Chapter 143: Pope Glacia Part 3

“Yes. No matter what, you are of an advanced age. To think you made such a difficult journey. I was somewhat upset because of Sir William, but I intended to request an audience after I had settled in.”

“The old hag should’ve just stayed put, and I would’ve gone to see her myself,” he sneered.

As expected, the pope, who could hardly be oblivious to the underlying meaning, furrowed his brows more and more.

“Aha. Is that so? Age, you say. But still, I think youth-wise, I’m quite similar to the Saintess of the Empire.”

‘Youth-wise, similar to the Saintess of the Empire.’

Sure. Nice words.

What he really meant was, ‘You and I look hardly different, and yet you dare to treat me like an old man?’

‘He really hates being treated as an old man, huh?’

I mean, I hesitate to say this, but he is at an age where he should admit he’s a grandfather.

Yet, seeing him act like this, it’s clear he’s just being stubborn.

Alright then, I’ll be just as shameless.

“Oh? If you’re that young, then can I drop the formalities?”

“That is…”

“Since you look about the same age as me on the outside, I suddenly feel like we’re friends. What do you think?”

‘So, should we be friends, old man?’

Since he confidently claimed to be young and similar in age to me, it should be fine to treat him like a friend, right?

At my words, the pope’s face twisted into the expression of a warrior who had never been with a woman for a day in his life.

Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that face.

The pope was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had stubbornly dug himself into a trap.

Sure, he could consider it rude, but he had been the one boasting about his youth.

With his personality, he couldn’t suddenly bring up his age and status now to call me disrespectful.

It must be an awkward situation for him to respond to.

“Hey. Isn’t this too rude?”

***

In the end, Elias, the damn bitch who had been watching from the sidelines, snapped.

Well then, this psychological battle is my victory.

She walked right into her own defeat.

I think I just got some solid payback for what happened in Noah’s time.

And while I’m at it, maybe I should take a jab at Elias too.

I clapped my hands together.

“Oh! It seems His Holiness really is young. Otherwise, he wouldn’t just let his guard dog bark like that.”

I aimed my words straight at Elias.

Honestly, it’s not like I said anything wrong.

This woman—Elias—keeps interfering too much.

She should at least realize that her loyalty sometimes just ends up annoying the pope.

“W-what did you just say?”

Oh, “did I say something incorrect?”

Elias’s face turned bright red.

Well, can’t be helped.

I shot a glance at Syria, who was standing quietly like a dead mouse beside me.

“My aide, Syria, is so quiet. But honestly, His Holiness’s dog is exhausting. How does a mere knight dare to raise her voice in the presence of the pope and the Saintess? Or perhaps, she thinks she can be this arrogant because of his father’s position?”

At my words, the pope’s fist trembled.

‘How does that feel? Infuriating, right?’

In the end, the pope had no choice but to take a step back.

“Enough. Quiet down, Elias. The more you speak, the more you disgrace me.”

Since even the pope wasn’t siding with him, Elias lowered her head.

I do feel a bit sorry for het, but honestly, she needs to fix that personality of her.

‘If she keeps that attitude, I doubt any man would want to marry her.’

‘Sure, it might work in the Holy Kingdom, but if she ever plans to marry, her heavy presence and blind devotion to the Pope would only get in the way.’

Ah.

Maybe she doesn’t care about marriage at all since she’s so devoted to the pope.

“…M-my apologies.”

“Heh. Just as I heard, you’re no ordinary person. Truly worthy of being the Saintess of the Empire. You’re remarkably similar to that man. If that man had been talkative and a woman, he’d be exactly like you.”

‘Why does he keep bringing up that dead man?’

‘I’m no longer Noah—I’m Olivia.’

‘Did Noah seem so extraordinary to them?’

“I don’t know who this man is, but he must be quite an amazing person. Perhaps even a mage.”

“Cough. Yes, well, I suppose if you call him amazing, then he is.”

I mean, there are plenty of great mages out there.

“So, may I ask why you summoned me? The founding festival is approaching. Officially recognizing and having both factions manage Cradle together—I hear there’s a lot of talk about it. But honestly, that’s not the main point, is it?”

This is such a petty move.

‘If my guess is right, this man probably called me here without any real reason.’

‘Maybe just to have someone to chat with, like the emperor does.’

“Yes, that’s right.”

The pope nodded.

Since he admitted he called me under those conditions himself, there’s no need to argue further.

So, I’ll just go for a direct confrontation.

“Please be honest with me. What is Your Holiness truly thinking?”

“I simply wanted to see the Saintess of the Empire. That’s all. After all, if we can converse like this, then surely, as the Saintess of the Goddess Church, you must already understand what needs to be done. The establishment of an independent Goddess Church.”

“Yes.”

Of course. Everything is already prepared.

Or rather, I assume the leader is handling it on his own.

At this point, something should be happening.

Even that fool must be working hard to establish a proper Goddess Church.

“Sigh. I see. Then, may I leave now?”

“No, stay and chat for a while. I find you quite fascinating. Besides—”

“Besides?”

‘What else does he have to say?’

“You give off a peculiar aura. As if I’ve seen it before. Putting that aside, you have the bearing of a noble.”

‘Me, having the bearing of a noble?’ Syria was beside me, barely holding back her laughter.

“Is that so?”

“Perhaps you should marry my grandson and stand by his side—”

‘What the hell kind of crazy talk is this?’

‘Has he lost his mind?’

‘Is he seriously trying to marry me off to some reckless bastard?’

‘No way. Not in a million years.’

“I refuse.”

“Of course. Still, that face alone…”

“I’m not the kind of person to marry based on looks.”

‘If he were truly from the bloodline of an exceptional mage, that might be a different story. But he’s not.’

Besides, he’s unlucky.

‘Why would I marry someone from such a rigid place like the Holy Kingdom?’

I have no intention of getting married in the first place.

“Was I trying to set up a pointless marriage for you?”

“I’m planning to live without getting married.”

If I were anyone else, they’d say I’ve passed my prime and fallen into obscurity, but since I’m the Taesa, there would still be marriage proposals.

But no matter what, I refuse.

Noelle can have children if needed.

That’s why, even though he didn’t match well with the second son, I still set them up.

“Why? Originally, the Saintess was a noble lady, and noble ladies were meant to be engaged to Aslan’s prince, weren’t they?”

Let’s get the facts straight.

“That was the past. It’s not the case now. And isn’t the position of the Saintess one that forbids marriage?”

“But you’re the Saintess of the Empire, aren’t you?”

“Yes. The title of Saintess itself is just an excuse to avoid marriage.”

‘Ah, I really don’t want to get married.’

‘Who does he think he is, trying to marry me off to some nobody named William or whatever?’

“Hah.”

“His Holiness knows this already.”

“Then is it really just embezzlement for your private army?”

‘Why is he acting like this? He should know better.’

“Whether it’s soldiers or money, I have Ashtar behind me. And the greatest ruler on the continent. What do I lack that I’d need to embezzle anything?”

“Then why did you turn the nuns into battle nuns without any doctrine to support it?”

Ah. So that’s what he wants to ask.

Well, I get it.

He is a religious leader, after all.

But I have my reasons too.

“No one knows how the war with the Four Heavenly Kings will turn out. So, the Imperial Church is training battle nuns to fight for the nation.”

“Then what about the embezzlement?”

“Ashtar’s money is only spent in Ashtar. But what I take comes from the cult leader, and what he takes is from the Empire’s taxes.”

‘Why do I even have to explain this to the Pope?’

Annoyed, my words came out curt at the end.

“That makes sense.”

“That tax is redistributed to orphanages and the poor. And soon, that absurd religious tax will be abolished.”

From what I hear, Bernoa is on the verge of losing it.

They say this isn’t even a church anymore, just some bizarre organization with an unclear purpose.

So, he’s determined to reform it.

The kids from the slums reported this to me.

“So, is it the exact opposite of what I’ve heard? Or is it a lie?”

“I have no reason to lie to Your Holiness. And even if I did, I wouldn’t need to explain myself.”

I’m an Imperial citizen, not someone from the Holy Kingdom.

“Hah. Right. That’s true.”

“Yes. I am from the Empire, and Your Holiness is from the Holy Kingdom. Even the Emperor doesn’t interfere.”

Which means, don’t try to interfere with me.

Elias’ face reddened, almost to the point of bursting.

Seeing that, I spoke even more casually to the Pope.

“You really are the same. The atmosphere, the way you speak… There’s even that sly fox-like cunningness.”

“Who?”

“That mage, Noah, from the Hero’s Party.”

Honestly, I don’t get it at all.

‘What part of me reminds him of Noah?’

We’re different genders, built differently.

And to be honest, our personalities should be somewhat different too.

Even though I am a fusion of Noah and Olivia, saying I’m exactly like him feels strange.

‘How could this guy come to such a conclusion after just a single day—no, just a brief conversation?’

“Hmm. Interesting. A pleasant encounter. At the very least, your presence should grant some recognition to the Imperial Goddess Church.”

“Sure. Just don’t make any public statements.”

“I don’t particularly enjoy provoking the great Saintess of the Empire, so I won’t.”

This man already knows.

That if he publicly acknowledges the Imperial Goddess Church, it means the church would have to be subordinate to the Holy Kingdom’s Goddess Church.

So just going through the motions is good enough.

Even this much helps secure the Imperial Goddess Church’s position.

“Can I leave now?”

The Holy Kingdom is so suffocating.

I just want to go back.

There’s the founding festival to deal with, the Mage Corps situation…

Because of me, the Mage Corps’ diplomatic exchange got complicated, and I feel bad about it.

“Wouldn’t it be better to stay for a few days? You came here as the Saintess, after all. Leaving immediately wouldn’t look good to other nations.”

“That’s true.”

What a frustrating response.

Fine.

I’ll stay a little longer.

The Pope left the inn.

Finally, I could breathe easier.

I hate to admit it, but I was a little tense.

***

“Oh. Olivia.”

It seemed like he was worried that awful woman might come back in.

Looking at him, I could tell his hatred for the Pope had reached its peak.

“Hmm?”

“You’re acting more like a girl.”

‘What kind of nonsense is that? Calling me over just to say something like that?’

I could tell from my conversation with the Pope that I was different from Noah.

Besides, unlike me, who’s a fusion, Olivia was originally a girl.

‘Wouldn’t her opinion matter more?’

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“No, I mean, you’re acting more like a woman. That tone… That way women mock each other, you’re really good at it.”

I shrugged.

“So what?”

The first Olivia used to do it often.

And I am Olivia.

Now that my body has gotten used to it, this is just natural.

Since my gender changed, a lot of restrictions have disappeared.