Episode 154 – The Light of the Goddess
by Afuhfuihgs
*
The five platinum towers symbolizing the Theoro Papal State stood majestic and dignified, seemingly unshaken by the chaos of the world.
The breathtaking figure of this massive structure, which one couldn’t even tell whether to call it a work of art or a building, seemed to give viewers a glimpse of the divine perspective, making all the problems of the human world seem trivial.
The tower, with its elaborate and detailed sculptures proudly displaying their beauty, yet towering high and massive with such dense decorations, looked extremely solemn and majestic.
However, that was merely the artistic aesthetic of the architecture.
Art could broaden a person’s perspective and instill strong inspiration in their mind, but it couldn’t solve the existential problems an individual was experiencing.
After the banquet at Baron Salvier’s, Edward, Mela’s son, who had fled the city as if running away and was staying at this beautiful Theoro Papal State, was suffering in this terrible situation that tormented him.
,That person…?
,…I didn’t see it that way,
,Is it okay to bring the Demon King’s seed into the Papal State?
,Hey, he’s looking, be quiet, you might get cursed.
,Let him look, how dare he be arrogant under this Theoro Papal State,
The nuns walking down the hallway whispered as they saw Edward approaching from the opposite side.
Perhaps because the hallway was so wide,
Their whispering voices echoed through the hallway, reaching Edward’s ears with an absurdly clear sound.
It was as if they were doing it on purpose for him to hear.
However, Edward could only lower his head and hurry his pace.
Even though he had rushed straight here, securing the fastest carriage for a distance that would normally take several days, the news that Robin had become the Demon King had already spread to the Papal State, as if words travel a thousand *ri* without feet. Edward was tormented by people’s slander from the very first day he arrived at the Papal State.
However, Edward endured it silently.
He had already become accustomed to this level of criticism, even though it hadn’t even been a week since he arrived at the Papal State.
Considering that he was now paying the price for having lived with more favorable attention than his peers because he was the son of a Saintess, it wasn’t unbearable.
Edward constantly repeated to himself.
,They’re just scared. The Demon King’s son is in the Papal State; if I didn’t know the situation, I’d be scared too, so it’s not their fault. Edward…
Edward repeated that to himself, then walked with his waist bent and his head lowered, clutching the blue shoulder epaulets tightly.
The nuns’ whispering, which had been quiet when they passed Edward, became more scathing and started again as soon as they turned their backs on him.
Edward tried not to hear their voices by reciting prayers in his head, but it was useless.
Despite being a priest with the divine power of protection, his divine power did not protect him from the gazes and criticisms pouring down on him.
,I just have to endure it. Then Tessa and Dena will have no problem living here. If I just endure it. If I just,
Edward’s footsteps stopped in front of a large door.
He had been living in this Papal State ever since he decided to become a priest, but this was a door he hadn’t dared to even look at until he wore this blue-collared priest’s robe.
The one was waiting behind it.
Cold sweat broke out from the tension.
The sound of swallowing a large gulp of saliva, as big as the thick beads of sweat, echoed through the hallway.
He could accept discipline and even excommunication.
But he had to ask that his two younger sisters be protected and raised here.
Edward steeled himself and opened the door.
,Edward, priest of the Blue Guardian. I greet His Holiness the Pope, the teaching and precept of the Goddess.
The sight of the audience chamber, filled with stained glass and shimmering with colorful light from the arched ceiling, was the same as he had seen before, but now it only looked like an ominous undulation in Edward’s eyes.
He forced his gaze to follow the golden carpet, where he saw His Holiness the Pope sitting.
Edward closed his eyes tightly and slowly walked in.
,Edward.
Pope Elysee’s voice called Edward’s name directly.
Edward barely managed to stand, enduring the crushing pressure that made him feel like he was about to faint.
The fact that His Holiness the Pope was calling him by his name from the start, rather than with the usual greeting about the Goddess’s light, was a clear anomaly.
Conversely, it also meant that the situation was so serious that he didn’t care about such formalities.
Edward said in a trembling voice.
,Ugh… I, I greet you under the light of the Goddess…
,…
Elysee looked down at Edward without a word.
Edward, who had his head bowed, couldn’t see her expression and was very anxious.
This silence was very painful.
Ah, I see.
His Holiness the Pope also shuns me.
Edward closed his eyes tightly.
Even if he was misunderstood as a heretic, or even a remnant of the Mazoku, and tortured to death, he had to protect his younger sisters.
Of course, Tessa and Dena might also be treated the same way he was.
However, no matter how much discriminatory and contemptuous gazes they received, it would be better than being thrown into the hands of citizens who were confused by the resurrection of the Demon King.
Those two were girls, weren’t they?
At least here, they could avoid terrible humiliation.
Edward opened his mouth without waiting for the silent Pope to speak.
,I have already told the Inquisitors everything I know about my father Robin’s evil deeds and the terrible resurrection of the Demon King. A high-ranking priest with the miracle of discerning truth has also confirmed it.
,…
,…Hah, but, if you order it, I am ready to give up my position at any time.
,Hmm…
,I, who was born from the seed of that person who deceived the citizens, corrupted the Saintess, and eventually harbored great evil myself…
Edward’s throat tightened for a moment, but he held back and continued.
,…I swear under the light of the Goddess that I will not harbor even a shred of resentment or complaint even if you punish me.
,…
,Instead, please do not punish my two younger sisters for the sins of my parents and siblings. I, I dare not ask for anything in return, but,
,Edward, priest of the Blue Guardian.
,… Speak, *hasoseo*.
Elysee gently interrupted Edward and spoke in a voice filled with pity.
,You look anxious every time you see me… I suppose I lack virtue.
Edward was startled.
Come to think of it, last time he was worried that he had upset His Holiness the Pope because of Jennifer’s matter,
Could it be that his anxious appearance every time he stood before her, who was considered the most merciful of all the Popes, had hurt her feelings?
Edward bowed his head even deeper and shook it from side to side as he spoke.
,… N, not at all.
,It was ultimately I who allowed the marriage of the Saintess, which even the cardinals, all the priests from various fields, and even the kings of each country opposed. So if there is any sin, I would be the greatest.
,…
,But, Mela at that time was very anxious and seemed like she was about to collapse. No, she was collapsing. I wanted that child to regain hope. I thought that the arms of a loved one, rather than the shackles imposed by the position of Saintess, would set up that collapsed child.
,… It was a merciful judgment.
,Maybe so, but if all of that was played out in the palm of evil, my heart becomes heavy,
,…
,It’s not that I’m hurt because I was deceived, but I’m hurt because I feel sorry for that child who had her life stolen.
,…Your Holiness,
,I will not blame you. Edward. But I will not stop the words that slander you.
Edward wondered why she acknowledged that he was not guilty but was trying to leave him in a situation where he was being criticized, but he nodded, thinking that it was good enough that it ended here.
Elysee seemed to read Edward’s mind and slowly opened her mouth.
,You, the generation that has not lived through the era of the Demon King, may not properly understand the fear that the name of the Demon King brings to humans, but it is a fear that is so vast and distant, yet so close and real.
Edward recalled the two statues in Sioland Square that had disappeared overnight.
Certainly, if there was an entity that unleashed such attacks as an enemy, it would be a scary thing.
Moreover, many citizens of Flavis, even his own mother Mela, were among those who had their hometowns destroyed by monsters.
Edward nodded as if he understood, and Elysee looked down at Edward and continued.
,All those criticisms towards you are just each person’s way of overcoming that fearful feeling, so please understand… You can’t punish someone who is scared. At least, in the name of the Pope who proclaims the light of the Goddess…
,… I understand.
,Your younger sister… one has just turned seven, and the other is blind… When I think about the future those children will face, I also feel sorry… I’m a lousy Pope, but I can only pray that there will be many great people under me.
Edward raised his head for the first time at those words.
,Th, that means…
Elysee smiled gently and said.
,They’re cute children. I understand why their *oppa* is trying so hard.
,… Th, thank you.
,Yes, the Papal State will take those children in. But I can’t give them special treatment. They will grow up with the other children in the Papal State’s orphanage. I will tell the nuns and priests who work as teachers in the orphanage not to harm those children, but you know that I can’t interfere with the conflicts that arise between the children.
,Thank you! Thank you so much!
,Of course, there is a price.
Edward straightened his posture again and bowed his head at the suddenly cold voice of His Holiness.
Price.
Among the words spoken by those in power, there seemed to be no more terrifying word than that.
But it didn’t matter what the price was.
She had said that she would not punish him, but he was old enough to understand that he had to be broken in order to appease the dissatisfaction of the other priests.
If he had to show sincerity to His Holiness the Pope, who had already shown him so much undeserved mercy, he could even give up his life.
To Edward, who had steeled himself with such resolve, Elysee said in a firm voice, as if her previous gentle voice had been a lie.
,Edward. You are dismissed from the Inquisitors. You will never become a cardinal or a high-ranking priest in the future. You will be busy working as part of the Goddess Church forever, but your position will never change from where it is now. And of course, I will not recognize any resignation other than excommunication.
Elysee’s words were virtually the same as telling him to become a slave to the church for the rest of his life.
Moreover, to live as a cog in the lowest rung of the church for the rest of his life without promotion.
It meant that he might be called out as a combat priest on the battlefield or assigned to a remote hermitage or a dilapidated church, living like a dead man for the rest of his life.
Edward was surprised by Elysee’s firm voice and asked with a bewildered expression.
,That…
,Hmm?
,Is that all? Just that?
Elysee smiled and said.
,Why, did you think I was going to peel off your skin or something?
,…Ah, thank you so much. Your Holiness… really…
As the tension was released, Edward felt as if everything he had swallowed until now was coming up from his throat at once.
Tension, fear, worry, and gratitude.
Since he couldn’t possibly vomit in front of His Holiness the Pope, he clenched his teeth and struggled to endure it, and all of those things passed through his throat, pierced through the inside of his nasal bridge, and soared even higher.
And then it fell as tears.
,Ga… *geuk*, *eut*… Thank you… Your… Holiness…
Elysee looked at Edward with affection and gestured.
,Go out as soon as you’ve calmed down. I’ll hear from the other Inquisitors about the Demon King matter.
*
After Edward left, the Pope let out a sigh.
It was because she herself was still a young child who had not even reached the age of 16 when she was recognized as a Saint, and seeing Edward trying to protect his two younger sisters, she felt a surge of pity.
But the situation did not turn out so easily.
It was obvious that there would be more than one or two priests who would object to her decision.
Elysee slowly raised her hand.
A youthful hand.
The moment one becomes Pope, one receives the blessing of being distanced from aging and disease, but one’s lifespan does not increase.
Elysee could vaguely sense that she would soon die.
She didn’t know what problems might arise for them after she died, but she couldn’t protect them from that as well.
No matter how good the intention, she had lived long enough to realize that trying to interfere with things after death as a human being with a limited lifespan would cause many problems.
The affairs of the living must be resolved by the living.
No, at least it is the job of the person who is consciously standing in that position to resolve it.
,Isn’t he a child who didn’t tarnish your name?
In this audience chamber where the light of the stained glass shone without a gap, the only shaded part was the back of the huge chair she was sitting on.
As soon as Elysee finished speaking, a black figure appeared in that shadow in an instant.
,…
,If you’ve already paid the price, please let go of your anger.
,Are you trying to preach even to monsters?
,Because we all know that the Hero needs someone to teach him.
,…Hah, a Hero.
,The Holy Sword has chosen you.
Elysee called his name.
,Edward.
,… I came to return that damn Holy Sword.
,Do you want to become a corpse and rot and collapse?
,I want to die. I want to stop now.
,You have to take responsibility for releasing the Demon King into the world.
Ed scoffed at Elysee’s words and said.
,Responsibility…
,You told me before Priest Edward came, so I already know. Your unjust death that the world turned away from. We are paying the price for that.
,But ordinary citizens are innocent. If you’re going to spout such bullshit, stop it. Your Holiness the Pope.
Elysee smiled and said.
,Isn’t it true that they are innocent?
,Then what crime did I commit? The crime of seducing the Saintess?
,Do you think it’s right to plunge other people into misfortune just because you met an unjust death?
,At least it was refreshing.
,Hehe, our new Hero is quite honest.
,I’m trying not to become like some *sshipssae* who is good at lying.
Elysee nodded and said.
,The Holy Sword is just a tool. A tool that chooses its own master to protect humanity from monsters. The reason Robin became a Hero is because the Holy Sword judged that he was the most suitable person to catch the Demon King. And the reason the Holy Sword chose you is the same.
,Do you think I’m going to kill Ulgaros… my friend?
Elysee shook her head at Edward’s words and said.
,No. But you can be friends with him for a long time. While protecting humans.
,Hah,
,Edward, wasn’t it the Goddess’s will for you to become an Undead, 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗어나 벗
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