!”
True to its name, the dungeon was a bizarrely structured space.
A vast, endlessly wide land swarming with groups.
Though they lived peacefully, they could easily turn ferocious and disturb the world at any moment when looking at the horde of monsters.
“They said they would start a great war. …It wasn’t a bluff after all.”
Frikkanrisk smiled wearily, as if tired of it all.
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