Our party, having sunk all of Solemn’s steam battleships and annihilated the Anti-Beast King Organization, was summoned to the Pope’s chambers in the Priests’ Guild headquarters.
Naturally, it wasn’t feasible for everyone to attend. So, only the entirety of the Ancient Class, Mina of the Secondary Order, and Aria from the First Order’s Raid Leader were present.
“We offer our sincerest gratitude for saving our Bacion.”
Before us stood the Pope, Ideah Lipsitt Bacion, a woman of mature beauty. She wore the scarlet hakama and white robes of a female priest’s formal attire, over which was draped the long-sleeved white haori chihaya, a symbol of her papal authority. A golden eboshi completed her ensemble. It made me wonder if she was about to perform a sacred dance.
As a side note, the Pope of Bacion and the High Regent of Libertà are obligated to use their country’s name while in office. While it makes sense for the Pope, who is also the Grand Priests Master, the High Regent is elected every five years. However, only influential traders or Libertà’s nobles can run for office, which can cause diplomatic inconveniences. Libertà has families like the Grand Dukes who handle diplomacy, but since they are not royalty, Solemn and Retisencia, Bacion’s neighbors, seemingly look down on Libertà. Therefore, by adopting their country’s name upon assuming office, they are able to maintain a certain level of dignity.
“This act of aggression was an issue the Amister could not ignore. However, we are relieved that there was no damage to Bacion, let alone to Your Holiness.”
Although interrogations were underway for the High Human who served as the Commander of Solemn’s Southern Fleet, captured by Shazara, and for Baron Reine Estaight, captured by Prim and her group, it was confirmed that the two had cooperated. Nevertheless, the interrogations had just begun, so significant information would likely emerge from this point onward.
“All of this is thanks to the wise leadership of His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt. Bacion may not be a wealthy nation, but we will offer the best rewards we can.”
While it might not be necessary for us or the Order, it’s essential for the Hunters.
“Furthermore, His Highness Manalease, regarding the second territory of Bacion, an announcement will be made to the people of Bacion tomorrow.”
They are quick with their preparations. Bacion is a country managed by the Priests’ Guild. However, the priests, including the Pope, prefer to act as priests rather than be involved in the country’s administration. They had apparently been requesting to become a second territory of Amister for many years. The Priests’ Guild, including the Bacion faith, has branches in all countries except Abyssal and Solemn, as well as Retisencia, which has withdrawn. The Bacion Theocracy was founded about 200 years ago, which is also when the Priests’ Guild was established.
While the Bacion faith is the largest religion on the Philia Continent, there are also indigenous beliefs, and many in Valentia worship the Holy Mother Dragon. Therefore, religious conflicts were not uncommon. Fearing that these might escalate into religious wars, the guest, Shinichi Mibu, proposed to the then-King of Amister the establishment of the Priests’ Guild as an organization to unite all religions. Simultaneously, as a holy land for priests, he devoted himself to the founding of the Bacion Theocracy, and his wife, a shrine maiden, became the first Pope.
At that time, Valentia was also known as the six Beast Kingdoms, its predecessor. Aura Island was also before the founding of Torencia. I’ve heard that Libertà and Retisencia were also scattered with small nations. Thus, it was judged that establishing a holy land for priests within Amister would not be ideal. The Treasure Tree, located to the southwest of Amister, was designated as the holy land and ceded to establish the country.
Incidentally, it was around this time that the six Beast Kingdoms unified as the Valentia United Kingdom, small nations allied to form the Libertarian Federation, and Retisencia, also comprised of small nations, conquered its surrounding countries to become an Empire. The first invasion by Abyssal and Solemn’s attempt to dominate the Philia Continent by force were major causes, but Solemn has not given up on dominating the Philia Continent and is still coveting its neighbors. Thanks to us, they have suffered a painful setback.
“Tomorrow? No, although Amister is also ready to make the announcement within a few days, is there no problem with announcing it this early?”
“Yes. In the first place, the people of Bacion understand that they are able to live their daily lives thanks to Amister. Therefore, there are many who wish for Bacion to become a second territory of Amister.”
While I find that somewhat questionable, Bacion has a small territory and no special products, so it relies on imports from Amister for many supplies, especially food. About 100 years ago, a labyrinth was created, and the materials obtained from it could be considered its specialty. However, currently, only up to the 21st level has been confirmed, and it is a yet-to-be-conquered labyrinth that is expected to extend further. Although hunters belonging to Bacion have entered, there are few High Class individuals. Moreover, in the Disflute Labyrinth, only I-rank and T-rank monsters appear around the 10th level, with C-rank appearing at the 11th level and B-rank only at the 19th level. Apparently, S-rank monsters have been confirmed on the 21st level, but most of them are low-rank monsters, making them difficult to use as materials. The magic stones are also not traded at such high prices. So why has exploration stopped at the 21st level? The reason is that the S-rank monster is a variant of S-I rank, the Red Fang. It’s a subspecies of the Green Fang that me and Prim defeated, a wolf that manipulates fire.
“Understood. Then I will convey the Pope’s words to His Royal Highness and proceed with preparations to welcome him to Float at any time.”
“We apologize for the trouble, but we entrust it to you.”
After Bacion becomes a second territory of Amister, the Priests’ Guild Amister Headquarters in Float is scheduled to become the new main headquarters. Not only the Pope but also the cardinals will move to Float. They are also planning to move the statue of Father God, but it seems they are considering building a new main headquarters on this occasion. The Esperanza Main Headquarters is located within the Treasure Tree, but there is only the Sky Tree in Float. Since the Sky Tree is also the royal castle of Amister, it’s obviously unusable. However, they are considering a temple that will have a similar atmosphere to the Esperanza Main Headquarters by using the branches of the Sky Tree and planting Cherry Trees.
Incidentally, the Esperanza Main Headquarters will continue to be used as a holy land, and the Head Priests Master of Amister is scheduled to serve as the temple director.
“Now then, everyone, dinner preparations are complete. Please gather in the grand hall. Before that, Lord Yamato, Mako, and Aria, please excuse us and remain here for a moment.”
A victory banquet is being prepared, but for some reason, only I, Mako, and Aria were instructed to stay behind. Well, I suppose the Pope would have questions for me, so I don’t particularly mind.
“Understood.”
The others are guided by priests and leave to head to the grand hall. Mana, Prim, and Mina looked like they wanted to say something but, respecting the Pope’s request, left after a brief word to me.
“I apologize. However, I have long wished to speak with you, Lord Yamato, who has obtained the Celestial Island.”
“Ah, I see.”
The reason is understandable. Pope Ideah learned of Alka’s existence through a divine oracle shortly after I was transferred to the Helios Orb. She also learned of the appearance of a new guest, but she didn’t know where I had been transferred. However, she was told that eventually, she would be informed about Alka’s stone monument by the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia, and she was also divinely instructed not to make unnecessary contact.
However, the situation changed when I used the stone monument at the base of the Treasure Tree and transferred to Alka. Thus, a new divine oracle was given to Pope Ideah, and Aria was dispatched as the oracle’s shrine maiden. The dispatch of Aria caused controversy within the Priests’ Guild, but since Aria herself was designated by the divine oracle, no matter what the priests said, they couldn’t send someone else. Although some priests still haven’t come to terms with it, I don’t think it’s an issue I need to be involved in.
“Aria mentioned that a divine oracle was given shortly after you, Mako, transferred to the Elect Sea the other day.”
“Ah, that ridiculous divine oracle? It seems it was only a single phrase, and I have no idea what it means.”
I apologize for saying this in front of the Pope, but I truly had no idea what it meant. What did “complete” mean? What was completed?
“I understand how you feel, but it would be best not to speak of such things. Some priests are concerned about it.”
Pope Ideah admonishes me gently with a wry smile, but that’s only natural.
“I have heard that Shinichi also said so, but guests are not particularly concerned with religion?”
“Ah, I believe that is greatly influenced by our world, or rather, the country we lived in.”
Indeed. While my home country, Japan, has many shrines, not all citizens are devout believers. In fact, even I, the son of a shrine priest, don’t have much faith. For one thing, I’m not even sure if there really are gods, so I only visit shrines on New Year’s or when I have something I want to wish for. Although there are established procedures for visiting, it’s rare for people to know them.
“I have heard that as well. Therefore, it is also the reason Aria was chosen. In the first place, the first Pope, Lunaria, was not a devout believer either.”
The first Pope wasn’t a devout believer? No, that’s a pretty big problem, isn’t it?
“That is also because she is Shinichi’s chosen shrine maiden, is it not?”
“It would seem so. Lunaria was not only the first Pope but also the first shrine maiden of the oracle. Furthermore, she was also informed of the Divine Emperor’s true identity.”
I’ve heard about that from Aria. The first Pope, Lunaria Mib Bacion, received a divine oracle and came to Shinichi. They developed a love for each other while holding a grudge, and they married three years later. At that time, Shinichi was active as a Hunter in Amister. He accompanied Lunaria to establish the Bacion Theocracy in present-day Esperanza, was involved in the establishment of the Holy Hunter’s Guild, and trained its members as the Grand Holy Hunter’s Master. The current Grand Holy Hunter’s Master is Shinichi’s direct disciple, a Level 54 High Ogre, who truly respected Shinichi. Furthermore, Shinichi’s Level 95 is higher than Kazushi of Torencia, and no one has surpassed this level. Lunaria received numerous divine oracles for Shinichi and even pushed the Abyssal Divine Emperor, who appeared during the Abyssal invasion, to the brink. This was about 30 years ago. Since then, Abyssal has not invaded. However, Shinichi, Kazushi, and Eliel died from the wounds sustained at that time. The Divine Emperor was Level 86, and it is said that he could create sword-like Engraving Tools and wield Engraving Magic. Even Shinichi and Kazushi, who had higher levels, were forced into difficult battles. It seems they succeeded in destroying the Engraving Tool, but if one can generate Engraving Tools, they don’t need Engraving Tools. In fact, using Engraving Tools increases precision and strength. They likely underestimated Shinichi and his companions completely. Based on the story, the Divine Emperor is likely a proponent of Engraving Magic superiority. His level is higher than mine, and I suspect his spell precision is also higher than mine. I’m not sure compared to Mako, but her level is lower, so it seems we would have great difficulty. We have been trying to use the ultimate technique of double engravers, Engraving Fusion Art, with Mako’s cooperation, but there’s no sign of success.
“Lord Yamato, Mako, I understand that asking you, guests from another world, is unreasonable. However, you are the only ones who can save the Helios Orb. You, who use the same magic as the unknown Divine Emperor and can create weapons with your own magic power, just like the Divine Emperor, are the only ones who can confront the Divine Emperor. Therefore, please save this world.”
As the conversation turned to the Divine Emperor, Pope Ideah suddenly bowed her head. It seems Pope Ideah also knows that the current Helios Orb is a distorted world. Although there is still time, according to the Homunculi managing Alka, the Divine Emperor has absorbed Demon Crystals and become a Demon Race, further increasing his power. To confront Engraving Tools, you need Engraving Tools, but when facing the Divine Emperor who has become a Demon Race, you will undoubtedly need to evolve to at least the Ancient Class to fight him.
“Your Holiness, why only me and Yamato-kun? Even excluding the two of us, there are four other Ancient Class individuals who can fight right now, and many others are on the verge of evolution.”
I agree. Currently, there are six combat-ready Ancient Class individuals, including the Grand Hunter’s Master. Furthermore, Lydia, Ludia, Mina, Flam, and Eos are all on the verge of evolution. Even among those dispatched to Torencia, there are individuals close to evolving. Even if the Divine Emperor, having become a Demon Race, has increased his power, it would be a disadvantage to face him with more than ten Ancient Class individuals.
“I cannot speak in detail due to a vow, but it is likely impossible.”
However, Pope Ideah claims that even with over ten Ancient Class individuals, the Divine Emperor cannot be defeated.
“I am also aware of the Demon Crystals. Normal Class can gain the magic power of High Class, and High Class can gain magic power comparable to Ancient Class. So, what happens when an Ancient Class uses it?”
When an Ancient Class uses it, I mean, there are no Ancient Classes in Abyssal…
“No, the fact that the Divine Emperor’s level is 86…”
“Ah!”
Thanks to Mako’s words, I realized it. That’s right; if the Divine Emperor’s level is 86, he’s an Ancient Human! That means the Divine Emperor, who has become a Demon Race, is above the Ancient Class!
“Due to a vow, I cannot answer. Therefore, it will likely be conveyed by Aria.”
A vow again? You ask us to save the Helios Orb, but there are too many vows, aren’t there, gods? It might be a trial, but you could at least reveal the information bit by bit. However, judging by Pope Ideah’s demeanor, there seems to be another class above the Ancient Class. The condition for evolution is likely Level 101. No one in the Helios Orb has surpassed Level 100, and the highest level is Shinichi’s 95, so reaching that point seems incredibly difficult. However, since the Abyssal Divine Emperor is highly likely to surpass the Ancient Class, we have no choice but to strive for it, no matter how difficult. My current level is 82, and Mako’s is 70, so it’s not impossible. Well, for now, we need to deal with Solemn, and after that this will begin.
