It was about time for darkness to fall on the Underground World.
Before me stood a majestic structure made of dragon materials, Jiordal Cathedral.
This was the residence of Pope Golroana, and also the place where he performed his holy duties.
Standing at the entrance were myself, Arcana, Diedrich the Sword Emperor of Agatha, the Goddess of the Future Naphta, and Bishop Mirano, who had guided us here.
“This way, please.” Mirano said as he led us into the cathedral.
The ceiling was high, and inside were countless bonfires and pillars.
As we walked further and further in, a massive door eventually came into view.
Beside it stood rows of individuals clad in blue robes and armor, all offering their prayers.
Stopping in front of the door, the bishop slowly turned to face us.
“Beyond this Grand Holy Gate is the sacred sanctuary where the Pope offers prayers for our nation.” (Mirano)
Mirano then turned back to the gate, placing his hand upon it.
“Pope Golroana, I have brought the Demon King Anos of Dilhade and Diedrich, the Sword Emperor of Agatha. As well as Ahid, the fool who has defied the laws of Jiordal.” (Mirano)
Mirano’s astonishment when he saw Diedrich, Arcana, and Naphta at the same time was undeniable, but after what we showed him the previous day, he had quickly grown accustomed to such miracles. And without delay, he informed the Pope of our arrival.
True to his promise to set up a place for the meeting, he guided me here after the Festival of Sacred Song concluded without a hitch.
『Thank you for your efforts, Bishop Mirano.』
A voice echoed from beyond the Great Holy Gate.
It was an androgynous voice, difficult to distinguish as either male or female.
“As the Almighty Radiance wills.” Mirano responded, stepping away from the gate and joining the ranks of the holy knights who were quietly offering prayers beside it.
『Demon King Anos of Dilhade, Sword Emperor Diedrich of Agatha. I am Pope Golroana Delo Jiordal, one of the Selected Eight, and the one who was bestowed the title of Savior by my Selection God.』(Golronoa)
Golroana’s voice resonated without the gate being opened.
『I understand you seek an audience. May I ask your purpose?』(Golronoa)
Diedrich glanced in my direction.
“You can go first.” (Anos)
With that, Diedrich stepped forward and raised his voice.
“I am Diedrich Kreitzen Agatha, Sword Emperor of Agatha. Pope Golroana, you are already aware that Ahid, former cardinal of Jiordal, stole the royal dragon of Agatha, are you not?” (Diedrich)
『I am.』(Golronoa)
“Then you’ll need to make amends. Prove that Gioldar had no involvement in this matter. Show us that Ahide acted on his own in stealing the royal dragon, and that whatever judgment Agatha delivers upon him will be of no concern to you.” (Diedrich)
Diedrich displayed a placent smile.
“Otherwise, there’ll be war.” (Diedrich)
『That man, Ahide, has already been stripped of his baptismal name. He is no longer a clergyman whom the Church must protect. You may judge him according to the laws of your country, and I swear before my deity that doing so will not violate the doctrine of Jiordal.』(Golronoa)
“Wonderful.” (Diedrich)
Diedrich could see the future.
He must have predicted that Ahid would have already been stripped of his baptismal name
However, even knowing that, he still came here, likely because without hearing Golroana’s oath in person, a future where Ahid’s actions could be used as a pretext against them would e to pass.
Thinking about it that way, it was clear that the Pope was more than just someone who blindly believed in his god.
And at that moment, Ahid’s head, which I was holding, twitched slightly.
“Hyahah! Hyahahahahaha!” (Ahid)
A hideous, maniacal laugh erupted from his mouth.
“Pope Golroana! I have finally… finally made it to you! The moment has e for me to speak to you! Listen, and listen well! There is no god! That so-called Almighty Radiance Equis is nothing but a delusion created by the ancestors of the draconids!” (Ahid)
The surroundings fell into a stunned silence.
The clergymen standing beside the grand holy gate all cast disdainful glances at Ahid.
But it was Ahid himself who had the most hopeless look on his face.
“…Why… Why won’t this nightmare… end…?” (Ahid)
He had spread the word that there was no God to the people of Gioldar.
He had even told the head of the Church, the Pope, directly.
So at this point, there was nothing more he could do. ƒreewebηoveℓ.
『Ahie. Whatever spell has been cast upon you, I believe you have already realized the truth. This is not a dream. This is reality.』(Golronoa)
“…Rea… lity…?” Ahid muttered, as if he had lost all sense of the future.
He must have suspected it all along.
Yet he had desperately tried to turn away from the truth.
But now, he had reached his limit.
“…Is this… truly my reality…? Everything I’ve accumulated… My faith… My status…” (Ahid)
『God sees everything. Why it has e to this… is something you should ask yourself. All things e back to their source, as a matter of karmic retribution.』(Golronoa)
“This… cannot be…” (Ahid)
Even as I grabbed him by the back of his head, Ahid struggled and flailed.
When I tossed him aside, he rolled across the floor and desperately clung to the grand holy gate, pleading.
“Pope Golroana! Please, I beg for your forgiveness! You may have heard me renounce my baptismal name while I was imprisoned, but that was a lie! A lie! I did it because I thought it was all a dream! I truly believe in gods! I am a poor lamb who has been deceived by this Demon King of Tyranny! Please, grant me salvation…! I repent!” (Ahid)
His face was a mess of tears as he confessed to the Pope.
『Ahid, words of repentance are not to be spoken by one’s own mouth.』(Goloronoa)
Golroana’s voice was cold as ice.
“B-But… I truly am repenting…” (Ahid)
『Even in a dream, a true believer must have unwavering faith in God and continue to offer their prayers. Is that not correct?』(Golronoa)
“…It was all because of this Demon King of Tyranny! This devil, who tempted me…!” (Ahid)
『Your heart has always been free. Understand this: faith in god is not something to be declared with mere words. Even we can see your foolish nature, so how could you expect god not to see through your lies?』(Golronoa)
With this merciless response, Ahid’s face contorted with despair.
“W-Wait, plea—” (Ahid)
『You are hereby exmunicated. Never again shall you set foot on the land of Jiordal.』(Golronoa)
As Ahid stood there in shock, Diedrich grabbed him by the head and lifted him.
“You heard him. You’ll now be sacrificed as punishment for stealing our Royal Dragon.” (Diedrich)
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