<Chapter 85>
“Once those people migrate to the North, they’ll become Northerners, right?”
“That’s correct. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“I did want it. It’s good that they’ll become Northerners, but…”
In the novel, the Imperial Knights were annihilated by Temenos alone. Still, if they were integrated into the North’s forces, they’d be an asset rather than a liability.
So, when Viscount Khodchen asked me to allow them to migrate to the North, I accepted without hesitation. But now…
“If those people move to the North, who will pray to our God in the capital?”
“Does the location of the prayer really matter?”
“Of course, it matters!”
After all, I received a new Sub-Quest upon arriving in the capital.
Sub-Quest Triggered!
*Due to the heretical schemes of those who distorted history and usurped God’s name, the capital’s citizens pray to a false deity. The capital’s faith has hit rock bottom. Guide the citizens to pray to the true God and raise the capital’s faith to 1,000.
Reward: 1 Divine Oracle Token
[Accept/Decline]
The North, which was ignorant about God due to the absence of temples, was better in comparison. There, simply offering a prayer raised faith.
But the capital was under the influence of the Great Temple, a haven for heretics. As a result, the “God” that resided in the minds of the capital’s citizens wasn’t our true God. Offering prayers here would only benefit the heretics.
So, how could I guide the prayers of the capital’s citizens to our God?
After much thought, I recalled Bishop Roam’s pendant.
‘Right, if the heretics can make and distribute such pendants, there’s no reason I can’t do the same.’
Luckily, I had a wooden idol that Roam had carved for me before I left the North.
Wouldn’t prayers directed at that idol reach our God?
To test the idea, I imbued the idol with divine power and installed it in the townhouse chapel. What happened next was astonishing.
A consecrated idol has been installed. The Winstein Townhouse Chapel has become sanctified. Prayers offered in this chapel will reach God.
The capital’s faith rises. (+10)
It was a complete breakthrough.
I then asked the idle holy knights to carve wooden idols, imbuing one of them with divine power before handing it to Viscount Khodchen. He installed the idol in his chapel and, along with his wife, prayed there daily. Each time they prayed, the capital’s faith rose significantly.
‘It wasn’t just the viscount and his wife. Even their visitors raised faith when they prayed there.’
This confirmed one thing for me:
‘A medium is crucial when offering prayers.’
Perhaps that’s why the Pope emphasized it so much?
Ordinary believers were told they needed priests to offer prayers, and priests, in turn, needed pendants to do so. Thinking back to Bishop Roam, who refused to pray without his pendant, the Pope’s instructions must have been deeply ingrained—bordering on brainwashing.
‘The fact that Viscount Khodchen complied with my request suggests that the general public doesn’t hold such a rigid perception.’
In places without priests, people probably believed prayers wouldn’t reach God and thus didn’t bother praying.
‘In the end, overturning the Great Temple is key.’
I opened the Divine Message Window to check my current progress.
◆ Ultimate Objective: Save the World
◇ Current Objective: Raise Northern Faith to 10,000 | Confessions 9/10 | Holy Relics 0/3 | Raise Capital’s Faith to 1,000
*Northern Faith: 8,392
*Capital’s Faith: 178
*Familiar: Flurry (Hamster)
*Key Items in Possession: 3 Divine Oracle Tokens, Oracle Tablet
▼ Replay Divine Oracle
Ultimate Objective: Save the World……
Why does it feel so unattainable today?
I sighed unconsciously, glancing at Temenos, who was now mounted behind me.
‘This man… He’s supposed to be the one who destroys the world if things go wrong, right?’
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s not because you’re handsome, so don’t misunderstand.”
“A guilty conscience needs no accuser…”
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing. We’re leaving now, so stop talking, or you might bite your tongue.”
“Wait, wait. Before heading home, can we stop somewhere?”
As soon as I said it, I regretted it.
Would this man mistake it for a date invitation?
“Where are we going?”
Phew, at least he didn’t seem to take it the wrong way.
“The Great Temple.”
“The Great Temple? ……Why there?”
“I’ve never been, so I’m curious what it looks like.”
Eventually, I’ll have to venture into the tiger’s den to capture the tiger. It wouldn’t hurt to get a sense of the place beforehand.
“Are you planning to go inside?”
“I’m considering it. Do I need to make prior arrangements or anything to enter?”
“No such rules exist. While some areas are restricted to ordinary believers, anyone can enter the Grand Chapel. Except for one person.”
“One person? Who’s that?”
Temenos adjusted the reins, his gaze fixed on me.
I instantly realized the answer.
“You?”
“As a sinner punished by God, I’m forbidden from entering the Great Temple.”
His voice was calm, as though the fact didn’t bother him at all.
“If you wish to enter, you’ll have to go alone. But I won’t let you go in without trustworthy guards. Let’s save the visit for another time.”
“Um, how about just seeing it from afar? I don’t need to go inside, just a distant look.”
“Does that hold any meaning?”
“Not really, but… Fine. I’ll come with other guards next time.”
Since I wouldn’t enter, there was no need to insist. But Temenos seemed to interpret my words as disappointment.
After a brief silence, he sighed softly and nudged the horse forward.
“We’ll take a look from a distance.”
“Huh? No, it’s fine!”
“If someone recognizes you, stay quiet. I’ll handle it.”
“Dressed like this, no one will— Ahh!”
The horse suddenly picked up speed, and I bumped my head against Temenos’s chest.
‘Ow, ow…’
Rubbing my sore head, I felt his hand steadying me. He adjusted my posture, pressing me closer to his chest.
“Hold on tight. Don’t fall.”
“At this rate, I won’t fall even if I don’t hold on.”
I was grateful for his firm grip, which kept me stable, but his next words were laced with sarcasm.
“Excuses.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re oblivious.”
He shook his head, then sped up the horse again, forcing me to cling to him tightly. Above me, I heard a faint chuckle.
‘This man, seriously…!’
“Stop talking now. You’ll bite your tongue.”
“You’re the one talking!”
Before I could retort further, the jolting motion made me cling even tighter, and Temenos gently patted my head.
“You’re not used to riding, are you?”
“…I’ll learn! Just you wait and see!”
“Do you like it that much?”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
His teasing smirk made me want to hit him, but my hand would probably hurt more than his stone-hard body.
Fine, just wait until tonight. I’ll get my revenge then.
‘You’ll see! I’ll bite you so hard!’
<To be continued>
Brought to you by Gourmet Scans
Translator: Japchae
Editor: Maize
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Poor mc misunderstood as a pervert