Volume 7 Chapter 18: Oracle

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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Cain started by recounting the first attack, then explained how he had prevented the second one, and he told them how the one who had led it had been Priest Oliver, whom they had met at the campsite.

“Oliver, eh… He was Bangla’s protégé.”

Upon hearing about Priest Oliver and the dark division, Cain too had guessed that the mastermind might have been Cardinal Bangla, but since the person with the most votes won the election, it didn’t really help them.

“Won’t this case cause him to lose votes though?”

“No, it’s like cutting off a lizard’s tail. If Bangla pleads ignorant and says Oliver did everything of his own accord, that’ll be the end of the matter, and since his faction would still have the most members, nothing would change.”

Cardinal Denter shook his head resignedly at Cain’s question.

“I would also be happy if Cardinal Denter became the new pope, if that were possible. I like talking to you, Cardinal Denter.”

“It is an honour to have you say so, but that alone will not change anything… But because I didn’t like this whole faction-making thing, there’s nothing we can do.”

Hinata also wanted Cardinal Denter to become the new pope, but the person himself seemed to have already given up due to the unfavourable numbers.

However, there was something Cain had to tell them.

“Cardinal Denter, there is something I absolutely have to tell you.”

“Cain-sama…”

Since Cain’s expression had become serious, Cardinal Denter’s face also became serious. Having caught on to the atmosphere, Hinata and Bishop Harnam also shut their mouths.

“These are the God of Life Lime-sama’s words: You –––– will become the new pope.”

Cardinal Denter trembled at Cain’s words, then suddenly stood up from the sofa and knelt down in front of Cain, bowing.

“I, Denter, gratefully accept this oracle from Lime-sama.”

Cain nodded. However, there were many barriers in the way of Cardinal Denter becoming the new pope. No matter if Cain was an Apostle of the gods, in the end it came down to the number of votes.

“But what should we do? While you might be a cardinal, Brother, your faction has few people in it. The largest barrier is Cardinal Bangla.”

“Regarding that… I’ll go ask directly.”

“Cain-sama, you’re going there again…?”

Cain answered Bishop Harnam’s question conclusively. Also, Hinata had been to the space of the gods with him before.

If they prayed together, there might be the possibility of them going there together again.

“Hinata, you might also be able to go with me. Do you want to go pray together?”

“Yes, of course!”

Hinata nodded with a big smile.

“I will have time for prayer tomorrow. So could we pray together then?”

Usually, Hinata prayed to the gods in the morning. This was so that in the afternoon, visitors could pray and she could hand out food to the poor.

“Then, see you tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”

Since their allotted time had elapsed, Cain and the others exited Hinata’s room.

Bishop Harnam and Cain headed to their guest rooms, but Cardinal Denter followed them for some reason.

“––Brother, are you bored?”

Cardinal Denter nodded at Bishop Harnam’s question with a chuckle. So, as if he had no choice, Bishop Harnam invited him in.

For some reason, Bishop Harnam and Cardinal Denter sat down next to each other on the sofa, Cain sitting opposite them.

“Don’t you have any plans of talking to and uniting your faction?”

“There’s no way I could do something that trivial.”

Cain had been told by the gods that Denter was a man of character, but he was a little worried whether it was okay for a person like this to become pope.

But, as far as he had heard, the other cardinals were all horrible people.

With that being the case, Cain couldn’t help but think that it would be better if Bishop Harnam became the pope.

“Cain-sama, this is the kind of person my brother is. While I called him a nice person, he is a little eccentric…”

“What’s that, Harnam? Don’t treat me like some weirdo!”

“But it’s true. Once you find orphans, you pick them up one after the other. You donate almost all your money and don’t have any to use for yourself. You might be able to live in the main temple because you’re a cardinal, but it’s normal to have at least some money. You’re constantly having to borrow from me!”

“That’s alright though, you have loads of money you never use anyway!”

“I volunteered to go to Esfort because I didn’t want to lend you the money!”

Listening to the two brothers’ quarrel, Cain felt like he had understood Cardinal Denter’s personality.

He was certainly not a bad person, and Cain was also sure he was a man of character if he took in orphans and helped them. However, apart from that, it seemed like his life was falling apart. Cain involuntarily made a bitter smile.

The two’s quarrel lasted just short of an hour, at which point Cardinal Denter left the room with a clearer expression than before.

Bishop Harnam, on the other hand, had a tired look on his face.

“…Do you think it is all right if he becomes pope…?”

Not giving a response to Bishop Harnam’s words, Cain looked away.

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