Chapter 68

Chapter 6 In the Name of Glory (4)

***

People were bustling around the cathedral building like a swarm of ants. Each of them was holding wooden brooms or cloths, diligently cleaning, and as a result, the pristine white building stood majestically without a single trace of the flood.

Ding-

“Oh, Latula, Ro Haram.”

“Latula. Grant us rest….”

While the professor was momentarily admiring the grand scene, a deep and resonant bell toll echoed from beneath the ground. As the believers marveled at the sound that seemed to vibrate through their entire bodies and prayed towards the sun, the professor noticed small, regularly spaced holes around the building.

“I don’t know why they made it this way, but I have to admit it’s a fascinating structure. Every time the bell tolls, the ground seems to vibrate with it, making you feel like you’re part of some grand ceremony.”

- Speed Wagon: Almost all buildings of the Church of Light are constructed this way. Instead of just stimulating the ears with the sound, they stimulate both the ears and the sense of touch with the sound and vibration, making a strong impression with the bell toll.

- NoruDrug: What’s that supposed to mean? So, if the bell tolls from underfoot, people remember it better than if they just hear it?

- Speed Wagon: Think of a fresh orange. When you think of an orange, you can imagine its scent. Conversely, when you smell the orange, you can picture it. The more types of stimuli associated with an object, the more ways you have to recall it. This naturally leaves a deeper impression.

- takealook: You mean, if I understand this, they’ll treat me like a brother? That’s some serious shit.

- Speed Wagon: Anyway, this architectural style is a well-thought-out design. If they can instill a strong impression, it leads to strong faith, which ultimately strengthens the church. Of course, there are other reasons for burying the bell underground. Religious organizations in this world often use underground facilities. There’s a theory that hearing the bell toll so intensely in the underground prison purifies the souls of sinners.

- Mukaba: Ah, someone who recently played a priest confirmed it. It’s not a joke, it’s a fact. He was serving a high priest and heard screams from beyond the stairs leading underground every time the bell tolled. He said it made him feel pleased and smile. From outside, the screams sounded like part of the bell toll, making it even more mysterious. The player packed his bags and left the temple that day.

“Ugh... disgusting.”

That’s enough. The more I listen, the more the priests who are cheerfully distributing bread at the entrance seem like monsters. I have to go to them soon and say, ‘I’m the one you’re looking for.’ I might end up being the main character in that underground prison.

The professor tried to ignore the bad thoughts that were creeping up and approached one of the smiling priests. He couldn’t avoid the Church of Light. One of the largest churches in GG, it plays a significant role in the war against the Mutes due to the necessity of holy spells in treating infected individuals. He would encounter church members multiple times while fighting the Mutes, and it was better to resolve things quickly and amicably now rather than run and face greater suspicion later.

The female priest, who had been shaking hands with the grateful believers, turned to the professor with a sunny smile and asked.

“Latula, Ro-Haram! May the light be with you today. Brother, do you need the light’s assistance?”

“Ah, yes. I... I have sinned and wish to confess in the name of Ro-Haram...”

As the professor spoke hesitantly with an uneasy expression, the female priest’s smile grew even brighter, a smile that could calm anyone’s fears, and she took his hand.

“You’ve made a wonderful choice, Brother! While you can hide from the world’s eyes, there is no place where the light of Ro-Haram does not reach. He already knows of your sins. All you need to do is confess them to Him and unburden your heart.”

It was clear that this female priest was genuinely pleased that the professor had decided to confess.

‘Such a kind person. She probably smiled and giggled when she was born!’

“Not like this, but you should go inside quickly, Brother! We will help you unburden your heart as soon as possible.”

“T-thank you.”

“Haha, it’s my pleasure. Latula, Ro-Haram.”

“...Latula, Ro-Haram.”

The professor followed the female priest, repeating the church’s holy phrase, “Latula, Ro-Haram,” as he stepped inside the open door of the cathedral.

***

Unlike the bustling outside, the inside of the cathedral was eerily quiet, as if some magical force had blocked out all external sounds. Following the church’s teaching that “light shines equally on all,” the custom of sitting on small mats on the floor meant there was not a single chair inside. The only things were a long metal candle stand and a massive statue of Ro-Haram at the end.

Passing through the gently flickering candles, the female priest led the professor to a spot in front of the statue of Ro-Haram, where light from a hole in the ceiling illuminated the area.

“Please kneel here and wait for a moment.”

“Here... here?”

‘In such an open place?’ The professor’s unspoken question was met with a nod from the female priest.

“This is the hall of Ro-Haram. Once you enter, there can be no lies. Ah, of course, if you feel uncomfortable with the world’s eyes, I will close the door.”

Ding, ding-

The female priest struck a small metal rod in front of the statue against a metal bowl, and two robust priests who had been hiding in the darkness emerged and began to push the massive doors closed.

Creak, creak-

Boom!

Once the doors were closed, the room became so dark that it was hard to believe it was a building dedicated to the god of light. The only light came from the faint candles and the beam from the ceiling that illuminated where the professor knelt.

- Ganjang Geiba: This doesn’t look good.

- Jokass: This is really suspicious.

- Heungan Mandu: This is definitely bad.

- takealook: Maybe confession means torture and dissection.

- Holy: Oh no... Could it be that Anaia is getting revenge on the professor for rejecting her?

‘Don’t say that! Damn... The atmosphere is really strange.’

One thing was certain: the female priest who had led him here was not just an ordinary priest. The polite and radiant lady from before was gone, and now a faint halo seemed to emanate from her as she passed by the professor.

‘Her natural ability to command the church members and the divine power visible around her. She must be...’

“The will of the divine is truly profound. The world does not move to follow His will; rather, His will has already taken root in the world.”

The female priest quietly passed by the professor and knelt on a white cushion with intricate patterns at the foot of the massive statue of Ro-Haram, a position that clearly indicated she was the highest-ranking person present. The professor knelt opposite her.

This was a prepared position.

“Did you know I would come?”

“Latula, Ro-Haram. There is no place where the light of Ro-Haram does not shine. This morning, our Lord whispered to the saint, [A dagger has been plunged into the heart of the city; beware the darkness that has taken root.]”

Rustle, rustle

Rustle, rustle-

The white-robed priests gathered around the kneeling professor, and the paladins, who seemed uncomfortable with something on their shoulders, began to fidget.

It was clear. All the church members gathered here were desperate to kill the professor.

‘Damn! A divine message? What did I do to deserve a divine message? It can’t be true, right? If it were really about the red Mute, the church would have sealed the city and sent in inquisitors and heretic hunters to burn it down. It’s not about the red Mute, but something I did must have seriously offended the Church of Light. The way they look at me with such certainty...’

Anaia couldn’t have predicted this. If it were really about the red Mute, the church would have taken drastic action. But something I did must have seriously offended the Church of Light. At least, this priest hasn’t lost her mind like the others.

The key point is that this priest, El Senadis, is still in a state where conversation is possible. If I can’t persuade her, I won’t be able to live in the open in this seed.

‘Should I be aggressive? ...No. To them, there is no higher being than the god of light. They are acting as His agents in judgment. If I act rashly, they might just execute me on the spot for contempt. I need to be as humble as possible, acting like a sinner as they expect.’

Having quickly assessed the situation and decided on a course of action, the professor prostrated himself on the floor and spoke in a trembling voice.

“Oh, there seems to be a misunderstanding! A religious trial... I’m the church’s enemy! That’s impossible! I just wanted to confess my escape from the Tobrun guard’s prison...”

As the professor spoke, the priests’ eyes, which had been glaring at him, grew even more menacing.

“A heretic dares to speak in the hall of Ro-Haram...”

“I am the hand and foot of Ro-Haram. The rage in my heart is His will...”

“Pull out all his teeth, cut his tongue into five pieces, and boil them...”

‘Damn! What’s with this reaction to a single word?’

A trial! I just wanted to plead my case, but they’re already deciding how to kill me!

“Enough.”

As the enraged priests began to close in, the female priest on the opposite side stopped them.

“Ro-Haram is watching us. Do not act rashly.”

“Ugh... Latula, Ro-Haram.”

“Latula, Ro-Haram.”

With those words, she pressed her clasped hands to her forehead and spoke reverently.

“Latula, Ro-Haram. No being can escape the gaze of Ro-Haram from the moment of birth to the moment of death. No one who breathes and speaks can lie before Him.”

Whoosh-

As the short prayer ended, the professor felt a strange pressure descend around him. It felt like sticky threads were attached to his tongue and throat.

‘A holy spell! This is... a confession spell?’

The high priestess, El Senadis, seemed to read the professor’s thoughts and smiled brightly.

“Now, before the Lord, you can only speak the unadorned truth. Feel free to say whatever you want, but please, confess as much as you can about the church’s enemy, until your last breath.”

The professor saw a deep, sinister aura in the high priestess’s bright smile. It was clear that persuading her wouldn’t be easy.

***