Chapter 55 : A New Connection (1)

For 300 years, the church nation had developed.

When the world faced trials, ironically, the most active group was the temple.

This was because, when life became difficult, humans naturally relied on and clung to gods.

And when the labyrinth that posed a threat to humanity was sealed, the temple had no choice but to step down from its dominant position.

The temple’s primary source of income had been donations, so without an immediate threat, they couldn’t neglect diplomacy with other nations.

Over the past 300 years, the temple had used the profits gained through the labyrinth to develop, flooding the internal market.

As a result, there was decay in stagnant areas, but looking at the overall development, there was no doubt that significant growth had been achieved.

“An impossible order has been given, but we cannot stay still!”

“Do you think it’s impossible to destroy it?”

“Though the temple has made significant progress over the past 300 years, knowledge exchange between the priests was not active! I acknowledge that there have been exceptional talents, but they are few in number. Overall, the skills of the priests have not changed much in the past 300 years.”

If knowledge exchange had been active, would Bishop Hamon have agreed?

“Yet, to aim for the destruction of the labyrinth… I don’t understand why everyone is so greedy.”

Bishop Hamon, who had been grumbling for a while, sighed, took a sip of water, and spoke.

“How do you think, Father Arthur?”

“Well… I think aiming for destruction is fine.”

“There will be great sacrifices!”

Bishop Hamon looked at me as if I were a traitor.

“I know. But I still believe the goal should be destruction. If the goal is sealing, it means that, 300 years later, the labyrinth will be unlocked again. For true peace in the world, I believe destruction is the right course.”

“What about the priests’ sacrifices?”

Bishop Hamon seemed worried about the priests who would be sacrificed due to unnecessary complications created by the higher-ups, who insisted on destruction instead of sealing.

But would it be right to be afraid of maggots and not preserve the kimchi?

It was unthinkable to give up on destruction just because of the fear of sacrifice.

“Because it’s the right course for the world. It’s fine to aim for destruction, but forcing it is not acceptable.”

The higher the goal, the better.

The more you strive to reach it, the more it will lead you to a higher place.

“To aim for destruction, but not force it? If sealing is possible, then seal it. If an opportunity to destroy arises, we should decide based on the situation.”

Luckily, Bishop Hamon understood my intentions immediately.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The church nation has issued a direct order to destroy it.”

“I think it’s wrong to issue such orders without even visiting the scene.”

It was a suggestion that they should come to the scene and try destroying the labyrinth themselves.

Bishop Hamon burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha!! That’s a refreshing comment. You’re right. They should come and experience how ridiculous these orders are instead of just issuing them.”

Although he wished he could bring them in right away to let them experience it, he sighed, unable to do so.

“Otherwise, if something happens to the cardinal in the labyrinth, the church nation will be shaken.”

“Hmm, hmm. Bishop, you’re getting too excited.”

In the church nation, the cardinal is like a king.

Although the pope is above them, they are the only ones with that kind of authority.

Therefore, even if the person isn’t there, speaking carelessly about their death is a serious mistake.

Seeing that I was uncomfortable, Bishop Hamon chuckled and said,

“Anyway, you’re so kind and gentle. We’re just talking among ourselves, so what’s the harm in a little bit of swearing?”

“……”

That person will hear it. That person!

“It seems like we’ll have to accept the order. Thanks to Father Arthur’s advice, I think it will be resolved easily.”

Since the situation didn’t allow for action on-site, sealing was the only option, and what could be done? It wouldn’t make sense to unseal it again for destruction.

“Anyway, from now on, the church nation will handle everything related to the evil god’s altar, so Father Arthur can focus on your work without worrying about it.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And…”

And?

The most important news I was waiting for still hadn’t come.

“It seems like you’re waiting for something. I’m sorry. A lot of people had to be sent out to handle the evil god’s altar matter…”

“Does this mean I have to keep waiting indefinitely?”

“It seems so.”

Why is the temple so full of trouble?

If I weren’t a priest serving the gods, I’d have probably called a shaman to perform a ritual.

Seeing how everything keeps going wrong, it was clear that the temple, built near the labyrinth, had been cursed.

“I don’t know if this will be of any comfort, but a decree has come down from the church nation that all rights related to the temple will be delegated to Father Arthur.”

“Are you saying all authority will be given to me?”

“Actually, you’ve already moved beyond the temporary position, but Priest Arthur has been cautious, right?”

“Yes. Given my position…”

“If it were other priests, they’d probably be too busy enjoying their power, but I’m impressed. It seems the Church also viewed that positively, and they gave you permission to use your authority as you wish.”

This was very good news for me.
Though I was already performing well as a leader, my ambiguous position as the chief healer had limited my ability to take bold actions.

“What if I shared the authority with Priest Chilan and Priest Ando?”

“Although they’ve been disciplined once, if they’ve truly reflected, it’s not wrong for the responsible leader to give them another opportunity.”

This is exactly why I liked it.

Priests Ando and Chilan, who were in the same position as me.

If I were their superior, it would be possible for me to grant them another opportunity when they show reflection.

But since I wasn’t their superior, what use would it be to forgive them?

However, now that the Church has granted me full authority, that was possible.

If my position was once seen as temporary, now I was officially recognized as a true leader by the Church.

“Then, I believe I can hold on until the new bishop arrives.”

“Good thinking. You never know, maybe if you keep holding on like this…”

Bishop Hamon didn’t finish his sentence, but I immediately understood what was implied.
For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, but I quickly calmed down.

‘Could I actually take control of this place? That’s ridiculous. It’s way too big for me.’

If I got too greedy, I might end up losing my arms and legs. I had to continue acting like someone who was indifferent to the position, just like I always had.

It was thanks to this light-hearted attitude that I gained the trust of Priests Chilan and Ando, wasn’t it?

“I am still lacking in training. So, I don’t want to be greedy for such an undeserved position. There are others who are better suited to lead this place than I am.”

“Priest Arthur’s pure and upright heart is truly admirable. Given the opportunity, it’s hard not to feel greedy, but you’re not going to take it?”

“Everything has its order.”

If you rush to take two steps ahead, you might end up falling ten steps behind.

Imagine that priests with powerful backgrounds start to keep an eye on me.

Someone with nothing can easily be trampled on by such people and find it hard to rise again.

“Hmm….”

Could it be that Bishop Hamon’s gaze was dripping with honey?

‘It must be an illusion.’

He probably wanted to bring me into his faction, but I didn’t enjoy receiving that much attention from a man.

“So when are we going into the labyrinth next?”

“After entering the labyrinth, I realized that we weren’t fully prepared, so we’re going to select additional people. For the time being, I think I’ll stay in the temple.”

“Hmm, what kind of person do you need?”

“We need someone who can check for traps.”

“In that case, would you like me to recommend someone?”

“Yes?”

You’re recommending someone?

“Actually, I’ve been concerned about Priest Arthur going into the labyrinth for a long time. It’s the first time a priest has entered a personal expedition, isn’t it? Moreover, you’ve made a great contribution by discovering the altar of the evil god, so it’s only right that you get a proper reward.”

It was clear that he was trying to attach a powerful figure to my team.

“Since I’m not the leader of the team, I need permission. Also, I’m not sure if they’ll welcome it.”

“They’re in chaos over the imperial succession, right?”

“Yes. So they probably won’t accept just anyone.”

Bishop Hamon waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

“Hmm, don’t worry. Even with that, they won’t be able to reject this person.”

“Who exactly are you thinking of recommending?”

“A newly graduated Inquisitor who has just completed their training and is about to start their mission.”

“!!”

“They won’t be able to reject this person.”

Inquisitors aren’t just anyone.

They’re elite individuals who have been raised by the temple, spending a great deal of resources to train them to eradicate heretics.

‘My mentor was once a famous Inquisitor.’

Although he’s now in seclusion.

Anyway, Inquisitors are the elite of the elite.

The idea of bringing one of them to the labyrinth with me was hard to accept.

“If they’ve just finished their training and are about to go out into the world, they must have a lot they want to do. If they have to enter the labyrinth because of me, won’t they dislike it?”

Bringing the Inquisitor onto our team wouldn’t be a problem.

Since all support would be given, their faith would be perfect.

For a priest like me, betraying me would be equivalent to betraying the temple.

Moreover, since they had just come out into the world, they were still pure and uncorrupted.

As Bishop Hamon said, it was clear that Princess Lasiell would never reject the Inquisitor joining the team.