Chapter 180 - Fifth Story: Church Underground Passage Exploration ⑥
=== CHAPTER 180 ===
"King Griffith was born as the son of the chief of a tribe that had built a settlement in what is now Nakanohara. At that time, it was an era where conflicts between small tribes occurred frequently. Villages built by each small tribe were fighting amongst themselves. Among them, the one who sought a path to peace was King Griffith."
Everyone was listening with interest.
The way the Archbishop-sama was leaning forward was intense.
"King Griffith tried to utilize past authority. They are the people who have protected the core of our doctrine throughout a long history."
"Medioland?"
Beatrix interjected.
This isn't going to end with just a simple reading aloud.
Somehow, a book on the shelf caught my eye. I went over, took it, and illuminated it with [Light].
To my surprise, information about the history of the Medioland Great Church flowed into my head. It seems that if there's something I don't understand, it will teach me like that. This is convenient.
"The Medioland Royal Capital Great Church is currently the headquarters of the doctrine, but that is merely something decided at the end of past power struggles. At the time, it was one of the regional churches called the Great Northern Church. Those called the core of the doctrine are the priests in the temple of the town called the Ruined Town, located in the region now called the Lost Capital, which was the capital of a country that once had its base to the southwest of this area. They are the ones who still protect the core of the doctrine even now."
I was stunned as I explained.
I had never heard that the place that handles Forbidden Magic was the core. No wonder we had to make a sacred oath. If it became public, the Forbidden Magic that the church prohibits as something abominable might become commonplace.
When I looked at the Headmistress, she was the same as always.
I wonder if she knew.
The source of the conflict was the handling of Forbidden Magic.
Once, the church also intervened in the administration of the country, and the Great Southern Church was the same. The ruined country valued the authority of the church and viewed its words and actions with gravity, almost like an advisor.
About a thousand years ago, under the leadership of the Great Northern Church, an argument was developed that using corpses as Revenants was against the teachings. Apparently, it was a difference in interpretation.
After a council where fierce debates were fought, it was accepted as the policy for the churches on the island, but the Great Southern Church pushed back. And that country, which followed the guidance of the Great Southern Church and refused to stop using Forbidden Magic to the end, invited the defection of subordinate tribes and was destroyed after a simultaneous uprising.
The one that led this was the Great Northern Church... in other words, the current headquarters, the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church, and it seems regional churches also guided the chiefs of each tribe.
The tribal chiefs guided by the church stood up as a righteous army to protect the Great Northern Church from the wicked king and wicked apostates on the surface, and they attacked and destroyed the Royal Capital. The royalty were all killed, and although the temple in the Ruined Town was unscathed, many priests were executed as heretics. As a result, the religious authority was seized by the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church.
The residents of the capital were also treated as heretics and many were killed.
Since the content was so shocking, I stopped for a moment and looked at the Archbishop-sama; it seemed he already knew, and he provided commentary. It is apparently something passed down to Archbishops who are the heads of large churches.
"It is the dark history of the church. For example, they designated certain magics, such as those that handle Revenants, as Forbidden Magic, and tried to start missionary activities under a new system that excluded the priests of the Great Southern Church."
"That's so unreasonable..."
"Yes. It was completely absurd. Perhaps it was an era where such things were permitted. And it was immediately understood that it was a mistake. Since the largest kingdom on the island was lost, the concept of a 'nation' lost its centripetal force. Tribes in various regions began to assert their own interests and fight each other."
As prompted, I continued reading.
As a result, the church's voice in administration came to be ignored, and a society centered on warriors was formed. The church eventually came to the brink of losing its authority.
This was particularly prominent in the Great Northern Church, which conspired with the local lords who would become the origin of current Medioland, utilizing each other's power to increase pressure on the surroundings, and Medioland brought the surrounding tribes under its control.
The Archbishop-sama raised his hand, so I stopped for a moment and asked for commentary.
"The regional churches reflected on that foolishness, made saving the people their first priority, and forced the current Medioland Royal Capital Great Church to swear that they would not participate in conflicts between nations at all and would intervene in politics as little as possible. And after purging some church leaders who were siding with the administration to gain interests and refreshing the personnel, the church was reborn as a group that purely devoted itself to faith."
Apparently, the strong emphasis on the current teachings of peace also started from then.
"The reason the church could not take any measures against Sertoria becoming a state church system, unlike other countries, is because the church itself voluntarily lost its power to speak to administrative organs."
Sertoria has a state church system... in other words, the main body of operation is the state.
It is also established by law that there is no intervention in administration.
However, the interior of the church is under church autonomy, and they maintain cooperation with churches in other countries.
It's probably a case of 'don't interfere in exchange for providing a fixed amount of operating funds'. At the same time, the worship of other religions is also permitted. Of course, in that case, operating funds are not provided.
I read further.
In that process, countries that hired mercenaries from the continent instead of Revenants appeared, and a few generations later, they allowed the rise of Engrio.
The mercenaries who became the main body of Engrio had a completely different polytheistic religious view that was popular on the continent at the time.
However, in expanding their territory, they had no particular attachment to religion and accepted everything broadly. Those who believed in traditional religions remained devoted to the existing church, and those who converted went to the same place of prayer as the mercenaries... the current church.
In a sense, they realized religious coexistence and co-prosperity from the beginning.
I interrupted and asked the Archbishop-sama for commentary.
"As the expansion of Engrio's territory led to interbreeding, the number of people converting also gradually increased. However, since the population is also increasing, the proportion across the island as a whole does not seem to have changed much from that time. What has become different is that the voice of the churches within Engrio has grown stronger among the regional churches. I believe it is likely because they felt a sense of crisis."
If they went against the military nation of Engrio, which advocated thorough non-intervention of religion in administration, they didn't know what would happen. It seems they tried to survive by further reducing their influence on the state.
In any case, with the destruction of the Great Southern Church, the era of conflict among the small lords of the island began.
It seems King Griffith appeared in the island's history before the mercenaries who would form the foundation of Engrio came to the island.
King Griffith tried to use past authority to unite the divided small lords. That attempt, in terms of results, failed.
The Ruined Town no longer had the power to lead the church; on the contrary, it had become a group that fanatically researched magic, starting with Forbidden Magic.
However, the movement itself to create medium lords and then great lords by uniting many small lords remained.
King Griffith himself became one of those medium lords.
He apparently boasted quite a bit of vigor, but within a hundred years or so after his death, he lost his former vigor, and finally, the last village was destroyed.
The great lords who succeeded in uniting small and medium lords were divided into about thirty regions and called themselves kings, each asserting their own territory, but Engrio actively carried out the expulsion and killing of hostile lords and the occupation and possession of their territories. Those ruthless methods were recognized for their effectiveness along with the rise of Engrio in terms of eliminating domestic hostiles, and they spread to other countries.
After that, the kings of various regions continued to rise and fall, becoming the kingdoms that exist today.
The country with the shortest history is Sertoria.
With that, all the information that had entered my head regarding King Griffith was finished.
"I believe the things written in this book are true."
When I announced that I had finished reading, the Archbishop-sama spoke.
The Archbishop-sama apparently did not know about the major movements of the island. Instead, he knew very well about the transitions of the church.
The content of the book I spoke of and the content he grasped must have meshed well.
"So, the church tried to hide this place from people's eyes."
When the Headmistress asked, the Archbishop-sama let out a sigh.
"I believe that is likely the case. Now, it is like a history of the church's purification."
The First King read this.
I see, that's why he made it a state church system.
"It is reasonable to think so. Religion sometimes leads people astray. Even if the Goddess-sama's teachings themselves are correct, if the humans who interpret them make a mistake, even the masses who believe will make a mistake."
The origin of the teachings written in the doctrine books is myth.
The words of the Goddess-sama within the myths have become the teachings themselves.
Once, a priest referred to someone who could accurately remember myths and tell them to others. They weren't supposed to be a group that led the masses themselves.
Everyone believes what you say and follows your words.
Before they knew it, they must have mistakenly thought they were great.
Will, who works at the town hall, said it once.
Low-level officials with nothing but high pride act the most arrogant.
The First King saw through that, made it a state church system, and by establishing political non-intervention by law, he restricted the actions of the priests.
Forbidden Magic is prohibited by the church's teachings, but it does not violate kingdom law...
I didn't understand the reason for that, but I finally understood.
As a result, Albert-san's name was also cleared.
"Then, wouldn't it be better to just reveal everything at this point?"
The mage, who lives a life exactly opposite to that of a priest, said something reckless.
Don't blame me if a riot breaks out.
"I mean, the Goddess-sama's teachings themselves are correct, right? And although there were those who abused them, they were punished and now it's in the correct form, isn't that how it is?"
I see. There is that way of thinking too.
But what about Forbidden Magic?
If everyone starts using it, Revenants will start popping up everywhere.
"I believe it is as Beatrix says. But it might be difficult to carry out."
The Archbishop-sama said.
"In some countries, the church still leads the administration."
Apparently, Regnentes is like that.
It's a precious ally of Sertoria and one of the anti-Engrio factions.
"If the Sertoria State Church exposes what the church tried to hide, the country of Sertoria might be resented. If that happens, the alliance with our country might crack."
Hmm. It's difficult. Political judgment requires the King's approval.
In the main investigation, the Royal Capital Great Church will also dispatch an investigation team. It might be better to leave the judgment to them.
"What Beatrix said is one idea. Since we have a sacred oath, we aren't allowed to talk about this to anyone, right? We can just leave the report to the Archbishop-sama."
It's a good thing to come up with ideas, she said, stroking Beatrix's head.
The Headmistress is probably right.
"More importantly, how about you all? Are you disillusioned with the church?"
At the Headmistress's question, the Archbishop-sama's and Secretary-sama's faces stiffened.
"Katherine, what about you?"
Katherine-sensei probably didn't think it would be thrown to her. She opened her eyes wide in surprise, but then smiled gently.
"Until I was picked up by the Headmistress, I was a mercenary and experienced killing each other many times. Since I was a brat, I've had terrible things done to me, and I've done them too. But you know, now I want to protect the orphanage. I might be a failure as a priest, but to be honest, I have no interest in the history of the church. As long as the present and the future, and the orphanage are safe, I don't need anything else."
Hearing that, the Headmistress roughly stroked Katherine-sensei's hair into a mess.
Katherine-sensei's face turned red.
"Same here. Well, I'm not a former mercenary, though."
I wonder if the 'terrible things' the Headmistress did include, for example, blowing away the young King or Roberts-sama with her staff?
Suddenly, I was smacked on the butt.
"Jeanne. If your feelings haven't changed, try saying that pretentious line you said in front of the Dwarf."
Everyone poked my forehead all over, but the Archbishop-sama and Secretary-sama thanked me.
For the church, the exposure of its dark history is a major event that could lose the trust of the masses.
"You really felt like bringing these kids along, didn't you?"
"It's a result of hindsight. I never imagined it would turn out like this."
The Headmistress said to the Archbishop-sama in an exasperated tone, but...
"The one who dragged us in was the Headmistress!"
"Was that how it was? Sorry, everyone."
At Katherine-sensei's retort, the Headmistress stuck out her tongue.
"Please give me a break."
When Beowulf said that while bursting into laughter, the Archbishop-sama and Secretary-sama chuckled.
"Well then, it's regrettable, but shall we head toward the altar?"
I feel like the only one who finds it regrettable is the Archbishop-sama, but since we've come this far, I want to go to the altar.
After putting the books back, we decided to proceed through the door in the back.
Since there was apparently no reaction with [Sense Living], when we opened the door, there was an altar.
It was similar to the one we moved when coming here, and it wasn't that large.
The room also had a cozy feel, just like the place where the books were.
I immediately summoned Dune and Mel.
Both of them were looking around the area, but eventually, Mel started investigating the altar.
"Compared to the one before, the pattern is a little different."
Dune and Mel were pointing and nodding to each other.
"How is it different?"
The Archbishop-sama bit onto it.
"Here. This pattern. Only this part is different."
Where Mel was pointing, unlike the statues of other humans and animals, there was a simple pattern. Right in the center of the far side of the rectangular altar, there was a square indentation.
"It's true. There was no such pattern before."
According to the Archbishop-sama, it's a pattern representing 'Earth'.
"I see. Now I understand."
He was nodding with Secretary-sama.
I have no idea what they understood.
"What did you understand?"
When the Headmistress asked, he explained it to us.
Just as the Dwarf gatekeeper said, this is proof that this was made by humans and is not a place created by the Goddess-sama.
"The four great elements. That is, Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth, have fixed directions. Each represents East, West, South, and North."
Is that so? When I asked Dune and Mel, they said they didn't know.
"Originally, it's a concept imported from the continent. In other words, things made by humans who came from the continent have such meanings. For example, creating a barrier using the four great elements."
Come to think of it, they did say the Sertoria Royal Palace is protected by a barrier of the Four Great Spirits. But North is the lake where Dune's bronze statue stands, so it would be Water... Is it wrong?
The Archbishop-sama told us the answer.
Barriers are holy magic that only priests can use.
When one becomes a Bishop, they are taught by an Oracle Master.
I and Marcelo-san, who returned to secular life before becoming a Bishop, don't know.
Secretary-sama is a Bishop, so the only priests living in Nakanohara who know are the Archbishop-sama, Secretary-sama, and the Headmistress.
Naturally, the First King didn't know either. That's why the positions were different and the church didn't notice.
It's not just drawing a line on the ground like the Headmistress does, but when trying to receive the protection of spirits in a large-scale barrier that protects a reasonably wide area, for example, a place like the May Festival stage, a magic circle following the rules is used.
Holy magic depends on faith.
By drawing a magic circle accurately according to the doctrine books, one gains confidence that they have done it correctly according to the teachings, so to speak. That confidence is what influences the power of the barrier, apparently.
"In short, what does that mean?"
Just as the Headmistress asked, what does 'understanding' that lead to?
"One of the investigation goals of the Royal Capital Great Church is apparently to confirm whether this was made artificially. I have not been informed of what kind of meaning that has. Likely, the Primal Ruins... in other words, the house where Dune lives, and this cave have no direct relationship. At least that much has become clear."
Since Dune said she didn't know and the Dwarf said humans made it, I feel like we knew from the beginning that there was no relationship, but...
"Confirming things that are certain is also part of an investigation."
He was smiling.
"Since the Priestess is not here today, we likely cannot receive an oracle, but thanks to everyone, this has been a meaningful investigation. Thank you very much."
"I've got it!"
Just as the Archbishop-sama was about to wrap things up, the rude mage raised her voice.
It seems she made a discovery.
"What did you understand?"
I have to ask her.
"This is the Primal Ruins."
Is that so?
"What the Goddess-sama made was the terrain to protect the altar that humans made. That's the lake. But according to the Dwarf's story, the ancient people's sanctuary already existed. Isn't this the Primal Ruins, the place where the encounter with the Goddess-sama happened, and the story of the lake the Goddess-sama created is something else entirely?"
She was looking at the Archbishop-sama with an excited expression.
"It's an interesting thought, but it differs from the legend. This altar was likely made after the Primal Ruins were created. If this were the Primal Ruins, there would be no need to protect it with the four elements."
According to the Archbishop-sama, the relationship between the four elements and directions is a concept imported from the continent. In other words, it has nothing to do with the ancient people who originally lived on this island.
"In short, someone made it after the Primal Ruins were created."
While stroking the head of the disappointed Beatrix, the Headmistress asked, and the Archbishop-sama nodded.
"Mel. That altar was already there when you came to the mountain, right?"
"That's right. It was already there."
It was certainly two thousand years ago.
"In short, it means someone made it during the thousand years between three thousand years ago and two thousand years ago."
According to the history I read in the book, it was around the time when our ancestors who came from the continent occupied most of this island and completely became the ruling class.
I wonder what on earth happened back then?
"Why was this place made? We don't know. Perhaps that is the aim of the main investigation?"
In the end, we have to wait for the main investigation.
The Headmistress stopped the Archbishop-sama as he prompted us to go home.
"The First King came here alone, right? If so, let's try receiving an oracle."
"But the Priestess is not here."
"Jeanne is here. Let's try it as a test."
Wait a moment, please. Mary aside, why me?
"Jeanne can become friends with various creatures and ghosts, right? Maybe you can become friends with the Goddess-sama too."
No, that's impossible!
"I see!"
Archbishop-sama! Please don't clap your hands and be impressed!
"I don't even know how to do it."
"It's okay. Kevin also takes care of the Priestess, so please do everything exactly as he says. Now, Kevin."
"Yes. I have understood."
He took my arm.
Please don't 'understand'! It's impossible for me!
"It's okay. It's just an imitation."
"Maybe you'll be able to meet the Goddess-sama."
"Good luck~"
Du-Dune...
"Jeanne. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens."
Ah, it's no use. Everyone is smirking...
Why is it always like this!
In the end, I was made to do it, but to conclude, I'm glad I did.
Of course, I won't tell anyone.
I was offering prayers, but I seem to have fallen asleep halfway through.
During that time, I had a dream.
While I was wandering through a pure white mist, a voice came from somewhere.
That voice was a gentle, calm woman's voice.
The same thing was said to me twice, and the moment I thought I had memorized it, I woke up.
Beatrix's face was right in front of me.
"Good morning."
"It's not 'good morning'. Where do you think you are?"
Umm, ah, that's right. I was imitating the Priestess.
When I realized it, I was sleeping at the altar.
Apparently, I had a very peaceful sleeping face.
Dune wiped the corner of my mouth with water she put on her fingertip.
It seems I had drooled.
"So, how was it?"
When I sat up, Beatrix immediately asked me.
"I had a dream. While I was walking in the mist, I heard a woman's voice."
When I heard an "Oh!" I turned around and it was Secretary-sama.
"Archbishop-sama. It seems Jeanne was able to receive an oracle."
His voice was trembling.
Everyone raised a cheer.
"Is it true? Jeanne. You did well."
The Archbishop-sama patted my shoulder and thanked me for my hard work.
"Jeanne. Isn't that amazing. From today, you're a Spirit Medium Priest Shrine Maiden Knight-sama."
Beatrix. Please give me a break.
"In the end, what were you taught?"
The Headmistress asked me.
"I was taught one magic. It's a beginner-level magic."
"What kind of magic?"
"It's called [Thought Communication]. Apparently, I can convey what I want to say to another person I touch without words."
Everyone was tilting their heads. They didn't seem to know it. I learned it for the first time too.
"I'll ask Eleanor. She might know something. Were you taught how to use the magic?"
"Yes. When I chant this magic while reading the books in the next room, what I want to say will be conveyed to the people around me whom I touch, even without making a sound. Also, it will allow me to communicate with people who cannot speak. Unfortunately, in the case of beginner-level, the targets are only humans, and it can't be done with spirits, animals, plants, or monsters."
It's convenient, if I say so myself.
In short, it probably means that in the upcoming main investigation, it'll be okay even if I don't read aloud to the people around me.
No matter how I think about it, the Goddess-sama must have taken pity on me.
By the way, ghosts weren't counted as humans, so I couldn't communicate with Fiona.
Likely, I won't be able to do it with Revenants either.
Eventually, the targets might expand to medium and high-level.
I wasn't told which level covers which range, but I'll probably find out once I become a medium-level mage.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. I was told that I can only come here once a month for a short time... about two hours. And since I am not the Priestess, I should not imitate the Priestess."
I raised my chin and looked at everyone.
See, what did I tell you.
I was warned by the Goddess-sama.
Everyone, starting with the Archbishop-sama, bowed their heads.
Well, fine. A priest must be broad-minded. I shall forgive them.
"Also, finally, she said to leave an offering. She said it's fine to leave it at this altar. Preferably something sweet."
I was told three times that she likes sweet things.
Surely, the offerings sold at the church are only wine and bread.
It was the same with Dune.
Even the Goddess-sama must have times when she wants to eat sweet things.
Fortunately, I brought one box of Highway Cookies Deluxe just in case. She will surely be pleased if I leave them.
"Jeanne. Thank you very much. From now on, there is no doubt that you will be included in the investigation of this place and the mountain. I will tell them never to make you imitate the Priestess again, so if there is a request from the church, please cooperate."
The Archbishop-sama took my hand and pressed it to his forehead.