Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 139

139.

“Why are you all standing around? Aren’t you going to tie up that elf?”

“…….”

“Come to think of it, there are too many onlookers. They wouldn’t gather just to watch someone being imprisoned. It seems they have other business?”

“……That’s right.”

This time, he answered without ignoring me. Only then did Moos seem to notice my presence, his gaze turning towards me.

“Who are you?”

“I’ve come to hear the truth.”

“The truth?”

“Because of your false confession, Endil is in a very difficult situation right now. Honestly admit that you framed him.”

At my words, his eyes gleamed with madness. The way he grinned made it seem like he found this situation extremely amusing.

“I roughly understand what you’re saying. So, you’re on that elf’s side? Are you trying to claim that I lied and put him in trouble?”

“It’s not a claim, it’s the truth, isn’t it? I know you’re retaliating because Endil rejected your offer.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about at all. Is that what the elf told you? That I framed him? Oh, dear. Endil, you’re misunderstanding me. Even so, you shouldn’t say things like that.”

Endil’s face twisted as he silently listened to the absurd response. I also frowned and asked.

“A misunderstanding?”

“Actually, there was a slight problem with the magic I placed on the necklace. Because of that, it seems Endil was also in danger. But he seems to think I did it on purpose.”

“What are you talking about……”

“He probably thought I was trying to eliminate the evidence. It’s a common occurrence in this world, so it’s understandable that he’d misunderstand. But Endil, I swear, that’s really a misunderstanding. I had no intention of killing you too. Why would I do such a thing? You’re a valuable person who helps me with my work.”

I was dumbfounded and opened my mouth at his face, which seemed genuinely regretful. At the same time, Endil convulsed as if having a seizure.

“What the hell are you talking about, you bastard! When did I ever help you!”

“Endil, I understand the feeling of wanting to deny reality. But now that things have come to this, there’s nothing you can do. Since everything will be revealed during the trial anyway, just give up.”

“This crazy bastard, really!”

“Endil.”

Fearing that something might happen, I quickly called out his name. Endil, who had been twitching as if about to pounce, flinched and turned to look at me. Come to think of it, this was the first time we had properly faced each other since I revealed that I was a priest. When our eyes met, he jumped like a startled fish and quickly retreated to the corner. Then, he began to stare at me with overly sparkling eyes. What’s wrong with him now? I sighed and turned back to Moos.

“Hey, are you going to keep trying to frame Endil like that? It won’t work, you know?”

“Oh, you don’t believe me?”

“Of course not. So, stop lying now.”

“Do you have any proof that I’m lying?”

As expected, he was going to play it this way. I gritted my teeth inwardly as I looked at Moos, who was confidently responding. As I approached him, he smirked as if daring me to do something.

“I’m planning to create the proof from now on.”

“What does that mean?”

“Actually, I’m this kind of person.”

With that answer, I slightly lifted the circlet with one hand. Moos’s face froze as he saw my forehead.

“……A priest.”

“To be exact, the Pope.”

“…….”

Moos’s eyes wavered at my added words. It was the first time I saw the composure disappear from his face. As I watched that expression, I was reminded of what Kaitain had said earlier.

“Go to him and ask in the name of the Pope.”

“In the name of the Pope?”

“If you show him the insignia, he won’t be able to lie.”

It turned out that the Pope’s insignia didn’t just mean that God had directly appointed them as their representative. According to him, the Pope who received the official insignia had one special privilege: the ability to invoke divine punishment by borrowing God’s authority.

However, there were several prerequisites for this process. First, one had to confirm the presence of the insignia and declare that they were the Pope. Second, they had to specify the conditions for the divine punishment and warn in advance that there could be disadvantages.

Of course, I had only received the insignia and wasn’t a real Pope. I didn’t possess any divine power, so I couldn’t even call myself a priest. Therefore, I wouldn’t actually be able to use such privileges. But I could use the general perception that people had. In other words, my plan was to corner him by emphasizing that he could receive divine punishment.

“……Well, I’ve heard the rumors too. That the symbol of the first Pope has appeared in the Order of Punishment.”

“Since you know, it’ll be faster to talk. Then you also know that the Pope can exercise God’s authority, right?”

As expected, Moos’s face was filled with dismay. I gained confidence from that expression and gave a triumphant smile.

“I’m going to determine the truth right here, right now. Endil, come here.”

“Huh? Ah, yes……”

Endil flinched and scurried to my side. He looked quite nervous, with an uneasy expression. I nodded to him to reassure him, then said.

“Um, so…… In the name of the Pope, I declare. If you don’t answer the questions I ask truthfully from now on, you will receive divine punishment and go blind. That itself will be proof of your sin.”

“Proof of sin……”

“Yes. So, speak honestly. Are the two of you accomplices?”

“No!”

Endil shouted as soon as the question was asked. Everyone who had been holding their breath watched him. They were trying to see if he would receive divine punishment.

Of course, nothing happened to him. Amidst the sighs of relief that erupted from here and there, people began to glare coldly at Moos, who had not yet answered. Since one side had been proven innocent by the previous answer, it meant that he had lied. Moos also seemed to sense the surrounding atmosphere, wearing a bitter expression.

“Oh, dear. It seems like this puts me at a disadvantage.”

“As you can see, it does. I’ll ask again. Is Endil your accomplice?”

The air around us tightened. Even without looking, I could tell that everyone nearby was tense. I thought that all of this would soon be over. Moos would never be able to answer, and that in itself would prove Endil’s innocence. But perhaps I was being too optimistic about the situation? Suddenly, Moos began to say something unexpected.

“Hmm, do you know that impersonating a priest is also considered blasphemy?”

“Pardon?”

“And even impersonating the Pope. You seem quite young, but you’re not afraid. You’ve committed a truly outrageous act.”

I frowned and asked Moos, who was clicking his tongue. He blatantly scanned me up and down.

“It’s a very well-known story that the Order of Punishment has gone into complete seclusion since the symbol of the Pope appeared. There’s even talk that they’ll be waging war against the Order of the Demon God soon. In this situation, the Pope is leaving his position? Do you think that makes sense?”

“That’s……”

“If you’re afraid of divine punishment, answer honestly? Okay, good. But you know, if divine punishment isn’t inflicted here, you’ll be referred to a religious trial. If you’re guilty of impersonating a priest, especially the Pope, you’ll be burned at the stake on the spot without question. Are you really okay with that?”

“…….”

I understood his purpose in those last words. Just like I had done, he was trying to test me.

I knew he was a formidable opponent, but I never expected him to come out like this. As I frowned, the surrounding atmosphere began to change. It seemed that people were starting to doubt me because I couldn’t readily answer his question.

Damn it, this is a battle of nerves. I quickly smiled as if nothing was wrong. My lips felt like they were cramping from the forced smile.

“That won’t happen, so answer my question.”

“Oh, really? This isn’t something that can be easily resolved, you know?”

“Aren’t you just avoiding the question because you’re afraid of divine punishment?”

“Haha, is that how you’re going to play it? Fine, if you put it that way, I have no choice. I’ll answer.”

He nodded as if he had no choice, then smirked and looked straight at me. Reading the determination in his eyes, I felt a sense of despair. This guy, he’s planning to lie until the end.

As expected, a resolute word was uttered from his quietly opened mouth.

“Endil is my accomplice.”

Damn it!

I clenched my fist tightly in frustration. Kaitain also seemed taken aback, not having anticipated this far.

To be honest, I had some expectations. Since Eluene had given me the symbol of the Pope, I wondered if he had also given me the ability to use the privileges. But expectations were just expectations, and as expected, divine punishment was not inflicted.

“What, what’s going on?”

“Was divine punishment inflicted?”

“Something’s a little strange……?”

As time passed and nothing happened, murmurs spread among the people. Gazes filled with bewilderment, shock, and anger were mixed in confusion.

“Hehehe…… Hahahahaha!”

And Moos began to laugh like a madman. He must be happy that his prediction was correct. That damn bastard. Doesn’t he have any fear? Why is he lying until the end? I rubbed my throbbing head. I had no idea how to get out of this crisis.

“So, why isn’t there any divine punishment?”

“…….”

“Why can’t you answer? Why don’t you explain? No, in this case, it would be faster to ask how you made the fake symbol of God. How were you able to create such an elaborate symbol? It doesn’t look like it was drawn.”

“……It’s not fake.”

“Oh, you’re still insisting it’s real? Then explain properly why divine punishment isn’t being inflicted on anyone. Since the two testimonies are different, one of them is clearly lying. If you’re the real Pope, shouldn’t divine punishment be inflicted by now? Ah, perhaps the God of Punishment is very busy these days? Well, he’s in a state of confrontation with the Demon God, so he must be quite preoccupied? So, he can’t even take care of the representative he personally appointed? Huh?”

Moos openly mocked me. Eluene, you idiot. I sighed and muttered.

“As you said, he must be too busy to hear me.”

“Hahaha! You’re a really funny guy. Then why don’t you speak in a loud voice? You lied, so you will receive divine punishment! Say it!”

“Stop it. I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”

“Haha! Why, are you going to try to inflict another divine punishment? Go ahead and try. I want to experience how scary divine punishment is. Well, it’s better than being burned at the stake, right?”

“……I said, stop it?”

“Then inflict divine punishment. If you’re the Pope, you should inflict a proper divine punishment, right? Ah, of course, that’s assuming you’re the real Pope.”

“Damn it, do you think I can’t do it if you tell me to? May all your teeth fall out!”

I couldn’t stand the constant provocations any longer and shouted. Of course, it was almost out of desperation.

―……Oh my, what are you doing?

But at that moment, a familiar voice brushed past my ear. It was a murmur so close to a whisper that I mistook it for a hallucination. When I unknowingly paused, wondering, “Huh?”

“Kuh, Kuaaaaaak!”

Suddenly, a scream was heard, and Moos trembled. At the same time, something quickly began to fall from his mouth along with red blood. I froze slightly as I saw the white fragments rolling on the floor. It was definitely human teeth.

“…….”

For a moment, silence flowed, and everyone stared at Moos with blank faces. Moos also stared blankly at his missing teeth, as if he couldn’t believe what had happened to him.

“……Di, Divine punishment.”

Someone swallowed dryly and muttered. But that wasn’t the end of it. As if he couldn’t believe what had happened to him, blood suddenly streamed down from Moos’s eyes, which had been blinking in bewilderment!

‘Gasp!’

I reflexively took a step back at the gruesome sight, and Moos screamed again.

“Ugh…… Uaaaaaa! My eyes! My eyes!”

He grabbed his eyes with both hands and rolled on the floor. His face was already covered in blood and completely ruined. After writhing for a while, he soon slumped powerlessly with a gurgling sound. He had fainted.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence flowed again, and I sweated coldly. So, this is…… Eluene helped me, right?

Just as I barely reached that conclusion, I saw people prostrating on the floor. Everyone, regardless of whether they were crew members or not, was trembling and pressing their faces deeply into the floor. It was only natural that they were terrified after seeing divine punishment being inflicted before their eyes.

“Glory to the Pope…… We behold the power of Eluene, the God of Punishment.”

“We behold the power!”

At someone’s shout, everyone shouted the same thing as if in unison. Seeing that, I thought only one thing.

……I can’t keep riding this ship anymore.