The Game Difficulty
Is Crazy
Chapter 7
Deeeng—
Deeeng—
Deeeng—
The huge bell sound announcing noon rang out from the cathedral bell tower.
Pure white stone floors and buildings spread out in neat circles around the bell tower and the center of the cathedral.
Between them, countless people moved like waves.
Istirenne.
This beautiful white city, called the capital of the Papal Holy State, was more majestic and peaceful than any other city.
“So needlessly peaceful.”
Looking down at the scene from the outdoor corridor of the cathedral, Henry Wordsworth clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“Isn’t peace a good thing? Both your family and mine are fighting for exactly that, aren’t we?”
The middle-aged man with a white beard standing across from Henry smiled slyly.
Palador Raigle.
He was the head of the Marquis Raigle family, one of the greatest sacred noble houses of the Papal Holy State.
Henry Wordsworth snorted and narrowed his eyes.
“If it were true peace, then yes. But beyond the borders, there are still enemies we must bring down.”
“Or are they sacrifices for the glory of your family?”
Henry Wordsworth frowned.
But Palador only laughed heartily and patted Henry’s shoulder.
“A joke, a joke. Just words of concern since your family isn’t what it used to be. Come now, let’s go in. The Holy War meeting will start soon.”
Watching Palador’s retreating back, Henry ground his teeth.
He wanted nothing more than to grab that disgusting white-bearded brute and scold him on the spot, but the power of the Raigle Marquis family was now towering.
So high that the Wordsworth family, barely surviving while clinging to its noble name, could not dare to stand up to them.
‘Just wait. I’ll use this Holy War as a chance to reclaim my family’s former glory.’
Trembling with anger, Henry Wordsworth followed after Palador toward the meeting hall.
The meeting hall was located on the top floor of the Istirenne Cathedral.
“Lord Palador Raigle and Lord Henry Wordsworth are entering!”
The two holy knights standing on either side of the entrance raised their voices.
Titles and official positions were omitted.
In a place watched over by God, such decorations held no meaning.
“You must have had a long journey. Thank you both for coming.”
As they entered, one of the nobles who had arrived earlier greeted them with a bright smile.
Palador smiled back, showing his teeth.
“As diligent as ever, Count Nilas Albelluce.”
“My territory is close to Istirenne, that’s all. Now, Duke Wordsworth, please sit here as well.”
“Very well.”
Albelluce and Raigle.
And Wordsworth as well.
Three great noble families that once supported the Papal Holy State gathered in one place.
“There’s still some time before the meeting begins.”
“Indeed. Let’s chat for now. So, Count Albelluce, is everything peaceful in your territory?”
With the friendly smile of a good-natured uncle, Palador spoke to Nilas.
Soon, their conversation bloomed.
“Oh? Sir Maxillus is still the commander of the White Whale Knight Order? At such an advanced age, that’s quite the hardship.”
‘Does your territory lack talent so much that an eighty-year-old man still leads the knights?’
When Nilas implied that—
“Haha, in our territory, there’s only one standard for being active: ‘Can you still wield a sword or not?’ Those who live close to the front lines are all fine warriors of God.”
‘And you hide near the capital, flattering the Pope like a pale scholar, don’t you?’
Palador shot back.
What began as light greetings gradually turned into probing, boasting, and subtle provocations.
Though they had gathered in God’s holy name, the nobles’ conversations were the same as ever.
‘Tch. How trivial.’
Of course, Henry Wordsworth had no intention of joining such shallow talk.
He simply raised his glass to wet his throat.
Then, the topic slowly shifted.
“By the way, have you heard the news? Apparently, the Inquisition recently dispatched an inquisitor.”
“Inquisitors moving around is nothing unusual, is it?”
“That’s true, but this assignment is rather interesting.”
As Nilas gently swirled his wine glass, Palador’s eyes gleamed.
“Oh? Did they discover a base of the Dark Cult?”
“No. It seems to be a case where a noble accused another noble.”
Nilas lifted the corner of his lips and shifted his gaze to Henry Wordsworth.
It was a sign for him to join the conversation.
“Hmph. I can guess without hearing it. Another short-sighted dispute between foolish people.”
Cases where someone falsely accused another of heresy for personal gain happened often enough to be routine.
As if uninterested, Henry lifted his glass.
“So. Which noble accused which?”
“It was your two sons, my lord.”
“…!”
Henry, who had maintained an indifferent expression the whole time, jolted and set his glass down.
A few drops of wine spilled, soaking into the pure white tablecloth.
With eyes wide like a startled rabbit, Henry stared at Nilas.
Nilas narrowed his eyes with an expression that said, You really didn’t know?
‘What on earth have those idiots done!’
Henry’s face hardened as he stood up. He needed to find a high-ranking inquisitor immediately and learn the details.
“The two sacred lights of the Papal Holy State! His Holiness the Pope and the Saintess are entering!”
At the worst possible timing, a holy knight raised his voice, and all the family heads stood from their seats.
With the Pope and the Saintess entering the hall, he could not leave his seat.
Henry Wordsworth let out a suppressed groan.
Five days.
That was how long Glen had remained unconscious after defeating the Leader at the abandoned village of Sildur.
Triss said she had been worried the whole time, wondering if something terrible had happened to him.
“Five days… I really slept for a long time. Such a waste of time……”
He had never imagined the backlash from a legendary-grade skill would be this severe.
In the game, the price for using a skill beyond one’s level was just entering a groggy state.
Even that could be quickly cured with items or magic. But the world after becoming reality was different.
Groggy.
It literally meant being unable to control his body.
‘Still, five days is too much.’
Glen gave a bitter smile.
