Luke’s POV

“So this is Eien’s temple,” I muttered.

“Surprised?” Uriel snickered.

“My face should tell you everything.” I cocked my head backwards to get a full scope of the architecture.

The temple was set at the very back of the capital, with a singular path from the main square being the only way to get here. Unlike every other lavish building, it was bland, and resembled the great pyramids of Egypt back on Earth. The reason for such was likely linked to their teachings.

A line of priests were always stationed at the entrance, for emergencies, security, or other situations that may arise. Uniform similar to Uriel were adorned, only that their faces were covered.

“Make sure to stay close,” Uriel reminded me.

I nodded, looking at the stern expressions of the members. It seemed my presence was irritating all the way over here as well.

‘If that’s the case, this should be a nice introduction.’

I made sure to readjust my newly attained pendant to lay on top of my uniform. The front priests turned to one another with varying expressions.

“Quiet!” A woman wearing modest robes, stepped out from within the temple. “Remember your duties as devout believers of our Goddess.”

The surroundings bent to her will, enforcing silence amongst them. While I couldn’t feel anything, the air density deepened along with a mysterious power gathered in their vicinity. As a result, the previous noisy priests could only look down under that pressure.

From what I remembered, that force was not mana, but rather the solidification of divine power.

Meaning… this person was likely one of the four cardinals.

“You look energetic today, Saint candidate Uriel,” She approached us, the pressure now gone.

Uriel joyfully met her gesture, “Yes! It’s been a while hasn’t it, Cardinal Priscilla?”

“Indeed, even before your enrolment there were several matters for you to attend to,” Priscilla added.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, walking us past the entrance. I glanced back at the priests at the front, noticing some strange movements. Personally, I wanted to investigate, but the countless eyes within the temple kept me in line.

“Ah, and this is a friend I made at the academy, his name is Luke,” Uriel introduced me with haste.

“Luke, it’s nice to meet you,” Priscilla bowed despite her high position.

I returned the gesture with humble words, “Please, don’t bow to a commoner like myself. Rather, it’s an honor for me to meet a cardinal.”

“You’re polite, that’s extra points for you,” Priscilla nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Extra… points?” I murmured.

Uriel almost jumped at the expression, “Don’t judge him with your shady eyes! And, he’s anything but polite!”

Priscilla looked me and up down, letting out a small smirk. “If that’s the case, even more points.”

“Agh, you’re still the same as ever…” Uriel looked down in defeat.

“What’s the erm, relationship between you two?” I slowly asked.

“Uriel? If I had to say, she’s something like a baby sister,” Priscilla put a finger to her cheek.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Wha- what! I’m not a child anymore!” Uriel pouted.

“…” I sincerely doubted that, from the bottom of my heart.

Priscilla chuckled seeing my expression. “Unfortunately, someone doesn’t seem to agree.”

Daggers formed within Uriel’s eyes.

“Ahem, that is the furthest thing from the truth,” I held my hand close to my mouth.

Before Uriel could pounce on me, Priscilla stopped in front of a massive door, “The room in front of us is the Archbishop’s quarters, so stop arguing like old married couples.”

Uriel swiftly interjected, “How could you say something like—“

The wooden behemoth of a door blasted open, and the two of us were shoved in.

“We’ll see each other again later,” Priscilla gazed at me in particular. “Ciao.”

“What’s with her, that hurt,” Uriel rubbed her back.

Unlike the clumsy saint, I landed on my two feet.

A figure exclaimed in front of us, “Hoho, Priscilla is the same old as ever… and you Uriel, are just as I remember.”

‘The Archbishop… he’s a lot more youthful looking than he was in the game.’

The figure known as the archbishop was simply an old man who had served for as long as two hundred and thirty years. He was a person of his word, and the faith he wielded was fatal for those who opposed the Goddess.

He was a character that rarely made any appearances for a myriad of reasons, the main one being his death happening before the start of the second year.

Him being alive prevented the corrupt members from taking action, as well as pushing back the untimely doom of the world. A central link to keeping the world alive. Although, it would be passed down onto the Uriel as the story naturally progressed.

“Archbishop! I’m sorry for this raggard appearance,” Uriel quickly dropped onto her knees.

“It is nothing, our appearance is not a matter worth considering in front of our Goddess as long as our hearts remain faithful,” The archbishop spoke.

Uriel let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you for your kind words.”

“Now, please stand up and take a seat,” He kindly offered. “You too, friend of Uriel.”

I sat down glancing at both Uriel and the Archbishop, unable to speak in the current atmosphere. I doubt Uriel felt it, but an inexplicable pressure was pushing against me.

“Don’t be shy, you can speak,” He directed his focus to me.

“I apologise… it’s hard to speak when, geh-”

“Luke, are you okay?” Uriel peered at my shaky temperament.

My hold onto my body was slowly loosening. I couldn’t believe I forgot this.

His test for those not part of the Order of Unity.

Eyes of a God’s were piercing through mine as I attempted to regain my balance. “Let. Me. Repeat.”

“This pressure, you’re releasing… it’s too strong for a child– no?”

“Pressure…?” Uriel mumbled.

“Hahaha! You withstood it, how great it is our saint is accompanied by such a righteous individual,” He nodded his head with delight. “Although, that desire… saving the world was it? An ambition worthy of entree into this palace of Eien.”

Uriel crossed her arms, “Father before I ask what you mean, did you test him?”

My eyes widened, she dropped her formality, and referred to him as… father.

‘Is this another repercussion from Hell’s Paradise?’

“Uriel, you have to understand, with the world as volatile as it is, I have to be prepared at all times,” The archbishop backed away in his chair, almost as if in fear.

Uriel pouted toward me, but glared at her supposed father. “What did you mean by saving the world? Luke… is that what you’re working for?”

“No comment,” I raised my hands in resignation.

The archbishop’s poker face dampened with beads of sweat, “If that’s what the young one wishes, my daughter, that is all I can say.”

Uriel’s expression quickly turned for the worse.

“Ugh- Okay, remember that day when I confronted you?” I acted quickly to prevent the oncoming tragedy.

She nodded with a serious expression, while the Archbishop gazed on with eyes of a lamb in distress.

I gulped internally, “How I couldn’t accept anything until after the third year? What the Archbishop said was the reason for that, even if I don’t know how he read my mind.”

“Wait… does that really mean…?” Uriel mumbled some words before sitting in silence.

In reality, I wanted to view his status… but his dominion over this space was absolute. Which would mean the obvious implication that he’d notice my creation of an appraisal stone.Uriel brooded for a moment, looking down at her lap.

“Young one, could we speak in private while she calms herself down?” He let out a dishevelled smile.

I nodded not speaking due to being afraid of setting any landmines off around her.

“That’s good to hear,” The archbishop then spread his arms out in a dramatic manner.

“[Blessing of Eien: Dominion of Space].”

My surroundings shifted the same way the teleporters did in the academy. The space was empty, where only an endless sprawl of white was visible.

“Sorry for the lack of a view, I haven’t been here in a while,” The Archbishops voice resounded in my head.

Snap!

From the sound, two chairs and a table materialised in front of me. Accompanying it, was the formation of the Archbishop’s body.

“Besides not setting off my daughter, I have something to ask of you.”

“I’m guessing it’s related to my ambition?” I shrugged in the seat.

He shocked his head, “No, I want to ask for a favour.”

‘Oh.’ I internally felt disappointed that I was wrong about something for the second time today.

“At the very least, I will hear your holiness’ request.”

He bowed his head, “Then, please, prevent Uriel’s death in the coming month.”

…

“You’re aware?” I asked.

“Yes…” He looked at me with a sense of helplessness. “It was by the order of our Goddess, I cannot refuse.”

The [Clock of Eternity] is an omnipotent weapon, when specific conditions are fulfilled. In turn it is one of the most coveted relics in this game– no, world.

I crossed my arms smugly, “You’re in luck.”

“Hm?” His eyebrows raised.

“That was my plan from the start,” I put both my hands on the table.

I rubbed my fingers together, “Although, obviously I’ll need some.. of you know.”

“...”

‘I’m not religious, don’t look at me like that! I wouldn’t have asked if you didn’t have that!’