Some say,
This world is imperfect.
It can never be perfect.
That is the natural law.
Thus, the church says,
This world is imperfect.
Therefore, it can become perfect.
Because the present is imperfect, it is the law that it can bear countless possibilities.
That is the teaching of perfectionism, and the path we must follow.
"......"
The Archbishop of Perfectionism, Rephelon, organized his breathing. He then recalled the question he had impulsively asked just moments ago.
Yes.
He had asked.
So, once again.
"Truly, are you... saint of ten?"
"........"
The answer did not come readily.
The Archbishop silently watched Kim Jangcheol, who had fallen into silence. And then, he recalled the teachings of Perfection, which he had memorized from his youth as a monk.
There, it was written, about a saint of ten.
'........'
We humans are imperfect.
Thus, this world is also imperfect.
We must constantly sharpen and refine ourselves, advancing toward perfection. But because we can never reach perfection, we must once again look toward the future.
That was the destiny imposed upon all humans. But it was also said that there is one being who can escape that destiny.
'That being... the Saint of Ten.'
Only that being, saint of ten, can one day reach perfection. With their own perfection, they can lead others to the path of completion.
Complete enlightenment.
Rebirth as a perfect being.
Thus, he never believed in the prophecy of the Saint of Ten. There could be no such being. It was considered an insult to humanity.
'But... maybe that prophecy was true... '
He didn't know.
Everything was related to Ten. Every action, even every breath, always carried out in groups of ten.
Artificial?
Intentional?
No.
In the Archbishop's eyes, Kim Jangcheol's actions were not intentional at all. Every one of them stemmed from complete unconsciousness.
Watching him, it became clear.
He had seen such actions many times before. He had encountered many frauds claiming to be the Saint of Ten.
"Then, please... give me an answer."
Unable to endure the prolonged silence, the Archbishop asked again.
The answer Kim Jangcheol gave was...
"......Yes?"
It was absurd.
It was simply unbelievable.
"What? The Saint of Ten?"
What's that?
Why would I be that?
Kim Jangcheol felt bewildered and furrowed his brow ten times, then relaxed it. He unconsciously touched his nose ten times. Habitually. As if it had become ingrained in him.
In truth, he didn't know.
He didn't realize that all his habits were aligned with the number 10. He never thought that he was acting uniquely.
He also had no awareness that this was some sort of obsessive-compulsive tic disorder.
Since childhood, he had always behaved this way.
"........"
Ten, ten times.
Hide-and-seek.
Mother.
Never found.
Thus, the resentment and hatred.
Yet, he could never let go.
Carved into him like a hopeless hope.
Now, living as though he had forgotten.
So, he didn't want to think about it anymore.
"...What's that supposed to mean?"
Kim Jangcheol barely managed to block the thoughts that were about to spill out like a broken dam. He then faced the Archbishop with a somewhat stiff expression.
"The Saint of Ten, what is that?"
"It is being prophesied in the Book of Perfection."
"The Book of Perfection? Is it your church's holy book or something?"
"I don't know what you mean by 'holy book,' but it's the most complete scripture, containing all the teachings of our church."
"So, you mean the being mentioned in the prophecy, is that me?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't think so."
Kim Jangcheol smiled wryly.
Then he gave the Archbishop a sharp, suspicious look.
"Tsk. The Saint of Ten, that sounds a bit strange..."
"Strange? What do you mean by that?"
"Of course it's strange. You suddenly come up to me, a stranger, and call me the Saint of Ten, a prophetic being, this... it's really suspicious, don't you think?"
"What do you mean suspicious...?"
"You. Aren't you trying to preach, really?"
"No."
"That's what all the proselytizers I meet on the street say."
"Really, I'm not."
"Tch, they all say the same thing like they're drawing a line."
"I'm only curious if you're the being of prophecy."
"Tsk. When I meet those guys on the street, they ask questions like 'Is this really important to you?' with a survey in hand."
"This is very important to you."
"Tch, the same line comes to mind: 'This is really important, the ancestors are crying!'"
"......"
The Archbishop closed his mouth.
And thought.
What kind of cult has this man been tormented by to act like this?
"Excuse me, Archbishop? I appreciate your preaching, but really, I'm not that interested in religion. So, could you please leave now?"
"...What? But...."
"I'm a bit tired and I just want to rest."
"But... the Saint of Ten is an issue of great importance to both our church and the world!"
"Well, so is my comfortable rest."
"But this really is a crucial matter. Kim Jangcheol, are you really... the Saint of Ten?"
"Yes. I'm not."
"But maybe you are."
"Why's that?"
"Because everything about you seems to be related to ten."
"Ten? The number ten?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, do you have any, evidence or something like that?"
"Of course."
"Could you give an example?"
"Don't you usually calculate numbers in base 10?"
"Well, I think everyone does that."
"Then... is your birthday on October 10th?"
"Oh? You got that right?"
"Indeed!"
"....Indeed, my foot! So, does that mean everyone born on October 10th is the Saint of Ten?"
"But... Sir Kim Jangcheol, you also have ten fingers and toes!"
"That's true for most people! Besides, you haven't even seen my feet!"
"I don't need to see them!"
"I don't care! Get out! Go away!"
"... Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Oops, sorry....."
"........"
The two fell into a heavy silence.
It was Kim Jangcheol who broke the silence first.
"Uh, ahem... Anyway, I'm not the Saint of Ten or whatever you're talking about. I have no intention of converting to your religion, so unless you have something else to say, please leave."
"........"
"Well, goodbye then...."
"I have business!"
The Archbishop urgently cut off Kim Jangcheol's farewell, and quickly spoke.
"I want to talk about the mission you received from the king."
"King's mission?"
"Yes."
Relieved that he hadn't been kicked out yet, the Archbishop decided to continue the conversation and observe Kim Jangcheol while speaking about his new matter.
"In fact, the real reason I came to find you was to discuss this. The mission you, Sir Kim Jangcheol, received from the king to explore the abandoned land."
"Hmm, go ahead."
"Our church wants you to refuse the king's mission."
"What?"
"If you refuse the king's mission according to our wishes... we will provide you with an appropriate reward."
"A reward?"
"Yes."
"The real reason you want me to refuse the king's mission... it's not just for safety, is it? Even your church isn't in the charity business."
"Charity work, we do a lot."
"From end-of-year donations to orphanages, homeless shelters... we do a lot."
"......"
"So, you're a church."
"......Ah, yes, sorry..."
"Ahem! Anyway—"
The Archbishop said.
"The reason our church opposes the king's mission is not just for safety."
"Then?"
"It's because we're worried about a decrease in donation revenue."
"....That's quite a practical reason."
"Money is always needed for charity work and expanding our influence."
The Archbishop smiled honestly.
"Our church pursues the perfection of the world. However, such an attitude causes misunderstandings among the believers. Some people believe that the world is already perfect, and should be. And that's why."
"Ah, so if the exploration and development of the abandoned land keeps failing and the world finds out, you're worried the faith of the believers, who mistakenly think the world is perfect, will waver, and donation will decrease?"
"You're quick to catch on. That's right. A very practical concern."
"Yeah. That's pretty realistic."
"And that's why we're more worried."
"Are you worried I'll accept the king's mission and fail miserably?"
"Yes."
"You're so certain."
"Because all the officially dispatched exploration teams have failed."
"Hmm... I can understand the church's intention, but..."
Kim Jangcheol smiled wryly.
And then asked.
"How am I supposed to refuse the mission I received from the king in this situation?"
"Excuse me?"
"Think about it. I already received a mission from the king, swore an oath of loyalty, and even got a blank check. Now, if I suddenly tell the king that I've changed my mind and won't do the mission, do you think that old man—sorry... the king—will just let it go?"
That was the reality.
Also, it would be a loss for him. He would have to return the blank check he got from the king. His plan to buy tons of seeds and escape would be ruined.
The Archbishop asked in response.
"Then are you really planning to carry out the king's mission?"
"Well, I'm not sure?"
" ... Pardon?"
What kind of answer was that? The Archbishop felt a strange nuance in Kim Jangcheol's three words, "I'm not sure."
While the Archbishop was left stunned, Kim Jangcheol spoke.
"What I mean is, I will carry out the king's mission, but doesn't the church also have to give me money?"
"....What would change if we gave you money?"
"It would change."
Kim Jangcheol smiled brightly.
And boldly said.
"Depending on how generous the church is...."
"......Depending on?"
"My chances of quitting the king's mission halfway through would increase, wouldn't they? Hehehe."
"......"
Kim Jangcheol, still smiling widely.
Watching him, the Archbishop absentmindedly thought,
Wow, this guy...
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]