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Chapter 970: Altanus (7)

“If it wasn’t for you-”

“Templar Genny,” I interrupted.

“Yes?”

“I’m the one who caused this trouble. I don’t even know what to say… for getting you involved in this… If I had been just a bit more considerate of you…” I said.

I wouldn’t have talked about the divine message while he was here in the first place, but I did that for a reason.

I was unaware of just how big and powerful the armed forces of the Underground Temple were, and I had no idea that Draktaris was wary of Templar Genny. I hadn\'t considered the possibility of him getting involved in this incident.

On the outside, that was what it looked like for Templar Genny.

“...”

‘Playing with a kid is pretty easy.’

From my point of view, it was a good thing to make him feel indebted to me. He was still a child, but he was pretty strong, and he had a bright future ahead of him. Whenever there was an opportunity, it was best to seize it right away.

I wonder what I looked like in his eyes…

The priest he respected suddenly received a divine message.

I was an ill-fated priest enveloped in an indescribable light, and I was the priest who had received a divine message about the threat to the continent. I was probably born with a cruel fate—the cruel fate of having to fight against a great threat.

Kids would surely go crazy over this setting.

‘On top of that, I saved his life.’

It was a bit unclear, but anyway, we were on the same boat.

Of course, he wasn’t given any role.

He was nothing more than a low-level Templar, so his only role was to keep quiet.

It seemed that he thought of the same thing. Priests had a tendency to put a lot of importance on things like the Goddess\' guidance, fate, and Lady Lucifer\'s hints.

Of course, a young individual was easily swayed, so I was convinced that Templar Genny was having thoughts like, “The Goddess has guided us to each other,” or “It’s my divine duty to protect and support this priest who has to face a terrible threat.”

“It’s not your fault, Father. You…” Templar Genny muttered.

‘Yeah, I didn\'t have the luxury of time to think things through, and my seizure was kind of abrupt earlier.’

“I’m sure… it was difficult for you as well…” Templar Genny said.

\'I should smile faintly at him.\'

“I can’t say that I’m the only one who’s suffering,” I said, smiling faintly.

“What?”

“I’m sure you and Father Draktaris have been having a hard time as well. Of course, I’m not saying what he did was right. Threatening you… was definitely wrong… but I believe my fault is bigger for not considering each of your positions. That’s why…” I trailed off.

Templar Genny nodded, but I didn\'t think it meant that he agreed with me. He smiled awkwardly, looking like he was having a hard time arguing against me. Afterward, he seemed to fall into contemplation.

Then, with an awkward face, he muttered, “Excuse me… Father.”

“Yes?”

“W-What will happen to the continent?” Templar Genny asked.

“That’s…”

I patted his head. It was rude, but it seemed like the right thing to do because we were already best friends.

“That’s… not something you need to worry about,” I told him.

\'Basically, trust the adults.\'

“I’m sure you’re worried about many things, but there are talented priests and Templars down here,” I said.

“What?”

“I want you to enjoy the life you were given a little more,” I answered.

“Ah…”

\'It’s fine, just let the adults handle this.\'

I had to be careful about this, as he could think that I was treating him like a child and become hostile toward me.

However, this sensation had to feel new to him, as no one would ever talk to him like this. As soon as he opened his eyes, he was already a servant of Lucifer, and the Underground Temple had been pressuring him to become an adult soon.

He had given up his life to become even stronger for Lucifer.

I was sure I was the only person who had ever told him to enjoy the life he was given.

There were many adult priests here, but it was an undeniable fact that this sensation was brand-new to him. As expected, he thought I was different from the other adult priests.

“I-I’d like to help—”

“I know, Templar Genny. However, that’s not what we need right now,” I told him.

“I believe one day Lady Lucifer will use you, but that time isn’t now,” I added.

“Father…” Templar Genny mumbled.

“See more things and learn a lot until Lady Lucifer thinks you’re ready. The world is huge, beautiful, and vast. You can learn many things from the smallest things out there, and it’s a place… where you’ll always learn something new,” I told him.

I wanted him to think along the lines of this, "I had no idea what Father meant by his words at the time, but now… I feel like I finally understand." It wasn\'t a bad idea, and funnily enough, Templar Genny actually looked like he didn’t know what I was talking about.

I just gave him a hint about the future, but he seemed to be enjoying the warmth and comfort that I was giving him so much that it did not seem like he noticed that hint.

I patted his head again.

He seemed a bit embarrassed about it, but he didn’t seem to dislike my touch. However, it didn’t take him long to come back to his senses. He was on a mission right now, after all.

“Ah! F-Father. It’s time to go,” Templar Genny said.

“Looks like it’s already time,” I commented.

“Yes. Father Draktartis said he’ll prepare the uniform, so you just need to wait in the waiting room of the social gathering hall,” Templar Genny answered.

“Really?” I asked.

“You’ll be the fifth person to enter,” Templar Genny informed.

“What? Why…” I questioned.

“I believe this is his way of being considerate…” Templar Genny said.

\'This is why you need to be on the right side.\'

“I’ll take you there, Father,” Templar Genny offered.

“Thank you, Templar Genny,” I said.

“No problem!”

‘Originally, there was no such thing as an entry order.’

To be exact, I was an extra.

Rather than getting introduced to everyone before entering the hall, I had to enter the hall without anyone knowing it.

I couldn\'t get any attention, and I had to look at others with envious eyes.

This was perfect for an unknown wandering priest.

I had to be honored for even receiving an invitation.

This gathering was for the sponsors from aboveground. This was a place for those in power, the strong with special powers, and nobles or royalty with a deep history.

Powerless wandering priests, philosophers admired by the denizens, and even sages were only invited to fill in the empty seats. Of course, the former were allowed to enter "formally," while the others simply filled the empty seats without any of the formalities.

Moreover, it wasn\'t like it was easy to talk to the high-ranking officials.

‘Draktaris hyung has more power than I thought.’

In addition…

‘The uniform isn’t so bad.’

I liked the fact that it wasn’t too fancy. It made me look like an introverted priest instead of a clown. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the clothes I brought with me, but if possible, I’d like to wear clothes that match the trend.

The Atentas stood next to me and helped me get into the uniform.

I tried my best not to look awkward.

I found this treatment to be kind of uncomfortable, but I had to act like I was used to receiving this kind of treatment. After all, my backstory was that I was a child of a noble family. If the Atentas and guards here were Draktaris’ eyes and ears, then there couldn\'t be any contradictions in my story.

“Where is Father Draktaris…” I asked.

“He’s on his way, Father,” a maid answered.

Draktaris\' downside was that he was hard to kill.

‘He’s really stubborn.’

I wasn’t sure whether the expedition group had encountered him yet or not, but they had spent almost an entire day clearing the prayer room, but I had yet to hear any news about the raid from them.

I didn\'t really think that they were going to fail, but I was feeling frustrated.

Soon, I heard a voice outside. “Father Lee Ki-Young, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

I exited and entered the waiting room. Of course, I saw the stubborn bastard there.

“You’re here,” Draktaris greeted.

“Thank you for being considerate, Father Draktaris.”

I decided to greet him first. I wasn\'t really a fan of situations like this, but I had to show my appreciation for his kindness.

“I’m worried that I’ve burdened you,” I added.

\'I did burden you because I can feel you trying to use me for political reasons.\'

“That’s not the case, Father,” Draktaris answered.

The Underground Temple was already aware that a priest who had received a divine message was here. There hadn\'t been any details yet, but I was sure that Draktaris would announce it soon, as he had to claim me for himself.

When it came to religious people, nothing gave more power and validation than hearing the voice of one\'s goddess or god. He wasn’t a corrupted priest, but it was all the more reason for him to be obsessed with me. He was going to use me for his own agenda, and I’d obtain his support as a result.

He’d announce that the priest who had received a divine message was on his side, and I…

‘I will become the star of the social gathering.’

“Father Draktaris and Lee Ki-Young, the wandering priest, have arrived!”

I stepped forward, and my favorite scenery came into view. I could feel many people looking at me. They seemed to have already heard the rumors because they were whispering to each other, and I saw others looking at me from head to toe.

Obviously, there was a certain image that they were expecting from me. They probably thought I was a devout believer, as I heard Lady Lucifer’s voice. They expected me to look like a typical upright priest.

After all, I got invited to this social gathering, even though I was just a wandering priest.

Of course, I didn’t disappoint them.

My eyes were filled with devotion and I walked as if holy power was dripping down my figure. I looked like I had gone through a lot. I had both respect and guilt toward Lady Lucifer and Saint Altanus. I was known as the Saint of Light on the continent, so I knew instinctively how I needed to act to attract the crowd.

I could sense them staring at me.

‘Keep staring. Keep staring at me.’

Father Draktaris was already part of the crowd, and the room became silent.

‘I’m the Saint of Light, damn it.’

“Lucifer…”

‘I’m the God of Sacrifice and Revival.’

“O Lucifer…”

I heard voices that made me want to spread my wings.

If I were to show my wings, half of the people here would get down on their knees.

‘The problem is that the other half will try to get a piece of me.’

Exaggeration was bad when done too much, but this was my first appearance, so I needed to make an impact. I decided to unleash a faint light, and people looked at me again.

I was sure they realized that…

‘That I’m the star.’

It took no time for me to receive countless handshake requests.

Regardless of what was going to happen, I was already the star of this social gathering.

‘I’m the star, damn it.’