How a Former Pastor Lives in Another World

5

Theocracy of Solarion

It was Ray’s first time leaving the village of Obelo.

He had always lived in a church inaccessible to evil spirits.

Since nearly being devoured by a stray spirit while playing in the hills as children often do, he had not dared to venture out.

[Heehee! It’s been a while!]

[You’ve been hiding in the church all this time!]

As the sun set and night fell, malevolent shadows crept in with the stray spirits.

The spirits, always coveting Ray’s soul, had become far more numerous and vile than those on Earth.

Whether elemental or demonic, even the foolish souls of beasts sought after Ray’s soul.

“It was a time of humiliation.”

The stray spirits, seeing Ray’s reaction, thought it no more than meat speaking.

In their eyes, Ray, with his vast spiritual vessel, could not look more delectable.

To them, Ray was nothing less than prime beef.

But then, the beef seized them.

Physically.

[???]

The demon, having existed as a spiritual being and always moving within different laws, was baffled by Ray, who had grabbed hold of it.

It was a notorious bandit, beheaded and turned into a ghost, who had even murdered three travelers after its death.

Recognizing the bandit ghost’s ample evil deeds, Ray grinned and grabbed the demon’s shoulder.

“I’ve refrained from accumulating evil deeds until now, but not anymore.”

[What are you doing…]

Squeak!

In an instant, the bandit ghost couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

His arms were torn as easily as paper.

[aaargh!]

The bandit ghost screamed in agony.

It was a pain not unlike when he had been alive, his throat slit and life fading.

“You feel pain just like any other, good, very good.”

What’s good about it…!

The bandit ghost felt a sinister premonition as he saw Rei grasp his neck.

It was a feeling similar to when the knight of the territorial army had stormed the stronghold and beheaded him with a single stroke… No, it was an even more malevolent foreboding.

Crack! Rip!

With unbelievable strength, the bandit ghost’s neck was torn off.

He had been a bandit whose neck had barely hung on by a thread under a knight’s sword in life.

As Rei exerted inhuman strength, the soul’s neck was physically ripped away.

……………………!!

A ghastly scream echoed.

But the only ones to hear it were the fellow lowly spirits, the wild beasts, and Rei himself.

However, the scream did not last long. As Rei pierced the bandit ghost’s heart and burst something within, the ghost vanished without a trace.

The evil deeds accumulated by the bandit ghost towards Rei were absorbed, and Rei’s merit increased.

“It was a time of humiliation and degradation.”

Rei smirked sinisterly.

It was a fact proven in the previous night’s fight against the spirits possessed by beasts.

Killing evil spirits enhanced his sacred power.

“Heh, there’s a certain pleasure in exterminating evil spirits.”

Indeed, motivation is necessary for one to feel progress, thought Rei as his gaze turned towards the trembling lowly spirits.

They were appalled to see a soul being extinguished in real-time.

They had always sucked the sweetness from a ‘safe’ place, unaffected by the laws of physics.

But for Rei to physically grasp and even extinguish a soul?

An unfamiliar fear of death approached the spirits.

[aaah!]

Screaming, the lesser spirits flee.

Ray chases after them, engaging in a pursuit under the moonlit night.

To think that capturing these vile, crimson lesser spirits could accumulate good karma!

And Ray, at this moment, is blessed by the sun.

His strength has increased at least three to four times compared to before.

With his physical strength enhanced and the ability to grasp souls added, not a single spirit could escape.

“Huff…! Huff…! Running around the mountains at night is indeed tough.”

Moreover, since they are spirits, smashing their heads won’t kill them.

Just like the heart is a concept for the soul, there’s a feeling that only by destroying a specific part can they be extinguished?

If it’s a simple soul, tearing it apart would suffice, but ghosts retaining their earthly form are not so easily vanquished.

‘Maybe I really should become an armed priest.’

Ray is on his way to join the armed institution of the Solarion Theocracy.

‘Theocracy, huh… Not a seminary, but directly training practitioners for real combat.’

In this era, the concept of a seminary does not exist.

Precisely, the Theocracy feels like the seminary itself, where receiving ordination means becoming a priest who can officially hold mass and manage a cathedral.

Originally, Ray would have had to serve as a deacon for about ten years before he could take the exam, but there is an exception.

That is, taking the ‘armed institution’ entrance exam through a recommendation letter.

They are the ones who are permitted to bear arms, receive missions from the Theocracy, and annihilate heretics and pagans across the continent.

A profession that clearly spells hardship.

But for Ray, there was nothing better.

‘They’re just putting bounties on souls red or higher, which I’d gladly destroy anyway, right?’

Always threatened by lesser spirits, and having to avoid gods and demons, could there be anything more appealing to Ray?

Both Ray’s current and past lives have been a struggle against fate.

He’s usually troubled by lesser spirits, but on days with strong magical energy, waves of them come from all directions.

Until now, he’s endured under the sacred aura of the cathedral and the protection of Father Johan, but even that has reached its limit.

Had he not fortuitously received the sun’s blessing, even facing the wolf demon last night would have been overwhelming.

In that sense, the operation of the armed institution is optimal for Ray’s situation.

Already lacking faith in this life, thus hardly accumulating any holy power, tearing souls increases it? And grants divine powers?

Isn’t this just the sweetest deal?

Ray, elated, immediately set off for the holy nation, but it was no easy task.

It was as if Pastor Kim, accustomed to modern Earth’s navigation and paved roads, had embarked on a journey in his second life, trusting only in his feet.

Though the road could somehow be managed with the map from Maxell, the real problem was this harsh medieval era.

“Ah~ The priest is crossing mountains alone. What could be so urgent?”

“Oh, I’m just a deacon, not yet ordained as a priest.”

“That’s none of my business.”

In this harsh medieval time, there were not only unpaved roads and inadequate means of transport but also numerous independent local customs officers.

Scoundrels who didn’t even build tollgates and extorted money and life itself.

“Are you not afraid of the sun? But I guess that won’t work on you?”

“Heh, of course. Sorry, priest sir, it would be troublesome if it became known we messed with the Solar Order and an armed priest came after us.”

So they kill without leaving evidence, turning victims into crow’s feed.

Ray assessed the bandits.

One in red. Two in pink.

Though called bandits, they were closer to a gang of robbers than an organized band.

“Is that so? But before that, may I pray for you all?”

“What?”

“Even if I die, I hope that someday you will repent. I will pray to Soltera for you.”

“Huh, this one’s funny. Alright, go ahead and prayyyyyy!”

“Brother!”

The band of robbers was aghast.

And for good reason. Ray had grabbed the bandit leader’s shoulder and crushed his collarbone with sheer grip strength.

“Do you understand? This is the blessing of the sun. Under the sunlight, I wield several times the strength.”

“But… it’s night right now…”

Well, moonlight is just reflected sunlight.

Ray snatched the sword from the crushed bandit and swung it at another.

The bandit reflexively blocked, but his sword shattered against Ray’s monstrous strength.

Ray’s own sword was half-destroyed too, but it was enough to sever the bandit’s neck.

“Monster…!”

“I’d like to compare the difference between red and pink.”

Without hesitation, Ray killed all the bandits.

It was the price for underestimating a priest of the Solar Cult just because it was night.

‘Surely, when compared to dark red, it’s an enemy.’

Not all dark reds are the same, after all.

There was a clear difference between the magician Belric and his mere apprentice.

Still, the difference was vast between a soul tainted by demonic magic and a mere ruthless murderer’s karma.

And there was a meaningful difference between red and light pink as well.

In terms of numbers, if light pink is 1 and red is 5, then dark red is at least 10. A magician seems to be at least 100.

So, is the criterion for acquiring divine power to tear apart a soul of a magician’s caliber and accumulate good deeds?

Wouldn’t I get a sense if I killed another magician or tore apart about ten of those red human scum?

But even in the barbaric Middle Ages, it wasn’t easy to find a mad serial killer with a red soul who dismembered people.

‘Indeed, bandits are the real deal.’

Ray wasn’t a pleasure killer who went out of his way to murder people.

But he wasn’t merciful enough to spare those who came at him with the intent to kill.

Thus, he caught bandits and wandering evil spirits, crossing mountains and rivers to arrive at the Solarion Theocracy.

The metropolis, said to lack nothing compared to the imperial capital, was a different world from a rural backwater like Obelo.

“They’re flocking from all over again this year.”

“So what? They fail the standards and drop out anyway.”

It was a voice heard from an inn where he had unpacked his luggage.

Ray ordered soup and rye bread from the waitress and eavesdropped on their conversation.

“If you’re a combat pilgrim of the Order, you’re in a position higher than any village guard captain, and if you succeed, even higher than knights or nobles. It’s worth coveting.”

“The problem is the mercenaries without a shred of faith. Those who haven’t seen the scripture once in their lives flock for money and status.”

“Just obtaining the position of a cleric allows you to pass through most cities. That alone is something.”

Indeed, does the Order’s military arm employ mercenaries?

After all, for an Order that must send combatants across the continent, manpower supply wouldn’t be easy.

It’s hard to find a cleric with divine power who’s also good in combat.

“By the way, the Solar Cult is impressive. Have you seen the Holy Knights’ expedition three years ago? When demons appeared in the south.”

“Wasn’t it the event where the Holy Maiden herself intervened? If you don’t know that, you’re not from Solarion!”

Was there such an event?

For Ray, who had never left the hinterlands, it was the first he’d heard of it.

“Brother, are you also taking the armed forces’ exam?”

At that moment, a boy took the seat next to Ray.

The boy, appearing to be of the same age as Ray, extended a wrinkle-free smile and offered a handshake.

“I’m Henry.”

“Ray Anderson, brother.”

“Ah! Brother Ray! Um, uh…”

Henry, who had initiated the conversation, now hesitated.

Ray, as the elder, skillfully took the lead in the conversation.

“You’re here for the exam as well, Brother Henry?”

“Yes! I came down from the mountain just for this test.”

The mountains.

Usually, the buildings for clergy are set in the mountains.

“You’re a monk.”

“How did you know? I’m affiliated with the Granville Monastery.”

“Well, most clergy living in the mountains are monks.”

It’s a matter of accessibility.

Typically, churches are built in villages or cities.

It’s because they need to be accessible to the general congregation.

After all, the church’s main source of income is the offerings, so they need to be built where the congregation can reach them.

On the other hand, monasteries are gatherings of monks dedicated to spiritual life and training.

Unlike churches that have to mingle with the general congregation and collect offerings, monasteries often reside in the mountains solely for training.

“I was ordained a deacon at the church in Obelo village.”

“Ah! You’re a deacon. I’m envious!”

Monks, although not formally receiving the sacrament of holy orders, must strictly adhere to doctrine and accumulate practice.

From their perspective, those who have received sacraments like priests or deacons are seen as a sort of elite profession.

“I’ve heard that monks from the monastery don’t often come down, what brings you, Brother Henry?”

“Oh, our Granville Monastery is actively engaged in combat against heretics. Many monks have joined the armed forces from the beginning.”

“Oh, a noble tradition then.”

At that, Henry scratched his head shyly and laughed.

“Actually, that’s what worries me. Unlike my seniors, I’m afraid of what will happen if I fail…”

Ray understood the young Henry’s honest concerns.

It’s a concern that teenagers of this era would typically have.

“So, Brother Ray, have you heard anything about the exam?”

“I’m from a remote mountain village myself, so I don’t have much information.”

It’s more likely that the monastic order, known for periodically producing armed combat clergy, would know more.

“I see…”

“Don’t the seniors tell you anything?”

“They say the exam content always changes. Well, we just have to do our best!”

Recovery is quick. Although he got nothing out of striking up a conversation with a stranger, Henry didn’t mind.

“Ah, but I did hear this. They say the top scorers in the exam get a sacred relic!”

“A sacred relic?”

“Yes! It’s said to be a panacea just by carrying it. I wonder if it’s true?”

To give away such an incredible item?

Even though Ray, combined with Pastor Kim’s age, is nearly fifty, he couldn’t help but be interested in the sacred relic.

“Right! Did you know? The cardinal’s son is taking the entrance exam this time. Born between the cardinal and a paladin, he’s bound to be the top candidate, right?”

Henry chattered on about things even without being asked.

He was a boy brimming with fighting spirit in every way.

***

On the day of the entrance exam.

It was a time when he was considering sleeping rough as his travel funds were running low.

“What kind of people are these…”

The crowd visiting the Vatican for the entrance exam was of a scale Ray had never seen in this world.

Not even if he gathered all the residents of Obelo village before the plague spread would it amount to a tenth of this.

Only about a hundred out of all these people will pass, is that it?

The pass rate is close to tens to one.

And even then, most are apprentices, provisional members, with only a very few actually receiving ordination.

“Brother Ray! Good to see you again!”

The one he bumped into while lining up was Henry.

This enthusiastic boy is fifteen, a year younger than Ray.

He seems a bit young to join the armed organization, but apparently, it’s mostly Ray’s peers who join.

If you’re too old, it’s hard to even start the education.

Two people lined up in such a way.

Fortunately, the line where Rei stood quickly shortened.

Those who brought official priests’ recommendation letters were passed through immediately.

On the contrary, the applicants without recommendation letters were filtered out based on the presence of divine power, so the line decreased at an extraordinary rate.

After all, it was a place to become an armed clergy of the Theocracy, how could one enter without the divine power, the proof of faith.

‘I was on thin ice too.’

Rei also didn’t have much divine power as his faith wasn’t that devout.

Of course, having a divine gift meant an almost guaranteed pass if proven.

But, unfortunately, Rei never got the chance to talk about his divine gift.

“Ah, a recommendation letter from Father Maxell. You may pass.”

In this world, connections resolved most things.

Entering the Papacy, it was a feast of colossal buildings.

The central Papal building was a dazzling castle-like structure covered in white ivory, and not far from it was a cathedral capable of accommodating all the citizens of the Theocracy.

The place where the test-takers headed was located behind the Papal building, surrounded by it – the place where the Heresy Inquisition Agency, Eclipse, was situated.

“We will now begin the first entrance examination.”

The examiner leading the applicants stopped and announced.

“The first test is the indoctrination test.”

“Hmm?”

Rei tilted his head at the familiar term.