The Cult Leader in the Clergy Academy

Chapter 232

Yu-Hyun didn't immediately understand what Yeon was saying and asked for clarification.

"Take a hit?"

Specifically, he wanted to know what Yeon meant when he said that the Holy See was going to take a hit.

Somehow, Yeon seemed to know a lot about the Voodoo Cult. Yu-Hyun began to suspect that Yeon knew about the true identity of the Voodoo Cult, or rather, Sun-Woo.

Yeon nodded and said, "Yes, they will take a hit."

"What kind of a hit will they take? A mere mercenary corps can’t stand against the Romanican Church, whether in battle or a fight against public opinion."

Yeon calmly explained, "Because the Cult Leader’s power is still unknown, there is no guarantee that the Romanican Church will definitely win, whether through battle or a fight against public opinion."

Based on the statement that the Cult Leader’s power was still unknown, it seemed like Yeon didn't have a precise understanding of the Voodoo Cult and its Cult Leader, Sun-Woo.

Yu-Hyun felt relieved. He had to be the only one who knew about the Voodoo Cult and Sun-Woo.

Thud.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Yeon placed the next move and said, "The biggest problem is that the Trinitas Crusader Order's image will be greatly tarnished by this incident, regardless of how strong the Cult Leader is."

"That's right. The mercenary corps are different in the sense that they are composed of humans, unlike demonic beasts and demons. No matter how it's packaged, it can still be perceived as murder."

"Even if the Crusader Order loses to the Cult Leader in battle, it's still a problem. In that case, the public's trust in the Crusader Order's strength will disappear."

Yu-Hyun didn't respond to Yeon, nor did he move any pieces. He just crossed his arms and stared at the chessboard. As time passed, the situation became more unfavorable.

It was always like this. The chess games with Yeon were never really intense. Like water flowing down a river, Yu-Hyun would always naturally immerse himself in the game, and before he knew it, defeat would be right in front of his eyes.

Yeon always fought in this manner. With a faint smile, Yeon said, "A mercenary corps is an organization created when the poor and marginalized join forces. In the end, it is a gathering born out of poverty. The Holy See should have delved into that aspect. They shouldn't have just unconditionally ordered a suppression."

"So, you’re saying it’s better to show mercy rather than suppress them?”

“That’s what I would have done if it were up to me. I don't think now is the time to mess with the mercenary corps in the first place."

"Is that so? Still, I think it's better to eliminate the mercenary corps as soon as possible. Giving them unnecessary leeway could provoke public resentment, and there's no other method besides suppression."

"The director of the mercenary corps being suppressed this time, Yuk Eun-Hyung, is highly regarded by the local residents. We have more to lose than to gain with a simple suppression."

Clatter.

While moving his piece, Yeon pushed Yu-Hyun's piece with his finger, causing it to fall. The number of Yu-Hyun's pieces was gradually decreasing.

Yeon picked up the fallen piece and removed it from the chessboard.

"Anyway, the Pope seems to be too hasty when it involves something related to the Voodoo Cult. In my opinion, the Satanists, corporations, and mercenary corps like the Ravens seem more dangerous."

"Hmm... that's because you haven't—"

‘Seen him in person.’

Yu-Hyun swallowed his words and moved his piece.

Thud.

There was a moment of silence.

Yeon alternated between looking at the chessboard and Yu-Hyun. "...Well, now that I think about it, there's also a possibility that the Cult Leader won't come. Will the Cult Leader really come? It does seem like they might not come."

"Won't they come?"

"If you think about it rationally, it’s better to just discard a mere mercenary corps and think about the next steps. That would have been the right choice for both the Cult Leader himself and the Voodoo Cult as a whole."

"Let's say the Cult Leader appeared at the scene of suppression. What would happen if the Crusader Order managed to barely win by taking on lots of sacrifices? Wouldn’t the situation flow in favor of the Romanican Church?"

"Hmm."

Yeon moved a piece.

Thud.

He had already won the game by making this move. Therefore, Yu-Hyun moved his piece without hesitation.

Yeon said, "The situation might become interesting... but it won't necessarily flow entirely in the Romanican Church’s favor."

"Why? If the Crusader Order gains public sympathy through their sacrifices, the blame will definitely shift toward the Voodoo Cult, right?"

"From the beginning, the Voodoo Cult is in a position where they have nothing to lose even if they face public criticism. It won't make much of a difference even if the Cult Leader kills the clergymen. It will only serve to remind people of the existence of the Voodoo Cult that they had forgotten."

"..."

"On the other hand, the Holy See has to not only deal with public criticism, but also public fear. It will become the Holy See’s task to manage the public’s fear appropriately.”

"..."

"Whether the Cult Leader appears or not, or we win the battle, it's a bad move."

Thud.

After playing the final move, Yeon said, "Checkmate. Shall I take back a move?"

Yu-Hyun stared at the chessboard. However, he couldn’t win the game by taking back one move. Yu-Hyun shook his head. "Forget it. I hate it when people go easy on me."

"Ah, right. Sorry."

"Can't win even once... not even once, although it feels like I've played hundreds of games against you."

"Haha... Well, it’s because I’m good at nothing else but this. But you've improved a lot too, you know?"

"Improved my ass. Compared to you, hyung, I still have a ways to go,” Yu-Hyun said while getting up from his seat.

He then stretched and said, "It's nice talking to you, hyung. I'll contact you later. Let's meet again then."

"Sure, I'm always happy when you call," Yeon replied with a smile.

Yu-Hyun went onto the main road and walked while watching the cars pass by. He calmly pondered Yeon’s words.

He had said that even if the leader of the Voodoo Cult, Sun-Woo, appeared at the scene of suppression, and even if he were to kill clergymen, it would not make much of a difference. He had said it would only result in the public once again remembering the Voodoo Cult’s existence.

Yeon said that no matter how the battle unfolded, it would not flow in a favorable direction for the Romanican Church.

Was that really true?

Despite knowing the existence of the Voodoo Cult, Yu-Hyun felt fear and helplessness when facing Sun-Woo's spells and powers.

Would the public, who couldn't even recognize the existence of the Voodoo Cult, be able to face Sun-Woo's spells and powers? Was there a possibility that the public's fear of the Voodoo Cult could intensify and that the fear could spread into riots or a war? If it developed into a war, Yu-Hyun would have to completely revise the plans he had made so far.

Above all, the biggest problem was the concern that this incident would diminish the morale of the Crusader Order. If mishandled, there was a possibility that the Crusader Order would revolt against the Holy See.

Yu-Hyun scratched the back of his head and muttered, "...That damned old man. If he had any sense, he would gracefully step down from his position."

Due to the Pope's unnecessary actions, there were now more things to worry about.

* * *

I got into my uncle's car with a mask, a cane, and a poncho. I didn’t really need to bring anything else. I tried calling Yuk Eun-Hyung, but he didn't answer. So, I sent him a text instead. I stated that I would be heading there soon and to keep that in mind.

Since I was visiting my subordinate’s branch, there was no need for me to seek permission. Just giving him advance notice was enough.

"How much longer will it take?" I asked my uncle while looking out the car window.

I had been in the underground chapel all this time, so I hadn’t realized that it had already become dark outside.

I checked the time and found out that it was just past one in the morning. Uncle silently drove the car and glanced at the navigation. "If we hurry, it'll take about three hours. But it will most likely take five hours."

"Why?"

"They'll have control over all the nearby roads. We'll have to avoid the roads with a high chance of being under their control, so we’ll have no choice but to take a detour."

I nodded in agreement with Uncle's words. Since the suppression of the mercenary corps was actively underway, the Holy See would have taken measures to at least set up checkpoints on the roads. No matter how urgent the situation was, it would be wise to be cautious in these aspects.

"Can I open the window?" I asked. I suddenly felt suffocated and wanted to open the window.

"Feeling stuffy?"

"A little."

Uncle nodded and said, "Go ahead. I also feel a bit suffocated too."

I opened the window halfway and took in the fresh air. The stuffiness eased up a bit. I took a couple of deep breaths, and my racing heart gradually regained its composure.

Since there were no cars on the highway, my uncle sped up. The wind blew harshly through the window crack.

"...The night breeze is starting to get colder," my uncle muttered.

I couldn't tell whether the wind was cold or hot. However, based on Uncle’s words, I could tell that summer was coming to an end.

When we arrived at our destination, the sky was bright. However, the sun was still not visible. It was neither dawn nor morning. The place where my uncle parked the car was a beach located on the east coast. Since we could be stopped at a checkpoint if we went through the road, we had no choice but to go through the sea.

Crash!

The sound of waves crashing against the rocks echoed loudly. Today was an unusually windy day. Consequently, it was also high tide.

My uncle got out of the car and glanced at the sea, then looked at me worriedly. "I don't know what you're trying to do, but the weather is not good. If you think it's dangerous, it's better to go back—"

"It's okay. The weather is perfect."

I took the mask out from my uncle's car, put it in my arms, and took out a cane.

My uncle reluctantly nodded and said, "Do I just have to come here when you contact me? Or is it better if I continue to wait here?”

“I’ll contact you. If I don’t contact you within two days, assume that I’m dead.”

“So you’ll come back within two days no matter what, right?”

“More or less.”

"...Alright, just take care of things appropriately and come back."

I nodded in agreement and said, "That was my intention from the beginning."

"Yeah, I figured."

My uncle smirked, and without leaving even a short farewell, he got in the car and left.

I liked how my uncle didn’t ask unnecessary questions. Likewise, I also didn’t unnecessarily ask what Uncle was up to. It was because I wasn’t curious, and there was no need to know.

It was also because we each had faith that we would handle things well on our own.

After my uncle was completely gone, I looked around. It was a secluded coast, so there were no CCTVs or anything. Still, just in case, I put on my mask and flipped the poncho over my body. This way, I could perfectly conceal not only my face but also my body shape.

I gently placed the staff I was holding on the ground.

"Damballa."

Crack—!

As I called out to Damballa, the staff, which I had placed on the ground, instantly transformed into the shape of a giant snake. Damballa probably also knew why I had come to the coast and called out to her.

Before I could say anything, Damballa bowed and lowered her head.

[Get on, kid. I already know where you want to go.]

"Thank you."

[Hold on tight, though. Otherwise, you might fall off.]

I climbed onto Damballa's head and held onto the scales embedded in her forehead as a handle. The ride wasn't exactly stable, but as long as I was careful, I didn't think I would fall off.

Damballa crawled across the sandy beach and entered the sea. And then she started swimming in the ocean.

"Can't we go faster?"

Damballa's swimming speed was slower than I had expected. When I urged her, Damballa flicked her tongue a few times, seemingly annoyed. [The waves are slow, so it’s difficult for me to pick up speed.]

“Bade,” I called out.

Woosh─!

With the help of strong winds, the waves became rough. The waves gradually grew in size as they collided with the wind, eventually swelling to the size of a tsunami.

Damballa swiftly navigated through the sea while riding on the giant wave. I tightly gripped the scales even harder.

[Kid, it hurts when you hold on so tightly.]

"If I hold on loosely, I’ll fall off."

[Hmm... That's also true.]

"Just be quiet and focus on moving."

[You're a kid that’s not so cute after all.]

Splash!

Damballa moved roughly. The seawater splashed and hit my poncho.