Chapter 126

“If it’s an excuse, I could come up with one.”

It’s been about ten years since I came to this world, and considering that the Magic Sphere must have existed since then, if I had known sooner, maybe I could have handled it.

A presence that shouldn’t exist in the middle of the city. A condensed mass of magic that could cause a disaster at any moment.

They probably didn’t realize its danger here. At least until now, the Pope managed to maintain it by sacrificing himself directly, so they might have thought it could continue that way.

But now, we all know that’s not true anymore.

So… if I had known, I would have said I could solve it.

As if his prayer time was over, the Pope slowly rose from his seat and looked my way.

His kindly smiling face resembled that of a friendly grandpa from next door. Even though he wasn’t Asian, I couldn’t help but feel that way about his expression.

“Hello, Sister.”

“Ah, hello.”

Startled by his sudden greeting, I instinctively bowed my head. Even in this changed world, Confucianism hadn’t completely vanished from South Korea.

“I seem to have taken too long after inviting you, my guest.”

“Ah, no, that’s not…”

As I awkwardly replied, the Pope smiled kindly again.

“Thank you for responding to my unreasonable request. What you claimed was quite intriguing… However, since the situation doesn’t allow me to visit personally, I invited you instead. I will be careful not to take up too much of your time. Rome has so much to see. If there’s anywhere you’d like to visit, just let Sister Maria know. She’ll kindly guide you.”

“Ah, yes, but, um—”

I stole a glance at the Magic Sphere.

No, maybe I should call it a Magic ‘Dot’ instead.

From a distance, it only looked small, but up close, it appeared much denser. Not just a mere clump, it seemed to be extremely concentrated.

“Come this way. There’s a bit more suitable place for conversation.”

But the Pope didn’t ask me to get rid of that thing.

Sister Maria seemed to have a lot to say as well, but eventually, when the Pope moved to go outside first, she shrugged her shoulders slightly and followed behind.

Ria exchanged glances between the Pope and Sister Maria, seeming to have realized something.

But she didn’t reveal it right away.

*

The weather is… nice. It’s September, so it’s expected. Plus, Italy, as a peninsula country like Korea, isn’t that humid.

The sunlight was still a bit hot, but it wasn’t too unbearable sitting in the shade.

The Pope sat not too close to the window but down in a chair, gazing down at the plaza outside the building.

This was Rome, not inside the Vatican. And the place we’re at is also famous for being where the Pope is offered to be. It’s not surprising if someone comes to see what kind of person is at the top of the church that commands the whole world.

In fact, quite a number of people were passing by outside.

A cup was placed in front of us. It was espresso. Thankfully, it came with sugar and a teaspoon, so it wasn’t bitter to the point where I couldn’t drink it.

“Well then.”

The Pope rubbed his hands together, looking genuinely joyful.

“Shall I continue with the story you told? Oh, of course, since I’ve already heard parts of it, let’s pick up from where I left off.”

“Ah, no, but—”

I had been wanting to discuss the Magic Sphere the whole time, but the Pope didn’t bring it up at all.

As if he didn’t call me for that reason.

Ria lightly grabbed my arm from beside me. She shook her head in a way that said no, and I shrugged my shoulders slightly.

I was completely confused.

Could it be that he actually called me just to chat? Surely, he didn’t care about such practical matters?

But Maria’s attitude just a moment ago felt a bit strange.

“Then, the first question I want to ask is—”

But the Pope just laughed like a cheerful child while speaking to me.

What I could do in that spot was ultimately just respond to his words.

*

The Pope’s attitude was quite different from other clergy.

Was he disenchanted with everything? Or did he just not have the energy left to argue with me here?

No, for that matter, his questions were quite passionate.

He wasn’t trying to talk about some theological theory, he was literally asking for my opinion.

“Perhaps, we have become too accustomed to an all-powerful God.”

As the Pope smiled while saying that, I involuntarily flinched.

Was he being sarcastic? He seemed too happy for me to think that.

“……”

The Pope’s gaze momentarily turned to the window. The sunset was already fading. We had set out almost at dawn, but the distance from Korea to Italy was too far physically.

“To those who ask everything from a being who cannot do everything…”

That statement, I couldn’t bring myself to answer either.

“Still, He cares for us sincerely.”

“……”

“The only thing we can do is pray, hoping that He is willing to help us… I understand why you say that this power is not your own. Right. The Saint Power was never ours. The only reason we survived that disaster was thanks to His strength, and the reason this world continues to exist until now is also because of Him.”

The Pope, looking at the sunset, smiled at me.

“I’m glad.”

“…That’s true.”

I agreed with that sentiment.

The Pope didn’t even bring up that I was a Saint Candidate, or that I should become a Saintess.

So I felt even more uncomfortable.

Then I suddenly noticed the Pope’s fingertips. His hand was blackened and lifeless. Perhaps those injuries came from using Saint Power to control the Magic Sphere.

“Sister, have you ever thought about why there is religion in this world?”

The Pope asked.

“…Because of fear, I suppose.”

That was my answer.

It’s all I can say as someone who doesn’t believe. Out of fear of death. I feel like my existence isn’t any different from those nameless bugs crawling underground.

It’s terrifying that after death, there might be nothing. It’s frightening that one could suffer in reality, and yet until the moment of death, might not receive any reward.

That’s why people create an afterlife, think about what’s next, and try to find salvation.

Well, if you asked real believers, most would say otherwise, but if I were to adopt a religion, I think it would be for that reason.

And so, I probably live a bit more comfortably in this world because I know there is something after death.

“Fear is the most fundamental fear. Just the fact that there might be a chance of salvation gives people hope to live. It allows them to gain courage to forgive someone, or to have the guts to fight back.”

Of course, there are crazy people who, in their anger, decide they need to kill everyone who opposes them, but that’s the same for atheism. No country has ever succeeded in completely wiping out religion while promoting state atheism.

“Was that question relevant to you, Your Holiness?”

“Of course. I, too, am afraid of death.”

The Pope said simply.

“Because I’m getting older.”

“……”

But I sensed it wasn’t just about age. The Pope was dying. Because of the responsibilities he had carried all this time.

After pondering for a moment, I made up my mind.

“Your Holiness, may I pray for you?”

“You, who do not believe, wish to pray for me?”

“My faith isn’t all that important, you know.”

Upon my words, the Pope laughed as if he heard an amusing joke.

“No, Sister. To me, your faith is important.”

“…Huh?”

“I believe you are not devoid of faith. You have some conviction. And that conviction is very good.”

“……”

I stared blankly at the Pope.

“That sacred being you mentioned helps you for that reason.”

“I…”

“So I, too, will do my best in whatever way I can.”

“…He is not God. He does not intentionally bring suffering and trials upon us.”

“Yes, that’s right. He wouldn’t. Even while we call Him our God, I never thought that way. There have always been those who proclaim Him to be omniscient and omnipotent.”

The Pope slowly rose from his seat.

“So, this is not the path ordained by Him. It is the path I have chosen. From that day until now, this is the path I have walked thinking I would endure it, Sister. What kind of being do you see me as?”

I momentarily glanced at Ria. She just shrugged her shoulders a little.

I pondered and eventually came up with a somewhat unsatisfactory answer.

“You’re the Pope, right?”

“That’s right. I am the Pope. I am the one at the top of this church, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. And, this is also something that cannot be commanded to others. If I give up this work and pass it to someone else, how will the next person take my place?”

I couldn’t respond at all.

“Thank you for the story. I appreciate that you thought of helping me, Sister. It has truly been a great help in achieving peace of mind. I will be able to properly convey your words in the Bible. You will likely stay a few more days to share more words, I suppose.”

The Pope smiled kindly at me.

“However, that is not your responsibility, Sister. Do not feel as if you have to carry everything just because there are difficulties ahead. There’s no reason for anyone in this world to live that way.”

“……”

That was a story I had never heard since coming to this world for some reason.

“Now, it’s about time for dinner. This old man has a dinner appointment, so I shall excuse myself. You both enjoy a delicious meal.”

While the Pope spoke softly and got ready to leave, I was at a loss for what kind of answer I should give.