Chapter 38 Part5 (1/2)
<chapter 38.=”” the=”” peddler=”” and=”” the=”” adventurer=”” -=”” 5=””>
According to the Pope of the Sun G.o.d religion, several religions existed on the surface. These religions each served a different G.o.d, and the most powerful of these religions was the Magic G.o.d religion, while the Sun G.o.d religion had declined the most.
There were also the subordinate G.o.ds who followed them. They flourished in some areas, so it was difficult to know about all of them.
”Several G.o.ds...”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo tilted his head as he listened to the Pope. If there were so many of them, then who had sent the heroes to the Underground Empire, and what were these other G.o.ds doing, despite the world being on the brink of destruction?
”You should stop there.”
But before Lee s.h.i.+n Woo voiced his concerns, the Pope spoke firmly and stopped him.
”Going any further is forbidden. You cannot question the reason for the G.o.ds' existences.”
”I suppose it's not important right now. It's that the influence of the Sun G.o.d religion has waned, is it not?”
”Exactly.”
The Pope nodded his head solemnly and added.
”It's embarra.s.sing, but we don't have enough people. The daylight, which occupies half the day, the radiance that fosters the growth of all creation, and the fire that accompanied the birth of civilization. We lack followers, even when our G.o.d reigns over all this...”
”I see. I was born in the countryside, so I'm not really knowledgeable on the subject.”
”...What's worse, our own followers are no exception. The remains of the Sun G.o.d Temple is essentially a symbol of our religion. Although the central pillar was stolen, we couldn't find the perpetrator. Does that make any sense?”
That was strange. He felt like he'd heard about this before. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo did his very best to reply as relaxed as he could, so that his anxiety wouldn't show.
”Your security must've been lax.”
”Though a part of it may be that the perpetrator was skilled, even so, our paladins were guarding the ruins, so no one should've been able to get through. We thought it may be a revelation from the Sun G.o.d, but... anyone with a brain could tell you it wasn't. It was truly humiliating.”
”...You went through a lot.”
While comforting the Pope, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was inwardly cursing. To think that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had paid Pleine 350 million Perium for stolen goods! The Pope, who couldn't come to know that the pillar had become a part of the t.i.tan Golem, sighed deeply and continued.
”We'll slowly decline and eventually be left as part of history. That's what we expected to happen to us. I thought that perhaps I would be the final pope. However, that's when you showed up.”
”It was perfect timing. The Sun G.o.d hasn't abandoned you all.”
”Haha, it does seem that way. The Sun G.o.d has given us one last chance.”
At this point, the two's eyes glimmered unusually. Now, they would get to the main point.
”I told you already, but our power has diminished significantly. But the fame and authority we've accrued over hundreds of years hasn't. If you're truly as skilled as you say, then we can give you wings. Will you help us revive our order?”
”You said it yourself, that your order has declined. I think it's too much to hope for one man to resurrect your order.”
”But keep this in mind. The moment people see you, they'll consider you the Sun G.o.d's hero. It's both authority and recognition. We can rise up again if we're given the chance. More firmly, and more radiantly than ever before.”
Then, the Pope added.
”You accepted the t.i.tle of the Sun G.o.d's hero. Obviously, the Emperor doesn't appoint people of the religious order. If you want to 'go far', then there's no other way than to align with us.”
”I'm confident that I can do it on my own. Hmm... But I suppose there's no reason to reject your offer.”
At that time, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo paused and acted like he was thinking deeply about it. However, he never intended to reject the Pope's offer. Since there was no better support in cementing his position than a religious order.
He wondered how much they could support him, but he would be able to find that out slowly, starting now.
”Alright. First off, please tell me more about the Sun G.o.d religion, as well as how you'd like to use me. In detail.”
”Ok, we'll do it your way. It'll definitely be a 'trade' that's worthwhile for the both of us.”
The Pope gave a presentation for the next 30 minutes or so. As he'd thought, the Pope had a progressive way of thinking and at the same time, looked at his religious order like a business. He was a good fit for Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, as he didn't believe in the Sun G.o.d.
”So, unconquered dungeons.”
Above all, the 'method' he suggested was something that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo approved of.
”Exactly. In this flouris.h.i.+ng Empire, there's only one thing that concerns the public: the unconquered dungeons. If our order actively conquers these dungeons, then your name, and by extension, ours, will became more widespread.”
”Indeed.”
He was right, as the matter with the dungeon countercurrent would indicate. Kuroa's Glory, which was protected by the golems and possessed plentiful food and a variety of industries... was an attractive commercial city, yet had been put in danger from a mere level 5 dungeon countercurrent. The reason Kay had become so popular and was called the Sun G.o.d's hero was because he had taken care of the dungeon countercurrent in such a short period of time.