Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 895

◈ 895. Rembrary’s Invitation (15)

Rembrary looked very proud, so Jang Tae-ri and Shin Jo-woon applauded out of courtesy. Rembrary became even more pleased with their reaction.

“We were delayed a lot longer than expected in Kamuel-nim’s territory, but now we can go faster.”

Rembrary spread out the map and pointed to the location of the Grand Temple. The Grand Temple was in the northwest of the Southern Continent, so it seemed they wouldn’t have to go all the way to the center.

Jang Tae-ri carefully checked the map and felt relieved. *We might not exceed a month by much.*

Since they spent less time in the mountain range than he had feared, he thought that if they moved quickly, they could return to Earth in a little over a month.

“Let’s go quickly.”

As soon as he finished thinking, Jang Tae-ri urged Rembrary.

* * *

It was easy to enter the village.

There was a checkpoint installed at the entrance to the village, but as soon as the checkpoint soldiers saw the badge of a Redrin High Priest, they immediately showed respect and let them in.

“The treatment is definitely different since the territory has changed.”

Jang Tae-ri was surprised by the soldiers’ polite attitude. It was completely different from Kamuel’s territory, where they would find fault and imprison you even knowing you were a Redrin High Priest.

“Almost everyone here believes in Redrin-nim.”

“What percentage would you say?”

“One hundred percent, excluding heretics.”

Jang Tae-ri nodded, but then looked at Rembrary, thinking something was strange.

However, Rembrary had already moved on from that topic and was pointing to a building with a large deer painted on the sign.

“Let’s eat something there and move on. If you go out the opposite side of this village, there’s a temple. We’ll rest there.”

There was a reason why Rembrary specifically pointed out a restaurant and suggested going there.

When they arrived at the restaurant and took their seats, Rembrary skillfully ordered dishes that were new to them, and every single one of them was so delicious that they couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Is this Rembrary-ssi’s [Mr. Rembrary’s] regular restaurant?”

When Jang Tae-ri, who had ordered more food, asked excitedly, Ardor scoffed and replied.

“I recommended this restaurant to Rembrary-nim [High Priest Rembrary].”

Rembrary nodded contentedly and asked Shin Jo-woon.

“Anchovy, you? Do you like the food?”

“It’s alright.”

The restaurant was perfect, even down to the dessert that came out later, and the group started walking again after filling their stomachs.

They could have taken a carriage, but Rembrary wanted to show Jang Tae-ri and Shin Jo-woon around the village.

*Even if there are people who are dissatisfied with Rembrary-ssi, it wouldn’t be a big problem here, right?*

Jang Tae-ri also looked around with a more relaxed mind.

Then, just as he was losing interest in the similar-looking houses, Jang Tae-ri took out his notebook and asked.

“Rembrary-ssi, what’s the most famous thing here?”

“Where is ‘here’? This country? Or this village?”

“Within Redrin-nim’s territory.”

Jang Tae-ri asked the question because he wanted to visit famous tourist attractions recommended by Rembrary if their schedule allowed.

“Me.”

However, Rembrary’s answer was not a tourist attraction. When Jang Tae-ri stared at him, Rembrary tapped himself and said again.

“I’m the most famous.”

Jang Tae-ri was momentarily taken aback by his confident words, but then smiled and asked again.

“No, I mean a place to see. I’m asking where is the best place to visit.”

“One is the Grand Temple, but we’re going there anyway. The other is my country.”

Jang Tae-ri took it to mean that Rembrary’s country had the most tourist attractions and asked with interest.

“Where is Rembrary-ssi’s country? Is it famous for tourism?”

“I don’t know if it’s famous for tourism, but many people come. It’s the largest country in the Southern Continent.”

Shin Jo-woon, also curious, stopped looking around and approached them, asking.

“Can we visit your country too?”

“If you have time, it would be nice to visit. If I take you guys, my family will be very happy.”

Shin Jo-woon imagined a pig family with soft golden fur. Jang Tae-ri imagined people who looked like models praying in groups.

Although their mental images were different, they were both curious about Rembrary’s family.

Jang Tae-ri asked excitedly.

“Then can we visit the most famous tourist attraction in Rembrary-ssi’s country and see Rembrary-ssi’s family?”

“Of course. The most famous tourist attraction is my house, and my family all live there.”

“Pardon?”

Jang Tae-ri blinked, wondering what he meant. Shin Jo-woon recalled going to the demons’ territory in the past.

“Right. Pig, you said you were a prince.”

Jang Tae-ri’s eyes widened. Then he looked around and asked Rembrary in a very small voice.

“Rembrary-ssi, is it okay for you to be walking around here like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are there no diplomatic issues or security issues or anything like that?”

“?”

Rembrary stared blankly at Jang Tae-ri.

However, when he saw that Jang Tae-ri’s expression was quite serious rather than joking, he smiled reassuringly and explained.

“It’s okay. I’ve already left the secular world. I’m just walking around as a priest, what’s the big deal? And even if there is a problem, the king here knows my face, so it’s okay.”

“Does he know you because Rembrary-ssi is a High Priest?”

“No. The king knows me because he’s my friend’s father.”

“!”

* * *

Around evening, the group left the village and went to the temple located 30 minutes away.

The sunset was casting a red glow, beautifully coloring the white building.

People who visited the temple were quietly walking around, and priests in white robes were also silently walking around.

The carriages that people had arrived in were gathered and parked on one side.

Just in time, the evening bell rang, and the soft yet heavy sound gently resonated throughout the temple.

Then, the people who were walking around stopped and prayed with their hands together.

Jang Tae-ri wiped his sweat and stared blankly at this entire scene.

*Was it because of the people’s attire, or was it because of the architectural style?* Jang Tae-ri felt a slight chill, as if he had come to an ancient temple.

When the bell stopped ringing, people started moving again. Shin Jo-woon asked Rembrary.

“Why did the bell ring?”

“It varies from temple to temple, but generally it rings once in the morning and once in the evening.”

Shin Jo-woon nodded, looking at the attire of the ordinary priests walking around with a complicated look. It was the same outfit that the enemy look-alike was wearing.

However, he wasn’t too surprised because he had already heard about Erit from Rembrary. If Rembrary hadn’t told him the story, he would have been even more disturbed.

“Let’s go there.”

Rembrary, unaware of Shin Jo-woon’s inner thoughts, strode ahead as soon as he found a building that appeared to be the main hall.

Ardor quickly followed behind him.

However, Jang Tae-ri grabbed Shin Jo-woon’s clothes instead of following.

“Wait a minute.”

As they moved slightly away from Rembrary and Ardor, Jang Tae-ri pointed to the ordinary priests passing by and asked.

“You said the enemy look-alike is an ordinary Redrin priest, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m just saying this just in case, but you know that person is different from our enemy, right?”

“I know.”

“You have to keep knowing that.”

Jang Tae-ri stared intently into Shin Jo-woon’s eyes, urging him. If there was even a hint of guilt, he was going to say it more strongly.

“I know, I told you.”

However, Shin Jo-woon only wore a friendly smile and showed no signs of guilt. Jang Tae-ri was relieved and let go of his clothes.

“But why are you looking for that person? It’s just unpleasant to run into him. Isn’t it better to just think you saw an unpleasant face for a moment and forget about it?”

Shin Jo-woon patted Jang Tae-ri on the shoulder and walked first in the direction Rembrary had gone.

Jang Tae-ri watched his back, sighed, and followed.

But was it because they walked too slowly while talking?

They tried to keep their distance just enough so that they couldn’t hear each other, but when they tried to find Rembrary, he was nowhere to be seen. Of course, Ardor was also gone.

“We’re going to get lost.”

Jang Tae-ri muttered worriedly. However, the path wasn’t complicated, so the two of them found Rembrary right away after making a few missteps.

To be exact, Rembrary’s location came into view on its own.

People in ordinary priest robes were kneeling in a group in the hallway in front of a certain door, so when they approached, Rembrary was inside the room in the direction they were kneeling.

Jang Tae-ri was about to call out ‘Rembrary-ssi!’, but he remembered how the people from the other world were horrified by the way he casually called Rembrary, so he shut his mouth.

However, there were so many people kneeling between Rembrary and them that it seemed they would have to call Rembrary from here first in order to get over there.

It would be nice if Rembrary found them first, but he seemed busy talking to someone.

Jang Tae-ri hesitated and said to Shin Jo-woon.

“Call Rembrary-ssi. Politely.”

“Why so polite all of a sudden?”

“I was treated like a completely strange person before when I said Rembrary-ssi! So this time you―”

“Pig-nim [Mr. Pig]!”

Before Jang Tae-ri could finish speaking, Shin Jo-woon called Rembrary politely, and the priests turned their heads at the same time.

At first, they didn’t realize that Shin Jo-woon had called Rembrary.

However, when Shin Jo-woon waved at Rembrary, the priests’ eyes widened at the same time.

*How can there be such an impolite person!*

*Calling the High Priest a pig!*

*Why are they calling the High Priest a pig……?*

Jang Tae-ri was horrified and ran to the side to hide. Rembrary, who had been talking to the person in charge of this temple, frowned and asked.

“Did you call me?”

The priests who were angry widened their mouths at Rembrary’s answer.

*The High Priest answered?*

*Is it a title agreed upon with the High Priest?!*

The priests were shocked and froze, but Rembrary waved at Shin Jo-woon without a second thought.

“Why are you standing there? Come here.”

The priests still hadn’t recovered from the shock, but when Rembrary gestured, they stepped aside to clear the way for Shin Jo-woon.

When Shin Jo-woon approached, Rembrary looked at the hallway and asked.

“Where is Tae-ri-ssi?”

“He said he was embarrassed and hid.”

“Embarrassed of you? No, why all of a sudden?”

When Shin Jo-woon shrugged, Rembrary stared blankly at the empty hallway and instructed Ardor.

“Ardor, go find Tae-ri-ssi.”

Shin Jo-woon bit his lip at the thought of Jang Tae-ri being horrified when he saw Ardor coming to pick him up.

Then, he made eye contact with a priest who was looking at him with curious eyes. The priest greeted Shin Jo-woon with a nod and asked.

“This person is a friend traveling with the High Priest.”

“Yeah. He’s Anchovy. Anchovy, this is the priest in charge of this temple.”

When Rembrary added, the priest in charge smiled kindly and greeted him.

“Welcome to the Redrin Temple, Anchovy-nim [Mr. Anchovy]. I’m Kamuel New City.”

“…….”

When Shin Jo-woon looked at him, Rembrary avoided his gaze. Shin Jo-woon opened his mouth to explain his name and religion. But he missed the timing because Jang Tae-ri came back with Ardor, shuddering.

When he tried to speak again, Jang Tae-ri was introducing himself.

“Hello. I’m Jang Tae-ri.”

After the greeting, Shin Jo-woon tried to explain again, but he had to close his mouth again at the topic Rembrary brought up to the priest in charge.

“Oh, right. Do you know about an ordinary priest named Erit?”