Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 99: [Side Story]: Elore and The Church of Goddess Morana.

[Elore’s POV.]

’So, this is the place, huh?’

Elore thought as he stood still, his eyes fixed on the enormous structure rising before him.

The Church of Morana was unlike anything built on the mainland.

It stood tall on a floating island off the southern edge of the small continent, held up by gravity magic and technology no one fully understood anymore.

From the front, the towering church structure looked like a hollowed-out enormous crown.

Its structure smooth like jade with no pore or break in structure.

’Is this really made by mortals?’

Elore wondered, slowly walking towards the tower.

It took him some time to clean up the mess in Eldergrove town.

But Elore completed his work and was ready to do his next task.

’I need to gather as much information about the church as possible.’

He thought, staring at the building with a determined look on his face.

’No matter how bad things go, I won’t disappoint my master.’

Elore felt a twitch on his body as he drew closer.

’The place has a presence.’

This was the main base of the Church of Morana.

The goddess who is worshipped by humans as their savior. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Back when the humans were treated as nothing but slaves, she was there for them.

As the guide and as a ray of hope.

’Perhaps she saw the potential in their absurd reproduction.’

Humans have the most rapid growth in population.

There never has been any race that came close to them.

And for a goddess, faith of her followers is one of the most essential things.

And the more believers she had, the better it’s for her.

She was respected, feared, and remembered.

’And the Sealed Artifact is still inside the church.’

Elore knows from his host’s memories that that thing is here.

At the center, deep below the cathedral’s foundation.

The sealed artifact said to disturb the flow of time itself.

Few had ever seen it, and those who did never spoke about it afterward.

Elore had never been this close before.

The cold wind bit through his cloak as he stood at the massive golden gates.

Behind him, clouds drifted lazily over the void between land and sky.

The island didn’t cast a shadow on the ground below.

Another strange feature no one liked to question.

’Hmm?’

Footsteps approached from behind, making him turn around.

A knight clad in the church’s silver and black armor came to a halt beside him.

His helm was under his arm, revealing a tired but familiar face.

"Elore," the knight said with a short nod. "You’ve been summoned by His Holiness. I’m to take you to the inner sanctum."

Elore gave a quiet nod in return and followed.

The knight led him inside the crown-like building.

Elore looked around the place, finding it filled with priests and nuns.

Most of them were humans, but he did see a few different races.

As they walked through the towering halls, the knight kept his voice low.

"Things have been tense lately, after the reveal of the Avatar. ’They’ have started to grow restless."

Elore looked at him confusedly, he quietly asked, "Did something happen?"

"Yes. A lot." The knight continued, "As things are now, the Avatar Zaina is at risk of losing her life by the Bloodhound Omen."

Elore’s interest piqued at her name.

’Isn’t she master’s spouse?’ he thought, taking a step closer.

He asked, "Who might the Bloodhound Omen be?"

The knight looked at him confusedly. "How can you not know the greatest nuisance of the church?"

"Forgive my ignorance." He replied. "But I haven’t been here in years."

The knight sighed, holding back a lot of lectures to himself.

"They are a group of wicked souls led by Blood Queen Selena... One of the students of Inola." He replied, grinding his teeth in hatred. "Out of fifteen Avatars to ever be born, twelve were killed by those accursed beings."

’I should inform about them to my lord.’

Elore gave a small nod, his eyes scanning the stained glass windows.

Each one told a story of Morana’s touch.

How cities turned to dust, lives ending in silence, cycles broken with one breath.

It felt more like a warning than preaching of the goddess.

They passed a set of double doors reinforced with runes and black metal and finally reached a smaller, quiet chamber near the center of the cathedral.

"This is it," the knight said, pulling the door open.

Inside, the room was warm.

Candles lined the walls, keeping most of the place in darkness.

At the far end stood a tall figure dressed in layered white and grey robes, his face old yet kind.

His hair was pure white. His eyes were half-closed like that of a slit.

"Ah, Elore," the man said, his voice gentle and calm. "Come in, my child."

Elore stepped inside and bowed his head even though he hated it to his core.

"Your Holiness."

’He is strong.’ Elore thought. ’Far stronger than anyone I have seen.’

Only when he stood in his presence did Elore notice it.

The terrifying pressure the person was emitting from just standing.

It was like he was seeing someone who stood at the top of the food chain.

Elon looked at him for a while like he was examining him.

But he lowered his guard when he found nothing wrong with Elore.

Pope Elon smiled and stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on Elore’s shoulder. "It brings me peace to see your face again. You’ve done good work. The seal at Eldergrove is stable, yes?"

"Yes," Elore said. "It’s holding."

"Excellent." Elon turned away and motioned toward a table set with tea. "You always deliver when it matters. Sit. Rest a moment."

Elore sat across from him, still quiet.

Elon poured the tea himself, not bothering with servants.

"The Witch of the End is not just any prisoner. Her existence alone strains the balance. But with you watching over her seal, I’ve been able to breathe easier. You’ve done the Goddess a great service."

Elore only nodded. Praise made him uncomfortable, but he accepted it.

"As for the church," Elon said, settling into his chair, "we’ve had a few... complications."

Elore nodded softly. "The knight informed me about them."

Elon sipped his tea before continuing. "You must understand, Elore, the Bloodhound Omen isn’t just a band of heretics. They’ve been waiting for a moment like this."

Elore’s gaze didn’t shift from the man in front of him. "I presume you already have a counter?"

"I do." He replied quietly. "But so did the ones before me, yet the Avatar still died."

Elore said nothing but stared at the cup in front of him.

"Still, we need to keep an eye on the Avatar." He replied, looking at him. "I am sure that stupid Bishop Rayan is already doing some shady things."

Elon stood up from his seat and began taking off his robe. "I would love to have her trapped in a prison under my supervision, but I can’t do that."

Elore tilted his head. "And why is that?"

Elon gave him a look. "What if Goddess Morana decided to descend through her?"

Elore blinked. "Pardon?"

"You heard me." He replied. "Although rare, there are instances when she has done it before."

"...."

Elore’s expression gradually changed.

’I need to tell master about it.’ He thought grimly. ’He might be in great danger just by being close to her.’

The door of the room opened up, making him look forward.

A young boy walked in and bowed towards Pope Elon. "Your Holiness."

He smiled, gently caressing his head. "Are you here to serve me, child?"

The young boy smiled innocently. "It is my duty to serve you."

Elore stood up from his seat. "What do I need to do, Your Holiness?"

"Rest for now." He replied, his voice growing lustful. "I have a few things ready for you tomorrow."

Elore nodded and began to walk out as Pope Elon began to take off his clothes.

"Oh, and one more thing." Elon said, making him halt. "There is one more nuisance I need you to look into."

Elore looked at him. "What that might be?"

"There is a company that’s growing too fast." He replied, his voice cold. "Stun their growth."

Elore’s expression turned hollow as he caught up to his words. "And what company that might be?"

Elon looked at him. "Imoyan company."