Pantheon Temple (1)

Naturally, infusing holy power into Another Hope didn’t cause any dramatic changes.

Though slower, he regenerated through holy power just like an ordinary person would.

This wasn’t enough to raise suspicions since individual variations in holy power response naturally exist.

In the end, my doubts remained unresolved.

The only thing confirmed was the clear fact that he was of Belial’s bloodline.

After all, it would be practically impossible to find someone with the same innate ability who just happened to look similar.

There’s no explanation besides heredity.

So I had only one option left.

“This should do it. Since the stamina used during battle won’t return, make sure he gets plenty of rest.”

I decided to keep watching him.

I engraved a mark on Another Hope’s collapsed body. Similar to what I did with Ilina Crowley.

At the same time, it was similar to what heresy inquisitors would engrave.

“Yes…”

Siris Forys nodded calmly. This must have been a lesson for her too, after treating Another Hope like a mere plaything.

Though I don’t particularly wish him well…

“He’s quite hardworking. He’ll surely grow into someone impressive.”

Setting aside my perspective that knew about Belial, he wasn’t a bad person at all.

*     *     *

A serious problem arose.

The imperial capital Coinur has as many travelers as its vast size would suggest.

Actually, when I came to Coinur before my regression, it was after the <Corruptor> had single-handedly destroyed about 1/4 of the world.

In other words, it was during the dark age.

So I was relatively ignorant about Coinur during its golden age.

And that led to our current predicament.

“…There are no vacancies at the inns.”

We have nowhere to stay.

Well, it’s not that there’s absolutely nothing.

If we look around, there are plenty of cheap rooms available. Places trying to profit off people who couldn’t find proper lodging in this situation.

Normally I would have no choice but to stay at such a place, but…

“I see, I’m being a burden again.”

Claire shrugged her shoulders.

Considering her physical condition, that wouldn’t be a good choice.

Her body was already weaker than usual from the long carriage journey and parting with Lilia.

In this situation, staying at a cheap room could actually be fatal.

Of course, she could endure for a while. If we could hold out until a proper inn had vacancies, there wouldn’t be a problem.

The question is whether any rooms would open up.

“This is troublesome.”

Actually, Claire isn’t the only issue – we can’t have Linea, a noble, stay at such a cheap inn either.

While it might be fine in other cities, having such treatment in the imperial capital would bring criticism to her family’s status itself.

Even though she ran away from home, she still uses that name after all. She even used her family seal during the inspection just now.

Since it was one of our measures to get Titan’s entry permit, we couldn’t avoid using her status.

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, we have options.

First, asking Siris Forys, whose fiancé we just thoroughly trampled.

That’s impossible. If it were me, I might have even sprinkled salt on the wounds.

So that’s out of the question.

Second option would be getting help from Linea, who’s also a noble. The Spirin Count family has traditionally served as court physicians.

Even though their territory is far from here, they surely must have a mansion built in the capital for their stays.

However, this would be quite an unreasonable request for Linea.

It would be like asking a runaway teenager to let us stay at their parents’ house.

Not only would it take considerable courage, but there’s also a risk Linea could end up imprisoned by her family.

If that happened, we would be driven out too.

So this is also excluded for now. Though not impossible, there are too many risk factors.

Then the final method I can choose.

“I guess we have to go to the temple after all…”

Visiting the Pantheon Temple in the imperial capital and asking them for lodging.

It’s about time I revealed my identity to the Pantheon Temple and sought their cooperation anyway.

My words would carry more weight and I’d gain troops I could deploy.

However, this also has an issue. The dense holy power could be poison for Claire who still struggles with it.

As long as she hasn’t embraced faith yet, places dense with holy power will inevitably be uncomfortable for her.

Fortunately, this is a solvable problem.

The Pantheon Temple is, as its name suggests, a place where numerous gods have their names recorded.

Even besides Claire, there are occasionally believers who complain of poor condition due to overly concentrated divine energy.

For such people, they’ve prepared places untouched by holy power. If we use that, it should be fine.

“Are there other problems?”

“…”

“You were hesitating because there are other problems, right? Lost.”

Claire looked up at me with suspicious eyes after hearing my explanation. She’s quite sharp indeed.

She knows I’m not the type to agonize over problems that can be easily solved.

Though I hadn’t intended to show it, the fact that I was worried already made it undeniable.

“It depends on who’s at the temple right now – the situation could change drastically.”

“For example?”

“There are some cardinals who hate letting non-believers into the temple. Though it could probably be resolved if I throw around my name…”

“You mean subtle harassment would begin?”

“Not quite to that extent. Though it would get a bit tiresome.”

Cardinals of that rank wouldn’t do such petty things.

Would they do such obvious acts while the gods are watching them?

Rather, it’s the opposite.

“They would visit every day to start preaching about faith.”

They would strive to turn non-believers into believers. Even more so if they’re companions of me, an apostle of the gods.

They would consider it their duty.

Since they couldn’t directly tell me not to associate with these people, they would try to turn everyone I associate with into excellent believers.

“Sounds like they have a similar personality to you, Lost… How dreadful.”

“No, how am I similar?”

“The way you push things on others while claiming it’s for their own good.”

Are you talking about what happened in Nidavellir? When my goodwill burned in the furnace?

“…Learning mechanical engineering wouldn’t have hurt.”

“That’s exactly the problem. Now I understand how you got the title of saint.”

Are you trying to say I’m on the same level as those fanatic cardinals?

If that’s what you’re saying, then so be it.

“Let’s go then.”

If you’re used to someone like me, there should be no problem. I won’t accept any objections.

“I hope you meet a cardinal just like me and have to listen to sermons every day.”

“Like right now?”

“…”

Ah, this won’t work.

This isn’t a situation I can win with words. Whatever I say will be refuted by my past actions.

Better to just keep my mouth shut.

“Yes, it’s good that you recognize and correct your mistakes.”

This damn kid.

*     *     *

Though it’s the imperial capital, the Pantheon Temple’s headquarters isn’t here.

The Pantheon Temple’s headquarters is considered a territory in its own right after all.

So the Pantheon Temple in the imperial capital can be considered about the level of a second branch.

But that doesn’t mean its status is low.

That’s why cardinals take turns governing this area each year.

My approach would vary depending on who was currently in charge of the Pantheon Temple in Coinur.

However…

“We greet the apostle of the gods.”

“…”

This person was definitely not on my list of possibilities.

A priest who appeared about the same age as Edge Forys or Wallace Hope.

A pristine white priestly robe neatly worn with red cloth for accent.

Though such decorations are allowed, they’re only for high-ranking priests.

Actually, rather than decoration, it’s more to make it easy for others to recognize their status as high-ranking priests, but…

For this person, it has the opposite effect.

“…Lost. Do you know this person?”

“Yes.”

Claire whispered while tugging at my clothes, and I whispered back in response.

The being before us merely maintained a gentle smile at our obvious secret conversation happening right in front of him.

He showed not the slightest displeasure – truly a model priest.

“Which side?”

“The fortunate side for you.”

“Oh.”

And the worst side for me.

“Have you perhaps finished your conversation with your companion?”

“Ah, yes… But is it really alright for you to be here?”

I’m not particularly curious about how he knew whether I was an apostle or not.

He would have known that much through the oracle that came down to the Pantheon Temple headquarters.

The person before us must be the one who received that oracle.

“Your Holiness.”

“How could I remain still when greeting the saint?”

The Pope, Cotinus.

The position of Pope in the Pantheon Temple is not a low one. Of course it isn’t.

The very title is Pope after all.

Such doubts might arise only because apostles of the gods like saints and the saintesses exist.

The representative chosen by believers and the representative chosen by the gods.

Though their sources differ, both are undeniably representatives of the Pantheon Temple.

Of course, since gods cannot directly interfere, the Pope chosen directly by believers usually has higher status. After all, they are officially recognized not just in matters of faith but in political matters as well.

That’s far better than apostles who were chosen by the gods’ unknowable standards.

The relationship between Popes and apostles has constantly changed throughout history.

Usually, Popes and apostles are considered equals. Though since Popes handle most matters, apostles effectively serve as symbols of the Pantheon Temple.

That’s why it’s common for Popes to be considered higher than apostles.

But the elderly man before me is different.

“You must be tired, please come inside. Though modest, I’ve prepared some refreshments.”

His faith is extraordinary from the start.

Cotinus openly lowered himself and elevated the apostle.

And in front of everyone at that.

And Cotinus was one of the rare few who voluntarily positioned himself below apostles.

There’s no particular scheme behind it.

This is just how he is as a person.

Before my regression, when the Saintess was here, he acted the same way.

He would unconditionally step back whenever his opinion differed from an apostle’s.

He is a believer before being Pope.

He has not a shred of doubt about the opinions of apostles directly chosen by the gods. Honestly, I think he’s quite remarkable.

Considering that the position of Pope is no different from that of a king, to be able to show such absolute trust in someone of unclear status just because they’re an apostle…

However…

“Ah, pardon me. I sensed the apostle’s presence and rushed out in the middle of mass. May I be excused for a moment?”

“Go ahead.”

Cotinus entered the cathedral with the same gentle smile he had when we first met.

He is a good person. He has enough trust to be chosen by believers.

Kind to the weak while never yielding to the strong.

Wise demeanor and bold judgment.

If there’s any flaw…

“Were you dozing off just now?”

Cotinus’s chilled voice echoed from inside the cathedral.

That’s it. That’s the problem. Pope Cotinus was good in every way except that.

“How dare you fail to resist drowsiness during sacred mass!”

First of all, he’s strict.

Though kind and gentle to the weak, he shows no mercy to fellow clergy.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Holiness! Unlike usual, we’ve been preparing the ceremony since dawn…”

It seems Cotinus knew I would arrive today.

He must have been driving the clergy to prepare for my arrival with prayers and masses since early dawn.

If it weren’t already sunset, I might have been moved.

“B-but now that the saint has arrived, shouldn’t it be fine? We’ve been doing this for 2 weeks already… All the believers are struggling with exhaustion.”

A believer’s declaration of principle.

From his voice strained with fatigue, I could guess what gave him the courage to speak up.

“Sigh…! How… How could you say such things. How dare you utter such nonsense in front of the saint!!!”

Cotinus’s shout echoed throughout the Pantheon Temple. He was so angry that his gentle manner of speech instantly changed to commanding tone.

“Losing one’s ‘faith’ means death itself…!!”

I don’t know what’s happening inside.

However, from the holy light visible even from outside and the bewildered voices of believers mixed in between, there was something I could tell.

“I’m tired already…”

Pope Cotinus.

“Ah, saint. I showed you an unsightly scene. I’ve given appropriate punishment to the lost believer, so shall we go inside now?”

He was a serious fanatic.