Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 101

3.

The next day.

“Phew. That gate was one of my favorites. It’s upsetting.”

“I told you we’d compensate you, Mr. Choi.”

“Gates that spawn trolls are always profitable. It feels like our dear Pope only picks the tastiest gates to swallow up.”

“How was I supposed to know that the gate we won would spawn the fastest?”

I let out a deep sigh at Mr. Choi, who was grumbling beside me.

This was a medium-sized D-rank gate that had appeared in Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province.

Originally, the gate had been won by the Dokkaebi Guild, but due to unavoidable circumstances, we had joined forces.

The reason was as follows:

“This time, I’ll deliver them exactly where Siwoo wants. I’ve already informed the kids, and sending additional personnel for now is difficult. Dimension transfer is more complicated than you think! Got it?”

Until now, Limen had sent Leo and Luna randomly, but this time, she promised to deliver at the precise moment I requested.

When I asked Limen why only gates could be used for deliveries, she scolded me with some nonsensical explanation about how “entering through an open entrance is basic common sense.”

And so, we ended up choosing this gate, managed by the Dokkaebi Guild.

“Come to think of it, it’s strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to take care of all the trolls anyway, and we just have to collect two individuals. Usually, people don’t use the term ‘swallow up’ to describe that, do they?”

Anyone listening might think we were monopolizing all the byproducts from the gate.

The Dokkaebi Guild would carry out the raid as usual, and we were merely here to escort a couple of guests.

In response to my clarification, Mr. Choi burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! When a dear friend asks for a bite, how could I refuse? Feel free to swallow as much as you like.”

“No, I mean we’re not actually swallowing any—”

“No need to feel sorry among friends. Isn’t that right?”

Forget it.

This guy and everyone else lately seem to enjoy teasing me for fun.

For the sake of the Pope’s dignity, I’ll have to wield a righteous sword dance one of these days.

I sighed deeply again and turned to Leo, who stood silently beside me.

“Leo, don’t you feel like arguing with Mr. Choi today? You two had quite the fight when you first emerged from the gate.”

“What’s the reason for this inquiry?”

“If you fight with Mr. Choi, I’d have a reason to bury him in the ground like before. If I do it without a reason, wouldn’t I just be a thug, not a Pope?”

At my words, Leo stared at me in silence.

Judging from the complex emotions reflected in his gaze, it seemed he didn’t agree with my reasoning.

Does he really think I’m just a thug?

That hurts.

I simply valued Leo’s exceptional abilities and pushed him hard. Was that enough to brand me a thug? That’s so unfair.

“Ahem.”

But even I couldn’t completely suppress a pang of guilt.

“Leo.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Let’s do our best today.”

“…Yes. By the way, Your Holiness, who are the individuals arriving today?”

Leo must have been curious.

I suppose he misses his comrades from Eden. If Luna weren’t around, he might have felt their absence even more keenly.

Still, there’s a huge difference between having someone to share memories with and not.

I merely shrugged at Leo’s question.

“Unwrapping a present is most exciting when you don’t know what’s inside. Telling you now would ruin the fun.”

“You are absolutely right. I’m certain the individuals arriving today will greatly benefit our alliance.”

“Alliance?”

“We haven’t decided on an official name yet, so I’m calling it an alliance for now. Calling it a coalition reminds me too much of ‘The Guilds Coalition,’ which feels awkward. An alliance seems more fitting.”

Considering that the Dokkaebi Guild and the Seolhwa Guild have joined us, it’s true that we can’t keep calling it “our side” indefinitely.

An alliance, huh?

I should set aside time to think about a proper name for it later.

“Oh, Pope Kim. Remember the younger friend of mine with a business degree that I mentioned? He recently returned to Korea and said he’d like to meet you sometime this week.”

“That’s perfect timing. I should be free the day after tomorrow.”

“Starting next week, discussions with China will begin, so handling this quickly would be ideal. I’ll let him know.”

“Tell him to contact me directly.”

“Will do.”

While chatting with Mr. Choi about various things, the time finally arrived.

Woooooooong!

A violet magic sphere materialized in the empty air. It rapidly expanded in an instant.

[A gate is forming in this area.]

Accompanied by a red warning message, the magic sphere took the shape of a massive door. Soon, an alien energy began seeping out from beyond.

“Everyone, hold your positions for now. Let’s welcome our guests first!”

The hunters from the Dokkaebi Guild were already in formation.

At Mr. Choi’s commanding voice, they responded in unison with disciplined precision.

“Yes!”

The Dokkaebi Guild was undeniably unique compared to other large guilds.

Their unwavering trust in Mr. Choi created a tight-knit camaraderie, resembling a mercenary group that had endured countless battles together.

They were a military unit bound by mutual trust, distinct from the corporate vibe of other guilds.

There was an undeniable charm to this cohesive group.

Screeeech!

“It seems like the monsters are emerging first again. Shouldn’t we clean them up?”

As Mr. Choi noted, trolls were crawling out of the gate.

These trolls, with their blue skin and crude spears coated in green venom, would undoubtedly pose a threat to ordinary people.

But the individuals arriving through the gate today were far from ordinary.

“The people arriving today are administrative and production staff, not combat personnel.”

“Then it would be safer to handle the trolls in advance.”

“There’s no need to go that far.”

[The interdimensional contract has been fully established.]
[33,500 points of divine power have been spent to summon Rapart Sante and Toby Ironbeard from .]
[As an appropriate price has been paid, the interference of Limen, the Chief Deity of , is overlooked.]

I closed the cascade of message windows and turned my gaze to the gate.

Crackle!

Sparks of white light burst from the gate, forming a fissure on its right side and moments later—

From the fissure emerged an elderly man and a dwarf.

The elderly man, with neatly combed white hair and dressed in a pristine white priest’s robe that seemed about to burst from his muscles, stepped forward.

Beside him, the dwarf, no taller than the man’s waist, donned thick plate armor and wielded a massive hammer larger than his own body.

I couldn’t help but smirk as I looked at them.

Screeeech!

The dwarf’s hammer swept through the trolls, while the elderly man smashed their heads barehanded.

Despite the carnage, the priest’s white robe remained spotless.

The battlefield was quickly soaked with the stench of blood.

Witnessing the overwhelming violence, Mr. Choi turned to me and asked, “Didn’t you say they were administrative and production staff?”

“I did. I never said they lacked combat abilities.”

“That’s… hmm? Archbishop Leo?”

Mr. Choi glanced curiously at Leo, whose face had turned pale.

“Archbishop Leo, are you alright?”

“Ah, leave him be, Mr. Choi. We call that PTSD.”

“PTSD?”

“Yes.”

I grinned as I watched the two men walking steadily toward me.

“That elderly gentleman is Archbishop Leo’s mentor.”

“…His mentor?”

“By the way, they say he was even stronger than Leo in his prime. I’ve never seen his prime, but when I first arrived in Eden, he taught me some invaluable tips. For example, ‘Always destroy a demon’s brain.’”

Rapart Sante.

The Chief of Staff of the Holy See and leader of the Limen Order’s Sacred Council.

If Archbishop Bayer served as the father figure in Eden, Rapart was its mother, managing the household.

In military terms, he was the quartermaster, the backbone of the organization.

Despite his gentle appearance, his nickname was anything but.

“The White Terror.”

The White Terror.

He earned the name for personally executing demons and heretics while wearing his white priest’s robe.

Even the intimidating dwarf Toby seemed mild in comparison to Rapart’s overwhelming presence.

The fleeing trolls, terrified out of their minds, were evidence of his fearsome aura.

Rapart finally reached me, kneeling on his right knee and addressing me with reverence.

“Rapart Sante, servant of Limen, greets the Holy One, the first Apostle of Limen, the Chair of the Sacred Council, and the guide of all believers. Have you been well?”

Arriving a step later, Toby also knelt, following Rapart’s lead.

“Toby Ironbeard of the White Mountain Clan greets the Holy One!”

I waved lightly at the two, who displayed such deference.

“Archbishop Rapart. Toby Ironbeard. Welcome to Earth.”

This marked the arrival of key members who would serve as the driving force behind our order.

-So, you’re asking me to arrange identities for the two individuals? And one of them is… a non-human?

“Is it a problem if one of them is non-human?”

-It might be… complicated.

“I think racial discrimination is wrong.”

-…I’ll report this to the Minister and try to expedite the process.

“Thank you. That’ll be all for now.”

Click—

After ending the call with Chief Kim, I set my smartphone down on the desk in my office. Taking a look around the office, where the cold wind was practically howling, I remarked,

“It’s been a while since Luna was this quiet. Luna, you should act as usual.”

“I am maintaining proper decorum as always, Your Holiness! How could you say something so disheartening…Archbishop Rapart might misunderstand.”

Perhaps Archbishop Rapart was the only person capable of subduing the infamous Luna Leventon with his mere presence.

Even Luna, typically brash and unreserved, was glancing nervously at Archbishop Rapart, who sat beside me, sipping tea in serene composure.

“The tea of this world has an excellent aroma. Your Holiness, Archbishop Bayer asked me to convey his regards.”

“Is Eden peaceful?”

“There have been a few prophecies from Lady Limen, and some unsettling movements have been observed. However, there are no major issues. The nations of the continent are diligently pursuing postwar reconstruction, so things are somewhat noisy. But that is all.”

In other words, there was no significant crisis.

It also meant that the church’s leadership, including my proxy, Archbishop Bayer, was managing the church well.

“And where is Toby?”

“Ah, Uncle Toby went straight to inspect the Sacred Stone Mine behind the temple as soon as we arrived. You know how dwarves are—they’re so predictable, aren’t they?”

“Commander Luna, Archbishop Leo. Could you step outside for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss privately with His Holiness.”

At Archbishop Rapart’s words, Luna and Leo practically leaped from their seats, ready to bolt.

“Alright then, enjoy your time together!”

“I’ll be waiting outside. Take care, Your Holiness.”

“Hey, you two! Don’t just run off like that—”

Bang!

The two vanished in an instant, slamming the door shut behind them.

I considered quietly slipping out after them, but—

“Please take a seat, Your Holiness.”

“…Yes.”

At Archbishop Rapart’s firm words, I had no choice but to return to my seat.

And then, after a brief pause—

“I noticed more than a few issues during my journey here. We must start with the most urgent ones. You should brace yourself.”

Thus began the blood-spitting tirade.