The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 102

The Jeolla branch and Gyeongsang branch were the first to leave the mountain lodge, followed by the Chungcheong branch.

The reason they departed separately was that the entire Taebaek Mountain area was imbued with Father’s sorcery, making it more dangerous to get lost if several people hiked together at once.

"Cult Leader, I have something to tell you..."

When only the Seoul branch, meaning us, remained, Yoon Chang-su called me.

He guided me to a small room in the corner of the chapel and served me tea. It was very fragrant tea, though I couldn’t tell what kind it was. I was ignorant about tea.

Yoon Chang-su sat across from me with slow movements, stroking his long beard.

"This is rather difficult to discuss..."

"Not at all, please speak comfortably."

Yoon Chang-su wasn’t an opportunist like Yeom Man-geun, nor did he have rebellious tendencies like Ha Pan-seok. Moreover, he was the only executive among those still alive who had assisted the first cult leader. He could be called a senior executive.

When facing such a Yoon Chang-su, I felt respect not as cult leader to believer, but as person to person. My request for him to speak comfortably wasn’t empty words at all.

"About distributing the surplus money from the Seoul branch to overcome the financial crisis..."

"Yes."

"I’m truly sorry, but I think it would be better if I didn’t receive that money."

If he had asked for more money, I would have gladly given more. But I never expected him to say he couldn’t accept the money. I unconsciously stared intently at Yoon Chang-su’s face. I glimpsed resolute will within his kind and gentle smile.

"Um... may I ask the reason?"

When I asked, Yoon Chang-su hesitantly stroked his beard before opening his mouth.

"The Gangwon branch has hardly any believers, so even if I received the money, it would mostly be used for my personal benefit. Rather than that, I think it would be better to give it to the Gyeongsang branch or Chungcheong branch which have more mouths to feed."

It was a reason befitting him. Now that I heard it, it made sense. However, I couldn’t simply not give him money. Distributing money to local branches contained considerable political intent.

"...Executive Yoon Chang-su, you once taught, didn’t you?"

I suddenly recalled that Yoon Chang-su had once been a teacher.

"Yes, that’s correct. I taught children briefly."

"Then how about establishing a night school?"

Yoon Chang-su looked surprised at my proposal. I could see the wrinkles around his eyes deepen slightly more than usual.

"By night school, you mean..."

"There are many Voodoo practitioners who couldn’t attend school for various reasons. We’d create a school for such people."

Even Kang Ji-ah couldn’t attend school right now. Actually, she wasn’t unable to attend but chose not to of her own will, but anyway, there were many Voodoo practitioners with very low education levels.

Even Yuk Eun-hyeong from the Gyeongsang branch was a middle school graduate, and Yeom Man-geun was illiterate, having started business without properly attending even elementary school.

"Executive Yoon Chang-su could be the teacher, and the money could be used to operate the night school."

"I’m grateful for your words, but I don’t have the capacity to dare teach others."

"You’re being modest. Even compared to anyone from the Romanica Church, they wouldn’t match Executive Yoon Chang-su’s knowledge."

This wasn’t empty flattery. If we brought those so-called learned high-ranking clergy from the Romanica Church and placed them before Yoon Chang-su, they would all become speechless. That’s how erudite he was.

"Raising the knowledge level of Voodoo practitioners would itself be a form of resistance against the Romanica Church. There would be many benefits."

"Hmm..."

"I also think it’s a waste for this huge chapel to be used only for executive meetings."

I persuaded him with various words. Yoon Chang-su showed signs of contemplation for a while, then finally nodded slightly as if he had made up his mind.

"Then... we’ll need several more teachers, and we’ll have to accept students..."

"I’ll seek help from other executives for those matters."

I had received all the executives’ contact information this morning. Teacher recruitment could be handled by asking Ha Pan-seok for help, since he had plenty of time being fully devoted to church operations without other work.

Student recruitment would be immediately resolved by contacting Yuk Eun-hyeong. The mercenaries under Yuk Eun-hyeong were all from the so-called educationally disadvantaged class who couldn’t attend school due to unfortunate circumstances. Besides them, there were plenty of people like Yeom Man-geun and Kang Ji-ah who would attend classes if a night school were established.

"You’re being so considerate, I’m grateful but also sorry. I should be handling everything myself..."

"Since I proposed it, it’s natural for me to prepare the foundation. You have nothing to be sorry about."

That concluded our discussion about establishing the night school. I got up to leave, but sat back down when I noticed Yoon Chang-su’s gaze had become somewhat complicated. It seemed like he had something to say to me.

"Cult Leader, do you know about reverse sorcery?"

Yoon Chang-su asked an unexpected question. Reverse sorcery. I had heard of it. As the name suggests, it’s the technique of performing sorcery in reverse.

Long ago in ancient Voodoo, there was a cult leader who treated people addicted to sorcery or whose minds were damaged through reverse sorcery. Conversely, it’s also said there was a cult leader who used restoration sorcery in reverse to massacre countless people.

There are no records, only what I heard from Legba, so it’s unclear if it’s true.

"I know about it."

"I heard that the Cult Leader has recently been looking for a way to undo zombification."

"Ah, that’s right. How did you know..."

"Executive Lee Jin-seong told me."

Uncle had unknowingly worried about Jeong Yun-ah a lot. Despite his harsh words calling her a burden and asking why we had to raise her when it wasn’t our fault, he had been going around inquiring about ways to undo zombification. In the process, he had naturally asked Yoon Chang-su for help.

Yoon Chang-su continued with a resolute expression.

"Through reverse sorcery, you could easily undo zombification."

"Yes? That would be true."

I nodded and answered casually. I wondered why Yoon Chang-su was suddenly bringing this up. All documents and relics about using reverse sorcery had disappeared.

Reverse sorcery could undo zombification, but the problem was having no way to use it.

Yoon Chang-su couldn’t be unaware of this. Yet bringing up this topic suddenly meant...

"By any chance, did you find a way to use reverse sorcery?" There was no other reason to bring this up. At my question, Yoon Chang-su nodded slightly. For a moment I felt dazed, but also something bubbling up from deep in my chest.

If reverse sorcery could be used, we could turn the zombified Jeong Yun-ah back into a human. Then the complex emotions I felt whenever I saw Jeong In-ah would disappear. Hope began to appear.

However, Yoon Chang-su ominously opened his mouth with an expressionless face.

"The cult leaders of ancient Voodoo used staffs, didn’t they?"

"Yes, I heard they used staffs carved from branches of the Soul Tree."

"Correct. Among them, do you know the name of the staff made from the third branch of the Soul Tree?"

At Yoon Chang-su’s question, I tilted my head and searched my memory. The first branch was life, the second branch was death. And the third branch was...

"Resistance."

"Correct. It’s called resistance, or sometimes regression."

Resistance and regression were the same in that they ’opposed’ something. Thus the name of the staff made from the third branch of the Soul Tree was both ’resistance’ and ’regression.’

Cult leaders chosen by the staff of regression always went against the natural order, and either met tragic deaths or overcame even such fate to pioneer the natural order.

Of course, this was also just legend. What was important was that reverse sorcery could be used with the staff of regression. Yoon Chang-su hesitantly blinked slowly and continued.

"The reason I’m telling you this... is because I found the location of the staff of regression."

* * *

"So what did you discuss with Executive Yoon Chang-su?"

On the way back, Uncle, who was driving, asked. The highway after sunset was so dark with fallen darkness that nothing could be seen. Uncle’s driving skills remained intact even in such darkness. He was originally someone with good night vision.

"Just... heard a bit of information about reverse sorcery."

"Reverse sorcery?"

"It’s using sorcery in reverse, somewhat related to ways to undo zombification..."

I explained vaguely. There seemed little point in explaining in detail to Uncle, who didn’t know sorcery. At the mention of it being related to ways to undo zombification, Uncle’s eyes sparkled with interest.

"Tell me more details. Did you learn how to use it? Or is special training needed?"

"It’s long to explain in words."

"Ah, kid. Even if it’s bothersome, tell me. I’m driving for you."

I briefly summarized and explained the conversation I had with Yoon Chang-su to Uncle.

Reverse sorcery means using sorcery in reverse. Using this, it’s possible to turn zombies back into humans. However, to use reverse sorcery, something called the staff of regression is needed... That was the gist of it.

"Staff of regression? Where is it? Does it even exist?"

"Not regression, resistance. And yes, it exists."

"It exists? Then we just need to go find it. Where is it?"

Uncle’s expression brightened considerably. He seemed pleased at the hope of turning Jeong Yun-ah back into a human.

"Saudi Arabia."

"...Ah, Saudi Arabia."

Uncle’s expression instantly darkened at my words. The conversation cut off after that. Uncle drove, I looked out the car window, and Kang Ji-ah was dozing off, nodding her head.

According to Yoon Chang-su, the staff of regression is displayed in Saudi Arabia’s National History Museum.

First, the problem was that it was displayed in a museum, and second, the problem was that it was displayed in Saudi Arabia’s ’National’ History Museum.

First, Saudi Arabia doesn’t have good relations with our country. Our country’s state religion is the Romanica Church and Saudi Arabia’s state religion is Islam. The fact that the Romanica Church and Islam don’t get along well is something even three-year-old children know. Even if we tried to enter the country, Saudi Arabia would definitely refuse.

But there was an even bigger problem.

[You couldn’t even think of going until the civil war ends.]

Legba clicked his tongue and spoke quietly. As he said, Saudi Arabia is currently in civil war for religious reasons.

Shiites and Sunnis, and Romanica Church missionaries residing in Saudi Arabia. With these three groups as the main axis, fierce and brutal civil war with continuous gunfire is taking place. Streets are lined with corpses, and residential areas have become wastelands due to bombing.

Actually, not just Saudi Arabia, but almost all regions of the Middle East are suffering from civil wars between Shiites and Sunnis. People call this situation the Arab Winter. It refers to the chaos and social instability that spread throughout the Middle East due to continuous civil wars after the Arab Spring.

In such circumstances, going to Saudi Arabia to steal the staff of regression displayed in the National Museum? It was nonsense.

"Baron Samedi... is he lying to me?"

Recalling Baron Samedi’s words that we’d soon find a way to turn Jeong Yun-ah back into a human, I suddenly felt angry. Actually, it wasn’t exactly a lie. He said we could ’find’ a way, not that we could ’turn’ Jeong Yun-ah back into a human.

"Seon-woo."

While looking at the mountain ridge dyed white with brilliant moonlight, Uncle suddenly called me.

"What?"

"Your seatbelt... is it fastened?"

Uncle asked in a trembling voice while staring ahead. His hair was completely soaked with cold sweat. Eventually the flowing sweat beaded at his chin and dripped down. I pulled out a few tissues from the back of the car and handed them to him.

"What’s wrong?"

"No, that, what is it. S-Seon-woo. I..."

Uncle continued in a trembling voice.

"I can see the grim reaper, right now..."

"What?"

"You, you... right now, next to you. In the passenger seat. In the passenger seat..."

It wasn’t like he was under hallucination sorcery, but suddenly seeing the grim reaper. Uncle’s sudden words were a bit absurd, but judging by his expression and tone, he didn’t seem to be joking. I shifted my gaze to the seat next to me.

Someone wearing a silk hat was looking at me intently with red eyes and smiling.

[My ears were itching so I came to check, and sure enough, you were badmouthing me. Birds hear words spoken during the day, and I hear words spoken at night. Haven’t you heard such sayings?]

"...Baron Samedi? Why did you come?"

His appearance was so sudden that I wasn’t pleased at all. Baron Samedi’s playful voice was echoing in my head rather than coming through my ears.

[’Why did you come’? At least pretend to be welcoming.]

"I’d pretend to be welcoming if it were a situation where I could welcome you..."

[Oh my, talking back again... This is the first time I’ve seen such an ill-mannered prophet.]

"It’s not the first time, is it? Be honest."

Baron Samedi laughed.

[Right, it’s actually not the first time. Your mother was the worst in terms of bad manners... Anyway, I came to make some explanations.]

"Explanations all of a sudden?"

[I didn’t lie.]

Baron Samedi’s tone was firm. He adjusted the angle of his silk hat with his left hand and snapped his right fingers.

Then from empty air, a metal hip flask and a glass with ice appeared. The hip flask clinked as it filled the glass with rum.

[Let’s have a drink first and continue our conversation. Now, our cult leader is a minor so that won’t do. Right, our priest who’s driving!]

Baron Samedi held out the glass toward Uncle.

[How about it, want a drink?]

"..."

Uncle didn’t answer and only concentrated on driving. His clothes were soaked with cold sweat.

Baron Samedi shook the glass as if telling him to take it quickly, but Uncle just gripped the steering wheel with his mouth shut. Baron Samedi regretfully clicked his tongue and withdrew the glass.

[Well, drunk driving is a bit problematic, isn’t it? Too bad. I was hoping to make a drinking companion before leaving.]

Baron Samedi giggled and drank the rum in one gulp. Uncle looked at Baron Samedi through the rearview mirror and swallowed.

At this rate, we’d have an accident soon. No matter how good Uncle’s night vision and driving skills were, it would be difficult to concentrate on driving in this situation. I opened my mouth to draw Baron Samedi’s attention.

"So what did you want to say?"

[Getting so harsh over a little prank.]

"What did you want to say?"

[Right, right. Since it’s the noble prophet’s words, I was ignorant to ignore them.]

Baron Samedi cleared his throat and continued.

[I repeat, I didn’t lie. You actually found a way. You learned that reverse sorcery can be used through the staff of regression, and zombification can be undone through reverse sorcery, didn’t you?]

"The problem is it’s not feasible."

[What are you talking about? It is feasible.]

Baron Samedi continued in a quite serious voice.

[Soon... no, let me use precise words. Tomorrow you’ll realize that my words weren’t lies.]

"Tomorrow I’m going to school."

[Then you’ll realize it at school. You’d better believe it. Anyway, all of this is truth.]

’Anyway, all of this is truth’? It was somehow familiar. I couldn’t quite remember where I’d heard it.

"...I understand for now."

I reluctantly nodded. Whether Baron Samedi’s words were true or false could be judged tomorrow. Judging by his tone, it didn’t seem like a lie, but it was better to be suspicious of Baron Samedi’s words to the end.

[Come to think of it, didn’t Ogoun mention me?]

Baron Samedi asked while drinking his second glass of rum. His tone suggested he knew I had summoned Ogoun yesterday. I got goosebumps anew at Baron Samedi’s information network. I rubbed my arms and nodded.

"He didn’t mention you at all."

[Really? He must really dislike me. We used to be the closest of friends...]

Baron Samedi clicked his tongue and took out a cigar from his pocket to light it. If they used to be so close, why were they enemies now? I suddenly felt curious.

"Why did you fight with him?"

[Right, let me tell you that story while I’m here. How I ended up fighting with him...]

Hoooooooong!

In the middle of Baron Samedi’s words, the car suddenly started speeding crazily. Uncle frantically shifted gears and pressed the brakes. Even so, the car didn’t stop, and was racing furiously as if it would crash into the guardrail at any moment.

"What’s this. Drive slowly, why so urgently..."

"The brakes won’t...!"

Uncle said in a trembling voice, sounding panicked. He desperately turned the steering wheel, barely managing to pass the curve without hitting the guardrail, but another curve was approaching right ahead. The car seemed to have sudden acceleration.

What should we do in this situation? If I use Bade’s power to create wind and lift the car...

But there was no time to respond. Before we knew it, the guardrail was right in front of us. There wasn’t even time to recite a prayer. By the time I finished the prayer, the car would have already crashed through the guardrail and fallen off the cliff.

Snap.

Then, a light sound echoed to my left. It was the sound of Baron Samedi snapping his fingers.

"Huh, what...?"

Then the car flew up.

The car that should have been crashing through the guardrail and falling off the cliff was flying through the sky. The pouring moonlight felt dazzlingly close. Looking down at the world through the car window, everything was getting endlessly smaller.

Baron Samedi took a deep puff of his cigar, exhaled smoke, and opened his mouth.

[To continue the story, I gambled with him, wagering part of our powers. Of course I won, and I became able to use some of his power.]

"Of course?"

[Right, I ’of course’ won. It was rigged gambling. That’s why he hates me.]

I nodded while gazing at the world spread out beyond the car window. The moonlit scenery of Taebaek Mountain came into view at a glance.

The canyon I had created through prayer was the first thing I noticed. The Gangwon branch chapel was completely invisible, probably due to sorcery.

Stars were pouring from the sky. The moon was so close it felt frightening. It seemed like I could catch it if I reached out. It was a sky more mysterious and beautiful for having no clouds.

[Thanks to my winning that gamble, you all saved your lives.]

"...What kind of gambling was it?"

[Dice games.]

Snap.

When Baron Samedi snapped his fingers again, the flying car began to slowly descend to the ground. Baron Samedi roughly threw his cigar out the window and continued.

[I love dice games very much. Though I’m not a god.]

Thunk!

The car landed safely on the road and started moving. Uncle, gripping the steering wheel with a bewildered expression, resumed driving. He tried the brakes experimentally. They worked perfectly fine as if nothing had happened.

[I fixed the car while I was at it. You don’t need to thank me.]

"..."

[Well then! Next time we get a chance, let’s play some dice...]

Baron Samedi left with those final words. Dense silence flowed. Uncle was wiping sweat with tissues, and Kang Ji-ah was still sleeping through all this. Everything felt surreal like a dream, but it definitely wasn’t a dream. Anyway, all of this was reality.

Uncle, who had been driving silently, glanced back.

"Seon-woo, by any chance, was that person’s name..."

"Baron Samedi."

"How can you converse with someone like that without stuttering even once...?"

Uncle asked reluctantly. From Uncle’s perspective, Baron Samedi’s appearance must have felt very frightening.

Tacky silk hat, suit attire. If someone with bright red eyes and completely white skin suddenly appeared before you, unless you had tremendous courage, being startled would be natural.

But I wasn’t startled at all seeing Baron Samedi. I was just a bit displeased. For some reason, Baron Samedi’s appearance was familiar to me, and sometimes even felt intimate.

"Because I’m a prophet?"

That was the only answer I could think of right now.