Today, I arrived at the main temple by boat.
The priests came out in full force to welcome me. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the grand reception, I waved as I walked, thinking to myself how it felt like being a member of the royal family in my original world.
As always, the first thing to do today is offer prayers to the statue of Deuro-sama. This time, there was no response from Him. What a shame.
When I stood up and turned around, I saw the priests praying to Deuro-sama’s statue. Watching this scene, I could really sense how the number of Deuro’s followers was growing. Heh, I hope it continues to grow even more.
When I entered the Pope’s room, I let myself sink into a comfortable sofa.
“It has been a while, Your Holiness.”
“The same to you, Apostle Toma-sama. Please forgive me for not being able to check in on you due to my old age.”
Oh, stop it, Pope! There’s no need for you to be checking in on me—it would definitely cause a huge commotion.
“I’ve been considering passing the position of Pope to the next generation.”
“But you’re still so lively, aren’t you?”
“I believe it’s better to step down while I’m still capable, to ensure a smooth transition.”
“Avoiding confusion is important. Here, try this—it might help you feel more energetic.”
I retrieved a glass bottle from my otherworldly storage. This is a type of medicinal liquor made by mixing herbal medicine with distilled horse king liquor. It’s different from the three varieties sold commercially.
“What is this?”
“It’s a medicinal liquor, though it’s rather difficult to produce and isn’t available for general sale. However, if you drink it, you might feel a bit more revitalized.”
“Are you sure it’s okay to offer me something so valuable?”
“Even precious things lose their meaning if they’re not put to use.”
This liquor is called “Longevity Liquor.” It’s meant to help one live a long and vibrant life. I specifically crafted it for my grandparents, Lord Dardale, and the Pope. The production process is quite tedious, and the herbs are incredibly hard to obtain, so it can’t be mass-produced.
“Besides, I’m grateful that you’ve been willing to grant my requests, Your Holiness. Consider this a token of my thanks.”
This was my way of expressing gratitude for allowing the temple being built in Baldo territory to be dedicated solely to Deuro-sama.
“Take just one small cup before bed each day. Drinking more than that won’t have any additional effect, so make sure to stick to just one cup.”
“Understood.”
Now, let’s get to the main topic.
While one purpose of today’s visit was to thank the Pope, the bigger goal was to meet the people who would be overseeing the new temple. After much careful selection, these individuals were chosen.
One cardinal, three archbishops, five bishops, ten priests, twenty vice-priests, twenty deacons, and fifty sub-deacons. The cardinal is set to become the head of the temple.
My job is to verify whether these selections are appropriate.
The selection was made beforehand at the temple, and I’m told that everyone’s status has already been checked.
And yet, there’s someone here who isn’t a follower of Deuro-sama.
“You there, priest. May I ask your name?”
“I am called Sargi Sidane.”
Sargi Sidane bowed politely, and I gestured for him to step forward.
“Let me confirm this. Do you truly worship Deuro-sama from the depths of your heart?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll ask again, and this will be the last time. Are you a follower of Deuro-sama?”
“Yes, I am a follower of Deuro-sama…”
Sargi Sidane suddenly fell to his knees, gasping in pain.
“What… What is this…?”
“Show me your status.”
“…”
(His status is disguised, but it seems the disguise has worn off. It’s likely no longer active. However, if he resets it… What!? The disguise doesn’t work? Why? My perfect disguise shouldn’t be detectable—not even in a million years… Could it be that he really is an Apostle? No way! This kid must be a con artist, just like me!)
The priest’s panic was evident in his wide, dilated pupils.
“Can’t you show me your status?”
“T-that’s…”
“You can’t lie about anything related to Deuro-sama in front of me.”
“Ugh…”
Sargi Sidane, who had been kneeling, sank fully to the floor. Has he given up?
“What has happened to this man, Toma-sama?”
“You’ll understand if you look at his status, Your Holiness.”
“Sargi Sidane, show your status. … If you refuse to show it, then so be it. Lord Dardale, please verify.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
“I offer my prayers to the great god of light, Lightride-sama. Status Disclosure.”
Normally, status can only be displayed voluntarily by the individual. However, the light magic Status Disclosure is a spell that forcibly reveals a person’s status.
Although Shamy is also able to use Status Disclosure, she only learned it upon reaching level 250 as an A-rank Blessed Mage of Sacred Light.
Lord Dardale, being B-rank, would have learned it around level 300.
In other words, Lord Dardale is also one of the rare individuals who have surpassed level 300.
“This man is not a follower of Deuro-sama, Your Holiness.”
“How can this be? I thought his status had been thoroughly checked.”
“He likely possesses some kind of skill for disguising himself. However, by lying about Deuro-sama in front of Toma-sama, an Apostle, divine punishment was enacted, reducing his rank to F and stripping him of his skills.”
“N-no… My rank… My rank is gone!?”
“This is what happens to those who deceive the gods.”
“Ahhhh! Give me back my rank! My rank!”
Sargi Sidane lunged toward me.
The movements of someone reduced to Rank F, equivalent to a villager, appeared as if in slow motion. However, Captain Susanna stepped in front of me and kicked Sargi Sidane away.
“Gyaaah!”
Even with Captain Susanna holding back, the damage must have been significant. Checking his status, I could see that three ribs on his side had been broken.
“Restrain this man.”
Captain Susanna’s commanding voice echoed, and the temple knights subdued Sargi Sidane.
“My apologies, Apostle Toma-sama.”
“No, Your Holiness, this isn’t your fault. People like him can be found anywhere.”
“Thank you for your generosity, Toma-sama.”
As the Pope lowered his head, I hurriedly told him to raise it. I really wish he wouldn’t bow in front of others—it’s quite troubling.
“Now then, is there anyone else who has something to say to me? Raise your hand if so.”
I directed a sharp gaze at the gathered priests, and a few faces turned pale.
Yes, there are still three more people here who aren’t followers of Deuro-sama.
“If you come forward now, I believe Deuro-sama, in His great mercy, will forgive you.”
“Apostle Toma-sama, are you saying there are still those falsifying their status?”
“I can sense faith in Deuro-sama.”
This wasn’t a lie. Even without checking their status through information conversion, I could somehow tell whether someone was a follower of Deuro-sama. It was like a sense of familiarity.
“This is your last chance. Raise your hand now.”
Two people raised their hands.
The one who didn’t raise their hand collapsed on the spot.
Apparently, even dropping a single rank causes a significant loss of strength. Dropping two or three ranks seems to be even more debilitating.
For those who regularly train in martial arts or physical strength, it’s manageable, but for others, it’s enough to make them nearly faint.
“Your Holiness, I propose entrusting the operation of Deuro-sama’s temple to everyone except these four individuals. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course. We will do as Apostle Toma-sama suggests.”
“Thank you.”
This time, the four false followers of Deuro-sama consisted of one bishop, one priest, and two vice-priests.
As a result, the operation of Deuro-sama’s temple will be carried out by:
- 1 cardinal
- 3 archbishops
- 4 bishops
- 9 priests
- 18 vice-priests
- 20 deacons
- 50 sub-deacons
