Chapter 133: Star Fall (16)

Name：Clearing the Game at the End of the World Author：
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Chapter 133: Star Fall (16)

Why did you do that?

Pardon?

Why did you choose to select such a difficult path?

During the short break that the Archbishop announced, Professor followed the old man to his office under the Archbishops request, and the first thing he heard was this. Aside from the excessive amount of brass candle stands in the room, the Archbishops office was a humble little room considering his position and not that different from a normal nobles study.

I have heard from Senadis. She said your identity was unsure and had the possibility of being part of the Evil Gods forces, but claimed it would be a waste to just throw it away as bait. She believed the church needed one like yourself, so I had decided to give you a chance.

Hahahah. No wonder you played along so well so, that was what happened. Well, did you like me?

It was marvelous. I could feel deep within my heart that Ro Haram was guiding us.

The Archbishop turned toward one of the large windows with light rays shining through it, bowing down and murmuring a prayer for a moment. If he had looked like a benevolent grandpa that had spent his entire life farming away on a distant hill at the meeting room, he now looked more like an old king in deep distress.

Thats probably the real Archbishop, Saint Norman. Or this might be another act of pretending to be himself.

Although I hadnt told him in advance, the man had read the flow of the conversation from what I said and came in to support me at just the right time. I can confidently say that he is not just an old man who seeks the glory of his god.

That is more so why I cannot understand. Do you know just how incredible a feat you just achieved? It is like you have just played with the legendary Warriors that were in that room. The one who left the biggest impression on me at the meeting was none other than you. Did you happen to see the ones outside of the meeting room when we left?

Yes. There were quite a few guys wandering around the gardens.

They did not come out just to rest. After the situation settled, a few of the Warriors realized that they were completely swept up in your pace and had been waiting outside to talk with you. They knew who was currently leading the meeting and wanted to talk to you about their own interests.

No wonder I felt some needles prick my back when I walked out.

Hahah. Do not pretend you did not know. Is it not to avoid speaking with them that you followed close behind me?

Goodness. Does Ro Haram tell the Archbishop that, too?

Living in this chaotic world while aging under the name of Archbishop helps you see many things.

When I indirectly asked him, You really a priest, grandpa? Howd you know so well?, the Archbishop responded with a gentle smile.

Do you know the most basic doctrine of light?

Im sorry. It was only as of recently I got to learn the Lights doctrines.

It is that [Light shines upon all without discrimination]. Equality without any restrictions. The joy of sunrise that anyone is able to see in the morning. There are countless doctrines and interpretations, but you can say that they all originate from this one doctrine.

I see.

I couldnt just outright refute him, so I gave him an ambiguous answer. Thats because the Lights Order is basically the representative organization for human supremacy. Theyre a group of racists who put religion at the forefront. But they claim equality for all?

Do not make such an expression. I also know how unbelievable that is now. There is now another line written under the first doctrine of Ro Harams Scriptures that are given to the believers, that [All, are those who can look up to serve the light]. It means that they cannot receive the blessing of Ro Haram if they are not a believer.

Is that not forgery? Since when, who, did such a blasphemous

I did that.

Excuse me?

I altered the doctrine.

The Archbishop spoke with a calm, solemn tone, as if confessing his sins. But in his face, he could see the expression of remorse engraved into it as deeply as his wrinkles.

58 years ago, I was a young priest who lived each day to the fullest simply by praising the light and Ro Haram. Without any worries, I believed that merely praying was the duty of a priest, and I lived each day like so.

While listening to what he said, I turned up my senses to their peak. I didnt know why, but what the Archbishop was saying right now was probably something close to the churchs disgraceful secrets. If there was anyone eavesdropping, then my life would be in danger. Honestly, things like this were best not to hear in the first place, so internally, I just wanted to stop the Archbishop from talking.

50 years ago, the time of the Orcs Hunting Season came around. Unfortunately, the temple I belonged to was much too close to the south. We lost many brothers during our escape. I constantly asked myself, Oh Ro Haram. Why? Why have you taken so many of your kind believers? There was no answer, but I now knew that the church could not be protected with just prayers and faith. Because of that, I decided to walk the path of a monk. Through martial training, I will protect the light called faith from the shadows of the world. That is what I thought.

Vwoom

Shwoooo

Please answer me! We dont wish for much! Just a small signalone small signwould be enough, so please show that their deaths were not in vain! Please! If you truly consider us your children!

Covered in blood and tears, the monk bowed his head down in front of the statue.

Please give me an answer

Crashhh!

Inside the chapel, surrounded by rain and thunder, was a monk who cried out to his god for an answer.

But regardless of his desperate prayers that reached for the heavens, only the quivering light of the candles lit by a deceased flickered in the dark chapel.

I do not remember what I prayed for that day. It may have been Sylernim Chapter 7, or maybe Light Chapter 3, but I cannot remember it. I just continued to kneel there, head bowed, and cried out to Ro Haram until I fainted from exhaustion. There had been no answer. But when the light of morning had started to seep through the windows, I realized that a holy power incomparably stronger than before was now in my possession.

Professor just then realized where all of these brass candle stands in his office came from.

I was not given an answer, but I realized what I needed to do. After closing the temple that no longer had anyone left, I headed to the main cathedral and reported the situation of the church I was at. There were many who grieved for me and showered me with thanks for coming back alive, but that all did not matter to me. From that day on, I did everything I could to reach the position of Archbishop. I approached powerful nobles, used political maneuvers, and used all sorts of underhanded means, and with the support of many priests based on my unmatched holy power, I finally took the position of Archbishop. It was when not only Rodrick but almost all nations were struggling with financial instability due to the Noble Wars, and the war merchants were the ones holding all of the wealth. I went to them and asked. What should I do to make them support the Lights Order? Do you know what they requested?

What did they request?

They said this. A merchant is one that measures everything in the world with money, but since raising the strength of a single religion will be a semi-permanent benefit to us, they do not know how much to ask for. So, they were going to make it so our prestige led to their benefit as well. What they requested was to spread the teachings to not treat other races of species as humans. At that point, most nations banned the slavery of other races. To them, this was just a loss of profit using high-value products that were bound by the law. This was an act against the doctrine, but in the end, I agreed. So the Lights Order no longer treated different races as the same level of humanity, and the war merchants who had countless nobles indebted to them, regardless of whether they were mere barons, dukes, or even royalty, kept their promise and made the Lights Order Rodricks national religion. No one could defy our word anymore. There was no longer any danger for our brothers to be dragged out to the battlefield, nor to be attacked and killed.

Hahhhh.

Letting out a deep sigh, the Archbishop got up from his seat.

That was what happened. I merely realized that faith alone is not enough to protect my religion. On the day I joined hands with the war merchants and altered the doctrine, I selected those who are faithful who were able to step outside of the doctrines borders like I have and manage the churchs information. This old man called the Archbishop and his brethren had strayed from the path Ro Harams light directed into the shadows, but thanks to that, many believers are able to live their lives with just the praise of the light and serving of Ro Haram, as I did in my teenage years.

And whats the reason you told me this?

When I asked him that, the Archbishop, who didnt stop for a single moment even when telling me his entire past, hesitated momentarily.

Senadis wants you to join the shadow of the church as she did. She claimed you had talent. I also agree with her. Have you seen Gregorio? He has a firm belief and strength that is impeccable but if one like him takes position as the head of the church, the Lights Order will be swept away in the currents of the world and become weakened, then just repeat its history. The church needs people like you. I have become more certain after seeing your performance in the meeting room. Especially in times like these. Originally, I had planned to make you join the church by all means necessary, even by using rather forceful methods, but

Creak

The Archbishop rummaged through his drawer and took out a worn letter and a book, then stamped them with the Archbishops seal and handed them to Professor. The book clearly was flowing with an unusual energy, and on the cover of the letter it said [Penitence to the brethren I have abandoned].

How odd. For some reason, as I work to persuade you, I feel the urge to speak of my past.

Handing the letter to me, the Archbishop looked like a person who had just put down all of the regrets they had been holding inside of them.

Though the world does not know and Ro Haram keeps silent, I cannot turn away from the truths that I know of. In the end, I have turned my back to all of the other races who should have also shared the all-shining light that Ro Haram speaks of for the sake of my brothers of Light. It is a mistake of mine that cannot be washed away. One day, when I return to the form of light next to Ro Haram, I will not be able to confidently ask him, Did I live as a tool according to your will?

The Archbishop took a few steps back, then bowed to me as he clasped his hands around mine.

But here you are, appearing out of nowhere and announcing you will bring peace between the church and other races. Do you know how much that surprised me? It was a struggle to hold back the urge to shout out Ro Harams name in the meeting room. That was when I thought it might actually be Ro Harams decision to make you his tool when you became the warrior of this church. I cannot dare restrict one who is acting in the will of a god.

Not only was the Archbishop bowing to me, but he was also trying to kneel down. Take the Archbishops prostration? Me? Sitting straight up in a chair?!

Splat!

Oh, Archbishop, sir! You do not need to do that! I actually just have something I need to do with the elves, which was why I led the conversation in that directionit isnt like I actually heard Ro Harams voice or anything

Hahahah. That is also the will of the light.

The Archbishop took out a small vial from his robe. It was a fragrance often used in temples. He raised his body, then spilt a few drops of the vial onto Professors bowing head.

Latura, Ro Haram. As the servant of Ro Haram and Archbishop of the Lights Order, I will officially appoint you as the Lights Warrior and ambassador. I beg of you, correct the wrong of the past and brighten it with light.

Above Professor, who was still flat on the floor, not knowing what to do, and the Archbishop, who anointed him with a relieved expression, the bright afternoon rays of sunlight were shining brightly upon them.

On that day, the Lights Order notified the leaders and information guilds of each country of Warrior Professors name and that he could receive the Lights Orders support with that name.