Please Stop The Pope-Chapter 50

“Breaking into someone’s operational area without permission and claiming no ill intent... isn’t that contradictory?”

“We apologize for the rudeness; we came here to prevent an unforeseen disaster. For that, we deeply apologize.”

“If words could resolve every issue, why would there be wars? Don’t you agree, Pope Kim?”

“Indeed.”

I nodded, quietly observing Shim Jinkyu and the Baekmyeong Church members behind him.

Previously, they had a faint magical aura, but now I could clearly sense divine power from all thirty of them.

Moreover, the individuals weren’t just ordinary followers. Considering how recently they’d obtained divine power, each one seemed to have considerable faith.

Was Shim Jinkyu aware of my scrutiny?

He smiled gently at me.

“It’s fortunate that the leader of the Liemen Order resolved the disaster.”

“This is the Pope, not the leader. Watch your words, heretic. You aren’t fit to speak to him.”

“Luna.”

“You know I don’t like pale-faced guys like them.”

Luna had donned her plate armor again, ready for battle. Her stance indicated she was also wary of the Baekmyeong Church members.

I patted Luna’s back a few times and then spoke in a low voice to Shim Jinkyu.

“What do you mean by an unforeseen disaster?”

“I believe the Pope is already aware. One of our prophets sensed a foreign deity trying to invade Earth. Hence, our Archbishop urgently dispatched us here.”

CEO Choi smirked at those words.

“Predicting sudden gates and foreign deities... The Baekmyeong Church’s divine powers seem quite remarkable.”

“It’s not divine powers but divine strength, CEO Choi Seojin. The one we serve doesn’t want innocent humanity to suffer. Thus, we were granted such foresight.”

“If your purpose is so noble, why did you bring forces to make a show of strength?”

“We were merely preparing for the worst.”

“Archbishop, you may not know, but only guests of our guild can enter our operational areas. And you aren’t our guests. Do you understand what that means?”

Boom!

Red magic exploded from CEO Choi Seojin’s body.

It was wild and fierce, showing no signs of injury.

Even though I had healed him a bit, his monstrous recovery was impressive.

“Your prophets must have foreseen my anger as well.”

The polite tone was gone, replaced by hostility.

He looked like a predator defending its territory.

CEO Choi gathered his magic as if ready to strike.

While an average person would have been terrified, Shim Jinkyu stood firm.

“Given your condition, CEO Choi Seojin, it seems you would have faced a dire situation if the Pope hadn’t arrived in time.”

“So?”

“We dispatched forces to prevent the Abyss Dungeon from going out of control. Isn’t that commendable? What do you think, Team Leader Kim Dongsik of the Ability Management Department?”

Kim, who had been waiting a bit further away, responded with a troubled expression.

“Legally, there’s no issue. It’s a designated Abyss Dungeon, and they didn’t enter the dungeon.”

CEO Choi Seojin growled at Shim Jinkyu and said,

“If the Abyss Dungeon is gone, shouldn’t you just leave?”

“We only wanted to talk to you.”

“What nonsense are you spouting, making a standoff with my men? Pope Kim, what do you think?”

I nodded slowly at CEO Choi’s question and answered.

“Let’s hear what they have to say.”

“If it’s nonsense, I’ll bury this pretty boy’s head in the ground.”

“You’ll leave us out of this, right?”

“Good things should be shared. The Liemen Order and the Goblin Guild are essentially partners, aren’t we?”

“Well, yes.”

“Good. Their business seems to be with the Pope, so we’ll step back. If anything seems off, we’ll turn them all to mush.”

As expected, CEO Choi had noticed that their business was with me.

His support indicated his desire to strengthen our alliance.

CEO Choi clenched and released his fist before stepping back. I approached Shim Jinkyu with Luna.

Shim Jinkyu still spoke gently to me.

“The Archbishop is very interested in meeting you, Pope.”

“Is the Archbishop a young lady?”

“No, but she is devout and wise...”

“Our order isn’t particularly friendly towards heretics, so we decline your interest.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“I haven’t slept well for two days, so I’m irritable.”

I stretched my neck and smiled at Shim Jinkyu.

“So get to the point and leave, heretics.”

I didn’t believe for a moment they came here for others' sake.

They knew there was a foreign deity in the Abyss Dungeon.

The Baekmyeong Church aimed for the foreign deity from the start.

Just like our encounter at the Guro District gate, meeting them always led to trouble.

I couldn’t like them even if I wanted to.

Despite my clear hostility, Shim Jinkyu smiled gently.

He bowed again and said,

“The Archbishop wishes to meet you soon.”

“Meet me? Why?”

“The Archbishop aims to bring together leaders from the Liemen Order, Protestantism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Won Buddhism. The four major religions.”

The Baekmyeong Church, up to something again.

What are they plotting?

8.

The morning after the long night, significant news reports started to circulate.

Every piece of news was about the Baekmyeong Church.

National Awakener Association signs business agreement with the emerging religion Baekmyeong Church!Players adopting Baekmyeong Church as their faith to receive various benefits, including bonus points from major guilds associated with the National Awakener Association.

The Baekmyeong Church had fully allied with the National Awakener Association.

I had momentarily forgotten about them due to their recent silence, but they hadn’t been idle.

They had been working behind the scenes with the National Awakener Association.

Frankly, I didn’t expect them to blatantly team up like this.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, huh?”

I sighed and shook my head.

We were in the Pope’s office at the Liemen Order Temple.

The conversation with Shim Jinkyu last night and the news about the Baekmyeong Church and the National Awakener Association this morning prompted a need for discussion.

Five people, including myself, were present.

Me, Leo, Luna, Mr. Minsu, and finally,

“We’re in the same boat, so it’s right to face these issues together. Haha.”

“You should rest given your injuries.”

“Good food heals quickly. And I’ve decided to be the temple’s guard dog, so I need to familiarize myself.”

The man volunteering to be the temple’s guard dog, CEO Choi Seojin, was also present.

“I didn’t ask you to be a guard dog...”

“Would you prefer a pet?”

“No, why do you keep referring to yourself as a dog?”

“Dogs are loyal. They don’t betray their masters.”

“This is making my head spin. Let’s just say friends. Friends.”

“Friends! A great term. Our Goblin Guild will strive to be friends the Liemen Order can be proud of.”

I was already feeling troubled, but CEO Choi made it worse.

Originally, I was going to consider the alliance with the Goblin Guild cautiously.

I intended to delay it, claiming opposition from others, but Leo, Luna, and even Mr. Minsu strongly supported the alliance.

It made sense for the others to like CEO Choi, but Mr. Minsu’s support was unexpected.

However, I soon understood his reason for supporting the alliance.

“With the Goblin Guild’s help, distributing the Sacred Stone bracelets will be much easier.”

“Brother Minsu, what does the Goblin Guild have to do with distribution?”

“The Goblin Guild’s parent company is...”

Just as Mr. Minsu was about to explain, CEO Choi raised his hand quietly.

“Self-introductions are better done personally. I’ll explain, Mr. Minsu.”

“Alright, CEO Choi.”

With a grin, CEO Choi continued.

“I’m not sure what you’re distributing, but as long as it’s not illegal like drugs, we can help. Ever heard of Yuseon Group?”

“Of course. They’re famous for electronics.”

Yuseon Group.

One of the top five conglomerates.

“Yuseon Electronics is a subsidiary. Anyway, Yuseon Group is also known for its distribution. My younger brother is the CEO of Yuseon Distribution. I’ll look into it.”

“Oh, your brother is the CEO... Wait a minute. Isn’t Yuseon Group a conglomerate?”

“It is.”

“No way...”

“It’s true. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

So this muscular beast is a conglomerate heir?

While I was still processing this, Mr. Minsu quietly whispered to me.

“CEO Choi Seojin is a fourth-generation chaebol. That’s why the Goblin Guild could resist joining the National Awakener Association. He was even voted number one on POMOS as the chaebol most likely to have killed people.”

“Please don’t rank things like that!”

Wow, this is mind-blowing. Have I been prejudiced? Him being a fourth-generation chaebol is truly surprising.

Seeing my confusion, CEO Choi laughed heartily.

“I can’t say I didn’t benefit from my parents, but the Goblin Guild was built by me and my men. Please don’t misunderstand that.”

“I don’t.”

I always knew he was skilled. The unexpected background just surprised me.

To think someone who lived like a wild beast was actually a diamond spoon. What a shocking twist!

This unexpected help is welcome.

New believers are crucial, but we urgently need a stable source of funding to run the order.

I’m sure the Sacred Stone bracelets will be a mega-hit with corporate backing.

I nodded, regaining my composure, and said,

“Alright. We’ll discuss the details later.”

“Anytime.”

“Let’s start the meeting properly.”

The reason I gathered everyone here today.

“The Baekmyeong Church has proposed forming a consultative body related to divine power. I want to discuss this with you all.”

It was to talk about the Baekmyeong Church.

Specifically,

“I want to designate the Baekmyeong Church as the enemy of our order.”