Necromancer Of The Black Bible (38)

The interior of the Great Cathedral was unbelievably vast.

The ceiling was so high it was impossible to measure, and the columns supporting it were all massive and solid.

Most of all, my eyes were drawn to the paintings and sculptures hanging from the pillars.

As I walked slowly, trying to gauge their meaning, Nocturne’s voice reached me.

They depict the creation myth of the continent by the god Kallios.

The tale of how the god created the continent at the dawn of time, descended to earth, and waged war against demons.

I already knew the general story.

Even in the orphanage, adults would tell it to children like a fairy tale.

At first it was interesting, but the more it was repeated, the duller it became.

The story ends with neither side victorious—the war still repeating to this day.

‘And yet they managed to turn that boring tale into such magnificent art?’

Whoever crafted them, their skill was remarkable.

I followed behind Sanchez through the seemingly endless central corridor.

And I repeated my plan to myself.

My plan was simple.

‘First, find my master. After that, leave this place.’

And when I leave, I’ll pay back the debt of my past life’s death.

Death must be repaid with death—that is the way of this world.

‘I’ll need to be strong enough for that much, at least.’

In the Cathedral, you only need to be cautious of two people: the Archpriest Alexo and Pope Lactea. Rumor has it both are powerful, but from what I’ve seen, the Archpriest is far beneath the Pope.

[The Pope is that strong?]

Yes. Strong enough that you’d think she wasn’t human.

[Not human…?]

I can’t say for certain. I haven’t seen her much—just a few encounters. Even Raiernov, in life, feared her.

Tension laced Nocturne’s voice.

For him to sound so strained after only a few meetings meant there really was something about the Pope.

Then Equinox interjected.

[The techniques Sanchez and Mobin use are Powers. Unlike magic, Powers must be granted by a higher being. Most likely, Pope Lactea bestowed theirs.]

That’s right! All the priests here receive their Power from the Pope. Old man, how did you know that?

Equinox didn’t answer.

I didn’t feel like prying either. A being who had lived over three thousand years must have picked up plenty about the Pope.

[Nocturne, tell me more about the Archpriest Alexo instead.]

Ah, yes! Alexo studied at the monastery alongside Mikel von Raiernov. He holds the Power of the Silver Blade, one of the strongest after the Pope’s. Still, he defers to Raiernov—he received the Archpriest seat only because Raiernov yielded it.

[Raiernov gave the seat up to Alexo?]

Exactly. That’s why Alexo always consulted Raiernov on important matters. Raiernov was stronger and wiser, so he was a great help.

Hearing this, I understood why the Archpriest wanted to see Raiernov today.

‘He must have something important to discuss.’

Something too great to decide on his own.

What problem would he confide in me?

My unease from earlier began to settle.

Instead, I thought about how to handle him—but the conclusion was simple.

‘If it comes to it, I’ll just brainwash him.’

The meeting with Alexo.

After passing two more doors, an enormous one appeared at last.

Polished white marble inlaid with golden designs—it was a most luxurious door.

When I opened it, I saw a desk far inside.

A wide desk adorned with ornate carvings. Behind it, a white-bearded old man read a thick tome.

His attire was far more splendid than the other priests.

White robes patterned with gold.

He had to be the Archpriest Alexo.

Perched on his nose were two small circles—glasses, like those I had seen Ray Blackleaf wearing earlier.

‘So that’s the “glasses” Nocturne mentioned.’

That’s right, Master. They let one see clearly what is otherwise blurred.

I walked toward him slowly.

Alexo lifted his head and spoke.

“Well, if it isn’t Mikel! Is it truly you?”

“As you see.”

I grinned and spread my hands.

Alexo put his book down and sprang to his feet.

He strode over and embraced me tightly.

After one firm hug, he looked at me again and spoke.

“Why didn’t you send word? I thought the worst had happened.”

“My apologies. Circumstances didn’t allow it.”

Just as I was about to speak, Sanchez quietly stepped back.

Alexo noticed him and addressed him.

“Investigator Sanchez.”

“Yes, Archpriest.”

“You completed your mission well. You shall be formally rewarded.”

“Thank you, Archpriest.”

“And… Please wait outside until we are finished. I also have a case for you afterward.”

“Understood.”

Sanchez bowed politely and left the room.

Once alone, the Archpriest took my hand and guided me to a plush reception chair.

Then he brought a teapot and served warm tea.

Gluugg-

A pale golden liquid filled the cup with a clear stream.

From the aroma, it seemed to be Golden Mist Tea, brewed from golden mist herbs.

Nocturne gave me a hint.

This tea is one both Raiernov and Alexo favor. They buy the finest quality from Fernesia in the east.

I lifted the cup, inhaled the scent, focused my taste, and took a sip.

“Mmm-”

The taste was so fine it drew a sound from me.

Normally brewed leaves taste bitter, but this tea did not.

I savored the aroma deeply and spoke.

“This taste… I’ve missed it.”

“Drink your fill. I stocked up when I heard you were coming.”

“Haha. For the Archpriest to indulge like this…”

“It’s all thanks to Lord Kallios’ blessing. ‘Do anything for a friend. Cherish them, and the Lord shall bless those close to them.’”

I countered with a proverb Nocturne had just fed me.

“Spend wealth sparingly. All things in this world are finite—know their value. To the heart that spares, the Lord grants blessing.”

“Oh ho! You’ve changed so much. What on earth did you go through to become so seasoned?”

“Nothing much… just say I had a fateful encounter.”

“A fateful encounter?”

I tried to evade answering, but he pressed persistently.

So I gave him the same tale I had told Sanchez, only shorter.

That after meeting Andre, I heard the roar of Sand Dragons in the mountains and hunted them down.

Hearing it all, Alexo’s eyes grew heavy.

“Sand Dragons … So that’s what happened.”

“There’s no need to worry. They’ve all been dealt with.”

“I’m glad nothing happened to you. Truly glad.”

Alexo muttered a prayer, tracing the sign of the cross.

When his prayer was done, I asked:

“So then—you had business with me?”

“Yes.”

After a pause, Alexo continued, his face stiff.

“Soon, the Pope will summon you.”

“The Pope?”

Alexo nodded.

“Not long ago, the Pope prophesied her own lifespan. She said she will pass away in three months and ten days.”

‘She knows her lifespan so precisely?’

Nocturne explained.

Each Pope prophesies their death and names a successor before passing. That successor is known publicly as the Saintess.

[The Saintess?]

Yes. The Pope chooses the Saintess with the greatest divine power of her age as the heir. Then that Saintess becomes the next Pope.

I looked at Alexo and spoke.

“The Pope wishes for me to find the Saintess.”

“That’s right. You are the most suitable.”

Those words pleased me.

‘So I’ll be the one to find the Saintess myself?’

The Saintess—the spark of war, the cause of my death in my past life.

‘I could kill her outright to end the line of Popes, or brainwash her and make her mine.’

I smiled gently at Alexo.

“Understood. I will take on this task.”

Alexo seized my hand gratefully.

“Thank you. Succeed, and you will surely receive a great reward.”

“A reward? What more could there be for me to gain in this Theocracy?”

Alexo chuckled awkwardly.

I emptied my cup and spoke.

“Just send some of this tea to my chamber. That will suffice.”

“Very well.”

I left the room. Sanchez, waiting outside, entered briefly, then emerged again.

Together we returned to the carriage.

And after he brought me to my quarters, I told him before parting:

“Sanchez. I have a request.”

“Yes, speak. If it’s within my power, I’ll do anything.”

“You can do this.”

I leaned closer and spoke softly.

“Find someone for me.”

“Whom shall I find?”

“Balthazar von Rubenstein.”

That name belonged to my master.