Chapter 604: Troubles of a Lifetime (2)

I didn’t contact Benignore in the first place.

If I said I would get Lucifer’s sword, she would be against it. I didn’t want to argue over what had already happened either. Instead, like in the last war with the Republic, after inhaling two Bomb of Light potions, I spoke of the prophecy.

It was an arbitrary act that completely excluded the opinions of the ones above.

I thought the feedback would come soon, but I couldn’t help but have doubts that they wouldn’t say anything by that point, considering a long time had already passed. Quests didn’t come down, and there was no response from the statue.

Perhaps she was admitting to her incompetence and trying to leave everything to me right then, but…

‘That’s ridiculous.’

Wasn’t Lucifer’s sword turned into a holy sword? I thought it was only proper for her to say something, whether it was something positive or negative.

‘Maybe she’s sorting out her position…’

They could have contacted the upper level because they didn’t think that this was a matter for them to judge. Otherwise, she might’ve been quiet because she had nothing to say.

Although Elune trash ruined everything, the responsibility fell on Benignore’s division in the end.

If she were ashamed, she wouldn’t even be able to question the current speculations, the most likely scenario was that she was being scolded by a superior.

‘That’s the most plausible reason…’

Even if one were the chairman or executive of a large company, they couldn’t know everything and see everything. My guess was believable, considering that the superiors were managing not only the dimension Benignore was in charge of but also other dimensions.

Even if one was a passionate chairman, would they be able to pay attention to the numerous affiliates?

‘Even Lucifer said she became interested in this continent only recently…’

It was natural that the light faction, which had relatively more work to do than Lucifer, would be so busy that they could no longer enjoy their hobbies properly. Perhaps they had heard the news that Lucifer’s sword appeared.

Whistleblower? Or it might’ve been that they had seen a shocking sight while they coincidentally came to inspect the realm.

From Benignore’s perspective, she wouldn’t have had time to cope with the sudden situation, and eventually all the karma she had accumulated so far…

‘Was she driven into the corner?’

I wanted to hear the whole story of how things went, but… For the time being, there was nothing I could do but trust her.

“Would it be better to go to the statue one more time…?”

Still, as we had been working together for a long time, should I ask her regarding my concern once more? It didn’t feel like a bad idea to visit her before I left.

If things above didn’t go well, there was a possibility of getting backstabbed. Hence, it was better to prepare for it ahead of time…

As soon as I started thinking about it, Pope Basel greeted me.

Immediately after seeing me from a distance, I smiled without knowing when I saw him running hurriedly.

“Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung!”

“Pope Basel! You were here. I was about to go meet you.”

“Is it necessary for the Honorary Cardinal to come in person? If you had contacted me in advance, I would have visited you myself… You’re not feeling well yet, so come here. I’ll help you.”

“Hahaha. That’s okay, Pope Basel. I am grateful for your concern, but I am very healthy.”

“Hmm… If so, that’s fortunate… I don’t feel comfortable seeing you overdoing it these days.”

“This is all for the continent and Benignore. It’s a little difficult right now, but I believe she’ll recognize my efforts someday.”

“If Benignore isn’t aware of your efforts, who will? How about having a cup of tea instead of standing like this here?”

“Ah… Unfortunately, I have some urgent work, so I think I have to go back to the 5th District.”

“You could go after a few more days…”

“I also want to be here with Benignore and Pope Basel, but… as you know, the responsibilities given to me are of utmost importance…”

“I guess you came to visit Benignore…”

‘Don’t get disappointed, Pope Basel.’

“I’ll come to visit here often. There’s no need to be saddened.”

“Oh, right… I guess you have no choice.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I have no choice but to focus solely on my work.”

“Don’t be so sorry, Honorary Cardinal. How could I not know that the role of Chairman is also important?”

“I’ll stop by exactly one week later, Pope Basel.”

“Yes, you should. I don’t know if I’m disturbing you too much. You can go. Benignore will also be waiting for you.”

“Yes.”

Although he was a little better than before, I certainly noticed sorrow on his face. I knew it would be nice to have a cup of tea with him, but I had to avoid it because it was like wasting half the day.

Of course, it’s been a long time since I paid attention to him… so I felt inclined to arrange a meeting soon. Archbishop Jaina and Director of Inquisition Helena would also be included.

‘No matter how urgent my work is…’

I had to take time to tend to my relations.

If I had judged that the connection wasn’t important enough to prevent gradually becoming distant, I wouldn’t have made it in the first place.

On the way to the place where the statue was enshrined, I was eased by the small talk I had with Pope Basel. First of all, I was most relieved by the fact that the light side wasn’t hostile to me yet.

‘No, they wouldn’t.’

I didn’t know about the other priests, but Pope Basel and Light Kiyoung were united in faith.

Even if Pope Basel heard from above that the Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung was a fake, he would most likely just treat the voice as a whisper of a demon.

Perhaps Benignore and the others had similar thoughts.

They realized that the continent’s religious system, including the Benignore Church, couldn’t be established without going through the human named Lee Kiyoung.

That was why they had no choice but to be friendly to me. Except for the scout, they realized that the continent’s fate was in the hands of the light.

“It doesn’t matter. This time, I went a bit too far. I need to talk to them about it.”

It was not like I couldn’t hear her voice because she was upset, but as much as I had done something, I had to place equal groundwork in.

‘There’s no problem between us, right? No, let’s start with what’s happening above for now. It’s frustrating because there’s no feedback.’

I quietly looked at the statue and talked, but I couldn’t hear her voice.

‘I’m sure that something has gone wrong.’

I could be sure that if she were in a troubled situation, that would give my hypothesis even more strength. In the end, I had no choice but to go back due to the situation.

It was then that bright light emanated from the statue.

‘What?’

I was a little confused.

The shape gradually forming was far from Benignore’s appearance.

The goddess’s look with braided hair on one side and hanging over her shoulders didn’t match any other god’s figure on the continent.

I was dumbfounded.

‘I’ve never witnessed this.’

[Nice to meet you, Lee Kiyoung.]

‘Ah… yes.’

Although it was a bit awkward, I was more curious than embarrassed.

I naturally wondered where all the gods like Benignore, Lauren, and had never seen in my life was in front of me, and why was she looking at me with such a friendly smile?

‘At least, they didn’t backstab me… Is she a superior? Maybe from their higher-ups?’

[I am not the kind of superior that you think. Oh, excuse me. It seems like my introduction is too late. I didn’t expect you to come to find me first like this… Let me introduce myself. I am Nelia, the goddess who will be in charge of this continent in the future on behalf of Benignore.]

‘What?’

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

[The existing gods, including Benignore, Lauren, are currently being investigated because it has been discovered that they have been involved in various events. From above, they determined that there needs to be a goddess to manage the continent in the meantime, so I took over for Benignore. It may be sudden, but I look forward to working with you.]

‘I beg your pardon?’

[I think you must have been frustrated by the lack of communication.]

‘I was frustrated, but… is that why you came?’

[If it’s about my abilities, you don’t have to worry. I’m not showing off, but my achievements are among the best from above…]

‘No, I understand that… Of course, someone who’s capable must have come. But what I’m curious about is not Nelia’s performance, how good you were at the end-of-the-month tests, or how well you studied. Why the hell is Benignore under investigation? And why did you come? I definitely came to visit Benignore…’

[Many matters are complicatedly interconnected, so it is difficult to speak of them all in detail… They are probably being investigated for what Lee Kiyoung is thinking of. I know what you’re worried about. However, it does not change the diplomatic relations of the continent right away. For the time being, all the gods of the continent, including Benignore, will be forcibly detained, and I will take measures so that I can use the situation for the continent’s betterment.]

‘You’re going to reform everyone’s religion. Does that include all the Churches on the continent, even the Benignore Church? Midway through the continent’s history, you’d open an incident that would force her to change religious affairs… And when the Benignore Church’s name disappears from the people’s memory, the Nelia Church will be launched and will absorb all the existing believers.’

[You pick up quickly. You are as I exactly heard from the superiors. If you wish, the direction of operating this continent by creating the Lee Kiyoung church yourself after 2000 years can be made possible. Of course, attached as options, and the most representative condition is Kim Hyunsung’s recruitment…]

What I expected became a reality.

‘Wow…’

It was really flustering.

It was hard to keep listening to Nelia’s voice, who was talking with excitement. It was clear that everything turned out to be true, considering she talked passionately about the merits, benefits, and conditions that could be obtained in joining them.

[This is not the only thing we can guarantee. Whatever the conditions Lucifer gave you…]

Of course, she was also aware that I had met Lucifer.

‘I guess she really is the best student.’

This was a reasonable proposal with a different level from Benignore, an icon of incompetence.

She gave a presentation based on clear data, making me feel like I was listening to a top employee of a large company trying to win a contract. She had a sense of responsibility as if she properly grasped the meeting’s importance.

In fact, that goddess’s proposal wasn’t bad either.

It wasn’t all that impossible to naturally decline the Benignore Church and inject the Nelia Church after everything had gone well.

It would take a little time, and it would be extremely bothersome, but in extreme cases, I could proceed in the direction of causing a religious war…

Regardless, there were many means to do what had to be done.

The question was whether to accept Nelia instead of Benignore.

I couldn’t tell what was right.

Of course, Benignore was indeed incompetent, but she had been working hard trying to keep up with me. The goddess in front of me seemed to have power, but it felt like we didn’t click in the slightest.

Even though I couldn’t confirm the information with my Mind’s Eyes, I felt something just by looking at her appearance. Considering how she was talking like that right at that moment, wasn’t she likely to follow the principle even if it meant her death?

I actually thought she had nothing to be troubled about, but it felt like two options were coming to my mind.

[A. Discard Benignore.]

[B. Embrace Benignore.]

‘Ah… The situation is more troublesome than I thought.’