Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

The disaster that occurred in a city brought about countless sacrifices, but it didn’t only result in sacrifices.

The disaster that almost brought the city to ruin became a warning for other countries.

If they disregard the Apostle’s words and act recklessly, they too could end up like that.

A single mistake could lead to the city’s destruction.

The Apostle’s ease in conquering dungeons stemmed purely from their greatness, not from the dungeons being easy.

Receiving a request from Johan, Karia collaborated with the Arts Church to spread this awareness as quickly as possible, and thanks to that, within a few days, the people of the continent learned just how terrifying the subordinates of the Evil God were.

By the time the heads of various countries felt unease, Johan sent them a message.

In the name of the Jushin Church, he declared that there would not be a second chance for salvation.

If the same disaster repeated, the Apostle might not help them.

Mercy does not last forever.

Even if the Apostle were to save you, it wouldn’t be an act of goodwill.

At first, the various nations considered it a simple warning, but those who witnessed Johan and the upper echelons of the Jushin Church mobilizing their connections to pressure a country to account for their sins understood it was not just a simple warning.

They also learned the astounding influence the Jushin Church possessed.

In a situation where religion was pressuring nations, they could see no resistance.

The citizens shouted that the Jushin Church and the Apostle of God were right.

Many nobles condemned the countries that didn’t stop the city’s atrocities.

And other nations implicitly agreed with the actions of the Jushin Church.

They had no choice but to agree. If they rebelled, it was clear that the next blade would fall upon themselves.

As one nation completely took the blame, the other countries chose to side with the Jushin Church instead of criticizing them.

Even now, amid the war with the Evil God, the Jushin Church holds such authority.

What kind of name would they have when all this is over?

If there were any opposition from other religions, they might consider various possibilities, but it seemed like they had reached some prior agreement, as multiple religions sided with the Jushin Church.

Thus, various nations had to respect the will of the Jushin Church.

Not only were the nations actively supporting the church, but they also publicly declared they would not go against its wishes, causing Lucy’s dungeon conquering speed to hasten even more.

And so, the dungeon conquest continued for several more days until it suddenly reached its end.

On that day, the Apostle of God spoke to those who believed in her.

The time to fight has come.

The day Evil God descends upon this land is near.

So prepare yourselves.

Prepare for the war of the mythic age.

*

The public opinion manipulation created by Karia and Johan was astonishing.

No matter how strong the religious authority was, the perception that the nation and the religion were separate was strong, yet at some point, they became indistinguishable, and after a time, it had reached the point where the Jushin Church could openly criticize a nation without anyone stopping them.

Watching from afar, the atmosphere was chilling. A single misstep could lead to a revolution.

Had I not stepped in and diffused the tension, someone might have risen a flag.

Thanks to the proper example I set, the various nations didn’t dare to make foolish attempts and always did their best to support me.

Recently, no matter where I went, I felt my treatment was lavish to the point of being burdensome.

Sometimes, there were moments when nobles from various countries would annoy me, wanting to get to know me, but my friends managed to cut those moments short.

“Are you from the Amanu Count’s family? I’d recommend you disappear before I recite all the misdeeds you’ve committed.”

Joy twirled her golden hair, openly showing her villainous side.

“If you keep this up, it will cause considerable issues in distribution.”

Joy was pressed down by Arthur, who smiled and handled it politically.

“I’m sorry, but I must politely decline. The Apostle seems quite fatigued.”

Those who could be talked down were sent away by Phoebe with a smile.

“If you come any closer, you’ll die.”

Those who couldn’t be reasoned with were threatened by Frey with murderous intent.

Thanks to that, while I was traveling across various nations conquering dungeons, I never faced hardships caused by people.

Oh, of course, I didn’t prevent people from praising me, but as the cheers of others continued, I gradually got used to it.

Did I have to say it’s become natural to be lifted up by others?

I don’t know how long these guys will keep this up, but one thing’s for sure.

I’m no longer a shy kid who gets embarrassed by compliments!

I’ve completely overcome it!

“Apostle sister! You’re amazing!”

Startled by the smile of a child, I grinned but then felt a piercing gaze from someone within my mace, forcing me to clear my throat.

‘What! If you have complaints, say it!’

[Why are you being so defensive? I haven’t said a word.]

‘You didn’t raise your voice, but you’ve already said it! Hah! How deceitfully priestly of you!’

[Why is the word 'priest' coming up here?!]

Bickering with my grandpa, I returned to the Holy Land and met Karia, who had been waiting for me.

Lately, she had been coming to report various things daily.

Considering how she voiced even details that previously wouldn’t have needed mentioning, it was clear she was worried about me.

Though her overzealousness was bothersome, I understood that stopping those who want to help me was wrong, so I didn’t try to stop Karia.

“Auntie, what useless chatter are you here to tell me today?”

“Useless chatter? It’s a proper report!”

“Haah. Yes, indeed. Thinking of dealing with a lonely aunt with no one to talk to is quite daunting.”

“Stop saying that and report. This time, it’s genuinely important.”

“So, all the other reports you’ve given were not that important, huh? Auntie? Puhuhuh, were you that lonely? Just hiding under the blanket and sobbing every night?”

“Do you want me to tear this up?”

Snatching the paper from Karia’s hands, I checked the contents.

Recent trends in massive dungeons. Movements of the cultists worshipping the Evil God. Volcanic activity. A few incidents occurring near the sea.

And most importantly, the recent movements of the Pope, reclaiming the seals of the Evil God Agra himself.

“Everything has gathered! Just as you anticipated, Employer!”

While I could undoubtedly stop the Pope from retrieving the fragments, if I waited at the fixed positions where the seals were, I could disrupt him.

Even so, leaving him be was to avoid creating variables.

The Pope needed to resurrect Evil God Agra, just as happened in the game.

Subordinates of the Evil God awakening one by one, disasters happening here and there, the Evil Gods sealed in the major dungeons breaking their seals, and then grandly appearing while staining the world in darkness.

So I can have fun playing with him.

“I learned while investigating that there have been several instances where the Employer’s control has slipped, and it was all the Pope’s doing.”

“That makes sense. That creepy psycho wouldn’t just sit still.”

“You seem to say that so nonchalantly. But isn’t he worshipping the Jushin? Isn’t committing acts that go against faith openly a problem?”

“Is that what you were thinking? No wonder you’ve been living alone all this time.”

“…Can you skip the criticisms and just explain?”

“Think about it. That psycho never cared about what happens to the sloppy beings on the ground.”

Don’t get it twisted.

The Pope doesn’t worship the will of the Jushin.

He surely has no intention of bestowing mercy on this world.

He claims to have changed his heart, but in reality, he hasn’t changed at all.

Having lost death, he is nothing but a child living forever in the past.

“If that lunatic isn’t worshipping the Jushin, then what is he doing?”

“A disgusting, revolting stalker.”

“A stalker?”

“Don’t know what a stalker is? It’s that pervert who, all on his own, fools himself into thinking there’s love while causing a nuisance!”

The Pope is unilaterally in love with the very existence of the Jushin.

Yes, love.

His feelings are not faith or belief but a sticky, clingy love.

Believing that Jushin rescued him, he imposes his own delusions, insisting on his opinions.

Whether the other party desires that or not is irrelevant.

A crazy psycho doesn’t care about that.

He already believes he’s helpful—he thinks the other party secretly hopes for it.

Even if they don’t want it right now, he believes they will come to accept it once it’s all over.

“Don’t you think that the lunatic loves the Shoddy Perverted God alone? Do you think he cares about what happens to others?”

He wouldn’t care if all beings on the ground died.

It’s fine if several gods, with the very concept itself vanishing, lead to chaos and disasters.

Even if it leads to an irreversible situation, who cares?

In the end, if it means he can give everything to the Jushin he loves, the Pope would be satisfied with it.

Even if that’s not what the Jushin desires.

“Hey, Employer.”

“What is it?”

“Maybe the reason you attract so many perverts is that you’re the Apostle of Jushin?”

“…Huh?”

“Look. Even the great Jushin gets entangled with creeps like the Pope. Maybe there’s some effect of the Divine Grace?”

…Oh?

Is that so?

Is the root of all the disgusting folks around me like the Sloppy Fox and Perverted Apostle the Jushin?

I think I need to add another line to my list of grievances.

After everything is over, I’ll have loads of fun tormenting him.

“Well then, I’ll listen to your delusions later. Let’s get to the proper business.”

“Aah, right. Let’s start slowly.”

“Agra will soon be resurrected.”

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