222 - - Art. 222. The Power of the Sanctuary

"Welcome!　We've been waiting for you, Lex!"

When we announced our arrival at the Adventurers' Guild in the Holy City as previously specified, we were shown to one of the guild's reception rooms.

Not long after that, Mr. Phoca entered the reception room with a big smile on his face.

"Let's get you baptized as a godchild right away!"

"I'd like to hear more about what you're asking."

I don't know what's so urgent, but I don't want to get into trouble, so I quietly avoid it.

I mean, I guess you haven't given up on that story yet.

"I guess there's nothing I can do about it..."

Mr. Foca shrugs ruefully.

Perhaps it was just a joke?

"Okay. Then we'll do this baptism when the request is done."

...... Looks like he wasn't kidding.

"No thanks. But please tell me the details of your request."

"Too bad. But yes, we don't have much time, so let's get back to business.

Foca-san, perhaps ready to talk seriously about her work, straightens her posture and stares at us.

She looks like a saint in this way.

"Actually, I'd like you to join me on a trip.

"A trip?"

"Yes, it's a special ritual, a pilgrimage."

Pilgrimage, from what I've heard, sounds like a trip for ordinary believers, doesn't it?

"The pilgrimage is a ritual to resolve problems that arise between the temples of the six great deities in the Holy City. And we want you to join us on this journey as outside helpers."

I see, from Mr. Phoca's explanation, I have a feeling that something rough is in store for us.

So that's why he asked us adventurers to join him.

So we are to travel with Mr. Foca and the others as their escort?

No, it's not our trip we want you to join us on.

Huh?　No?

"Huh?　What are we supposed to do then?"

"Lex, we want you to join us on our journey as helpers in the temple of the Lord God."

Temple of the Lord God?　What do you mean?"

Hmm?　I'm getting a little confused here, aren't I?

Isn't this a request from Mr. Phoca?

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything."

With that, Mr. Foca starts to tell us the reason why the pilgrimage is being held in the Holy City.

But before I ask you to do the job, let me give you some preliminary information about the Holy City.

"About the Holy City?"

Yes. It's important for us to know if you accept our offer."

I understand.

Since Mr. Phoca went so far as to say that, it must be necessary information.

"This is a sacred place where the gods are said to have descended in mythical times."

Yes, this is exactly what Mr. Norbu told me on the way here.

"It is said that at that time, the world was on the verge of destruction due to many conflicts and disasters."

Wow, this is a myth that I have never heard in my previous life or two.

It's quite different from the myths I heard in my previous life.

The other one had more glittering images of gods and goddesses.

"One day, a young man, worried about the devastation of the world, set out on a journey to save it.

Oh, this is starting to sound like a hero story!

"...... But the young man's journey was so tough that many times he fell to his knees and almost gave up. Yet each time he got up and continued his journey. All for the sake of world peace."

Foca's wry yet passionate delivery draws us into the story.

"......Somewhere along the way, five like-minded friends gathered under the young man's wing. The young man continued his journey with his friends, overcoming many obstacles along the way.

Perhaps it is because she has traveled from place to place as a saint.

The hardships of these young people sounded very true as Ms. Phoca spun them through her mouth.

The gods, who had been watching over the young people's journey from faraway heaven, recognized their pure and righteous deeds and descended to earth to bestow wisdom and blessings upon them. With the help of the gods, the young men used their power to restore peace to the world.

Oh, so this is where God comes in.

It would be nice if God directly lent us his power in real life too.

"After the world was at peace, the young men made the place where the gods had descended a holy place and built a temple there. The young men became respected by many as the heads of the temples they built, that is, as the first popes. And so it was.

""""""Oh""""""

We were listening to the story and couldn't help but clap our hands.

Wow, Mr. Phoca is a very good preacher.

"That's one of the reasons why this place has flourished as the headquarters of various churches that follow different gods. But you see, that's why we're in a bit of trouble."

"Trouble?"

Apparently, here's where we come in.

"Yes. This is the headquarters of the churches that worship the six great deities. In other words, it's where the most important members of the congregation of the gods live. It would have been better if they were far away from here, but if they were gathered so close to each other, it's inevitable that there would be friction."

I see what you mean... ......

"Power struggle?"

Mr. Phoca shrugs at Mr. Megli's merciless comment.

"I'm embarrassed."

I knew it.

Well, I had a feeling from the view outside.

"In the past, the world was in such a state of warfare that the authority of all the temples of the gods were at odds with each other, but the last few hundred years have been a time of peace without any world crisis, so the balance has shifted.

"Peace ......"

"World Crisis: ......"

Then, for some reason, everyone responded to Phoca's words with a lightless gaze.

"What's wrong?"

"""""No, nothing """""

They all looked away at once and wondered what was going on?

"To be more specific, the influence of the temples of the Lord Gods, who are the mediators of the various temples, has decreased, and instead the temples of the Gods of War and the Gods of Commerce have increased their voice."

"Huh?　In times of peace, wouldn't the influence of the god of war weaken?"

Mina tilts her head at Phoca's words.

No, even in a peaceful world there are many wars between nations and skirmishes between individuals. So the influence of the god of war does not change much.

"Oh, I see."

It seems that the threat of demons is less in this age than in the past, but instead, conflicts among humans are increasing.

Well, in my previous life, humans were fighting each other in between battles with demons, so it's always the same with people in power.

If the world becomes more peaceful, it will be safer and merchants will be able to travel more easily. That's why the god of business has more power in the congregation. But the followers of the Lord God will have less power.

"Why is that?　Since the Lord God is a political god, isn't he believed in by those in power?"

Lilieira now asks, "What do you mean?

"At least. But in real life, people in power want money and wisdom to run the country, don't they?　That's why money and faith gather in the temples of the gods of commerce and wisdom. If the world were in a stormy time, a powerful person who has strong faith in the Lord God would have the seal of approval that he is worthy of leadership. ......"

"In times of peace," he said, "there are fewer situations in which people can exercise their authority."

"Yes. And if you invoke your authority too often, you're going to antagonize people."

"So fewer people really believe in the temple of the Lord God."

Hmmm, I guess you can never forget the heat of the moment when you're in the heat of the moment.

"Especially among civilians. Since this is a city of believers, not nobles, it is even more difficult for the followers of the main deity to settle in the Holy City.

I see, in that sense, the weakening of the temple of the Lord God may be a problem specific to the Holy City.

In a nation, there would be at least some offerings and worship to the Church of the Lord God to show the legitimacy of those in power.

"But what does that have to do with us being called here?"

As adventurers, we can't do anything about the problems between temples in the Holy City.

Yes, that's what this is all about.

Once a year, a ritual is held in the Holy City. And the representative who organizes the ritual has been the main deity's temple for generations. ......"

And here Phoca rubs his finger between his eyebrows and lets out a big sigh.

"The temple of the God of Commerce has started to insist that it should be led by their own powerful temple, not by the temple of the Lord God whose faith has waned. And the other temples would not stand idly by if they heard such a thing. Soon all the temples were insisting that they should take the lead in the rituals, and things got very ugly.

"Wow."

I can see the scene in my mind's eye.

"However, we can't just continue the meeting as there is no time to spare before the ritual takes place. And an all-out war between temples is not the way to go.

So Mr. Foca raised his index finger and mentioned a solution to the situation.

"So we decided to solve the problem in a certain way that we have been using for a long time when we have conflicts," he said.

I see, so that brings us back to the point.

"That's what the pilgrimage is all about. The rugged journey the first popes took to bring peace to the world. It's a ritual modeled after that. It's kind of like a race. And on the pilgrimage, they are allowed to call in helpers from the outside."

"""""" helpers""""""

I see. So that's what we are.

But then, this pilgrimage seems to be a rather dangerous ritual.

"In mythology, when a young man begins his journey, he is not ashamed to ask for help from outsiders, for he has gathered a band of companions. In fact, it is recommended as a sign that you have the trust of many people."

Wow, it's kind of refreshing to hear people say that these rituals are usually accomplished only by oneself.

"Well, the truth is that it's just a convenience that the temple of the god of commerce has twisted into a tradition to attract skilled adventurers and knights with the power of money.

"Oops."

It's getting a little fishy after all.

"That's why we need you to help the Lord God's temple, which cannot afford to have any powerful helpers."

Anyway, I understand the situation.

I'm still a little concerned about .......

"Mr. Phoca, why are you helping the Lord God's temple?　If other temples are also trying to lead the ritual, wouldn't it be the same with Foca's temple of the Earth Mother Goddess?"

Yes, I don't understand why Mr. Foca is helping the temple of the Lord God.

But the reason soon became clear from Mr. Phoca's mouth.

"I don't deny that my superiors think so too. But, no matter who wins the battle for leadership, there will always be a grudge, right?　Then it is best that the main temple conducts it as usual, so that there is no conflict. It won't have much effect on the power structure."

"Chart of forces?"

Yes, if another temple wins and takes the lead, there will be a definite change in the power relations among the churches in other countries. In simple terms, it would create a hierarchy. This could affect the balance of power among nations and could trigger a war in the worst case scenario.

Wow, that's scary.

"That's why, when I learned of the proposed pilgrimage, I asked you to be appointed so that you, an S-rank adventurer, would not be taken by another temple.

"And that means all the other S-rank adventurers?"

We're looking for them, but unlike you, they don't have a base of operations, so they're hard to find.

"Oh, I see, it's true that Lex-san has a base in King's Landing, so he is easier to find than others.

"That's what I mean. To be precise, Lex is the only one who returns regularly to the place he has chosen as his base. Other people don't even come close to the places they set up bases.

Foca expresses his frustration at the lack of other S-ranked adventurers.

I guess everyone is busy.

"That's why we need your help. I won't hold it against you if you refuse at worst. But at least don't lend your help to other churches.

Phoca-san bowed his head deeply and asked us to help him.

It's a complicated story, though.

Religious relations are often troublesome.

Above all, I'm afraid that they'll be watching us whether we win or lose.

And the real reason why they said we could refuse the request was probably because they wanted us to refuse the request from other churches.

I guess they thought it's better to pay 10 gold coins to hear what's going on than to upset the balance between nations and start a war.

But as Mr. Foca said, it would be better for the Lord God's church to win as before than for other churches to win.

If Mr. Foca would keep quiet, we could take the job in disguise like we did with Tiran.

"...... I think I can take the job, what about you guys?"

Yes, I think I'll take the job too. I think I can accept it, too.

"I'm in!　I don't mind fighting demons, but I don't want to go to war with them!

"Personally, I don't want to get into trouble, but it bothers me that if I don't do it, I'll be in more trouble. Do you think you can disguise yourself?"

"I don't have a problem with it as long as the rewards are great."

Liliela, Gyro, Mina and Megli agreed.

"I'm ......."

Only one person, Mr. Norb, seems to be having trouble.

I don't blame him.

Because Mr. Norbu is a follower of the god of wisdom.

"Nolbu is a believer of God of Wisdom, isn't he?　Isn't that just not good enough?"

They are not going to force Mr. Nolbu to join, if that's what they are worried about.

"...... No, the teaching of the God of Wisdom is to teach knowledge that is useful to others. And to gather knowledge for the benefit of the world. Knowledge about power is important, but it is undesirable for a follower of the God of Knowledge to abuse knowledge in the pursuit of power.

But Mr. Nolbu still strongly urges us to accept the request.

"......Yeah, that's a deal. Mr. Foca, I'll take the job.

"Yes!　Thank you, everyone!"

When we accepted the offer, Mr. Foca smiled and thanked us.

Then, in the following words, she said, "I am very happy to be here.

"Then you will be a girl."

"...... yes?"