Chapter 157: Where the Sun Rises (3)

Chapter 157: Where the Sun Rises (3)

Kai had been awed when he visited Lapis for his job class change two years ago.

What a holy and pure city.

The pure believers, clerics, and paladins gathered under the name of Helik of the Solarian Church. They never engaged in actions that would bring shame to the name of the god they believed in. They helped one another, showed consideration, and trusted each other.

Although it was a kingdom the size of a major city, the bright energy and recognition flowing through it were unlike anything seen in the capitals of other kingdoms.

Hmm. On the surface, it doesn’t seem any different from last time...

The paladins, armed and orderly, patrolled the city. The clerics, dressed in their robes, read the scriptures of the Solarian Church and learned the teachings of Helik in the streets.

Watching them, Kai felt a bit relieved.

The corruption might not be as severe as I thought...

If the main church of the Church of Solaris was corrupt enough to affect the regular clerics, there would have been no chance to save it.

The streets are still the same.

After observing the city for a while, Kai nodded in assurance. Most of the clerics residing in Lapis were still kind and considerate toward others.

“In that case, I should head inside.”

Kai then confidently made his way to the main church of the Solarian Church!

It was a place open to anyone, even those who were not followers of the Solarian Church.

Huh? The atmosphere here feels a bit...

It was different. Kai’s expression slightly stiffened as he sensed it.

The atmosphere here was never light before, but that was due to the reverence it commanded.

No one would dare cause a commotion in a place as sacred as this, akin to the bedroom of Helik. Thus, the main church of the Solarian Church had always been very quiet.

That was still the case today, but...

The atmosphere feels heavier. It wasn’t like this before.

As Kai scanned the area with a sharp gaze, a cleric approached him.

“Brother, is it your first time here... no, it wouldn’t be. You must be an adventurer, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

In response to Kai’s answer, the cleric smiled kindly and held out a small container.

“I see. May the sun light your path, brother.”

Staring blankly at the container, Kai asked, “Um, what is this container...?”

“It’s an offering box. Please demonstrate your faith to Helik, brother.”

Offerings are merely one way to express faith in a god, but they should never be coerced.

There was never any sort of pressure like this when I visited before.

Instead of frowning, Kai smiled brightly and asked, “It seems a little different from last time. Is this mandatory now?”

“Haha, brother, it takes significant funding to spread the teachings of the Solarian God across the continent. To make matters worse, we need even more money to protect people with the recent rise in monster attacks.”

“... I see.”

It was a reason even a passing dog wouldn’t believe.

Regardless, Kai quietly nodded and pulled out 1 gold, placing it in the offering box.

“May the Solarian Church see prosperity in its future.”

“Oh! Thank you for proving your faith. May glory follow you on your journey, adventurer.”

Having completed their task, the cleric leisurely moved on to the next target.

Watching him, Kai shook his head.

There’s no way this absurd system is what Helik wants.

While he had some financial freedom, not all believers visiting this place did. In fact, many of them came seeking Helik’s mercy, hungry and poor.

In the past, the Solarian Church would provide modest meals, travel funds, and accommodations, even guiding people to villages where they could settle...

Unfortunately, that seemed to be a story of the past as well.

“Hey! Do you realize where you are right now?!”

Kai moved toward the commotion. It was happening in a wide hallway leading to the sanctuary, where a shabby-looking man lay on the ground. Glaring down at him with disdain was none other than a high-position cleric of the Solarian Church.

With a broad grin, Cherantia asked,

—So, what will you do now? This is Lapis. No matter how rotten it may seem, it’s a holy kingdom with a thousand years of history.

“No matter how long the dragon’s body is, if its head is cut off, it won’t survive.”

Then, a satisfying metallic sound came from Kai’s left sleeve.

Shh-clink.

***

The High Priest, Albert, was the thirty-second high priest of the Solarian Church, and currently the highest-positioned cleric in the church. However, despite his glorious reputation, his face was filled with worry.

“Oh, I don’t deserve to see Helik when I die. How did things end up like this?”

Everything had stemmed from his carelessness and the betrayal of the cardinals he once trusted.

“Molion and Bernard... I never imagined they would change this much.”

Of course, the blame was largely on him for not noticing their transformation. They were once people united by a single thought—to spread the word of God throughout the world. When he was elected as the high priest, he appointed them as cardinals without hesitation.

That was ten years ago. And... two years ago, they began to change little by little.

At first, bad rumors started to spread like meaningless whispers. There were rumors that they had taken bribes to dispatch the paladins or bestowed blessings upon certain territories.

But I didn’t believe it.

They had been close friends for decades. Albert, who knew their steadfast faith well, didn’t doubt them.

Next came the forced offerings. Albert strongly opposed it, but the cardinals didn’t back down.

They said we needed to train more paladins to fight the Church of Muldine, and claimed that required funding was needed.

However, the number of additional paladins trained was not that many. It was only then that Albert realized the seriousness of the situation.

The two of them are no longer in their right minds.

Like an evil lord squeezing taxes from his people, the Solarian Church was raking in money from not just millions but tens of millions of believers across the continent.

“This isn’t right. And on top of that, it’s unclear where all that money is going...”

One thing that was certain was that the money wasn’t being used for the Solarian Church. This was an era of peace where even the kingdoms and empires laid low in the first place. There was no need for such an immense amount of money, nor any major incidents requiring it.

“Sigh. I don’t even want to think about this, but...”

Albert could think of only one force capable of undermining and absorbing the Solarian Church from within, and a place bold enough to make an enticing offer to the cardinals of the Solarian Church.

“Muldine... no, that can’t be.”

He knew better than anyone that the Church of Muldine had returned since he received all reports from the Darkness Hunters almost in real time.

From the moment they showed signs of resurrection, I’ve tightened the discipline within the church. And yet...

Things had escalated to this point.

It was becoming painfully clear how terrifying the Church of Muldine could be.

Knock, knock.

At the sound of a knock on his door, Albert asked, “Who is it?”

“Your Holiness, it is time for your outing.”

“... Outing?”

“Yes, the two cardinals said they had something urgent to discuss and requested your presence.”

Sensing something suspicious in the visitor’s tone, Albert refused. “Tell them to come to me directly.”

“I’m sorry, but...”

Click.

Without waiting for Albert’s permission, the visitor opened the door, and he wasn’t alone. Several paladins followed him into the room, surrounding Albert.

“... What is the meaning of this?”

“Apologies, High Priest. The two cardinals insisted that you be brought to them, so I will escort you.”

“I don’t recognize you. What is your name?”

In response to Albert’s question, the man, who was wearing a deep hood, removed it.

Smiling kindly, the priest finally said, “Please call me Morak, Your Holiness.”

Albert stayed silent for a moment after hearing the name he hadn’t heard before.

Glancing around, he realized he had no choice, and said with a sigh, “Lead the way.”