Chapter 12. Honor and Sacrifice (12)

The hardest people to argue with are those who listen to what I say seriously and understand it. Those who say my words are not wrong.

“I told you,”

Ria said with a smile, seeing me looking somewhat drained.

“The religion of this world hasn’t been fully established yet. They’re still revising the scriptures, so would they consider a slightly radical statement as heresy?”

“…There’s an Inquisition, though.”

“Well, there were those who went around harming people, beyond denying God. And those who claimed to be gods just because they could use magic. You don’t claim to be God, and while you deny the word ‘God,’ you live acknowledging its existence. And you use that power without hesitation.”

If only they had at least asked me to be a Saint, I would have felt better. I would have refused, and at the same time, I could have naturally thought, ‘I knew it would be like this.’

…

Uh, no. Wait a minute.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hey, Ria. What language did the Pope use to me a moment ago?”

“Of course, Italian. He’s Italian. This Pope is.”

“…But how could I understand it?”

“…Are you saying that now?”

“How did you understand it?”

“I didn’t understand it? Your words were in Korean, so I could only guess.”

“Huh?”

“You can save even people who are on the verge of death. The person watching from above probably did something to help.”

“No…”

“You seem to be engrossed in the conversation and didn’t notice, but light was shining down on the back of your head. If it were usual, I would have brushed it away for you, but today it seemed like a very important conversation.”

“…”

Is that true…

No, more importantly, how did the Pope understand what I was saying? Did he learn it from Sister Maria, perhaps?

As I was thinking that, I came out of the room and ran into Sister Maria, who was waiting outside.

“Sister Anna.”

Sister Maria’s expression was much better than a moment ago. Or perhaps, it was an expression of having let go of everything.

“Then, I will guide you to the place where you two will be staying. I know you share the same room in Korea, but since you are guests, perhaps giving you separate rooms-“

“No.”

Ria replied, shaking her head.

“Give us the same room. That way, I can move immediately if anything happens.”

At Ria’s words, Sister Maria smiled slightly and bowed her head.

*

No one among the three of us spoke while being guided to the room.

The people around us were all staff working in this place. Although there were people who came with us from our church, not a single person, including Ria, was allowed to be armed inside.

In the first place, it was a higher institution, so it would be more trustworthy. Strictly speaking, the knights of the country where Ria and I live are often dispatched from here.

“…It seems the Pope didn’t ask Sister Anna for help in the end.”

“…”

To be precise, I asked first if I could help, but the Pope refused.

I think I understand why the Pope called me here. First, as the most likely Saint candidate, yet saying completely different things from what people had been saying, he had to confirm it directly.

Although the Pope’s body couldn’t withstand long flights, and there seemed to be the issue of the mana sphere.

Given the Pope’s personality, he might have tried to go himself, but perhaps he was dissuaded by those around him. The Pope was, after all, the ‘Pope,’ and I was a candidate, but ultimately just an ‘ordinary nun.’

“Is it Sister Maria who made me come here?”

At my question, Maria was silent for a moment.

Our conversation was in Korean. There were people around who could hear, but no one who could understand. Perhaps that was why Sister Maria spoke to me.

“I’m sorry. But I… I also wanted to save the Pope. The Pope is like a father to me…”

Her face darkened.

I nodded quietly.

If Sister Maria had been a villain trying to use me as a puppet to seize power, I would have gotten angry. Even if not, if she had tried to use me as a religious icon, it would have been the same.

However, if one’s own family is in danger of dying, one wants to save them by any means necessary.

So, thinking back, Sister Maria’s scheme was successful in some way.

If she had provoked me too much, it would have been difficult, but even so, she would have tried to summon me somehow, using excuses like differing religious views or the possibility that I might go to a higher place.

Perhaps, the reason she wanted to see me alone in the first place- she might have actually wanted to directly talk about the Pope’s health and ask for his understanding.

“…With this, the news about the Pope’s health will probably spread to others with almost certainty.”

Reaching that thought, I suddenly said something.

News about the Pope’s health has been circulating. However, the Vatican had not officially confirmed it. Until now.

“That’s right. That’s why the talk about your beatification also came up. Honestly, at this point, there aren’t many people who can replace the Pope…”

“It seems there’s no one who wants to do it.”

“…Right.”

Who would want to take a position that requires sacrificing their own life?

I don’t know what the current Popes felt when they took that position. I don’t know how big power struggles are in the current church.

“I would appreciate it if you could give me a little more time to think about the beatification.”

After a moment of silence, I replied, and Ria looked at me. I gave Ria a slight nod.

…I don’t know if I’m qualified to be in such a position. Is it possible to ascend without deeply engraving that religion in my heart?

However, the Pope treated me as if I had much deeper faith than anyone else.

Actually, have I been taking faith too lightly until now?

If… if that’s what I can do in this world, and if I can help the people of the world, shouldn’t I do it?

Because I have the power.

“I understand. First, we will do our best to ensure that you do not ascend to such a position hastily during this visit. However, for that, your cooperation is also needed.”

“Cooperation?”

“The people working here are all devout believers. If… they think there is a good reason, there are many people who will try to elevate you somehow.”

“Ah.”

In other words, they are telling me not to use my power.

There must have been a reason why the Pope said that to me.

By then, we had arrived at the room. It was a magnificent and grand room, like a room in a very old palace, suitable for distinguished guests.

“Then, have a pleasant night. We will inform you again about dinner shortly.”

Ria and I bowed deeply to Sister Maria.

*

For the next few days, we were certainly called to various places.

Of course, I was mainly the one speaking, and Ria followed me, acting as my escort.

Some people strongly opposed my words, some had ambiguous expressions, and some were genuinely angry, but I ignored them all.

You’re the ones who asked me to come and listen, right? That was the most I could do.

Well, even so, only a very few people reacted with genuine emotion, and most just nodded expressionlessly and took notes.

And that life wasn’t as bad as I thought.

I used to wake up early at the convent anyway. The only difference was that here, Ria and I didn’t do any work. We were guests.

Moreover, in our free time, we made various excuses and went out to sightsee. With guards in full plate armor accompanying us, there were no pickpockets.

Then again, there wasn’t anything worth stealing from me even if I were pickpocketed.

“…This is a big problem.”

I said to Ria with a serious expression.

“My body is too comfortable. I might end up wanting to stay here.”

Ria put her hand to her forehead with a look of disbelief.

Well, it’s a joke.

I have to go back anyway. Although my body was comfortable here, it was a place that strangely made me feel like, ‘Is it okay for me to enjoy this?’

…

And, as always, problems arise when you’re feeling relaxed.

While we were resting in the room as usual, someone knocked on the door rather urgently.

Ria tilted her head and got up to open the door, and Sister Maria was standing outside.

Her face was beaded with sweat, as if she had rushed here.

“Sister Maria?”

“Sister Anna.”

Sister Maria took a few deep breaths to calm herself and then spoke to me.

“The Pope has collapsed.”