Chapter 266: The Pope [3]

Chapter 265

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Episode 68 - The Pope [3]

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With my hand extended and while using my Unique Trait: Gravity, I kept Archbishop Julien completely immobilized.

I had done it this way because he would probably have tried to attack me if I had simply appeared out of nowhere in front of or behind him.

’Can we really trust this guy, disciple?’

It was a natural question. After all, no one could easily trust someone who had remained loyal to their organization for so long.

’Don’t worry. This guy will do whatever I tell him.’

’You sound very confident. What if he betrays you?’

’Then I’ll kill him. My goal is to kill everyone in the Holy Church anyway.’

In truth, I didn’t particularly care if the entire Ordeal Democracy descended into complete chaos after the deaths of the Pope and everyone in the Holy Church.

The Ordeal Democracy was going to disappear within five years anyway.

Of course, I could prevent it, but I had no reason to do so.

Even so, for Rinna’s sake, I would make sure she wasn’t caught up in all the chaos that would likely unfold afterward.

’By the way, Master, the Holy Church was responsible for wiping out your entire family’s bloodline.’

’Yes.’

’This could be considered revenge, although I don’t know if you got along with your family. Still, revenge is revenge.’

My Master didn’t answer directly, but his silence was more than enough of an answer.

House Everblack was erased from every record shortly after my Master’s death.

And it had all happened because of the Holy Church.

As it happened, the Pope who had given the order back then was none other than the current Pope.

By killing him tonight, I would avenge what he had done to my Master’s family.

"May I ask you for a favor?"

"....."

I was pulled from my thoughts when I suddenly heard Archbishop Julien’s words.

"What kind of favor?"

Archbishop Julien replied:

"It’s about my brother. If possible, could you spare his life?"

Tilting my head, I replied:

"Why should I? Your brother is no different from any other villain. He simply looks like a good person on the outside, but deep down, he’s just like a villain."

Archbishop Julien’s voice dropped considerably.

"H-he wasn’t like this when we were children. Ever since he became a Cardinal, he changed completely, as if he were no longer the brother I knew."

"I just... want him to realize what he’s done and become the person he used to be. At least for the little time I have left to live, I want to see my real brother one last time."

"....."

I listened to his words in silence.

Honestly, I knew the reason behind Cardinal Julius’s complete change.

It was all because of the Pope’s magic.

The Pope was a mage. However, he wasn’t actually a Light Mage, nor was his magic, by nature, Light Magic.

’The original Cardinal Julius has been gone for a very long time.’

It was impossible for Julien to see his real brother again.

"And what if you can’t see him again? Then what?"

Julien answered after several seconds.

"No... I don’t know. Even so, he’s still my brother, and watching him get killed is..."

"I know this is complicated for you, but I don’t care."

At my words, Archbishop Julien replied:

"But I’m his brother, and he’s my brother... I-I just don’t want to see him die. I..."

I let out a long sigh before saying:

"I can spare his life only if he truly becomes the brother you knew again. However, if he doesn’t return to the way he was before, then forget about me sparing his life."

Archbishop Julien sighed in slight relief.

’He won’t be able to become the same person anyway.’

That was my conclusion.

The Pope’s magic had affected him for more than a hundred years. A magic that had remained active for so long, continuously exerting its influence, simply couldn’t be removed.

And Cardinal Julius would be no different.

Even in death, he wouldn’t be able to become the same person again.

’And that’s not my problem. I came to save Rinna, not to deliver justice.’

I didn’t care about the deaths of everyone in this place, much less that of a brother who was simply mourning the possible death of his brother.

If I didn’t have even a shred of conscience, I would be a completely selfish person, someone who simply pursued his goals while killing or ignoring anyone who stood in his way.

But I wasn’t someone like that.

’And it’s better not to give him any hope.’

What I had promised him was simply a way of telling him that his brother wouldn’t return to who he used to be.

’Unless, of course, by some twist of fate or sheer luck, his brother manages to escape the Pope’s magic.’

But that was nothing more than false hope.

***

Knock! Knock!

Rinna was getting ready, as the Ceremony would begin in a few minutes.

The moment she heard two knocks on the door, she said:

"You may enter, Lady Elizabeth."

The door opened, and Elizabeth entered.

As she did, she looked at Rinna and then at her clothes.

It wasn’t an elegant outfit; rather, it looked like training clothes.

For some reason Elizabeth didn’t know, the Pope had told her that he didn’t want to see Rinna wearing feminine clothing.

However, the training clothes she was wearing weren’t completely casual.

In fact, they had a certain touch of elegance.

Besides, it wasn’t exclusive to women. Both men and women could wear the outfit Rinna had on.

"Lady Elizabeth, why do I have to wear these clothes for a ceremony? It’s not like I’m going to be training."

"They are the Pope’s orders, my Lady."

"Ah, I know that, but it feels strange to be dressed like this, especially for a Ceremony. By the way, I still don’t know what the Ceremony is about."

"The Pope said he would explain it in the Great Holy Hall once the Ceremony begins, my Lady."

"I understand."

Rinna nodded slightly. Then, after looking at Elizabeth, she asked:

"At least I look good, right?"

Elizabeth nodded with her usual expressionless face.

"Of course, my Lady. You look perfectly fine."

"Aah, thank you for the compliment. Then, the Ceremony is about to begin, right?"

Elizabeth nodded again.

"That is correct, my Lady. We need to leave now."

Rinna nodded and followed Elizabeth.

As she walked behind her, her expression remained calm, as did her thoughts.

Although she still didn’t know exactly what the Ceremony was about, if the Pope had summoned her, it meant there had to be a specific purpose behind it.

Moreover, according to what Cardinal Abraham had said, it was an important day for the Pope.

’Although I’ve been feeling uneasy, as if I have a strange premonition.’

Without Rinna knowing it, as she walked through the corridors, a sense of foreboding slowly began to grow deep within her heart.

***

Clank! Clank!

The massive doors to the Pope’s chamber swung wide open.

The Holy Knights guarding the entrance immediately bowed, showing absolute respect toward the figure who stepped out of the room.

It was an old man dressed in loose robes, with a three-pointed golden crown resting upon his head.

He held a mage’s staff as he walked with his back slightly hunched.

Two men and one woman walked behind the old man.

The old man was none other than the Pope.

And behind him were the three Cardinals.

Cardinal Abraham, Cardinal Julius, and Cardinal Beatriz.

As the four figures walked through the grand corridors of the Holy Church, every guard and Church member they passed bowed their heads with the utmost respect.

Although almost no one had the opportunity to see the Pope in person, the presence of the three Cardinals behind an old man wearing a three-pointed golden crown made his identity immediately obvious to any member of the Holy Church.

Finally, after walking for several minutes, they arrived at a spacious hall.

At the far end stood a massive door ten meters tall.

The door was completely golden and covered in incredibly intricate patterns, carefully carved by hand.

Standing before it, as if they had been waiting specifically for the Pope’s arrival, were Rinna and Elizabeth.

The eighteen Archbishops were also present.

Rinna and Elizabeth bowed upon seeing the Pope arrive, as did the Archbishops.

"You’re not late. Good work."

The Pope looked at Rinna and spoke in his weathered voice.

Rinna replied respectfully:

"I promised not to break the rules by arriving late. It’s simply my duty."

Leaning on his staff, the Pope walked toward Rinna.

"Don’t worry. I wasn’t referring to the rules."

"....."

Rinna was confused.

However, out of respect for the Pope and fear of asking unnecessary questions, she decided not to press the matter and simply nodded.

Then, the Pope made a small gesture with his hand.

The massive doors swung wide open.

The Pope stepped through the entrance, followed by Rinna and the three Cardinals.

Finally, the Archbishops began entering one after another.

Among them was Archbishop Julien.

The moment he set foot inside the Great Holy Hall, he immediately felt that something was wrong.

His gaze instinctively shifted toward the center of the enormous hall.

There was a magic circle there.

It had been created using an enormous quantity of blood.

Julien felt his body tense.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

Beyond the magic circle, at the far end of the Great Holy Hall, stood a mountain of children’s corpses.

A light tinged with violet and dark blue descended from the domed ceiling.

The light of the Soul Moon illuminated the macabre scene.

A shiver ran through Archbishop Julien’s entire body.