Chapter 127

“The toughest opponent in an argument is those who take my words seriously and agree with me.”

“I told you so.”

Ria laughed as she saw me looking a bit deflated.

“The religion in this world still hasn’t fully established itself. They’re still tweaking the scriptures, so if some extreme stories pop up, they’ll just treat them as heresy?”

“…But there’s an Inquisition, though.”

“Well, there have been those who not only deny God but also harm others. Some pretended to be gods just because they could use a bit of magic. You neither claim to be a god nor deny that term, yet you live acknowledging its very existence. You’re completely fine using that power.”

If I had at least been told to be a Saintess, I might have felt at ease. I would’ve refused it, and at the same time thought, ‘I knew it would be like this.’

…..

Wait, hold on a second.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ria, what language did the Pope just use with me?”

“Of course, it was Italian. He’s Italian, you know.”

“…Then how did I understand him?”

“…Are you asking that now?”

“How did you understand him, then?”

“I didn’t get it! Your words were in Korean, so I just guessed what you meant.”

“Huh?”

“You’re capable of saving even people at the brink of death. Maybe someone up above helped you somehow.”

“No way…”

“You seem lost in our conversation, but there was light shining from the back of your head. Usually, I would have brushed it off, but today seemed important.”

….

Is this for real…?

More importantly, how did the Pope understand me? Did he learn from Sister Maria or something?

While pondering this, I stepped outside and unexpectedly met Sister Maria, who had been waiting outside.

“Sister Anna.”

Sister Maria’s expression looked much better than before. Or rather, it appeared as if she had just given up altogether.

“Then, I’ll guide you both to where you’ll be staying. I understand you usually share a room in Korea, but since you’re guests, giving you separate rooms could—”

“No.”

Ria shook her head in response.

“Please give us the same room. That way, I can immediately spring into action if anything happens.”

At Ria’s words, Sister Maria slightly nodded with a small smile at the corners of her mouth.

During our escort to the room, none of us spoke.

Everyone around us were people who worked in this place. There were some from our Church too, but not a single one of them, including Ria, was allowed to carry weapons inside here.

Given that it belonged to a higher organization, it was likely a more trustworthy establishment. To be precise, Ria and I were more like the ones dispatched by the Knight Order from our country on this side.

“…It seems the Pope didn’t seek help from you, Sister Anna.”

“….”

Technically, I had asked first if I could help, but the Pope refused.

I could guess why the Pope called me. Since I was seen as the most likely Saint Candidate and I was saying things completely different from what everyone had said before, they must have wanted to confirm it directly.

In fact, the Pope, being unable to sustain a long flight, probably couldn’t come in person. The issue may also be related to that magic power, or whatever it was.

If it was the Pope’s personality, he might have insisted on coming himself, but someone likely advised against it. After all, the Pope was still the ‘Pope,’ while I’m just ‘a mere nun’ as a candidate.

“Was it Sister Maria who brought me here?”

Maria fell silent for a moment at my question.

Our conversation was taking place in Korean. There were people around who could hear us, but none who could truly understand. Probably, Sister Maria spoke to me because of that very reason.

“I’m sorry. But I… I also wanted to save the Pope. He means a lot to me like a father…”

My face grew dark.

I nodded quietly.

If Sister Maria had plans to use me as a puppet to seize power or something, I would’ve been furious. Even if she intended to merely use me as an icon of the faith, I would still feel the same.

But, when one’s family is on the brink of death, you’d go to any lengths to save them.

So, if I reconsider, Sister Maria’s intentions were a success no matter the method.

While it would be troublesome if she riled me up too much, it wouldn’t be good if she called me in for an Inquisition over our differing beliefs, or if there seems to be a chance of me rising higher.

Perhaps, what brought me here first was an attempt to discuss the Pope’s health and seek my understanding directly.

“…With this, stories about the Pope’s health will probably spread to other people with certainty.”

Having that thought in mind, I suddenly said it out loud.

Rumors about the Pope’s health had always been circulating. However, it hadn’t been officially recognized by the Vatican until now.

“That’s right. And that’s why stories about your beatification have come up. To be honest, there aren’t many who could take the Pope’s place at this point…”

“It seems no one wants to take on that role.”

“…Exactly.”

Who would want to take on a position that demands sacrificing even their own life?

I have no idea what those real-life Popes felt when they ascended to that position. I also don’t fully grasp the magnitude of power struggles in the real Church.

“Regarding the beatification, I believe it would be great if you could give us a bit more time to think.”

After a brief silence, I answered like that, and Ria looked my way. I subtly signaled to Ria.

….I’m not sure if I deserve to rise to such a position. Is it even possible for someone like me, who hasn’t deeply instilled that religion, to go that far?

Yet, the Pope treated me as if I had more faith than anyone else.

In fact, maybe I’ve regarded faith too lightly until now.

If… this is what I can do in this world, and if it means I can help the people of this world, isn’t that something I should do?

After all, I do have power.

“Understood. For now, I’ll try to ensure that I won’t be thrust into such a position urgently during this visit. However, for that, I need your cooperation.”

“Cooperation?”

“Everyone working here has deep faith. If… they believe there’s a good enough reason, there will likely be plenty who will try to elevate you in some way.”

“Ah.”

So, they’re telling me to refrain from using my power.

The Pope might have said that for a good reason.

At that moment, we arrived at the room. It was a grand and magnificent space, akin to a room in a palace built long ago, where only esteemed guests would typically stay.

“Then, have a comfortable night. I’ll let you know about dinner shortly.”

Ria and I deeply bowed to Sister Maria.

In the following days, we were indeed summoned here and there.

Of course, I was the primary speaker, while Ria followed me around like a bodyguard.

Some pushed back against my words; some wore vague expressions, and some genuinely got angry, but I ignored them all.

Weren’t they the ones who asked me to come and speak? That was the best response I could muster.

Well, “emotional reactions” were very few, and most just kept stoically nodding, taking notes.

And oddly enough, this lifestyle wasn’t as bad as I thought.

I was accustomed to waking up early at the Church anyway. The difference was, Ria and I didn’t necessarily have to do any chores since we were guests.

Moreover, during our free time, we took various excuses to go out and sightsee. Having guards in plate armor around us meant no pickpockets to worry about.

Then again, it’s not like I had anything worth stealing anyway.

“… This is quite a predicament.”

I said to Ria with a serious face.

“I’m getting too comfortable. If I’m not careful, I might want to stay here forever.”

Ria facepalmed in disbelief.

Just kidding, though.

In any case, I have to return. Even if my body feels relaxed here, it also strangely weighs on my conscience to enjoy something like this.

….

And as it always happens, trouble tends to strike when you’re least expecting it.

As I was resting in my room like any other day, someone knocked on the door rather urgently.

Ria cocked her head in confusion, got up, and opened the door, and there stood Sister Maria, looking quite flustered.

She looked like she had hurried all the way here, beads of sweat forming on her face.