“Ugh.”
After using the teleportation spell, I rolled on the floor, feeling my stomach churn.
In the past, I had recovered quickly thanks to something the dazed fox had given me, but unfortunately, this time the dazed fox wasn’t by my side.
She had refused to accompany me, claiming it was difficult for her to even move a step.
Normally, I might have insisted on her coming along, but since I owed my life to the dazed fox, I couldn’t be forceful with her.
As a result, I had to face the backlash of the teleportation on my own.
Ugh. Is my physical condition worse than usual?
It felt like I was in worse shape than before.
“Lady.”
As I groaned inwardly, a woman’s voice reached my ears.
Although it had been a long time since I heard that voice, I immediately recognized its owner.
How could I not?
After possessing Lucy's body and before entering the academy, she had always stayed by my side, taking care of me. How could I forget her voice?
“Are you alright?”
As I staggered to my feet, I saw her eyes filled with concern.
‘Erin.’
“Pathetic Erin.”
“Yes, it is I, your loyal maid, Erin.”
Although I had returned to find someone who had tormented me all day, Erin remained committed to her role as a maid.
She truly was a precious asset to Lucy.
“You seem to be in quite bad shape. Shall I carry you?”
“Erin, I can manage.”
Before Kal could say another word, Erin shot him a glare.
Oh. Was she this strong-willed?
She had definitely been like a stressed-out novice in the past.
“It’s my role.”
“Alright.”
In front of her, Kal couldn’t help but feel powerless.
Thus, Erin, half-forcing me into her arms, wore a gentle smile.
“Shall we head straight to the mansion?”
‘No...’
“No? There’s somewhere else we need to go first, pathetic Erin.”
Knowing I’d feel nauseous, I had intentionally returned to the Alrn territory for one reason.
To find the final member for this party.
Someone who could lift the curse controlling Karia.
When this was a game, this role was typically filled by Faybi.
With abilities and talents worthy of being revered as a saint by the church, she had been a cheat code in matters of purification and salvation.
So much so that many veterans deliberately excluded Faybi from their games, fearing that she would make the game too easy.
However, that was no longer an option. The current Faybi didn’t have the power to counter the curse imposed by the Evil God.
It might be possible if I mixed several means together, but given my decision to take the easy route, I didn’t need to struggle.
I didn’t want to disturb a resting Faybi.
Thus, I came to the Alrn territory in search of someone to fill her role.
Among the clergy I knew, the most trustworthy person was here.
“Hello, Bishop.”
“Hello, you fool of a bishop. Long time no see? Your already grumpy face looks even more wrinkled now.”
“That’s unfortunate. I suppose I’ve been working too hard lately.”
Johann.
If this were a game, he would be busy running around the holy grounds of the Deity Church by now.
However, due to the variable of the Alrn family, he had ended up here.
A fervent believer who firmly believed in spreading the words and goodness of the deity, he was one of the most hardline members of the church.
In the future, despite numerous objections, he would reach the position of cardinal through his skills and reputation, making him one of the best candidates for the clergy I could recruit now.
“I knew you would return since the Soul Academy is on break. Did you come here to practice holy magic?”
‘No, not right now.’
“You fool of a bishop. Do you want to torment me? You old coot. It’s not the time.”
“Then?”
‘Take a look at this.’
“Look at this.”
After using the magical ring of silence that Alsetin had given me, I tossed the document in front of Johann.
He tilted his head slightly and picked it up.
Initially filled with questions, his expression soon turned cold.
Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.
“...Where did you find this?”
‘Well, where do you think?’
“Could it be? The incompetent and pathetic Deity Church has too many gaps to figure out?”
“Please answer seriously. This is not a simple matter.”
‘For now...’
“Read it first. Even if you’re old, you should still have the strength to read this, right?”
“...”
What I handed over to Johann was a report on the shady dealings of the Deity Church that Alsetin had investigated.
Although time was short and I couldn’t provide concrete evidence, the documents were sufficient to suggest that the Deity Church was up to something suspicious.
Johann read through the documents with a serious expression before placing them back on the desk.
“Lady Alrn.”
He didn’t seem flustered.
Despite the contents of the document clearly indicating that the Deity Church was guilty of something, he remained composed.
Instead, he looked at me with an expression filled with strictness rather than kindness or annoyance, and spoke.
“What is your intention in showing this to me?”
Johann knew everything written in that document.
Far more than what Alsetin had investigated.
It was only natural. With the skills and connections needed to reach the position of a future cardinal, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of what was happening within the church.
‘What do you mean...?’
“What do you think?”
“Threatening me... isn’t it? Perhaps in the past, but the changed lady would not create a fuss over such flimsy evidence. You seem to have anticipated my indifferent reaction, suggesting your aim is to observe my response, but beyond that, I’m not quite sure.”
His judgment was accurate.
As expected of Bishop Johann. While his personality may be cantankerous, he is indeed competent.
Nodding, I saw Johann let out a sigh, as if to display his exasperation.
“Regardless of what you were hoping for, let me advise you: I recommend not digging any deeper into this matter.”
‘Why?’
“Why? No matter how much Lord Benedict guards your back, there are limits. Your life may be at risk.”
Johann, harboring various affections over time, offered his advice as he ignited the document in flames.
The divine flames incinerated the paper in his hands, leaving nothing but ashes.
“As you saw, the Deity Church is not simply a righteous place. While it may have been so in the past, it is now a sinister and filthy environment. They claim to promote righteousness but do not wish for it to spread.”
So forget it. He will also forget this matter, so you should forget it too.
After saying that, Johann swept the ashes into the trash can.
“I believe you, Lady Alrn, have understood my words by now. If you have any questions, you can ask me now. I’ve reinforced the silence spell, so nothing will leak outside. I will answer to the best of my ability.”
Johann said this as he gazed at me with his now apathetic eyes. Before I could respond to him, I called for my grandfather.
‘What do you think?’
<It should be okay to trust him. From what I’ve seen so far, his faith is undoubtedly sincere.>
The in-game Johann was described as a cantankerous and foolish character, but in a positive light, he was exceedingly strict with himself, hence strict with others.
The church’s most hardline faction wished for the deity’s intentions to spread correctly.
He was someone who believed it was okay for the church to collapse once if that was the path to righteousness.
Though he bowed his head now due to the lack of chances, he would not hesitate to risk his life in opposition to the church when the time came.
He had always been my ally when I chose to assist Faybi in opposing the church.
He would probably still be the same now.
If the moment arrived when Faybi would confront the church in order to do what is right, and if he judged there was sufficient possibility, Johann would without hesitation guard her and stake his life on it.
I didn’t know if he was exactly the same person as he was in the game. I had been blindsided before after thinking the same way, more than once.
However, one thing is certain.
If my grandfather is correct and Johann’s faith is genuine, then he will be a reliable ally for Faybi, who can no longer trust anyone in the church.
When the church realizes that Faybi has come to know the truth, there must be someone inside who can help her.
In the distant future, Faybi might be able to handle everything on her own, but for now, she is incomplete.
I need to find someone to support her side.
Who knows when something might happen?
I don’t want to see something bad happen to someone I know.
The reason I endured the nausea from the teleportation to come here is precisely this.
I needed to have this conversation, and it was the perfect opportunity to ask for help.
Killing two birds with one stone.
Alright then. Shall I persuade this old man who worries about the young girl with a promising future and his connection to her, despite his incessant grumbling?
“Grandfather! Help!”
<Hah. If I ever have the time, I should teach you some conversation skills.>
Of course, I meant my grandfather!
I’m no good at this kind of thing!
Grandfather! Help me!
<First, what you need to do...>
After Lucy Alrn left, Johann leaned back in his chair, staring at the cold tea in his cup.
When Lucy had first shown him documents related to the church's corruption, he had thought she was trying to mock him, unable to shake off her old temperament.
He had never considered she might resort to threats. In the past, perhaps, but the current Lucy wasn’t the type to act so foolishly with flimsy evidence.
However, when he laid everything out, it became clear that Lucy’s purpose was entirely different.
She had come here to protect her friend.
Upon realizing that the current saint, Faybi, was a false saint, she had come to find someone who could pull her from the brink when she was in trouble.
“Foolish bishop, you want to overturn the church, right?”
Whatever investigation or speculation she had gone through, Lucy knew Johann's goal accurately.
To restore the church that had decayed beyond recognition.
Lucy spoke those words with an incredible sense of confidence that could stun anyone who heard them.
“I, the capable and competent one favored by the pathetic Pedo Deity, will help you. But I have two requests.”
Under normal circumstances, Johann would have shaken his head and replied that this meeting had never taken place.
Considering her growth, it was clear that Lucy would be of help in the future.
But he couldn’t risk throwing a child who was clearly favored by the deity into danger.
This was a job suited for an old man with little time left.
However, Johann took her proposal seriously and accepted it.
He had seen the cross around Lucy’s neck shine brightly.
How could that child, who used to rampage through the church, have grown so much?
People truly do change. Oh great Armadi.
“Palvin, are you out there?”
“Yes! I am here, Bishop!”
“I have urgent matters to attend to tomorrow.”
Saving someone afflicted by the Evil God’s curse.
I must do my best.