Ch.71Hero’s Trial (2)

Only after everyone had left the room and all traces of presence had completely disappeared did the Pope finally speak with ease.

“How long has it been since the three of us gathered like this?”

Yongin smiled faintly as he replied.

“Isn’t this the first time since we defeated the Demon King? So, how has everyone been doing?”

The maid—no, the thief—pulled out a cigarette from inside her clothes, put it in her mouth, and said:

“Nothing special happened.”

“I didn’t have anything particular going on either.”

The Pope continued with a pleased smile.

“But everyone looks exactly the same as before. I feel like I’m the only one who’s aged.”

“What can we do about the differences between our races?”

“It really feels strange. When we met before, I was the most energetic one, but now I’ve become the weakest.”

“I think you’re still plenty energetic.”

“That’s only because I’m within the sacred territory. Outside of it, I’m just an old man.”

The maid, who had been quietly listening, asked the Pope a question.

“By the way, how far does the sacred territory extend?”

“Probably the entire Holy Nation.”

“…You’re still as impressive as ever.”

After their brief greetings were over, the Pope adjusted his posture and spoke.

“So, has anyone found out anything about Patrice’s… no, the Demon King’s plan?”

“I did learn a few things while talking with the Hero.”

“Tell me right away.”

“First, the plan required many sacrifices, which is why he started the war. Second, by having the Hero kill him, he himself would become a sacrifice. Lastly, the plan failed.”

The Pope let out a small sigh and directed a question to the thief.

“Alright, have you found out anything?”

“No. Instead, I discovered that the Goddess is incompetent.”

“…Are you committing blasphemy in front of the Pope?”

“I’m making a statement based on facts.”

“Well, did you have a direct conversation with the Goddess or something?”

“I did peek into the memories of someone who spoke directly with the Goddess.”

The Pope’s eyes widened in surprise as he urgently asked:

“Who on earth had a direct conversation with the Goddess?”

“A reincarnator called Lite.”

“Well, that’s credible. So what was the Goddess doing that made you say that?”

“She was eating dog food while working overtime.”

“…I could execute you right now for blasphemy.”

“Do I look like I’m lying? If you think so, why don’t you use that technique that detects lies?”

As the thief stared at the Pope with innocent eyes, the Pope backed down first.

“…I’ll just assume you’re talking nonsense. That seems better for my mental health.”

“Think whatever you want. The truth is that the Goddess eats dog food while working overtime.”

“…”

“So, did you find out anything, Your Holiness?”

“Nothing.”

When the thief sent a sharp glare at the Pope who had answered so nonchalantly, the Pope explained:

“Thanks to being swamped with paperwork every day, I don’t even have time to investigate anything.”

“Then why did you become Pope in the first place?”

“Look, I thought I’d know more once I reached a high position, but how was I supposed to know there would be this much work?”

As the Pope laughed awkwardly, he suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Ah, there is one thing I found out.”

“Is it just more useless information?”

“The Demon King’s death was suicide.”

At that, both Yongin and the thief froze.

“The Hero told me before. When he arrived, the Demon King had already committed suicide.”

“…So after causing all this trouble, in the end, all he did was kill himself?”

“I don’t know why he did it. The Hero seems to know, but he wouldn’t tell me.”

In the cold atmosphere that had settled, Yongin broke the silence.

“Doesn’t something seem strange?”

“What?”

“The Demon King’s plan was supposedly for the Hero to kill him and then become a sacrifice himself.”

“Isn’t it the same either way since he’d be offered as a sacrifice anyway?”

“Then why did the Demon King specifically mention being killed by the Hero?”

“What’s the point of racking our brains over this? Since we’re all gathered, let’s just relax a bit.”

The Pope quickly changed the subject to lighten the overly heavy atmosphere.

“So what do you both think about the current reincarnators? I haven’t met them yet, so I don’t know.”

The thief sighed deeply and answered the Pope.

“There’s just one I don’t like.”

“Who?”

“A reincarnator named Seo Tae-yang.”

“Why him?”

“He’s so cowardly that he can’t even fight opponents he could easily overwhelm.”

“That is pretty bad. What about you?”

The Pope turned his question to Yongin.

“I like two of the reincarnators.”

“Which ones?”

“A reincarnator named Lite and my disciple, a reincarnator named Park Ha-eun.”

“…You took on a disciple?”

“The Goddess asked me to, what could I do?”

“…Is she really okay?”

“She has talent for magic.”

The Pope sighed much more heavily than when dealing with his daughter.

“We’re doomed…”

“Why do you say that?”

“I’ve never met a normal person among magicians. Why would she be any different?”

“Am I not normal?”

“See? There are no normal ones.”

Yongin tried to argue with the Pope, but the Pope continued without giving him a chance.

“Alright, what do you both think about the Hero now?”

“I think he’s trustworthy.”

“I think he’s a piece of shit.”

Contradictory answers came simultaneously from Yongin and the thief.

“Why do you think that?”

“Do you know about a girl named Partia?”

“Of course I know her. What does she have to do with the Hero?”

“The young lady is 15 years old. Yet the Hero beat her nearly to death. Does that make any sense to you? She’s still a child! A child! How could anyone look favorably on someone who stabs a child with a sword, punches her, and does such terrible things?”

The thief, who usually doesn’t show much emotion, was jumping up and down in anger. Seeing this, Yongin naturally shrank back.

“But her enthusiasm for studying magic is remarkable…”

“There really are no normal people among magicians.”

“See? Magicians are just a collection of mentally ill people.”

“…”

Yongin wanted to argue right away, but he remained quiet, knowing that the thief would likely get even more upset.

“What do you think about the Saint?”

“I think she’s a good person.”

“I think she’s one of the more normal people.”

“…Are you serious?”

The Pope looked at them with confusion, but they looked back at him as if he was the strange one.

“Think about it. The Saint was directly chosen by the Goddess. Does it make sense that such a Saint would lack faith?”

“If someone can rise to the position of Pope just for power, is that really such a big deal?”

“I still have deep faith.”

“Can someone who rose to Pope for personal gain claim to have deep faith?”

“…”

While Yongin and the Pope were having a light argument, the thief spoke up.

“The… Saint is someone who has suffered greatly. Please try to understand her.”

“What happened to the Saint?”

“That’s none of your business, Your Holiness.”

“…Damn you both.”

The Pope took a deep breath and asked another question.

“Let’s get to the main point. About the Holy Knight named Agath…”

“I think she’s mentally ill.”

“I don’t think she’s in her right mind.”

“…”

The Pope’s thin thread of hope was completely shattered.

“Stealing the underwear of the Goddess’s statue, planning a gang rape of reincarnators…”

“Wait, gang rape what?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“…”

And the completely shattered hope was now turning to dust.

“She’s the only person whose thoughts I’ve given up on reading.”

“Why?”

“Her thoughts were too disgusting. They were so bad that I questioned whether they could even be considered human thoughts.”

“…Everyone out.”

The Pope spoke calmly with a voice full of anger.

“…Stay strong.”

“Please… guard your daughter carefully.”

As soon as the two left, the Pope took out his mobile phone and sent a message to his daughter.

[Pope: Get your ass to the Pope’s office tomorrow morning.]

[CuteDaughter: Why?]

[Pope: Reincarnator gang rape plan.]

The Pope immediately changed his daughter’s nickname after sending the message.

[Target for Punishment: It was absolutely not my true intention. It was just my excessive joke to show our closeness.]

[Pope: Fuck off]

***

I thought the accommodations would be close by. But the distance to our lodging was quite far, taking over 30 minutes even by car.

But we’ve finally arrived. By the way, it’s getting dark. But it was definitely daytime not long ago…

…Right, there’s a time difference.

Anyway, because of the time difference, night was approaching here.

On the way to our lodging, Agath suddenly had a seizure.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Lite, can I pounce on you?”

“Absolutely not. But why so suddenly?”

“I… I’m going to die tomorrow…”

Agath said, trembling. What on earth happened?

…There are too many possibilities to guess.

Anyway, we arrived at our lodging.

“…Is that entire building our accommodation?”

“Yes. The Pope took special care since you’re future Heroes.”

“But isn’t that too much?”

Our lodging was a massive castle. A medieval-style castle complete with walls.

“Should I change it to a different building?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

Honestly, everyone probably has that kind of fantasy. The fantasy of running around in a huge castle.

So I entered the castle with high expectations.

***

I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

Only the exterior was a castle, while the interior was an ordinary hotel. Who came up with such a stupid idea?

If you’re going for a concept, you should be consistent from start to finish. Why make the interior like this when the outside looks so good?

So I grumbled as I unpacked my…

…I don’t have any luggage.

The way I got here was almost like being kidnapped. So there was no time to pack anything.

As a result, I have no change of clothes, not even underwear. Should I go out and buy some clothes?

Alright, while I’m out buying clothes, I’ll get some pants too. Finally, I can get rid of this damn skirt!

With a happy heart, I opened the door to go outside, and there was a bag and a note placed in front of the door.

[These are temporary clothes prepared for Ms. Lite. If they are insufficient, please contact us at the number below anytime.]

…In this case, should I be grateful for their thoroughness? Or should I feel uncomfortable?

Anyway, I no longer need to go out to buy clothes. So there’s only one thing I need to do.

I should go visit Ju-an’s room right now.

Since we have the trial tomorrow, it’s right to rest well today. So it shouldn’t matter if I go visit now.

Right, I should bring Ha-eun and Tae-yang along.

That way, that orange-haired girl will never be able to come to Ju-an’s room.

Even if she does attend, since she’s not from the same world, she’ll have to stay quiet.

So I prepared to go to Ju-an’s room with Ha-eun and Tae-yang.