Somebody Stop the Pope – 247



Episode 247

3.

Four days have passed since then.

“Things aren’t looking so good.”

“Do you think so too?”

“That’s the original justification. If the justification for war is weakened the driving force for war will naturally be lost. That’s the case regardless of the era. Haven’t you experienced it as well?”

“I mean there was an absolute evil called the Demon King.”

“…Amid the complex interests between tribes there was a war… What happened? This is not the time to leisurely talk about the past.”

Aiden nodded as he checked the news on his smartphone in my office in Shanghai.

Anti-war sentiment began to spread at an incredible rate.

“Nanjing the terrorist stronghold has fallen.”

“The traces of the purifiers in the Chinese Civil War have greatly faded.”

“Now it’s China’s turn to resolve the issue internally. How long will we have to shed blood?”

“Baek Myeong-gyo and the Chinese Government Occupy Xi’an!”

The unexpected variable was of course Baek Myeong-gyo.

Bai Mingjiao and the Chinese government who were thought to be moving to occupy Nanjing turned their main force around and attacked Xi’an straight away.

The Chinese government’s all-out effort to gather strength while we were cleaning up the Shanghai area.

With the full support of Baekmyeonggyo Xi’an collapsed much faster than I expected.

It is said that the Demon King Leviathan who was guarding Cyan was captured by the Baekmyeonggyo.

In addition the third world irregular and villain Mateus who was the biggest reason for the US intervention in earnest was also handed over to the US this morning.

in other words.

“It’s time for us to slowly get out of here. The home country has also ordered Raphael to withdraw from this civil war. It’s going to be a difficult situation in many ways.”

“Raphael didn’t really show it.”

“That gentleman was originally a gentleman who did whatever he wanted. Anyway to get to the point this is it.”

Aiden slowly got up from his seat putting his smartphone down next to him.

And then he looked at me and said.

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“From now on this is an area that the Limen Sect will have to shoulder alone. The remnants of the Purifiers have infiltrated the western mountainous regions of China… and above all isn’t it difficult to even get full support from the Republic of Korea?”

“…yes.”

Election season was approaching.

Although President Seo Shin-woo and the ruling party have boasted tremendous approval ratings so far the opposition party has been raising its voice over the justification for war.

To prepare for such cases we brought in Awakened members of large guilds as mercenaries.

But once they decide to rush in it is difficult for the government to respond.

So to summarize this situation it’s simple.

Internally and externally.

It was a difficult situation to continue the war.

“It’ll be tough just stabilizing the areas we’ve liberated now Siu.”

Aiden judges the situation more coolly than anyone else.

Although it may seem like it has a brain full of muscles it also has a better sense of smell than anyone else.

I thought similarly to Aiden.

“It’s time to let go.”

It’s pointless anymore.

The Purifiers were backing down without a second thought and public opinion was beginning to pressure us.

It was a desperate situation.

“Are you satisfied with liberating Nanjing?”

Aiden asked a direct question. I sighed deeply at the question.

“What if I say I want to go further?”

“I will defy the orders of my country and help my friend.”

“…I appreciate even just the words.”

Eventually I had to make a decision.

Whether to make the uncertain decision to pursue the Purifier to the end or to stop here for a while.

All of the Purifier’s core strongholds have been destroyed and all of the remaining Demon Lords except Lucifer have been destroyed or captured so is that it?

“ha.”

I needed time to think about it.

I frowned deeply and put my hand on my head.

Continuing the war with only our religious forces without any further troop support?

It was obvious that it would only increase meaningless damage.

This war will continue on forever unless that nameless guy suddenly loses his mind and appears before me.

“It’s time to choose Siu.”

“I know you little shit.”

“I will respect whatever decision you make.”

This complex and intertwined problem is just so frustrating.

I have no choice but to call in the executives and gather their opinions. There will probably be many different opinions among the executives.

The situations in Eden and on Earth were very different.

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In Eden we had nothing to lose but on Earth we had so much to lose.

Because blindly pushing forward isn’t the only answer.

I nodded slightly and gave the order to assemble the executives.

4.

The meeting with the executives didn’t take long.

We were able to reach one conclusion unanimously.

“You all have no regrets right?”

“This is the temple that Your Holiness has declared. We follow Your Holiness’s choice entirely.”

The conclusion we reached was a ceasefire.

Archbishop Laparte had always been realistic so he had expected this but even the belligerent Luna and Leo actively agreed to the ceasefire.

What executives want is to maintain the status quo and reorganize.

First of all I was curious about Luna requesting a truce so I asked her directly and the answer I got was as follows:

“I think we need to pickle based on the experience we gained from this war. Once the pickling is over our troops will be able to advance to a higher level. It is also time to conduct the scheduled third-term training.”

Luna insists on the need for reorganization.

Leo also agreed to the truce for similar reasons to Luna.

The number of troops in our church was still absolutely insufficient.

I couldn’t help but agree with their opinion.

“It is true that we are still struggling to do everything on our own.”

You shouldn’t push things forward too hard.

If we continue like that everything we have achieved so far will collapse.

Let’s say you’ve cleaned up the purifier by force.

What if we lose our powers in the process and the ancient gods come in through that gap?

In the end we will be pushed back without any help.

So our church unanimously decided to call a temporary ceasefire.

“We must further strengthen our defenses to defend against any possible attacks by the Purifiers. We need to communicate closely with the governments of each country so I hope Archbishop Lapart will pay close attention to this.”

“All right.”

Archbishop Lapart nodded slowly. After a moment he asked me another question.

“How should we communicate with China?”

“…It’s difficult.”

The war of nerves between the Chinese government currently located in Beijing and the city of Shanghai continues.

Although the rebels in each region were gradually being cleared out the chaos continued.

This is because the situation was politically divided.

“I’m not sure if I should go back to the old China.”

They have gone too far to be stitched up.

The division had already begun and the people living on this land seemed to have no intention of stopping it.

“It is best for us not to intervene.”

“All right.”

“We will begin recruiting the third batch of trainees. We will also be accepting Chinese people for this recruitment. The total number of recruits is 1000. It will be difficult but please do your best.”

It is a scale that easily exceeds the number of students from the first and second classes combined.

Of course it is a large guild but the power of the Awakened may be reminiscent of a small country.

Still it seemed that at least this much would be enough to secure sufficient deterrence power in a future war.

At my words the executives all bowed their heads.

“All right.”

“What is decided at this meeting will be implemented starting next Wednesday a week from now. Everyone in the church will be given a week off. Archbishop Laparte should convey the church’s official position to the press including the Sejong Ilbo.”

“We will take action immediately.”

It doesn’t stop.

I’m just taking a break.

I sighed deeply and sank into my chair.

It’s frustrating because things don’t go as planned but… well there’s nothing I can do about it.

Now that it’s come to this we have no choice but to reorganize properly and move forward again.

5.

“The Limen Sect pauses for a moment.”

“Is it because of public opinion that has turned against you?”

“Half victory? Or half defeat?”

“China’s chaos is not over!”

Our church’s position spread throughout the world in an instant.

We have made an official statement that we will not conduct military operations for the time being.

The official statement included a statement that they would only assist in maintaining public order and would refrain from large-scale military operations such as the invasion of Nanjing for the time being.

“Isn’t home the best hyung?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

It’s been a long time since I’ve watched TV while eating at home.

I was included in the one-week vacation granted to all members of the church.

To be honest I feel a bit disappointed when I work while everyone else is playing.

“What about Grandma?”

I asked Inwook while scooping up rice with a spoon and Inwook answered while spreading strawberry jam on bread.

“You went out to play with Archbishop Laparte.”

“Hmm.”

“Grandma is dating but hyung isn’t dating?”

“It’s not the same for you either.”

“Grace is coming to pick me up later.”

“I hope so.”

If you look closely everyone is dating except me.

As I was looking at Inwook with a displeased expression Siyeon ran out of the room.

I smiled brightly at such a demonstration.

“To Siyeon there is only Siyeon…”

“Hey guys! I’m going to go play outside for a bit!”

“Outside? Who are you going out to play with?”

“I decided to meet Seungwoo oppa in front of here!”

…I’m lonely.

Everyone goes out to play with other people except me.

The kind of vacation I want is one where I can spend time with my family…

Honestly I’m a little disappointed.

“Siyeon isn’t it a bit dangerous?”

Inwook said to Siyeon while eating bread.

Unable to bear to see that sight I looked at Inwook.

“Inwook.”

“huh?”

“Siyeon and Seungwoo are always together what’s dangerous? Don’t you know? Siyeon broke the wall of the building last time? Seungwoo is worse than Siyeon.”

I bet they’re going to try to kidnap Siyeon and Seungwoo. Most of them will have to risk their lives.

Seungwoo’s fighting power was increasing day by day and Siyeon’s was the same.

So I wasn’t particularly worried about Siyeon’s safety.

Still it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a bodyguard just in case.

I touched Snow White who was sleeping next to me and she woke up yawning.

『It’s really annoying. Now instead of worrying about Siyeon it’s time to worry about the people who deal with Siyeon.』

“Use it.”

“…I’ll go. I’ll go.”

If you even add Snow White then there’s no need to worry.

Anyway the spirit friends who usually play with Snow White are in China so they won’t have anything to do.

“I’ll be back!”

“Okay come home early.”

“Yeah! Don’t worry!”

Just then Siyeon quickly went out of the house and I was about to pick up my spoon again.

Beep beep beep.

“huh?”

Siyeon who had just left the house came back home.

A look of confusion was evident on Siyeon’s face.

“Brother we’re in big trouble!”

“hmm?”

“I don’t think we can leave the house today!”

“What are you talking about….”

That was when.

Through my sensitive hearing I could hear the sound of a loudspeaker outside the window.

“Kim Si-woo the child of Satan reflect on yourself!”

“How can you sleep after driving the awakened people of the Republic of Korea to their deaths!”

“Expel the Limen Church from South Korea!”

“Get out!”

I peeked out the window to check and there were quite a few people occupying the space in front of my apartment.

Inwook who was watching the scene with me said something.

“Should I call Brother Leo and ask him to call the Inquisitors?”

“…ha.”

This is driving me crazy seriously.

Our Pope please stop this