Chapter 779: The Last (12)
-It isn’t possible to reach a definite conclusion, but… perhaps it’s because my soul and Kiyoung’s soul are connected. What the oracle means with the soulmate agenda is…
-Is that why the color of one of the Guild Master’s eyes changed?
-Yes. I’m telling you this now. It’s probably the influence of an attribute. I don’t know how this is possible or how this attribute can be maintained continuously… If I have to guess, I think it’s due to the bond that Kiyoung and I have built up. Even at this moment, I can feel a connection with him.
-I see…
-That’s the same reason why I thought it might be possible for Kiyoung to come back. Maybe Kiyoung hasn’t been able to completely abandoned his previous life yet. If he had really broken all the strings… there’s no way I would still have this eye.
-The Guild Master’s words make sense, but the fact that the Vice Guild Master’s energy suddenly disappeared from the statue…
-Maybe we have to satisfy certain conditions. It’s not common for an oracle to be given or for a G.o.d to come down. When exactly did Kiyoung come to the statue, what kind of atmosphere did the temple have, and what was around it? Please check all possible variables. If I’m right, perhaps he’ll appear again tomorrow. There is no precedent for coming again the day after, but if Kiyoung has something to tell me, he will definitely reveal himself.
‘But it’s not you…’
He had a very serious expression.
‘It’s really not…’
I didn’t know what else to say.
I didn’t know why Kim Mi-young nodded, but perhaps it’s because what Kim Hyunsung said actually sounded plausible. The other guild members also agreed. I could see Cho Hyejin speaking up.
-The Vice Guild Master’s oracle is spreading to the media, including Benigore Net. How should we deal with this problem…
-You don’t have to block it. There must be a reason Kiyoung sent an oracle. The temple was not built as a secret.
-Yes. Okay.
Even in the G.o.ddess’s Mirrors, the event was being aired as a special feature all day long.
It wasn’t just the Blue Guild members who were in that place. I wanted my voice to spread out in the first place, but not in this way.
I didn’t know who filmed it, but construction workers, the three siblings Park, Gi, Lee, Jung Hayan, Han Sora, and manager Kim Mi-young, staring blankly at the statue and completely accepting the oracle appeared on the screen.
Each media interpreted what soulmate meant differently, but the dominant opinion pointed to the sunset swordsman, making me think if Kim Hyunsung’s remarks were leaked.
No, seeing it now, it hadn’t just been leaked.
‘f.u.c.k, when did you do that again?’
Manager Kim Mi-young had already officially appeared at the statue and confirmed it.
The specific meaning of the oracle wasn’t revealed, but it seemed that she had spoken enough to infer that it referred to Kim Hyunsung.
Even Pope Basel was ahead of anyone else to promote the miracle of the day.
He announced that Benignore’s son had become a G.o.d of the continent. No, he said that Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung became a G.o.d of the continent because Benignore pitied humans.
Although the temples and statues were already active, it was an atmosphere where everyone agreed that Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung had risen to a new light.
In fact, that wasn’t that surprising at all.
I was a saint who had lived only in integrity and purity throughout my lifetime, the light itself that sacrificed everything to protect the continent.
It would’ve been strange if I didn’t become a new star in the sky.
When Benignore tried to punish humans for their sins, I gave them a chance once more. I even kept using myself for the good of many, even from above.
We were earning a lot of divinity since various stories were coming out, but that wasn’t the most important matter.
The people…
They all began to gather. Crowds from all over the place were flocking like crazy. It was becoming a problem.
-I’m very lucky to be able to witness a miracle once again, aren’t I? George, what do you think? Do you really think Lee Kiyoung will reveal himself?
-Well…
-I know you’ve been having a good feeling lately, so answer quickly. George, the third-rate gambler, is an old story now.
-If it goes according to the oracle, he will probably show up.
-That’s a very obvious answer, George. That’s not fun.
‘f.u.c.k… There is no divinity that I can use to descend. Sh*t. We don’t have enough.’
That was all the talks below wherever I looked. There was no other conversation. Everyone’s attention was also being concentrated in local pubs, plazas, and markets.
-We need to prepare to meet Lee Kiyoung. If the oracle is true, then he will come. Please cancel all schedules held today. There must be no mistake in having him. Is the deal done with the Blue Guild?
-Yes, Oscar.
-It is a national event. I know the time is running out, but please do your best.
-We will.
-Please.
-I have one more thing to report. The voices of the committee members are increasing that today should be designated as a national anniversary.
-That’s a good idea. I think it would be okay to push forward.
Even she was doing that. In the midst of this, Lee Jihye was out of the grid.
A crowd as huge as the memorial service held for me was heading for Lindel. f.u.c.k, I didn’t even know there were so many Griffons on the continent.
The Griffons were constantly moving in the sky, carrying many high-ranking officials, wealthy men, and adventurers. The wagons were being driven at full speed as well.
That was the first time I’d seen the main roads getting blocked. Some people came on foot from long distances, but soon there was news that the country would provide its own means of transportation.
Those who had already arrived were also visible. Crowds already occupied the perimeters of the temple, and the Blue Guild staff ran around so that the guests could rest comfortably.
‘f.u.c.k. Why do those crowds’ meals sponsored by guild funds? No, we already don’t have money. Why spend so much? Really?’
We were already nearing bankruptcy. It seemed that manager Kim Mi-young just gave up.
‘Wow, really, I don’t want to go back. How do I finance that…’
-It definitely happened at the moment when the light shone down.
-It seems like it was at sunset. Brilliance poured out behind the statue as it lit up, creating a holy scene… It was so divine that hyung-nim looked a little different. It seemed like his voice had become a little colder… Still, it made me feel like he was missing us.
-O-Oppa told me that we would definitely be able to meet, right, Sora?
-Ah… yes.
-And when you stand near the statue, you’ll feel comfortable, with even the biggest problems seemingly flying away. As soon as the temple was completed, the barriers spread quickly. Everyone knows what that means. I guess hyung-nim hadn’t forgotten about us. He kept thinking of us. He desperately poured his energy into the statue to help us in his own way.
Even Cho Hyejin seemed a little excited. She seemed regretful for not being able to witness my first oracle, but I noticed that she was nodding her head vigorously.
-If it were the Vice Guild Master, he would do that. He’s that kind of person, after all.
As the conference room door opened, Kim Chang-ryul appeared.
-Guild Master. Vestments were handed over from the Holy See. If you are uncomfortable with it, I will refuse it.
Even robes had appeared now. I couldn’t predict what it looked like, but it was probably similar to a priest’s uniform.
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that the Lee Kiyoung Church had been founded. He would have thought that proper clothing was necessary to worship the G.o.ds, making Pope Basel considerate about it.
Of course, I thought there would be a mixture of political positions.
It wouldn’t be Pope Basel’s will, but he was expecting us to know that the Lee Kiyoung Church was subordinate to the Benignore Church. That was probably the reason why he prepared the robes.
It wasn’t a bad thing for the Blue Guild. We had Ahn Ki-mo, a paladin, but he didn’t know much. Since so many people had gathered, unity was also important to give a feeling of being completed as a single Church.
They couldn’t worship me properly despite being inexperienced, could they? The priests dispatched from the Benignore Church would definitely teach them basic manners and movements.
‘They have to do this.’
The fact that there was room for rejection meant no coercion, but there was no choice in this case. Manager Kim Mi-young was looking at Kim Hyunsung quietly as if she knew that too.
-Guild Master.
-…
-I heard that it is a uniform made after the Vice Guild Master. If you are uncomfortable, you can refuse, but I think it would be better to show basic courtesy. Other people are watching, after all.
-I can’t help it then.
‘Ah, that’s a problem.’
It seemed that the event was becoming bigger and bigger. I didn’t know where and how to stop this.
It looked like Kim Hyunsung was thinking if he really deserved to wear that, but he soon agreed.
He was probably aware that he needed something like that, considering he wasn’t completely stupid.
Eventually, I saw him quietly exiting the conference room. When he saw the clothes in front of him, he became hesitant, but he slowly changed clothes in the room anyway.
Honestly, I didn’t know if it suited him well. Originally, the priest’s uniform looked better wide and flatter, but the one given to him was body-hugging.
Kim Hyunsung also looked at himself as if he felt awkward, but he began to mess with the rosary that he had received in the end.
‘Ah, it really is ruined. Ah… It’s become a big deal.’
Time was pa.s.sing too fast. Eventually, priests from the Benignore Church arrived and were rehearsing with Kim Hyunsung, and most of the Blue Guild members had changed into priest uniforms.
Everyone looked like they felt a little awkward. Park Deokgu was praying in a weird position, so Ahn Ki-mo corrected his posture, but Ahn Ki-mo didn’t seem familiar with it either.
He was the guy who acted as Argirmo, who once didn’t stop when he tasted blood. He didn’t even look weird.
Jung Hayan was trying hard to learn in her own way. She seemed very interested in it.
-H-How about this?
-Oh, do you want me to hold it for you?
-Yes. T-Thank you.
They were getting Elena’s help. Everyone was a bit sloppy, and only she was holding the balance.
Finding the courses boring, Kim Ye-ri was spending time next to Alps and Park Li-ahn. Yoo Ahyoung seemed to practice hard, but she wasn’t much different from Park Deokgu.
In general, they created a very serious atmosphere. Among them, Kim Hyunsung, who was surrounded by priests and listening to the reminders, looked the most serious.
He seemed that a little excited and afraid.
It was most likely the kind of fear of confronting me rather than fear about whether I could come or not. Regardless of the reason, he was the one who stabbed my stomach, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to feel guilty about it.
He seemed to be thinking that he might be criticized. That wasn’t the time to be worried about it. My face crumpled.
-Is this correct?
-Yes, it is. It seems like the time has come. Let’s go out together, Sunset Swordsman.
-I’ll do it one more time.
-Yes, then now…
-One more time…
-Okay.
-One more…
-We have to go.
The sky had turned a little red. I could see him quietly walking through the temple.
I noticed that all of the Blue Guild members, who didn’t get nervous when fighting, had their nerves getting the best of them.
The crowd that gathered looked at them in silence. It would’ve been strange if that didn’t make them nervous.
Park Deokgu was waddling as if he was bothered about his gait, and Jung Hayan was biting her lips tightly.
A priest of the Benignore Church dropped holy water over Kim Hyunsung’s head, and Kim Hyunsung quietly bowed his head.
They were preparing to receive a G.o.d. I’d never seen him so solemn.
Kim Hyusung hesitated to walk after he confidently said that he was my soulmate.
He probably feared that I would suddenly pop out and scream a curse on him.
However, seemingly deciding that he could bear it, he moved forward.
The Blue Guild’s priests split into both sides, and a divine hymn spread out.
Kim Hyunsung knelt as carefully as possible, paying attention to his steps and stride. He prayed and looked up at the statue.
The setting sun illuminated the temple. Red light filled the s.p.a.ce, and brightness poured out of the statue. Everyone was waiting.
‘Ah, f.u.c.k… what should I do? Should I go now?’
Nothing happened for a while, but no one was agitated.
It felt like everyone was convinced that I would appear if they waited a little more.
In the meantime, I could f.u.c.king hear what Cho Hyejin was whispering.
“Perhaps…”
“Yes, Cho Hyejin?”
“Perhaps it’s not the Guild Master… Maybe he was referring to me.”
‘…’
“It seems to be me. What should I do…”
She was speaking to Alps, a cold sweat running down her forehead.