Somebody Stop the Pope – 23



Episode 23

5.

According to Team Leader Kim Ground Zero is not a completely useless wasteland.

It is true that the environment is uninhabitable due to the surge of magical power but it is said that it is possible for players with a certain level of magical power resistance to operate.

And most importantly there was a high-quality magic stone mine inside Ground Zero.

Magic stone.

A mineral that can be said to be magical power itself created by crystallizing magical power.

Although they are one of the main byproducts obtained from monsters that primarily use magic power most high-quality magic stones are produced in magic stone mines.

It wasn’t that strange since it was knowledge I already knew in Eden.

Moreover it was not an absurd story that the magic stone mine was located at ground zero.

This is because it has already been proven that magic stone mines are mainly created naturally in magic-polluted areas.

So what does that magic stone mine have to do with this situation?

“It has been determined that a battle broke out between players over a magic stone mine inside Ground Zero. The estimated number of deaths so far is at least five. They are believed to be at least A-rank Hunters or higher as they were players with the resistance to operate inside Ground Zero.”

“They’re amazing. They’re amazing.”

“Because the high-quality magic stones available at Ground Zero are irreplaceable.”

This is because the situation has gotten to the point where players are fighting over the magic stone mine.

I took a sip of coffee while listening to Team Leader Kim’s explanation.

Is it the coffee that is bitter or is it the situation that is bitter?

“As you know Siwoo magic stones are essential minerals for crafting players’ equipment. Since the magic stone mine was discovered at Ground Zero a year ago each large guild has formed a specialized team to participate in mining.”

“Shouldn’t the government have controlled the situation from the beginning?”

Team Leader Kim answered my obvious question with a weak smile.

“Most of the people with magical resistance who can operate at Ground Zero belong to large guilds. All we could do was record their entry and exit from Ground Zero.”

It’s not that they don’t control it it’s that they can’t control it.

I understood the general situation. And I could quickly figure out why the government was blocking me from entering Ground Zero.

“Once Mr. Siu enters Ground Zero our government cannot provide any help.”

Lawless zone.

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This was the word that came to my mind after hearing Team Leader Kim’s explanation.

One peculiar thing is that Minsu who explained the plan to me also didn’t know about this fact and Team Leader Kim also told me the reason.

“Except for the major guilds very few people know that there is a magic stone mine at Ground Zero. No one wants to share information about such a limited resource.”

If you think about it the magic stone has enough value to be classified as a strategic resource.

So far its value has actually helped maintain confidentiality.

Team Leader Kim took a sip of water and continued the conversation in a calm voice.

“Mining has been going smoothly for the past year through a council formed by large guilds… but problems have been occurring recently.”

There was only one reason why conflict could arise between guilds that had been working together to mine.

I said raising the corners of my lips.

“It looks like the mining volume has decreased.”

“…you’re right.”

“It’s fun. It’s fun.”

A fight broke out over vested interests.

The reason the Ability Management Department is stopping me from entering Ground Zero is probably because they don’t want me to get caught up in that fight.

Now the big picture is starting to make sense.

So to summarize this situation neatly.

“It means ‘Don’t get involved in a fight over a bowl of rice and end up causing trouble’ right?”

“We always think of Siwoo first…”

“ha.”

If it was going to be like this why didn’t they ask a long time ago and start voting?

It would be wrong to blame Minsu as he was also unaware of the situation currently unfolding at Ground Zero.

I don’t know if it’s because of that damn causality but every time I make a plausible plan this shit happens.

The simplest way out of the current situation is to overturn the vote.

But if that really happened it was obvious that the image of a church that was lying from the beginning would not be created but rather an image of a church that was a symbol of hope.

So that method is the worst.

I tried various methods but in the end there was only one answer.

I chewed on the ice in my coffee cup swallowed it and clenched my fist as I spoke.

“There are several things that religious people and politicians should not do. Do you know what the most important one is?”

“well….”

“That’s a lie. If you want people to trust you you shouldn’t lie.”

Repeat?

Do I really have to change my mind because I’m scared of the big guild guys fighting over my rice bowl?

Although it was my decision I had no intention of withdrawing it just because of the petty power struggles of the large guilds.

“Isn’t this a difficult situation because even the government cannot manage this lawless area called Ground Zero?”

“That’s true but.”

“Then let’s do it like this.”

I looked at Team Leader Kim and raised the corners of my mouth slightly. Then I spoke in a quiet voice.

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“I will end this difficult situation for you.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Haha Team Leader Kim you know very well.”

How so?

When in Rome follow Roman laws. When in lawlessness follow lawlessness.

6.

Things progressed at a rapid pace.

At first Team Leader Kim was also against it but ultimately his position was approved.

The reason the approval passed was simple.

<It is unreasonable to deny entry for safety reasons as the force includes at least two awakened Hunters of S-class or higher.>

The Ability Management Department had decided that Leo was on par with the Goblin Guild’s CEO or maybe even better.

We have already finished talking with the Minister of Personnel Management who has the final approval authority.

My promise was simple.

To really try to cleanse Ground Zero.

Of course we decided to collect some sort of compensation separately.

It wasn’t a complete lie as the use of Limen’s tokens clearly removed the contamination in some areas.

Anyway my position was approved and two days passed.

“It’s tall.”

I let out an exclamation as I looked at the huge wall blocking my view.

The actual size of the barrier I encountered was much larger than it appeared in the photo.

“The name of this barrier is Ark. It means the last bastion of civilization like Noah’s Ark.”

Team Leader Kim was with us again today. He had to get help to get through the Ground Zero immigration office.

I said this with a small exclamation of admiration at Team Leader Kim’s explanation.

“When I see things like that I think people on Earth have a great sense of naming.”

If it was Eden it would have been built like <Magic Blockade Wall>.

Team Leader Kim bowed his head slightly at my exclamation and then asked carefully.

“Are you two really going in alone today?”

Our group that arrived here today consisted of only two people including me.

The only one left besides me is of course Leo.

Perhaps the reason Team Leader Kim asked that question was because Minsu wasn’t there.

“I heard that electronic devices will be out of order at Ground Zero anyway. Do we really need a camera crew in that situation?”

“There are quite a few good A-class hunters in Player Gu Min-soo’s company. They would have been enough to provide sufficient power.”

To that I answered naturally

“Haha if someone saw me they’d think I came here to fight. We just what should I call it… a preliminary survey. We came here to survey the temple site.”

“…Oh I made a mistake.”

Of course it’s not that I didn’t consider it at all.

But in the end I decided that Leo and I were enough. I didn’t think there was any need to bring in other people and increase the damage.

I nodded and said something to Team Leader Kim.

“I’ve seen advertisements for several guilds on the Internet. Most of them advertise by saying that they fight together for the country and its people.”

Advertisements that caught my eye while I was resting at home over the past two days.

As if to signal that this was the era of guilds and players most of the advertisements were promoting guilds.

Among them there were quite a few guilds that were believed to be currently fighting at Ground Zero.

“It’s funny how those guys are now bleeding without hesitation over a piece of rock on the other side of the wall.”

To be honest I don’t have a sense of mission to enforce justice.

Although I was able to ascend to the position of Pope thanks to the halo of Limen I also fully understand that it is not because I am morally superior to others.

I was just a little annoyed.

I was already getting antsy because nothing ever goes according to plan so I got caught up in it.

I smiled faintly and Team Leader Kim sighed and said after seeing my smile.

“Please avoid combat if possible. After all they are also part of South Korea’s military power.”

“Of course. I won’t start a fight. I swear on Limen’s name that I won’t be the first to do so.”

Of course this is a promise not to start a fight first.

If other players had tried to fight me first I wouldn’t have even considered it.

So the conversation with Team Leader Kim ended and he led Leo and me to the entrance of Ground Zero.

There were soldiers standing guard there armed with guns wearing what looked like radiation protection suits and they saluted us as soon as they saw us.

“Loyalty. Nothing more than vigilance.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Now that the approval is complete would you please open the door?”

“All right!”

Squeak-.

As the soldiers pressed the button the thick door opened slightly and soon a strong magical power began to be felt inside.

It seems that Team Leader Kim was a bit overwhelmed by that magic.

He frowned slightly then bowed his head politely toward me and said:

“Then I wish you good luck.”

“Don’t worry Leo. Let’s go in.”

“Yes Your Holiness.”

I led Leo through the door.

Kuuuung.

As we entered the door it closed again and soon a fairly long hallway with dim lighting was revealed.

As expected from a five-layer wall it appears to be quite thick.

So when the two of us were left alone Leo started asking me questions about things he had been curious about.

“If there is a means of recording entry and exit like that wouldn’t it be possible to determine who is currently in the area?”

“In principle yes. But there’s no rule that says people have to use the main gate.”

If all procedures had been carried out through the main gate in the first place there is no way the government would not know the detailed information.

Besides Team Leader Kim had already told me about the existence of the <backdoor>.

There is a hidden passage somewhere here.

So it was impossible to properly gauge how many players were fighting inside.

Leo nodded once at my answer and then moved on to the next question.

“But why didn’t you tell Team Leader Kim what you were going to do with the magic stone mine?”

“Is there a reason you have to tell me?”

“…But aren’t we on the same side?”

I answered the question which was so Leo-like with a snicker.

“Let’s think of it as a fee for our troubleshooting. There’s a saying on Earth: Give and take. And don’t worry. I’ve already discussed it with the higher-ups.”

“No matter what it’s a bit uncomfortable. I feel like I’ve become a businessman.”

“Is there anything in the doctrine that says not to receive remuneration?”

“There is no such thing but I guess….”

“Let’s just let it go this time. We needed the magic stone quite a bit didn’t we?”

Magic stones are useful in more places than you might think.

Leo nodded reluctantly.

“…All right.”

“It’s starting to come into view.”

As we were talking we soon reached the end of the passage and were able to see the scenery beyond the wall.

“her.”

The scenery beyond the wall was much more bleak than I had expected.

Half-collapsed buildings.

The ruins were as if they had been stuffed with that day five years ago with not even the weeds that would have normally grown there visible.

And in between the magic that blooms earnestly.

It was a landscape that truly gave off an apocalyptic vibe.

I was looking at that scenery for quite some time with a complicated feeling.

My senses heightened by the magic felt something and Leo also distorted his expression and spoke.

“Your Holiness. This is…..”

“I know.”

[Be careful magic is detected.]

An evil magic energy could be felt through the thick magic.

Our Pope please stop this