Holy Kingdom – Welfare Means (1)

“It’s time to wake from your dream now.”

“Ah….”

-Thud.

As the artifact activated, Rena immediately lost consciousness and collapsed to the floor.

Not long after, Rena regained consciousness and slowly rose to her feet.

“Ugh… Why does my head hurt so much?”

Rena instinctively tried to raise her hands to her throbbing head when-

-Clank!

“Handcuffs?”

She discovered the shackles binding both her wrists.

“Why am I naked… Where is this pl-“

“Have you come to your senses?”

“!!”

Only then did Rena notice the Pope standing before her with his hands behind his back, startling her.

“Hehe, a pleasure to see you.”

“Ha… You again?”

After calming her startled heart, Rena immediately sighed and frowned.

But the Pope found her reaction merely adorable.

‘That expression says you’re utterly sick of this situation.’

Of course, this will be my final meeting with Miss Rena.

“Still not giving up? How persistent. I told you I’d never submit, no matter what you do. That artifact of yours must have its limits.”

“No. You’ve already lost to me, Miss Rena.”

“What?”

The Pope grabbed Rena’s chin and forced her head up as she stared at him in disbelief.

“You looked quite charming fawning over me. And you carried out my orders perfectly. You’ve done so much for me until now-does none of it ring a bell?”

“W-wait. Are you saying I was brainwashed? That can’t be….”

“As expected, memories don’t immediately connect after breaking free from brainwashing. I’ll give you time to remember. We have plenty.”

“Ha, you’re lying.”

Rena scoffed at him but fell silent as she tried to piece together her memories-

“Ah.”

Her mouth hung open as she froze in place.

“Oh. Has it come back to you?”

“No. Wh-what did I do to Jade….”

Rena began trembling violently as she stared at her hands.

“Hehe, what else? You confessed your crimes and even stabbed the Hero. Betraying someone who trusted you till the end-what a tragic conclusion.”

“No! That wasn’t my will! You brainwashed me into doing this!”

“Hehe, who knows? Perhaps your true feelings surfaced.”

“I love Jade. That’s impossible. Wh-what do I do? Jade will see me as a traitor. How can I…”

Terrified, Rena clutched her head with both hands.

“R-right. I need to tell Jade the whole truth. He’ll believe me if I explain. If I hurry…”

“Sadly, that’s impossible.”

The Pope sneered at Rena’s desperate muttering while quietly admiring her internally.

‘Even in this situation, she refuses to give up and clings to hope.’

Her willpower remains as formidable as ever.

At that moment, hearing the Pope’s words, Rena sprang up and lunged at him.

“Shut up and release me now! Or I’ll kill you!”

-Clank!

“My, my. You shouldn’t throw such dangerous tantrums.”

“Urk!”

But as the Pope casually stepped back, Rena struggled helplessly, restrained by the handcuffs.

“Take these off! It’s not too late if you do it now!”

“Your attitude is quite disrespectful. Why would I release someone acting so aggressively?”

“Wh-what?”

“I’m known for my magnanimous heart. But I find it difficult to respond kindly to those who attack me.”

“Haa, haa….”

Rena paused her frenzy, taking ragged breaths as if trying to suppress her rage.

“…So you’re saying you’ll release me if I beg?”

“A little courtesy might change my mind.”

“You know what’s at stake. Jade will misunderstand and hate me forever. Please, release me.”

“Hmm….”

But the Pope simply stared at Rena without responding.

“You bastard….”

Understanding his gaze, Rena bit her lower lip hard.

-Thud.

Finally, Rena knelt, clasped her hands, and began pleading with the Pope.

“P-please. I’ll never defy you again.”

A pitiful sight-completely naked, begging for mercy.

Only then did the Pope break into a wide smile.

“Hahaha! Now you’re begging me.”

The fire that always burned in Rena’s eyes when looking at him had extinguished.

Her will had finally broken.

Of course, the Pope had no intention of granting her request.

‘She must know the probability of me agreeing is practically zero.’

Yet Rena had no choice but to beg.

All her hopes had vanished, leaving only this final plea to the Pope.

“I’ll do whatever you say. Just give me a chance to explain to Jade….”

“I’m sorry.”

The Pope’s answer to Rena’s desperate plea was, unsurprisingly, rejection.

“You know I can’t grant that request.”

“P-please! I’m begging you. Even if you don’t release me, just tell Jade and Annie the truth. That’s enough…”

“Then the Hero and Miss Annie would try to kill me. My heart aches seeing you like this, Miss Rena. But your journey ends here.”

“You said you’d change your mind if I begged! You’re supposed to be merciful!”

The Pope leaned in with a sly grin.

“Did you… actually expect that?”

“Ah, ah….”

Rena’s body slumped as she continued pleading.

He dangled false hope before revealing it was all an illusion, plunging her into despair.

‘This isn’t bad either.’

Though not a full-blown sadist, the Pope didn’t dislike such pleasures.

“Fucking… bastard….”

Rena trembled with humiliation at being toyed with.

“My, giving up so soon? A little more and I might’ve changed my mind.”

“…You’re just enjoying my struggle. I won’t play along with this stupid game anymore.”

“A pity. It was quite entertaining.”

“Just get lost already.”

Having accepted her hopeless situation, Rena wore a detached expression.

She retreated from the Pope and leaned against the wall.

“Going to send me to the guillotine now?”

“Execution…”

The Pope had considered it as a clean solution. But he quickly reconsidered.

Jade’s feelings for Rena ran deeper than expected.

‘If I truly kill her… the Hero will resent me intensely regardless of the reason.’

Such a powerful piece might even turn its blade against him.

This led him to devise another plan-the very room they now occupied.

The Pope lightly traced Rena’s chest.

“Hyaht?!”

“I considered it… but your beautiful body has many uses.”

“You can’t mean-“

“You should blame your sharp mind. Had you been slightly duller, I’d have used you like the Saintess. But knowing your strong will and spirit made me worry about potential problems. Yet killing you outright is troublesome… So I decided to repurpose you as welfare for our holy knights and priests.”

“Welfare means…? That’s great…”

“Great? Are you saying this outcome pleases you?”

The Pope momentarily failed to grasp Rena’s sarcasm.

“Gr-great, you bastard! Is that all you see women as-sexual objects? The Goddess will never forgive you! Divine punishment awaits!”

But her furious outburst made him dismiss the odd phrasing.

“Hehe, I believe the Goddess will overlook this minor transgression. I’ve increased Her followers and restored the fallen Holy Kingdom. I’m simply indulging in modest desires as reward for my efforts.”

“That’s just your rationalization! You think framing innocents, ruining lives, and exploiting war is acceptable?”

-Step. Step.

The Pope paced before Rena without answering.

He didn’t disagree with her.

‘The Goddess wouldn’t approve.’

But he couldn’t stop now. Had he intended to, he’d never have become Pope.

Having come this far, he refused to abandon his ambition-

To place the world beneath his feet.

“Frankly, that’s irrelevant. You should worry about your future.”

“What changes if I worry?”

“Many will seek you out. Holy knights and priests have limited outlets for their urges. They make good use of vicious criminals like you. With your looks, you’ll be popular.”

“Don’t call me a criminal! That’s all your fucking-“

-Thud!

“Kgh… ugh….”

-Thud.

A blow to her stomach left Rena trembling, unable to breathe properly.

“Hmm. Much quieter now. It’s time to conclude our conversation.”

-Tap, tap.

The Pope brushed off his hands and whispered in Rena’s ear.

“The truth no longer matters. Everyone in the Holy Kingdom-no, the entire world-believes you’re a demon spy. Even your last hope, the Hero, now hates you.”

“I never… conspired with demons….”

“Guests will arrive soon. Thank you for entertaining me until now.”

The Pope bid farewell and walked toward the door.

-Clank!

Rena grabbed his robe hem. Her next words slightly startled him.

“…Just brainwash me again. You can at least do that much.”

“Brainwash you?”

Why suddenly request…

Ah.

‘How amusing.’

He instantly understood her intent.

Better to experience hell brainwashed and happy than endure it consciously.

“After resisting so desperately? Impossible.”

“I won’t resist anymore. Then it’s easy for you. Why refuse?”

“Because breaking your conscious self is far more entertaining. And you must pay for opposing me.”

“Th-that’s your only reason to destroy me? How can you….”

-Whack!

“Urk?!”

The Pope violently slapped away her grasping hand.

“Life as a Fuck Toy isn’t so bad. I’ll take my leave now.”

“No! Please don’t go!”

-Slam.

The door closed on Rena’s screams.