290th Episode
“Baragan, Archbishop Pertigle Blurans, and Bishop Cyclamen. We have safely returned after completing the selection schedule for the archbishop.”
In an artificially manipulated space.
In this place filled only with white and black, Baragan’s group knelt before a great being.
Baragan presented a substandard bracelet he had looted from the metropolis to that being.
“This is the substandard item we obtained this time. It’s a relic called the ‘Ring of Glory,’ which enhances the wearer’s mana, boosting mana output by a constant 1.2 times.”
The substandard item floated away from Baragan’s hand and rose to the top of a pyramid-shaped structure.
Sitting on the only throne in this place was a woman: Cardinal Beled.
She casually examined the bracelet and then spoke to Cyclamen.
The corners of her mouth were lifted in pleasant amusement.
“You scared little one. It couldn’t have been easy to make it this far.”
“N-No! I…I only made it because the two archbishops here helped me!”
“Hmm… As of now, there are two remaining powerful bishops. The selection results will be announced after the meeting, so wait here until then.”
One of the remaining candidates, Cyclamen, trembling, bowed his head so deep that his goat horns nearly hit the ground.
“Y-Yes, understood…!”
“Then Cyclamen and Blurans, you two may leave now.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Sure thing.”
Following Beled’s instructions, Cyclamen and Blurans quickly exited.
The only beings left in the vast space were Baragan and Beled.
She smiled slyly at Baragan, who was still bowing his head.
“Human child, you had a tough time again this time.”
Beled called out to Baragan in a surprisingly gentle voice.
Her eyes held a deep affection, as if looking at a cute pet or a priceless treasure.
If the other members of the Goddess Church saw Beled like this, they would surely be shocked.
“It wasn’t too difficult. The entire causal relationship didn’t deviate much from the assumed range, and I was able to handle it adequately.”
Such audacious words to say in front of a cardinal would typically be seen as insolent.
However, Beled showed no signs of displeasure whatsoever.
She didn’t wrinkle her brow.
The beauty of her eyes, akin to something delicately sculpted, did not erase her smile.
“Such arrogant words from you. However, even that seems like mere jest, so I suppose this can be called a mother’s affection.”
Four years ago.
Since Vargan became an archbishop and joined Beled’s side, the hardliners, namely Beled’s faction, began to expand rapidly.
In fact, the leader of the moderates who had firmly held the Goddess Church inside, Cardinal Amon, had to keep an eye on them.
“I despise humans. I want to exterminate those lowly beings right away. But… you are different.”
Beled’s voice sounded sweet, like a melodious tune.
The enchanting voice flowed into Vargan’s ear, tickling it.
“Despite being born of human flesh, you possess deep loyalty towards me. Your skills and abilities have proven this thus far. I hold you in high regard. The hardliners are experiencing a resurgence beyond comparison with the past. Yet…”
Beled, revealing her affection for Vargan, gently tapped her temple with her finger and mentioned something that had been concerning her lately.
“Jephar’s movements are unusual. I suspect he might not be maintaining neutrality and is trying to partner with Amon.”
Cardinal Jephar, often referred to as a mad scientist, was the leader of a faction that maintained neutrality within the Goddess Church.
Understanding her concerns, Vargan slowly opened his mouth.
“Neutral Jephar is merely a monster obsessed with his experiments. What he desires is simply an environment where he can continue his experiments without any problems. He has little interest in power struggles.”
“Even so, judging by Jephar’s recent actions, one might reasonably suspect that he is forming a close relationship with Amon. Could this not pose a crisis for the hardliners?”
At Beled’s worried question, Vargan shook his head.
“As I said, what Jephar wants is a stable environment to continue his experiments. His maintaining neutrality thus far has been to preserve the already established power structure.”
Although several factions were divided based on the cardinal, the Goddess Church was practically a one-stronghold system led by Cardinal Amon.
However, after Cardinal Gamigin’s faction was destroyed, the scales that should have tilted completely towards the moderates instead began to slowly lean towards the hardliners.
This was because Zagan and Ami had been suppressed, weakening the moderates.
The hardliner Beled absorbed the remaining faction of Gamigin, which shared a similar disposition.
The recruitment of Archbishop Pertigle Blurans.
The consecutive recruitment of Archbishop Vargan. Also, Vargan had been bringing in immense benefits.
Therefore, Vargan said that Jephar appearing to side with Amon actually served as a green light for the hardliners.
“The fact that Jephar is approaching them is proof that the scales have tipped in our direction.”
So there was no need for concern, said Vargan.
With his confident demeanor, Beled raised an eyebrow and asked.
With a confident demeanor, Beled smiled and asked,
“I’ve heard the scales tipped toward the hardliners, but there are still many archbishops on the moderate side, and that executor over there. If they manage to attract the neutral forces as well, the hardliners won’t stand a chance, will they?”
In response, Vargan replied steadily.
“Even if the hardliners and moderates do clash, Jephar will not intervene. They’ll take a step back and try to latch onto the winning side.”
“You’re quite confident in your words, aren’t you?”
“That’s just how that guy is. Plus, he needs to continue his beloved experiments, so he has no choice but to do it that way.”
Vargan’s responses felt as though he could read the entire situation.
Hearing all this, Beled let out a laugh that seemed satisfied.
After serving her for four years, it was the first time Vargan heard laughter escape her lips.
In fact, she even stood up.
With that, she stretched her long legs and slowly descended from under the pyramid.
“The moderate faction led by Amon is strong. They still sit at the center of the Goddess Church, an unchanging law that will remain for thousands of years.”
Beled’s bare feet touched the ground softly, making a sound that resonated.
Though she was merely taking a step, those who heard it often screamed in terror.
Even the archbishops felt the sweat trickling down their spines in nervousness.
However, Vargan did not show any signs of it.
With a stony, cold gaze, he maintained his composure.
“But you, child, have come to me. For the first time, that structure is about to break.”
From a solid one-power system of moderates to a two-power system of both moderates and hardliners.
While the moderates currently outnumber the hardliners, the situation could change at any moment.
“Child who has fully read the ‘Scripture’, I wish to recognize your contribution.”
Now in front of Vargan stood Beled.
The tips of her pale, corpse-like feet briefly appeared in Vargan’s lowered gaze.
“Now, raise your head and stand up,” she instructed.
Obeying her command, Vargan lifted his head and rose to his feet.
He found himself right in front of the great cardinal.
Even standing on the same ground, Beled’s gaze was higher than Vargan’s towering stature.
Her hand brushed against Vargan’s cheek, leaving a chill in its wake.
Beled showed a mesmerizing smile as she sliced through the space with her other hand.
She pulled out a pulsating red mass, busy with frantic beats.
“This is the heart I kept as collateral for our contract. I’ll return it now.”
Beled pressed the heart against Vargan’s chest.
Instantly, as if passing through a transparent membrane, the heart naturally transitioned back inside Vargan.
Then Beled handed him a silver bracelet.
It was the ‘Ring of Glory’, an offering from Vargan’s group to her.
“This is a meaningless item to me, an Altife, so make good use of it.”
“That item holds no meaning for me as an Altife, so you may use it as you see fit.”
It was a crazy relic that could output 1.2 times more mana at all times.
Vargan, who had easily received an item kept in the Church for a hero who had achieved great merit, sensed its current significance.
Just as he began to grasp it, Beled spoke up first.
“Furthermore, I shall grant you the position of ‘Executor’ to oversee not just the Bishops but the Archbishops as well. Amon will vehemently oppose this, but I shall make it happen.”
Executor.
A rank created for ‘a single being’ among the Archbishops who wields the greatest power.
In practical terms, it is just below the Cardinal in terms of authority.
Beled smiled widely as she presented all of this at once.
Her eyes, which made onlookers tremble, held intense desire.
A primordial desire to stand at the top.
“You promised to make me Pope, human child. I shall trust you.”
Beled said.
She urged him to display everything he could to elevate her to the position of Pope.
If he did so, she would grant him unparalleled power and glory.
“The day I sit in the Papal seat will be the day you sit in the Cardinal’s seat.”
Oh, dear human child.
Show me what you wish to do.
I will support and push you until that glorious day arrives… waiting for that day.
“Can you do it?”
Vargan knelt again.
Then he gently kissed Beled’s white hand.
“I have already sworn my allegiance to you, Beled. I will make your power and glory rise even higher than now.”
“Good… I hope there will be no disappointments.”
*
After finishing the meeting with Beled, Vargan stood still for a moment outside her space.
This place was a massive castle with no traces of people.
A fortress filled solely with Altifes.
“……”
Vargan placed a hand on his left chest, feeling the heartbeat.
It was a heart that had returned to its rightful place after five long years.
Though the rhythm and sound of its beating had changed due to Beled’s powers,
the significance of the current situation was starkly different from the past.
Archbishop.
He had now claimed the prestigious position of Executor.
He was also receiving unlimited support and trust from Beled.
Within the Goddess Church, there were hardly any who could dare to oppose him.
‘……It’s not long now.’
Gazing out the window, Vargan thought.
All the achievements, actions, and accomplishments from the moment he became possessed until now were solely for that one moment.
Click clack—.
The window hinges creaked.
The night sky was filled with dark clouds.
The clouds harboring a sense of impending conflict moved swiftly.
‘Until the great war begins… it’s not long now.’
All processes would culminate there.
With that thought, Vargan moved forward.
