Chapter 123 : Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Only a few seconds seemed to have passed after I stepped into the gate.

“……”

When I opened my eyes, a different space from before unfolded.

I had arrived at the Papal Office.

‘The gate. Its performance is certainly good.’

Now that it was practically monopolized by Divine Power, only a few humans could use it, but if the day came when it could be operated by mana alone, humanity would advance another step.

The distance between the Continent and the Frontier would become meaningless, blocking the Monster Wave would become easier, and civilization would develop even more than it did now.

‘Well, it seems impossible for now.’

Even if a warp gate using mana became possible, it was highly likely that someone would eventually monopolize it and attain a status similar to the current Holy Nation.

There were always those who sought to maintain the current uncomfortable standoff for their own benefit.

‘Human greed.’

It was when I was thinking about that primitive instinct.

“Welcome.”

An Old Priest standing next to the gate approached and offered a greeting.

On the chest of his pure white priest robes that covered his ankles, nine cross patterns were embroidered, indicating his affiliation with the Papal Office.

“I am Bergo de Pantera, a first-class Priest of the Papal Office.”

The moment I was about to answer, Julian quickly stepped forward.

“I am Julian Eurasia, the Third Prince of Eurasia. These are my companions.”

“Companion‘s’, you say.”

“That is correct. Lacking as I may be, I am leading the party.”

“Hahaha. We have been waiting. I was contacted in advance by Chief Priest Pierre.”

‘A first-class Priest should be a rank lower than a Vice-Priest.’

He spoke casually of the Chief Priest, who was in charge of an entire temple.

Considering Pierre’s personality and Esteban’s attitude towards him, it was an incomprehensible matter.

As if he had read my thoughts.

“Chief Priest Pierre is my stepson.”

Bergo smiled brightly, resolving the question.

“His loyalty to Pantera is so exceptional that he came to bear an undeserved position at an early age.”

“I see. It is an honor to meet such a great person.”

Julian laughed heartily, displaying his unique social skills.

“We have prepared a place for your party to stay. Please follow me.”

“Were we not supposed to have an audience with His Holiness the Pope right away?”

“Representing the Gods is never an easy task.”

He said that if we waited in the place we were guided to, the time for an audience with the Pope would be determined.

Bergo spoke with a friendly face.

“Well then, shall we go.”

The party that had come through the Warp Gate followed behind Bergo.

Two priests were assigned to each Warp stone and Warp Gate, which alone allowed me to guess just how many places the Papal Office was connected to.

Priests who seemed to belong to the Papal Office and a group of women were passing by.

“They must be the Divine Maidens.”

When Julian showed an excited reaction, Bergo nodded his head.

“That is correct.”

“To think there are so many of those who are hard to see in the Frontier. As expected of the Papal Office, the center of the Holy Nation.”

Divine Maidens were selected from among the most talented female priests.

Their Divine Power was said to be above that of a Vice-Priest, and it was generally said that some were on par with a Chief Priest.

And the one who reached the pinnacle among the Divine Maidens was called a Saintess and was considered a symbolic figure along with the Pope.

“If time allows, you may be able to have a meeting with Lady ‘Lan’.”

“I-Is that really true?”

Lan de Styx.

Bergo spoke the Saintess’s name and continued.

“In fact, she too has been waiting for your visit.”

“……!!”

Julian’s eyes wavered at the unexpected opportunity.

“I will be in your care, Priest Bergo.”

“Hahaha. I am just a guide. I am merely being faithful to the teachings of the Gods.”

After walking a little further, buildings constructed in white could be seen in the distance.

“The buildings are beautiful.”

Sharle, who had been silent the whole time, admired softly.

To enter the place where the party would stay, we had to pass through a gateway.

In front of the gateway, two knights wearing pure white light armor stood guard.

“That armor is quite splendid. Commander, can’t we dress like that too?”

“Hector, do not act rashly in front of the Holy Knights.”

Killian observed them quietly from behind Julian.

‘They seem to be at the level of 4-star knights.’

These were the first Holy Knights I had encountered since reincarnating.

If I could spar with the Holy Knights stationed at the Papal Office, it would be helpful in gauging their strength in the future.

“They are guests of His Holiness the Pope.”

“Prove your eligibility.”

As if accustomed to the formal procedure, Bergo took out a small scale from his bosom.

A faint Divine Power was felt.

It seemed to be a Holy Object , a grade below a Divine Object .

Bergo, who was looking at Julian, soon shifted his gaze from him to Hector, Sharle, and then Killian.

“……”

Bergo, who met Killian’s eyes for a moment, nodded his head.

The scales did not tip.

‘That’s a relief. It means the Head Apothecary’s potion is working.’

It was a fact I had already confirmed through Pierre.

“You may enter.”

It was when Killian crossed the gateway, following behind Sharle.

Hwaaaak.

I thought a light suddenly soared from the scales.

Dubseok.

“……!!”

Something clung to Killian’s right foot.

‘Vines?’

Vines made of Divine Power were wrapped around him as if they were chains.

They had suddenly appeared from the ground.

Sreung.

“Stay still.”

A Holy Knight drew his sword and aimed it at Killian.

“H-Hey. What is this all of a sudden……”

Julian looked at Killian in bewilderment.

Killian was just as bewildered.

‘Tsk. Is it not working?’

I had erased the remnants to the point that a Holy Object could not judge it, but it seemed I could not completely hide the energy.

‘It doesn’t seem to be Divine Object-class… I think it’s a detection-type Holy Object.’

Just touching the vines was causing a reflux.

“It didn’t even react to Pantera’s scales, so why would the Holy Object……”

Judging by Bergo’s reaction, this situation did not seem intentional.

“This is perplexing. Can you remove it?”

“This is not something I can handle at my level. This has never happened before.”

“……”

“Tactician…… no, withdraw your sword from the Prince.”

Hector glared at the Holy Knight as if he was about to start a brawl at any moment.

He looked as if he would have drawn his sword in an instant if he had one.

“Withdraw your hostility. Otherwise, I will subdue you.”

“Hector…… I told you not to act rashly……”

Julian belatedly tried to resolve the situation, but Hector and the Holy Knight were still exchanging murderous glares.

Beside them, Sharle touched the Holy Object with eyes full of curiosity.

“This is a strange occurrence. For the Holy Object created to protect the Papal Office to react to our visit for the first time. Are you alright?”

“How could I be? It’s causing reflux symptoms.”

“Oh dear.”

It was not on the level of the scales Pierre used, but it was not good to leave it on.

‘Since the Holy Knights don’t seem to know the cause anyway, it’s better to break it by releasing Haki.’

I was thinking of making it look like a malfunction of the Holy Object.

Just then.

“How noisy.”

A group approached from inside.

The woman at the front of the group, holding a pure white fan, took another step forward.

“Lady Lan.”

“Bergo. Are they guests?”

“They are from Eurasia, permitted an audience with His Holiness the Pope.”

“Ah…… the ones my father mentioned he wanted to see the other day?”

“That is correct. They are the Third Prince of Eurasia, Julian Eurasia, and his companion Knight Hector; the Fourth Prince, Killian Eurasia, and his companion Princess Sharle Cornelia.”

The Saintess’s gaze briefly glanced at Julian, then moved to Hector, before sweeping over Killian and Sharle.

“So the Holy Object reacted only to Killian Eurasia.”

Lan de Styx.

The woman called the Saintess grabbed the vines.

And after she muttered a few incomprehensible words.

Hwaaaak.

The Holy Object turned into light and disappeared.

‘The reflux reaction has stopped.’

The Saintess looked back at the female priests following her.

“You all, proceed with the service as scheduled.”

“Lady Lan……?”

“It seems something new has come up for me.”

Her gaze was fixed on Killian.

“I am Lan. I am called by the undeserved title of Saintess. From now on, I will be your guide, so follow me.”

Chwareuk.

As if not allowing any questions, she opened her fan and covered her mouth.

“It seems my guidance ends here.”

Bergo smiled, bowed, and quietly withdrew.

The party began to walk, following the Saintess.

The place they were guided to by the Saintess was a building where statues of numerous Gods were erected.

Three people, excluding Hector, entered her reception room.

“My father is in a meeting with the Cardinals. I was planning to be in charge of you for a few days anyway.”

“It is an honor to meet the renowned Saintess.”

“You said you are Julian Eurasia?”

“That is correct.”

A blushing Julian answered in an excited voice.

Psik.

Lan smirked and took out a tobacco from her bosom.

“……?”

Julian tilted his head for a moment.

From the index finger of the woman who naturally put the tobacco in her mouth.

Hwareuk.

A fire made of Divine Power, a Holy Flame, flared up.

“Huuu……”

The Saintess took a deep drag and blew smoke into Julian’s face.

“Cough…… cough……”

“You have a cute side.”

Lan’s gaze shifted from the coughing Julian to Sharle.

“It’s been a while, Sharle.”

“You haven’t changed, Lady Lan.”

Judging by their reaction, it seemed they were old acquaintances.

And.

“Killian Eurasia.”

“Yes.”

Huuu.

The way she took a deep drag and exhaled was natural.

“……”

Silence fell in the room for a moment.

The tobacco smoke drifted past Killian’s face.

Tobacco was a luxury item that knights, who must rely on their stamina, should stay away from.

Also, I had never heard of a priest being a tobacco enthusiast.

‘Should I call this bold or delinquent?’

It was so unconventional it was almost absurd.

“You wouldn’t have come empty-handed. If you brought anything, take it out.”

At the Saintess’s words, Julian hurriedly opened the luggage bag Hector had left and took out an item.

“It is a humble item compared to Lady Lan’s beauty, but it is an accessory with magic engraved on it.”

“Hmm.”

“If you wear it as a set with the earrings, it will maintain a comfortable temperature even in midsummer.”

“It’s not my taste, but the sentiment is commendable. I shall accept it gratefully.”

“Thank you.”

“You have a cute side, unlike how you look. Good.”

Tuk tuk.

“I will remember your name.”

She patted Julian’s shoulder as if in praise.

“I-It is an honor.”

Next, Sharle took out a bundle of wrapped tobacco from her bag.

“This tobacco was made by a renowned artisan from Cornelia.”

“If it’s a product of Cornelia, there’s no room for doubt.”

Lan showed a satisfied reaction.

“Sharle, you still know how to satisfy the heart of another, just as you did back then.”

“I am glad you seem to like it.”

Lan’s gaze turned to Killian.

“And you?”

“……?”

“……?”

“……”

She gestured with her chin towards the backpack on Killian’s shoulder.

The backpack contained potions from the Head Apothecary, brought just in case.

“You must have at least brought a gift for me while visiting the Papal Office.”

Her gaze was so blatant.

“I have nothing.”

Killian let out a hollow laugh.

***

Brussels, the capital of Eurasia.

In the space where a Piece of Grotesquery once lay dormant, two knights were crossing swords.

“Carpe.”

“Carpe.”

Gray and red.

The two manas clashed, creating a shockwave.

Eurasia Style.

“Thorn.”

Eurasia Style.

“Thunderbolt.”

Eurasia Style.

“Meteor Flash.”

Eurasia Style.

“Paswae.”

Eurasia Style.

“Explosive Flash.”

Eurasia Style.

“Yeokhae.”

The Eurasia Style used by Escardo was offset by Simon’s Eurasia Style.

Eurasia Style.

“Wave.”

Eurasia Style.

“Hwasan.”

Eurasia Style.

“Gyeol.”

Eurasia Style.

“Hae.”

He also showed that he could dismantle the Shik without much difficulty.

Ke and Shik , Ke and Gae .

After receiving the sweating Escardo’s sword dozens of times, Simon slowed down the relentless onslaught.

“Has Killian left for the Holy Nation?”

“He left today.”

“I see.”

“Are you worried?”

“Quite a few Divine Maidens are gathered at the Papal Office.”

A Divine Maiden was a special existence, unlike a Chief Priest. If one built a good connection, it could be helpful.

That was not the case for Simon.

“The Pope will not have forgotten what happened back then.”

The incident that had occurred between the current Pope and Simon Eurasia.

“Well, that child will handle it on his own.”

Simon Eurasia corrected his stance.

“Shall we go a little stronger this time?”

“What……”

Eurasia Style.

The surroundings darkened just by Simon taking a stance.

“……!!”

Escardo hastily wrapped his body in Haki.

“Black Flash .”

“Keuk……”

While pushing back the Second Sword of the Eurasia Kingdom, Escardo Schtenberg.

‘It’s a faded memory now.’

Simon was hiding a bitter smile.

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.