The Cult Leader in the Clergy Academy

Chapter 347

Sun-Woo gathered people in front of Noah's Ark. A few mercenary corps attended, including Yuk Eun-Hyung’s mercenary corps and the Ravens Mercenary Corps. Executives from different branches also joined the gathering: Ha Soo-Yeong, Ha Soo-Hyun, Ha Pan-Seok from the Chungcheong Branch, Yeom Man-Gun from the Jeolla Branch, and Anna from the Gyeonggi Branch.

They all had experience leading mercenaries or Voodoo Cult members in both big and small battles. Sun-Woo called them to the front of Noah's Ark for one reason: to prepare for the upcoming battle.

"Given the circumstances, the Holy See will definitely start a battle this winter," Sun-Woo said.

The phrase ‘given the circumstances’ was accurate. The Romanican Church was in a very critical situation. Groups and societies that opposed war had already turned their backs on the Holy See. Under the leadership of the Purification Clan, they banded together as a new group hoping for reform within the Romanican Church.

Even extreme Romanican Church factions like the Levi Order that blindly supported the Holy See cautiously withdrew their support. The reason was the Holy See’s incompetence. The Voodoo Cult and Romanican Church exchanged victories and defeats in numerous battles—however, the Voodoo Cult had a greater ratio of victories and defeats.

The Voodoo Cult Leader, Sun-Woo, personally led the battles. The members of the Voodoo Cult moved under Sun-Woo’s leadership and firmly united under his banner.

The Romanican Church’s Knight Order had been hastily assembled and led by a mere director for the Holy War. Thus, defeat was inevitable.

The accumulated defeats divided the Romanican Church. Despite expectations of strength and steadfastness surpassing other religions, the Romanican Church revealed its weakness and incompetence. It now suffered the same problem that had plagued the Voodoo Cult during the First Holy War.

"And they will definitely try to kill me there. They will not discriminate between means or methods."

Therefore, the Holy See needed to capture and execute the Cult Leader, Sun-Woo, in order to regain power, prestige, and the public’s support. By doing so, they would be able to prove the Romanican Church’s resilience and make it clear that no cult could pose a threat to them.

However, simply eliminating the Voodoo Cult would not be enough to regain the lost prestige and public support. The Holy See had another method to deal with their problems more effectively.

"The Pope will also appear in the final battle. That bastard will want to kill me himself."

The Pope himself would step forward to eliminate the Cult Leader, the origin, root, and pillar of the Voodoo Cult. From the Romanican Church’s perspective, if the Pope led the way and became a war hero after personally defeating the enemy, that would result in the most ideal outcome.

However, they would lose all support if the Holy See lost the final battle where everything was at stake. Romanicans would continue to exist, but no one would believe in the power and authority of the Holy See.

Even if some random organization started a revolution to replace the Pope and end the Holy See's regime, there would only be a brief period of chaos, and no one would care all that much. If the 'reformist' group, led by the Purification Clan, moved in, then that would be the most ideal scenario.

However, there were variables. If the Voodoo Cult were defeated in the final battle, and Sun-Woo died, then the Voodoo Cult would disappear without a trace. The Voodoo Cult would either become a religion that only existed in history or a religion that wouldn’t even leave its mark in history.

"If the Pope kills me, the Holy War will end and peace will come. But there will be no peace for the Voodoo Cult."

The Voodoo Cult would lose everything if they were defeated in the upcoming battle.

"If we can eliminate the Pope, then the outcome will be the opposite."

However, the Romanican Church would also lose everything if they were defeated. While it would not lead to consequences as extreme as the complete dissolution of the Romanican Church, at the very least, the current Holy See and its deeply corrupted roots would all be eradicated.

The minor victories in the various battles they had fought so far were merely preliminary steps toward inciting the division within the Romanican Church. Only the final battle would truly determine the outcome of the Holy War.

"Today will be the last training session for the sake of victory."

It was imperative to win, even if it meant using all the Voodoo spells, the power of Loa, and the numerous cards the Voodoo Cult possessed.

***

In reality, the Holy See was gradually losing trust due to the Voodoo Cult defeating the Knight Orders that made up the Holy Army one by one.

Some people suggested not mobilizing any more soldiers or engaging in combat against the Voodoo Cult. They wanted to establish an agreement where both sides would not harm each other and enter a 'ceasefire' in order to enjoy temporary peace.

The Holy See stated that this would be the final Holy Army mobilization. People paid attention to the word 'final.'

The word ‘final’ soothed the exhaustion from the unexpectedly prolonged Holy War, the Holy See’s inability to achieve a decisive victory against the Voodoo Cult due to their incompetence, and their resulting sense of powerlessness.

“What are they up to?”

"With what confidence are they saying it’s the final?"

However, the deep-rooted distrust that the people felt did not easily dissipate. The word 'final' was provocative and sweet, but some believed that it wouldn’t be surprising if they stated that there would be an ‘Actual Final Holy Army Mobilization’ after the ‘Final Holy Army Mobilization.’

The Pope’s sudden appearance dispelled such distrust. He declared that he would personally participate in the battle and eliminate the leader of the Voodoo Cult with his own strength. That statement was enough to convince the people.

Clergymen who distrusted the Holy See and ignored the Holy Army mobilization notice began to gather one by one. Similar to how this was the Final Holy Army Mobilization, this was also the final trace of faith that the Romanican Church clergymen had in the Holy See.

"Priest Ha-Yeon."

As the world was abuzz with news of the final battle, Yu-Hyun called Ha-Yeon to the Trient, where the council for the Holy War was occasionally held.

The two had hardly met since the Holy War. In fact, they had hardly met since graduating from Florence Academy. Yu-Hyun sent the Head Guardians outside because he wanted to talk to Ha-Yeon alone. The bodyguards left without a word, and they were left alone.

"..."

The two remained silent for a while. They just stared at each other with their mouths shut. Ha-Yeon looked at Yu-Hyun with a sharp and intense gaze, and Yu-Hyun looked down at Ha-Yeon contemptuously as if he was openly belittling her.

Yu-Hyun broke the silence. "I heard that you will not participate in the final battle. Not only you, but all members of the Purification Clan."

The members of the purification clan, including Ha-Yeon, refused to heed the final mobilization order. Strangely, Yu-Hyun used honorific language, which made Ha-Yeon feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Ha-Yeon silently stared at Yu-Hyun, then slowly nodded. "Yes. I didn't want to respond to the mobilization order. Not just me, but all members of the Purification Clan."

"May I ask for the reason?"

"You probably already know the reason, your Holiness," Ha-Yeon said sarcastically.

Yu-Hyun chuckled. "It is true that the Holy See showed some weakness in the previous battles."

"So you know. Then why are you so earnestly asking me for the reason behind my decision?”

"It is because this is the final battle. The Holy See needs the Purification Clan to stand against the Voodoo Cult."

"I wish the Purification Clan also needed the Holy See. But that's not the case right now."

"Ha, hahaha..." Yu-Hyun laughed.

His laughter seemed to lack energy. Then, Yu-Hyun looked at Ha-Yeon with narrowed eyes.

Then, he changed his polite tone.

"Don't you think you've crossed the line?"

His tone was aggressive and threatening, the way the 'original' Yu-Hyun used to speak. His expression had also changed. It was the same expression Ha-Yeon had always detested on Yu-Hyun’s face. Yu-Hyun looked down at Ha-Yeon with a smug grin on one side of his mouth.

"I know what you’re thinking and what outcome you are hoping for. Do you think I’m acting like this because I don’t know?”

"..."

Yu-Hyun smiled slyly, but with a sharp and piercing gaze, he said, "I am giving you the last chance to change your decision. Rather than siding with the Voodoo Cult and then having your entire clan exterminated, wouldn't it be better to stick with us and at least live as tools?"

“That's..."

"You guys have always lived like that. Through parasitism disguised as symbiosis.”

Ha-Yeon's expression hardened as she broke out in a cold sweat, and her body trembled. It was a physical reaction beyond her control. Ha-Yeon couldn’t help but involuntarily show such a reaction in front of Yu-Hyun—she had been conditioned to listen to an oppressive tone and dominant attitude since she was young.

Sung Yu-Da had also become a puppet of the Pope and started a Holy War, only to eventually take his own life. The Purification Clan had always been dominated, conditioned, and ultimately trained to be obedient and submissive in front of the Pope. That was the fate that bound the members of the Purification Clan like massive shackles.

"Think carefully. I am willing to give you as much time as you need."

Ha-Yeon raised her head. "You don't need to give me any time to think. Shall I tell you a prophecy?"

Yu-Hyun chuckled mockingly and replied, "A prophecy? That sounds interesting."

"You will have your precious eyeballs plucked out by the Voodoo Cult," Ha-Yeon said with a smile.

She had cursed at him without a hint of hesitation. Ha-Yeon had always used honorifics her entire life, but she suddenly stopped using them.

Yu-Hyun's expression hardened grimly. However, Ha-Yeon continued speaking, unfazed. "And your limbs will be torn apart, leading to your death. Remember that well."

With those words, Ha-Yeon left. Yu-Hyun stared blankly at Ha-Yeon's departing figure.

***

The Holy Army, also known as the Last Knight Order, was assembled quickly. Unlike previous iterations, this force mostly comprised of active clergymen and did not have many former mercenaries. The Knight Order led by Dae-Man was defeated due to the fact most members of the Knight Order were former mercenaries.

The individuals recruited for the Last Order were mostly those who volunteered upon hearing the news that the Pope himself would directly engage in battle. However, there some became part of the Holy Army against their own will, or rather, due to an irresistible force. That person was In-Ah.

"..."

Her younger sister, Yoon-Ah, had been arrested on charges of colluding with the Voodoo Cult, and during the interrogation process, she managed to escape with the help of the Cult Leader. In-Ah and her parents were innocent. Not only did they not collude with the Voodoo Cult, but they had never contacted them since the beginning of the Holy War.

Nevertheless, since Yoon-Ah completely sided with the Voodoo Cult, they had to prove their loyalty to the Romanican Church. If not, even if there was no evidence, In-Ah's family could be falsely accused of being spies for the Voodoo Cult.

Therefore, In-Ah ended up joining the Holy Army. In-Ah's parents were on the verge of retirement, and they had avoided actual combat even during their active clergyman days. Thanks to that, there was no need for her parents to become part of the Holy Army.

Fortunately, In-Ah was included in the priesthood ranks to support the paladins and crusaders directly engaging in combat.

"Before the battle, let us all pray for our paladins, crusaders, and priests who fight for the mission given by Adonai..."

The battle would start today. As soon as the sun rose, the Holy Army, the Last Knight Order, would gather under the Pope’s banner and attack the land where Noah's Ark, which the Voodoo Cult had occupied, was located in an operation labeled Sanctuary Recapture.

The priesthood held a prayer before the battle at dawn for the safety of the Holy Army and to bless them. In-Ah quietly closed her eyes. Many people she knew were part of the Last Order such as Do-Jin and Kim Bok-Dong who had been teachers at Florence Academy until recently, and Su-Ryeon and Jin-Seo—people she used to keep in touch frequently.

However, In-Ah couldn't figure out who she should pray for now. Her mind felt chaotic. The prayer ended shortly, and soon the sun rose, and the Last Knight Order finally began to move toward the final battle.