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Chapter 250 : Meeting with the Pope
A loud clang echoed from behind me.
When I turned around, I saw the sacred door slowly opening.
The stunned Holy Knights closed their eyes and placed their left hands over the Pledge Jewel rings on their right hands in prayer.
“Enter, Anos Voldigoad the Misfit. May salvation be upon you.” (Golroana)
From beyond the gate, came Pope Golroana’s own voice.
It echoed oddly.
With measured steps, Arcana and I walked through the sacred door.
Inside the Shrine of Sacred Song stood numerous pillars shaped like tuning forks.
They were magical tools.
Each one held magic power rivaling relics from the Mythical Age.
Clang. The sound echoed again as the sacred door slammed shut behind us.
Each step we took rang loudly on the floor.
Walking straight ahead, we found at the center a draconid in blue ceremonial robes at the center of a circle of tuning forks.
I presumed he was the Pope.
He had hair that was neither long nor short, and a face so androgynous it was impossible to tell his gender at a glance.
By male standards, he would be young and handsome. By female standards, he would be an ethereal beauty.
That same draconid knelt, placed his left hand over his Pledge Jewel ring and offered a prayer.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Anos. And the Selection God, Arcana. I am Golroana, the Pope of Jiordal,” he said while praying.
His voice echoed loudly in the Sanctuary.
I stepped forward, approaching Golroana.
“I am Anos Voldigoad.” (Anos)
I offered my hand.
But the Pope did not reciprocate, keeping both hands clasped in prayer.
“Please forgive me. I am the Pope of Jiordal. For the sake of this nation, I cannot cease my prayers at any time.” (Golroana)
“Then I apologize for not greeting you properly.” (Anos)
I knelt to meet Golroana’s gaze and clasped my hands as well.
Arcana stood behind me.
“You wanted to ask about the Selection Trial, and the whereabouts of the Revalschned, the God of Traces, correct?” (Golroana)
“Yeah. The latter is the real reason I’m here.” (Anos)
After a moment of silence, the Pope responded.
“The God of Traces who governs records and memory lies dormant within our nation. It is a great order that brings salvation to the Underground World. It shall not awaken until the right time comes.” (Golroana)
“Hmm. But sometimes, waking up and stretching a bit allows for a better sleep. It might even help with salvation.” (Anos)
Without changing expression, Golroana spoke.
“One cannot know what disaster might arise from awakening a sleeping god.” (Golroana)
“Bah, there’s nothing to fear from the order of a god who only reflects on the past. Even if he wakes up cranky, I’ll soothe him back to sleep.” (Anos)
“Revalschned can recreate the traces of the world. Such a god could reproduce the deepest wound ever inflicted upon this world.” (Golroana)
“It won’t be that big a deal. All I’d have to do is defeat it with an even greater calamity, right?” (Anos)
At my words, the Pope fell silent.
“I know who you are. When you first arrived in Everastanzetta, I was in the Holy Seat Hall as well.” (Golroana)
Jiordal’s Holy Knight, Gazel, was there too.
It’s no surprise that a selector so closely tied to Ahid was present at that scene.
“I also know that you, who overcame the trial of Leviangilma, Sword of the Almighty, possess power equal to or greater than that of a god.” (Golroana)
Golroana’s tone grew stronger.
“However, even so, do you have a valid and just reason to awaken the God of Traces? If you claim that Revalschned is nothing to fear, then there should be no need for you to rely on him. And if you do wish to rely on him, should you not approach him with due reverence?” (Golroana)
“What you say makes sense. So what you’re saying is, as long as I get Revalschned to wake up willingly, you’ll have no problem with it, right?” (Anos)
For a moment, Golroana looked stunned.
“And how do you propose to convince a sleeping god to wake up?” (Golroana)
“I’ll figure that out. At the very least, I promise not to wake him by force. That should be good enough for you.” (Anos)
Smiling, I looked into the Pope’s well-defined face.
“So, where is the God of Traces?” (Anos)
The Pope shifted slightly and turned his face toward me.
“Considering everything you’ve said, you should know that, right?” (Anos)
“I do. However, the whereabouts of the God of Traces are revealed only through sacred scriptures passed down solely from one pope to the next one. Which can’t be revealed to someone who doesn’t believe in the teachings of Jiordal.” (Golroana)
After firmly stating that, Golroana continued.
“However, Anos the Misfit, if you are willing to trade your god for this information, then I shall tell you.” (Golroana)
Behind me, Arcana’s magic power wavered slightly.
“You would trade the contents of the sacred scriptures meant only for the Popes for a god of unknown name?” (Anos)
“If the God of Traces is meant to bring salvation to the Underground World, then Arcana is the god necessary for its rebirth. She is the reincarnation of the god who once created this world — The Goddess of Creation, Militia.” (Golroana)
Unconsciously, my gaze grew sharper.
So this means that after I erected the walls, the Goddess of Creation Militia reincarnated to cast aside her divine name, and has lived on as Arcana?
But if that was true, then what of the little sister I saw in my dreams?
Well, I still didn’t know how much I could trust this man.
He didn’t strike me as foolishly honest like Diedrich.
If he was lying, then he had to have a reason for claiming that Arcana was Militia.
“And where did you learn that?” (Anos)
“From Equis, the Almighty Radiance.” (Golroana)
He probably meant that he heard it from a god, but he didn’t seem inclined to elaborate.
“What will you do, then?” (Golroana)
“Unfortunately, I’ve made a promise to Arcana. I can’t break it.” (Anos)
“I thought you might say that,” Golroana replied, his voice as beautiful and melodic as a song.
“However, Arcana was originally a god of Jiordal. If she remains abducted from us, the Almighty Radiance will not grant us salvation.” (Golroana)
“O child of dragons. This is where you’re wrong. This man didn’t abduct me, I remain by his side of my own will. He alone is worthy to fight this Selection Trial with,” Arcana declared.
“Are you saying it is the will of the gods to make him the proxy?” (Golroana)
“No, it is not the will of the gods. I have chosen, of my own will, to fight by his side and put an end to this Selection Trial. This ritual, focused solely on preserving order, is flawed. We gods have erred again and again. It’s time to correct that.” (Arcana)
A severe expression crossed Golroana’s face.
He quietly shook his head.
“Selection God Arcana. Forgive my rudeness, but I must say this: by casting off your name, you must’ve also forgotten your role as a god. Please, reconsider. Until you reclaim your name and your memories, you shouldn’t make such decisions.” (Golroana)
“Why is it a sin to defy order? If we leave a corrupted order unchallenged, how can we call ourselves gods?” (Arcana)
Golroana immediately responded.
“To defy order is to become a Blasphemous God. That would mean falling into the hands of Genedonov, the Goddess of Absurdity.” (Golroana)
Arcana answered calmly.
“And who would be hurt by that?” (Arcana)
“I would. And all of Jiordal’s faithful would be plunged into sorrow.” (Golroana)
Upon hearing that, a look of sadness crossed Arcana’s face.
“Hmm. Listen, Golroana. You’re not a child, so bear with it. If there is no real harm done, then you don’t need to meddle in a god’s business every time.” (Anos)
The Pope turned slightly to face me.
“You do believe in gods, don’t you?” (Anos)
“Indeed. Which is why I pray and wish. Do you really think there are believers who would not lament a god’s fall from grace?” (Golroana)
“Ridiculous. If faith is only about crying and clinging to gods, then I have nothing but contempt for it. Don’t just pray, try to be the one being prayed to once in a while.” (Anos)
I dismissed Golroana’s words bluntly.
“You don’t believe in gods. I understand that. But do not forget that we have dedicated our hearts and lives to what you so flippantly call ridiculous, all the way to this day,” the Pope said with pristine dignity.
“You said that Arcana had to recover her name and memories. Well that’s perfect. In that case, doesn’t that give us a reason to awaken the God of Traces?” (Anos)
At those words, Golroana fell silent, as if pondering.
“You make a good point. Very well. If you return Arcana to Jiordal, then we shall restore her name and memory through the order of the God of Traces.” (Golroana)
“Don’t you ever learn? I already refused that offer.” (Anos)
“Misfit. This is a compromise,” Golroana said gently.
“Taking Arcana from me is a compromise?” (Anos)
“You would go against our precepts, violate the sacred scripture, and awaken the God of Traces, all for your personal reasons. Normally, just declaring such a thing would be unthinkable. But if you return Arcana to her rightful place, not only will we forgive your transgression, but we will also grant your wish. If this isn’t a compromise, what else would we call it ?” Golroana spoke in a resounding voice.
“If you’re being serious, then I question your sanity. You should’ve made a better effort negotiating. If Arcana wished to return, she’d do so herself. Is manipulating a god for your own convenience part of Jiordal’s teachings?” (Anos)
“As I said, this is a compromise. Were it any other matter, I would follow the will of the gods and not interfere. But you and Arcana say you intend to put an end to the Selection Trial.” (Golroana)
“So that’s your real issue.” (Anos)
With his eyes open and his hands still clasped in prayer, Golroana fixed me with an intense stare.
“The Selection Trial is the most sacred ritual in Jiordal. It is the means by which draconids ascend to godhood and protect their followers. This trial has been passed down in the Underground World for generations, for the sake of the great salvation.” (Golroana)
“Hmm. Salvation sounds noble enough. But some seem to be suffering because of it. Ending it shouldn’t cause any real trouble, right?” (Anos)
“No life is free of suffering. If the Selection Trial were abolished, even more people would suffer.” (Golroana)
“Then explain the reason for that. Even without it, there are gods in this land. So this shouldn’t affect the draconids’ lives, right?” (Anos)
Golroana exhaled quietly and spoke with a serene voice.
“Because that is what the scriptures state.” (Golroana)
“What exactly” (Anos)
“The will of Equis, the Almighty Radiance.” (Golroana)
So he wouldn’t—or wouldn’t—divulge the contents of the scriptures.
Or perhaps even the scriptures offered no clear justification.
“If you want to convince me, you’ll have to choose your words more carefully.” (Anos)
At that, the Pope glared at me.
There was unmistakable anger in her eyes.
“If you cannot comprehend the words of the gods, Misfit, then allow me to explain things your own way.” (Golroana)
Golroana’s tone sharpened.
“Let me make this perfectly clear. You demons who bask in your comfortable life on the surface have no right to come down here and throw your weight around. We have our own teachings.” (Golroana)
“When people obtain power beyond their means, they go mad. Your people—Ahid and Gazel—happily tried to kill me. They invaded Azesion and and attacked Dilhade to do so. You let your subordinates run free while you sat praying to your god, and you allowed my nation to be invaded. How do you plan to take responsibility? Don’t tell me you intend to feign ignorance?” (Anos)
Whether he was at a loss for words or simply unwilling to argue, Golroana did not respond immediately.
“You’re free to do whatever you want in the Underground World. But I won’t ignore your little games if they endanger Dilhade.” (Anos)
“I too regret that Ahid invaded the surface. That was not required by our teachings. As the Pope of Jiordal, I offer you my deepest apologies.” (Golroana)
Golroana bowed her head in prayer as he spoke.
“Swear before your god that it will never happen again here and now. Jiordal may feel wronged, but so do we. If you compromise with me on this, I’ll hold off on my decision regarding the Selection Trial.” (Anos)
Golroana looked at me, exhaling quietly.
“Misfit, an apology is the greatest compromise I can offer. Of course, we do not seek conflict. I swear we will do everything in our power not to violate your laws. But please understand this—For us, there is nothing that takes precedence over the teachings of our god.” (Golroana)
I let out a chuckle.
“So that’s what it comes down to. You’ll make some token effort to behave, but to you, the laws of Dilhade are nothing compared to the teachings of Jiordal. Is that it?” (Anos)
“That is not what I said.” (Golroana)
“Then swear that no harm will come to Dilhade in the name of the Selection Trial.” (Anos)
“How could someone like me possibly predict the will of the Almighty Radiance?”
“So when the time comes, you’ll set Dilhade aflame without hesitation? That’s not what I call a compromise.” (Anos)
“Then allow me to offer a solution,” Golroana said, wearing an expression of pure sincerity.
“Interesting. I don’t expect much, but go on.” (Anos)
“Why not have Dilhade convert to Jiordal’s faith?” (Golroana)
It sounded absurd, yet his tone and face were completely serious.
“If you simply believe in gods, the Almighty Radiance will solve all problems.” (Golroana)
“I have a better solution. How about this—” (Anos)
At my words, Golroana looked at me quizzically.
“Have Jiordal annexed into Dilhade. Come under my rule, and as Demon King, I will resolve every one of the Undergrouns World’s problems.” (Anos)
With a devout expression, Golroana replied,
“That is a foolish proposal. We are believers in God. How could we possibly obey anyone else?” (Golroana)
“See? Now you understand how I feel too.” (Anos)
Golroana closed his eyes and spoke as though in prayer.
“Sometimes, it is inevitable that nations and people cannot understand each other. We will simply believe in our gods and walk this path.” (Golroana)
His words were veiled, but their meaning was clear—
If their teachings permitted it, they would invade Dilhade without hesitation.
“That’s why I said I’ll destroy it all. If I wipe out your worthless Trial, no harm will reach the surface.” (Anos)
Of course, the danger wouldn’t be completely gone. But without the power of their Selection God, the draconids posed little threat.
“I’m afraid this is the most we can compromise with a foreign nation,” Golroana said, now lacing his words with anger.
“If you still demand more, you will have to suffer an appropriate punishment.” (Golroana)
It seemed the conversation had reached its conclusion.
I stood, gazing down at Golroana.
“Stand up. I’ll destroy your god. If the Selection Trial is as sacred as you say, then when you lose there, you might be more inclined to listen to my terms.” (Anos)