Chapter 182 Arrival at the Holy Church Headquarters
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
For Ms. Sakura’s official certification as a “Saint¹,” we set off for the “General Headquarters” of the Holy Church².
Since it was a distant land, we used Ms. Sakura’s “teleportation.” The group was small—just me, Ms. Sakura, Bishop Canon, and her guard, Ms. Ivrita.
Upon our arrival, what we saw looking down from the sky… was a large island in the middle of a massive lake, dominated by a gargantuan structure.
”It’s huge,” I said.
”Yes, compared to the Moktaris³ ‘General Branch’ where we were just a moment ago, it must be ten times the size. If you include the training grounds, the difference in area is even greater,” the Bishop replied.
The building was large enough to house an entire small town. According to what she told me during our downtime, they first built a defensible position in the middle of the lake to secure a safe zone. It was apparently done under the instructions of the “Founder Saint,” Ms. Rikka. While she didn’t build it herself, one of her companions supposedly had a skill that allowed them to create islands and buildings.
To make it difficult to attack, there is a considerable distance from the shore to the island, but for convenience, stone bridges were built on the east and west sides of the island. These were also made by that same ability-user. It was necessary to bring in food and other supplies from the outside.
Perhaps it was because that companion was there that they chose to build a base—or rather, a safe zone—in such a place. In any case, because they originally had no intention of making it a religion, it lacked the atmosphere of a church; if anything, it looked more like a fortress.
Something there caught my eye. At the highest point of the building, there was a protrusion like an altar, decorated with two golden fish statues facing each other.
Wait… are those “Shachihoko⁴“? They were a bit different from the real thing; the bodies were thinner like actual fish, and the curve was gentler, making them quite far removed from a standard Shachihoko. Ms. Sakura seemed to notice it too, and she asked the Bishop about those fish statues.
”Those golden fish are…” Ms. Sakura asked.
”Ah, those were apparently items from the ‘Founder’s’ hometown. It seems they were on the roofs of castles over there, but since we needed the rooftop for lookouts here, they couldn’t install them in the original way,” the Bishop replied.
””Ah…”” we both muttered.
Normally, it would be a roof made of two sloped boards meeting at an angle. Was it Irimoya-zukuri⁵ style? I only remembered hearing the name, so I didn’t recall it well. Ms. Rikka might have placed Japanese-style objects there while yearning for her original world. That is, assuming she really was Japanese. As I thought that… I realized Ms. Sakura was looking at me with suspicious eyes.
”…”
What is it?
”Is something wrong?” I asked.
”N-No,” Ms. Sakura replied.
While I was finding her reaction suspicious, I realized the truth through the words the Bishop spoke next.
”Oh, did both of you know the original way those statues were meant to be placed? You both seemed very convinced by the reason why they couldn’t be placed that way,” the Bishop said.
””!?””
That’s right. The reason Ms. Sakura directed that suspicious gaze at me was because I had reacted just like she did. I messed up. It’s not a certainty, but she might now suspect that my previous life was as a Japanese person. However, Ms. Sakura herself is hiding the fact that she has a past life from the same world as the “Founder Saint” from the Bishop, so she shouldn’t be able to mention it here. That guess seemed correct, as she prioritized answering the Bishop.
”No… I just thought the ‘Founder’ probably really wanted to place them the original way,” Ms. Sakura said.
”Same here,” I added.
I followed up with that, and while the Bishop didn’t seem to fully believe it… she decided to proceed with Ms. Sakura’s business for now.
”I see… well, let us return to our original purpose,” the Bishop said.
Following the Bishop’s instructions, we decided to descend to the ground and head for the west gate. Our landing point was in a forest away from the main road leading to the bridge to the island. While I wanted to keep the fact that I can fly a secret, it seemed the Bishop also wanted to keep this as a trump card. Depending on the situation, it would be easier to use than teleportation, which is limited to once every three days. The downside is that I might not always be around when needed.
Anyway, once we reached the ground and hit the road, we headed toward the island and stopped at a place that looked like a checkpoint in front of the bridge.
”Good work,” the Bishop said.
”Eh? No way… Bishop Canon? Why are you here? And with such a small group?” a gatekeeper asked.
The Bishop was apparently quite well-known at the headquarters, and since she was wearing a pendant that proved her status, the two gatekeepers immediately judged her to be the real person and questioned her. Those men seemed to be part of the Moderate Faction⁶, and the Bishop answered them with a smile.
”Yes, I am Canon, who oversees the general branch in the Moktaris Kingdom. Today, I have brought Lady Sakura, a candidate for ‘Saint.’”
”Ah, we heard that the ‘Prophetic Saint’ had received a divine revelation… but you’ve brought her here quite quickly, haven’t you?” the gatekeeper replied.
The prophecy by the “Prophetic Saint” in the Moktaris Kingdom was a recent event. He probably meant that it was too fast for the news to spread within Moktaris, for them to go to the Dungeon City to recruit her, and then bring her all the way here in the opposite direction. Even though the information was leaked to the Moderate Faction as a priority, they didn’t expect her to be brought here this fast.
The Bishop asked them, “I believe we sent a carrier pigeon?”
”Yes. It arrived about two days ago, and we were adjusting our reception system to ensure a smooth arrival… but we didn’t expect you to actually show up so soon,” the gatekeeper replied.
”We left the Moktaris branch just a moment ago. In other words, it is proof that Lady Sakura’s power is the real thing,” the Bishop stated.
””Ooh…!””
The gatekeepers seemed moved by something. I questioned Ms. Ivrita with my eyes.
”…Ah, for the past several times in a row, the Hardline Faction⁷ has been getting ahead of us,” Ms. Ivrita said quietly.
”Is that why…?” I muttered.
One of the gatekeepers interrupted our exchange.
”Yes! That is exactly it! They are already increasing their influence, and on top of that, they’ve been increasing their priority petition rights to the Saints…” the gatekeeper said.
The right to borrow a Saint’s power preferentially. It seems the faction that successfully recruits a Saint to the Holy Church gains that right; according to the Bishop, this is the first time in four instances that the moderates have succeeded. There are currently seven Saints. In that case, even if the three before that were Moderate Faction members, the Hardline Faction would be dominant up to the current Saint. Abilities vary, so power isn’t determined simply by numbers, but it’s no wonder they feel a sense of crisis in the current situation where their influence was being further expanded. That’s likely why the “Prophetic Saint” leaked the info to the Moderate Faction first, and why Bishop Canon rushed ahead even with a small group. This is why they are rejoicing that Ms. Sakura was brought by Bishop Canon and that her power is certain.
They urged us forward.
”Ah, please head to the headquarters for now. Would you like to use horses?” the gatekeeper asked.
The checkpoint had a building where the gatekeepers stayed, and horses were tied up for communication purposes. However, the Bishop declined the offer and let them use the horses for their intended purpose.
”No, instead, please go ahead and tell them to prepare for our reception,” the Bishop said.
”Understood! Then I shall go!” the gatekeeper replied, running to a horse and immediately crossing the bridge.
”Well then, shall we go as well?” the Bishop suggested, but she was stopped.
”Um, please wait a moment,” the other gatekeeper said.
Was he Hardline Faction? No, it was the gatekeeper who had been talking to us. The Bishop responded.
”What is it?” the Bishop asked.
”No, the ‘Saint’ is fine, but… who is this person?” the gatekeeper asked, looking at me.
Well, I guess I’m the only unidentified person in this group. Of course, the Bishop answered that I wasn’t anyone suspicious.
”This is Mr. Koji; he is an adventurer acting as Ms. Sakura’s guard. He even saved my subordinates who were being attacked by pursuers sent by the Hardline Faction,” the Bishop explained.
”I-I see… so it wasn’t an act by the Hardline Faction to try and infiltrate your ranks through your subordinates?” the gatekeeper asked.
Am I being suspected as a spy? Well, it’s not an impossible story. However, the Bishop shook her head.
”That’s unlikely. He is the one who heard the information about us searching for the ‘Saint of Instant Step⁸‘ and persuaded Lady Sakura, who was an acquaintance of his, to come with us,” the Bishop said.
The Bishop herself seemed to have considered that possibility, but I didn’t try to go with Martina and the others even after helping them. If I were really from the Hardline Faction, I could have just gone ahead of them, and there would have been no need to help. Besides, I only entered a relationship with Ms. Sakura and learned of her power after returning to the Dungeon City.
”I see, my apologies,” the gatekeeper said.
Convinced by the Bishop’s explanation, the gatekeeper let us through, including me. I had a sword hanging from my waist just for show, but I was told I could leave it at an appropriate place when necessary. Even though it’s the headquarters, it’s apparently similar to a normal town except for the important locations. That makes sense; merchants bringing in supplies would probably have armed guards. And so, having successfully passed the checkpoint, we crossed the stone bridge, which was over 500 meters long.
Nothing happened until we finished crossing the bridge, but when we reached the entrance of the headquarters… a group armed to the teeth greeted us. The twenty or so men wore armor with matching designs and carried various weapons.
”Uh, is this okay?” I asked, feeling a bit anxious.
”Hehe, it’s quite alright,” the Bishop replied.
Despite the intimidating atmosphere, the Bishop and Ms. Ivrita stepped forward without hesitation.
Swish!
The armed group split to the left and right, and in front of them appeared a small elderly man who walked up to the Bishop. However…
”Good work, Bishop Canon,,” the old man said.
Squeeze, squeeze
Upon reaching the Bishop, the old man suddenly reached out both hands and began groping her chest. In that instant, the Bishop’s right hand flashed.
Whack! Thump
The old man was sent flying by her swinging right hand and was caught by a person who looked like a knight.
”Urgh, have you grown even stronger than before,…” the old man groaned.
”There are various circumstances, so please refrain from doing that even more than before in the future,” the Bishop said firmly.
”From the looks of it… those breasts have become someone else’s. H-How regrettable…,” the old man muttered.
Slump
The old man’s head hung low.
”…What even is this?” I muttered.
This was my meeting with the representative of the Moderate Faction in the Holy Church: Archbishop Tartos Sengin.
—
Summary:
Koji and Sakura arrive at the Holy Church Headquarters via teleportation and flight. They notice architectural hints that the founder was Japanese, nearly blowing their cover. After passing through a checkpoint, they are welcomed by a large armed escort. The meeting culminates in a bizarre encounter with the perverted Archbishop Tartos Sengin.
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Character Insight:
Koji’s slip-up regarding the Shachihoko shows his lingering connection to his past life, which Sakura immediately picks up on. This shared secret creates a silent, tense dynamic between the two as they both navigate a world where being Japanese is a divine mark. Bishop Canon displays her hidden strength when dealing with the lecherous Archbishop, hinting that her ‘Moderate’ status doesn’t mean she’s weak.
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Behind the Scene:
The use of ‘Shachihoko’ and ‘Irimoya-zukuri’ are direct nods to the Isekai trope where modern technology or culture is misinterpreted as divine or ancient wisdom by the local population.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Sakura – Orphaned, raised by merchants, later became manager of a women’s apartment house. Met Koji when he sought a room, reluctantly accepted him with Frederica’s backing. Trademark: long black-hair kuudere manager, brown eyes, and a slender, elegant build with C-cup breasts. Revealed by the Ceremony as the Saint of Ten’i (Teleportation Saint), marked by both factions of the Holy Church. Holds memories of a past life in Japan.
• Ivrita – Canon’s personal bodyguard. She is a highly skilled warrior. Her appearance is notable for the ornate, spiky suit of armor she wears.
• Canon – The Bishop and the superior of Martina, leading the moderate faction within the Holy Church. She has golden blonde hair, blue eyes, and a voluptuous figure with E-cup breasts. She is tall (>170cm) and typically wears ornate clerical robes that contrast with her seductive personality.
• Martina – Cleric of Moktaris’ Holy Church, moderate faction. Met Koji in Dungeon City while posing as “Tina,” an adventurer’s companion to secretly investigate rumors of the new Saint. She has short brown hair, green eyes, and a fit, muscular build with D-cup breasts. She stands at 168cm and usually wears light armor or duty uniform.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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