The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 95

"...Therefore, we need some means to prepare for the Vatican’s pursuit. Does anyone have any opinions?"

This was Yoon Chang-su’s question about the final agenda item, but no one could easily open their mouths.

Clatter clatter clatter.

The reason was close at hand. It was because of that executioner’s sword screaming in the cult leader’s hands.

Throughout the meeting, the cult leader had held that sword and done nothing but alternately stare at Yeom Man-geun and Ha Pan-seok without saying a word.

"Executive Yeom Man-geun, you seem to have something to say..."

"I, I have nothing to say."

When Yoon Chang-su asked, Yeom Man-geun quickly lowered his eyes and avoided answering.

From the moment he entered this chapel, Yeom Man-geun couldn’t dare think of opening his mouth due to the tremendous dignity the cult leader had displayed.

It felt as if that executioner’s sword, which was emitting a cold and eerie light, was staring at him, and if he said something carelessly, his neck would be cut clean off by that sword.

Moreover, the cult leader could freely handle the power of the Loa. Do Seon-woo, who until two years ago couldn’t even tell if he was a prophet or prophet soup, had somehow become a proper cult leader and prophet.

"Since no one has anything to say..."

With no one offering opinions, the meeting couldn’t proceed, and Yoon Chang-su showed a troubled expression as he trailed off.

Meanwhile, Yeom Man-geun kept his head down while secretly glaring at Ha Pan-seok.

"Wow, that executioner’s sword looks like it could cut necks really well, hahaha. As expected, the cult leader’s sorcery skills are..."

While listening to Yuk Eun-hyeong’s disgusting flattery with one ear, Yeom Man-geun chewed his lips.

’If he couldn’t even use sorcery, let alone Loa powers, then that bastard was talking nonsense. I was an idiot for believing that nose-like guy, an idiot...’

He cursed inwardly while shooting sharp glares at Ha Pan-seok.

* * *

The main agenda items of the meeting were three things: The number of believers was steadily decreasing. Accordingly, financial difficulties were becoming serious. To make matters worse, the Vatican’s persecution was growing fiercer by the day.

These were problems without clear solutions, and because the frightened executives had shut their mouths, the meeting made no real progress.

"Right now... it doesn’t seem like the meeting will proceed. It would be better to resume the meeting at 11 PM tonight. How about we adjourn for now and meet again then?"

This was a suggestion made by Yoon Chang-su of the Gangwon branch during the meeting, and I accepted it. The meeting ended somewhat anticlimactically.

Immediately after, I headed to the bathroom.

"Cough, hack! Ughhhh...!"

I buried my face in the toilet and vomited blood. Using Granbwa’s prayer to shake the mountain alone had been quite a burden, and using Granbwa’s power consecutively afterward meant the side effects were bound to be severe.

"I might die from this..."

[The strategy wasn’t bad.]

In the midst of catching my breath, Legba spoke matter-of-factly. I let out a hollow laugh.

"You don’t even worry about me anymore?"

[Are you okay?]

"Yes."

[Good. Anyway, the strategy was good. Your body will suffer a bit, but it’s better than dying.]

I felt a bit resentful that Legba wasn’t worried about me, but I didn’t say anything. Because what he said was right.

Using Granbwa’s power consecutively to level the tilted building, and holding the executioner’s sword throughout the meeting.

All of this was theatrical behavior to establish dominance.

If I showed weakness to the executives, my dignity as cult leader would plummet, the rebel forces would gain confidence, and eventually they would put their rebellion plans into action.

On the other hand, by displaying the power of divine abilities and sorcery to establish dominance, I could dampen the rebel forces’ confidence. Additionally, the weight of my statements in the meeting would change.

[Through your actions just now, you’ve gained the dignity that you should have as a cult leader.]

"That’s right."

I tried to nod at Legba’s words, but I didn’t even have the strength left to do that.

I forcibly suppressed the blood vomit that was surging up my esophagus and swallowed it, trying not to show weakness.

Simply put, I risked my life to maintain my dignity.

It was a bit difficult, but I seemed to have succeeded in breaking the spirit of Yeom Man-geun and Ha Pan-seok, who were suspected of being the main instigators of the rebellion. It was a fairly satisfactory result.

Of course, that’s talking about the results. I couldn’t do it again if asked.

No, I wouldn’t do it.

[Your existence has already been clearly imprinted in the executives’ minds. You won’t need to strain yourself like this again.]

"That’s fortunate..."

Hearing Legba’s comfort, I left the bathroom. The smell of blood lingered in my mouth.

* * *

Next to the Gangwon branch was a huge mountain lodge with 6 rooms and an attic. Accommodations were prepared there for each branch.

We were to rest in the accommodations, then gather at the chapel again at 11 o’clock to resume the meeting.

The Seoul branch accommodation, meaning ours, was room 301. I looked at the key with ’301’ engraved in it and spoke.

"Room 301... that’s the room connected to the attic."

"Executive Yoon Chang-su gave us the biggest room. When I came alone last time, he gave me room 102, but bringing you along definitely changed the treatment."

Uncle said. At the mention of being connected to the attic, Kang Ji-ah’s eyes sparkled.

"Ah, then I’ll sleep in the attic."

If there’s no storage room, it’s the attic, huh...

I let out a chuckle.

"Were you a mouse in a previous life? Why do you always sleep in storage rooms or attics?"

"Ji-ah originally likes those kinds of places. Dark and damp places. Her personality is also gloomy."

"You two ganging up on me is cheating..."

Uncle and I teased Kang Ji-ah together as we climbed the stairs. I looked around at the scenery visible beyond the railing. The surroundings were completely enclosed by trees. There were no buildings except for the chapel and lodge.

Since Taebaek Mountain was off-limits to civilians, there would naturally be no hikers either.

It was a good place to try out or practice some Loa powers that couldn’t be used in the city.

Thud.

Then, someone bumped my shoulder as they passed. I had definitely tried to avoid them, but the other person thrust their shoulder toward me. It seemed like they had deliberately bumped into me rather than by accident.

When I turned my head, a girl who looked about one or two years younger than me was glaring at me with narrowed eyes.

"Tch." The girl clicked her tongue once curtly, then turned around and went on her way. Voodoo magic power was flowing from the girl’s fingertips. The color was quite deep.

"...What was that about?"

"That’s Ha Su-yeong."

When I voiced my confusion, Kang Ji-ah, who was beside me, immediately answered.

"She’s the daughter of Chungcheong branch’s Ha Pan-seok. Even though she’s only 16, her sorcery skills are considerable, so she’s being prominently mentioned as the next cult leader. She does have talent, but compared to your talent, cult leader, it’s nothing."

"Ha Pan-seok..."

When I heard she was Ha Pan-seok’s daughter, a face came to mind.

That child who had stood next to Ha Pan-seok when I attended the executive meeting two years ago, glaring at me with eyes full of clear hostility.

Back then, she seemed about the same height as me. Now I was much taller.

"Yes, that bastard who’s the main instigator of the rebellion. Ha Pan-seok seems to be thinking of impeaching you and making Ha Su-yeong the 4th cult leader."

Kang Ji-ah continued. I nodded. Somehow it seemed like that.

The Voodoo magic power flowing from Ha Su-yeong’s fingertips was very strong and pure. At that level, she had talent far superior to ordinary executives. Moreover, if she was being mentioned as the next cult leader, her sorcery skills must also be considerable.

"Should I consider her a competitor?"

"Not even a competitor. You have to be on the same level to compete."

Kang Ji-ah said. She didn’t seem to like this girl Ha Su-yeong very much. Uncle, who had been listening, turned around and spoke.

"But I heard she matches the 2nd cult leader in sorcery alone? It’s what the executives say, so it’s not exactly reliable information."

"Really?"

If she matched the 2nd cult leader, meaning Father, that would mean she had sorcery skills far superior to mine. Rumors can’t be trusted, but there’s no smoke without fire.

I couldn’t know what her skills were like until I saw for myself. For now, it seemed better to be cautious.

I tried drawing a sorcery circle in the air as a test. It was intoxication sorcery, which I used most often these days and was most confident with.

"How does this compare?"

Uncle looked carefully at my sorcery circle, but tilted his head as if he wasn’t sure.

"...I can’t really tell just by looking. I don’t know how to handle sorcery."

"What about you, sister? You can use some sorcery, can’t you?"

I turned my gaze to Kang Ji-ah. She wasn’t particularly good at handling sorcery, but she could still use a few types of sorcery.

"I don’t have the qualifications to evaluate your sorcery, cult leader. I don’t have the insight either."

"Still, how do you think they compare?"

"...I’m not sure either. Just as a mouse can’t understand human intentions, I also can’t understand your sorcery, cult leader."

Why did the comparison subject have to be a mouse? Then I suddenly remembered what I had said to Kang Ji-ah when she said she’d sleep in the attic.

"You’re not sulking because I asked if you were a mouse in a previous life, are you?"

Uncle pretended to be surprised and looked Kang Ji-ah up and down.

"Wow, I didn’t see you that way, but you’re really scary. Ji-ah. You even hold grudges."

"No, when did I ever hold grudges... It’s really not like that. I just, the only animal that came to mind was a mouse."

Kang Ji-ah broke out in a cold sweat and hastily explained.

Uncle looked at her with a smile full of mischief.

"When did I ever hold grudges? Now you’re even talking back? What do you think, cult leader?"

"Hmm. Insubordination should be punished zombie-style..."

"Ah, th-that wasn’t talking back, I misspoke because I was flustered. Sorry, I’m sorry..."

During this time, we had reached the 3rd floor.

Even while I was opening the door with the key, Kang Ji-ah kept her head down. She seemed completely deflated.

Did we tease her too much?

"It was just a joke, sorry if you were offended."

"No, it’s fine..."

"Okay. Let’s hurry inside and look at the attic."

"..."

Kang Ji-ah looked at me with her mouth tightly shut, then gave a small nod. She had the expression of someone who had something to say but was forcing herself to swallow the words.

The accommodation was better than I had imagined. There were 3 rooms, each with a bed.

The spacious living room had a sofa and TV, and through the window you could see the forest surrounding the lodge at a glance.

The forest was now painted with darkness. The impression of the forest during the day and at night was completely different.

"Are you using your phone well?"

Uncle, who had been looking around the room in admiration, suddenly asked. I took out the phone Uncle had given me from my pocket and turned it on.

Uncle’s phone had good reception even in these remote mountains. Uncle had modified an ordinary commercial phone so that it would have reception even in mountains or underground.

"It’s good. The reception is great too."

"That’s fortunate. Even if you get trapped underground like Ji-ah last time, the reception will work perfectly."

"Underground like Ji-ah?"

"Come to think of it, that’s a nice rhyme. Underground like Ji-ah."

Kang Ji-ah, who had been listening, turned her head to look at us.

"Please don’t... make fun of my name."

"Huh? Are the cult leader and I strangers to Ji-ah?"

"That’s really hurtful..."

Uncle started it up. I helped from the side.

"No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just, you keep teasing me..."

In the middle of speaking, Kang Ji-ah noticed the strange atmosphere and quickly raised her head.

"...Are you teasing me about this too?"

"Oh~ You finally figured it out?"

"...I’m going up to the attic. Please rest comfortably and call me if you need anything."

Kang Ji-ah went up the stairs with angry steps, but almost tripped on a step. Even so, she silently climbed the stairs as if nothing had happened.

Uncle watched her and smiled softly.

"She seems sulky? Is it okay?"

"It’s fine, she’ll get over it quickly. It’s not like she dislikes this kind of atmosphere."

Uncle answered my question as if it was no big deal.

"This kind of atmosphere?"

"Joking around like this. You might not know, but our church orphanage had a pretty bleak atmosphere. So she grew up a bit bleakly too... Anyway, when I asked her before, she didn’t seem to dislike it."

"That’s fortunate."

I was worried she might get completely sulky from too much teasing, but it seemed like unnecessary worry. After all, I’d never teased her severely enough to hurt her feelings.

"Come to think of it, how was it at the orphanage?"

I had always been curious about why Kang Ji-ah always insisted on storage rooms or attics, and why she helped us so eagerly even though we weren’t paying her. I’d been curious for a while but couldn’t find the right timing to ask. Now that the orphanage topic came up, it seemed better to ask.

"What, how Ji-ah was? Or are you asking how I was?"

"Both."

"Well... it was so long ago I don’t remember well."

Uncle stroked his stubbled chin and fell into thought for a moment.

"Ah, Ji-ah got bullied quite a bit? She was small even as a child. Since the kids had no one else to bully, they picked on Ji-ah who seemed easy."

"Didn’t you scold them?"

"Do kids listen when you scold them? If you scold them, they just bully more."

That was true. Uncle continued.

"Originally they only bullied her during the day, but then they’d get caught by me and the teachers. So later they started bullying her at night when we were sleeping. Kids aren’t all innocent, you know. The cunning ones are really cunning."

"Even at night..."

"There was a storage room behind the orphanage building... The door could only be opened from inside except by teachers. Ji-ah probably took refuge there and slept every night. I also heard this story from the teachers later."

So she chose the storage room as a refuge to avoid bullying, and because of those memories, she came to prefer dark, damp places like storage rooms or attics...

"Hey, but you also visited our orphanage once before? Don’t you remember?"

Uncle asked. I tried to recall, but there was no way I could remember. I shook my head.

"You don’t remember? You fought really hard with the kids who were bullying Ji-ah back then."

"Did I win?"

"How could you win? You just got beaten up really badly. There were five or six opponents then."

If it was 6:1, there was no way I could have won. 5:1 was the same. In fights, the side with more people has an overwhelming advantage. Especially when you’re young.

Come to think of it, the reason Voodoo lost in the Holy War was also because of numbers.

"Your face was covered in blood, and your brother-in-law and sister were making a big fuss when they saw you... What did you say then? ’This much will heal if I use restoration sorcery’? Anyway, you were already a bit loose screwed back then."

Uncle said with a faint smile. This seemed to be almost the first time Uncle was this excitedly telling stories. He seemed to enjoy reminiscing about old times.

"Your brother-in-law said ’that’s my son’ and praised you. So then your brother-in-law got beaten up really badly by your sister. That was fun back then..."

Then, the smile on Uncle’s lips disappeared. The bright eyes that had been sparkling throughout the story had somehow become empty.

Uncle dry-washed his face with both hands and continued.

"...It’s better not to talk about old times."

"Right. Just imagine the future."

"That’s what we should do. But strangely, imagining the future doesn’t have the same appeal."

Days that have passed are sad yet beautiful because they’re gone. But the days that will come somehow seem overwhelming and frightening.

I still don’t really understand the reason. Tomorrow will also become yesterday someday, so why is yesterday beautiful but tomorrow frightening?

"The future will also become the past once it’s over."

"Wow, because it’s the cult leader’s words, it has a different resonance."

Uncle said teasingly and laughed.

Uncle, who had been silent as if lost in thought, rummaged through his bag. What he took out was a phone. Uncle casually threw it to me.

I barely caught it.

"Why are you giving me another phone?"

"Spending money. There’s coins inside, exchange them if you need to use them."

"Coins crashed recently."

"They’re still okay for money laundering. Oh, by the way, one coin is 0.87 dollars. About 1,000 won in Korean currency?"

I turned on the phone to check how many coins were inside.

If each one was 1,000 won, the amount in the phone was...

"...That’s too much for spending money?"

"Is it? Then think of it as an offering instead of spending money."

From his reaction, it didn’t seem like that much money to Uncle.

But to me, it was an incredibly large sum. Enough that I wouldn’t be particularly envious of So Do-jin, who supposedly received 300 million won in sponsorship from fans each month.

Then, an idea flashed through my mind like lightning.

"Uncle, that guy in Jeolla branch... Yeom..."

"Yeom Man-geun?"

"Right, Yeom Man-geun. What does he do for work? Besides running the church, didn’t he say he runs a factory?"

"Right. He runs a factory making makgeolli or soju, something like that, and made some money. That’s probably why this bastard has no respect for the cult leader, no respect."

I quickly prepared to go out. Uncle looked at me puzzledly.

"What, where are you going all of a sudden?"

"I’m going to walk around. To do this and that."

"This and that? ...Well, you won’t get lost anyway. Come back before the meeting."

I nodded and tied my shoelaces.

"Oh, talking about old times reminded me."

Uncle hesitated, moving his lips or rolling his eyes around, showing signs of contemplation, then barely managed to continue.

"I’m sorry. I still regret what happened back then."

’Back then’...

I seemed to know what time he was talking about. I nodded and smiled at Uncle.

"That’s in the past."

"Right... Anyway, have a safe trip. Don’t be late for the meeting."

Hearing Uncle’s farewell, I left the accommodation. The forest visible beyond the railing was covered in gloomy darkness.

I headed downstairs.