Preparation – 3

Only after we were facing each other, I could instantly recognize the appearance of the Pope of the Moon.

So beautiful it could be called the Moon itself, elegant silver-gray hair flowed long down her back. Its ends were just about to touch the floor.

Her long bangs, falling between her eyes, were almost touching her lips. Beautiful violet eyes, so stunning one would believe they were actual jewels embedded, sparkled amidst her silver-gray hair.

Around her neck, she wore an ornament with a violet gem, identical to her eye color. It was an ornament similar to the one worn by the Pope of the Sun.

Her attire was no different either.

Clothes that were almost sheer, revealing her skin. Clothes where it was harder to find parts that *weren’t* exposed than parts that were. In essence, her outfit was identical to that of the Pope of the Sun.

The fact that the only thing covering her vital areas was a single, extremely thin piece of fabric, and that she wore nothing else but a garter belt and stockings, was also the same. As was the fact that there was nowhere to look.

The only difference was that the sleeves were much smaller in area, but this was practically a meaningless distinction. In a situation where her entire body was covered in sheer fabric, virtually naked, would that even matter?

-Clack.

The sound of high heels echoing on the marble floor jolted me out of my thoughts. The Pope of the Moon was descending the stairs, step by step. Moonlight shone behind her abundant silver hair, like a halo.

It was a similar situation to when I went to meet Floretta, but the atmosphere was completely different.

If the Pope of the Sun approached to welcome me, the Pope of the Moon was closer to approaching to interrogate me. Her expression was beyond blunt; it was chilling.

‘…I should definitely be nervous.’

However, I couldn’t concentrate at all because of *her* chest, which swayed violently with every step, flaunting its presence and elasticity. I sighed deeply inwardly.

The person herself, staring coldly at me, had an utterly serious expression, but due to her attire and chest, it only looked like a concept. And if I were to show any other reaction here, it would literally be a disaster.

I clamped my mouth shut and desperately tried to maintain my composure. The Pope of the Moon seemed to interpret my behavior differently, and she unclasped her hands, which had been interlocked in front of her lower abdomen.

“If you intend to remain silent to the very end, then do so. Our conversation ends here.”

Her arm was lightly waved. Then, the door I had entered through began to emit an even fiercer moonlight. Even though it was quite far away, it was enough to cast a shadow beneath my feet.

“I will not waste any more time. For whatever reason, it would be a wise choice not to seek my help.”

“I know. I did not come here to seek Your Holiness’s help.”

At my words, Luna’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“Even the favor granted by the Pope of the Sun will have its limits, outsider. Crossing the line is an unwise choice. I will ask again. What business brings you here?”

“One could say I came to seek teachings about the ‘Lunar Eclipse’… but that would certainly never be permitted. I merely came to visit because I had something to say to Your Holiness.”

“Something to say, you say… You are truly arrogant.”

Her steps descending the stairs subtly quickened. Naturally, the swaying of her chest also intensified.

“Are you saying you brazenly stepped into the Pope’s chambers just for a single conversation?”

“Because it’s a matter of sufficient worth.”

At my brazenly confident demeanor, the Pope of the Moon fell silent as if speechless. Seizing that opportunity, I quickly drove in the wedge.

“The monster beneath the Holy Nation. This matter is related to it.”

The clacking sound of high heels ceased. At the same time, Luna’s face turned deathly pale.

Thanks to the moonlight pouring from behind her, her already pale skin had now become so devoid of life that one couldn’t find any vitality even if they searched with washed eyes.

“…What did you just say?”

“I did not come here to fight Your Holiness, nor to receive the Lunar Eclipse. My sole purpose in coming here is to tell you that I will go and deal with the monster sleeping beneath the Holy Nation.”

“If you utter one more word, I will consider it blasphemy. Such a blatant lie-“

“But surely Your Holiness has also already received a new revelation from the Full Moon?”

As if struck at her core, the Pope of the Moon flinched and stopped what she was about to say.

A revelation is not given separately to only one Pope, but is given to both Popes together. Just as the Sun and Moon cannot be thought of separately, neither can the Popes.

If the Pope of the Sun received a revelation related to a future where I defeat that monster, then the Pope of the Moon would also receive the same revelation related to a future where I defeat that monster.

Since Floretta had guaranteed this fact, it was undoubtedly true.

“…What is it you wish to say? Did you think such words could change my mind?”

“Of course not. Absolutely not.”

There was no need to persuade the Pope of the Moon right now. No matter what method I tried to use for persuasion, she had already closed her mind and would only stubbornly refuse. It was essentially pouring water into a bottomless jar.

Luna was the type of person who would even strike her own sister, telling her that trying to save her was useless. To break that resolute will, results were needed, not promises.

‘Since a revelation has come, she probably hasn’t completely given up hope.’

Luna herself must have harbored a ‘no way’ thought after receiving the revelation. She was merely shrinking back alone to avoid the terrible despair that would be felt the moment hope turned into desperation.

“Someone like me could never break Your Holiness’s will. I know that very well.”

My goal was not to persuade the Pope of the Moon from the beginning anyway. I didn’t even expect to receive the Lunar Eclipse. If I hadn’t come to persuade her in the first place, how could I achieve such a result?

This was merely a preemptive measure to prevent the Pope of the Moon from using force, just in case.

Because if she were to belatedly realize that the entrance to the Holy Nation’s underground had opened, she would almost certainly come to that place and rage, asking what the hell was going on.

If I were to defeat the boss and come out, only to find the Pope of the Moon raging outside, the post-event handling would become severely troublesome. It was right to convey this beforehand, before such a thing occurred.

“However, Your Holiness will absolutely never suffer any loss. I guarantee it. If I’m just a bluffer and die after going in to subjugate the monster, then that’s the end of it; you can just seal the entrance again. If I succeed in dealing with it, then it will be an excellent result, beyond compare.”

“…….”

“I know. It must sound like nonsense to you. Because Inquisitor-nim, Heresy Interrogator-nim, and even His Holiness the Pope of the Sun didn’t believe me at first either.”

Especially Selene, who said she absolutely couldn’t believe it and even personally verified my skills. But after being utterly crushed and overwhelmed by me, she quietly accepted it.

“I won’t even ask you to believe me. I know better than anyone how absurd these words are.”

I continued calmly.

“However, I can promise you one thing.”

Her violet eyes seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

“That Your Holiness sacrificing yourself will absolutely not happen.”

“The Lunar Eclipse is…”

As I exited the Grand Cathedral, Selene, who was waiting nearby, asked with her voice trailing off. I shook my head slightly from side to side. As if understanding the meaning instantly, both of them fell silent.

‘Still, this went rather well.’

In the worst-case scenario, I had even prepared for her to attack me. But to my surprise, the Pope of the Moon let me go without any particular action.

She could have summoned battle nuns and Heresy Interrogators anytime she wished, but Luna did not. Perhaps, deep down, the Pope herself had a desire to believe me.

“The Lunar Eclipse is something that’s good to have, but fine without. Solar Eclipse alone is enough for divine spells.”

“…I’ve felt this for a while, but Honored Guest-nim, you are truly overflowing with confidence. As if you have something solid you believe in.”

I replaced my answer with a laugh at Stella’s words. Both of them must be wondering what on earth I rely on to be so confident.

The knight captains knew it was because of *that* ‘secret,’ but I hadn’t told Selene and Stella about it. And I didn’t particularly want to tell them first when they hadn’t even asked.

From then on, it wasn’t really an atmosphere for exchanging conversation, so I mentally reviewed the patterns of the God-forsaken creature. As I was now, I absolutely had to prepare for a super long-term battle.

The DLCs for ‘Brdk 4’ are generally rated as incredibly frustrating in difficulty, and true to a final boss of such DLC, its defense is absurd and its HP is insane.

It was easy to think of it as a superior version of Lucia’s Phase 1 in terms of defense and elemental resistance. But for me right now, there was only one way to exploit its elemental weakness: the Solar Eclipse.

A super long-term battle was an inevitable course of action.

“We have arrived.”

The two people walking ahead stopped. Since the entrance itself was not far from the Grand Cathedral, arrival was quick. For now, its exterior looked like an ordinary building.

The reason the Papal Palace was built where the monster slept was said to be to suppress the monster with the Popes’ divine power, but unfortunately, it was a futile act.

Because it wasn’t that it *couldn’t* come out from inside, but that it *wasn’t* coming out.

If it wished, it could break through the divine barrier set up by the Popes and come out at any time. The only reason it didn’t was simply because it hadn’t fully recovered its strength.

Even its strength, far from its prime, was much greater than that of both Popes combined, so it wasn’t for nothing that it was given the grand name of ‘God-forsaken creature.’

The protagonist of ‘Brdk 4’, however, is an even crazier bastard who single-handedly invades what is essentially its home, beats it down, and comes out.

“You can open the door with this and go inside. We will wait here. Please, return safely.”

Selene handed me an old key. I took it and approached the wooden door. It was a door that looked like it would break if lightly tapped with a sword.

Of course, this was just its appearance. Its true nature was a divine barrier personally set up by the Popes. Since the monster’s existence had to be hidden, its exterior couldn’t be helped.

“Please stay safe, Honored Guest-nim. I wish you good fortune.”

Listening to Stella’s small cheer, I inserted the key into the keyhole. Click, as the lock disengaged, the door opened slightly. I grabbed the doorknob and swung it wide open in one swift motion.

Instantly, a black shadow stretched out from within and enveloped me. I was surrounded by the shadow without a chance to resist. From behind me, I heard Stella and Selene gasp.

My body, engulfed by the shadow, was instantly sucked inside.

The door closed.