Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 113

7.

After reporter Seo Tae-ho left, I had a simple lunch with Seolhwa and my official schedule for the day came to an end.

Normally, year-end and New Year’s seasons are expected to be busy, but there weren’t any pressing matters. Since the last disaster-level returnee incident, the government hadn’t requested much help, and we didn’t plan any specific New Year’s events.

In Eden, we used to hold a New Year’s sacrament on the first day of every year after the war ended, but this time, we decided to skip it.

The current state of the Order wasn’t conducive to preparing such ceremonies. Maybe in the year after next, but for now, conducting such an event would be too burdensome in many ways.

Even Archbishop Rapart, known for his strict adherence to doctrine, agreed with this decision.

Thus, it was decided that we would leave our greetings through online channels this year.

For such reasons, there wasn’t anything urgent to deal with at the moment.

“I feel an overwhelming urge to clock out.”

Though there wasn’t much to do, leaving early would probably mean enduring Archbishop Rapart’s nagging all day tomorrow.

The thought of listening to his rigid voice scolding me for over three hours already made me dizzy.

I wanted to take some time off at home with Siyeon and Baekseol, who were both on break, but I had to hold back.

Unable to stay cooped up in my office all day, I decided to head elsewhere within the sanctuary.

The destination was the vast training grounds where the new recruits of our Order were being trained.

Thanks to the significant amount of Holy Points I invested, the training grounds were the second-largest facility within the sanctuary, only after the temple itself.

As I entered the training grounds, a handsome man with a friendly demeanor greeted me.

“You’ve arrived, Your Holiness.”

“Brother Junwoo. How’s work treating you? Are you getting used to it?”

“Thank you for always taking care of me. Work…isn’t too difficult. To be honest, I sometimes wonder if I’m even necessary here.”

This was Oh Junwoo, who had joined us after whistleblowing against the Hive Guild. Occasionally, he was summoned by the government for investigations related to corruption, but most of the time, he assisted in training our Order’s new recruits.

According to Chief Kim, Junwoo would soon be cleared of any charges. It was determined that no criminal acts were serious enough to hold him accountable.

“You look unusually pale today, Brother Junwoo. Is everything okay?”

“…It’s nothing major. It’s just that I feel odd every time I watch the recruits’ endurance training.”

Junwoo gave a faint smile and looked toward the wide track within the training grounds.

Designed with Earth-like facilities, the training grounds had adopted several modern amenities, including a track for physical fitness training.

“Hmm, is there something wrong with the training facilities?”

“There’s nothing wrong with the facilities. In fact, I’d say they’re on par with large guilds. If there’s any issue, it’s…”

“Do you think collapsing from something this trivial is acceptable? Anyone who touches the ground with their knees owes me ten more laps! Pull yourselves together, you maggots!”

“…Luna’s intensity, perhaps. When I was younger, I once watched a movie called Along with the Gods. Watching the training sometimes feels like witnessing the Hell of Indolence from that movie…Oh, forgive me for my slip of the tongue within the sanctuary.”

Junwoo looked at me awkwardly, but I just waved my hand with a bitter smile.

“It’s fine. Even I think this feels like hell.”

Rumble.

With 142 people running laps while carrying iron balls the size of human torsos, what else could this place be if not hell?

And at the center of it all was Luna, wearing a bright red instructor’s cap, relentlessly pushing the recruits.

Where did she even get that instructor’s cap?

“Holy power on the battlefield is fundamentally a force that aids in healing! Whether you walk the path of a priest or a paladin, this remains true. But as I always emphasize, healing within our Order of Lumen is not limited to simple acts of treatment! Repeat after me.”

Luna’s voice boomed across the expansive training grounds.

“The best healing is—”

“The best healing is—”

“Smashing the enemy’s head first!”

“Smashing the enemy’s head first!”

The recruits’ voices echoed with desperation.

At this point, it felt less like training new members of the Order and more like preparing a suicide squad ready to charge into battle at any moment.

Yet none of the trainees seemed to complain.

This meant Luna had them firmly under her control.

“Remember, eliminating those who would harm your comrades or family is the best way to protect them. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Whether aspiring priests or paladins, the recruits undergoing grueling physical training together painted a strangely satisfying picture, one that left me with a smile.

“As expected, clergy need muscles. I’m very pleased.”

At my comment, Junwoo’s face turned even paler.

“…Excuse me?”

“The battlefield is a far worse hell than this place. Physical training is the foundation of everything. There’s even a saying that physical strength is national strength. Its importance cannot be overstated.”

Compared to Eden’s training grounds, this was paradise.

Because of the constant need for manpower during the war with the demons, recruits had been trained as quickly as possible, often being pushed to their limits.

Having been thrown into Eden and captured by the Order’s training grounds myself, I knew firsthand how rigorous the training there had been.

“But Your Holiness, excessive physical training can be harmful. Once the intensity surpasses a certain threshold, the efficiency of the training…”

“Are you worried about overtraining? It’s fine. Even if they’re pushed hard, they’ll be okay. Holy power boosts the user’s recovery rate and physical capabilities. It also accelerates muscle growth, making it an invaluable advantage for Holy Power users.”

To be honest, it’s rare to find priests in the Order of Limen who are frail or weak-looking.

Perhaps the pre-war clergy were different, but post-war clergy had to at least possess enough strength to protect themselves.

When utilized effectively, Holy Power greatly aided physical development.

This was evident even among the current members of the Holy See who had crossed over to Earth.

“Moreover, the system provides numerous bonuses. Their bodies will adapt quickly. Luna knows this, which is why she trains them so rigorously.”

Due to my attributes like Enlightenment, which were applied to the Order, the growth rate of players joining us was heavily boosted.

Enhanced recovery through Holy Power, perks granted by the system, add to that practical experience gained from low-grade dungeons, and the results should be impressive.

That’s exactly how I had grown stronger in Eden.

“Still, Luna is far more serious about this than I expected. I was worried she might slack off, but it looks like I had nothing to worry about.”

“She keeps saying that we need to establish a solid curriculum during this opportunity to make things easier for future batches.”

“That makes sense.”

The more instructors we have, the less burden Luna, Leo, and Junwoo will bear.

Luna also understands that new recruits are essential for running the Order smoothly.

“Luna has been saying that this is the perfect time to formalize the curriculum.”

“Hmm.”

If we manage to train a second and third batch through such a curriculum, the future of the Order becomes clearer.

Whether priests or paladins, the Order would be filled with nothing but muscle-bound clergy.

“The concept is solid.”

One thing was for sure—this would give the Order a very healthy image.

…Actually, it might not be such a bad idea? Or would it?

8.

After watching the sweaty first-generation trainees and offering a few pointers, time seemed to fly by quickly.

There’s nothing better than giving advice to pass the time.

By the time I finally returned home after work, it was…

“Siyeon! Big brother is home!”

“Big brooother!”

I could finally reunite with Siyeon.

As Siyeon ran to me, I picked her up and carried her over to the sofa in the living room.

“Oh, hey, you’re back?”

“What were you two up to?”

“I was folding paper cranes with Siyeon. She wanted to make a wish for the new year. Wanna join in?”

“Big brother, fold them with us!”

Paper cranes, huh?

With Siyeon looking up at me with such sparkling eyes, there was no way I could refuse.

“Sure, let’s fold some together.”

“Big brother, just fold ten for me!”

“Ten? That’s nothing! If I’d known, I would’ve brought Leo along. He’s really good at folding things.”

Siyeon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?”

“Of course! There’s nothing Leo can’t fold.”

“Bro, what nonsense are you feeding her? If you keep this up, I’m telling Grandma.”

“Well, if you’re threatening me with Grandma, I have no choice. My bad.”

Nothing beats chatting and spending time with family—it’s the most comfortable and joyful thing.

It’s my one true refuge from the craziness of my everyday life, filled with lunatics.

“Miyahhh!”

I gently petted Baekseol, who had quietly approached me.

As I stroked her, I noticed how much her sacred power had grown. It was now more than enough to ensure my family’s safety.

Her fur was soft and fluffy, and every time I touched her, a smile naturally spread across my face.

“Big brother?”

“Right, I should be folding these, huh?”

At Siyeon’s urging, I started folding paper cranes.

It had been a while since I last folded any.

Before I crossed over to Eden, the three of us used to sit together like this, folding cranes as the new year approached.

Not for any grand reason—just because our parents had always done this with us when they were alive.

Every year, before the new year, our parents would fold paper cranes with us, and that tradition continued even now.

“We need to fold more than we did last year.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because we used up a lot of luck bringing big brother back! So we need to fold more to make up for it.”

Siyeon spoke as she diligently folded her paper crane with her small hands.

“Until now, I folded so many cranes while wishing for big brother to come back. Since that wish came true, I need to make a new one now!”

“What wish will you make this year?”

“I want everyone in our family to stay healthy next year—big brother, little brother, Grandma, Luna unnie, Leo ajusshi, Grandpa Rafart, and…”

Siyeon started listing the names of everyone around us.

She called them all family.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Do you like having a bigger family now?”

“Yeah. The house isn’t so quiet anymore, and I like that.”

Siyeon always smiled brightly in front of me, but her words just now carried a hint of loneliness.

No matter how tough she tried to act, she was still just a child.

As I watched her happily folding paper cranes, the buried feelings of guilt began to surface.

“I should spend more time with you, Siyeon. I’m sorry.”

“Big brother is a hero who saves the world, so of course, you’re busy! I know that much—they even talk about you at school.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to make time to visit Siyeon during class someday.”

Hearing this, Siyeon’s face lit up. But only for a moment—she then slowly shook her head.

“Big brother, you’re super busy, so it’s okay. You don’t have to come.”

Siyeon, your face is glowing with anticipation when you say that—it’s not convincing at all.

You’re so adorable, I can’t take it.

If there’s ever a parent-teacher day or something like that, I’m definitely going.

Trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips, I told Siyeon, “Then I’ll come when I’m not busy, okay?”

“Hehe.”

“Great. You can count on me, Siyeon.”

“Everything’s fine and all, but bro…”

“Yeah?”

“Stop slyly sliding your origami paper over to me while talking to Siyeon. I saw it all, man.”

“Oh, you caught me.”

And so, our family’s year-end was winding down as we folded paper cranes together.

Another month passed just like that.