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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 38
1.
The interior of the Grand Cathedral was vast beyond belief.
The ceiling soared so high it was impossible to gauge, and the pillars that supported it were equally massive and solid.
What caught my eye most were the paintings and sculptures adorning those pillars.
As I walked slowly, trying to make sense of what they depicted, Nocturne’s voice echoed in my mind.
- They depict the myth of how the god Calios created the continent.
The tale of how the god formed the land in the beginning, descended to the mortal realm, and waged war against demons.
I already had a rough understanding of it.
Even at the orphanage, the adults would tell it to the children like a fairy tale.
It was interesting the first time, but the more it was repeated, the more tedious it became.
It always ended the same way—no victor, just an ongoing war that persisted to this day.
'And they turned that dull tale into such magnificent art?'
I didn’t know who had created it, but the craftsmanship was impressive.
Following behind Sanchez, I walked the central corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly.
As we went, I reminded myself of my plan.
It was simple.
'First, I find Master. After that, I leave this place.'
When I leave, I’ll make sure to return the favor for the way I died in my past life.
Because in this world, death must be answered with death.
'I’ll need to become strong enough for that, at least.'
- In the Grand Cathedral, you only need to be cautious of two people—High Priest Alexo and Pope Lactea. The common belief is that both wield immense power, but from my experience, the High Priest is nowhere near the Pope’s level.
[The Pope’s that powerful?]
- Extremely. To the point where you’d question if she’s even human.
[Not human?]
- I can’t say for certain. I haven’t encountered her many times myself. Just a few occasions. But even in his lifetime, Lyernoff feared her.
Nocturne’s voice carried a tension I hadn’t heard before.
For him to be this uneasy from only a few encounters… There was definitely something unnatural about the Pope.
At that moment, Equinox joined the conversation.
[The techniques Sanchez and Mobin use are Authority-based. Unlike magic, Authority must be granted by a higher being. It’s likely that Pope Lactea was the one who granted them their Authority.]
- Exactly! All priests here receive their Authority directly from the Pope. How did you know that, old man?
Equinox didn’t respond.
I didn’t feel like pressing him.
A being who has lived for over 3,000 years must’ve picked up plenty of knowledge about the Pope, one way or another.
[Nocturne. More importantly, tell me about High Priest Alexo.]
- Ah, yes! Alexo is a fellow graduate of the monastery, same class as Mikel von Lyernoff. He possesses powerful Authority—second only to the Pope’s—including the "Silver Blade." Still, he defers to Lyernoff. He was actually given the position of High Priest by Lyernoff himself.
[You’re saying Lyernoff gave up the position to Alexo?]
- Correct. Because of that, Alexo always consults Lyernoff on important matters. In truth, Lyernoff was not only stronger but wiser as well. He relied on him a great deal.
Hearing all that, I could guess why Alexo was seeking Lyernoff today.
'Must be something he can’t decide on his own.'
A matter serious enough to warrant discussion.
What exactly would he bring to me now?
Just a little while ago, I had felt anxious, but that was fading.
Instead, I started thinking about how I should handle the High Priest once we met.
But there was only one conclusion.
'If it comes down to it, I’ll just mind control him.'
＊ ＊ ＊
After passing through a long corridor and two doors, I soon came upon a large door.
It was an impressively luxurious door, polished white marble etched with golden patterns.
Opening it, I saw a desk far ahead.
A broad desk with antique carvings in relief. Behind it, an old man with a thick white beard was reading a hefty book.
His attire stood out from the other priests’ plain clothes—white fabric embroidered with golden designs.
He must be High Priest Alexo.
He was wearing a pair of small round glasses hanging from his nose—exactly like the ones Ray Blackleaf wore when I met him before.
‘So that’s the glasses Nocturne mentioned.’
- Correct, Master. Those let you see objects that aren’t clear with the naked eye.
I approached slowly.
Alexo looked up and spoke.
“Well, well, who do we have here? Mikel, is that you?”
“As you see.”
I grinned and spread my hands wide.
He set the book down and jumped up from his seat.
Then, striding forward, he wrapped me in a strong embrace.
After holding me firmly once, he looked at me again and said.
“You should’ve sent word sooner. I truly thought something terrible had happened.”
“Sorry. The situation was complicated.”
Just as I was about to start explaining, Sanchez, who had brought me here, quietly stepped back.
Alexo noticed him and said.
“Investigator Sanchez.”
“Yes, High Priest.”
“You completed the mission successfully. This will be officially rewarded.”
“Thank you.”
“And… Please wait outside until we’re done. I have a case to entrust to you.”
“Understood.”
Sanchez bowed politely and left the room.
Left alone, the High Priest took my hand and led me to a plush guest chair.
He then brought a pot and poured warm tea into a cup.
Plink—
Clear water sounds as a pale golden liquid fills the cup.
The aroma told me it was Golden Mist Tea, made from golden mist herbs.
Nocturne had given me the hint.
- This tea is a favorite of both Lyernoff and Alexo. They import the finest quality from Pernesia in the East.
I lifted the cup, inhaled the scent deeply, then focused on the taste and took a sip.
“Mm—”
The flavor was so good I couldn’t help but make a sound.
Had I not focused, it might have seemed mild, but this taste was softer and sweeter than any tea I’d ever tasted in my past life.
Normally brewed tea leaves bring out bitterness, but not this one.
It started with a cool smoothness and ended with a sweet softness.
I savored the aroma deeply and then spoke.
“This flavor… I’ve missed it.”
“Drink as much as you want. I bought plenty when I heard you were coming.”
“Ha, High Priest, such extravagance…”
“This is thanks to the blessings of Calios. ‘For a friend, nothing is impossible. Cherish your friends, for the gods bless those dear to your friends.’”
Being the High Priest, his way of quoting scripture was impressive.
A slip-up here could be embarrassing.
Just then, Nocturne fed me the next verse, so I responded with it smoothly.
“Use your wealth sparingly. All things in this world are finite; know their value. The gods will bless the one who practices thrift.”
“Ha! You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. What on earth have you been through to become so hardened?”
“It’s nothing much… let’s just say I had a fateful encounter.”
“A fateful encounter?”
Alexo wasn’t going to let that slide.
I dodged his questions several times, but he kept pressing.
Probably because he was close to Lyernoff.
So I summarized the story Sanchez had told me—after meeting Andre, I heard the cry of the Earth Dragon in the mountains and then dealt with them.
When Alexo heard it all, his eyes darkened. He stroked his beard and said.
“Earth Dragons… So that happened.”
“No need to worry. I wiped them all out.”
“I’m just glad you’re unharmed. Truly.”
He muttered to himself and made the sign of the cross.
After he finished praying, I asked.
“So, you said you have business with me?”
“That’s right.”
Alexo paused, then his expression hardened a little.
“Soon, the Pope will summon you.”
“The Pope?”
He nodded, took a sip from his cup, and spoke carefully.
“The Pope recently prophesied his own death. He said he would pass away exactly three months and ten days from now.”
That shocked me for a moment.
'He knows exactly when he’ll die?'
I couldn’t help but question it—but then Nocturne offered an explanation.
- It’s always been that way. Every Pope throughout history has predicted the exact moment of their death and passed accordingly. And before dying, each one designates their successor.
[Successor?]
- Yes. The one with the greatest divine power of the time is chosen as the next Pope.
That person is appointed before the current Pope’s passing and assumes the role after.
This explained a lot.
Why the Pope who was silent in my past life suddenly married the Emperor of the Valkyr Empire and launched conquest wars.
'Because a new Pope had ascended.'
A Pope with a completely different temperament.
That Pope’s decision triggered a large-scale purge of dark mages—and that’s how my teacher and I died.
Thinking the Pope’s decision caused my death stirred my emotions—anger, desire for revenge, and wariness all tangled inside.
I looked at Alexo and said.
“The Pope wants me to find the successor…”
“That’s right. You’re the right person for it.”
There was no denying Alexo’s words.
No one in this church had power or influence like Lyernoff.
And for me, this was welcome news.
‘I’m the one who will find the successor?’
The successor—trigger of the war and the cause of my past death.
Finding them gives me a choice.
‘I can kill them and end the Pope’s lineage, or brainwash them and control them.’
I could even kill them and then revive them as my subordinate.
Either way, very interesting.
This was a task I absolutely had to do.
If I refused, High Priest Alexo would have to do it.
No doubt Alexo worried about that.
I gave the serious-faced Alexo a slight smile and gave him the answer he wanted.
“Alright. I’ll take it.”
“You will?”
“When have I ever spoken empty words? Don’t worry. I’ll find the successor the Pope wants.”
Alexo grasped my hand firmly and said,
“Thank you. If you succeed, there will surely be a great reward.”
“A reward? What else do I have left to gain in this church?”
Alexo smiled awkwardly at my question.
I emptied my cup and said—
“Just bring me more of this tea in my room. That’s enough.”
“Understood.”
With that, I left the room.
Sanchez, who had been waiting outside, came in shortly after, then left again.
I returned to the carriage with Sanchez.
After he took me to my lodgings, I said to him when we parted.
“Sanchez. I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes, please say it. I’ll do whatever I can.”
“You’re capable.”
I stepped closer and lowered my voice.
“Find someone for me.”
“Who should I look for?”
“Balthazar von Rubenstein.”
That was my master’s name.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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