Somebody Stop the Pope – 144



Episode 144

45. Spring spring spring

1.

The winter that the media described as unusually cold has passed.

Perhaps because I spent most of the winter in the Holy Land it honestly didn’t feel that cold this winter.

It was a winter that didn’t feel that cold even compared to the bitter cold experienced in the north of Eden.

Siyeon’s winter vacation is over and the government’s plan to advance north is almost complete.

Our church also had a special event planned.

That’s right

“The trainees gather in their assigned groups.”

“Before you enter the training camp there will be time for you to meet your acquaintances so please follow the instructions.”

It was the entrance ceremony for the second batch of trainees.

I smiled happily as I watched the initiation ceremony taking place at our church’s training center located in the Holy Land.

As the Pope it was truly a gratifying sight to see so many applicants flocking in without having to go out and do it like before.

“It’s like watching a boot camp.”

“Oh Aiden. Is America like that too?”

“Of course Seojin. But the instructors’ eyes are a bit different. The American instructors also seem to be crazy… Those instructors are going a step further.”

“I can hear you Aiden. Are you disparaging our instructors?”

“That’s a compliment Siu. It’s truly amazing. I hope to get some tips from you later. Those who train troops to go to the battlefield should have at least that kind of madness.”

Aiden clapped his hands lightly while wearing his suit.

Next to Aiden stood the smiling Choi the representative of the Goblin Guild who could be called a brother except for the color of his skin.

It looks like there are two Barbarians instead of one.

Perhaps because Aiden usually helped CEO Choi with his training a lot a close friendship between the two men seemed to have formed.

There was only one reason why these two were invited to the second class of Limen Church students’ entrance ceremony.

“You’re the only one in the world who would ask me to give a congratulatory speech Siwoo.”

“What’s good about having irregular friends? You help each other out in times like this.”

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“Then what if I ask you to give a congratulatory speech later?”

“That’s something we need to consider. I can’t just give a congratulatory speech at a religious ceremony right? Religious people are supposed to be careful about where they sit.”

Aiden and CEO Choi have agreed to give congratulatory speeches at our induction ceremony today.

Can you help your friend out?

If an American irregular gives a congratulatory speech it will also give strength to the shoulders of our second-term trainees.

Oh of course the government also sent people.

“I feel like I’m running out of energy Your Holiness. I’m retiring next month but aren’t you exploiting this old man too much?”

Minister Yoo Seon-ho of the Ministry of Ability Management smiled with a groan.

I shrugged my shoulders slightly at Minister Yoo Seon-ho.

“You should respect the elderly. If you’re tired it’s okay if you go back…”

“Hehe what kind of harsh words are you talking about? It’s the day when people who will be of great help to the Republic of Korea enter the training camp. How can we just sit still? Isn’t that right everyone?”

“Haha that’s right Minister Yoo. If not now then when else would you want to have a spoonful?”

“The Minister is right. You have to show off when you can. If not now then when else would you show off to our Pope Kim? Hahaha!”

It’s a really good combination.

Aiden who is different from his appearance in political ability and Minister Yoo Seon-ho a natural politician.

There is even CEO Choi Seo-jin who is the son of a wealthy family but has incredible insight.

These three things seem enough to make even an innocent person a sinner.

I guess I should be thankful that I have this fantastic trio on my side.

While listening to the tiki-taka of the three I slowly looked at the second-term trainees.

The induction ceremony was slightly later than scheduled.

This is because the special training for the first batch of trainees ended later than expected.

“The instructors’ expressions all look extraordinary.”

Minister Yoo Seon-ho followed me and looked at the instructors that is the first batch of trainees with a pleased look on his face as he spoke.

“It can’t be helped. Those guys were rolling around in hell until yesterday.”

“I heard the story. You were in the Lost Land until yesterday?”

“You can think of it as a training exercise. Our Lord Luna Reventon put in a lot of effort. Thanks to that I think I was able to get the poison out of it.”

The total number of second-term trainees is 200.

Among them were 100 people from Japan and unlike the frightened Koreans the Japanese still had a relaxed expression.

Most of them seemed excited about coming here rather than fearful of the training.

In contrast Koreans…

“It seems like people who appear to have served in the military are feeling fearful and confused.”

“You’re probably familiar with it. The scariest fears are learned fears. You’ll probably feel the same way just by looking at them.”

A state of extreme fear especially among those who are presumed to have served in the military.

Up until now our school’s instructors were warmly welcoming the students but fear was spreading quickly.

“The first batch of trainees gritted their teeth. The second batch of trainees’ training results will be much better than the first batch.”

Unlike the first batch of trainees who relied entirely on Luna and Leo the second batch of trainees were expected to receive intensive marking from their seniors.

The first batch of trainees who have been through hellish training before will tirelessly push the second batch of trainees around.

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Originally humans become stronger the more they are manipulated.

Personally this was one of the reasons why I was looking forward to the performance of the second batch of trainees.

Minister Yoo Seon-ho smiled and nodded as soon as he heard what I said.

“At least there won’t be any factions. I was personally worried. There’s a saying that you shouldn’t even play rock-paper-scissors with the Japanese. But I think it’s okay to hold on to those worries.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Humans naturally come together in extreme situations. There is no desire that takes priority over survival. If there are days when it is difficult to even breathe do you think you will have the energy to split into factions and fight?”

As expected it’s Minister Yoo Seon-ho.

I immediately noticed the curriculum we had prepared for the second batch of trainees.

I nodded with a smile.

“That is correct.”

“Um thinking about it like that and looking at them makes me feel sad…”

I’m going to drive you crazy so hard that you can’t even come to your senses. Do you think Koreans and Japanese will even think of fighting each other?

If you ever feel that way it’s proof that we haven’t been pushing the guys hard enough.

If you increase the intensity of your training every time you hear news of a fight you will quickly come to your senses.

While I was talking to the guests Archbishop Laparte who was in charge of this induction ceremony approached us.

As it was a formal event of the diocese Archbishop Lapart was wearing white priestly vestments.

“Your Majesty all preparations are complete.”

Archbishop Laparte bowed his head respectfully to me.

“Can I go up to the stage?”

“Yes. The initiation ceremony begins with His Holiness’ blessing. Please come up and bless the new workers of our church.”

There’s no reason to drag it out.

I gave a slight gesture to Archbishop Laparte and then spoke to the guests.

“Then let’s start the induction ceremony. I ask for your congratulatory remarks later everyone.”

“I’ll give you the best speech of my life. Trust me.”

Aiden spoke briskly his chest pounding.

You’re the most pathetic kid.

So I stood on the stage and soon the eyes of the second batch of trainees gathered around me.

Half excitement half fear.

But a common sense of anticipation was conveyed among them.

I admired the cute chicks for a moment and then said my first words happily.

“I sincerely welcome the brothers and sisters who have come here. I am Pope Kim Si-woo of the Limen Church.”

Welcome to hell chicks.

2.

Shigeji Kasimi who was selected as the second trainee of the Limen School could not hide his excitement.

‘I… I became a member of the Limen sect.’

The moment he was first selected as a second-term trainee was still vivid in his mind.

100 Japanese people selected through fierce competition.

Since the Yamata no Orochi incident known as the “Miracle of Sendai City” the Rimen cult has been by far the hottest religion in Japan.

In Japan most players who awakened to divine power adopted the Rimen religion as their faith rather than their native religion.

Meanwhile it was reported that the Rimen Church was selecting 100 Japanese students for the second round of training and that these 100 students would become the cornerstone of missionary work in Japan.

A truly glorious mission to sow the seeds of the Rimen sect in the Japanese archipelago.

Shigeji thought that the 27 years of bad luck that had plagued him were finally being compensated for.

‘Your Holiness…’

Shigeji shed tears as he watched the miracle performed by Pope Kim Si-woo right before his eyes.

Although he has tried to learn Korean his Korean is still not perfect.

But surprisingly Pope Kim Si-woo’s words easily overcame the language barrier.

Even though it wasn’t Japanese all the meaning was conveyed accurately in his head.

“You will learn many things as members of our order. The pride of serving Limen the nobility to be willing to sacrifice for the weak and the strong will to not compromise with any evil. You will gain everything you need to live as a member of the Limen Order here.”

Shigeji accepted every word Pope Kim Si-woo said with his eyes wide open.

A hero who mercilessly punishes evil.

A saint who cares for wounds.

‘Someday next to him…’

I wanted to become someone who would be used by him and make Limen’s name known widely.

And it didn’t seem to be just his own goal.

The other trainees next to him were also listening to Pope Kim Si-woo’s story with determined expressions.

“I bless you in the name of Limen that this will be your new starting point.”

Pope Kim Si-woo’s speech ended like that and congratulatory speeches from famous figures followed.

But their stories didn’t enter Shigeji’s mind at all.

‘I can’t lose to anyone. I will definitely be recognized.’

This might be the last chance in his life.

That’s why Shigeji was so desperate and eager. He didn’t want to remain just another one of those trainees.

Clap clap clap

While Shigeji was thinking about various things applause erupted from all directions.

The induction ceremony was over much sooner than he had expected.

And after a while people who looked like instructors walked around and said.

“The trainees will say goodbye to their acquaintances at the end. They will be given 10 minutes.”

Some of the instructors shouted in Japanese perhaps out of consideration for the Japanese.

As soon as Shigeji heard those words he quickly ran to the right.

There his parents were waiting with tears in their eyes.

“Shigeji.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

My parents who held on to me until the end even though I was just a kid with no dreams or hopes.

Shigeji nodded vigorously as he looked at his parents.

“I’ll be back soon. Father Mother.”

I thought there was no need for a long explanation.

I thought that if I could show it through actions instead of words it would be better.

So Shigeji didn’t say anything for long and just hugged his parents one by one. Then he bowed to them and returned to his original position.

And so the last time with my acquaintances ended.

“Everyone except trainees please leave the training center now!”

In an instant only the instructors and trainees remained in the training camp.

The moment the last family left the training camp an instructor wearing a red hat approached Shigeji.

“Trainee number 122 Shigeji Kashimi. Is that right?”

“My name is correct…”

“From now on if it’s right answer yes and if it’s wrong answer no. Do you understand?”

“Yes! I understand!”

Shigeji answered forcefully tensing his stomach.

Did you like Shigeji’s loud answer?

The instructor wearing a red hat spoke in a young voice.

“Your voice is good. This instructor is Oh Jae-min who will be in charge of trainee number 122.”

Shigeji didn’t know.

That the place where he is standing now is the entrance to hell.

The second batch of trainees’ entrance ceremony was coming to an end.

Our Pope please stop this