episode_0094

There is some correlation between faith and divine power, of course—it’s not as if the two are entirely unrelated. Most deeply faithful individuals possess strong divine abilities. It’s just that, in the eyes of the goddess, she likely deemed those people ideal figures to spread her name and evangelize to others.

Take, for instance, the Pope and Cecilia, who undoubtedly wield the strongest divine power in this world. It’s glaringly obvious that neither of them has the slightest intention of believing in the goddess.

Not that I plan to voice that thought to anyone. At best, I’d be branded a heretic—at worst, burnt at the stake. Why would I ever do something so pointless?

“I don’t remember all the details… but it’s clear the current Pope shouldn’t be left as he is. Cecilia seems oddly impatient, but I can’t disagree with her intent.”

“So you do remember something? To suggest removing someone of the Pope’s standing without hesitation…”

“Not perfectly. Just the gist of it.”

No matter how corrupt and self-serving the Pope was, the Church’s order had functioned under his rule. Even after Cecilia ascended as both Saintess and Pope, plenty still resented her.

This led a faction of radical papal loyalists to foolishly attempt resurrecting their Pope through black magic. Though termed “black magic,” the revived Pope was identical in appearance and power to his living self, forcing Cecilia to go through the ordeal of subduing and executing him all over again.

But that’s a story for the distant future. Right now, what mattered more was Cecilia’s dazzling persuasion show unfolding before me.

—

“The Saintess is the goddess’s personally chosen proxy, vested with authority equal to the Pope’s. The sacred relics resonate strongly with me as well. The only reason I haven’t formally assumed the position is my own inadequacy in fully embracing that power. Luca, you know this—everyone in the Church knows it. That’s why you treat me as the Saintess, isn’t it? Or… could it be that your faith is nothing more than blind obedience to authority?”

“N-No! Absolutely not! I would never—how could I dare—”

“Then prove it to me. Give me a reason to trust you, Luca.”

“…She really got her, huh.”

“Got her?”

“Cecilia played it well. Now the one forced to justify themselves has switched places.”

The situation was simple: Cecilia, a Saintess candidate, had been caught sneaking into the forbidden Sacred Vault by an inquisitor named Luca. By all rights, the legitimacy here rested with Luca—timid as she seemed.

Yet now, the tables had turned so drastically that Cecilia was practically cornering her interrogator.

“Well? Can you prove it? Or can’t you?”

“Ugh… That’s… I mean…”

To prove her faith, Luca had no choice but to yield to Cecilia’s demands.

“For an inquisitor, being called faithless is worse than being labeled a traitor, murderer, or worthless trash. After shame like that, wouldn’t you want to comply?”

“You mean Cecilia planned this whole speech?”

“Probably. Inquisitors are handpicked to be fanatical enough that mere words won’t shake them.”

As I leisurely observed Cecilia’s verbal assault, she delivered the final blow.

“Are you afraid… of being branded a heretic?”

“W-What?”

“Pfft… I concede. I, Cecilia Rustain, acknowledge that you, Luca, are among the purest and most devoted of inquisitors. So don’t worry. No one would dare claim that fulfilling my request here is a betrayal—not of yourself, nor of the goddess.”

“What are you—just moments ago, you—”

“Luca. Think about the true purpose of your mission. Does guarding the entrance to the Sacred Vault alone really warrant a direct order from the Pope? Few even know of this passage, and most who enter couldn’t wield the relics inside anyway.”

“…Go on.”

“There’s only one reason to station someone of your strength here—someone unnecessary to guard a place with so little reason to guard it.

The Pope placed inquisitors here for the intruder.

“Huh?”

“The Pope, too, receives the goddess’s divine revelations. Like me, he works tirelessly day and night for the salvation and peace of all… as a true saint would.”

“Ah, that’s a lie. Look, her eye twitched.”

“Saw it.”

At this point, even Elia would’ve been convinced. Watching Cecilia deftly reframe the Pope’s orders—from guarding against intruders to assisting them—was masterful.

“In short, stationing you at this hidden passage means the Pope knew someone would come. And that someone… is me, a Saintess candidate. Openly granting me access would be improper, hence this elaborate ruse. Don’t you agree?”

“I… I was placed here to safeguard you!”

“Exactly! Would the Saintess and the Pope’s wills ever oppose each other? It’s almost embarrassing to say, but both of us are the goddess’s most devoted servants. Unless… you believe your path diverges from mine?”

“Never! I would never harbor such blasphemous thoughts!”

“Good. Deluding yourself will only cause pain. What you’re doing is justified—sanctioned by the goddess and her proxy. You need not escort me. Just… open the door. That’s all.

No one will blame you.”

With a sweetness unbefitting a Saintess, Cecilia whispered:

“I’ll bear all duty and responsibility. No one will fault you. So… you understand, don’t you?”

—

“That was easier than expected.”

“Only because it was you doing it.”

“Honestly, I’m in awe every time I see your silver tongue at work. That Luca wasn’t even your subordinate.”

“Oh, my personal inquisitors already prioritize my orders over the Pope’s.”

Once Luca abandoned independent thought and resigned herself to being a compliant puppet, the rest unfolded swiftly. The vault door swung open, and with Luca sworn to secrecy, the three of us raced down the long passage toward the Sacred Vault.

“I expected the Sacred Vault to greet us with the musty air of an ancient library or storage room. But there’s no guard, no barrier magic… nothing.”

“No need for them. Few even enter the Grand Cathedral, fewer still know its location, and those who do without sufficient divine power would be crushed to death.”

“Huh? Then how are we fine?”

“My divine power isn’t so lacking. Protecting Chris was always within my calculations anyway. Adding one more person isn’t a burden.”

“You accounted for everything? And yet your main plan—”

“Shh! Just know my power won’t falter against Fairchild’s terminals. Focus.”

“…Right.”

Rather than Cecilia, it was Chris who answered softly. Her tone was calm, but the arm holding me tightened slightly.

“They’re faster than I thought. I assumed they’d linger in the main hall…”

“No reason to stay. Fairchild won’t hesitate to devour intruders once they’re inside.”

“What are you two talking about?”

“Fairchild.”

“The hosts it corrupted will attack soon. I’ll protect you, but be careful.”

As if heralded by Chris’s warning, shadows emerged one by one from the long, descending corridor.

“How cowardly, throwing puppets at us like this. The goddess who forged these relics would weep.”

“Not cowardly. Clever.”