222 Lesson 222: The Power of the Sanctuary

"Welcome! I've been waiting for you, Mr. Lex!"

When we announced our arrival to the Adventurer's Guild in the Holy City, we were guided to one of the Guild's reception rooms.

And before I could wait, Foca entered the reception room with a smile on her face.

Let's baptize this book as Amiko!

I'd like to know more about your request than that.

I don't know what it is right now, but I don't want to get involved in the trouble, so I decide to do it gently.

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

"There's no island to attach to."

Foca shrugs her shoulders unfortunately.

Was it just a joke?

“Okay, then I'll baptize the book when I'm done.”

... Looks like you weren't kidding.

“I won't. Please tell me more about the request than that.”

“I'm sorry, but we're running out of time, so let's get back to work.”

Foka-san is about to start talking about work, and he's going to straighten his posture and stare at us.

I feel like a saintly lady when I do this.

Actually, I want you to join me on a journey.

Traveling?

"Yes, a special ritual of pilgrimage."

It's a pilgrimage, but it feels like an ordinary believer's journey.

"The pilgrimage is a ritual to solve problems when there is trouble between the six shrines in the holy city."And I want you to join me on this journey as external helpers. "

In view of Foca-san's explanation, I have a feeling that something rough is happening.

That's why you asked us, the adventurers.

So we can travel together as Foca's escort, right?

No, it's not our journey we want you to join.

Oh, no?

"Well, what do we do then?"

Rex, I want you to take part in the journey as a helper in the Lord God's temple.

Lord God's Temple? What do you mean? "

Hmm? Somehow we're getting a little stirred up.

Isn't this a request from Mr. Foca?

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

That's why Foca tells us why the pilgrimage takes place in the Holy City.

But before I ask you to do your job, let me explain about this holy city in advance.

About the Holy City?

“Yes, it's important information for me to accept the request.”

Got it.

Foka-san said so, so I guess it's the information I need.

"This sanctuary is supposed to be the land of the gods in mythical times."

Yeah, it's exactly what Mr. Nolve told me about going to this area.

"At that time, the world was said to be on the brink of destruction due to many disputes and calamities."

Huh, it's a myth I've never heard of in my previous life or in my past life.

It's a lot different than the myths I've heard in my previous life.

It was a story with a stronger sparkling image of the gods.

“One day, a young man who was mourning the devastated world went on a journey to save the world.”

Oh, it's kind of like a hero story!

"... but the young man's journey was so harsh that every once in a while the young man pushed his knee and almost gave up.But the young man got up every time and continued his journey.All for the sake of world peace. "

Foca's subtle and passionate narrative draws us into the story.

"... one day, five companions with the same aspirations gathered under the young man."Young people continued their journey with their peers, jumping through many difficulties. ”

I wonder if it's because I've traveled all over the country as a saint.

The misery of the young people spinning from Foka-san's mouth sounds very truthful.

"And the gods, who watched the journeys of the young men from far away from the kingdom of heaven, came down upon the earth, recognizing their clean and righteous deeds, and blessed them with wisdom and mercy.Young people, helped by the gods, brought peace back to the world with their power. "

Oh, God is coming out here.

I wish God could help me in real life.

“When the world was at peace, the young people made the land where the gods had descended a sacred place and built a temple there.Young people began to be respected by many as the head of the temple they built, the first pope. ”

»» »» »» »» Oh »» »

We unexpectedly applauded as we listened to the story.

No, Foca-san is also good at preaching.

"For this reason, this land flourishes as the main mountain of each church that believes in each god.But, that's why I'm in a bit of a trouble. "

Trouble?

Looks like we're in production from here.

"Yes. This is the main hill of each church that celebrates the six gods.I mean, this is where the greatest of the gods live.I wish I was far away, but if I was to gather here, it would be inevitable. "

To the extent that it is, I mean.....

"Power struggle?"

Foca shrugged at Megri's relentless words.

Shame on you.

That's what happens after all.

Well, that's what I thought when I saw the view outside.

"In the past, the world was rough, so the authority of all the gods' temples was overwhelming, but in the last few hundred years, there has been a deviation in the balance because it is a peaceful era without any problems that could be described as a global crisis."

"Peace..."

"The World Crisis..."

Then, for some reason, everyone reacted to Mr. Foca's words with the glance of losing the light.

Oh, what's wrong?

"" "" No "" "Anything" "

What's wrong with all of you looking away?

Specifically, the influence of the Lord God's temple, which is the mediator of each temple, has fallen, and the temple of the War God and the Trade God has increased its voice instead.

Huh? In peacetime, isn't the influence of the gods of war weakened?

Mina tilts her head at Foca's words.

"No, even in a peaceful world, there are many wars between nations and skirmishes between individuals."That's why the influence of the war gods doesn't change much. "

"Ah, to the extent that it's made."

Nowadays, it seems that the threat from demons is less than it used to be, but instead, there seems to be more fighting between humans.

Well, in my previous life, humans fought with each other in between battles with demons, so the things that the powerful will do will never change.

"If the world becomes peaceful, security will be better, and traders will be easier to get away from."That's why the power of the followers of the business god is stronger.But the followers of the gods, on the contrary, lose their strength. "

"Why is that?" Since the main god is the god of politics, wouldn't he be believed by the powerful? "

And now Lilliera asks.

“At least, but what the powerful want in real life is money and the wisdom to run the country, right?That's why money and faith gather in the temple of the gods of commerce and wisdom.In a time when the world is rough, those in power who strongly believe in the Lord God can get a certification that they are worthy of leadership.... "

"In times of peace, there are fewer situations in which power is exercised."

"Yes, and if you activate your power often, you'll buy a repulsion."

That's why fewer people really believe in the temple of the Lord God.

Hmm, he forgets about the fever if it's too much down his throat.

"Especially among civilians."This is the capital of the faithful, not the nobles, so it is difficult for the followers of the Lord God to settle in the Holy City of Judaism. ”

Well, in that sense, maybe the weakening of the Temple of the Lord God is a problem unique to the Holy City.

In the country, at the very least, to show the legitimacy of the powerful, the church of the gods will be baptized and worshipped.

"But does that have anything to do with what we were called to do?"

As expected, the adventurers couldn't solve the problems between the temples in the Holy City.

"Yes, that's what this is all about."

"There is a shrine in this holy city once a year."And the temple of the Lord God was the representative who organized the divine affairs for generations.... "

And here, Foca-san exhales a huge sigh as she rubbed her fingers between her brows.

"I insisted that the temple of the merchant gods should be led by the powerful ones, not the temple of the faded faith gods."And if they say that, the other temples won't shut up.While I was at it, all the temples were saying that we should take charge of the deity, and it turned out to be a dangerous atmosphere. "

Wow.

I can see the sight.

"That said, I can't continue my meeting with Lazy until there's no time for divine affairs to take place."and all-out war between the temples. "

So Mr. Foca put his index finger up and said how to solve the situation.

“That's why we decided to solve the problem in a way that we used when we were in conflict.”

That's where you come back to.

“That's the pilgrimage.A rugged journey once taken by the first Pope to bring peace to the world.A ritual to imitate it.Well, it's like a little race.So, it is permissible to call outside help for the pilgrimage. "

»» »» »» »» »» »» »

That's why it's us.

But then, that pilgrimage seems like a pretty dangerous ritual.

"It is not shameful to resort to the help of outsiders, because the companions have gathered under the young people who began their journey in mythology.It's recommended because it's evidence of the trust of many people. "

Hmm, these rituals are often said to be accomplished by your own strength, so they're kind of fresh.

"Well, in truth, the temple of the business god is conveniently screwed in to attract adventurers and knights with the power of gold."

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, o

In the end, it has become a stinking story.

"That's why I want you to help me with the temple of the Lord God who can't even prepare a powerful helper."

Anyway, I understand the situation.

... but there's something I'm a little concerned about.

"Foka-san, why are you helping the god temple?"If the other temples are also aiming to lead the ritual, isn't the temple of the Mother Earth Goddess of Foca the same? "

Yes, I don't understand why Foca is helping the god temple.

However, the reason was immediately clear from Mr. Foca's mouth.

"I certainly don't deny that you think that way above me."But no matter where you win, there's still a grudge, right?Then, as usual, the temple of the gods is the least of the horns.The faction chart doesn't have much of an impact. "

Faction Chart?

"Yes, if another temple wins and takes the lead, there will be a clear change in the power relationship between churches in other countries."To put it plainly, the relationship between the top and the bottom can be established.And that could trigger the worst of war. "

Wow, that's scary.

"That's why, when I learned that the pilgrimage ritual had been proposed, I sent you a request for nomination."Don't let your S-rank adventurer take you away from other temples. "

Is that true for all the other S-rank adventurers?

I'm looking for them, but unlike you, they don't have a base, so it's hard to find them.

"Yeah, sure enough, Rex has a base in King's Landing, so it's easier to find than the others."Speaking of S-rank adventurers, it's hard to find where they are. "

“That's right, Rex is the only person who comes back regularly to exactly where he decided to be based.Other people don't get close at all even if they build a base. "

And Foca is frustrated that other S-rank adventurers did not gather.

I guess they're all busy.

"That's why I want you to help me."Worst of all, I don't resent being turned down.But at least I want you to stop helping other churches. "

And Foka-san asked us to help him while deeply lowering his head.

That said, it's a very troublesome story, isn't it?

Religious relations are troublesome.

Above all, I'm afraid of winning or losing.

Besides, the real reason I was told I could turn down a request was probably because I wanted you to turn down a request from another church.

If the balance between nations had broken down into a war, I would have thought it better to pay ten coins to hear what happened.

But as Foca said, it seems better for the church of the god than for other churches to win.

If Foka-san would just keep quiet, it would be a good idea for her to get a job disguised as she did when she was in Tiran.

"...... I think I can take it, but what about everyone?"

"Yeah, I think I can take it too."It's a request from the Holy Maiden, and if you refuse it, it's going to be a disgusting thing to do. "

"I'm good, too!" It's good to fight monsters, but I can't go to war! "

"Personally, I don't want to get involved in troubles, but if I don't do it, it'll be even more troublesome."I wonder if the disguise will mislead you? "

"The more I get, the better."

Lilliera, Gyro, Mina, and Megli agreed.

"I'm...."

It seemed that only one person, Mr. Nolub, was bothered.

I can't help it if I say that I can't help it.

Because Mr. Nolub is a believer in God of Wisdom.

"Knorrb believes in God of Wisdom, right?As expected, isn't it disgusting? "

I don't want to force Mr. Knolub to join us, because everyone cares about it.

"... no, God of Wisdom's teachings are to teach people useful knowledge.And to gather knowledge for the good of the world.Knowledge of power is also important, but it is not desirable as a follower of the God of Knowledge to be swallowed and misused by the desire for power. ”

But Knolub said forcefully that he should still dare to accept the request.

"... yes, it's settled." Foka-san, I accept the job. "

"Oh! Thank you, everyone!"

When we take over, Mr. Foca will say thank you to us with a spilling smile.

And he said this in the words that followed.

Then I'll be a girl.

"... yes?"