Chapter Eleven: Moving In

Thinking about the matter with the Temple of the Mad God, Link couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. If it were any other religious order, it would be easier to deal with—they at least followed some semblance of reason. As long as he held the moral high ground, he’d have nothing to fear from their accusations. But that gang from the Temple of the Mad God didn’t even know the meaning of reason. They followed only one rule: if you mess with one of ours, we’ll make you pay until you break.

There was no use talking sense to such people; only strength could resolve the problem.

“Damn it, is this really just one wave after another? My fists aren’t nearly hard enough yet—does it really have to be like this?” Link let out a bitter smile. If no outsiders had witnessed Baal’s death, he could have ordered Saga and the others to keep it secret. Unfortunately, many had seen Baal’s suicide, and there was simply no way to conceal it.

Seeing Link’s troubled expression, Saga understood that even Link would find this matter with the Temple of the Mad God difficult to handle. After a moment’s silence, he gritted his teeth and said, “Father, please don’t worry. This all started because of us. You killed Baal Black to save us; I’ll go to the Temple of the Mad God myself and take full responsibility so you won’t be implicated.”

At these words, everyone turned to look at Saga. Yuna, anxious, cried out, “Brother, you can’t! Those people from the Temple of the Mad God are all scoundrels. If you go, nothing good will come of it.”

Saga forced a bitter smile. “Yuna, if I don’t take responsibility, Father and the rest will be dragged down with us. I can’t be so selfish.” He paused, then addressed Link: “Father, when I’m gone, please look after Yuna for me. She’s just a child and doesn’t understand the ways of the world. If you’re ever short-handed, let her serve as a nun in your church. All I hope is that you can give her a place to stay.”

Yuna was already in tears when she heard this, and the others looked to Link, who glanced at everyone and couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you all acting as if this is some tragic farewell? The Temple of the Mad God is troublesome, yes, but as the earthly representative of the Allfather, I do not fear them. And though they are a band of ruffians, there are ways to deal with them.”

“Father, do you really have a way to deal with the Temple of the Mad God?” Saga asked in surprise.

Link shook his head with a smile. “Dealing with them is perhaps too strong a word, but I can at least smooth over the business with Baal Black. So, Saga, you don’t need to entrust your sister to my care just yet.”

At Link’s words, Saga’s face reddened, and he scratched his head awkwardly, a sight that made the others burst out laughing.

After the laughter faded, Link quietly gave Jack some instructions, which Jack nodded to accept. Saga, after a moment’s thought, interjected, “Father, if you need my help with anything, just say the word. I may not be much, but I am at least a first-rank warrior.”

This surprised Link, who looked at Saga, astonished. “You’re a first-rank warrior?”

Before Saga could reply, Jack spoke up, “Yes, Father. Saga is quite strong. The only reason I called Baal Black here was because he was also a first-rank warrior.”

Link nodded in understanding, then said after some thought, “Very well, Saga. You and Yuna will stay at my church for now. Once the Temple of the Mad God business is settled, you can return home.”

“Uh, will that not be a bother to you?”

“Not at all. My church isn’t large, but it’s not small either. At the moment, it’s just myself and a single nun. It’s rather lonely there—having you stay will be just fine.” Link smiled, then turned to Saul, who had been silent all this time. “Mr. Saul, thank you for your help today. The Temple of the Mad God has nothing to do with you—you should go home.”

Saul looked as if he wanted to say something, but Saga spoke first, “Uncle Saul, you have a family to think of. There’s no need to risk yourself for us. This has nothing to do with you—please, just go home.”

Hearing this, Saul fell silent. After a moment’s struggle, he finally nodded with a look of shame and left. As Saga had said, he still had a family. Even if he didn’t fear death, he had to consider their feelings.

Once Saul had gone, Link said to Jack, “All right, Jack, you should be off as well. Remember what I told you earlier. I hope you won’t let me down.”

“Don’t worry, Father, I’ll complete the task.” Jack nodded solemnly, then turned to leave.

But just then, Link remembered something and called out, “Wait a moment!”

Jack stopped and turned back. “Father, is there anything else?”

“Oh, I just remembered you still owe me three hundred Sora. Hand it over now—I’m a bit short on funds lately.”

“…”

After Jack left, Link immediately took Saga and Yuna to their home in the slums to pack their things. On the way, they ran into a large group of paupers armed with sticks and cleavers, heading toward the monastery. When Link asked, he learned they were his worried followers, gathering to help after hearing he’d gone to rescue someone.

This genuinely surprised Link. These usually timid paupers had found such courage—it was a rare thing indeed. It was faith that had given them this bravery. Seeing Link, the Allfather’s own representative, risk everything, how could they remain at ease and do nothing? In the end, they had summoned their courage.

Upon learning the reason, Link was overjoyed. It meant the Church of the Allfather was beginning to take shape. After reassuring the paupers, Link led the siblings back to the Church of the Star God. When they saw the symbol of the Star God at the entrance, the brother and sister were both astonished. Link explained of his own accord, “I was originally a priest of the Star God, but ever since I answered the call of the Allfather, I have nothing to do with the Star God. This church is just our temporary residence—for the future, I’ll build a grand cathedral for the Allfather somewhere else.”

The siblings nodded in understanding. Link’s defection from his former faith didn’t surprise them; people changed religions all the time these days, and apostasy was commonplace. In their eyes, Link was a noble and great man, and the Church of the Allfather was greater than the Star God’s. As his followers, they naturally felt nothing was amiss.

Seeing their calm faces, Link was reassured. He had worried that leaving the old faith might affect his image, but it seemed he needn’t have. At least in his followers’ eyes, he had done nothing wrong.

Upon entering the church, they found Elia sweeping the floor. She immediately noticed Link’s return and rushed over happily. “Niel, welcome home!—Eh, who are these two?”

“They’re children from the slums, Saga Victor and Yuna Victor, devout followers of the Allfather. Some trouble has come up, so they’ll be staying with us for a while,” Link explained with a smile. Then, turning to the siblings, he added, “This is Elia Night, my sister, whom I told you about. You can just call her Sister Elia.”

Saga and Yuna hurriedly greeted her with respectful caution, “Hello, Sister Elia.”

“Hello, and welcome! There are plenty of rooms here, so make yourselves at home.” Elia was delighted to have them, her smile bright and sweet. Then, gazing at Saga with curiosity, she asked, “But, why are you calling me sister as well?”

“Uh, I’m only thirteen,” Saga replied sheepishly, scratching his head.

Elia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, you’re this tall at thirteen? That’s amazing! Niel’s sixteen and you’re already taller than him.”

“…,” Link thought, Even lying down, I still get caught in the crossfire.

After this exchange, everyone felt more at ease. Elia’s warmth put the siblings at ease—they’d been worried she might not welcome them, but that fear had been unfounded.

In truth, it was a needless worry. Since Link had become busy with missionary work, Elia had been lonely in the church with no one to talk to and no visitors coming to worship. The emptiness had even begun to frighten her, so she was the happiest of all about Saga and Yuna’s arrival.

This was one reason Link had insisted they move in. He had long noticed the loneliness in the little girl’s eyes and wanted to find companions for Elia. Saga and Yuna were the perfect choice.

Once they were settled, Link called Elia over and handed her a hundred Sora. “Take this for your use. If it’s not enough, let me know.”

Elia looked at him in surprise. “Niel, how do you have so much money?”

Link smiled. “It was a donation from a follower. He’s become a loyal believer in the Allfather and donated three hundred Sora to the church at once.”

Elia was even more amazed, her eyes full of admiration. “Niel, you’re incredible—finding a wealthy follower so soon! Father was here for over a decade and never found one as generous.”

Link only smiled in response, then gazed outside, murmuring in a voice only he could hear, “Let’s hope nothing goes wrong on Jack’s end, or we’ll be in trouble…”

While Link led Saga and Yuna to the church, Jack had already arrived at the Temple of the Mad God to carry out Link’s task and report Baal’s death.

As expected, the Temple of the Mad God was furious, clamoring to settle accounts with Link. But Jack claimed that Link was no ordinary man—that he had powerful backing.

This made them suspicious. They knew of Link—a mere priest of the Star God. What backing could he possibly have? The Star God’s church? But in this region, the Star God’s influence was feeble—hardly the sort to shelter Link.

As their suspicions grew, Jack pressed on, revealing that Link had joined the Church of the Allfather, which was supported by a formidable, mysterious group.

This only made them more doubtful. Never mind where this Church of the Allfather had sprung from—who were these so-called powerful and mysterious backers?

To this, Jack added more embellishments, describing in detail how Link had controlled Baal through the Confession Rite. The most crucial point was that this ability did not belong to Link himself, but had been bestowed upon him by others.

The power to grant one’s abilities to another—such a feat required a seventh-rank expert at the very least!

The result: the Temple of the Mad God was shocked into silence. Those who had been demanding revenge were suddenly quiet. Faced with such a mysterious and powerful foe, none dared act rashly.

After much discussion, the temple decided to investigate in secret, to avoid alerting Link. Only when they had uncovered the truth about his backers would they make their move.

None of them noticed that, as the debate raged, Jack, who had quietly remained at the side, wore a subtle smile of triumph.