The Holy Kingdom – The Pope

body {
font-family: Georgia, serif;
line-height: 1.6;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
h1 {
color: #333;
border-bottom: 2px solid #ddd;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
p {
margin-bottom: 1em;
text-align: justify;
}

Whether I lamented or not, a tense atmosphere continued between Antonio and the Holy Knights.

“Heh heh, is that so? Did you think I was an easy target?”

“I am merely following the orders of His Holiness the Pope. Of course, I may not be able to stop Lord Antonio here, but the Vatican will not let this incident pass.”

Even under Antonio’s pressure, Cardinal Cassios merely chuckled it off.

He was quite the irritating type to deal with. A fist would be the best medicine for someone like him.

‘But at this rate, it feels like the first step of the plan will be completely twisted from the start?’

But it might be fun if it gets twisted.

The Hero Party at odds with the Holy Kingdom.

There would be quite a few situations for me to enjoy.

Like being captured by the Holy Knights and subjected to various things, or sacrificing myself to help them escape…

-Creak.

‘Jade?’

At that moment, Jade, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up.

“I’ll go.”

“You’re going to follow the Cardinal’s words?”

“I think this is a problem that I need to step in to solve. It would be a disaster if a real fight broke out here. We don’t have a way to escape the Holy Kingdom right now with our strength.”

“Then have you thought about what you’ll say when you meet the Pope? What if things go wrong after you go?”

“First, I’ll just ask if I can meet The Saintess. If they refuse, we’ll have a reason to do something. And then, while staying at the temple, we might find a clue to solve the problems of the Holy Kingdom. Trust me.”

Jade’s face, as he tried to persuade me, was clearly strained.

He doesn’t look trustworthy at all for someone asking to be trusted.

“Then do your best. Just don’t make the situation worse.”

Still, I support Jade’s courageous action. I was curious to see how he would solve the problems of the Holy Kingdom in the future.

“I’ll cheer you on too. Fighting is a bit scary.”

“Yeah. I’ll try.”

Receiving the support of Annie and me, Jade slowly approached the door.

Then, he stood confidently between the Cardinal and Lord Antonio and raised both hands.

“Everyone, I think it would be best to calm down.”

“…”

With Jade’s sudden appearance, everyone’s attention was focused on him.

-Clang.

The tips of the swords held by the Holy Knights also moved towards Jade.

Hmm.

It’s a crude method, but it did stop the volatile situation.

Perhaps slightly embarrassed by the burdensome gaze, Jade scratched his cheek.

“Um… I’m the Hero you were looking for.”

“…So, you’re the Hero I’ve only heard rumors about. Heh heh, we were rude. Everyone, put away your weapons!”

At the Cardinal’s command, the Holy Knights sheathed their swords. At the sight of this, Antonio also lowered his weapon.

Antonio immediately tried to stop Jade, who was about to step forward.

“Hero, why did you come out! I can handle this.”

“No. This is a problem that I need to face and solve. Creating more conflict with the people of the Holy Kingdom here is not good for either me or Lord Antonio. Were you really going to fight if they didn’t back down?”

“Ugh…”

Antonio groaned at Jade’s point.

Of course, Antonio wouldn’t want to fight the knights of the Holy Kingdom either. He knew that the Holy Knights were only following the Cardinal’s orders.

“Haa… I understand.”

“It’ll be alright. After all, the plan Lord Antonio proposed was to see the Pope tomorrow anyway.”

The Cardinal’s face lit up at Jade and Antonio’s conversation.

“Then are you coming with us right away?”

“Yes. But the condition is that my companions and Lord Antonio come with us.”

“Of course. Everyone is a distinguished guest who should be treated with respect in the Holy Kingdom. Thank you so much for your cooperation. You are indeed worthy of being called Hero.”

Hearing the Cardinal’s words, Annie chuckled and whispered to me.

“Seriously, does the Holy Kingdom point swords at distinguished guests?”

“I know, right? They need to relearn how to treat guests.”

If they tried to take us away again, there might be a war between the Hero and the Holy Kingdom.

In any case, following Jade’s suggestion, we decided to obediently follow the Cardinal.

**

“…”

Inside the carriage heading to the Great Temple, I was quietly observing the situation.

At first, we were going to ride in the same carriage, but the Cardinal had us ride in separate carriages.

He probably didn’t want to give us time to gather together.

Lord Antonio was naturally going to say something, but Jade stopped him, not wanting to create conflict.

In the end, I was sitting alone in the carriage, surrounded by Holy Knights.

They were all showing that they were trying to pressure me with their stiff expressions, which was a bit cute.

I lightly greeted them.

“Hello. My name is Lena.”

“…”

However, the Holy Knights in the carriage continued to remain silent.

‘I want to extract some simple information.’

In times like these, it’s good to use a little charm.

The male Holy Knight sitting next to me would be a good target. He seemed to be the youngest here, so he must not have been a Holy Knight for very long.

This kind of person is perfect to target.

I immediately grabbed the young Holy Knight’s arm.

“Um… what will we be doing when we get to the Great Temple?”

“…”

However, the young Holy Knight steadfastly remained silent.

He has some patience, as befitting a Holy Knight.

I didn’t give up and moved my body closer.

-Squish.

I could feel my chest slightly pressing against the Holy Knight’s arm.

“Ahem! This is inappropriate.”

Only then did the young Holy Knight react.

“Please. Can you tell me just a little bit? I’m scared because we’re suddenly going to a place like the Great Temple…”

As a final blow, I looked up at him with innocent eyes.

“Haa… Then I’ll tell you only what I know.”

Finally, my plea opened his mouth.

“As far as I know, you’ll be meeting His Holiness the Pope as soon as you arrive at the Great Temple. The Hero appointment ceremony will probably be scheduled this time as well.”

Meeting the Pope right away, huh. I’ll finally be able to see what kind of person the Pope who made the Holy Kingdom like this is.

“And as far as I know, dignitaries from various countries will be visiting…”

The Holy Knight, who had been diligently revealing the information he knew, suddenly stopped talking.

Following his gaze, I saw two Holy Knights sitting in front of us staring at him with piercing eyes.

“…I’m sorry.”

The young Holy Knight realized his mistake and lowered his head.

He’s going to get chewed out when he gets back.

Sorry. You’re supposed to grow through experiences like this.

In the end, only silence flowed in the carriage until we arrived at the temple.

**

As soon as the carriage stopped and I got out, Jade ran to me.

He must have arrived earlier and was waiting.

“Lena, did anything happen to you?”

“No. They were actually very nice. Did you hear anything from the Cardinal?”

“Lord Antonio and I asked a few things, but we didn’t get any information. Rather, he asked about you and Annie.”

“So what did you say?”

“I just said Annie was a companion, and that you and I were romantically involved…”

“Oh… you told them everything?”

“W-was I not supposed to?”

He just told them everything honestly when they asked. How important is each piece of information in these kinds of mind games?

While I was trying to extract information, Jade was handing it over.

In fact, my existence is Jade’s weak point, so if the Pope’s side knows this, they will try to dig into it relentlessly.

Women problems are the best way to shake a man.

“Those small pieces of information will make the Pope’s side more advantageous. It’s best to hide as much as possible about our side.”

“…Sorry. I didn’t think about that part.”

Jade drooped, looking dejected at my criticism.

“It’s okay. The Pope’s side probably already knew about it anyway.”

That’s why he confidently brought us to the Great Temple. Otherwise, he would have prevented us from coming.

It’s also my fault for not educating Jade in this area. I’ll have to let him learn through experience this time.

Following the Cardinal and the Holy Knights who were walking ahead, the destination, the Great Temple, appeared before our eyes.

The temple, with its huge stone pillars supporting the roof, revealed a more magnificent presence than any other building in the Holy Kingdom.

Jade and Annie were impressed by the sight.

“It’s really big…”

“I’ve never seen such a big temple in my life.”

“It’s really big and fancy.”

My last memory was of it being half-destroyed by the Legion Commander and being rebuilt…

It’s twice as big as it was then, and thanks to all the sculptures and decorations, it feels luxurious from the outside.

‘How much money did they spend on this?’

It seems more like a palace than a Great Temple.

“Everyone, good work. You can go back to your original tasks. From here, you will be going with me.”

The Cardinal sent back the Holy Knights who had completed their mission and entered the Great Temple with only us.

“There are complaints from those who came from the Empire…”

“Guests from the Magic Tower will be arriving soon. Prepare quickly.”

Inside the Great Temple, a large number of people were bustling about.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

The scenery and facilities of the corridor I see as I walk are quite unfamiliar.

I roughly grasped the structure with a map, but the structure has changed a lot compared to the past, so it felt like I was coming here for the first time.

The Cardinal, who was leading us, stopped in front of a white door.

The decoration of the door was luxurious and full of holiness. It was clearly an important place in the temple.

The Cardinal lightly knocked on the door.

-Knock knock.

“It’s the Hero and his companions.”

“You may enter.”

When the words of permission were heard from inside, the Cardinal opened the door and allowed us to enter.

-Creak.

“You may go inside.”

As soon as we entered the room, a large statue of the Goddess, with a benevolent smile, was looking at us in the front.

And right in front of it, a middle-aged man was standing, wearing a hat studded with jewels and a long, voluminous white cloak.

-Rustle.

The edges of the cloak were decorated with gold and silver embroidery, shining fantastically with rays of light.

It revealed holiness and authority, and harmonized with the man’s calm expression, creating a calm atmosphere.

There is only one person who would be wearing this kind of attire in the Great Temple.

It was the first meeting with the Pope, the supreme ruler of the Holy Kingdom.

“Welcome. I am the Pope of the Holy Kingdom.”

The Pope welcomed us with a benevolent smile.

Somehow, the smile is similar to the expression the Pope always makes.

Does that smile become automatically usable when you become Pope?

The Cardinal next to him suddenly approached the Pope and whispered something.

“Your Holiness, just a moment…”

In this situation, we had no choice but to stand there blankly and watch. The Cardinal has no manners.

The Pope, who was listening to the story, nodded and issued an order to leave.

“…I understand. You may leave now.”

“If you need anything, please call us. We will be waiting.”

Creak- Thud.

As the Cardinal went outside, only the Pope and us were left in the room.

“I apologize for the brief discourtesy in front of the Hero and his companions.”

“No. I am Jade, the Hero.”

Jade stepped forward and introduced himself.

“I have heard a lot about the Hero Party, but seeing you like this, you are truly trustworthy. Did Cardinal Cassios treat you rudely while bringing the Hero here?”

“It was alright, except for the fact that you came without warning.”

“Hahaha, Cardinal Cassios has some shortcomings in that area.”

The Pope burst into laughter at Jade’s timid criticism.

He’s pretending not to know when he ordered it himself or knew and allowed it.

Judging from his tone, he might have wanted us to fight with the Holy Knights.

The Pope briefly turned his head and greeted Lord Antonio.

“Oh, Lord Antonio has come with you as well. I didn’t know you would meet the Hero before me.”

“Heh heh, I think I was lucky. We happened to meet.”

“Such things sometimes happen in the world.”

It’s so beautiful how they’re pretending not to know even though they know everything.

They’re both smiling and looking at each other, but the emotions that have been building up inside can be felt on the skin.

“Anyway, as the Pope, I have been waiting for the day when the Hero would come to the Holy Kingdom. You will be a great help in dealing with the remaining Demon remnants. In particular, there have been recent reports that Demons under the command of a Legion Commander have been discovered near the Empire.”

“Then should we think of the Empire as our next destination?”

“That’s not it. I sent invitations to each country for this Hero appointment ceremony. So, many dignitaries from each country are currently staying at the temple. You can consider the information and proposals provided by each country and choose.”

“Choose…”

“This is a matter that the Hero must decide carefully. If you choose one country, you must give up the others.”

I am a member of the Hero Party, but the level I have shown so far is not particularly special.

In the Holy Kingdom’s position, I’m just a decoration. That’s why Annie next to me is just looking around.

So Jade has to step up and say what he has to say…

“I think I’ve been talking about too heavy of a topic. You will be officially appointed as a Hero and receive the Holy Sword in a few days.”

“Thank you. I am also really looking forward to the moment when I officially become a Hero.”

Jade was listening to the Pope’s words and having a lively conversation.

I couldn’t stand it anymore and lightly poked Jade’s side from behind.

-Poke.

“Huh?”

Jade, who briefly met my eyes, then realized what he had forgotten.

He immediately came to his senses.

Did Jade finally get a clue?

“First, tomorrow…”

“Your Holiness, I have a request.”

“Ah, if you have anything to say, please feel free to say it.”

“Could I possibly meet The Saintess?”

“…The Saintess, you say?”

At Jade’s question, the Pope’s face, which had been calm, slightly hardened.

This is the right way to go. We didn’t come here to laugh and joke around.

I wonder how the Pope will react.

“I heard that no one except the Pope and the Cardinals can meet The Saintess. Does that mean that I, as the Hero, cannot meet The Saintess either?”

“I think you have a big misunderstanding about me. I was never preventing the Hero or Lord Antonio from meeting The Saintess. I was simply following the rules and making a choice for The Saintess.”

“Then wouldn’t it be okay for you to let me meet The Saintess now?”

“Of course.”

“Y-yes?”

…Did I hear wrong?

He’s just going to let us meet The Saintess so easily?

I was even more flustered by the Pope’s unexpected words.

But the Pope was smiling as if he had expected our reaction.

“There’s no need to waste time. The Saintess, you may come out now.”