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Chapter 274: Dark Stalker (2)

“Ah~”

“Hee~”

The choir of the El Terra Grand Temple resonated softly inside the chapel, while the light streaming through the stained glass gave the atmosphere an even more sacred glow.

“Wow… this is on a completely different level from the small-town shrines.”

“Mhm. The singing almost sounds like birds in the forest—it’s pleasant to hear.”

“It feels like my body and soul are being purified.”

Listening to the misfits’ impressions, Oscar nodded.

Indeed, whenever one visited this place, one couldn’t help but be overcome with a sense of exaltation, as if even a non-believer might gain faith.

‘That must be it, he thought.’

The reason why the faithful here had their eyes closed, praying so fervently.

In this place, it truly felt as if one’s prayers would be heard directly by the gods.

‘…Though such a thing never happens.’

A faintly cynical smile tugged at his lips, but he didn’t care.

He wasn’t much of a believer.

Of course, El Terra existed—he wasn’t some conspiracy theorist denying that.

‘But so what?’

Existence was one thing, but gods never answered prayers.

If El Terra were truly omnipotent as the scriptures claimed, then the demons would’ve been eradicated long ago.

“Now, brothers and sisters, this way, please.”

Leaving the chapel behind, they stepped outside into a vast plaza.

The ground was paved with stone as smooth and white as a baby’s skin.

At its center stood a colossal statue of the goddess El Terra, rising dozens of meters tall.

Before it, worshippers were once again kneeling in prayer.

“This is the Plaza of Grace. That statue of the goddess was built 812 years ago, and its historical value is beyond comparison.”

With her gentle smile and outstretched arms, the goddess looked as though she wished to embrace everyone.

“Amazing…”

“Big.”

“My neck hurts just looking up at it.”

“….”

Oscar, after gazing up at the statue for a while, turned away and asked,

“Has the verification not started yet?”

“We will escort you to the waiting room now.”

The priest, smiling warmly, guided them across the plaza and into a waiting chamber within the temple.

“The examiner will arrive shortly, so please wait a moment.”

As the priest left with a bow, Veronica clicked her tongue.

“I’ve heard countless stories about the Grand Temple, but I didn’t think it would be this grand.”

“It’s the state religion. And the biggest church of all.”

“So if it’s the biggest, that means there are smaller churches?”

Kilian asked, and Fran nodded.

“Yeah. Long ago, before the Age of Sword and Magic, the gods’ authority was overwhelming.”

“Interesting.”

“Even the name ‘El Terra’ reflects this. ‘El’ means god, and ‘Terra’ is the name. She governs the land itself, so she’s called the Earth Mother. Back then, there were tons of churches named after this or that ‘El-something.’”

“So why did they all disappear?”

“Uh…”

Fran, who had been showing off his knowledge, found himself at a loss.

After scratching his head, he muttered,

“Well… I’m not sure, but maybe they lost out in power struggles between churches?”

“Then what happens to the churches and their gods who lose those struggles?”

“Probably… the church dwindles and the god’s name fades into obscurity?”

“Even gods suffer that fate?”

Oscar finally spoke up,

“Precisely because they’re gods.”

The others stared at him, and he shrugged.

“Priests and paladins draw their holy power from the gods. And that power depends on divine authority. In short, the more worshippers a god has, the stronger the god becomes. But if a god is forgotten, with no followers…”

“Their power dwindles.”

“Exactly. A vicious cycle. And eventually, no one remembers them at all.”

Which was rather absurd.

Gods were supposed to be omnipotent, yet their very existence depended on people’s faith.

In that case, why call them gods at all?

Was it merely their long lifespan, or that they could share their power with mortals?

If so, wasn’t it little more than a contract of faith—just like with spirits?

He had always wondered this but never dared to say it aloud.

‘Say it out loud, and I might get killed.’

The church was, after all, one of the empire’s greatest pillars of power.

At that moment, the hallway grew noisy, and the door opened.

“Hahaha! Well, if it isn’t you!”

“Oh.”

A familiar face entered, grinning broadly.

Oscar couldn’t help but smile as he rose.

“You look well, Archbishop.”

“Thanks to you, lad! Hahaha!”

It was Archbishop Baldwin, whom Oscar had worked with during the Cadena Flu epidemic. His complexion looked much healthier than before.

“Because of you, I’m even in contention for the next cardinal seat! Of course, I’ve worked hard myself, but the publicity from the Cadena Flu was undeniable—it all began there.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“I rushed here as soon as I heard you were around, but what brings you here?”

“Excuse me?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be the examiner?

Oscar’s puzzlement was plain, and Baldwin quickly smoothed his expression.

“Ah, is this about the Dark Stalker case? Well, these days, I hear your name everywhere. It hasn’t even been a year since the Cadena Flu, and look at you.”

“Compared to you, Archbishop, my reputation is nothing.”

“Still as sly as ever. Anyway, I just stopped by—I’m on my way elsewhere.”

Smiling amiably, Baldwin extended his hand.

As Oscar shook it, Baldwin leaned close and whispered,

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“Before the Saintess, never lie. Consider that a piece of advice.”

“…?”

Then he left.

“The Saintess? What’s that?”

Kilian asked.

“You heard that?”

“Of course. Day or night, a forest warrior always overhears.”

‘That’s just eavesdropping,’

Oscar thought, sighing.

“The Saintess is the god’s representative.”

“The god’s representative?”

Veronica frowned.

“Isn’t that the Pope?”

“Not quite. As I said, divine power comes from faith. People expanded their churches to strengthen their gods. The one who succeeded in the end was El Terra. So, the Pope’s role is to expand and maintain the church’s influence.”

“Ah, I see—so the Pope’s basically a political figure.”

“Right. They have to be pious, but they don’t hear the god’s voice or wield unmatched holy power. To be blunt, they need political skill.”

Oscar’s explanation was clear enough that even Kilian nodded.

“I understand. Their job is to ensure the church never loses influence.”

“Then the Saintess—does she actually hear the god’s voice?”

“Exactly.”

A woman who heard El Terra’s voice.

Oscar himself was curious.

Even in his past life at Level 9, he’d never once confronted a god, nor had he met the Saintess.

‘And Baldwin warned me not to lie before her…’

He didn’t lie much to begin with, so why did he give that warning?

He was still musing when a knock came at the door.

“We’re entering.”

The door opened, and paladins of the church filed in, quickly surrounding them in a firm perimeter.

Then, slowly, a woman entered.

‘…That’s the Saintess?’

Dressed in pure white priestly robes, her face hidden behind a white veil, she radiated an aura apart from this world—as though she were observing from one step removed.

“Greetings, everyone.”

Her voice was languid, soothing, almost lulling.

“I am the Saintess of El Terra’s Church.”

“Oscar Crucian, Level 6 mage of the White Tower.”

“Kilian, Level 5 mage of the White Tower…”

“Wait.”

The Saintess raised a hand, turning her veiled face toward Oscar.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Oscar.”

“…Is that so?”

Tilting her head, she lowered her hand.

“Never mind. I must’ve imagined something.”

How capricious.

She sat naturally at the seat of honor and gestured for them to sit.

“Please, sit.”

Once they were all seated, she crossed her legs—unexpectedly casual for someone of her position.

“From now on, simply answer my questions one by one.”

Her first question,

“Are you spies of the demons?”

“…?”

The misfits blinked at each other, but Oscar answered first.

“No. I am not a spy, I hate demons, and I wish for their extinction.”

“Oh, how devout.”

She clasped her hands in delight.

The others followed suit with their denials.

“Second question: Are there spies of the demons among your associates?”

“There are none.”

Oscar again answered first, and the others echoed him.

“Good. Now, the last question: Have you ever met a demon?”

Kilian shook his head immediately.

Fran and Veronica, however, fidgeted before nodding.

“Yes, but we killed them after the fight.”

“I was there too.”

“Interesting. Did you quarrel due to conflicting views?”

“No, they were harming others, so we fought.”

“Same for me.”

“Oh~ such devout people!”

Pleased, her voice brightened.

“And you?”

She asked Oscar.

“I too have encountered some demons.”

“Where?”

After a pause, Oscar replied,

“In the Red Mountains and beyond, in the Demon Realm.”

“…!”

The paladins stirred uneasily.

The Saintess leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

“That’s far more intriguing. Why did you meet them?”

“It was unavoidable while carrying out a mission.”

“Did you converse or conduct any transactions with them?”

“We exchanged words, but no deals. We fought to the death.”

“Which demons did you meet?”

“A wolf beastman named Yuribe and his underlings. And also…”

He hesitated.

He had met one of the Four Demon Dukes, Descartes.

Saying the name would only invite trouble.

‘But if I lie, she’ll know.’

Clearly, she could discern truth from lies.

Remarkably, she possessed the power of the empire’s national treasure artifact, the Crown of Truth, as if it were her own.

Finally, Oscar answered,

“I believe I met one called Descartes.”

“…Descartes?”

“You mean… one of the Four Demon Dukes?”

The priests around them began murmuring.

“…Hm.”

The Saintess let out a soft hum, and immediately, the paladins drew their swords, pointing them at Oscar from all directions.

At the same time, the Saintess slowly brushed her veil aside—revealing eyes wrapped entirely in white cloth.

“As you can see, I cannot see anything. Yet at the same time, I can see everything. So now, you must answer me with absolute sincerity.”

Her next question struck like a blade,

“Was that demon truly Descartes?”

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