Chapter 241.1

“By the way, I’d like to ask you something.” (Anos)

I called out to the bishop, who was staring blankly at Eldmed and Naya.

“How can I meet the Pope of Jiordal?” (Anos)

However, as if he hadn’t heard me, the bishop pa.s.sed right in front of me.

“Ohh… O great Heavenly Father… And you, the chosen saint who made a pact with that G.o.d…” (Bishop)

Kneeling before Naya and Eldmed, he prayed to them.

“I offer my deepest grat.i.tude to the G.o.ds for allowing me to meet you. I beg of you, would you be so kind as to lend an ear to this humble but faithful believer for a moment?” (Bishop)

Naya, looking anxious, glanced at Eldmed, who responded in his usual manner.

“Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. You’re bowing to the wrong person, you know?” (Eldmed)

The bishop, taken aback by this unexpected remark, looked back at the Conflagration King in shock.

“The one who rules over my country is the Demon King over there. I serve him as well. Is it your custom to bow to a subordinate instead of the ruler? Hmm?” (Eldmed)

The bishop replied, looking confused.

“…B-But… G.o.ds are supreme beings who stand above all kings. If he is the king, then it must be you who bestowed that kingship upon him, correct? And since this maiden has also made a pact with you, as a believer, it is only proper that I first bow to you as a form of reverence to the G.o.ds.” (Bishop)

“Khahaha! Then remember this. The Demon King is someone who stands above even the G.o.ds. After all, it was the Demon King, Anos Voldigoad, who usurped the Heavenly Father’s order from Nosgalia and bestowed it upon me.” (Eldmed)

“Whta…?” (Bishop)

The bishop looked at me with an awestruck expression.

“One who stands above the G.o.ds. One who can steal and bestow divine power. Then, wouldn’t that make you the Almighty Radiance Equis…?” (Bishop)

The bishop stepped forward, knelt reverently before me and offered a prayer.

“I am too ignorant to see the truth. Therefore, I will simply believe in the words of this G.o.d. Demon King Anos Voldigoad, the one who stands above G.o.d. My apologies for the late introduction. I am Mirano Em Sisarad, Bishop of Jioordal. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.” (Bishop —> Mirano)

“You’re forgiven. But be at ease. I’m not Eques. I’m merely a demon from the surface, not worthy of your worship.” (Anos)

Mirano nodded quietly.

“Is that so? However, even if you are not the Almighty Radiance, it does not change the fact that you stand above the G.o.ds. I cannot doubt the words of a G.o.d.” (Mirano)

“Then do as you wish.” (Anos)

“Demon King Anos, I will speak to the Pope of Jiordal on your behalf. If one who commands the G.o.ds without the need of a Pledge Jewel wishes to meet him, even the Pope would surely be happy to oblige. However, before that, may I ask that you lend an ear to the words of this humble believer?” (Mirano)

“Speak.” (Anos)

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Even as he offered his prayers, the bishop began to speak.

“In this land of faith, Giordal, where we worship, revere, and sing praises to the G.o.ds, there is a fool who has fallen into heresy. He desecrates the G.o.ds, slanders the Pope, mocks the faithful, and goes about denying the existence of the Almighty Radiance Equis. Although there are no faithless in this city who would take his blasphemies to heart, he disrupts our holy ceremonies, and we can no longer afford to ignore him.” (Mirano)

“Hmm. And what is the name of this heretic?” (Anos)

“Ahid Alovo Agartze, the former Cardinal of Jiordal. He was stripped of his baptismal name by the Pope for falling into heresy and is now known simply as Ahid.” (Mirano)

So it was Ahid, just as I thought.

The fact that he had been stripped of his baptismal name meant that he was no longer a member of the clergy.

“He would appear at every religious festival and commit blasphemy against the G.o.ds. He was once arrested and imprisoned as a criminal. However, the mere memory of that time fills me with terror.” (Mirano)

Mirano shuddered.

“What happened?” (Anos)

“It was as if he were possessed. He kept muttering deliriously, Awake from this dream, why can’t I wake up?’ His expression was twisted, like that of a devil consumed by madness. The faithful despised him for his eccentricities and eeriness, and were unwilling to even look in his direction. And so, he used this opportunity to escape surveillance.” (Mirano)

“Even if the surveillance was relaxed, I don’t think it should’ve been possible for him to escape on his own.” (Anos)

The bishop nodded.

“Your a.s.sumption is correct. It appears that the foolish Ahid converted to the cult of Gadeciola. They are followers of a heretical cult that worships a blasphemous G.o.d. There is no telling what they might do.” (Mirano)

Hmm. I see. So he joined forces with the heretics to spread the word that G.o.ds don’t exist.

However, it was hard to believe he could have accomplished this in such a short time since I put the collar on him. It would make more sense to a.s.sume that he had been in collusion with Gadeciola long before that.

“The church of Jiordal is actively pursuing Ahid. It will be difficult for him to escape this city, and even appearing in public would be near impossible. His punishment will be to starve to death in the streets. However, tomorrow, an important festival will take place in this city.” (Mirano)

They may be able to corner and capture Ahid, but they probably don’t want him to interrupt the festival.

“You want me to lend you a hand?” (Anos)

“…Perish the thought. It is merely a prayer, a humble wish. Everything is in accordance with the will of the great G.o.d. Whether this prayer is heard and the wish granted, or not, depends solely on the will of the Almighty Radiance.” (Mirano)

Still, it seemed they were having more trouble dealing with Ahid than I expected.

If the Pope was indeed one of the Selected Eight, he should be able to deal with someone who has lost all of his G.o.ds in a flash.

Were the draconids of Gadeciola a.s.sisting Ahid really that troublesome?

Or was there some reason the Pope couldn’t act?

“And what’s that big festival you mentioned?” (Anos)

“Here in Jiordal, we hold a celebration called the Festival of Sacred Song every 100 days. It is one of the most sacred rituals in Jiordal, where sacred songs are offered to the G.o.ds and prayers are made for the prosperity of the Underground World. No matter what happens, this festival must be carried out without issue… However, that fool who burns with an unholy obsession to blaspheme against the G.o.ds will surely return, regardless of the danger…” (Mirano)

“And where does it take place?” (Anos)

“It takes place in various places across Jiorhaze, but the sacred songs will be sung on the sacred grounds of the Divine Dragon. It is quite close from here, would you like me to guide you there?” (Bishop)