Volume 6 Chapter 39 It's Better to Change Clothes for Now
With a grim expression, Randy stared at the cave, and Catherine curiously opened her mouth to speak.
"You don't really need to be so cautious."
Catherine said with a shrug, indicating that she had experienced the cave once before as well.
She mentioned that there's a place called the [Prayer Underground Passage] in the Church, which supposedly leads to a semi-spiritual realm known as the [Cave of Saint].
Catherine, having been there before, explained that the inside of the cave is like an educational facility for Saints, where the memories of past Saints interweave.
"I know because when I was small, I was led in by the previous Saintly Lady..."
Pausing to gather her thoughts, Catherine looked up and said, "Well..."
"Without fearing misunderstandings, and to put it bluntly, it's like a subliminal influence, implanting the image of the Saints."
"It's a pointless trick for children," Catherine chuckled derisively.
"However, since there are multiple entrances, it's possible to accidentally end up in the Empire if you come out the wrong way."
Catherine, shrugging her shoulders, spoke of how every country has caves or ruins with entrances.
And she added that all of these are located in some sort of hidden realm.
"So the Church is aware of its existence."
"Of course, they know," she replied.
Given the prediction, Randy felt a bit conflicted.
However, based on what Catherine said, he couldn't believe the Church was aware of the true purpose of this cave.
As Randy's complexion remained poor, Catherine continued discussing the role of the [Cave of Saint] within the Church.
Besides the [Prayer Underground Passage], it is said that the Church acknowledges it as the cave where the first Saint undertook their training.
"It seems that stopping by each cave is part of the routine during a Saint's journey."
With a shrug, Catherine laughed lightly, "But the destination is always the same, right?"
"Isn't it precisely because it's a harsh journey that one should return to their beginnings?"
Catherine chuckled, "Well, maybe." as Cecilia tilted her head.
Just as Catherine and Cecilia said, the previous Saints might have traveled to various caves and ruins for that reason.
To confirm the achievements of their predecessors as a guide, so they wouldn't lose their way and would be encouraged.
If they could recognize that they weren't alone and were supported by many Saints, they could walk the difficult journey without getting discouraged.
"I see. So it's an educational facility for Saints, and also a refuge?"
Julius muttered, continuing with a sigh.
"They preach about how a Saint should be, and also serve as a safety net... I don't feel anything particularly ominous, though?"
Catherine opened her mouth with a wry smile at Julius, who turned to look at Randy and Ellie.
"It could be seen as a personality adjustment device, couldn't it?"
Randy, who held the values of modern Japan, thought it was cruel to show a young child "this is what a Saint is"...
Catherine thought that Randy and the others' reactions were due to that.
The imprinting of their early childhood, and the images that would encourage them when they almost lost sight of their goal during their journey.
It was just like being imprinted with the corporate philosophy of a black company.
That's why Catherine thought that Randy was worried about that, but...
"That's certainly one thing, but..."
Catherine frowned at Randy's bitter face, asking, "What else is there?"
"I'll answer your question later. We don't have time right now."
Randy turned to Ellie and showed a serious expression, asking, "What do we do?"
"There's no choice but to 'go',"
Ellie chuckled and raised the corners of her mouth, saying, "Don't worry."
"Even if you don't worry, if it's the place the girl says, I don't think it will have a bad influence on us... but──"
"The problem is the person herself..."
Ellie and Randy, both with wry smiles, turned to Catherine at the same time.
"...What?"
Catherine, suddenly looked at, slightly tensed up.
"What do you think?"
"No idea. But if we're talking about collective memory, there's no doubt that Saint is the girl."
"I see. So they're selecting based on that mechanism..."
Randy looked at Catherine again, and in a hushed voice, whispered to Ellie.
"This, to the one who created this place, would be a bomb. A big one."
"Yeah, there might be a defensive reaction. We should be mindful of that."
Ellie nodded and said, "Leave it to me," pounding her chest.
Even though Randy wasn't convinced, he knew they didn't have time to argue.
"I understand we're going. But I have one question. Who created this place?"
"It's highly likely that idiot."
Ellie let out a sigh, and Randy almost said, "Then we should stop it," but he swallowed the words.
Normally, he wouldn't want to get involved with someone like that, but Ellie's expression seemed to say, "Trust me sometimes."
"I believe you."
"Who are you talking to?"
Randy silently nodded at Ellie's expression, the great magician, no, the disaster witch's face.
"Hey, don't just agree with them!"
Catherine narrowed her eyes, and Ellie, as if from thin air, pulled out a staff.
"I'll explain on the way. It might be more effective that way."
Ellie grinned, and Randy couldn't stop himself from chuckling, "So, you're going to destroy this place?"
With Ellie leading the way, Catherine, Cecilia, and Livia were also looking at the entrance.
"Well then, let's go!"
"Wait, I'm the leader!"
"Uh, if Cathy is the leader, Livia should be the one──"
"You're furthest from being a leader."
The 4 ladies, making quite a racket, disappeared into the cave with its marble-patterned walls....
The cave, where the 4 had disappeared, returned to its usual, ordinary state.
"Livia went in too?"
Luke was slightly surprised, but Julius explained that Livia and Catherine were close.
"So? While we wait for the ladies, you're gonna tell us, aren't you?"
Julius, with a skeptical look, heard Randy nod and glance at the cave.
"Actually, there's even more I want to investigate..."
Randy, letting out a sigh, thought it might be better to close his mouth than to leave it hanging open, scratching his head.
"Is it alright if I change first?"
"That would probably be for the best."
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