Episode 150 Hero Party (4)
Everyone froze at Heinrich's weighty words that echoed through the conference room.
His voice, filled with holy power and naturally inducing reverence, was secondary, and the meaning behind his words had that much impact.
"The Main God… spoke to you?"
"Huh—."
The cathedral's executives murmured in awe.
The existence of God was a fact acknowledged by everyone in Auterica, but there was a limit to how much mortals could perceive his will because of the vast difference in level.
And that was also true for the clergy.
The stronger their faith, the stronger their connection and the clearer their perception of his presence, but they needed to be at least at the Saintess's level to even slightly grasp God's will.
So they couldn't help but be surprised that Heinrich was now claiming to have received a revelation directly from the Main God.
Some swallowed nervously, some took out handkerchiefs to wipe their sweat, some clasped their hands together and looked at him as if praying…
Everyone straightened their posture and waited for his next words.
'The effect is good… but it's a bit burdensome.'
Heinrich deliberately ignored the Saintess's gaze, who was staring at him with sparkling eyes, and slowly opened his mouth.
"Haven't you found it strange? The contradictory actions that Immortal King Hannibal Strauss has been showing."
It might have sounded a bit out of the blue, but they quietly focused on the topic he brought up.
Naturally, they were all aware of it.
They just hadn't made any progress in analyzing his thought patterns because he was a being they couldn't understand with common sense.
"This generation's Immortal King is clearly different from his predecessors. He's not obsessed with covering the continent in death."
"I did feel that way, but…"
"His only motivation is his own amusement. He retreated so easily last time he attacked the cathedral because Harris from the Elven Kingdom satisfied his curiosity. …And if I had to add one more thing, it would be drawing the public's attention."
He started by reminding them of Hans's peculiarity.
"…That makes sense. When we were dispatched to investigate the gate to the abyss, the Immortal King could have easily killed us, but he didn't. As if he wanted to leave witnesses to his actions."
One of the Paladins who had been dispatched to the southern wasteland cautiously agreed with Heinrich.
"Come to think of it, it's not the first time. The damage the Immortal King has inflicted on the continent is significant, but the damage to the places he personally appeared is surprisingly small. It's the same for the attack on Tobea City in the Empire recently."
"He's basically trying to destroy the continent, but his personal amusement takes priority in the places he's at…?"
"That's right! And we can use that."
"How?"
He was forcibly fitting past events into his current argument to add credibility.
And since Heinrich currently had the Main God's authority to back him up, it wasn't difficult to convince them.
"He's very interested in me. His interest, which began when I first pierced his heart and defeated him, has grown even stronger since I became a Saint."
That was something everyone knew.
The Immortal King had often shown signs of being conscious of him, and during the summit attack, he had only acknowledged Heinrich as a conversation partner.
Except when he was dealing with Harris, who had shot an arrow at him.
"I'm planning to propose a wager… that will pique his interest."
"What? A wager… you say?"
He could feel the audience's reaction becoming subtle the moment he finished speaking.
'What's needed in this situation is shamelessness.'
He nodded seriously and continued speaking, putting strength into his voice.
"The Immortal King considers the process of conquering the continent itself as a game. So we can play along and add to his amusement, but in return, we add a 'rule'."
"…And that rule is for him not to invade the Rohan Duchy?"
The people listening to him frowned and tilted their heads one by one.
It was a natural question, wondering if things would really go that smoothly…
"Of course, there might be additional changes depending on his demands, but that's the basic idea."
"…Do you think the Immortal King will accept such conditions?"
"He will."
He had made up his mind, so he would make it happen.
'Even if I have to force it, there's no other way.'
The only thing he was counting on right now was the Main God's authority.
"Negotiating with the Immortal King…"
The Heresy Inquisitor General muttered in a small voice, seemingly uncomfortable, but he couldn't do anything to the Saint, who had been chosen by God, no matter how much authority he had.
And he had already laid the groundwork, mentioning the Main God's name.
"But what if the undead start to move south right now? If we don't prepare immediately, not only the duchy but also the Empire might be in danger."
"It's okay. The immortal army won't move."
"The reason you're so sure is also…?"
"…The Main God told me."
He had run out of logical arguments, so he just pushed ahead.
It was a groundless claim, but what could they do if the Saint said so?
'Whatever, just believe it.'
The Church executives just blinked at his firm answer, but…
The Saintess, who had been quietly watching him the entire time, finally clapped her hands and exclaimed in admiration with sparkling eyes.
Clap, clap, clap!
"As expected of the Saint! The Main God knows everything, but we, who are lacking, can't fully comprehend his will. I can only vaguely sense a fragment of it, you're amazing!"
"Hahaha, you flatter me…"
He just laughed shamelessly, ignoring his guilty conscience.
The Saintess's level of communion with the Main God was probably higher than Heinrich's.
He was currently using most of the ley line connected to God just for holy power supply, and the only emotion he had felt from the Main God so far was 'interest'.
It was the same even at this moment.
But as the Saintess exclaimed in what seemed like genuine admiration, the surrounding reactions also started to heat up.
None of them even considered the possibility that Heinrich, the Saint, might be lying.
"Then let's proceed based on what the Saint said. It won't be easy because the Empire isn't stupid, but we'll try to buy as much time as possible."
It was a ridiculous decision for one of the top organizations on the continent, but it showed how much they trusted Heinrich, the Saint.
The moment the Saint personally mentioned the Main God's name, it became an absolute law within the Church.
'They've been acting like humanity's representatives lately because of the Immortal King… but…'
They were ultimately a religious organization, and everyone here was a high-ranking official who was recognized for their devout faith.
'Simply put, everyone here except for me is a fanatic.'
And to a fanatic, God's word was the truth, so this reaction was only natural.
"Then I'll leave it to you. It'll only take a moment to stop the Empire from withdrawing. They'll soon follow our will."
"What? Did the Main God also give you a revelation about that…?"
Heinrich just closed his eyes tightly and slowly nodded at the question.
He felt like he was actually receiving a revelation from the Main God, perhaps because he had done this so often.
'Hannibal Strauss… It seems like you're planning to target the Empire next, but it won't go your way as long as I, Heinrich, am here!'
The hero, fully immersed in his role, clenched his fist with determination in the conference room filled with devout faith.
And those present looked at him with trusting eyes.
Strangely enough, he didn't feel any pangs of conscience anymore, perhaps because it had been paralyzed from being overworked.
____________________
While Heinrich was busy deceiving everyone in the name of the Main God,
Harley, who had finished his spar, was having a reunion with familiar faces.
"Hello, Harley. It hasn't been long since we last met, but you've gotten even bigger."
"Hahaha! It's been a while, missy! Your face is all shiny, it seems like you've been doing well."
"It's all thanks to you, Harley. I'm a High Elf now."
Cecily Granwood greeted him warmly.
"It's been a while. Hmm… but, no, never mind."
Rapori Granwood showed a subtle reaction, as if he sensed something from Harley's change.
"It's been a while, Harley."
"Ah— It's good to see you, Harris! Hahaha!"
Even Harris, who was supposed to be a longtime friend.
"S-so this is the Ion Continent. I thought it was more ordinary than I expected… but it's exactly as I imagined…"
Shapiron, seemingly overwhelmed by his intimidating appearance, subtly hid behind Harris and muttered, but he casually ignored her, as it wasn't the first time she had acted strangely.
"Harley, I promised you before, right? That I would give you a proper blessing when I became a High Elf. …I'm not sure how helpful it will be to you now, but it's better than nothing."
Cecily smiled at him.
He didn't have to squat down like last time.
The wind that naturally rose beneath Cecily's feet gently lifted her up, instantly bringing her to eye level with him.
Whoosh—
And as her lips touched his forehead, a comforting energy started to dwell in his body, just like before.
And… perhaps because Harris, who had also become qualified to be a High Elf, was present, he was able to clearly grasp the nature of the energy this time.
'This isn't just natural energy, it's similar in nature to holy power. Can High Elves directly draw on the World Tree's energy through themselves? As expected of the priests of the World Tree religion.'
And after a while, as it completely settled in Harley's body—.
《The individual's attribute affinity and resistance increase significantly due to "Blessing of Nature".》
Unlike before, a message appeared before Harley's eyes this time.
He didn't gain any special skills, but the fact that even the system acknowledged it meant that the effect was greater than he thought.
'Harris will also be able to use this soon after he becomes a High Elf, how many times can they do this? Let's see… I've saved Harley's share, and of course, it won't work on Hans.'
It was only natural for his thoughts to lead to that.
And her gift didn't end there, as she also gave him an ornament made from a part of the branch she had received from the World Tree.
"I made it to suit your taste, Harley, based on Lord Rapori's advice."
Rapori, who had been quietly standing behind them, nodded heavily at Cecily's words.
As expected, the ornament, which was carved to be worn as a necklace or on a belt, was menacing and lifelike, as if a ferocious beast's head had been transferred onto it.
Just Harley's style.
"Hahaha! I love it. You didn't have to go this far!"
Of course, he was just saying that, and the ornament, which granted him all sorts of resistance and additional defense, was already firmly fixed on his waist.
It probably wouldn't come off easily.
"Anyway, I didn't expect to see you here, Harley. To think you've become this strong in such a short time."
Rapori, who had been quietly observing him, finally spoke.
As expected of a High Elf who had lived for a long time, he seemed to have seen through Harley to some extent, and he seemed concerned, but…
"…Well, I'm sure you have your reasons, Harley. The Main God Church isn't saying anything, so it's not my place to comment. But you're here, so… did you decide to join the expedition?"
He shrugged lightly and immediately changed the subject.
It was convenient to have the best backer, the Saint of the Main God Church.
"Hmm? Ah—! That…"
And Harley slowly opened his mouth, scratching the back of his head at the question.