Episode 294
“Lady Beled. If there are complaints about my position as Executor at the upcoming Regular Conference, we might need to accept some of them.”
This was what Vargan informed Beled when he received the position of Executor.
When Beled, using her authority as Cardinal, asked why that should be the case, Vargan replied.
“There are many bishops who closely follow you, Lady Beled, yet still look down on my existence. Just imagine how much worse it is elsewhere.”
Beled’s special treatment as Cardinal.
Vargan, a human who rapidly established his position within the Goddess Church.
Thus, Vargan felt the need to take a step back.
More precisely, he felt the need to ‘look like’ he was taking a step back.
“Being a lone wolf often invites jealousy from others. This applies whether they are human or Altife. Showing a moment of hesitation is a good way to appease their jealousy.”
“Now, child. Speak your mind without holding back.”
At Beled’s instruction, Vargan grinned as he opened his mouth.
“It’s a position conferred upon me by no less than the Great One herself, the Cardinal. No matter how assertive the moderate bishops are, they can’t just cancel it on a whim. Instead, they’ll try to undermine it.”
Vargan stated.
Let them weaken the authority.
“The important thing is to maintain the position of Executor. It’s tough to secure the position initially, but once you’re seated, organizing things around you isn’t that hard.”
As long as he could maintain his position, the only thing left was time.
And Vargan aspired to gradually expand his influence.
Beled respected and accepted Vargan’s thoughts.
*
A vast room filled with darkness.
The thick pillars standing intermittently made the hall feel lonely.
In a seemingly empty space, four long tables were arranged in a square formation.
At one of those tables sat a woman with purple hair, deep in thought.
“Archbishop Vargan… A person who has fully read the Scripture.”
A legendary tale within the Goddess Church.
It was said that the one who fully reads the Scripture would illuminate the future of the Goddess Church.
Those who have fully read it will emerge to illuminate the future of the Goddess Church.
However, not many knew this legend.
Even within the Goddess Church, only a few archbishops, cardinals… and Bishop Ultreman perhaps.
It would be the first time to see him in person.
I need to gather more information. Just then, the hardline faction arrived.
Their seating positions had already been decided.
“Welcome, Beled.”
Two empty tables.
As the archbishops of the hardline faction, including Beled, took their seats, a purple-haired woman sitting across from them greeted Beled.
Beled smiled slightly upon seeing her.
“It’s getting quite natural with these two empty spots.”
The leader of the moderate faction, Amon.
Along with her were five archbishops.
Recalling the times when the table was packed with Archbishop Zagan and Ami, it looked somewhat shabby now.
In response to Beled’s taunt, Amon replied bluntly.
“It seems your side has a narrower seat compared to last time.”
Just four years ago, Beled had only two archbishops under her command, but now it was different.
With Vargan and Blurans joining the hardline faction, they were now comparable to the moderate faction.
‘…Is she the Cardinal Amon?’
While Amon and Beled were subtly competing, Vargan quietly scanned the hall and memorized the faces of the cardinals and archbishops.
First, Cardinal Amon.
Despite her dainty speech, the peculiar atmosphere she exuded was chilling.
Though it was the first time seeing her, it was certain since Beled called her Amon.
Purple hair. Slender girl-like appearance. Eyes that conveyed depth. It matched the descriptions in the novel.
‘A sworn enemy of the hardline leader Beled. And… the author…’
Vargan’s eyes shifted to the other table.
A man sitting with the familiar Archbishop Salecius.
The mad scientist Cardinal Jephar.
He was chuckling while observing the situation, but it seemed Archbishop Glashalabolas wasn’t brought along.
Covering his face with something like a mask, he mimicked an old man.
A cautious guy who rarely revealed his appearance, yet even here he remained guarded.
‘…But, I’ve already seen Jephar before.’
Vargan recalled when he underwent trials to acquire his first unique spell.
Long ago, the man who hung out with Schugenharz.
The one who introduced himself as ‘Lafez’.
He was definitely in the past days of Cardinal Jephar.
Ami and Zagan looked the same, so if Jephar wasn’t altered, he should appear as is.
‘It’s highly likely he has been altered, but some habits would have remained.’
Lastly, the person who caught Vargan’s eye was a man sitting at the moderate faction’s table.
Archbishop Ipos.
The so-called executor.
Known as the strongest among archbishops, he was characterized by his tough and durable brown skin.
The bishop known for having the greatest physical strength among them boasts sturdy, tough-looking brown skin.
Considering that the position of Executor was originally created for Ipos, one can only imagine how high his strength must be.
If there are heroes like Helion or Sylvester among the warriors, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Ipos stands as a key figure in the Goddess Church.
‘…Well, it seems they’re as interested in me as I am in them.’
Vargan had been a person of interest long before joining the Goddess Church.
When such a prospective hero suddenly enters the Goddess Church and sparks revolutionary changes, it’s hard not to pay attention.
No one here was unaware that, thanks to him, the hardline faction’s influence had rapidly expanded.
Though they didn’t show it outright, Cardinals Amon, Jephar, and Executor Ipos were carefully scrutinizing Vargan.
“Now that everyone has gathered, I would like to begin the Regular Conference. First, allow me to introduce myself. It’s been a while. I am Bishop Ultreman, managing the Trade Hub Terrarium.”
At that moment, the light illuminating the table flickered, and Ultreman appeared in the center of the table.
He bowed deeply, hat in hand, before the lofty figures and continued with the proceedings.
As a major financial player within the Goddess Church, Ultreman, though a bishop, wielded considerable influence and had taken on a social role, claiming neutrality.
Amidst the tension flowing through the factions centered around the cardinals, Ultreman smoothly spoke, ready to address the first agenda item.
“There are currently 11 archbishop seats available in the Goddess Church. It’s a situation so unusual that it’s hard to find precedent in history. Therefore, we need to select a new archbishop. Narrowing down candidates among the existing bishops…”
“Before that, there’s a matter we must discuss first.”
Amon interrupted the proceedings.
Though this was an unexpected turn of events, Ultreman naturally inquired.
“Amon, could you please share what the matter is?”
“It’s regarding Archbishop Vargan, who has been appointed as Executor by Cardinal Beled.”
Amon’s statement creased Beled’s brow.
“Are you saying my child is unfit to be an Executor? He must have already proven sufficient merit and strength!”
“I acknowledge his merit and strength. However, he is clearly human. Putting him in an archbishop position alone would cause unrest, so appointing him as Executor wouldn’t be appropriate, Beled.”
“Haha… you say something amusing, Amon. For someone who considers themselves a part of both the Formist and Formless factions, you certainly have a sharp tongue.”
Both the Formist and Formless factions consist solely of human believers.
Although they may seem like different factions at first glance, both groups share the same root of moderation.
Amon countered Beled’s pointed remark.
“Historically, believers from the Formist and Formless factions have never become archbishops. Archbishop Vargan’s case is quite exceptional. While I was willing to overlook his becoming an archbishop due to his achievement in bringing down the Academia, that changes when it comes to him being an Executor leading the archbishops.”
“While I acknowledged the merits of the one who brought down the ruler and tolerated the Archbishop, if it’s the Executor who leads the Archbishop, that’s a different matter.”
“So, you want me to strip my child of their position and turn them back into a regular Archbishop?”
“I think that’s the best option… but then again, we have to consider Cardinal Beled’s position, so we’ll opt for a compromise.”
Amon turned to look at Vargan.
She spoke as if commanding him.
“I partially acknowledge the position of Executor Vargan. However, this applies strictly within the hardliner faction, and you have no authority over us moderates or the neutral forces.”
So, even though Vargan held the position of Executor, she couldn’t issue commands or exert control over Amon and Jephar, the Archbishops.
As Beled narrowed her eyes, preparing to step in,
Jephar, who had been quietly observing, chuckled and said,
“I agree. Vargan is indeed an interesting human being, but I can’t let my creations be meddled with. Well… if you were to exit the hardliners and offer to be my subordinate, that’d be a different story.”
“Jephar… it’s funny to see you grovel to Amon.”
“I don’t really care what you say. I’m just pursuing my own interests. Hehehe.”
Beled showed her displeasure.
In contrast, Vargan, who was the focus of attention, calmly whispered and, after receiving Beled’s permission, raised his hand.
“Please, speak. Archbishop Vargan.”
“I fully understand and empathize with the opinions of both Cardinals. Indeed, as a mere human, my rapid ascent to the position of Executor is disruptive enough. Nonetheless, I wish to express my gratitude for your partial acknowledgment of my position.”
As a noble, Vargan bowed gracefully and simply.
With a pleasant smile, he continued,
“Therefore, as per your consideration, I will continue in my role as Executor with the acknowledgment of limited authority. I will not issue any directives or interference to Archbishops outside the hardliner faction.”
Vargan accepted it more easily than expected.
Beled, who had whispered to Vargan, also refrained from adding anything.
As if they had rehearsed it beforehand.
“…Then it’s settled.”
A feeling like they were being fooled crept in.
Amon, watching the snake-like Vargan and Beled,
couldn’t help but ignore the nagging feeling that something was off with the two unyielding figures.
“Then, let’s conclude the matter regarding Archbishop Vargan here. However… I believe we must change our agenda. Bringing up the Archbishop election now will likely lead to disputes, so let’s first address the second item on the agenda.”
Ultreman, assessing the atmosphere, posed a topic that everyone present would genuinely be interested in discussing, rather than one leading to arguments.
“Let’s talk about the Great War. The massive war that will mercilessly trample the tenacious humans.”
