After hearing my explanation, everyone seemed shocked and stiffened.
“If it comes to that situation….”
It seemed they weren’t sure if they could avoid resenting me, the one who recommended it.
Seeing them unable to continue speaking, I nodded as if to show understanding.
“That’s right. For that reason, I can’t easily tell you to go. And honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary to push yourself. Just because you don’t enter the labyrinth doesn’t mean your growth stops, right?”
Exactly.
The chicks nodded their heads at my words.
“Moreover, if all of you leave, the shrine won’t function properly.”
“Oh! That’s true. I didn’t think of that.”
The novices seemed secretly pleased upon hearing that if they left, the shrine wouldn’t work properly.
Who would be upset about being valued in their workplace for the effort they’ve put in?
Had I only said this much, the chicks would probably have given up on the idea of entering the labyrinth.
But, one must always listen to the full story.
“However, I also think overcoming fear is a great accomplishment. It’s not something just anyone can do. With the courage you’ve shown, your father will surely reward the one who has returned from the labyrinth with a good gift.”
“Ahhh!! This still doesn’t solve my dilemma!”
The novices, still troubled, were tearing their hair out.
Even if they asked others for advice, in the end, anyone planning to go would sign up for the expedition, and those who didn’t want to would give up.
‘I’ve told them that the ones staying behind are not at fault, so they’ll make the right choice.’
Regardless of the choice the novices made, there was only one thing I needed to do.
If someone left, I had to pray for their safe return and cheer them on.
I entrusted the work at the Dark God’s altar to Priest Cadon, so I had some time to check if the shrine was running smoothly with a lighter heart.
And late at night, I moved to check on Princess Kanabi.
It was a place where I couldn’t be seen by others, so I had to move cautiously. Entering the underground panic room, the first thing I did was check Princess Kanabi’s condition.
‘She’s fine.’
Of course, Princess Kanabi’s condition wasn’t exactly ‘fine’ as I said.
She was neither dead nor alive, so how could I say she was ‘fine’?
When I say ‘fine,’ I mean she was quietly lying in bed without being harmed by anyone.
“There are no signs of intrusion, no signs of movement.”
Like a princess in a forest, if something serious happened to Princess Kanabi, who had to remain defenselessly asleep for a year, it would cause a huge problem.
“Being here reminds me of when she was in the hospital room. We talked a lot, though it was a bit disjointed.”
Though it was not long ago, seeing her lying like a vegetative state, I felt sorry for her and couldn’t help but talk to her. Some vegetative patients are said to be mentally awake and can hear everything around them—could that be true?
“Princess, it’s been about a month since you fell asleep. The first labyrinth expedition failed. I didn’t expect it to succeed in the first place, but I didn’t think it would fail due to a trap. Princess Lasiell looks gloomy, and I’m worried. But don’t worry too much. From what I see, Princess Lasiell is growing well.”
Princess Kanabi’s biggest worry seemed to be Princess Lasiell.
It couldn’t be easy to put such a heavy burden on a younger sibling who appeared so young.
So, I offered comfort with words that Princess Lasiell would manage well.
Then, I took Princess Kanabi’s wrist and used my divine power to check her internal condition.
‘Amazing.’
Usually, if someone stays in one position like this for too long, they would develop bedsores or lose muscle mass, requiring rehabilitation.
I had tried to protect her body with divine power to minimize such issues.
‘How can her condition not have changed at all?’
However, Princess Kanabi’s body had not changed at all since she had taken the medicine and fell asleep.
It remained exactly as it was, frozen in place.
Realizing that the divine power had no effect, I withdrew it.
“Her condition is normal. Well, it’s a bit surprising to consider this as normal, but there is no major issue.”
With this, I felt that Princess Kanabi would be reassured, so I decided to return to my room.
“Time has passed more quickly than I expected. I must return now. The next time I come, it will likely be after the second subjugation is complete. Please forgive me for not being able to visit frequently for security reasons.”
“Is it true that the Evil God’s altar came out of the labyrinth?”
“Yes. These are the items that were used as offerings for the Evil God’s altar.”
To the unknowing, these may look like expensive jewels, but to the priests, they could only be seen as ominous and repulsive objects, now spilled out across the floor.
“…The evidence is clear.”
“Yes.”
There would likely be some here who would want to deny it.
The fact that the Evil God’s power has come out of the labyrinth means that chaos will soon begin in the world. For the priests, who were accustomed to peace, this was something they would rather deny.
“Does anyone doubt the reported details?”
The issue of the Evil God’s altar was the most sensitive matter for the Church.
Therefore, the information was quickly relayed to the Pope, who summoned the cardinals from across the nation.
He was curious about what the cardinals would think of the Evil God’s altar located inside the labyrinth.
“It seems highly probable that it’s true.”
With his white hair, wrinkled face, and hunched back, Cardinal Blown was the first to affirm the existence of the Evil God’s altar.
“I believe no one here has worse eyesight than me, so I expect no one will say otherwise.”
Cardinal Blown preemptively blocked any possible objections from the other cardinals, claiming that no one else had worse eyesight than him.
“I’m glad everyone seems to be in good health.”
The Pope, quietly listening to Cardinal Blown’s words, smiled slyly.
Since Cardinal Blown had confirmed the Evil God’s altar, it would be easier to get the cooperation of the other cardinals.
The Pope was usually reserved in offering opinions, but once he did, he was stubborn and would not back down.
“You must take action as soon as possible. Thoroughly inspect the items coming out of the labyrinth and carefully check those entering the labyrinth!”
Bang!
Cardinal Blown slammed his staff down onto the floor as he voiced his opinion.
It was then that another cardinal, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.
“The labyrinth is a neutral zone where many nations pass through. If we proceed as Cardinal Blown suggests, there will be protests from many countries. As much as we are acting for the greater good, we cannot proceed without regard for diplomacy.”
“Is this the time to be considering diplomacy? This isn’t just an issue between nations—it could be the end of the world!”
Cardinal Blown glared fiercely at the cardinal who opposed him, insisting once again that they needed to push forward.
“I didn’t say not to do it, but rather that we should take some time to share the situation with other countries and ask for their understanding.”
It seemed that the cardinal, frightened by the intense gaze, hurriedly offered an explanation.
“If we delay, the items from the Evil God’s altar will spread! How will we save those who are harmed by this! What if the heretics get their hands on this information while we’re spreading it around?!”
If this situation spreads as a rumor, heretics who follow the Evil God will likely enter the labyrinth to seize the Evil God’s altar.
To ordinary people, the Evil God’s altar is a harbinger of doom, but to heretics, it is a powerful tool for gaining strength.
“We cannot allow the followers of the Evil God to enter the labyrinth!”
The most urgent issue was indeed that one.
“We can leave the diplomatic side to Cardinal Wei, and he can proceed with the task as quickly as possible. Cardinal Wei has traveled to many countries, so he must know a lot of people, right?”
“Yes, if I emphasize that it’s an urgent matter, I should be able to make contact quickly.”
The Pope didn’t need to say much; the cardinals already knew what needed to be done.
Someone would handle the diplomacy, another would search for the items from the Evil God’s altar that had been spread in the markets, and yet another would track the movements of the heretics.
It was only when everything had been arranged that the Pope finally spoke, opening his mouth which had been closed tightly until now.
“The labyrinth has opened, and the temple has remained on high alert. There was a prophecy that the events inside the labyrinth would hasten the world’s destruction, so we kept the emergency alert system in place, despite the hardships. And now, the reality of the prophecy has been revealed to us.”
The prophecy that the world would end if the labyrinth opened was given 300 years ago.
And now, the seal of 300 years had been lifted, and the labyrinth had opened again.
Does this mean that the prophecy from 300 years ago is still valid?
Theologians had debated this matter several times.
And now, the Pope spoke.
“Since the labyrinth has resurrected, I officially acknowledge that the prophecy has also been resurrected. The destruction of our world is certainly contained within the labyrinth.”
The cardinals sighed at the Pope’s decision.
How many people would not sigh at the fact that chaos was about to begin?
“We need to find the prophets who can seal the labyrinth.”
The prophets.
To explain simply, they are the “heroes” from fairy tales.
In order to close the labyrinth, they would need to gather many talented individuals to form a subjugation force for the sealing.
“Just as our ancestors did 300 years ago, we too will seal the labyrinth.”
Since there were records from the past, they thought sealing the labyrinth wouldn’t be too difficult.
“What if we don’t just seal it, but destroy it entirely?”
It seemed that Cardinal Wei was not the only one thinking this, as he spoke with a triumphant expression.
“Didn’t you read the records? Our ancestors failed to destroy the labyrinth and only managed to seal it.”
“Those were the records from 300 years ago. Our Church is far stronger now than it was then. I believe there’s nothing stopping us from destroying the labyrinth.”
Destroying the labyrinth, instead of sealing it.
At Cardinal Wei’s words, the other cardinals’ ears perked up.