Chapter 59: Meeting the Pope

After the high-ranking priests finished their greetings, I stepped inside the temple.

Come to think of it, I’d never entered a temple outside of the Ashud estate. In Axel, I prayed at the altar within the Bayerlein residence or at the statues of Deuro-sama scattered around. I never had a reason to visit the temple itself.

Now that I’ve reached level 200, it’s a good time to pray to a statue of Deuro-sama here.

“Lord Dardale, I’d like to offer a prayer to Deuro-sama’s statue. May I take a moment?”
“Of course.”

Even the statue of Deuro-sama at the Holy See had its face and name defaced. To see this even at the central temple… how disgraceful.

This realization made me uneasy. The statue of Deuro-sama at Axel’s temple might also be in the same condition. It’s my negligence that the statues within my sphere of influence have been left like this. This must be rectified immediately.

Deuro-sama, I’ve finally reached level 200.

I knelt on my left knee, closed my eyes, lowered my head, and clasped my hands together in prayer.

A sensation of weightlessness came over me, the same as when I reached level 100. The next thing I saw was pitch darkness, also like before.

[It has been a while, my kin.]

It has indeed been a while. I’m overjoyed to see you again.

[Thanks to you, more people have come to worship me. You’ve done well.]

T-thank you!

[But it is not enough. Spread my name further, Toma.]

Of course! I will make Deuro-sama’s name known far and wide!

[You are most dependable. I shall share some valuable information with you.]

Yes, please.

[You know that items can be obtained from dungeons, correct?]

Yes, I’m aware.

[There is a dungeon in the royal capital that contains a particularly useful item.]

I’ve heard there are several dungeons in the capital.

[Seek out the Alilac Dungeon.]

The Alilac Dungeon? What kind of item can be found there?

[You’ll understand once you acquire it. However, don’t expect it to be easily obtained. Proceed with caution.]

Understood. I’ll search the Alilac Dungeon for the item.

[When you have acquired it, call upon me.]

Yes! I will find the item and come to meet you again, Deuro-sama!

[I look forward to it, Toma.]

As I returned from the darkness to the temple, I gazed up at Deuro-sama’s statue.

The statue’s face and the name inscribed on its base had been restored to their original state.

“A miracle from the divine!”
“““Oh, God!”””

When I turned around, Lord Dardale and the priests were kneeling, tears streaming down their faces.

“Toma…”

Grandfather’s voice was hoarse.

“Is this truly a miracle of God?”
“Deuro-sama has shown me the path I must take.”
“The path you must take?”
“He has instructed me to seek out an item in the Alilac Dungeon.”
“What kind of item?”
“I don’t know. He said I would understand once I found it.”
“I see…”

Grandfather stroked his chin in thought while the priests were either fervently praying or sobbing uncontrollably.

It seemed unlikely that the situation would calm down anytime soon, so I addressed Lord Dardale.

“I apologize, but they seem preoccupied. Could you show us to our rooms in the meantime?”
“Of course. Please follow me.”

Only a small number of priests accompanied Lord Dardale; most remained before the statue of Deuro-sama.

Since showing us to a room didn’t require much effort, Lord Dardale alone sufficed.

“I’m still amazed,” Ben said. “When the statue glowed, I couldn’t stay on my feet.”

“Something about it warmed my heart. Is that the benevolence of God?” Shamy mused.

Deuro-sama truly is a kind and merciful deity.

Once we were in the room, I sank into the sofa to rest.

Having spent a long time on horseback today, the muscles on my inner thighs were sore.

As I relaxed, chatting with Grandfather, Lord Dardale arrived.

“The preparations for your audience with His Holiness the Pope are complete.”
“Surely you’re not expecting our Toma to stand beneath the Pope, are you?” Grandfather questioned.
“Of course not.”
“What exactly is the position of an Apostle within the temple?”
“The Apostle is considered equal to the Hero and the Saint.”

Apparently, only those summoned from another world can become a Hero or Saint. Among my former classmates, there were both Heroes and a Saint.

If I recall correctly, Awainuo was the Dark Hero (Rank A), Yuta Sagami was the Holy Light Hero (Rank S+), and Mirei Katsura was the Saint of Compassion (Rank S).

Deuro-sama had warned me that many of my former classmates would become my enemies.

Before that happens, I need to grow stronger. I refuse to ever be oppressed by them again.

The audience with the Pope was held at a round table.

The circular table symbolized equality, having neither a head nor foot. Since Apostles, Heroes, and Saints were considered above even the Pope in some respects, the Pope treated them with utmost respect.

The Pope, Paul XVIII, was a 77-year-old man with thinning white hair and a clerical hat called a gelgi. His gentle blue eyes and perpetual smile gave him a kind demeanor.

Throughout the meeting, he expressed gratitude for my visit.

“I, in the name of the Pope, guarantee the Apostle’s freedom of action. Please, guide those who follow the will of God.”
“Thank you. I would like to address the mysterious illness Lord Dardale mentioned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Pope smiled warmly and nodded.