Chapter 76

Chapter 76 – The Great Existence (6)

“Come on, let’s go. Sleeping can wait until everything is done.”

It didn’t take long for Leber to treat Maria’s father. Rather, it took longer to rush here by carriage from the city, which was somewhat distant.

Leber looked completely exhausted, as if he had poured all his strength into it, but the sight of the father and daughter joyfully crying was still worth it.

“But to think we have to go such a long way…”

“It’s okay. They said once I become a true Saintess, I can bring Dad back.”

Her father’s reaction was one of disbelief, having trouble believing that his daughter possessed some talent that had started from their distant ancestors, but Maria seemed to have made up her mind.

In a determined and unwavering attitude, she stated that she would follow us to the church. It could be a bit frustrating when her mental state was shattered, but perhaps due to her upbringing, she displayed a stubborn and mature demeanor that was not typical for her age.

“We have to hurry. According to the calculations, the church is already hosting a grand welcoming ceremony for the Saintess and the Hero.”

“Honestly, if you think about it, it doesn’t really matter that much.”

I scoffed at Patrick’s urging. The Church of Light, unlike what they believe, did not borrow power from an absolute being but was rather a church that had begun to possess a certain divinity adapted to the changed world after countless beliefs of many people throughout the ages.

The Hero and the Saintess they envisioned merely inherited power from their ancestors and were not entities that the church had the right to manage or control.

It was simply a customary law that had solidified over thousands of years.

“Are you implying that the authority the church claims over the Hero and the Saintess is a lie?”

Surprised, Leber’s eyes widened despite his fatigue. After all, as a powerful figure in the church who has been alive for ten thousand years, he knew that a single wrong word from me could shatter the authority the church held.

Of course, if I were to publicly denounce the church, they would attack me in self-defense, but honestly, I had no intention of attacking them in the first place.

“Calm down. The important thing is not the starting point but the process we’ve built. There are just a few things that need fixing. Besides, having multiple Saintesses in the same era is also a precedent, right?”

I reassured Leber. According to records, there had been instances where two or three Saintesses existed at the same time, so the church members wouldn’t go into a frenzy just because another Saintess appeared.

Perhaps those who were trying to swindle the Saintess might react differently.

“Maria is destined to follow in the footsteps of the First Saintess. Denying that is simply not an option. We have no choice but to press on.”

In the worst-case scenario, they could deny Maria by portraying her as a different entity from the existing Saintess, but I had no plans to remain silent if that happened.

The elves already knew my identity, and while it was troublesome, I would have to show myself once more.

“Are you really thinking of taking action yourself, Iriliana?”

“I know. I can’t just hide forever.”

On the way back, Arisa whispered softly with a tense look on her face. While she seemed worried, I had already made up my mind.

“This is a world-class matter. I have no choice but to step forward when necessary.”

I intended to act before a larger wildfire broke out. Since I was gradually becoming more involved in worldly matters contrary to my intentions, there were things I needed to let go of one by one.

“Patrick, Lila, and Rina, you three wait here. Your faces are already known, so if you go with me, the connection to Ethan will be revealed as well.”

There was no urge to open every link upfront.

The information network, funds, and minions that Ethan and his organization had were valuable hidden weapons that I could leverage. I had to conceal as much as possible if I could.

“There will be records of using the jump vehicle. Considering that, it wouldn’t matter much anyway…”

“That will be handled clandestinely by the spirits. If they can erase just a day’s worth of records, they won’t be able to track us.”

Leber scratched his head but I calmly responded, declaring my intention to commit sabotage, leaving my companions dumbfounded.

The jump vehicle is like an airplane, and the station where it can be boarded is like an airport. The records are akin to immigration control records. It would be harder for people not to be surprised by my statement about erasing those.

However, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the records managed by magic could be discreetly pulled out by the wind spirits. I already had the experience of breaking through magical and ritualistic protective measures with the help of spirits. If only the official records were wiped clean, they wouldn’t be able to pursue us.

“The best option would be for you to take Maria and suppress everything by yourself, Leber. Can you do that?”

“Honestly, I can’t be sure. We joined forces temporarily, but there are many within the church who seek to seize real power, so there will definitely be backlash.”

“This is truly a mess. They claim to believe in and follow a god, yet they are filled with greed for power.”

In a church that preaches the strength of faith, the greed for power was overwhelming. It’s not surprising given the immense benefits and authority that come from being the number one church that dominates the entire continent.

There are countless religions that cover the world without any special powers, so it is no wonder that with divine power and holy water, they would be even more voracious.

“Do your best. If things seem impossible, I’ll step in.”

For now, Leber decided to give it a try, but I instinctively felt that I would need to take action and tightly grasped Maria’s hand, who had laid her head on my shoulder and fallen asleep.

Maria, heading toward the church alone with nothing, had only us to support her. We had saved her father, but still, I had a sense of responsibility for getting her involved in this situation, pulling her from a stable life.

*

“Where in the world has Leber gone?”

“He must have urgent matters to attend to. More importantly, let’s hurry! We won’t be able to drink tomorrow, so ha-ha-ha!”

As Iriliana’s group rushed back, the church headquarters and the surrounding area were already bustling with a festive atmosphere.

It was the day the church had extensively promoted the arrival of the Hero and the Saintess. Once they awaken with the power of the holy water tomorrow, they will become a robust force for the church, dominating for a century.

“I’m a bit worried about that corruption issue, but conversely, it could allow us to spread our influence among other powers.”

No one had yet figured out how to purify corruption. However, they all speculated that it would surely be possible with the powers of the Hero and the Saintess.

If that came to fruition, the church would be able to wield immense power over other factions.

No one would dislike that. One of the duties entrusted to the church’s priests is precisely to expand their influence.

“The achievement of discovering both the Hero and the Saintess is monumental. Since they are still young and this is an unfamiliar place for them, it is essential to have a guardian.”

“They are destined to be the focal point of this church for decades. Can we just choose any guardian?”

Simultaneously, some of the priests were already dreaming of a glorious future. The dream of being able to seize real power within the church backed by the Hero and the Saintess.

If Leber, the number two who had just swept up the divisions while dealing with a chaotic situation, were present, he would surely have been infuriated. But now, Leber was absent for some perplexing reason.

“So, Kopelius, what are they like? You must have observed them for a few days now. Though they may not have been raised well, they should certainly have visible traits.”

“Of course, High Priest. The Hero is a serious and reticent person. Even now, he intends to stay quietly in his room until the ceremony. And the Saintess…”

Kopelius, who brought the Hero Ian and the Saintess Melissa, hesitated for a moment.

“The Saintess immediately began to rummage through the most expensive clothes and accessories as soon as she arrived in the room.”

“I see, that makes sense. Good.”

It was not surprising that Melissa was so absorbed in her turned life, behaving like a master as soon as she arrived.

She puts on a mask of propriety and acts arrogantly, but compared to these priests present, she was merely a very immature novice.

‘Rather, someone like her is easier to handle.’

For those who attempt to manipulate them like puppets, it’s those who thoroughly adhere to principles and gain respect from their surroundings that are more difficult to manage.

The cute diversions Melissa exhibited would merely appear as reins to control her in their eyes.

“I understand that you are happy, but everyone should drink in moderation. There can’t be any absence from tomorrow’s ceremony.”

Thus, the congratulatory banquet began to flourish. Just as a bomb they never anticipated was getting closer to the jump vehicle.