“Oh my! I wondered why this excellent idea hadn’t been announced yet, and it turns out it’s because of those conservative old folks.
Every time something like this happens, I feel genuinely sorry and regretful.
When young priests try to make a difference, we should support them, but instead, aren’t we just getting in their way? It’s something everyone should reflect on.”
I must not react to this.
“This won’t do. If we give up on progress because we think the conservatives will obstruct it, then the future of the Holy Empire will be bleak. You must muster courage, Priest Arthur!”
“You misunderstand. This document is just a collection of thoughts that occurred to me. I thought discrepancies would emerge when applied to practice, so I believed it would be difficult to realize.”
It seems my response worked, as Bishop Haman smiled slyly.
“Indeed. Framing it that way would be more convenient for everyone.”
Last time, I hadn’t noticed because Priest Cadon was trying to dissuade him, but today, I see how candid Bishop Haman’s words can be.
“Don’t worry about those people. Once they realize it’s good for them, they’ll have no choice but to accept it. The system you’ve devised, Priest Arthur, will be greatly utilized in the Church Nation.”
He seemed more convinced of the value of my work than I, the one who created it.
“The material I wrote isn’t perfect. There are things that need to be corrected, and even if applied, the efficiency might not be as expected. After all, the priests who will use it need to adapt to the new system.”
While the first step is significant, it will take time for the material I provided to be of full benefit to the Holy Nation.
Bishop Haman laughed heartily, as if he found my words admirable.
“With priests like you, Priest Arthur, the future of our Holy Nation is indeed bright. Is there anything you’d like? The Holy Nation will surely want to reward you, and if you have any wishes, I can guide them in that direction.”
I had thought about rewards while preparing the materials.
I had even chuckled to myself, imagining what I might ask for.
However, after much deliberation, I concluded that accepting a reward now would be a loss.
‘I’m the only one who knows how good this system is right now.’
If I were to receive a reward now, I would only be acknowledged for 10% of its value.
But what if I were rewarded later, once this system was properly established? The proper value.
I could be acknowledged for 100% of its worth and receive a greater reward.
Thus, I showed humility and politely declined.
“It’s just a written expression of my thoughts, and I’m worried it would be excessive to receive a substantial reward.”
“So, you mean you’d prefer to be rewarded once the results are proven.”
Bishop Haman understood perfectly, without the need for further explanation.
“Oh dear, that’s a shame. Would you consider working under me, perhaps? Priest Arthur, you’d be welcome anytime.”
I wasn’t sure about the extent of Bishop Haman’s influence, but it seemed far greater than that of our reclusive bishop in Palmore Church.
A priest with ambitions would have no reason to refuse such an offer.
Judging by how much he seemed to like me, it didn’t seem like he’d leave me idle in his ranks either.
‘If I joined Bishop Haman, I’d likely end up applying my system to various temples.’
How many years would pass while tackling such an uncertain future?
While I could gain greater rewards if I managed it personally, my career would be in shambles during that time.
The reason I’d maintained neutrality while staying at Palmore Church was that I had no particular ties to them. Palmore was neither sufficiently developed to be called a city nor sparsely populated enough to be called a rural village.
‘A rural city’s town?’
It might sound odd, like calling a celebrity a celebrity’s celebrity, but that’s exactly what Palmore is.
Too rustic to be a city, yet too populous to be rural.
Merchants frequently come and go, and whenever people in nearby villages need something, they all head to Palmore.
Palmore also has a regular traveling merchant group and a church.
‘On top of that, many people visit Palmore regularly on weekends to pray.’
Despite that, Palmore lacked many aspects necessary to be considered a city, so nobody ever came all the way here just to recruit someone into their faction.
“I appreciate the offer. However, I think I need more time to consider it.”
“Opportunities like this don’t come every day. Still, Priest Arthur, if you ever change your mind, let me know. You’ll always be welcome.”
By delivering my polite refusal indirectly, I avoided offending him, and he seemed to understand.
Relieved, I changed the topic.
“When will you enter the labyrinth?”
“We must go in before the labyrinth’s layout changes, so it should be within the next two days.”
“…The layout changes? What do you mean?”
The layout changes?
“Oh my, what was I thinking? I’ve let slip something I shouldn’t have. It seems there’s nowhere for an old man to go but to his side.”
He tried to brush it off casually, though he didn’t seem particularly flustered.
“It seems confidential, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”
“No, no. It’s fine. It’s something that will be revealed soon enough. What harm can knowing a few weeks early do?”
Even though he said that, if word of this information spread from me, it would surely put Bishop Haman in a difficult position.
“The labyrinth changes its layout every three months.”
“Every three months? The entire maze?”
“Yes. That’s why the labyrinth has never been fully conquered.”
Everyone had been focusing their efforts on creating maps of the labyrinth, but if this were true, it would render all those efforts pointless.
“Then, does that mean all the maps made so far are useless?”
“There are dozens of patterns in the labyrinth, and they change randomly at specific intervals.”
This meant that there were several labyrinth maps, and the layout shifted randomly every three months.
The problem was that the labyrinth was so massive that completing just one map, Map A, could take years, and there weren’t just one or two maps but over ten.
Who could say how many years would be needed to map the entire labyrinth?
“Do the types of monsters change when the layout shifts?”
“Yes, that’s correct. For example, a golem could suddenly appear at the entrance. We were fortunate when the labyrinth first opened—the entrance had goblins.”
“…Shouldn’t this information be kept from foreign nations?”
The fact that the labyrinth’s layout changes.
As soon as I heard it, one person came to mind: Princess Canabi.
‘What happens if the monster we’re searching for isn’t found by the time the three months are up?’
This knowledge is likely exclusive to the Holy Nation.
If other countries knew, they wouldn’t be acting so relaxed and confident during uncertain times.
“Oh my, it seems someone is in such a predicament.”
“Yes, I can’t go into detail because of patient confidentiality, but there’s someone for whom it would be very troublesome if the layout changes right now.”
“Oh dear, what should be done about this…”
Bishop Haman pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Where does this patient stand in terms of significance?”
“They are very extraordinary.”
Bishop Haman’s eyes sparkled at my response.
Extraordinary = noble, very extraordinary = royal.
He had deduced that the patient I mentioned was of royal blood.
“Could you arrange a meeting with them?”
“Could you? I was worried it might be too much of a burden for such a busy person.”
Since this was information beyond my reach, I was deeply grateful that Bishop Haman offered to take the lead.
“This much is nothing. I have enough influence to handle it. Haha.”
I decided to reach out to Princess Canabi as soon as possible and arrange a meeting with Bishop Haman.
“I refuse.”
This was unexpected.
“Pardon?”
After going to great lengths and even inconveniencing Bishop Haman to arrange the meeting, I was stunned by the rejection.
“This isn’t a suggestion I made lightly. I’m certain it would be beneficial, Your Highness. Please, reconsider and meet him once.”
“I have no desire to meet him.”
“What the…!”
“No.”
Princess Canabi coldly interrupted me.
Since it was for her benefit, her refusal left me bewildered.
“Did I not make it clear upon my admission that I wouldn’t meet anyone else?”
“It will help with your treatment.”
“The treatment you’re providing is enough for me. I have no issues.”
It seemed Princess Canabi misunderstood my suggestion to meet the bishop as a suggestion to receive treatment from him.
The issue was that I couldn’t explain my real reason for urging the meeting.
Even though I felt like I was suffocating with frustration, I couldn’t disclose critical information.
Not even Bishop Haman could shield me if I revealed too much.
“It will greatly assist with your overall treatment. Meeting him would be something you’d never regret.”
“I have no intention of receiving treatment from anyone else, so please, stop bringing it up.”
Oh, this is infuriating—I can’t even speak properly.
I considered dropping a small hint and said, “He could assist in capturing the monster.”
“My people will handle catching the monster. If the Holy Nation’s subjugation squad gets involved, it might only complicate matters.”
Once again, I’d been misunderstood.
“I can’t go into detail because it’s confidential, but you must meet him at least once.”
“My decision may seem frustrating, but I won’t change my mind.”
“……”
Princess Canabi’s stubbornness was not something I could overcome.
I gave her one final statement.
“You could be missing out on something very important.”
“It’s my choice, and if I face losses because of it, I will bear the consequences.”
“…Understood.”
It wasn’t the first time Princess Canabi had shown signs of caution.
However, I hadn’t expected that caution to act as a roadblock to her meeting the bishop.
This was entirely my fault.
She had shown her guardedness toward people multiple times in front of me, but I had foolishly failed to foresee this becoming an issue.