Necromancer Of The Black Bible (37)

The Kallios Theocracy is a single colossal fortress.

It was built around Mount Gazpol, the place where the god is said to have first descended.

Over its long history, it was expanded again and again, its walls layered upon each other.

The walls were so massive and sturdy that they could be distinguished even from this far away.

‘Just how many walls are there?’

As I wondered, Nocturne answered.

Fifteen. Sixteen, if you count the wall enclosing the Great Cathedral where the Pope resides.

‘That’s ridiculously many.’

In my previous life, when I was dragged here, they had thrown a black cloth over my head, so I never saw this view.

The Theocracy was far larger than I had imagined.

Here, expansion was done by adding outer walls. Unlike other nations, which expand by conquering or cultivating new lands.

That’s more than a little different.

It’s an entirely different world.

The towering Great Cathedral that seemed to reach the sky, and the layered walls beneath it.

The closer to the cathedral atop the mountain, the higher the walls rose—even the innermost wall around it gleamed with golden light.

The sunlight reflected off it felt especially harsh.

As I gazed silently at the cathedral, Nocturne continued his explanation.
About 3,000 years ago, the God of Light, Kallios, created the Astranova continent over sixty days, and on this very mountain where he first descended, the Theocracy was founded. Then demons gathered and waged war against him—a war that continues even now.

I knew a few things about the wars between the Theocracy and the Demon Kings.

‘The subjugation of the Great Demon King a thousand years ago by the Twelve Heroes was one of them.’

The Great Demon King, Belzemon.

He was the first Demon King to seize control of the continent.

After Belzemon united the Demon Realm and the continent, the Theocracy gathered heroes to defeat him.

Twelve Heroes—composed of dwarves, elves, and humans.

Blessed by Kallios, they succeeded in sealing Belzemon. With the holy relics that sealed him, they went on to found nations.

Even now, some nations claim their founders were among those heroes.

‘The Duchy of Tarnia, where I stayed in my past life, was one of them.’

In any case, after the Demon King was sealed, the Theocracy was called the holy land of the continent and revered as a symbol of justice.

There were even rumors they held most of the relics that sealed the Demon King.

Not all, but they do have a few. I saw some with Raiernov in the church’s underground once.

[How many?]

I heard there were three. But I only saw one with Raiernov myself—something called the “Bible of the Nameless God.”

At that moment, Equinox cut in.

[We’re almost there. You must prepare if you don’t want your identity revealed.]

[Prepare?]

[There are many here who know Raiernov. Get more details from Nocturne.]

A reasonable suggestion.

The gates were close now. A single slip of the tongue and I could be branded a demon—it would only be a matter of time before I was executed.

I drew what details I could from Nocturne and steadied my mind.

The inspection at the city gates was simple.

Because the carriage bore the Theocracy’s crest, and Sanchez and Mobin vouched for our identities.

On top of that, Raiernov’s reputation was far greater than I expected.

“Father Raiernov! Thank goodness!”

“We were so worried about you!”

“You weren’t hurt, were you?”

“Oh! Glory to Kallios! You truly returned safely, Father!”

“We prayed every day! The Lord has answered our prayers!”

Hmph.

Your god didn’t hear a damn thing.

I almost laughed, but I couldn’t. I merely nodded with a solemn smile.

The sight outside the carriage window felt strange.

Crowds cheering for me.

There were easily hundreds. Never in either of my lives had I been welcomed like this.

It was a peculiar feeling.

Along with the illusion that I had truly become Raiernov, came a deep disgust at their blind adoration.

‘Why do they adore a hypocrite who does nothing but spout fancy words?’

But after a moment, I realized it wasn’t that hard to understand.

This was the Theocracy of Kallios.

A nation of zealots spreading warped doctrine. Of course they couldn’t see the flaws in their creed, and revered those who embodied it.

[Your diagnosis is correct. No human here can question the creed’s right or wrong. Be wary. Trust no one.]

Naturally.

Not just this nation—who in this world could ever truly be trusted?

Even rifling through my deepest memories, I had only ever trusted one person.

‘My Master.’

Thinking of him sparked a faint unease.

At this point in time, he had yet to learn magic—still a man content in the order of the Theocracy. Could I truly trust him?

What if he turned out so different from the Master I knew?

The thought tangled in my head for a moment, then I abandoned it.

‘I’ll know once I meet him.’

Just as I resolved this, the carriage halted. The door opened—and a familiar face appeared.

Ray Blackleaf.

Since we rescued him from the bandits, he had been tagging along behind us.

“I’ve come to pay my respects, Father.”

He bowed deeply, then pulled something from his chest pocket.

“It cannot compare to the grace you’ve shown me, but I have prepared a small token. Please accept it.”

“What is it?”

“This is a token of gratitude from my family. Should you ever visit one of our branches, we will ensure you are properly repaid.”

A token of gratitude, huh…

I wasn’t sure it would be useful, but when someone offers, you take it.

‘From the Black Leaf Merchant Guild, though—this could come in handy.’

I accepted the small pouch Ray handed me.

Inside, a black silk pouch held a trinket carved from obsidian—a black leaf, the exact shape depicted on the Black Leaf Merchant Guild’s banner.

I slipped it into my robes and said,

“Very well. I’ll visit sometime.”

“Thank you. From here we will head to our branch.”

“May Kallios’s blessing be with you.”

“And with you.”

With the exchange of lofty blessings, he departed. Soon after, Sanchez appeared.

With a somewhat awkward look, he spoke.

“Father, Andre must disembark here.”

Hm? Why?

I looked at William, still wearing Andre’s form, and then Nocturne explained.

The Academy is in this district. Raiernov’s monastery is five walls further in, and the Great Cathedral is ten walls beyond that.

This city was built in concentric circles centered on the Great Cathedral.

Each ring between the walls housed a different social class—the closer to the Cathedral, the higher the rank.

This was the 5th District, where merchants and Academy novices resided.

I studied William for a moment.

He looked exactly like Andre, but if the transformation spell unraveled, his identity would be exposed.

Transformation spells break when the mana disperses. In my past life, mine held for about three days.

But how long would it last now?

Equinox responded to my thought.

[Unless someone casts a dispel, your magic won’t unravel.]

Then it wasn’t much of a problem.

The Academy wouldn’t go around dispelling their students.

I relayed this to William through the Voice of the Soul. He gave a small nod, and then I told him aloud:

“If anything happens, come find me.”

“Yes, Father.”

Then, through the Soul-Voice again, I added one more warning.

[Focus your mind and call me—I’ll find you. We’re connected.]

[I will remember.]

At that moment, Sanchez smirked and spoke.

“Andre, Father Raiernov is busy, so come to me instead. If the Academy office summons you, I’ll be right there—my bureau is nearby.”

William glanced at me. When I gave the faintest nod, he finally answered Sanchez.

“Understood, Investigator.”

William followed Sanchez out of the carriage.

He looked like a boy stepping into a great city for the first time—cautious, tentative.

He boarded another carriage with an Academy handler.

Once he was gone, Sanchez re-entered, and our carriage set off again.

“Where are we going now?”

I asked, and Sanchez answered carefully.

“First, to the Great Cathedral.”

“The Cathedral?”

Not my quarters?

I had wanted to reach my quarters quickly, to scout the situation.

Remaining blind here was dangerous.

I looked at Sanchez, and he continued calmly.

“You’ve been absent too long, Father. The High Priest has been greatly concerned. I was ordered to bring you directly to the Cathedral.”

Meeting the High Priest already, huh.

That would be… troublesome.

Then Nocturne’s voice whispered.

The High Priest’s name is Alexo Arcadia von Calestro. He is very close to Raiernov. No need for suspicion—if you refuse, they’ll start doubting you.

“I see.”

I nodded as if convinced.

“It has been far too long since I last saw Alexo. I should greet him. Nothing serious has happened, I trust?”

“That I cannot say. Someone of my station wouldn’t know such things.”

Sanchez chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.

Soon the carriage halted—it was my turn to descend.

I went to Mobin and requested he deliver William’s greatsword and armor to my chambers.

Along with that—cooking tools… no, “herbal preparation tools.”

“Understood, Father. I’ll get you the finest the Theocracy has to offer.”

“Thank you, Mobin. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, sir!”

I patted his shoulder once, then climbed the stairs with Sanchez.

The long stairs of white marble stretched high, but the cool breeze made the climb bearable.

After some time, the great front gate loomed before us.

The two Holy Knights at the gate saluted me, but I turned to look back below.

The sixteen walls stacked like a vast stone curtain were a breathtaking sight.

To the lower right, I spotted a familiar emblem.

Two concentric circles crossed by a sharp arrowhead.

The mark of the Inquisition.

In my past life, I had been helplessly dragged away by them. This time would be different.

‘Bringing this place down is only a matter of time.’

I stared at the Inquisition’s emblem, silently organizing my plans.

Then I turned back, passed between the saluting knights, and stepped inside the Great Cathedral.