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Chapter 46
The carriage rattled along the road.
It had been two days since Eric had quickly eaten lunch at Malefica’s request and left the mansion.
As he headed toward the church where the Cardinal was staying, having left the estate behind, he now gazed at the distant outer walls.
“Why would the Cardinal suddenly want to see me?”
Lost in thought while staring out the window, Eric was interrupted by a puzzled voice from the driver’s seat.
“Maybe it’s a reward for defeating the undead in the Moonlit Forest the other day. Besides, you’re a hero of the church, aren’t you?”
“…I hope that’s the case.”
Looking at Lilian’s innocent, sparkling eyes, Eric gave her an awkward smile.
A reward, huh.
He would have been glad if that were really the reason for summoning him.
Unfortunately, he didn’t feel particularly optimistic.
If they were merely calling him to praise his efforts, there would have been no reason to send a carriage specifically for him.
‘Even if I’m useless, inviting the church’s hero personally is one thing—but secretly meeting me through Malefica’s words… that can’t be a good thing. They probably have a request that shouldn’t reach anyone else’s ears.’
Judging by the situation, it wasn’t likely that they were calling to scold him.
The church never treated incompetents kindly, but it couldn’t blame someone who had twice solved troublesome anomalies for them.
‘Then this means they must have some request for me.’
What could it be?
He tried to recall events around this time in the original story, but nothing related to the church came to mind.
‘For the haughty church to need even a useless person’s help… it must be a matter of some importance.’
Hoping for a hint, he glanced at Malefica.
She merely shook her head, equally clueless.
‘Looks like even she really has no idea.’
“Sir Eric, we’ve arrived.”
Just as he was lost in thought, the voice from the driver’s seat snapped him back. With the carriage slowly stopping, Eric rose, curiosity gnawing at him.
‘Well… I’ll find out soon enough why the Cardinal wants to see me, whether I like it or not.’
He stepped down from the carriage with the others. While Leona went off to find the stables, he looked up at the church.
“Wow… this church is huge! Even bigger than the one at the Duke’s estate!”
“That’s because the Cardinal stays here,” Malefica said with a small smile.
Eric’s gaze swept over the grand building, taking in Lilian’s awe and Malefica’s calm smile. His expression was complicated.
‘This place used to be lively.’
Young parents brought newborns for baptism.
The injured waited in line to receive treatment for their wounds.
Priests welcomed and guided them with smiles.
Despite the familiarity, a strange unease lingered.
He knew this church—unlike the lively scene before him—had once been a hotbed of corruption and vice.
‘Before the Monster War escalated, this place ran smoothly like any other parish.’
Now, though, the church radiated a faintly sinister aura, and the people were always restless.
During the long years of war, most of the clergy had been sent to the front, leaving corrupt bishops in the north to pocket donations from the faithful. The memory made Eric shiver.
“Priest Malefica!”
“Oh, Bishop.”
Lost in thought while observing the people entering and leaving, Eric barely noticed time passing.
Soon, Leona returned from the stables, and together they climbed the steps. Eric narrowed his eyes as he saw a man approaching, clearly recognizing Malefica.
“You returned quickly. So, this must be…”
A perfectly upright posture.
A neatly pressed priest’s robe.
After exchanging a brief greeting with Malefica, Eric met the bishop’s gaze. For now, the man at least appeared to be fulfilling his duties properly, and Eric felt a small relief.
While appearances alone didn’t reflect the entire state of the church, it suggested the parish was at least functioning better than it had in the original timeline.
“Please come in. The Cardinal is waiting,” the bishop said with a kind smile.
Following him down a long corridor, Eric stopped in front of a door, isolated from the other rooms.
“I’m afraid I must ask the others to wait outside for a moment.”
“Eh?”
Leona gave a wary glance at the bishop, but Eric nodded, signaling that it was fine.
Despite lingering suspicions, he knew the church wouldn’t dare play tricks on their hero so openly.
The door creaked open, and Eric entered carefully. A teacup was already placed on the table, and he took a seat on the sofa.
Then, the bishop quietly left the room, leaving him alone with the elderly figure who had turned to face him at the entrance. Eric swallowed nervously.
The fact that not only his companions and Malefica but also the bishop had left indicated that the conversation with the Cardinal would be both secretive and important.
“Eric Ather,” said a slow, deliberate voice.
The Cardinal turned fully to face him. Eric’s eyes widened in shock.
It was someone he knew from the northern diocese—but different.
Anyone who had played Protect Humanity would instantly recognize the elderly figure.
‘…Archbishop Saint Gregorius?’
<Clarus Gregorius (Frailty)>
Level: 45
Strength [30] → [10(↓)]
Agility [50] → [17(↓)]
Stamina [75] → [25(↓)]
Mana [305]
Traits: <Steadfast Faith>, <Church Father>, <Saint>
He carefully opened his status screen to confirm: yes, it was indeed Saint Gregorius.
One of only four Cardinals in the entire continent-wide church, once closest to the Pope, the “small giant of the north.”
Even through portraits in the parish, or the words of high priests in-game, encountering such a figure left Eric stunned.
Especially since he was already dead in the original story.
‘I knew the northern diocese had changed leadership at some point, but… he was alive back then?’
“Glad to see you. I met you once when serving His Holiness the Pope. Do you remember?”
Eric tilted his head, puzzled.
‘Me… connected to the Cardinal?’
“…I’m sorry.”
He racked his brain to remember, but nothing came to mind. Eric had no knowledge of the late Archbishop’s past beyond his name and fleeting mentions.
“Hahaha, no need to apologize. Of course you wouldn’t remember—you were just a newborn then.”
Gregorius chuckled at Eric’s awkward expression.
“The frail child who received so little of His blessing has grown into such a remarkable hero. Truly, the world must be very long-lived to see this.”
He paused briefly, reminiscing, then looked at the “newborn” with a proud expression.
“In truth, the reason I wanted to see you is simple: I have a request.”
Eric, cautious, asked, “…This request—is it as Archbishop Saint Gregorius?”
It seemed simple, but it carried weight—especially since the elderly man would soon pass away.
“No. If it were as a Cardinal, I wouldn’t have arranged a private meeting. This is a personal request from this old man, and also a request for the young, capable hero of the church who has twice handled anomalies recently.”
Eric exhaled quietly, serious.
A personal request significant enough to hide it from the world.
And from an Archbishop already deceased in the original story.
Clearly, there was a connection between these two matters. He chewed his lips anxiously.
“You don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to. Even if you refuse, you won’t be in trouble. On the other hand, even if you help, the church can’t do anything for you.”
Gregorius spoke sincerely, awaiting Eric’s answer.
Eric pondered briefly, then spoke.
“…So what is the request?”
One of only four Cardinals, once a candidate for the Papacy, widely respected—Saint Gregorius.
He didn’t yet know the request, but if it could earn him favor, it seemed worth considering.
Especially with Allen’s presence looming, Eric needed as many achievements as possible before the succession ceremony.
‘If Gregorius supports me, even the half-believing church will firmly acknowledge me as a hero. And if anything happens, Isabella won’t be able to interfere.’
Determined internally, Eric looked at the smiling old man across from him.
“It’s nothing serious. I just…”
Saint Gregorius leaned slightly forward.
“Would you come with me somewhere?”
This was his chance to bring a giant like him onto his side.
