Chapter 291: Clergy from Across the World (V)
Holy Land — Temple Hall
The hall radiated solemn divinity.
Exquisitely crafted silver chandeliers hung overhead, rows of pristine white candles flickered softly, and at the center stood a statue of the Holy Son.
Everything—from light to silence—felt sacred.
Gideon and his group followed instructions to a designated spot in the courtyard.
With his current status, he wasn't qualified to enter the inner hall.
Even Caroline, despite being from the Medici family, remained outside—
This time, the Medici had sent multiple teams, and only Falco had been invited inside.
More clergy gradually gathered.
From their attire, it was clear they all came from churches outside the Holy Land.
Gideon observed quietly.
Most people—unlike him—carried sacred artifacts.
Clearly, everyone shared the same thought:
Even if they say artifacts won't work in the Holy War Site… what if they do?
Outside the Hall
Another team arrived.
Seven members, each carrying large black packs stuffed to the brim.
Their movements were precise—disciplined.
Whenever one person paused, the nearest teammate would instinctively move to cover them.
Their coordination felt almost… reflexive.
One member jogged forward.
"Miss Guerrero, supplies have been checked. Food, medicine, anti-corruption relics, and demon-name records—all accounted for."
"Good," Olivia Guerrero replied.
"Once inside, observe others carefully. We might uncover useful clues."
She was the same nun who had once worked with Gideon on the Mary Shaw incident.
As always, Olivia exuded a cold, distant beauty.
Despite being the daughter of an archbishop—and fully qualified to enter the inner hall—
She had chosen to remain outside, near the entrance.
"Miss Guerrero… shouldn't we go inside?" one member asked hesitantly.
"And… if we lose holy power inside, will we need food again?"
Olivia glanced at him.
"You just graduated from the Safety Protocol Training Camp, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"I scored top marks in intelligence gathering and evacuation planning."
"Good," Olivia nodded.
"But high scores don't equal real experience."
"For example—your question about food."
"If holy power disappears… what else might change?"
"Will the body revert to needing sustenance?"
She looked at the group.
"And position matters."
"This selection is important. Everyone will receive the same briefing."
"But if something goes wrong—"
"We'll be the first to leave."
"…Miss Guerrero, this is the Holy Land," one member said nervously.
"Nothing will happen here… right?"
Olivia smiled faintly.
"Never bet your life on 'probably.'"
"Anything can happen."
"Adapt to reality—that's the rule of survival."
The group fell silent, impressed.
"So… the one who taught you all this… the founder of 'safety-based exorcism'?"
"Yes."
"Everything you've learned… came from that priest."
"Is he from a Vatican family?"
Olivia paused.
"…He doesn't like attention."
"Professional. Humble…"
"He must be a great man."
"If only someone like him were on our team…"
"That's enough," Olivia cut them off.
"The Clergy Order is not for those who rely on others."
"Understood! We'll begin mapping escape routes immediately."
Another Corner of the Courtyard:
Another group had gathered.
Soon, four clergy entered.
At their head—a nun with a calm, aloof expression.
Behind her—
One man leaned on a staff, constantly glancing around, stopping every few steps.
"Sis… are we really just walking in like this?" he muttered nervously.
"What if the exits get sealed?"
"Young Master Luen," a curly-haired man sighed,
"This is the Holy Land."
"Should we place some relic markers along the way? In case we get lost?"
"…This is the Holy Land," another muttered, rubbing his forehead.
"But I haven't slept in over a day!" Luen said anxiously.
"What if—"
He tugged at the nun's sleeve.
"Vera… sis! Maybe we should request a full-scale corruption sweep while everyone's here?"
"Thud!"
A lump instantly formed on his head.
"This is the Holy Land!" Vera snapped.
"What, are demons here on vacation?!"
She quickly dragged him away as people turned to look.
Soon, they reached a quiet corner.
Vera reluctantly took out a twenty-year sacred artifact.
With visible reluctance, she activated it—
Forming a barrier around the group.
"Better?" she asked.
Luen hesitated… then pointed at the cross on her chest.
"…I still need a personal barrier while I sleep."
Vera pressed her temples.
"Lord… why did I agree to this…"
The other two tactfully turned away.
In the end, she sighed and complied.
Removing her cross, she activated a second, smaller formation.
Luen immediately sat down—
Keeping one eye open—
And within seconds, began snoring.
"…His condition still triggers even here?" one man whispered.
"There aren't even undead nearby… maybe it's psychological?" the other suggested.
"Enough," Vera said firmly.
"We do not deactivate the barrier."
They all remembered what happened last time—
When Luen accidentally disabled protection during sleep…
And attracted a swarm of evil spirits.
Even a demon.
Since then, Luen had avoided sleep—
At great cost to his health.
Despite many attempts, the Church had found no cure.
That was why they were here.
Not just for the selection—
But for something else.
Anyone who survived the Holy War Site—
Regardless of results—
Could request one condition from the Church.
A Few Minutes Later
Luen suddenly opened his eye.
"Are you a demon or a human?!"
He stared straight at Vera.
Thud!
"Ow—!"
"Now you know?" Vera said coldly.
"I-I know!"
Back to Gideon
Gideon sat quietly, continuing to fuse Sacred Marrow.
Beside him, Bettice recited scripture softly.
Only Caroline seemed restless—
Constantly glancing around.
"Strange… why hasn't it started yet? Are we still waiting for someone?"
Just as she spoke—
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Caroline stood on tiptoe.
Two teams…
Had just entered the inner hall.
One of the arriving teams wore flowing white robes.
Wide white cloaks draped over their shoulders, embroidered with fine golden patterns. Their presence alone radiated sanctity.
The other team, in contrast, wore fitted black robes—sleek tailoring, luxurious fabric—refined and imposing.
"They're here… the ancient families!"
"The one in white at the front—that's Calvis Saul. I heard he bears four Marks."
"More than that—his family were once the first kings of the Holy Land, before they betr—"
"Shh! Do you want to die?!"
Caroline turned around immediately.
"You might be whispering," she said brightly,
"but everyone around us can still hear you, you know~"
The two men froze, their expressions turning stiff.
Gideon covered his face and quickly pulled this "conversation enthusiast" back.
"Other than what they said… do you recognize the rest?" he asked.
Caroline nodded.
"Of course. That's basic knowledge for anyone from a Vatican family."
She was about to explain—
But Gideon stopped her.
"Lower your voice."
"Oh~ right."
She pointed ahead.
"The ones in white are from the Saul family. They were the first to rule the Holy Land—but after betraying God, they were cast aside."
"Even so… 'Saul' remains one of the most prestigious families here."
"Nowadays, they serve as the most loyal supporters of the ruling David family."
"I see…" Gideon murmured.
"And the ones in black…" Caroline hesitated slightly.
"They're from the Zadok family. They hold authority over the Church's rituals—every major holy ceremony is conducted by them."
She tapped Gideon lightly.
"The nun at the front is Rolsi Zadok, the heir of her generation. She also bears four Marks—and used to lead this selection."
Gideon followed her gaze.
He saw a tall, elegant woman with refined features.
A faint smile rested on her lips as she nodded politely to every passing cleric.
Several young men nearby immediately flushed, hastily lowering their heads.
"…You don't seem to like her," Gideon noted.
Caroline paused.
"…I just don't," she muttered, unusually unwilling to elaborate.
Gideon didn't press further.
"In recent years, the Saul and Zadok families haven't been getting along," she continued.
"There have even been public disputes between them."
"Hey—Haggai is here too!"
Her tone suddenly brightened.
Gideon looked over.
A familiar figure stood among another prominent group—
Haggai.
The very priest who had once taught Gideon how to reverse a formation during the Philadelphia Memorial incident.
"He must have quite a background to stand there," Gideon said.
Caroline nodded.
"The Isaac family—descendants of Abraham. They hold the role of prophets within the Church."
"The original revelations about the Holy Son… came through them."
"But…" she frowned slightly.
"Haggai can't use holy power, right? Why is he here?"
Gideon shrugged.
"He has deep theological knowledge. If no one can use holy power in the Holy War Site, then knowledge becomes the greatest weapon."
"I see…" Caroline nodded.
"Oh, right—you mentioned the David family earlier…" Gideon said thoughtfully.
"That's the lineage that became the second rulers of the Church, correct?"
"Exactly!" Caroline said.
"They ended Saul's rebellion and restored God's faith in the Holy Land."
"To this day, they remain the highest authority within the Church."
Gideon narrowed his eyes.
"But you also said… Saul serves David now? That relationship seems…"
"…Complicated," Caroline admitted, resting her chin on her hand.
"I've asked my mother before, but she wouldn't tell me."
"But in the Vatican, everyone knows—Saul are David's most loyal servants."
"Most loyal servants…" Gideon repeated softly.
His tone carried a hint of skepticism.
Inside the Inner Hall
Calvis Saul approached Haggai and traced a cross over his chest.
"Sir Haggai," he said politely,
"shouldn't you be accompanying Lord Hiroger of the David family?"
"This gathering is of great importance. Without a representative of the David family, it may invite criticism."
Haggai froze for a moment.
Why are you asking me? What authority do I have here…?
But outwardly, he quickly returned the gesture.
"My apologies, Lord Calvis."
"That lord… has already entered the Holy War Site ahead of time."
"…Oh?"
Calvis raised an eyebrow.
Then, lowering his voice, he pulled Haggai slightly aside.
"He's already gone in?"
"…Did he find a clue to that item?"
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