ATP 22

Chapter 22

✠

She skipped the queue and entered the Holy See quickly using Cardinal Cattleya’s authority.

There had already been a long line of children holding their parents’ hands outside, and even inside, children could be seen everywhere.

It was all because of the fervor of parents in the theocratic state who wanted their children to awaken divine power.

After all, this festival also included the public selection of the “Stigmata Candidates.”

What a deceptive event.

To begin with, Stigmata Candidates were not awakened through normal means.

Children who had even been implanted with stigmata—could there really be naturally born children with the same level of potential?

If that were the case, the Holy See would have discovered them long ago and abducted them if necessary.

The public selection was nothing more than a showpiece event for the festival.

A way to promote the Stigmata Candidates and, at the same time, collect donations from parents.

[“The Words that Build the World” remarks that the stronger the light, the darker the shadow.]

Even within this Holy See filled with divine power, the murky intentions of adults were hidden.

As she walked down the corridor following Cardinal Cattleya, she saw children moving in orderly lines.

Their destination was obviously either the chapel or the dining hall.

The children had to endure a dull and repetitive religious camp of prayers, meals, and worship for three days before earning a chance to take the potential test.

At that moment, a young priest approached from the opposite direction.

“Your Eminence, Cardinal Cattleya! You’ve returned!”

“Ah, Brother Pavel.”

“But the child beside you… could it be someone you personally intend to nominate as a Stigmata Candidate?”

“No. She simply wished to tour the Holy See, so I brought her along. Of course, if she wishes, she may take the test.”

At the subtle look from Cardinal Cattleya, I shook my head vigorously.

“No, no! I’ll just look around and go home.”

I had no desire to be trapped in the Holy See, forced into a puritanical life, and treated as a public asset meant to save the world.

I like the secular world.

The cardinal chuckled as if it had been half a joke anyway.

The young priest got to the point.

“I apologize for bringing this up right after your return, but you may need to head to the State Council immediately. The quarterly budget meeting has been moved forward.”

“Oh dear. Child, I’m afraid I’ll have to be away for a while.”

“It’s okay. Please go.”

“Brother Pavel, I have a favor. Please show this child around the Holy See in my place.”

“Yes! Leave it to me, Your Eminence!”

His answer sounded very reliable.

However, the moment Cardinal Cattleya disappeared from view—

“See those kids walking in a line down the corridor? Go join them. I’m busy.”

“……”

I was left alone in the hallway.

Well… fair enough. Not everyone likes babysitting.

After a brief moment of thought, I decided to quietly join the children and experience this religious camp.

Since it was lunchtime in the theocratic state, we ended up in the dining hall.

And as I sat at a wooden table and looked down at the food I had been served…

[“The Words that Build the World” gets angry, asking if a growing child can survive on this.]

I completely agreed.

The meal—consisting of raisin bread, chickpea soup, and boiled vegetables—went beyond frugality and bordered on poverty.

“What is this? There’s no ham or sausage.”

“Ugh, it doesn’t even taste good. It’s bland.”

“There’s so little… I’m hungry…”

The children complained.

“Ahem! One must not speak during meals, young candidates of the faith!”

The supervising priest shut down the complaints under the pretense of table manners. How petty.

Just then, the low chatter in the dining hall suddenly died down.

The arrival of a certain group of children created silence more effectively than the priest’s scolding.

The newly arrived children were visibly different.

Unlike the others dressed freely, they wore white robe-like priest garments.

They were all around my age, but each of them emitted considerable divine power.

Their identity was obvious.

‘Stigmata Candidates.’

Elite children carefully raised by the theocratic state.

‘He should be among them.’

I recalled the original description to find the “sweet potato pass.”

Shining silver hair symbolizing divine blessing, and clear eyes like seawater captured in glass.

And—

Extremely, unbelievably, ridiculously handsome! The most handsome man in the entire world setting!

‘…Nope.’

First of all, there was no silver hair.

Just in case, I looked again.

The child sitting next to me whispered quietly,

“Don’t make eye contact with them. Their personalities are really bad…”

That was helpful advice.

Not that I needed it—one black-haired brat was already glaring at me fiercely.

“Thanks. Here, have this.”

I took a lemon madeleine out of my satchel and handed it to the child. His face brightened instantly.

“Alright, if you’ve finished eating, move to the chapel. It’s time for worship.”

At the supervising priest’s shout, I made a decision.

‘I’m out.’

I opened the map, checked the escape route, and slipped out through the back door.

Like a scene from a spy movie, I hugged the wall and successfully escaped the dining hall building.

Behind the building, there was a somewhat neglected flower bed.

‘Perfect place for a quest.’

Pushing aside boxwood shrubs, I examined the weeds. Thanks to the cultivation package I had purchased earlier, I could identify plants just by touching them.

“This one’s wood sorrel, that one’s fleabane… where could it be… Ah! Found it!”

[<Target> ‘Elephantipes’
Category: Herb

Often mistaken for a weed, but if grown for about three years, its thick root can be used as medicine. It grows in places rich in divine power.]

There were a few more nearby.

Since I needed to propagate them, I dug them all up and stored them in my inventory.

It felt like the satisfaction of a farmer after a day’s work.

As I straightened my back and wiped sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand—

“Were you playing treasure hunt by yourself?”

“Ahh! You scared me!”

A sudden voice rang out right next to me.

Startled, I turned my head—

“…Huh.”

I was speechless when I saw his face.

Brilliant silver hair. Eyes that shifted between blue and teal depending on the light. And above all, a face so handsome it felt like enlightenment itself.

A handkerchief was extended toward me.

“You wiped your face with dirty hands.”

“……”

That was my first meeting with the “sweet potato pass.”

‘To think the child version of the protagonist—before regression—would appear right in front of me…’

The protagonist wasn’t a regressor from birth.

Right now was before the original story began—the “tutorial period” for transmigrators.

At this time, the protagonist was just an ordinary child who knew nothing about regression.

Moments like this made the tutorial period feel special.

[“The Words that Build the World” warns you to be careful about anything that might influence the original protagonist.]

[“The Heavenly Secrets Inspector” glares, watching closely to see if you reveal any spoilers.]

I snapped back to my senses.

Meanwhile, those shallow sea-colored eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at me.

“Hmm?”

“Don’t be startled. I just have an obligation to be kind.”

Tesilid personally wiped the dirt from my forehead.

His expression was blank, and his movements rough—clearly done out of obligation.

Of course, I knew why.

His protagonist buff—and “sweet potato” debuff—
‘The Rules of the Seven Virtues and Seven Sins.’

He had to accumulate good deeds to increase his divine power, which meant many restrictions and obligations.

In the original story, the reason he spoke politely to everyone was due to the “Humility” virtue.

The not-yet-humble Tesilid muttered quietly,

“Why am I the only one who has to bear obligations like this?”

Why else? Because you need to spread kindness everywhere to set up a harem, obviously.

Still, hearing him complain made something feel off.

‘If he admits it’s an obligation, wouldn’t he lose points again?’

Since it lacks sincerity, it’s basically a forbidden phrase.

Yet he had already said it twice.

I wasn’t sure if that was okay.

Putting the handkerchief away, Tesilid spoke again.

“I sensed the energy of a holy relic, so I came. I didn’t expect its owner to be a child like you.”

“You’re a child too. But what do you mean, holy relic?”

“You didn’t know? Your necklace—that’s the holy relic of Saint Agnes. One of the heroes commemorated during this Sacrifice Festival.”

“A—a hero?”

…Cardinal Cattleya, what is this about?

You said it was a keepsake from a close friend—you didn’t mention that friend was a hero-level saint.

Tesilid’s tone became slightly interrogative.

“Wasn’t that originally Cardinal Cattleya’s possession?”

“Don’t misunderstand. She gave it to me.”

“A holy relic?”

The moment he repeated the question, Tesilid stepped closer.

“You don’t seem to have any divine power…”

As expected of the protagonist, his gaze felt like it could see right through me.

For a moment, I almost shrank back—

Grrrrr—

…What was that? That sound just now felt way too loud.