Chapter 70 – Infiltration Begins

Infiltration Begins

“Well then, I’m counting on you, Ariel.”
The religion she requested me to infiltrate is called the Truth Church.
It’s a religion that has recently started spreading through word of mouth, mainly in slums and back alleys.

The reason Riste asked me to infiltrate is because this Truth Church is quite suspicious.
These guys, who appeared out of nowhere, are gaining influence, and what’s peculiar is their ideology.
Their claims are as follows:

All the magic currently used by existing magicians is fake and not pure magic, and magic is being tainted because of them.
By believing in the Truth Church, one must approach the truth of magic and guide the fake magicians… or so they say.
Anyone could see it was a cult.

‘What’s fake magic, and what’s pure magic? And what do they mean by magic being tainted by using fake magic in the first place?’
It’s a series of nonsensical claims, but somehow, it seems people who actually believe this are gradually appearing.
If they just believed it among themselves, that would be one thing, but some extremists have even started attacking lower-level magicians, claiming to guide the fake magicians.

It’s clear that if this continues, the empire will fall into chaos.
…That’s why Riste requested me to infiltrate.
‘I already want to go home.’

Currently, we don’t know who the leader of the Truth Church is, or where their funding comes from.
The content of the request is to investigate these Truth Church guys, and if necessary, eliminate them.
…It looked like a troublesome matter at a glance, but the compensation was too high to refuse.

‘It should be about time they arrive.’
I was currently waiting for the helper from the temple on a bench in front of the fountain in Lonzville.
Was the name Celestian? It’s a name that makes my heart flutter a bit. It’s cool.

‘If I had a name like Celestian Ariel, it wouldn’t have been bad.’
According to Riste, they would be easy to recognize as they have an unforgettable impression.
I’m a bit curious about what kind of impression would make her say that.

Around the time when the warmly shining sun was positioned at the zenith of the sky, something unusual happened.
“Wh-What’s with that person? They’re huge…”
“What are they carrying? A cross? Are they planning to use it as a blunt weapon?”

The surroundings suddenly became noisy. Wondering what was happening, I turned around to see a giant someone approaching me.
‘Wh-What is that…’
They’re big. Maybe two heads taller than me. And wide too.

Muscles that look like they might burst out of the robe they’re wearing. They seemed to be middle-aged, but interestingly, they had no hair at all. In other words, bald.
But if you were to laugh at their head, you might immediately be folded in half, that’s how gigantic their build is.

Moreover, the highlight is the huge cross they’re holding in their left hand.
The steel cross, which wouldn’t look out of place if called a mace, exudes its presence vividly.
‘Surely, this person isn’t my infiltration partner…’

Why is it? The reason Riste’s voice is echoing in my head.
“You’ll be able to recognize Celestian priest at a glance. They have an unforgettable impression.”
They slowly approached the bench where I was sitting.

Seeing them step forward with clear purpose, it seems this person is indeed the one from the temple.
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Ariel. I am Celestian, a faithful servant of Goddess Cael. I look forward to working with you.”
Finally, they greeted me first, acting as if they knew me.

Even though they bent their waist at a 90-degree angle, their crown was still at my eye level, making me realize their enormous height.
‘They’re going to infiltrate with this build…?’
I’m sorry to say this, but did you pick the wrong person, Riste?

Still, it’s not like we can change helpers at this point.
Who knows? Despite their size, they might actually be a master of infiltration.
“According to information, they often appear in back alleys. Let’s go there first.”

After discussing various aspects of the operation, Celestian priest and I headed towards the back alleys.
“But… do we really have to leave the cross behind?”
During this process, Celestian priest carefully asked me again, seemingly concerned about having to leave behind the steel cross they were carrying.

“…Yes.”
Of course. What are you thinking, trying to infiltrate while carrying a cross that reaches your chest?
The moment you carry that, it’s not infiltration but a frontal assault.

“Please bear with it.”
“…I understand.”
When I firmly shook my head, Celestian priest nodded with a slightly disheartened expression.

Following behind them towards the outskirts of Lonzville, the back alleys of Lonzville – also known as the garbage dump – came into view.
…I’ve only heard about it, but this is my first time coming here.
‘Ugh, the smell…’

An indescribable, pungent odor assaults my nose in this place.
As one would typically imagine when hearing the words ‘back alley’, it’s full of dirty and dilapidated buildings.
Moreover, as soon as we entered this place, the gazes of people sprawled on the streets turned towards us.

…Both Celestian priest and I stand out, whether in a good way or bad.
“Celestian priest, have you been here before?”
I asked Celestian priest, trying not to be conscious of their gazes.

“…I’ve been here a few times before for relief activities. It was like this then too.”
“I see.”
They continued speaking in a voice tinged with bitterness, as if regretful.

“Goddess Cael is omnipotent, but that doesn’t mean the sun shines on every place. Places where the mercy of Goddess Cael hasn’t quite reached.
It should be our duty as believers to spread Her glory to such places… it’s regrettable that we can’t seem to do so.”
…Their answer naturally becomes solemn.

I just threw out a light question to try and dispel the awkward atmosphere between us, but I’m a bit taken aback by the unexpectedly heavy answer.
This must be the attitude of a true religious person.

‘Anyway, what should we do now?’
We’ve come to the back alleys, but I’m not quite sure how to infiltrate right away.
It would be best if they approached us from their side….

“Celestian priest. What should we do now?”
“Hmm. I hear the Truth Church people approach those who are begging or sick. It would be good to wait for them after some disguise.”
“You mean…”

Before I could finish speaking, Celestian priest approached someone who was begging nearby.
As the enormous priest came close, the man who had been begging while blindly waving a cane in the air, as if he couldn’t see, started backing away in panic.
This is the miracle of Jongno… no, the miracle of the back alleys.

“Wh-What? Why! Why are you coming closer!”
Now not even trying to hide it, the man threatened the priest by pointing his cane.
Seeing the man’s behavior, Celestian priest, whose expression didn’t change at all, opened their closed mouth.

“Your robe. Would you lend it to me? I would also appreciate it if you could lend me the dark glasses and cane you were using.”
“Wh-What?”
“I’ll return them later. In the name of Goddess Cael.”

Fear gradually colors the man’s face.
…In the end, Celestian priest’s hands held a dirty robe, glasses, and a cane.
Is this also part of the miracle…?

“Lady Ariel. Please put this on. I’ve lightly purified it with holy power, so it shouldn’t be too dirty.”
“You mean… to disguise myself with this?”
The priest nods at my words.

I ended up disguising myself with a slightly dirty robe, glasses, and holding a cane.
‘Saya, Pfel. Your unni is working so hard to earn money…’
My reflection in a broken window of a building looks like someone anyone would mistake for a beggar.

After that, we started imitating beggars, finding a suitable spot.
“P-Please help.”
Seeing me pretending to be blind, people passing by look at me with eyes mixed with pity.
Some of them even tried to approach me to talk.

…Of course, they averted their eyes and ran away when they saw Celestian priest sitting next to me.
No matter how I think about it, this person doesn’t seem suitable for infiltration.

Thud thud.
Just as I was starting to feel doubtful about this method,
I spotted several hooded figures approaching people who were begging on the street.

…Their attire was screaming “I’m suspicious” to anyone who saw them.
“Lady Ariel.”
“Yes.”

It seems Celestian priest had similar thoughts to mine.
After that, we had a silent conversation through eye contact.
“…Lady Ariel. Now’s the time.”
“O-Okay, let’s do it.”

As the hooded figures were about to pass in front of us, Celestian priest and I began our best acting performance.
“G-Goddess Cael…. I pray for the appearance of a benefactor who will embrace my hunger….”
“Ah, if only someone would give me food, I’d believe in any religion…!”

It was a perfect performance that could fool anyone. It was a sight that even someone without blood or tears would turn to look at least once.
“…”
Perhaps our acting worked, as they slowly approached us.

“Please follow us. Our Truth Church does not turn a blind eye to those who are hungry.”
…The operation was a success.