Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 207. The Freeman And The Pope

“Please, this way.”

Led by Ramasainos, we proceeded through the clean yet luxurious corridors of the temple.

Do churches in every world make this much money?

I couldn’t help but recall the priestess who was struggling in the rundown church of the first country, Tessa, and let out a bitter smile.

“If only they could spread some of that wealth to the rural areas…”

“Huh!? Did you say something!?”

“Eh? No, just talking to myself, don’t mind me!”

“Ha…! Hah!”

His attitude has changed quite a bit from the beginning, I wonder what happened.

When I started fiddling with the returned holy symbol on my fingertips, Ramasainos and his attendants turned pale.

……What’s going on?

At the end of the corridor, a thick, intricately crafted, and heavy door appeared, sturdy enough to hold back an army.

What kind of reason would make someone want a door like this?

The still-pale priests opened the door with several people. Surely, they’re not keeping the Pope locked up in there, are they?

With a deep, resonant sound, the door opened to reveal a radiant room.

Sunlight reflected through stained glass and hidden skylights, casting geometric patterns of light throughout the room, making the white chair at the front appear fantastical.

“Ah…”

Yutis let out a sigh of admiration, but I understood why we had been made to wait.

The room was likely designed to capture the sunlight at this specific time of day.

This place would make a killing as a tourist attraction. If this were Earth, it would definitely be a World Heritage site.

“Welcome, new spokesperson of God…”

An old man sitting on the chair at the back slowly stood up.

Spokesperson, huh? That’s better than being called an apostle, which sounds too chuunibyou for my taste.

“From here, only Akira-sama may proceed.”

Ramasainos bowed his head and instructed me to move forward.

I shrugged and walked up to the step that seemed to demand I stop there.

“Spokesperson Akira… I apologize, but could you come over here? My legs aren’t what they used to be.”

At the old man’s words, the priests in the room were visibly shaken.

“Your Holiness! Th-that is!”

“It’s fine. …Akira-dono, would you mind?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Reading the room, I probably should have refused and knelt here, but I don’t owe them that much.

I walked up to the old man, and the priests’ flustered reactions were somewhat amusing.

The old man, who had been sitting on a ridiculously tall chair that seemed to reach the ceiling, took my hand as he stood up.

“Welcome… truly welcome. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Nah, I’m the one who should apologize for making you go through this. I just wanted to hand this over. Guess I should watch my mouth.”

“No, no. Please don’t worry about it. I find it much more comfortable than being treated with excessive formality.”

“Glad to hear that. I’m a born rude guy, after all. Anyway, my goddess asked me to give this to you.”

“I humbly accept it.”

He reverently took the holy symbol and muttered a small incantation.

Is it okay to call it a spell in the context of divine arts?

“Oh… oh… this is. It’s undoubtedly the sacred wood… To receive such a magnificent offering… I, Damagreus VIII, on behalf of the Earth Mother Goddess Aigas, express my deepest gratitude.”

“Sacred wood?”

Wait, wait.

That’s just a mass-produced holy symbol you can buy in bulk at the shop!

The original I gave to Cherina… was just ordinary wood handed out in elementary schools.

Huh?

So what does that mean? I’ve been handing out sacred wood and items that would make the Pope cry to just anyone?

…Alright.

Let’s not think too deeply about this.

I have a feeling it’s better not to dwell on it.

“Ah, I’m glad you’re satisfied. I’m sure our god will be pleased too.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you to share the name of your god?”

“Eh? Oh, right. Self-proclaimed, but… the Goddess of Commerce, Merhes.”

“Merhes…-sama. I shall remember the name. Though our faiths differ, I shall honor your god as well.”

“Ah, sure…”

If he’s satisfied with that, then it’s fine.

“Well, my business here is done, so I’ll be heading back now.”

“So soon? I was hoping you could stay for lunch and dinner.”

“Nah, I’ve got stuff to do.”

“If you don’t mind, could I ask what that business is?”

“Hmm…”

I glanced at Cherina, who thought for a moment before nodding slightly.

“It’s about another god, actually. We’re planning to build a Shift Room for the Kazmus faith, and the red-haired woman over there is the representative seeking permission for it.”

“Oh! In that case, you’ll need to request an audience with the king.”

Cherina shook her head slightly, her face still lowered.

“That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“Hmm. Building a Shift Room is a major national project. If you go through the lower officials, it could take years to get anywhere. Why not leave it to us?”

“Leave it to you? What do you mean?”

“You’ve come a long way for our sake. As a small token of gratitude, we would like to assist with the construction of the Shift Room.”

“That’s a generous offer, but this is another faith’s secret technique we’re talking about.”

“The Kazmus faith is a wonderful religion.”

“Hmm. Let me discuss it.”

Without waiting for a response, I returned to Cherina’s side.

“Really… you! Even in a place like this, you’re acting so casually!”

“I thought it was better than putting on airs. So, what do you think? Should we accept their help?”

“I’m a bit conflicted.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not a major one, but as the Economic Free City-State of Tessa, we would be incurring a significant debt to the Aigas faith.”

“They said it’s a return favor, so shouldn’t it be fine?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Hmm. Should we decline then?”

“…No. Let’s accept.”

“Make up your mind.”

“I’m just weighing the pros and cons. If we can get direct approval from the king, we can start construction immediately instead of waiting years.”

“That makes sense.”

“Then…”

“What?”

“Nothing. Please convey that we gratefully accept their offer.”

“Say it yourself.”

“I can’t possibly do that!”

“Guess not.”

The religious organizations in this world seem to hold a lot of power.

I returned to the Pope and conveyed our acceptance of his offer.

“Oh! We will do our best to assist you!”

After that, Cherina and Ramasainos had a meeting, and during that time, under the guise of small talk, the Pope asked me all sorts of questions, which I dodged as best as I could. I managed to decline lunch and escape the church.

On the way out, I was surprised to see all the priests lined up in the corridor…

Please, just don’t make me stand out.

Once we returned to the inn, I flopped onto the table.

“Man, being around important people is exhausting.”

“What are you talking about? Please consider my feelings, as my lifespan shortens every time you speak, Akira-sama.”

“I was just acting normally, wasn’t I?”

“That’s the problem!”

Hmm. Isn’t it fine to act normally?

“I’m tired too.”

“Yeah, good job.”

Even Yutis, who’s tougher than she looks, seemed worn out.

“So, what about the Shift Room?”

“About that… unbelievably, we have an audience with the king tomorrow.”

“Hey, that’s great, isn’t it?”

“Don’t say it so lightly.”

“An audience with the king the very next day… His Holiness is truly impressive.”

Well, whatever the case, it’s good that things are moving along smoothly.

Just as I was about to order a drink to clear my mind, an unwelcome and familiar voice echoed through the room.

“Oh! You’re back! Let’s get down to business about that carriage deal, shall we?”

Of course, it was Aggai from the Alabant Trading Company.

Please, just give me a break.