Volume 6 Chapter 22 To the Great Temple
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
There is a big temple behind the royal palace. Or maybe the royal palace is behind the big temple? I’m not sure which is the front or the back. It just seemed kind of funny to me.
Since this country is called the Holy Kingdom, it makes sense that the temple staff are really strong. Even the high priest acts like he’s more important than the king.
Oh, and the name of this country changes a lot. Some people call it the Holy Kingdom or the God Kingdom. This happens because of a skill called Mind Communication. Many countries have names like Saint Something Kingdom, but this one is just Holy Kingdom. Nothing extra. That “nothing extra” part seems to matter. Maybe adding something later made it feel fake?
A long time ago, the Holy Kingdom used to be called the Holy Empire. My master said the old name was the Divine Holy Empire. The capital of that huge empire—back when it ruled over all humans—is buried under the city we are in now. That’s why they say this temple is the only place where you can summon heroes. It might be connected.
That old empire lasted more than a thousand years. When the emperor vanished, the empire broke apart and turned into many smaller countries. At least, that’s what the history books say. But strangely, the Holy Empire is not officially gone. Big countries like the Larse Empire and the Totoana Empire say they are the true empire now. They don’t want anyone else to take the title.
There’s a story that one day, the Holy Emperor will come back and unite the human world again. But nobody knows who it will be—maybe someone from Larse, maybe from Totoana, or someone else. Most royal families are related anyway, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if any of them became emperor.
Countries with big dreams are collecting old stuff to prove they’re the real empire. Not long ago, a gold coin from the ancient empire sold for a crazy high price. They say it’s real and came with a paper signed by the dwarf king. But somehow, it all sounds very fishy.
Because this city used to be the capital of that old empire, it’s super important. To keep peace, the king here is chosen from weaker countries. It’s kind of like being a guest king for one generation. No wonder the high priest seems to have more power—he’s probably the real boss.
Anyway, I don’t need to go to the palace today. I’m heading to the big temple. After I told Miss Floria about getting engaged to Sar-Sar, she warned me. She said it might be a trap by the nobles.
I was going to talk with the rich nobles about the new village, but now we’re putting that on hold. First, we need more info about Sar-Sar’s family. I’ll leave that to Miss Floria. For now, I’ll take care of the temple stuff. A real god is on my side, so it should be fine. I’ll trust in luck and do my best.
* * *
The great temple is behind tall walls, even higher than the ones around the palace. It’s totally cut off from the town. I’ve seen the inside before, since I was summoned in a room under this temple, but back then I was too confused to remember much.
Even though it’s called a great temple, it’s actually a big place with many smaller temples inside. They are all linked by long, twisty hallways like a maze. It’s like a fantasy version of a huge train station.
First, I need to get inside the walls. But to go through the town-side gate, you have to pay a donation. It sounds simple—just give money—but it’s not that easy. It’s not really a “come three times” rule, but you have to visit a few days in a row so they remember your face. Only then can you get through.
If you donate only a little, they put you in a small building by the gate. It’s kind of like a tourist area. Basically, a polite way to say “go away.” But if you keep coming back every day, maybe they’ll let you in one day.
If you give too much, they take you to a “gift shop” course, where you’ll end up buying things. They try to squeeze as much as they can from rich people who don’t know better. But if you keep giving happily for several days, they’ll almost always let you into the main temple.
The third option came from Mr. Raoh. You can do temple-related quests, kind of like in a game. But quests don’t always show up when you want them to.
So, I’ll use a trick Miss Floria told me.
I hand over a silver coin from the temple to the fanciest-looking priest guard at the gate. I got this coin at another temple in town. It’s worth 10,000 gold on paper, but it has barely any real silver, so it’s not worth much as money. Merchants don’t like it. Paper money is hard to use in this world.
Still, this silver coin works well at temples. It’s like showing your faith or buying a church pass. But when bribing a priest, it’s better to use a normal gold coin from the Larse Empire. It’s important to know the difference.
The priest guard takes my silver coin and then holds out his hand for more. I slide a heavy gold coin into his pocket. Just from the weight, he knows it’s real, and he politely shows me inside. The other guards look jealous. I must seem like easy prey.
Sheesh. Just to get in cost me 20,000 gold. I heard regular folks only pay about 600. They’re really squeezing me dry.
Inside the walls, the smell hits me. Thick incense everywhere. Oh yeah, it smelled like this when I was summoned. I can also smell a little bit of judgment grass. It’s not strong enough to make people see ghosts, but if you’re not used to it, you might feel light-headed. That can’t be healthy.
I need to go to God Keras’s temple, but I don’t know where it is. My Radar Scan can’t work because of the big temple’s magic barrier. I could break it with force, but that would cause trouble.
Asking a monk might help, but that’ll cost money too. And giving a priest anything other than gold is rude. Who made that rule? Must’ve been a greedy jerk. I don’t want to hand over another 10,000 gold just to ask directions.
If I had smaller gold coins from the Free City Alliance, they’d be perfect. They’re worth 1,000 gold each but still fancy enough for priests. They even have holes in the middle, so you can tie them on a string. Very clever. Sounds like a Japanese idea. People are using them more now, but it’s weird because the Free City has no gold mines. Some say a Hero taught them alchemy.
Anyway, I don’t want to waste another gold coin. Maybe I’ll just let the gods guide me. If I’m meant to find the temple, I will. I’ll look around a bit first.
As I walk, I see the palace-side gate. The big road is familiar. It’s the one Heroes use after they’re summoned to go to the palace.
Too bad regular folks can’t walk on that road. A monk blocks my way. I guess I only counted as a Hero right after the summoning. Now I have to take the footbridge to cross over.
Some people are peeking down from the walls. I wonder what’s happening. Looks like the summoning ceremony just ended. About ten yellow-skinned guys are coming out with knights. They look even scarier than the group I was summoned with.
”Oh, it’s you.”
”Ms. Marsha? Long time no see.”
I ran into someone I know. Ms. Marsha is a priestess who handles summoned Heroes, so I guess it’s not too weird.
”Are you working now?”
”No, I just finished a night shift. What about you?”
Too bad she doesn’t remember my name. Oh well.
”I’m trying to find God Keras’s temple. I’m kind of lost.”
”Want me to show you?”
”That’d be great, but don’t you need to sleep?”
”It’s okay. I was hoping to chat with someone anyway.”
She nods, and the priest guards leave us alone. Ms. Marsha must be important—maybe second rank? As we walk, she starts complaining about the summoned Heroes. Even someone as kind-looking as her is fed up. She keeps talking, and I just nod. She says I’m a good listener, which makes her like me more.
Lately, they’ve been summoning people who can disappear from the world without being missed. They want to use them as soldiers. Ms. Marsha says it’s wrong to treat people like tools, even if they’re not great people. She has a good heart.
Now there’s a new job for summoned Heroes. It lets you switch to a fighter class. I could change too, but it’s weaker than the old warrior job. Still, it levels up faster, so it’s kind of balanced.
But all this has nothing to do with fighting the Demon King anymore. No wonder Ms. Marsha is upset. Maybe the only good thing is that these people really wanted to leave Earth. That’s why they were summoned. Huh? Me? I don’t remember being that miserable.
While we talk, we enter a very fancy temple. There’s a statue of a curvy goddess at the front.
”Is this God Keras’s temple?”
”Nope. This is the temple of Belzea, the goddess of fertility.”
Character Notes:
• Holy Kingdom – Located on the east of the continent.
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Raoh – Pakkyamara. An infamous, scheming, but somewhat incompetent senior adventurer known for meddling with hero summoning rituals; often gets beaten up as a result. The one who want japanese food.
• God Keras’s temple – Located behind the royal palace in the Holy Kingdom.
• Keras – God of Purification in this world. While not directly involved in the narrative, Keras is referenced through the High Slime, a noble being that serves as a servant of the god. The High Slime is summoned by the protagonist due to their connection with the earth spirits and their status as a spirit vessel. A figure who purified the cursed old Toyata Village, making it a viable relocation site.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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