Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 93

5.

When the Baegmyeong Church and Luna appeared simultaneously in the cavern, the atmosphere inside quickly turned cold.

The overwhelming presence of the Baegmyeong Church caused the Seolhwa Guild and porters to retreat, leaving only Luna to approach my side.

Luna’s eyes widened as she noticed the bandages wrapped around my right arm. She seemed quite shocked at the sight of the bloodstains on the bandages.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you bleed since the Demon King of Wrath incident. If I’d known it’d turn out like this, I would’ve come in with you from the start. Are you still not healing?”

“Healing’s been really slow. Let’s talk more at the temple later—there are too many eyes on us right now.”

“There’s no need to worry about those small fry. Just say the word, and since we’re already in a cave, we can bury them alive right here.”

“Have you completely erased the fact that we’re clergy from your mind?”

“I think sending them to their god would be the truest duty of a clergyperson, don’t you?”

As if to prove she meant every word, Luna pulled her mace out of thin air.

Sure, Luna could probably bury them alive… but that wouldn’t work when there are this many witnesses around.

Besides, they currently held the moral high ground, so I had to resolve this with words first.

“I am Son Ki-Yeol, the archbishop of the Daegu and Gyeongbuk dioceses of the Baegmyeong Church. It’s a pleasure to meet the Pope of the Limen Order, though it’s unfortunate that the timing and location are less than ideal.”

While they avoided openly opposing us as they had last time, they also didn’t come bowing before us.

Son Ki-Yeol maintained a polite tone, but his relaxed expression revealed his confidence.

It seemed they were well aware that they held the advantage in terms of justification.

“This dungeon was won by the Seolhwa Guild, affiliated with the Guild Coalition. The fact that the Limen Order has joined this hunt without prior approval is, in itself, a serious issue.”

This must have been the situation that Chief Kim was so desperate to avoid.

Given that I was already a hot topic in South Korea, committing an act verging on illegality would deal a severe blow to the government.

The same applied to us.

If we didn’t handle this properly, they would claim that our Order had seized the dungeon unlawfully and turn it into a public relations war.

The outcome was predictable.

Anticipating this, I had already obtained a participation approval form from Baek Seolhwa. Still, one could never be too sure.

People’s feelings often changed once they were out of danger.

Would Baek Seolhwa, now safe, readily acknowledge the approval form? That was the question.

After running through various scenarios, I spoke to Son Ki-Yeol.

“Nothing major happened. Can’t you just let us go?”

“Must someone who serves the divine resort to falsehoods? If an Irregular being injured isn’t ‘something major,’ then what qualifies?”

“You’re awfully nitpicky for someone who’s supposed to be a colleague. When I say nothing happened, then nothing happened. Pushing this further would be disappointing.”

“I’ll keep this brief. Hand over whatever you’ve gained in this dungeon. If you do so quietly, we’ll overlook the matter and withdraw.”

Justification is a powerful tool for negotiation—if you care about it.

While there are ways to neutralize justification, most of those are methods a pope should never use.

So, I reached into my robes and retrieved the participation approval form. Infusing it with divine power, I sent it flying toward Son Ki-Yeol and matched his confident smile with one of my own.

“This is the participation approval form. It’s signed directly by Baek Seolhwa.”

“…She signed it herself?”

“You can check if you don’t believe me. Why would I lie?”

Seeing my bold demeanor, Son Ki-Yeol carefully examined the form in his hands.

Since it was blessed with divine power, he wouldn’t be able to tear it even if he wanted to.

And, judging from his demeanor, he didn’t seem like the type to act recklessly.

“This is hard to believe. Where is she now?”

“She fainted due to mana exhaustion. Why?”

“I need to confirm with Baek Seolhwa directly. This undermines the collaborative relationship between the Guild Coalition and the Baegmyeong Church. I can’t believe she would make such a foolish decision.”

“So what you’re saying is, you think I forged that document?”

“I can’t be certain otherwise…”

BOOM!

Luna, who had been silent until now, slammed her mace onto the ground, frowning deeply. In response, the members of the Baegmyeong Church immediately drew their weapons, escalating the tension.

“This person is the First Apostle of the Limen Order and the Representative of Limen. You insolent fools have no right to judge him. Be grateful that His Holiness is present; if not, I would’ve personally charged you all with heresy.”

Luna suppressed her anger as she spoke.

I understood that her actions weren’t excessive under the circumstances.

“Our Dame Leventon may be a bit hot-tempered, but she’s right. You’re not in a position to openly doubt my words.”

Son Ki-Yeol shut his mouth at my pointed remark.

Just as the tense standoff was reaching its peak, a high-pitched voice rang out from behind.

“This is the dungeon I secured. Let’s all stop here.”

Thanks to the mana potions poured into her, Baek Seolhwa had recovered faster than expected.

She approached quickly, creating an ice field beneath her feet, and stopped between us and the Baegmyeong Church.

Perhaps due to her mana exhaustion, her already pale face had lost even more color.

Still, judging by her ability to use magic, the blessing of healing I had cast earlier must have helped significantly.

“Representative Baek Seolhwa. I am Son Ki-Yeol, Archbishop of the Baegmyeong Church. I arrived in response to a request for support.”

“It’s true we requested support.”

“Good. Then is this participation approval form signed by you?”

Son Ki-Yeol handed the form to Baek Seolhwa, who quietly accepted it.

Holding the form in her hands, she looked at me and furrowed her brow slightly.

I had no idea what she was thinking.

At this point, it wouldn’t even be strange if she denied our agreement and sided with the Baegmyeong Church.

In fact, I’d already prepared for that scenario by recording everything on my smartphone…

“Yes, I approved it. I received immense help from Awakened Kim Si-Woo. Without him, the entire Seolhwa Guild would have been wiped out. He’s also my benefactor.”

“…What?”

Did coughing up blood earlier cause brain damage?

I was stunned by Baek Seolhwa’s completely unexpected stance.

Something was definitely happening.

6.

The situation began to unfold far more dramatically than I had anticipated.

“Are you aware that your statement, Representative Baek, could severely damage the trust between the Guild Coalition and our Church? Are you absolutely certain that the Seolhwa Guild sought assistance from Pope Kim Siwoo?”

Son Ki-Yeol spoke to Baek Seolhwa with a grim expression.

This was only natural; the foundation of his confidence when confronting us was now being shaken.

But Baek Seolhwa’s reply was equally firm.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure there was no prior communication with the Limen Church? If that’s the case, the situation could become even more serious. You’re aware that, at worst, the Seolhwa Guild could be expelled from the Guild Coalition, aren’t you?”

“Then let me ask you something,” Baek Seolhwa said, her face icy as she addressed Son Ki-Yeol.

“He entered the dungeon through proper procedures. I swear it. I authorized Pope Kim Siwoo’s participation to protect my subordinates, and he merely acted in accordance with the contract to assist us legally.”

“You requested support from us. You should have waited for us to arrive.”

“Should I have stood by idly while my guild hunters were dying, waiting for a Church that might not arrive in time?”

Baek Seolhwa’s logic was simple.

As a representative, her actions to ensure the safety of her subordinates were only natural.

Son Ki-Yeol couldn’t refute her reasoning.

How could an outsider, unaffiliated with the guild, argue against the logic of prioritizing the safety of one’s team?

The two simply stared at each other for a long time, neither saying another word.

Eventually, after an uncomfortable silence, Son Ki-Yeol spoke, his expression twisted in frustration.

“I understand your position, Representative Baek. However, I doubt that the Guild Coalition and the Church will be as understanding as I am.”

“I don’t care.”

“…What did you just say…?”

“I’m planning to withdraw from the Guild Coalition as soon as I leave this dungeon. Whether they process my guild’s withdrawal application or decide to expel us first is entirely up to them.”

It was an outburst no one had expected.

An outright bombshell declaration.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise at Baek Seolhwa’s sudden and extreme move.

Even Luna, who had been silently observing, found it intriguing.

“Quite the fiery personality for someone who doesn’t look it. Is she a new friend of yours, Your Holiness?”

“We’re not quite friends yet…”

“That’s how it always starts. I never would’ve guessed you liked this type, Your Holiness. You never know someone’s taste, do you?”

It seemed like there was some kind of misunderstanding.

But knowing Luna’s personality, she wouldn’t listen even if I tried to explain, so I decided to leave it for later.

For now, watching the twisted expressions of the Baegmyeong Church members was entertainment enough.

“Those expressions are priceless.”

“Certified gourmet expressions.”

Amidst Luna’s and my admiring remarks, the conversation between the Seolhwa Guild and the Baegmyeong Church finally reached its breaking point.

“…I understand completely. I regretfully accept your decision, Representative Baek. I hope you don’t come to regret it.”

“What’s your name again?”

“Son Ki-Yeol.”

“Listen carefully, Mr. Son Ki-Yeol. This is my decision and none of your business. If you dare to spout nonsense like that in front of me again…”

Ssssshhh—

A flurry of ice arrows materialized, aimed directly at Son Ki-Yeol. Baek Seolhwa concluded her words in an icy, threatening tone.

“I’ll freeze that tongue of yours first.”

Son Ki-Yeol retreated quietly in the face of her chilling warning. He turned to his subordinates and said, “We’re leaving.”

Before turning away, he cast a complicated glance in my direction. After a moment, he led his subordinates out of the cavern.

I watched silently until the Baegmyeong Church figures disappeared from view.

Their exit was far less dramatic than I’d expected.

With that, the tense standoff ended, and Baek Seolhwa turned to approach me.

“I didn’t expect you to quit the Guild Coalition just because I helped you.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t quit to help you.”

“Then?”

“I have no intention of sinking with a ship. I was already planning to leave anyway. The timing just got pushed up, that’s all.”

Her pride was something I could definitely respect.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Baek Seolhwa’s unyielding demeanor.

“For a mage, that’s the kind of pride you should have. Right, you two should introduce yourselves. This is Luna Leventon. Luna, this is Baek Seolhwa—a rather talented ice mage.”

At that moment, Luna and Baek Seolhwa’s gazes locked.

It was Luna who extended her hand first.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Luna Leventon, Holy Knight of the Limen Church.”

“Baek Seolhwa.”

The two clasped hands and silently stared at each other for a while.

It almost felt like they were having a conversation with their eyes.

“How long are you two going to stand like that? Let’s wrap this up and head back. I’m tired, and my arm’s got a hole in it.”

“Your Holiness, you truly lack tact. Tsk tsk.”

Luna slyly attempted to link arms with me, but I pushed her away with a sigh.

“That arm’s injured. Can’t you see the bandages?”

“Then the other arm is fine, isn’t it?”

“Does that make sense?”

“Don’t pretend you weren’t secretly hoping for it. You’re so coy, Your Holiness.”

I’m exhausted.

Leo, I miss you.

Pushing away Luna’s antics, I turned to Baek Seolhwa and said, “The dungeon raid is over, so you should head back too. Take care. Thanks for today. Thanks to you, we managed to get through it without major losses.”

“Wait.”

Baek Seolhwa blocked my path once again.

“You should wrap things up properly before you leave.”

“Wrap things up? Like what?”

“I hear you’re openly opposing the Guild Coalition. I also heard that the Dokkaebi Guild has joined your side.”

So Baek Seolhwa knew Representative Choi Seo Jin?

But before I could process this, Baek Seolhwa’s next words caught me completely off guard.

“Our Seolhwa Guild wants to join as well. What do you think about that?”