Switch Mode

I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 182

The Tower of Proof is a kind of ascetic challenge.

It’s a circular tower that begins from the highest point of the Vatican Cathedral.

Compared to other buildings, it appears strangely thin, as if it could collapse at any moment.

When considering the cathedral as a whole, it’s understandable that the Tower of Proof looks like a mere thread. In comparison to the grand size of the cathedral, the tower consists of only a circular staircase barely wide enough for a single person to climb.

However, right now, the Tower of Proof was glowing in brilliant colors.

“Saint, do you see? Down below, the brothers and sisters are looking up at the tower.”

“………….”

“I’ve heard that when one ascends the Tower of Proof, it receives divine grace and is painted in rainbow colors, scattering all kinds of light… and indeed, it appears to be as recorded.”

“……….”

Yes, I know.

I had seen the Tower of Proof glowing right before entering, just beyond the door.

Now, no one could deny that the Saint had ascended the Tower of Proof and would perform ‘Proof’ there.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

While the cathedral had been continually maintained over the years, it seemed that the Tower of Proof had remained untouched for a long time.

Yet, the Tower of Proof stood intact without any signs of aging or damage.

It looked as if it would shatter with just one fist from the Saint, yet even with force, not even a small scratch appeared.

That is the Tower of Proof.

It looks small and flimsy on the outside, but once inside, it’s the most solid and secure place.

Could such an architectural feat have been created by humans?

“……According to the ancient texts, God created this tower to judge the good and evil of mankind.”

“……….”

“This old man is also climbing it for the first time, but… this tower, crafted by God himself, truly is different.”

Meaningless mutterings of the Pope.

But it was a response that accurately read the questions in the Saint’s heart.

After pausing for a moment, the Saint began to climb the stairs once more.

Unlike the Pope and Cardinals, the subjects of proof cannot speak while inside the tower.

The only place where one can defend themselves is in the Room of Proof.

Silence must be maintained in the tower to reach that place.

Such are the intentions set by God──

‘……Oh God.’

──I know you exist.

My very existence is the proof of that. I know the voice I heard in childhood was yours.

Therefore, I believe in you. You are a far superior being than just the remnants of the Saint, and surely the true creator of this world.

‘But.’

But.

Are you really as omniscient and omnipotent as the teachings of the Church suggest?

If so, then why.

‘………….’

Believing in God’s existence leads to fanaticism (狂信).

Doubting God’s power leads to skepticism (疑心).

All this agony, pain, worry, and thought.

Can it be resolved up there?

‘……Fellow sinner.’

Would it have been different if that fortuneteller were here right now?

The Saint is a sinner. A murderer who killed a boy named Raphael and hundreds more under the pretense of heresy.

Thus, the Saint regarded himself as a sinner.

But the fortuneteller, Namgoong Min, though he also hates fortune-telling, is a sinner paying for his sins as well.

However, Namgoong Min is different from the Saint.

He knows no bounds, resolves everything with a smile, and never loses his composure.

Yes, just like.

Like an omniscient God──

“……Saint, we have arrived.”

“………….”

…Briefly putting aside his thoughts, the Saint lifted his lowered head.

There stood a door.

A heavy iron door, identical to the entrance of the tower.

“It opens easily.”

“……….”

The door opened effortlessly.

Without even the usual creaking sound, quietly beyond the opened door was.

“…………Ah.”

A completely enclosed space.

Unlike the Tower of Proof, which had windows, the Room of Proof located at the top was entirely sealed.

Naturally, it should be dark since no light can enter, but.

The Room of Proof was exceedingly bright.

For reasons and principles that were unknown, the room shone with light as bright as day.

“Please take your place.”

“………Yes.”

There was no flat surface within the Room of Proof.

It was a perfectly spherical shape, making it difficult to even walk. If all those gathered here had not possessed jobs, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone fell.

Just past the door, at the very bottom of the sphere, was a small dais.

The Saint, the subject of proof’s position.

“…………Huh.”

As the Saint stepped onto the dais, he had no choice but to naturally raise his head and look around.

The Pope and three Cardinals had already taken their places.

Though everyone was here for the first time, they already knew what to expect.

In the Room of Proof, there was a protruding section that resembled a terrace, positioned roughly at the middle of the wall.

It wasn’t any higher for being the Pope. Everyone was equal in height.

And above that.

“That place is….”

There was a throne.

Higher than the Saint, higher than the three Cardinals, there was a majestic throne at the top of the sphere’s ceiling.

If one thinks about it ordinarily, sitting there would only allow one to see the wall. But if they leaned forward and looked below, it offered a view of the entire Room of Proof.

That place is the seat of God.

A place where matters that cannot be judged by humans are personally watched over for proof.

“I see you are gazing at that place.”

“……Yes.”

“This is the Room of Proof, and it is the place closest to the heavens in the world. For this moment, even God must be seated there, watching over you, Saint.”

Thud.

The Pope lightly stomped his foot, gathering everyone’s attention, and continued with a kindly smile.

“From this time onward, I will commence the proof of Saint Raphael Martina. Cardinals, are you ready?”

“Cardinal Skoll, I am ready.”

“C-Cardinal McLaren… ready.”

“Cardinal Cassandra. I am prepared.”

“Good. Saint Raphael Martina, you stand here to prove your qualifications. How shall you demonstrate that you are indeed a complete saint?”

“I will use <Holy Radiance>.”

“Permission granted.”

At the Saint’s unwavering answer, Cardinal Cassandra flinched slightly.

Even with many unsettling factors, her basic plan inevitably began with the premise that ‘the Saint has lost his powers.’

Yet Cardinal Cassandra steadied her wavering eyes and looked down at the Saint.

‘How?’

…No, now isn’t the time to question that.

Once the proof is complete, everything will be resolved.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, the Saint activated the skill.

A common skill <Holy Radiance>.

“Ooooo…!!”

With a halo glowing behind the Saint’s head and divine light flowing grandly, McLaren shed tears, clearly witnessing the spectacle.

There was no need for doubt. If anyone still doubted after witnessing this sight, they could not be called a priest.

The Saint couldn’t hide his surprise at the tears streaming down the oversized body of McLaren.

‘Was Cardinal McLaren truly such a faithful person?’

After all, he was destined to be ousted from his Cardinal position before he could even reform the Church.

The Saint looked instead at Cardinal Skoll, who had stood by him unwaveringly since the day he completed his pilgrimage.

“……….”

Skoll was wearing the same smile as always.

That smile had always given the Saint strength, so he too responded with a small upward quirk of his mouth.

Meanwhile, the strangely composed Cardinal Cassandra was simply standing there peacefully, saying nothing.

‘……Why?’

Now that <Holy Radiance> had fully proven its worth, Cardinal Cassandra’s downfall should have been a foregone conclusion.

Yet, how?

Before the Saint could unravel his doubts, the Pope’s kind voice echoed throughout the Room of Proof.

“Raphael Martina has conducted his proof. The four witnesses shall now assess the proof. Cardinal McLaren?”

“Unquestionably proven…!”

McLaren was still shedding tears.

“And Cardinal Cassandra?”

“……With only <Holy Radiance>, it is difficult to call it a complete proof. I cannot permit the proof.”

‘Cardinal Cassandra.’

So she was drawing political lines this far.

Has she pursued not faith, but money and interest even in the Room of Proof?

‘Cardinal Cassandra’s composure… was because she intended to deny the proof from the start.’

But what did it matter if she opposed it alone?

Now only Cardinal Skoll and the Pope remained──

“Cardinal Skoll?”

“I deny the proof.”

“……Skoll?”

“Though you fully utilized <Holy Radiance>, Raphael Martina lacks the qualifications of a Saint. Therefore, I deny the proof.”

“Skoll!”

Unable to contain his emotions, the Saint shouted, but Cardinal Skoll merely looked down at him, smiling.

“Raphael Martina, you are foolish.”

“What do you mean…!!”

“Do you know how much the church’s annual budget is? Do you know how much money is spent on orphanages, churches, the poor, and relief organizations scattered across the globe?”

“……What?”

“All of that is the amount needed to sustain the church as an organization. Money has corrupted the church? That’s true. But it’s the money that keeps the church functioning.”

“Sk…Skoll…!!”

“Had you been the head of a small monastery, you might have realized your ideals. But where you seek to stand is the pinnacle of billions of believers. This position needs not faith or piety… but economic understanding, political judgement, and interests.”

“……….”

“Today I have given you one last chance. Do you intend to cut off all donations, all finances? I said I would allow at least a minimum for whatever change is needed… but even that is woefully insufficient.”

Thus.

“You may be a good priest and an inquisitor, yet you cannot stand as a Saint above others.”

One for approval and two for denial.

The Saint hurriedly shifted his gaze to the Pope.

“Hoho, this old man always… follows the happiness of the majority.”

“………Ha.”

“Therefore, I deny the proof of Raphael Martina.”

Raphael Martina’s qualification as a Saint.

One approval, three denials.

“Raphael Martina, upon the conclusion of this proof, you will no longer be regarded as a Saint, but as an ordinary inquisitor. Do you have any final words?”

“……Final words?”

Indeed, there are many.

Of course, I have many things to say.

Why do you betray me, is the happiness of the majority a valid reason, was McLaren not on my side, when did Cassandra and Skoll conspire together, did you always know this outcome, which is why you were so composed.

There are many words I wish to spew, many things I want to express.

But the Saint swallowed it all down.

Despite the urge to shout it out, he forced it back into his mouth.

Then, he spoke.

“Cassandra… Skoll… Pope.”

“……….”

“………….”

“Please speak.”

“God is watching… so you still intend to deny the proof? From that lofty throne! From the creator of this world, who watches from the heavens! Here, in this place closest to heaven!!”

Yet how is it possible.

“This is the Room of Proof! Made by God, a place where only faith is judged!! How could you deny <Holy Radiance> with worldly logic!!”

“Because that is the role of a Saint.”

“Cardinal Cassandra!! You have never looked favorably upon me since the pilgrimage. If that was the case, then you should have initially placed a competent person! You brought someone as clueless as a newborn and hailed him as a Saint!!”

“That was for the happiness of the majority.”

“Pope! You are the worst hypocrite. If regarding a newborn as a Saint was for the happiness of the majority, is now discarding that Saint for the happiness of the majority too? You merely justify your actions by clinging to that nonsense about the happiness of the majority!”

“Hoho, that’s a common remark I hear.”

“And… Skoll.”

“………….”

“Is this, your intention…? When did you—?”

“From the very beginning, Raphael Martina.”

Since the first moment I saw the <Saint> return from the pilgrimage.

And all the way until now.

“If you had realized the relationship between reality, religion, and money, it would have been perfect. I approached you to guide you, and until now, I helped and educated you, yet… it’s ending like this.”

“That pitiful money! That pitiful finance is more important than God!!”

“But God created gold coins.”

…Ah.

How true it is that the angrier one becomes, the more laughter comes out.

The Pope, looking down at the Saint who staggered and chuckled, nodded.

“Then, as such, I will conclude the proof of Raphael Martina──”

“──Is it not too early to conclude that?”

“………Huh.”

A voice came from somewhere.

The Pope, Skoll, Cassandra, and McLaren all recognized the voice.

And.

It was a voice that the Saint knew better than anyone else in this place.

“……Fellow sinner?”

“Saint, I arrived a bit late. Please forgive me.”

“Ah, no. How did you—?”

“Well, isn’t it only natural? I came to assist with your proof, Saint.”

Thud. Thud.

In his usual black suit, red shirt, white gloves, and a confident smile, Namgoong Min walked in.

He stood beside the dais where the Saint stood, almost like a lawyer.

“Your Holiness, the proof is not over yet.”

“Fortuneteller. How can you accept that? Raphael Martina’s proof has concluded, and the evaluations from me and the three Cardinals should also have finished.”

“Three Cardinals, you say?”

“………Huh?”

“There is still one Cardinal who has not yet rendered their assessment.”

“What? …Could it be?”

In that instant, everyone’s gaze turned to someone.

Wiping the tears that had fallen from his oversized body, McLaren looked up.

“Namgoong Min. You arrived just in time.”

“Thanks to you, McLaren.”

“Is there anything further I should do?”

“Please enjoy the show.”

“As you command.”

Cardinal McLaren bowed his head obediently, stepping down from the terrace in the center of the wall.

Facing them, who were left speechless by all this, the fortuneteller proclaimed.

“Now, allow me to present the Cardinal.”

“Cardinal…?”

“Of course, it must be Cardinal Karleya.”

As if stating the most obvious fact.

He reached out towards the door beyond.

The person who took that hand and entered the Room of Proof was.

“I am Cardinal Karleya, succeeding the former Cardinal McLaren. Everyone, pleased to meet you.”

“As you can see, Cardinal Karleya has yet to give an evaluation regarding the proof.”

“………Fellow sinner.”

“Isn’t it still too early to conclude the proof?”

I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made

I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made

Score 6.8
Status: Ongoing Type: Released: 2023 Native Language: Korean
But I don’t believe in fortune-telling.

Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Options

not work with dark mode
Reset