Ch#132
The Church's roots lay in the Central Continent.
Because in the heart of the Central Continent, in Roxe Forest, stood the World Tree, the symbol of the god the Church served.
The World Tree had once ruled over all continents as a sacred tree.
The injured were healed simply by approaching it, and the chosen could hear its oracle.
But less than 20 years after Mana Stones began to emerge, the World Tree became corrupted.
“Isn't it famous? The incident where the Pope…… beheaded the six Grand Archons.”
When the World Tree became corrupted, the Pope flew into a rage.
He sealed off the entirety of Roxe Forest and held the six Grand Archons, who had been tending to it at the time, responsible.
They had failed to properly care for the World Tree, so they at least must pay the price in the name of god.
And so, all the Grand Archons were beheaded.
Even though they were all Archbishops—no, Cardinals or higher.
“That's correct. The Church of today tolerates not even the slightest irreverence.”
Edmund replied.
He continued with a grave expression.
“The problem is that the standard for that ‘irreverence’ is ambiguous.”
Even though blasphemy was a grave sin, the criteria for judgment were unclear.
For example, a few years ago in the Central Continent, a young Holy Knight had been publicly executed.
All he had done was accidentally step on the holy cloth the Pope had dropped.
“Still, the Empire has less Church control. Piety is emphasized, but in the end, it's the Emperor who rules the Empire. Things will be different if you go to the Northern Continent, though.”
The Northern Continent was currently the place where the Church's influence was strongest.
There, as long as there was a ‘pretext,’ everything was handled at the Church's discretion.
Meaning they could be escorted to the Central Continent for absurd reasons or subjected to intense investigations.
And here arose yet another problem: these ‘investigations.’
The Church frequently imposed mana seals on people for torture or manipulated their minds to rummage through their heads.
This was all under the pretext that now, with Mana Stones emerging and everyone in danger, they must strictly protect sanctity more than ever.
“But Lady Tie is currently here in Talochioum.”
However, even the Church couldn't arbitrarily seize people outside the Holy Kingdom.
“Besides, Lady Tie isn't even affiliated with the Church. She's just a mercenary.”
Basto nodded.
As Edmund said, the Church still lacked a ‘pretext’ to investigate Tie in their own way.
Of course, Agavert had no intention of providing one in the future either.
Leonardo stepped forward as well.
“Even if the Church makes contact again, we'll block it on our end from now on.”
He looked toward the squad members.
“So stay in Talochioum for the time being. No, avoid leaving Talochioum if at all possible. Then everything will be fine.”
* * *
Upon returning to the mansion, Tie stopped idly in the garden instead of going inside.
Beyond the fence to her right.
The neighboring house still stood empty.
‘……To think that was Dad's.’
Even now, the fact that she had learned Dad's identity didn't feel real.
And the fact that Dad was the leader of Trebaga felt even less like reality.
"Kkamangi, not going in?"
Veil asked, but Tie shook her head as if it were nothing.
"Tie play in yard just a little."
"We'll watch from the window? Don't go anywhere?"
"Yeah!"
Only then did the squad members go inside.
After confirming the door had closed, Tie went to the right fence and plastered herself to the railing.
Her wistful eyes scanned the front yard overgrown with weeds.
The top window was still rattling, and now she noticed the stone steps and railing were covered in spiderwebs.
"……Tie was gonna go find Dad first."
The night before, Tie had made a decision.
‘For now, Dad being number one mercenary is a secret.’
The reason was simple.
Even if she went to find Dad anyway, he would surely dislike Tie and push her away.
In truth, Tie was now okay with Dad not recognizing her.
She had already experienced it in Pearl City, and she had prepared her heart repeatedly.
But that didn't make it any less sad.
Tie was afraid that if she saw Dad not recognizing her, she herself might be too shocked.
‘I prepared myself, but still.’
What if Dad told Tie to ‘get lost!’?
What if he scowled scarily and acted annoyed……?
Just imagining it already hurt her heart so much.
The problem was what the squad members would think seeing Tie like this.
"……Uncle Basto, and bros, and Grandpa. They'd all be super sad together."
Tie didn't want to burden the people around her anymore.
Even back in Korea, Tie had always only caused trouble for the adults taking care of her.
‘Everyone's raising Tie so hard. Can't keep making them upset.’
If she told them Dad's identity, the people around her would be incredibly frustrated.
Veil bro might even get so mad he'd bash his head against a tree every day.
But telling Dad the truth……
‘No guarantee Dad would believe it.’
On the contrary, Dad might think Tie was a weird kid and push her away even more.
Putting herself in his shoes, even Tie would think that way.
So the night before, Tie had devised a thorough plan with Kkamangi.
First.
‘Tie go to Northern Continent! Kkamangi help.’
For now, go to the Northern Continent to meet Dad.
Once they met and saw each other's faces, she could decide what to do next.
She felt like she couldn't bear it if she didn't see his face soon.
She thought the rest wouldn't be too hard.
As Grandma from 107 had said, life was full of surprises, and unbeknownst to her, a great stroke of luck awaited Tie to make things easier.
‘Dad's the owner next door, so wait at home until Dad comes!’
Dad owned the house next door.
‘We met once in the Northern Continent, so we know each other's faces? Then, since we're neighbors, slowly get close.’
Just like how Tie lived like family with Grandma from 107!
Tie imagined the day Dad returned from the Northern Continent.
Dad would surely be startled upon seeing Tie.
‘Oh! You're that Astie from before? You're my neighbor!’ he'd say happily.
Then Tie would pretend not to know and say, ‘No way, what a coincidence……!’
‘And become snack-sharing buddies!’
Since both Dad and Tie were mercenaries, they'd surely have lots to talk about.
Before long, they'd become family again, right?
Tie planned to subtly warn her close Dad later.
Because of the ‘law of fate regression,’ Dad might fall back to Korea again, so always be careful.
But then.
A problem arose from an unexpected place.
Grandpa Nordics had sternly declared the Northern Continent was absolutely off-limits!
Even Clan Leader and the Luminen uncles all said the Northern Continent was too dangerous.
Because the Church, with its strong power, was curious about Tie's identity.
For safety, it was best not to go near there.
"Sighhh……."
In the end, a suppressed sigh escaped.
Tie looked up at the neighboring house beyond the fence with a dejected face.
If Tie couldn't go to the Northern Continent first, only one method remained.
"Wait here until he comes……."
But not knowing how long to wait or how to do it made her heart feel stuffy and blocked.
Tie pursed her lips, too upset.
"He needs to come soon……."
As she muttered listlessly while gazing at the dreary neighboring garden.
"He won't come? The Head Maid said this house is just for show."
A voice suddenly came from beside her.
Startled, she whipped her head around to find Selina standing there before she knew it.
Selina shook her head, a tree leaf stuck in her bangs.
"The owner's a mercenary? It's rotting away to show off to nobles. Flaunting wealth, don't ignore me, that sort of thing. You can tell since he bought it and hasn't come even once in two years."
As Tie's mouth fell open.
Selina's eyes widened.
"Anyway, where've you been for days? Leaving the house empty this long. I waited a while thinking you'd gone somewhere……."
Tie tilted her head.
"Selina, you waited for Tie?"
And when she asked, Selina's cheeks flushed bright red.
