Holy Kingdom – Crossed Paths (2)

Jade and Rena, moving swiftly, soon arrived at the banquet hall.

However, Jade hesitated before the entrance, unable to open the door.

The lavishly decorated door.

Opening this would mean facing countless people again.

To Jade, this door looked like the gateway to the Demon Realm.

“Sigh… I really don’t want to go in.”

Jade let out a deep sigh, already feeling fatigue creeping in.

Rena watched him with frustration.

“Ugh. After I just gave you something nice earlier?”

“That was good, but…”

“You’re so frustrating… Fine. If you handle the diplomats well and come back, I’ll give you another gift tonight. How’s that?”

‘Another gift tonight?’

At Rena’s offer, vitality suddenly surged through Jade’s body.

For tonight’s sake, this level of hardship was nothing.

Jade thumped his chest and declared:

“Trust me. I’ll memorize all the nations’ information and relay it to you.”

“Good. That’s the attitude I wanted. I’ll cheer you on from behind.”

Rena’s face brightened at Jade’s confident demeanor.

“Let’s go in now.”

“Wait a moment!”

As they were about to enter, someone’s voice stopped them. A priest came running toward them, panting heavily.

“Huff, huff… Are you the Hero-nim and Rena-nim? We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

‘Oops.’

Did I make someone work hard by disappearing without notice?

Jade felt guilty seeing the sweat-drenched priest.

“My apologies. I had some urgent business to attend to. Did you need something from me…?”

“Ah, actually I was looking for Rena-nim, not the Hero-nim.”

“Not me, but Rena?”

Jade couldn’t think of any reason someone would seek Rena in his place.

“Yes. His Holiness the Pope has summoned Rena-nim to the Papal Chamber.”

“His Holiness summoned me? So suddenly?”

Even Rena, listening beside them, looked flustered – Jade could tell at a glance.

“I wasn’t told the details either. Just to escort Rena-nim from the banquet hall…”

“Then we should hurry since it’s late. Please lead the way.”

“Rena, wait.”

Jade stopped Rena as she moved to follow the priest.

“Why?”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay talking with His Holiness alone?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Despite Rena’s assurance, Jade couldn’t relax.

True, the Pope hadn’t seemed like the extreme villain he’d imagined – appearing benevolent and considerate, even handing over the Saintess without conflict.

But suspicions remained. Why prevent Sir Antonio from meeting the Saintess? Why exploit divine power for extraction?

“Come with me for a moment.”

Holding Rena’s hand, Jade walked some distance from the priest before resuming his persuasion.

“Rena, think carefully. What if the Pope tries something with you?”

“Honestly, I’m a bit worried too. But he did surrender the Saintess to us. Probably wants to keep things amicable. Though I’m not certain, he likely wants to ask about the Hero Party since you’re busy.”

“Then let me come with you. That should be fine.”

“You need to handle the diplomats, Jade. I can manage alone. You don’t need to protect me so much.”

“But can’t you refuse? You know it’s not that I don’t trust you.”

“Hmm… Then how about this?”

Rena suddenly rummaged through her clothes and produced something.

In her palm was a small red device.

“What’s this? I can’t tell what it is at a glance.”

“Take it first.”

Rena placed the device in Jade’s hand and explained:

“Think of it as a communication device. I have one too – pressing the button sends a signal to the other. Annie and I used these to talk in the dormitory. I brought it when we left.”

“But why give this now…?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re too worried. If something dangerous happens, I’ll press it and you can come rescue me.”

With this, Jade could rush to save Rena immediately if she were in danger.

“Okay. This does make me feel better.”

Jade was thoroughly pleased with the device.

“Then I’ll go! Handle the diplomats well.”

Rena waved at Jade as she followed the priest.

“You be careful too.”

Jade waved back.

“Will she really be okay…?”

Though he’d said he felt reassured, Jade still worried about Rena.

Since becoming lovers, his concern for her had multiplied compared to before.

Of course, in areas requiring cunning or politics, Rena far surpassed him. His presence wouldn’t help.

‘This might be an opportunity.’

Rena could likely extract crucial information about the Pope from this meeting.

“Let’s go.”

Now Jade had to focus on his own task.

Only then could he receive Rena’s “gift”.

Shaking off his worries, Jade entered the banquet hall.

**

-Knock knock.

“You may enter.”

-Creak.

As Rena cautiously opened the Papal Chamber door, the Pope awaited her inside.

“Hello. I heard you requested me.”

“Welcome. I’ve been expecting you, Miss Rena. Please sit here.”

“Yes.”

Rena sat in the chair opposite the Pope.

The Pope’s desk had been neatly cleared on one side, apparently for their conversation.

“So why did you call for me…”

While nervously gauging the situation, Rena noticed something before her.

A glass containing liquid.

An identical glass sat before the Pope.

“Is this tea?”

“My favorite blend. Made from leaves grown only in the Empire’s north. Would you care to try? I believe you’ll enjoy it.”

Smiling, the Pope lifted his cup. After inhaling the aroma, he began drinking first.

“Hmm… The fragrance is excellent as always.”

“Then I’ll…”

Hesitating briefly, Rena took a sip.

-Slurp.

“!!”

Rena’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s delicious.”

She began gulping it down.

The Pope watched contentedly as she finished the tea in moments.

“Haha, you seem to like it. I’ll prepare some for you to take when you leave.”

“Urk…”

Realizing she’d behaved improperly before the Pope, Rena blushed and hastily wiped her mouth.

“Ahem! Thank you for letting me taste such precious tea. But why did you call for me instead of Jade?”

“We have ample time. Before getting to the main point – you arrived rather late. Was there a reason? Your clothes have dirt stains.”

“About being late… Ah!”

Rena suddenly remembered something and asked:

“Jade and I encountered an unidentified mage in the gardens. Do you know who that might be? A young but incredibly powerful mage.”

“An unidentified mage…”

The Pope pondered with hand on forehead.

“Could you mean Ian-nim?”

“Ian? Who is he?”

“Someone who came from the Magic Tower at my invitation. His exceptional talent recently earned him discipleship under the Tower Lord. Did something happen with him?”

“Well, there was a minor conflict…”

Rena trailed off, unable to elaborate without revealing what she and Jade had done in the gardens.

“Genius mages often struggle with humility and understanding others. Their personalities frequently cause interpersonal issues. If Ian-nim showed discourtesy to you or the Hero-nim, I apologize on his behalf.”

“It’s fine. Just a small misunderstanding.”

“Hoho, that’s fortunate. Had conflict arisen between the future Tower Lord candidate and the Hero-nim, it would’ve been troublesome.”

After sipping his tea, the Pope set down his cup.

-Clink.

“Shall we proceed to the main matter?”

“Yes.”

-Gulp.

Seeing the Pope’s serious expression, Rena straightened her posture.

“I called you here, Miss Rena, because I wish to discuss the Hero Party’s future.”

The Pope paused to clear his throat.

“I’ll be direct. You must leave the Hero Party.”