Please Stop The Pope

Seoul Ground Zero.

A controlled area located next to the temple site where vegetation had grown by Limen’s authority, due to mana contamination.

“I didn’t know the purification work had already progressed this much. You always exceed expectations, Mr. Shi Yu.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. It’s thanks to the grace bestowed by Limen. Didn’t we convert the top-grade magic stone mine into sacred stones? The Ministry of Ability Management’s help was also significant.”

“No. It was a right that should have been given to the Limen Denomination anyway.”

Team Leader Kim from the Ministry of Ability Management exclaimed, and I smiled as I received his words.

As Team Leader Kim said, most of the existing mana-contaminated areas had been decontaminated.

In other words, the purification work had reached its final stage.

The players dispatched from the Meister Guild , whom Mr. Min-soo had introduced last time, also played a big role.

They were mining sacred stones at a much faster pace than we had expected.

According to Gang-ho, the guild leader of , most of the players capable of mining had enthusiastically volunteered for the mining work.

Apparently, there was a rumor that working in the sacred stone mine cured minor illnesses?

It’s not entirely false. The sacred power emitted from the sacred stone mine maximizes human natural recovery power.

“At this rate, I think it would be okay to dismantle the Ark within this year.”

The Ark refers to the huge wall surrounding Seoul Ground Zero.

I asked Team Leader Kim suggestively.

“It seems you want to dismantle it as soon as possible?”

“The Ark is also a scar left in the heart of Seoul. If the Ark is dismantled and the purified Ground Zero is opened to the public, it will bring more hope to the people. And above all…”

Team Leader Kim coughed a few times and then continued quietly.

“We will be able to recycle the mithril contained in the Ark.”

“Ah, it’s a budget issue.”

“An astronomical amount of money went into building the wall. If we can recycle and sell the mithril, we can secure a considerable budget. The South Korean government issued a large amount of government bonds to build the Ark.”

In short, it means there are many intertwined interests.

The wall, which was quite monstrous if you look at it frankly, had many meanings embedded in it.

I slowly nodded my head while looking at Team Leader Kim, who was smiling bitterly.

“By the way, have you checked the information about Lee Sehee that we delivered?”

“Minister Yoo Seon-ho personally checked it, and a report has been made to the Blue House. Since it’s a matter that may involve China behind the terrorist attack, the higher-ups are taking it very seriously. In fact, 2 days ago, the Chinese government unofficially protested.”

2 days ago was before the terrorist attack occurred, so I wonder what caused the conflict with China?

Team Leader Kim noticed the question that appeared on my face and quickly resolved it.

“The orc horde that you dismantled 2 days ago crossed the Yalu River and attacked Dandong City.”

“Such an unfortunate event.”

“We had already notified them, so the damage was minimal, but the Chinese government demanded an official apology, saying the damage occurred because the South Korean government did not annihilate the orcs. Anyway, for that reason, relations between the two countries are currently at their worst.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at Team Leader Kim’s words.

“Was there ever a time when it was good?”

“Of course not.”

“Still, I feel concerned because it seems like an incident caused by me.”

“You don’t need to say that. Thanks to you, Mr. Shi Yu, we were able to block the worst Monster Wave without any casualties. And we have no doubt that your choice was the best choice. The problems after that are what we should rightfully solve.”

I quietly looked ahead while listening to Team Leader Kim’s words.

It’s certain that those guys called are staying in China. And through Lee Sehee’s testimony, we also found out that their claws have reached various parts of South Korea.

It was highly likely that the contamination of the magic stone mine here last time and sending the orcs to South Korea were also related to those guys.

Then where do the Baek Myung Church stand?

The fact that sacred-type players have a choice means that they are also a group with the potential for holy power.

“I don’t know.”

Guys who ruthlessly massacre people or guys who willingly sacrifice others for their own purposes, by my standards, they’re both trash-like bastards.

One thing is for sure, both groups are destined to fight against us in the end.

What we need to do now is to grow the denomination’s influence and power in preparation for that future.

And that’s why I called Team Leader Kim here.

“Team Leader Kim. Our denomination is also going to start formally nurturing players. I heard that Christianity and Buddhism have already started.”

I heard that established religions have started educating sacred-type players at academies operated by each religious foundation.

We can’t lose to them.

At my words, Team Leader Kim nodded.

“It’s a good thing. Are you saying that the Limen Denomination will directly establish a foundation and operate an awakener academy? Then we will look for an academy site for you.”

“Ah, that’s not it.”

I smiled slyly and lightly flicked my finger.

Woooong!

Then, light soon extended to the side of the temple, and two buildings that looked similar to medieval Gothic style quickly revealed themselves.

[Using 10,000 sacred points, you have purchased the facility . From this moment, the position is unlocked.]

[Using 7,000 sacred points, you have purchased . From this moment, the position is unlocked.]

I used up all the sacred points I had accumulated so far, but I have no regrets.

They were buildings that should have been constructed long ago.

“It’s… amazing.”

Team Leader Kim looked at the two buildings with a dazed expression.

He must be surprised to have directly witnessed the process of two beautiful buildings being created before his eyes.

It was an ability that could be exerted thanks to Limen’s agreement with Earth’s system, but in any case, it was Limen’s ability.

“I heard that there aren’t many sacred-type players yet. For the time being, we plan to nurture players here. So, we need the government’s help.”

“Please feel free to tell me.”

“Even if they are sacred-type players, I think they should complete the basic awakener program. So we want to establish sister ties with national awakener academies and receive some help.”

The Limen Denomination is not a denomination that encourages fanaticism.

What we encourage is gentle harmony with the world. We may be the best in the world at teaching how to use holy power, but nurturing players is a separate issue.

Therefore, the help of experts was essential. And just in time, those experts were nearby.

“From what I heard, the National Awakener Academy located in Seoul is highly rated even compared to other private academies… Ah, I’m not saying that you should unconditionally accept our denomination’s personnel. If my request is burdensome, you can forget about it. Well, I’ll be a bit disappointed, but that’s okay. Haha!”

“Ah…”

“Absolutely, absolutely not trying to take advantage of you. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m just thinking that such a relationship might serve as a bridge between our Limen Denomination and the South Korean government in the future. Hahaha!”

This should be enough for him to understand.

I looked at Team Leader Kim with a smile, and Team Leader Kim nodded his head with difficulty while sweating.

“I… will… talk to Minister Yoo Seon-ho… well…”

“As expected, I had faith in you. Then shall we go inside the temple and have a cup of tea? Our Leo makes excellent tea. Come on, let’s go.”

“Yes…”

Isn’t trust sprouting amidst the exchange of favors?

This is what it really means to solidify the foundation, yeah.

Team Leader Kim promised a positive response and left.

I heard that his position within the Ministry of Ability Management had greatly increased compared to when we first met, but that was probably because he was trusted by Minister Yoo Seon-ho.

It’s good that a lot of authority is allowed to someone who is friendly to me.

If you cross the line, you might get a bad label of colluding with politicians, but that’s only if you cross the line.

It’s fine to maintain a good relationship while keeping an appropriate distance.

“The number of players we need to take care of is not that many yet. So let’s just work hard for the time being, you two.”

“For the time being… This is a line often used by evil bosses. Well, teaching isn’t difficult anyway.”

“Not difficult?”

“Of course. Originally, holy knights become stronger by fighting against hardships and adversity. You just need to push them to the brink of death. When I was in charge of training new knights, there was a time when I threw the kids into a demonic cave, but you know what…”

Luna proudly recounted the story of pushing the new recruits into the pit of evil with her own hands.

I felt like praying for the repose of the souls of the aspiring holy knights who would be under her care in the future.

“Then, Leo will take care of those who wish to become priests, and Luna will take care of those who wish to become holy knights? Any objections?”

“No.”

“Understood, Your Holiness.”

To put it bluntly, sacred-type players won’t require much hand-holding.

As long as the system exists, they will grow well on their own.

What we need to provide them is an opportunity to grow their faith and knowledge about holy power.

If those two things are fulfilled, they will be able to grow quickly along with the power of the system.

I was living proof of that.

“Okay, we’ve solved the issue of new players.”

Now let’s move on to the next.

“We can also summon a sacred relic.”

The category that was newly updated after annihilating the otherworldly deity.

I had been so busy since obtaining it that I couldn’t properly check it, but now was the perfect time to properly examine the sacred relic system.

Just as the myths contained in each sacred relic are different, the effects of the sacred relics are also diverse.

Naturally, I couldn’t help but have expectations.

“What the?”

But I couldn’t help but lose my words while looking at the message window that appeared in front of me.

[Currently, through , you can summon 1 of the Limen Denomination to Earth.]

“…A probability item?”

I let out a sigh while looking at the message window that appeared before my eyes. I never dreamed it would be applied in this way.

As if sensing my bewilderment, the system kindly adds an explanation.

[Summoning a desired sacred relic was judged to greatly violate , so had to be applied.]

In short, it’s a constraint imposed out of concern that the balance would be greatly disrupted…

Why on earth is this applied in a place like this?

“Your Holiness. Why is your expression like that?”

“Nothing. I just feel a bit down.”

Things had been going too smoothly.

I checked the message window with a reluctant expression and let out another deep sigh.

As befits the oldest denomination in Eden, the Limen Denomination also has an uncountable variety of sacred relics.

Priests like Leo memorize the types by heart, but in my case, there were quite a lot of sacred relics that I didn’t know.

Among them, I remember there were a few sacred relics that made me wonder why they were even called sacred relics.

If one of those sacred relics is summoned?

“…Nah, no way.”

I’m the Pope of a denomination, so I can’t be that unlucky, right?

But just in case.

“Guys. Pray for me.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Just do it if I tell you to.”

I have to do everything I can.

At my command, Luna and Leo reluctantly put their hands together and closed their eyes, and I nodded my head while looking at them.

And in a very cautious voice, I uttered the command.

“Summon sacred relic.”

Flash!

[Through , 1 of the Limen Denomination will be summoned to . approves this summoning.]

The light that burst out in an instant lasted for about 3 seconds, and I muttered to myself while looking at that light.

“Did it come out?”

I’m not even hoping for the highest-grade sacred relic like .

, the shield used by the first holy knight, or containing powerful Parma power would be nice too.

As long as it’s not something weird, I don’t mind any…

[Sacred Relic has been summoned.]

What?

“…A branch?”

TN: RNG gods strikes again lol