Second Journey (1)

Several more days passed after that.

We decided to rest as much as possible until Línea recovered, and during that time we were able to live without any particular incidents.

Of course, there were some thugs and mysterious ruffians who came looking for me, having caught wind of something somewhere.

“You’ve really put in a lot of work.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! What else would we heresy inquisitors do but dedicate ourselves to serving the Saint?”

Rick, the priest who had been in meditation for 5 days through dice games, and who now reveals himself as a heresy inquisitor while helping run my errands, has been a big help.

“No, I quite like your cleanup skills. It’s especially nice that I don’t even need to worry about it.”

Having another practitioner who shares the methods I used to use is incredibly convenient. Methods of maintaining vigilance, erasing traces, and responding with force including assassination and protection.

Since all his methods have aspects in common with what I used before, I feel no discomfort.

“Um… though it may sound presumptuous, Saint, were you perhaps a heresy inquisitor? You seem quite familiar with this line of work…”

“Haven’t I mentioned it? That’s right. I was a heresy inquisitor like you.”

“Ohhh…”

And my existence.

It has quite a positive influence on heresy inquisitors like Rick.

The point is that it can eliminate doubts about their mission.

The Pantheon Temple’s cleanup crew doing work that can’t be done openly. Such people naturally tend to constantly worry whether what they’re doing is truly right.

I was the same. Yet I did it because someone had to do it.

That’s why Rick’s gaze toward me can’t help but contain reverence.

Because my existence provides legitimacy to what they do.

Of course, not everything can be like that. There are corrupt powerholders even within the Pantheon Temple after all.

“Do you want some advice? All the words you use. The euphemistic expressions. You need to question and contemplate all of it.”

“…Euphemistic expressions?”

“Like when encountering half-demons.”

“Ah.”

Rick takes out a notebook and writes down my advice as if receiving revelation. Though I haven’t even given him that many words to write down.

Death or imprisonment.

I simply stated those choices as if they were obvious and didn’t think about the weight contained in them.

And other heresy inquisitors probably feel similarly. To do this work, you have to gradually kill your emotions. So they erase their doubts and just fanatically believe in their righteousness while dirtying their hands.

Though someone has to do it, if we feel nothing from it then we’re just murderers.

It took me far too long to realize that.

“Well then, should we get ready?”

“Ah! Yes, His Holiness should be waiting ahead.”

“Right, good work Rick. See you next time. And try to keep the dice games a bit more moderate then.”

“But that was for the mission?”

“Where in the infiltration mission instructions does it say to waste time and money on dice games?”

“That was for more perfect disguise…”

“You’re just bragging, you fool.”

I really should have given him 7 days of meditation instead of 5.

I thought the same at first, that it was for disguise. But when I found out, this guy was a true gambling addict with a genuine love for dice games.

I finally understand Cotinus’s intention in immediately putting the infiltrating priest in the meditation room.

That wasn’t just for show.

After giving a smack to Rick who kept making excuses, I enter the inner room where Cotinus waits.

The first thing I see upon entering is elaborate clothing quite far from modest. Though it’s plain compared to what nobles wear, it still feels burdensome for a priest to wear.

“I’m to wear this?”

“Yes, since you are essentially a representative of our order, Cielo-nim, dressing formally on a day like today wouldn’t be bad.”

Cotinus walks forward with a solemn expression while inspecting the clothing from behind.

Today my existence will be announced.

The world will recognize the presence of the second living apostle.

Following that, all sorts of figures like powerholders, assassins, con artists, and merchants will start moving to get entangled with me.

If I think of it as the price of sacrifice to be able to utilize the power and reputation of an apostle, there’s no helping it.

From now on, I’ll often need to request cooperation from lords and high-ranking priests wherever I go.

“I’m not sure if I can do well.”

“I didn’t know there were things that make Cielo-nim lack confidence.”

Cotinus laughs heartily.

Well, it’s understandable. Until now I’ve fought using all sorts of methods, so I was naturally quite versatile.

But to think I’d end up standing before so many people to introduce myself.

For me who had always moved under the shadows of the Pantheon Temple, this is inevitably unfamiliar work.

“You’ll do well.”

Cotinus spoke as if my anxiety was nothing.

Looking at that benevolent smile seems to give me a bit of courage.

“Then let’s get this over with quickly. I don’t have much I want to say anyway.”

Though it’s being held informally rather than at headquarters, today is still the announcement ceremony. I’m dressed in fancy ceremonial robes unlike usual.

Just for today, I am the Pantheon Temple’s representative.

I need to show an appearance befitting that position.

“Phew.”

I stand with just a curtain between me and the murmuring noise from outside.

Beyond this will be full of dignitaries from various regions who have come to see me.

Of course, most will be those who either had time to spare or actively participate in Pantheon Temple events but…

“If the emperor is here, I shouldn’t look too weak.”

“You can rest easy. That Creden likely won’t have much interest.”

“Well, I wonder if that’s the issue.”

Creden G Eden.

This is the first time the empire’s emperor has participated in a Pantheon Temple event.

But I’m not sure if he came to see me. Since Pope Cotinus G Eden who should be at headquarters is here, it could be because of that.

After all, if it’s an event hosted by his brother who once fought over imperial authority, he can’t help but be curious.

“Well, let’s just face it head on.”

The curtain blocking me from the people is drawn back.

The noisy crowd falls silent and I confirm the gathered dignitaries from various regions.

Familiar faces and faces I’m seeing for the first time.

Though I should feel intimidated by the sight of all these different people, strangely I don’t feel much impact.

Perhaps it’s because of my companions mixed among them.

Línea with flushed cheeks perking up her ears. It’s quite cute seeing her stamp her feet like a child.

Meanwhile Claire stumbling as if swept up in the crowd looks amusing, briefly appearing like a middle-aged head of household who finds such occasions bothersome.

Titan is absent.

I understand since he’s not the type to like such gatherings.

Anyway, thanks to those two I became relaxed without even time to feel nervous.

“Well then.”

After holding back a smile watching the two, I belatedly look around.

If there are any beings to particularly pay attention to, it would probably be Emperor Eden G Creden, Edge Forys who is one of the two dukes, and Rohan the owner of the hunter’s guild.

Most of the rest I only know faces one-sidedly from my side, so they probably came to see what kind of person I am.

“Nice to meet you.”

I didn’t bow my head. There’s no need to take a submissive stance from the start.

If the emperor is the ruler chosen by humans, then I am the representative of the gods.

Creden’s expression changes as if intrigued and Edge Forys snickers as if he expected this.

Rohan, well, needless to say he’s hitting his forehead in surprise.

A reaction showing that though he had some guesses, he truly didn’t expect me to be an apostle.

That lack of pretense suits him well.

“I am Vicarious Saint, Cielo.”

I don’t intend to talk long.

This is a gathering of dignitaries from various regions, not the common people after all.

Their purpose is ultimately to confirm what kind of person I am.

Then I just need to make it clear.

“What everyone gathered here is curious about is probably just one thing.”

I demonstrate a small performance manifesting holy power.

Chains that are practically my symbol wrap around the venue and surroundings to create a small cage.

“Without beating around the bush, I’ll reveal what I signify.”

Those gathered here only came to this place to confirm what path I will walk.

The Saintess of Heaven showed mercy.

The Saintess of Earth demonstrated protection.

Two people who each did their best to save people. But here I intend to walk a new path.

“Demon slaying.”

I decided to carry out the will of the gods, the will of the Saintess.

But the Saintess has already proven herself in her path.

The image of her I remember was that of a saint herself who received praise from all people and embraced and cared for all people.

So my task is to carry out what she could not do.

“My purpose is to eliminate Malice, the tenth trial that has taken root in the world.”

I turn around with those final words.

Though I apologize to those who expected a long speech, I personally don’t want to remain exposed to people’s eyes for too long.

While making my existence clear, I don’t need enough fame for everyone to recognize me at a glance.

And though it’s not much of an ambition, perceptive people will have understood.

“You announced the existence of Malice.”

Rather than scolding me for coming down from the stage after barely saying anything, Cotinus spoke as if worried.

“Yes, using this occasion was probably the most certain way.”

This was an occasion held under the certification of the pope and high-ranking priests. It’s also when my words would carry the most weight.

Using that occasion, I revealed my goal of eliminating Malice.

Some will see it simply as an ambition to cut off human malice, but some will suspect that the mythical being called Malice actually exists.

That much is enough for now.

The impact of my words will spread as suspicion toward surroundings and half-demons’ momentum will be suppressed accordingly.

“…Things will get busy for a while.”

Of course, that also means Pantheon Temple work will inevitably get busier.

“I’ll leave this side to you.”

“I see you’ve made up your mind. Are you planning to leave?”

“Yes, thinking about what’s ahead, I should avoid having all my forces tied down.”

Actually, a message arrived recently in the name of Nina, the Saintess of Earth.

A truly arrogant message saying to come to Alfheim if I wished to speak with her.

But thinking about her circumstances, it can’t be helped.

Since I’ll have to move to meet her who is tied down by trials…

“If we want to arrive before winter, we should start preparing soon.”

In Alfheim there is Yggdrasil, said to be the World Tree where the old gods dwelled, and passage is difficult due to the trials fighting over its remnants.

Normally you can’t even approach that area, and even if you do approach, if you encounter one of the trials you’ll be torn apart on the spot.

To clear a path in such a place, there is only one way.

<Mocking Slaughterer> Nidhogg

<Wind Witherer> Vedrfolnir

<Corpse Devourer> Hraesvelgr

Among them, make contact with Hraesvelgr, the <Corpse Devourer>.

The purpose of this journey is to persuade Hraesvelgr, said to be the most reasonable of the three, to clear a path.

The very reason the Saintess of Earth, Nina, can hold out against the trials is because that monster maintains balance against the other two trials.

Thanks to that, though the elves became isolated, they could occasionally come out to maintain exchange with the outside.

Of course, just blocking the influence of those trials has left Nina unable to move, but still.

“Well, I’m not sure if that monster will remain friendly to humans until the end.”

Nidhogg who seeks to devour the World Tree and absorb the gods’ remnants, and Vedrfolnir who is his natural enemy.

And Hraesvelgr who watches over their conflict while protecting people.

Actually, if I had to pick the most trustworthy among them, it would be Nidhogg.

At least that monster is the most honest about his desires among the three.

“How many people in the world give favors without expecting something in return?”

That’s why Hraesvelgr could be said to be the most suspicious being.

“Hearing such words from the mouth of a god’s apostle, a saint, makes me think the world has truly grown cold.”

“…I may just be pessimistic, perhaps the world is still livable.”

“If only that were true.”

For the first time today, I felt a distrustful gaze from Cotinus.