Chapter 267

Chapter 267

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 267: Seasonal Discount on Sin (4)

Dolores L Quovadis. She left the dormitory before the afternoon and visited a temple of the Old Testament Faction.

“...This should keep me from being noticed.”

She spoke while covering her face, including her whole body, with a black hood and cloak. It was a secret operation. The intention was to inspect the temple incognito, not as a saintess but as an ordinary person.

Dolores, with conspicuously suspicious movements, discreetly moved through the crowd and concealed herself in the most secluded corner of the temple.

“All right. Perfect.”

However, due to the entirely white floor, walls, and pillars, Dolores’ attire stood out rather than blending in. Only she remained oblivious to it.

Today, her visit to the temple of the Old Testament had a rather complex purpose. The current situation of the Quovadis Faction was in chaos, with turmoil spreading throughout the empire due to the intense conflict between the Old and New Testament Factions. This led to the proliferation of heresies and cults in various places.

Dolores had come to investigate and solve these issues on-site. Even her usually serious expression seemed more profound today.

“Come to think of it, a similar task was given in the second round of the University League, right?”

She recalled the quest of the Quovadis Clan she had witnessed in the University League a while ago.

Faith Sanctum / Difficulty [★★★☆]

The empire is suffering from the increasing harm of heresies and cults. From the perspective of the Quovadis Heresy Inquisition Bureau, suggest a way to eliminate heresies and elevate the status of the Rune Religion.

Details related to Quovadis’ ‘Heresy Inquisition Bureau.’

The quest prepared by the Inquisitor Mozgus was more challenging than expected, reaching higher-ups than just the Inquisition. SinSinclaire, a freshman, had provided the answer to this problem.

“Sinclaire’s response was read by the Pope himself.”

Dolores had later asked Sinclaire about it. What contents did she suggest in response to that problem, and how did she earn the Pope’s approval?

However, Sinclaire simply evaded the question with a smile.

“Oh, it was nothing special. In the end, my proposal was rejected for being too radical. Still, I managed to pass with the recognition of some creative aspects. Hehe.”

Dolores swallowed her frustration.

“To eliminate heresies, the Old and New Testament Factions must reconcile, join hands, or one of them must disappear. Alternatively, a thorough crackdown on heresies is needed. But the latter is impossible...”

So, Dolores came to investigate the fundamental cause of all these problems—the ‘Old Testament Faction.’

As a saintess belonging to the New Testament Faction, Dolores had no choice but to opt for undercover infiltration to conduct her investigation.

‘...There are so many people here.’

Dolores murmured while observing the long line of people, who queued for a considerable time to enter the temple.

Compared to the New Testament Faction’s temple, there were far more people in the Old Testament Faction’s temple. The amount of offerings also differed significantly.

“I heard that the major contributors to the offerings in the Old Testament Faction were mainly from the Indulgentia family... Well, it doesn’t seem entirely true.”

Despite the disappearance of the subordinate Indulgentia family, the financial resources of the Old Testament Faction were still intact.

How was the Old Testament Faction sustaining its wealth even after the death of Quilt, or rather, Dantalian? Were they merely selling indulgences, or was there more to it?

“While many people are lining up to buy indulgences, most of them are small-scale buyers. I don’t see those who have committed heinous crimes or those who can afford large sums. Well, that’s only natural.”

Those who needed to spend a significant amount on indulgences wouldn’t show up at the temple in broad daylight. Even if they did, it would be absurd to visit the temple in person; they would send representatives or conduct transactions in writing.

“So, where are the Old Testament Faction’s high priests obtaining VVIPs?”

Funding. That was precisely what Dolores was curious about.

...Right at that moment, a large and ornate carriage stood in a corner of the temple. The emblem of Quovadis, the ‘White Shield,’ adorned with gold, gleamed vibrantly.

Soon, a well-dressed middle-aged man of considerable height descended from the carriage, receiving cheers from the multitude and smiling.

“...!”

Dolores paused for a moment as she saw him. The person she dreaded most in this world had appeared.

‘Humbert L Quovadis.’

He held the substantial position of Cardinal, essentially the highest authority leading the Old Testament Faction, excluding the Pope. Simultaneously, he was Dolores’ father.

Ironically, Dolores was afraid of her own father for a very long time, ever since she became his adopted daughter for supposedly being born with divine power. Especially before going to bed, when he greeted her, his gaze would make her feel as if snakes were coiling around her entire body.

“...Ugh!”

Sensing her chest tightening, Dolores pressed her back against a stone pillar.

Stay still. If she kept quiet and held her breath, Humbert might not notice her. However, her wish did not come true.

“Hmm?”

Humbert was a sharp individual. He instantly sensed a penetrating gaze directed towards the pillar and turned his eyes in that direction.

“Just a moment, adjutant. I have something on my mind, so take a brief look around before entering the temple.”

He raised his hand to signal the following adjutant and walked towards the stone pillar.

The crowd gathered for indulgences observed the two figures. Luther’s words lingered in the air, a proclamation of unwavering conviction.

* * *

The encounter of the two top authorities of the Quovadis in one place on the same day was undoubtedly an unprecedented event. A massive crowd gathered to witness the commotion, and taking advantage of the chaos, Dolores managed to slip away unnoticed into the corners of the temple. With a sigh of relief, she tilted her head.

“I wonder why Cardinal Luther came here.”

Martin Luther had become increasingly rare in public appearances recently. Dolores, concerned about Pope’s worsening dementia as he aged, found his reduced external activities contrasting sharply with Humbert’s increased activities.

“I must increase my activities, even if alone.”

That was Dolores’ determination to imprint the existence of the New testament faction on the public. However, the reality was harsh, and as a mere student and a saintess with limited practical power, she felt the grim thought that she might not be able to accomplish anything alone.

“I wish he was by my side.”

Suddenly, she thought of a face – a reassuring presence, someone she wanted to lean on. For the first time in her life, she wanted to rely on someone, and he was the first person she wished would lean on her first.

Night hound.

With him, she felt confident that even the most challenging and difficult tasks could be overcome. Even the fearsome Demon had been defeated when they joined forces.

“If he were by my side, nothing would be difficult.”

Facing the challenges of the Old testament faction, the heretics, the false religions, and even Humbert wouldn’t be frightening.

“I miss him.”

Dolores admitted her true feelings. It was perhaps the first time. However, finding a way to meet him was not an easy task.

Perhaps he had already forgotten about me.

That one night at the orphanage, just once.

We might never meet again.

“...Sigh.”

Dolores found herself sighing without realizing it. And right at that moment,

“Is this the one?”

A strange voice came from behind a pillar.

Startled, Dolores turned her head behind the pillar, and there he was—Humbert’s subordinate.

Persistent, Humbert had sent his subordinate to pursue the gaze of Dolores, he felt earlier before entering the temple.

‘What should I do!’

Dolores panicked, glancing around, but there was no escape in sight. Eventually, she had no choice but to risk being caught by the subordinate.

Soon enough, Hubert’s subordinate walked briskly toward the inner side of the pillar, peering behind it.

...And then,

“Looks like no one’s here. They say he’s been quite sensitive lately.”

The subordinate, with a shake of his head, promptly turned away.

And above the subordinate’s head,

“...! ...! ...!”

Several meters above the ground, Dolores was floundering, hand and foot.

“Uh-uh-uh?”

Dolores, in a state of shock, turned her gaze.

A man was holding Dolores’ waist with one hand and firmly covering her mouth with the other. He wore a black puppy mask commonly sold on the streets, suitable for children’s play. The man stood glued to the pillar, barely visible.

Almost invisible wires supported the weight of both individuals.

Dolores, in the rough grip, recalled a distant memory.

‘Wasn’t it like this before...?’

There had been a similar feeling when she encountered Quilt in the hallway in the past. Pulled into the locker room by a strong grip, Dolores couldn’t shake the sense of déjà vu.

“Is this... Vikir?”

Without thinking, Dolores blurted out a question. But the response that came back was entirely different.

“...Shh.”

A low growl, a voice scarred and raspy.

Despite the changed mask, the momentum and atmosphere remained the same.

Night Hound.

He had come for Dolores.

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]