Chapter 222 : Chapter 222
Chapter 222. Do You Not Desire Anything
"Phew..."
"Cough."
The reformist bishops staggered out of the House of the Undead.
The interior of the mansion had been horrifying.
The experience of wandering through the dark house relying on faint light brought back sensations they had long forgotten.
The memories of facing undead for the first time when they were apprentice priests.
Back then, everything was frightening.
And what about the basement?
It reminded them of their younger days when they fumbled through dungeons contaminated with demonic energy, relying on holy water and holy magic they weren't yet accustomed to.
These were memories they had completely forgotten after becoming bishops.
And one more thing they had forgotten.
The existence of comrades.
Since they were always fighting over politics and factions within the Supreme Deity Order, they were people who didn't hesitate to turn today's comrade into tomorrow's enemy or split up if interests diverged.
Although they were gathered as the reformist faction now, the situation could change at any time.
It had been a long time since they forgot the true meaning of comradeship.
However, to get out of the House of the Undead, they had to rely on each other.
"Earlier back there, you were quite... brave. I see you in a new light, Bishop James."
"Ahem, it was nothing. Who was it that blocked the skeleton?"
"Honestly, I thought you would run away first."
"I am not to that extent. No matter how lightly you take a person, ahem!"
"That is why I said I see you in a new light. Haha."
The reformist bishops were even feeling an unknown comradeship towards the colleagues they had come through a difficult time with.
A warm atmosphere enveloped them.
"I almost sprinkled holy water when the banshee appeared."
"Wow, even though I knew it was fake, my body flinched."
"Well. It does seem like something the believers would like."
Taylor's insides churned at the positive reactions of the reformist bishops.
These old men from the back room were softening up just because they had a bit of a new experience.
This was not good.
He had to lead public opinion back to negativity.
Fitting for an insider of the Black Order, he whispered in a secretive voice.
"But isn't it a bit much to call it a holy ground? It is too secular."
"...Hmm. That is true. The entrance fee seems quite expensive too."
"It was fun, but I do not know what connection this has to the Supreme Deity."
Bishop Taylor continued to fan the flames of dissatisfaction in the hearts of the reformist bishops.
"If it is a holy ground, shouldn't it be a place where miracles happen or has significance to the Supreme Deity?"
"That is true, but... there are the Archbishop's words too."
"Right. Even if we say this and that, can we go against the Archbishop's will?"
It was a distinctly different reaction from when they rushed to Marcellent.
Bishop Taylor's brow furrowed.
'This is dangerous.'
He had to suppress the 8th Prince at this opportunity so that there would be no setbacks in his future plans.
He had to turn the hearts of the reformist bishops back somehow.
It was the moment he realized the seriousness and opened his mouth again.
"It looks like the Bishops have come out of the House of the Undead!"
"Please look here! You look cool!"
"You are still wearing the headbands? They suit you well!"
Believers standing in line near the House of the Undead recognized the bishops and waved their hands.
They felt an immediate friendliness just from the fact that the bishops, who only preached from high places, had the same experience as them.
Whether the reformist bishops also didn't dislike the reaction of such believers, they raised their hands to respond to the people.
Although they lived surrounded by priests and believers, it was always just quiet; this was the first time for such an active and lively welcome.
"Thank you for your hard work. Did everyone have fun?"
While they were enjoying the lively atmosphere of the reformist bishops, the 8th Prince suddenly appeared.
"Those who come for the first time sometimes give up in the middle, but you all did well calmly until the end."
The 8th Prince skillfully praised the bishops and guided them.
"You must be very hot from the experience, right? Let's go cool off for a moment."
The reformist bishops were guided by Radel and went up to the second floor of the Dice Shop.
There, a reception room modeled after the customer reception room of the Spear Guild by Radel was prepared.
As soon as the reformist bishops sat on the sofa, coffee appeared.
"This is something I tried making, I don't know if it will suit the Bishops' tastes."
Radel poured a little water into the coffee and then created ice with elemental magic to float in the coffee.
The bishops' eyes widened at the form of coffee they were seeing for the first time.
"No, ice in coffee?"
"What on earth is this beverage?"
"Huh, my."
Radel smiled and held out the cups to the bishops.
"If you drink a cup, your fatigue will wash away."
Although the bishops hesitated a little, they all accepted the cups.
Having gone around the House of the Undead once, they were indeed thirsty.
But when they took a sip of the iced coffee, wasn't it really refreshing?
For them who always drank only hot coffee, iced coffee was a new world.
However, there were bound to be people who didn't like it.
"No, what is this? Calling this coffee... It is just cold and bitter, I simply...!"
Then, Radel did not panic and put something into his coffee cup.
"I will put in syrup for you."
"...Now it has some taste!"
"Oh? Me too. Put it in twice for me!"
Bishop Taylor bit his lip watching Radel easily handle the tastes of the reformist bishops with iced coffee and syrup.
'Why is that Prince guy so good at humoring old people?'
Like this, the plan to suppress the 8th Prince would end up becoming bubbles.
He had to turn the hearts of the reformist bishops back again.
To do that, he needed to borrow the power of darkness.
Bishop Taylor quietly touched the necklace hidden inside his clothes.
A token of darkness shining green was caught in his hand.
It was the key where the Archdevil Asmodeus was sealed.
* * *
Radel checked the quest window.
Condition: Win the favor of the reformist bishops (Achievement 90%)
Did the iced coffee suit their tastes well?
The expressions of the reformist bishops shouting for more iced coffee to Radel had relaxed before he knew it.
The quest achievement rate, which was 50%, hit 90% in an instant.
Some bishops even grumbled to Radel.
"I told you to put in one more ice cube since earlier, my neck is going to fall off waiting."
"Hey, Bishop Hanson! Is the 8th Prince someone who puts in ice and makes coffee for you? You should keep your dignity!"
"Haha, it is fine. Shall I put in more ice?"
"Then just one more for me too!"
The reformist bishops spent time with Radel like old men grumbling pointlessly to a decent grandson.
And they even dawdled as if they didn't want to return to the temple.
"If we go there, there's only hot coffee... and no one to make iced coffee..."
"What are you doing? How uncomfortable must the Prince be!"
"Haha, it is not. It must mean you liked the coffee that much, right? Thank you, Bishop. Please stop by again."
Radel saw off the reformist bishops and placed a package in each of their hands.
"What is this?"
"This is a hangover cure I made this time. To understand the hearts of the believers, there will be times when you often need something like this too."
Only then did the reformist bishops recall that they had come here after hearing news of this hangover cure.
Daring to sell a cheeky drug called hangover cure in the name of the Supreme Deity Order?
But on the other hand, they also wondered how great it was for rumors to reach their ears.
The bishops, who were inwardly curious about the hangover cure, felt good knowing the identity of the package Radel gave.
RING.
[You have won the favor of the reformist bishops.]
Condition: Win the favor of the reformist bishops (Achievement 98%)
To think a small gift would have such a good effect.
Radel raised the corners of his mouth seeing the quest achievement rate going up to 98%.
However, unlike the achievement rate, the bishops turned their heads sharply while wearing skull headbands.
"Trying to win our favor with something like this, it is not even close. Ahem!"
"Well, considering the Prince's sincerity, I will accept this. Hum!"
They were people whose inner thoughts and actions were different...
It was then.
RING.
[An unknown magic invades the user's mind.]
[Status Effect Nullification is activated.]
A notification window popped up in front of Radel's eyes.
It meant someone was casting mind magic on Radel.
'It's the insider of the Black Order!'
Radel noticed the identity of the person trying to infiltrate his mind.
And at the same time, the bishop who looked the youngest among the reformist bishops asked Radel.
"Since it turned out like this, it is fate... Do you not desire anything from us, Prince?"
* * *
Bishop Taylor continued to cast curse magic while asking Radel slyly.
It wasn't even much of a magic.
It was a curse where he just had to hold the key attached to the necklace and repeat what he wanted.
However, compared to the simple method, its power was formidable.
Especially for high-ranking clergy like Taylor, once corrupted, they could exert stronger power than ordinary people.
'Asmodeus! Tell me that person's ugly desire!'
Asmodeus.
He was the devil who governed lust among the Archdevils.
Desire of the flesh.
In other words, if he borrowed Asmodeus's power, he could even know that 8th Prince's pure desire.
He would reveal that ugliness in detail in front of the reformist bishops.
"Something I desire...?"
Radel's eyes seemed to become cloudy.
Bishop Taylor smiled triumphantly.
He looked forward to seeing how dirty a desire would flow from the 8th Prince's mouth.
"Something I desire... Yes, there is one thing."
Radel muttered while looking at a distant mountain.
"What is it?"
When Bishop Taylor asked back, Radel turned his head towards the reformist bishops.
And he answered with sincerity.
"I wish for the Bishops to be healthy in the future as well."
"...Yes?"
Taylor was flustered.
Wasn't it too different from the answer he expected?
However, Radel did not stop there.
"Shouldn't the Bishops be healthy for the believers to be at ease? Because the Bishops are the great elders of the Supreme Deity Order."
At Radel's words, the eyes of the reformist bishops gradually changed.
"Goodness... For the Prince to worry about us this much."
"Is that what the Prince truly desires? No, what does he take our age for!"
A bishop who was absurd, a bishop who grumbled, a bishop who was silent.
Although reactions were all different, they were all feeling similar emotions.
Each had bribes they received from royals or nobles... but that was donation money.
Was there a need to poke at the 8th Prince?
It was enough not to support him outwardly.
Just that alone was overflowing for the price of donations.
'I'm saying is there a need to torment a young man living with such upright thoughts.'
Even without speaking, it was clearly visible that the reformist bishops had softened.
Bishop Taylor became anxious.
Since they were people who acted according to their own benefits, he had no worries.
To think their attitude would change as if flipping a palm over just some hangover cure and a few cups of coffee like that!
Furthermore, no matter how much he held onto the key and cast the curse, it was useless.
If he did it a few more times, his entire soul was about to be mortgaged.
'Why is the curse not working on the 8th Prince?'
It was truly a situation to drive one crazy and jump.
RING.
[The quest condition has been achieved!]
[Achievement: 100%]
The translucent window that flickered before Radel’s eyes finally stabilized.
[Success: Identify the insider of the Black Order.]
Suddenly, a thick, purple smoke—invisible to anyone else—began to rise from Bishop Taylor’s body.
It was a swirling, ominous energy that smelled of sulfur and rotting flowers.
Radel narrowed his eyes, maintaining his gentle smile while looking directly at Taylor.
'I found you.'
The source of the rot within the Order was standing right in front of him, sweating and clutching a necklace.
"Bishop Taylor?" Radel asked, his voice soft but carrying a strange weight. "Are you feeling unwell? Your complexion looks a bit... dark."
Taylor flinched, his hand tightening around the hidden key until his knuckles turned white.
"I-I am fine. Just a bit tired from the tour," Taylor stammered, his heart hammering against his ribs.
The other bishops, now fully won over by Radel’s 'sincerity,' turned to Taylor with concerned or slightly annoyed expressions.
"Taylor, if you're tired, you should have said so," Bishop Hanson grunted, patting his own stomach, which was full of iced coffee and syrup.
"Exactly. The Prince has been a gracious host. Don't ruin the mood with that sour face of yours," Bishop James added.
The irony was palpable.
The man who had brought them here to destroy Radel was now being scolded by his own allies for being 'moody' towards the Prince.
Radel stepped forward, closing the distance between him and the traitor.
"If you're tired, I have something even better than coffee," Radel whispered, leaning in just enough so that only Taylor could hear him.
"I know exactly what you're looking for, Bishop. But you won't find it here."
Taylor’s eyes bulged. The purple smoke around him flared for a second before being suppressed by Radel’s sheer presence.
"What... what are you talking about?" Taylor hissed, his voice trembling.
Radel just winked and pulled back, addressing the group loudly.
"Bishops, it has been an honor. I'll make sure to send a regular supply of iced coffee beans to your residences."
"Ho ho! Now that is what I call a Prince!"
"We shall speak well of this place at the next assembly!"
As the reformist bishops began to depart, waving goodbye with their skull headbands still perched atop their heads, Radel watched them go.
Taylor walked at the very back, his head low, feeling the weight of the failed curse and the terrifying realization that the 8th Prince saw right through him.
Gusto stepped up beside Radel, watching the retreating priests.
"They seemed... surprisingly pleased, Boss. Especially for people who came here to hang you."
Radel let out a short, cold laugh.
"People are simple, Gusto. They want to feel special, they want to be comfortable, and they want to believe they are good people."
He looked down at his hands, then back at the quest window which was now granting him detailed information on Taylor's connections.
"But more importantly," Radel continued, his eyes sharpening, "I finally know which weed to pull from the garden."