When the Pope Becomes Competent - Chapter 84



Only Noblemtl

◈84. He got hurt?

Then Michelin asked Netelon.

“What skill did you get hit by?”

“I’ll answer everything… … ”

“hmm?”

“I’ll answer everything, so please pretend you didn’t see me today.”

Michaeln was silent for a moment after hearing what Nethellon had said from within the tree.

Then he burst out in laughter, “Haha!”

“You want me to pretend not to see you? Would I harm you? We are comrades who came here together on a great mission.”

As he said that, Michelin smiled.

“Okay, I’ll go and thoroughly tame that apostle, so tell me quickly. What skill did he use?”

“… … It didn’t seem to be a skill.”

“At that time… I remember the pain of that time when my whole body was burned by the ray of light that came down from the sky,” said Nethelon.

“If it was a skill, it would have been used on the first and second floors of the dungeon. However, judging from the fact that it was saved and used the moment I showed up, it is highly likely that it is a one-time use item.”

That alone does not mean that it is a disposable item.

According to Netelon’s secret investigation, Nickelus has never used such abilities in the dungeon or anywhere else.

So, it would be more appropriate to think of it as an item that can only be used once, rather than a skill that can be used at any time.

“Disposable… … . I can’t use it twice. I’ll be embarrassed if I go looking for it.”

Nethellon added his advice to the giggling Micheln.

“Don’t think about rushing to find her. She’s not an ordinary person. As Lord Romun said, we should have captured that knight named Luciana first—”

“Have you found out anything else? Like an attack pattern or something?”

Nethellon thought about it some more and then said.

“It was strong in close combat, and it could also fire sword energy. It seemed to be the power of the skill. Also, when using the skill that borrows the power of the gods and other skills together, the skill’s functionality improved incredibly.”

Everything he had discovered while secretly observing Nickelus within the dungeon came pouring out from Netelon’s mouth.

As the story continued, Michelin listened quietly.

Then, when he had finished speaking, he nodded.

“Thank you, that was a big help. Now—”

Continuing his words, Michelin extended his hand.

The outstretched fingertips gently touched the surface of the elcapist tree.

In that state, he activated the skill “Recreation (L)”.

Netelon, who realized the situation belatedly, shouted urgently.

“Wait, wait! I told you everything I told you to say! Th, stop… Groan!!”

Just as the ability of the cultivator Nethelon to create and sow Elcapist seeds was a skill, Micheln also had an ability that suited his title.

Using skills to transform an opponent who is lower level or weaker than you into a demon.

That was the ability of Breeder Micheln, who was selected for the role of reducing the human population like a cultivator.

-Krrrrr… … .

Nethellon, who was transformed into a demon due to the power of the skill, was born from a tree.

It had a bizarre appearance, no different from other demons.

However, they were larger, more powerful, and more hideous than ordinary demons.

Michelin muttered as he stroked the hand.

“Since I lost my original body, I wouldn’t be able to use my skills anyway. Then I wouldn’t be able to plant the Elcapist seeds either… Rather than becoming useless, it would be better to be reborn as a cool and strong person and help me. Don’t you think so, Netty?”

Since you lose your ego after being transformed into a demon, the previous ego of Nethellon would have completely disappeared, but Micheln didn’t care.

Netelon would be useless if you can’t use the skill anyway.

Therefore, it would be more profitable to change it into a magic water and recycle it.

-Crunch… … .

“Don’t worry. I’ll somehow protect the remaining dungeons you’ve scattered. Of course, that apostle will be like you—”

Michelin paused for a moment and reached out to Masoo.

Nethellon, who had completely lost his sense of self… Neti obediently waved her outstretched comrade’s hand.

“That apostle also plans to raise him well as a good puppy.”

* * *

A situation where you have been traveling with your companions on a ghost ship for quite some time.

The cathedral began to appear dimly in the distance.

Finally, we returned to the cathedral… to our home.

‘Are Bliss and Delsey doing well?’

I began preparing to disembark the ship, thinking of those I had left behind at the cathedral.

The group also packed their bags, and in the meantime the ship took us up to the cathedral.

Immediately, a cry of surprise was heard from the priests on the ground.

“Hey, it’s a ghost ship!”

“Wait a minute… I think I’ve seen that boat in a book… … .”

“The footsteps of the morning star… … ? That’s ridiculous… … . Why is it here now… … ?”

I was a little worried as my keen hearing picked up the noise on deck.

If we landed like this without warning, they might attack us, saying that a ghost ship had appeared.

Or maybe they just faint as a group.

‘Should I tell you first what a country is?’

I could have screamed at the top of my lungs to reveal my identity, but… that would have been a bit too much of a hassle.

So, I just activated the deification skill.

Then, as always, my abilities skyrocketed, and as always, Doria appeared with a prickly expression(?).

【Why did you use that skill when there was no threat around you? … .】

“I want to let the people down there know that I’m here, but I don’t want to shout. It’s easier if I just do it this way.”

After answering, he pressed the divine power that had surged to its peak thanks to the Deification skill into his sword.

A sword filled with divine power that can send away any demon or beast monster in one blow.

But instead of using it for hunting, I just held it high.

High enough to be visible to people below.

“That light… …! It’s His Holiness the Pope!”

The priests who had seen the light of my skill a few times immediately recognized me.

Thanks to that, they weren’t surprised and didn’t attack us even though I didn’t shout at the top of my lungs.

I leisurely put my sword back and looked back at Doria.

“Look, how comfortable it is.”

【Really… Are you saying that you used the skill just to send a signal… …?】

“huh.”

Doria, who had been silent for a moment, let out a sigh and started complaining.

【You know what kind of skill that is, right? How can you have a skill that other people can’t have and are desperate to get―】

“So what? It’s a skill that doesn’t have a big penalty and no cooldown. The biggest penalty was you taking over my body, but it seems like you don’t do that anymore… … . I should use good things like this as much as I can.”

【… … .】

Doria revealed her feelings through silence.

Regardless, I continued speaking without paying any attention.

“I’ll use it when I shower in the bathroom at night, and when I go into the dark storage room. I’ll use it when I find something that fell under the bed. If I just use this, my divine power will be so strong that I’ll be fine even if I shine light in all directions. I’ll never have to buy candles or kerosene again in my life.”

【… … After the skill is released, will stamina consumption be severe?】

“It’s okay. I’m a very strong person.”

Even though the sage had only summoned God once, he was panting and in pain afterwards.

But in my case, as long as I didn’t use the skill too many times, my body was fine.

I thought that maybe because his stamina was far superior to others, using the skill once or twice wouldn’t have much of an impact.

I smiled at Doria and continued.

“Oh, by the way, I’ll be using the skill again later, so get ready. I have something to ask you. Of course, for now, I’ll have to first say hello to the people who came to see me off.”

【for a moment-】

The moment Doria continued speaking, the skill was released.

The ship just landed on the ground.

As we got off, we saw priests gathered around the boat.

After I got off the boat and stood next to them, I heard the expected sounds.

“Really… Really, it’s the Morning Star’s Footsteps! The ship that flies in the sky!! I can confirm it!! It’s exactly like what I saw in the history books!!”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty has arrived on the Morning Star’s Steps!!”

“Eww, there are skeletons on the boat!”

Surprise and joy, shock and horror.

All sorts of emotions spread between them and they were left completely out of their minds… … .

Fortunately, there was someone who came to help me in that situation.

“Everyone, please calm down for a bit.”

Skill: The voice that contained the power of “The Voice that Moves the Soul” calmed the priests.

Soon they all fell silent at once and sat down calmly.

Delsi, the caster of the skill, approached me among the priests who had become so quiet.

[You have arrived, Your Majesty. I thought you must be very tired, so I had to calm everyone down with the power of my skill. Kkwak-]

“Thank you. What about Bliss?”

[Oh, I urgently sent a letter to the Duke’s residence containing news from the Archpriest of Bliss, but it seems the paths were different and you didn’t receive it. Ugh… … .]

“Huh? What happened to Bliss?”

In response to my question, Delsey simply raised her hand.

Then he pointed to the east of the cathedral with his white fingertips.

[Until yesterday, there was a dungeon there.]

“what?!”

[It wasn’t there when Your Majesty was here, but the dungeon… moved. It moved and walked all the way here, squeak-]

“… … .”

A moving dungeon.

I thought a dungeon could suddenly appear near the cathedral, but I never imagined it would move and approach.

While I was still in shock, Delsey spoke gloomily.

[So, the High Priestess of Bliss entered the dungeon and successfully cleared it. Thanks to that, the dungeon disappeared―]

“You’re saying you were seriously injured?”

[Yes, quack quack… … .]

Delsey also told us a few more things.

That dungeon was a difficult one for Bliss to solve with only a small number of people.

But Delsey couldn’t help because another dungeon might appear.

So, fortunately, when things were going well, a man named Cheong-Gwang came and entered the dungeon to help Bliss…

After hearing everything, I patted Delsey on the shoulder.

“Yeah, I see. You’ve been busy.”

[And there is one more thing I want to tell you. The saint who went on a journey of asceticism before―]

“Wait a minute. I’ll tell you the rest of the story later. I have to go quickly because I’m worried about Bliss’s condition.”

[Oh, yes. Then I’ll tell you more about what I haven’t told you yet later. Quack quack quack―]

I think Delsey said something about a saint at the end, but I don’t know what it was, but that wasn’t what was important right now.

‘Bliss, this kid isn’t out of breath, right? …? I told you I can’t get the elixir ingredients right now… … .’

The light I had sent up had fortunately helped Bliss, but I was still uneasy.

I quickly walked to Bliss’ bedroom and threw the door open as soon as I arrived.

“Bliss! Are you okay—!”

After seeing the guy’s condition, I couldn’t continue speaking and just stopped.

I was going to go in and check on Bliss, shouting out loud, “Are you okay?”

“… … Well, it’s better than I thought.”

Bliss was in too good of a condition for that.

I thought she was dying because Delsey was talking so seriously.

Perhaps I had unknowingly exaggerated my words a bit, perhaps out of guilt for not being able to help Bliss.

Thanks to that, I entered the bedroom a little embarrassed.

Then Bliss and Cheonggwang, who was next to her, greeted each other in turn.

“It took quite a while to clear one dungeon, Your Majesty.”

“Welcome, my benefactor.”

I first smiled and greeted Cheong-Gwang, who called me his benefactor.

After that, I looked at Bliss.

“The dungeon I entered was quite difficult. It must have taken a long time. Do you know how sharp the fish’s teeth are?”

“There were crocodiles in the dungeon I cleared. Even though there weren’t many.”

“Huh, you mean a crocodile… … ?”

There’s no way I can lose to the arrogant and boastful Bliss.

I fought back with a fierce expression.

“The fish that came out of our dungeon were fish that walked on two legs like humans and could cut with a knife. There were a lot of them. And on top of that, on the second floor of the dungeon, a second-grade divine beast came out―”

“… … I’m sorry, benefactor… … . I was brainwashed… … .”

“No, I’m not blaming Cheong-Gwang, it’s just that he said something to me that made it take so long… … .”

As soon as the story of the second floor god came up, Cheong-gwang lowered his head gloomily, so I had no choice but to stop quickly.

I glared at Bliss, who was still acting smug, once more and opened my mouth again.

“Ahem, anyway, enough of the small talk… So you guys cleared the dungeon and even destroyed the core?”

“Yes, we definitely found and destroyed the egg-shaped core.”

Judging from the confident tone, it seemed like he had really cleared it properly.

At that moment, a question occurred to me.

‘Wait a minute, what about the eighth main trust?’