“If only the church we live in was a bit farther away, things might be different.”
For example, if we lived on some far-off island, far enough that you couldn’t go back and forth without a plane or a long journey from Seoul, it would certainly take a few more days. Not that it would take forever since it’s not that big of a country.
But unfortunately, the church I live at is located well within Seoul.
There’s only a light rail in the neighborhood, and even that station isn’t very close to the church, making it oddly a dead zone for transportation. But still, it’s in Seoul.
Even if all the subway and bus lines were suddenly paralyzed, the walk would only take a bit over two hours, so it’s a place we can visit or call without any pressure from either side.
“It’s amazing you’ve never met a Cardinal, being a Saint Candidate and all.”
“Well, I wrote to the Cardinal right after becoming a Saint Candidate.”
“Ah, that was the time, huh?”
Logically speaking, someone who’s a Saint Candidate would be pretty devout. Those in such positions hardly have incentive to fight with the clergy.
Not that it means there’s no conflict at all. Being a relatively new religion, they often have disputes about rules, and there are also some crimes and financial exchanges occurring within.
But nonetheless, the shared value they have under their belief in the same God still holds. Even if they fight, it’s internal conflict, not a fundamental denial like mine.
Exactly. To put it simply, I didn’t start a fight for a legitimate reason; I just fired off a jab.
Telling a religious person there’s no God is like saying, “Actually, you don’t have parents.”
…Now that I think about it, I suppose it’s understandable they’d get mad, but from my perspective, that “parentless” state seems to be the truth.
“So, most of the support you receive as a Saint Candidate is gone?”
“I didn’t even realize I was still in the position of being a Saint Candidate.”
I sighed deeply.
Like last time when we went up the mountain, we were in a shaking vehicle.
This one was slightly different from the last vehicle. If I had to describe it, it felt like a mini-bus I’d ridden during my military days in my past life.
It seemed rather ordinary for a car carrying a Saint Candidate, but then again, no special perks were coming my way just yet.
It’s a relief that where we’re heading isn’t still “confirmed.”
“What would you do if you regained your rights or became a Saint?”
“…Well, I haven’t really thought about it.”
Honestly, even now, I have this sense that declaring I’m without God right in front of the Cardinal would solve everything.
Hmm, rather than that, it might actually feel reassuring if there were a lot of people who didn’t like me like those sisters over at our church.
“You really are something else.”
I couldn’t think of how to respond to that.
In this world, saying I’m something else isn’t entirely incorrect.
*
The Myeongdong Cathedral looked exactly the same as the one in the world where I used to live in Seoul.
In fact, it was one of the absorbed parts when the perspectives on religion unified in this world. However, unlike the cathedral I was familiar with, various buildings had been constructed around it. They tried to match the brick colors and designs as much as possible, but due to the different years they were built, there were slight discrepancies.
The religious order has its own army of sorts. Of course, it’s hugely different from the “army” of a country, being a very specialized and purpose-limited force. The term “Knight Order” is used instead of ‘army’ because it’s a word not generally heard outside of fantasy novels.
That said, those “Knights” weren’t just wandering around in armor. Unless it’s truly work-related, they dress like regular sisters, clergy, or in their priest outfits.
“…Phew.”
This was the first time I was seeing a place in this world.
Since in my past life it was a building related to a religion that was completely at odds with my principles, I had never considered it a landmark or tourist site, but in this world, Myeongdong Church is also something of an administrative office. Honestly, it felt a bit oppressive.
As I took a step forward after getting off the bus, Ria gave me a quick tap on the shoulder.
“I’ll go in first.”
Was she worried I’d blurt out something silly in front of the Cardinal?
…Well, thinking in terms of this world’s common sense, she’d actually be right.
I quietly stepped back behind Ria without saying a word.
Ria walked ahead as if it were second nature, and I quietly followed her.
I could feel eyes turning towards us. However, this place in this world seemed more like an administrative office than a tourist site; most of the people passing by were dressed like government officers or were quite obviously clergymen.
Just before entering the cathedral, a person came out to wait for us.
“Sister Sophie?”
Unlike the last time we saw each other on the mountain, this time she was with a tall woman dressed like Ria in a sister uniform, and the Saint Candidate was there waiting.
So, this must mean she was one of those who either snitched on me or was informed about me.
“Sister Anna, we were waiting for you.”
Gone was the cocky air she had when we first met. It was as if she had changed her thoughts upon witnessing what I do.
“Shall we go in? Is it okay if I guide you?”
“…….”
Ria and I exchanged a glance and then followed her inside.
*
This place, being one of the most symbolic locations of the church in this country, obviously had a convent inside. There was likely a monastery not too far away, too.
Surprisingly, the kids from this church convent seemed to run around quite well.
“Oh, Sister!”
The children looked to be around elementary school age, but they still used that title. I mean, I was also taught to speak like that when I was little.
“Hello, Sister!”
Sister Sophie greeted the kids with a gentle smile, waving lightly as they bounced up to her, but as soon as they spotted Ria and me, they came to a halt.
“Ah, there’s no need to be cautious. This sister is also a Saint Candidate like me, Sister Anna.”
“Ah, yes.”
I took a somewhat awkward step forward.
Hmm.
It seems that because of the way I usually talk, the people in our church didn’t want me mingling with the little kids. It’s somewhat like preventing a delinquent from getting too close.
“Sister Sophie.”
One of the kids quickly rushed over to Sophie.
Seeing as if that kid had something to say, Sophie leaned slightly down towards him to listen.
The child brought one hand to the side of Sophie’s ear and whispered.
“Sister, your outfit is strange…”
Even though he was whispering, it was certainly loud enough for my ears to hear.
“…….”
Uh, um.
I rolled my eyes.
Well, that’s true; I do tend to wear a pretty unique outfit compared to the other sisters.
While Ria would at least casually wear a veil, I completely wore outfits that emphasized my figure. The kids might indeed find that a bit strange.
“Don’t worry.”
Sister Sophie calmly replied.
“Clothing may not be that important.”
“No, no.”
I waved my hands quickly to deny that.
“But it’s essential to teach properly when teaching. You can relax later on.”
“Is that so?”
Sophie looked up at me with a surprised expression.
“That’s… yes.”
I wanted to try and persuade her logically, but at the moment, I had nothing to say. After all, I started dressing this way out of irritation from what that one guy said.
“Sister, Sister.”
Another child approached me, staring intently.
“Why is your hair a different color?”
Pointing to the highlights in my hair, the kid’s question made me curious again.
“Well, maybe it splashed some tteokbokki sauce?”
Ria, watching from the side, jumped in with amusement.
“Then, did you wrap your hair in tteokbokki sauce?”
I blurted that out instinctively but quickly shut my mouth. After all, it’s a bit much to fight around kids.
Ria chuckled, evidently finding my inability to respond vigorously amusing.
“Are you a Saint Candidate?”
Since I didn’t get mad or anything, maybe they figured they could get closer, as another child approached me.
“Then, do you talk to the gods and stuff?”
“…….”
I opened my mouth and closed it again.
Normally, I would have immediately said no, but—
I’m a rational and logical person, but I’m not a psychopath.
I wouldn’t be so heartless as to tell a child Santa Claus wasn’t real.
While the story of saints and gods communicating isn’t an official one from the scripture, it’s still a widespread folk tale. The short history of the church hasn’t allowed “rules” or “theories” to solidify into common knowledge, making some people genuinely believe it’s true.
If there were someone my age standing in front of me, I’d have said it, but looking at these kids with sparkling eyes, I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“…What about you, Sister Sophie?”
I turned away quickly, unable to answer.
Sophie, who had been watching me with considerable interest all along, gathered her hands in a prayer-like gesture and said,
“God always shows me the way.”
That was a clever answer.
There was even a bright light radiating from her hands and behind her head. Not as much as I could muster, but still.
“Do you too? Do you show the way to each other?”
“…….”
This time, the question came back to me.
Ria, standing nearby, bit her lip to stifle her laughter. I could tell from her eyes that it seemed like she was learning something here.
She couldn’t possibly be thinking of exploiting this in the future, could she?
As I hesitated for an answer, I suddenly spotted an old man approaching from the corner of my vision.
Leading a group of other clergymen and dressed in a design different from regular priests, that person was—
“Cardinal!”
Without realizing it, I raised my arm and shouted.
Everyone around me, including Sophie and Ria, was startled.
“Ah.”
Thinking about it, isn’t the title of Cardinal unique to this country?
In terms of the church, he’s at the top in this country.
And I’ve already sent him a jab in a letter.
Looking at the Cardinal’s face, which was gazing at me blankly, I felt beads of sweat breaking out on my forehead.