When the Pope Becomes Competent - Chapter 77



Only Noblemtl

◈77. The Return of the Saint

The Baekhwamyeongwoldo that Cheonggwang gave was a truly L-class item.

Of course, the functions were equally great.

It had flight capabilities, wind-blasting capabilities, and even the ability to change shape to suit the user’s convenience.

Each piece of information displayed in the information window was amazing, but among them, the ‘Special Notes’ caught my eye the most.

*significant

-It seems like someone’s soul is sleeping in the blade.

It was written in the special notes section that someone’s soul was asleep.

The implication was simple.

‘Is that an ego sword…?’

Ego Sword. That is, it is a sword that has soul and ego.

However, since he said he was ‘asleep’, he didn’t seem to be the type to mumble or babble like an activated ego sword.

While I was examining the Tao, Cheong-Gwang added his explanation.

“It was originally my weapon, but I can no longer use it. That ‘Baekhwamyeongwoldo’ is an item that took a thousand years to be forged by a god with divine power… … I will not accept as its owner someone who has been affected by evil spirits.”

“ah…….”

“I was once controlled by a strange power, so I can no longer use it. So, I would like to give it to someone who is more suitable.”

If they were giving me something that I couldn’t use anyway, there was no need to refuse.

furthermore-

‘The more weapons the better, because you never know what might be upstairs.’

The fight wasn’t over yet.

Now that you’ve cleared the second floor, you need to go up to the third floor and defeat the real dungeon boss.

“Ahem, then I will gladly accept it.”

“Yes, my benefactor. Please use that child well in my place.”

After greeting each other, Cheong-Gwang went downstairs to find Luciana.

And before we went to meet the final boss left to us… we first opened the boxes that came as clear rewards.

First of all, since Rubin was injured, opening the box was the most urgent task.

Luckily, I got a polydroid repair item from the box, so I could repair Rubin with that.

Oh, of course, this time the golden box was mine too.

【【Ah, we lost to the golden box type again. If that blue snake that looks like a blue light or something died from our attack, we would have gotten the golden―】】

“Stop talking nonsense and just open the box. Now is not the time.”

As expected, these guys were immature.

Rubin, while injured, is talking like that about human lives just because he wants a gold box.

I gave him a brief warning and then opened the golden box.

What came out of it was… … .

[6-month supply of baby food (for newborns only)]

―This is baby food for the healthy growth of newborn babies.

-It is imbued with mysterious power.

-I think it would be okay to take one pill a day.

For a moment I didn’t know what to say.

Baby food.

Even ‘for the exclusive use of the gods’.

It’s true that something really interesting has come out, but I wondered when I would ever use it.

Fortunately, there was something useful in Rubin’s box.

“It’s a Polydroid Repair Scroll!! Nike!! A repair scroll came out of my box!!”

It was really convenient in these instances that the dungeon items were tailored to the user.

If it was just random, Rubin would have gotten a useless item.

In the meantime, I wondered why something useless came out… but that wasn’t what was important right now.

“Let’s fix it right now!”

Upon hearing my words, Rubin immediately tore the scroll apart.

That was how the scroll was used, if you tore it like that, the magical skills contained within the scroll would activate.

As expected, a mysterious power soon flowed out from the torn scroll and seeped into Rubin’s broken hind legs.

[Start repairing the broken polydroid.]

-Repair progress: 3%

– Estimated time: 7 days, 21 hours, 22 minutes

It took longer than I thought, but I felt like it was possible.

If I hadn’t had this, I might have lived forever with a broken hind leg.

‘thank god…….’

I let out a long sigh of relief as I watched Rubin’s hind legs slowly being repaired.

It was then that an entrance leading to the third floor appeared.

And then, I discovered a strange message box floating above the entrance.

[A strange force has intervened in the dungeon. The number of people allowed to enter the 3rd floor has been adjusted.]

-3rd floor: Number of people allowed to enter (0/1)

A message window floating randomly above the entrance.

Looking at it, I fell into a state of deep bewilderment, just as I had when baby food came out as a reward item.

* * *

“It’s difficult… … .”

Bliss muttered, looking out the window.

More precisely, I muttered that while looking at the giant ‘mobile dungeon’ outside the window.

When Nickelus said before he left for his business trip, “You never know when or where a dungeon will appear, so guard the cathedral well.” … I didn’t take him seriously.

Because all 10 dungeons created in the empire were created far away from the cathedral.

Until then, I had never even imagined that I could walk through that dungeon like this.

“hmm.”

Even as Bliss was struggling, the mobile dungeon seen outside the window was steadily approaching the cathedral.

Thud— thud—

It was shaped like a giant turtle and the ground shook with every step it took.

Bliss looked at the turtle’s shell… basically, the part where the main body of the dungeon was.

“I guess I should go in and see.”

His aide next to him shook his head as he heard his muttering.

“But isn’t it too dangerous? When His Holiness returns, it would be better to go together… .”

“If we wait, it will get here first.”

After hearing Bliss’s words, the aide could no longer refute her.

Even if you gather all the knights and bring them in right now, it will be a very dangerous strategy since Bliss is the only S-class in the end―

‘Surely, if it just stayed like that, the cathedral would crash into that thing… … .’

The cathedral was located exactly on the dungeon’s path.

If this continued for five days… no, even if it only lasted for three days, it would be impossible to avoid a collision.

Ultimately, the only solution is to clear the dungeon and eliminate it.

Bliss, who had reached the same conclusion, opened her mouth.

“Prepare your weapons and armor immediately―”

“Your Highness! The saint has returned!”

Just as Bliss was about to order the weapons and armor to be prepared, a young attendant excitedly brought the news.

Bliss asked again, forgetting what she had been trying to say.

“Saint… Petros has returned… … ?”

“Yes! I heard that the empire was in chaos due to dungeons suddenly appearing everywhere, so I hurriedly finished my training and came back!”

In the Lucid Miller sect, the title of ‘Saint’ was given to those who were born with divine powers and qualities superior to others.

Petros Van Lucidmiller was a saint raised by the church, and was designated as the next pope due to his outstanding divine powers and noble bloodline.

But only until Nickelus was chosen by Lucid Miller and awakened to his power.

It was a pity from Petros’ point of view, but in the church, God’s choice was absolute.

That is why even Nickelus, who was only a trainee priest from an orphanage, was able to become the pope with that one choice.

And, accordingly, the position of Peter, who had been raised as the next pope, became unstable.

The unchosen.

The shadow of the Pope.

A mere reserve for the Pope.

Petros, who suffered in the church while carrying many dishonorable names, eventually could not endure it and left the church.

I set out on such a long journey, saying that I would come back with a determined mind… … .

“You’re back… …?”

Hearing Bliss’s words, the young servant nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Wouldn’t it be easier to clear the dungeon with the saint?! However, I just heard the news, so I don’t know how far you are now―”

It was before the servant had even finished speaking.

The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard from the end of the hallway.

Everyone fell silent at the sound that came just in time.

Because it was not the light footsteps of ordinary priests, but the heavy footsteps of those wearing heavy equipment.

Meanwhile, the owner of the sound finally arrived at Bliss’ office.

“High Priest Bliss… … It’s a new feeling to see someone I met at the palace here again?”

He was a man with a somewhat rough appearance, with red hair and green eyes.

He quickly ran a hand through his red hair and reported formally.

“Saint, Petros Van Lucidmiller, informs you that I have returned today.”

“… … .”

Bliss just stared blankly at Petros, who was reporting his return.

From the time he was crown prince, he was the type of person who was not accustomed to greeting others warmly.

He had been open to Nickelus and Luciana for a long time, but the person in front of him was still a stranger to him.

Because of that, a long silence came between the two.

The saint who had been holding it in eventually burst into laughter.

“Hey… You don’t even greet me? That’s too much. Even though I’m not the Pope, I’m still a saint, and you’re treating me like this.”

Speech and attitude as bad as the first impression.

Those present, including Bliss’ attendants and aides, were a little surprised.

‘Just like His Holiness Nickellus, this person is far from the typical image of a saint… … .’

There were already widespread rumors that he had an inferiority complex towards Nickelus and had a slightly twisted personality, but everyone was embarrassed because it seemed to be worse than the rumors.

While everyone was amazed at the sight of the saint, Petros passed by Bliss and stood at the window.

Then I took in the sight of the dungeon with my green eyes.

“More than anything, wouldn’t it be better for me to be here now? After all, I am an S-class Awakened. In short, I might be able to help you clear that strange dungeon… That’s what I’m saying.”

Bliss nodded after hearing that.

“I see. I understand, Saint. I will enter the dungeon at some time this evening, so please prepare and wait.”

“Ha… Your speech is still stiff.”

Even the last words he muttered were a little rude, but Bliss ignored them and approached the aide.

It was to give more detailed instructions on what is needed before conquering the dungeon.

It was then that Petros, still standing by the window, muttered in a small voice.

“I came running here in a hurry because I heard that His Holiness the Pope abandoned his religious order and went on a trip without telling me.”

“… … .”

“Don’t be like that, be a little more hospitable—”

Clang-! The moment Petros continued speaking, a teacup flew and hit the window.

A teacup thrown, clearly aimed in Petros’ direction, although not directly hitting him.

Petros glared at Bliss, who threw the teacup at me without hiding his anger.

“What are you doing now… … ?”

“My hand slipped.”

“… … ”

It looks like he threw it on purpose, but his hand just slipped.

Petros was left speechless after hearing Bliss’ excuse.

It was Bliss who spoke on behalf of Petros.

“I get a little nervous when I hear you spreading groundless rumors… Oh, and about the dungeons―”

Bliss paused for a moment and smiled.

Then he informed me. In a firm tone, the complete opposite of his gentle smile.

“Let’s each go in separately. I’ll take care of that dungeon, so Your Holiness, take care of the other dungeons. Following His Holiness the Pope, I’ll ask you to take care of the business trips.”