Ch.5757. Out of Necessity (3)

I left the frozen Bishop Andre behind and quickly dispelled the halo of light above my head. Even after the halo disappeared, Bishop Andre continued to stare at the empty space above my head without blinking for quite some time. Blink, blink. Bishop Andre only regained his composure around the time the soup placed before me began to cool.

“I wasn’t seeing things, was I?”

Was it that shocking? I shook my head, denying Bishop Andre’s words.

“You saw correctly. I passed the Crown’s trial and gained its power as well. Of course, the vessel of the Crown shattered, leaving only its mark above my head.”

I tapped the now-empty space above my head with my index finger. Bishop Andre still couldn’t believe it, clasping his hands together while making a sound that was a mixture of exclamation and sighing.

“It was an incredibly holy sight. Any devout believer of the Blue Orthodox Church would react the same way. I would say it resembled the appearance of God’s apostles described in ancient records. After all, it wasn’t just the halo that appeared above the Hero’s head that changed.”

The bishop closed the wooden box and placed it beside him. He no longer seemed concerned about the fact that the Crown had shattered. Bishop Andre’s interest was solely focused on what had appeared above my head.

“Could it be that what you said about knowing something about the Calamity is related to receiving the Crown’s power?”

And the question the bishop asked was perfectly suited for me to offer an explanation.

“Yes. I couldn’t see everything clearly, but I could vaguely glimpse scenes of the Calamity manifesting, like a premonition flashing by.”

After all, they said no one had opened the Crown before me. So, it shouldn’t be a problem if I exaggerated some of the functions the Crown had given me. It might even make them listen more attentively without being suspicious.

“[You’re thinking cleverly.]”

The Holy Sword spoke in a voice that I couldn’t tell whether was admiring or mocking. Well, it was true that the Crown had shown me the image of the giant. So it wouldn’t be a lie to say it showed me the manifestation of the Calamity. Meanwhile, worry lines appeared on the bishop’s forehead.

“Even so, the shattering of the Crown is somewhat problematic. The Papal State was quite clear that they were lending the sacred relic to the Hero, not giving it…”

Bishop Andre exhaled with a “hmm” and rested his chin on his hand. Tap, tap. His knobbly fingers drummed against his temple as if trying to extract thoughts.

“It seems there’s no way to return the power of the sacred relic. In truth, the Papal State valued the Crown’s historical significance more than its power. If only the Crown’s body had remained intact, we could have let it pass without comment, but this will be difficult to explain away.”

Bishop Andre placed his hand on the wooden box and straightened his posture.

“This issue seems difficult to discuss right now, so shall we move on to the next topic?”

When I nodded, the bishop cleared his throat after taking a sip of water. The topic the bishop was about to bring up would likely be the main subject of today. As I waited for Bishop Andre’s words with a mixture of interest and concern, the bishop turned his gaze to Marianne and began to speak.

“To get straight to the point, I would like Marianne to return temporarily.”

It was an unexpected request. I blinked and turned my head toward Marianne beside me. Marianne’s eyebrows twitched slightly in surprise, but she showed no special reaction after that.

“Marianne? Why?”

Though I was almost certain it had to do with the Inquisition, I pretended not to know and asked.

“Something quite disturbing has happened to the Blue Orthodox Church. I believe this issue isn’t just a problem for the Blue Orthodox Church alone.”

“Something disturbing to the Blue Orthodox Church… What’s happening?”

Bishop Andre paused with an expressionless face. The atmosphere he emitted changed. His presence, which had been close to nothingness, intensified and sank heavily. It wasn’t the fighting spirit of someone preparing for battle, nor was it killing intent. This must be Andre Zabine’s true presence.

“Before explaining what’s happening, I should reveal my true affiliation.”

Bishop Andre looked around once, then released his magical power. He seemed to have formed a barrier that blocked sound and presence.

“Though the Blue Orthodox Church has deep roots, there cannot be only one type of faith. After all, God no longer shows Himself before humans. Therefore, depending on how one interprets the teachings left by God and the saints, the Blue Orthodox Church itself splits into various denominations.”

The bishop extended his finger and drew a pattern on the table that resembled tree branches spreading out.

“But among them, there are always those who stray into strange paths. Apostasy is not subject to punishment… but those who follow heretical teachings are a different matter.”

Bishop Andre’s voice was infinitely cold as he said this.

“Those who advocate for denominations not officially recognized by the Blue Orthodox Church headquarters, those who follow them and try to spread bizarre beliefs. Those who seduce the innocent and lead them down the path of corruption. Those who deny God and myths, and try to blind the eyes of the world.”

With each sin of heresy he listed, the temperature of the room seemed to drop.

“Marianne and I also hold the position of Inquisitors who dispose of them. You’ve probably heard the name. We operate very discreetly, for the sake of the Blue Orthodox Church.”

“When you say ‘dispose’…”

“Our main duty is to capture those who have fallen for the heretics’ deception, interrogate them, and bring them to the Papal State’s court, but if circumstances don’t allow…”

“We directly eliminate the heretics.”

Bishop Andre seemed to exude the scent of blood as he spoke. I looked into the bishop’s eyes. The face with a hint of smile was no longer there. The bishop explaining his true duty was surrounded by a cold, sharp energy like a blade.

“Are you saying there’s been an incident related to heresy?”

“Yes. It’s quite a headache. I’ve been trying hard to eliminate their roots, but they’re not like kitchen cockroaches—no matter how many we catch, they keep crawling out from somewhere.”

Bishop Andre stabbed his fork into the salad with a thud. The cabbage crumbled at the tip of the fork.

“Hero, have you ever heard of doomsday worship?”

I frowned and shook my head. Doomsday worship? I had never heard such an ominous term even in the original work. Perhaps it didn’t appear in the original because Aryen was at odds with the Blue Orthodox Church.

“Well, they operate very secretly and quietly, so it would be strange if you knew.”

The bishop exhaled a long breath as he rested his fork on the plate.

“Just as the Blue Orthodox Church is divided into various denominations, doomsday worship also consists of people who worship the end times and calamities for various reasons.”

The bishop spread his left hand and counted on his fingers.

“Those who desire the end of the world, those purely captivated by the terrifying power of calamities, those who hate the Blue Orthodox Church, criminals without any particular ideology… But the worst among them,”

The bishop clenched his fist, folding his little finger, as if there were vermin in his palm.

“Are those who worship the evil gods of the mythical age.”

Bishop Andre’s voice was wrapped in cold anger.

“Their way of viewing myths is completely different from ours. They interpret myths and view the world from the perspective of evil gods who sought to destroy the world and cover it in chaotic darkness. They are very ancient and wicked, existing since the mythical age. The evil god worshippers are the ones who entice those captivated by the power of calamities or criminals to join doomsday worship.”

I glanced at Marianne. She too had a stern face, just like Bishop Andre.

“Even though the evil gods all died and disappeared in the mythical age, their lingering attachment still takes root in this world. Doomsday worship is the manifestation of those sprouts.”

Bishop Andre clutched his rosary tightly, then released it. The bishop’s demeanor changed to become somewhat calmer.

“We’ve detected movements of doomsday worshippers this time. The Pope has ordered us not to just observe quietly. As the leader of the Inquisitors, I plan to begin a major purge soon.”

Then he turned to Marianne.

“As you’ve seen Marianne’s skills firsthand, you know she is one of our strongest Inquisitors. She is a great asset to us and can play an important role in apprehending heretics.”

I looked at Marianne. Her expression was both rigid and wavering. Her lips were tight, but her eyes were cold and confused.

“So, Hero, could you please permit her temporary return?”

I narrowed my brow. Of course, I could grant permission for such a matter. But Marianne’s expression after hearing the bishop’s request for her return prevented me from speaking. I could read it. As the time spent with her grew longer, I could notice even her small changes.

“…I cannot give you an easy answer. She is currently a member of our party, and as I mentioned, we never know when and where we might need her.”

I gave a tentative answer for now.

“It won’t take long. It will be finished before winter comes. The place where they’ve been detected is within the Kingdom of Kairos, so even if you need her, we can have her return promptly.”

“I have too little information to nod right away. There’s no need to give a hasty answer when we have time to think.”

It was complicated. If Marianne’s power was truly needed at this time, and if it would prevent great harm to the world, I would probably have to let her go. Otherwise, I’d have to use the last resort. Bishop Andre seemed to understand my answer and nodded slightly.

“Marianne, what do you think?”

“…I’m fine with it. If the Hero permits, I will go help immediately.”

Marianne spoke in a voice feigning composure. I placed my hand over Marianne’s slightly trembling hand beside me. Her hand flinched in surprise, then the trembling subsided. Bishop Andre remained silent, lost in thought, then opened his mouth. Through the bishop’s narrowed eyes, gray eyes flashed, and I noticed that a light different from difficulty had settled in the bishop’s eyes.

A very subtle curiosity. That’s what I thought it was.

“…Then, how about this?”

Bishop Andre placed his hand on the table and said.

“I will formally request cooperation from the Hero’s party for this matter. The Kingdom of Kairos has also promised active cooperation, but I will discuss it again with both the royal capital and the Papal State. Since the Hero’s party can move as one, and this is also related to the Calamity. And…”

Bishop Andre glanced briefly at the wooden box beside him.

“It seems we can also naturally resolve the matter of the Crown.”

I opened my eyes wide. I didn’t expect him to propose what I had been considering as a last resort.

“What do you think, Hero?”

Bishop Andre asked with his usual smile back on his face. I frowned slightly as I met Bishop Andre’s gaze. I could feel Marianne’s golden gaze fixed on me.

==

I told him I would think about it, but Bishop Andre must have taken it as a sign of agreement, as he said he would first discuss it with the royal court and then left the dining hall. There wasn’t really any other option, so I would end up agreeing anyway.

“Why did you hesitate to send me?”

Marianne and I were slowly walking back to headquarters through the city streets. I looked to the side, and Marianne was staring at me intently. A gaze that didn’t understand, but wasn’t claiming to be upset either. I looked into Marianne’s golden eyes and then shrugged.

“It’s my stubbornness. Because you’re needed in our party.”

Marianne continued to stare at me, as if that wasn’t a sufficient explanation.

“…It’s just a temporary assignment. There’s no need for you to be so concerned.”

“As I said, we still don’t know exactly what’s happening. This doomsday worship thing bothers me, and we might also gain some information related to the Calamity.”

Well, besides that, I also spoke that way simply because I was worried about Marianne’s reaction. Marianne blinked as she looked at me. Seeing her expression, I smiled slightly and turned my head. I started walking slowly again, and Marianne continued to follow, watching me.