Chapter 196

The two people who caused the commotion left, and the chapel fell silent.

But soon enough, whispers began to fill the air again.

Most people wore expressions of ‘bewilderment.’ Some were angered by the two, but after seeing that saintess’s clear response, they were left unsure of what to say.

“So, does anyone here think we should strip her of her saintess status?”

The sacred rule of maintaining purity had been broken.

Of course, the definition of ‘purity’ varies depending on who you ask. In society, a kiss wouldn’t be a big deal, and if we’re nitpicking, it would boil down to whether or not they engaged in sexual activities.

If this weren’t inside a church, plenty of people would find the very act of ‘nitpicking’ itself outrageous.

Yet, this was within the church.

Especially within a convent, it was a troubling situation in many ways.

Of course, whether the two truly did anything beyond a kiss was something only they would know—but since they shared a room, the chances were high.

“Still, they were caught with such actions inside the church. And in the very sacred chapel, no less.”

One of the priests remarked.

“Is that so?”

“Worship is a sacred rite where one faces God. The chapel is a place for that holy act. To kiss and intertwine bodies within it is…”

“Yes, generally speaking, it could be considered somewhat inappropriate and against etiquette in front of others.”

The Pope replied with amusement.

“But did our God ever prohibit such actions?”

The priest was left speechless at the Pope’s question.

In previous religions, yes. The Bible outlined detailed conditions regarding ceremonies for a long time. Although many were simplified in the New Testament, all rites performed in the ‘Catholic’ tradition were principles established through the study of that scripture.

However, the deity believed in by the current sect was different.

The only being who spoke directly with that deity was the first saintess.

That ‘saintess’ held a very important position in the church, but she vanished without setting down the intricate regulations after saving the world.

There were blessed ones. Some designated as saints. But none could compare to her level.

Eventually, someone emerged who spoke directly with the divine.

“Wasn’t the one beside her the one who caused her fall?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Considering what took place in the chapel—surely, it was that knight who initiated the kiss.”

“Hmm, I see.”

The Pope turned to glance at the hero sitting nearby.

“Do you think your daughter would engage in such actions?”

“…Well.”

As a father, he seemed lost in thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“I really don’t know. I never imagined my daughter would fall in love with a saintess.”

The Pope nodded in understanding.

Then he looked again at the priest who had raised the issue.

“Then let me ask this: what does it mean to fall?”

“That is…”

“In this world, that is, in a world where ‘Saint Power’ exists, we believe we know what the opposing force is. But does that mean everyone using that opposing force is fallen? Aren’t they a vital pillar protecting this world?”

“But still, same-sex relations…”

“Has our God ever prohibited that?”

The priest fell silent.

“If someone can summon the strongest Saint Power, wouldn’t that make their actions rather right? Among those here, who can call forth a light stronger than the woman we intended to elevate to the saintess position? How many can risk their lives in prayer before magic powerful enough to melt a person?”

No one could respond.

“Let me ask one thing.”

Seeing the surrounding silence, the Pope spoke in a calm voice.

“Is the holy being we call the saintess, or do we create that saintess? If it’s the latter, then it wouldn’t matter who ascends to that position.”

But no one could answer that way.

Whoever they referred to as ‘saintess’ held a position of significant importance.

“Brothers and sisters, much has changed. The beliefs we knew have transformed, and the rules of this world have changed entirely. Yet, if we attempt to set rules based solely on stories we’ve established before, who would abide by them?”

“Then if we say we will follow none of those texts or past beliefs, what should we follow?”

“Is it the beings we should have faith in?”

The Pope asked again.

“If we need to create everything anew—”

“There’s no need for that.”

The Pope said calmly.

“The one who is on our side, the noble being we believe in, has already provided us with someone we can trust.”

“……”

“Someone more virtuous than anyone else, devoted to this world. We know of that person, who has devoted their life to caring for and saving those on the brink of death since their childhood.”

The Pope’s voice was serene.

But at the same time, it carried weight.

“Then, shouldn’t we just follow in their footsteps? Is it so difficult to think of what’s right? Those boring old things we’ve been saying since we learned our language and discussed societal norms. Something everyone would be satisfied to hear. Yet, following it isn’t that simple. We already know that this is what is good.”

Having said that, the Pope fell into thought for a moment.

As the rules of the world crumbled, a new sect formed in its rebuilding, and the man who had held the position of Pope since its inception was soon able to reach a conclusion.

The previous religion faded, and the current one bore no remnants of the deity’s wishes. The teachings of this new doctrine were all created by people who came after, and the scriptures that were formed merely existed because the author was alive. Which parts truly resonate with what the spirit desires?

Everyone spoke differently, everyone claimed different rules were right, and everyone sought to identify what the correct one among them was.

The Pope thought a little differently.

So far, at least what he had seen was just one thing. The power bestowed by the Divine, and the actions of those who accept that power.

Anyone who believed in God could wield that power, but those who could wield it strongly had a commonality.

“Until now, the one thing the Divine has shown us is simply this. No complicated tales, no complex rules. They do not command us to do this or that. They merely lend us power and send someone to show us.”

“……Then what did you see, Pope?”

One of the priests spoke cautiously.

The Pope smiled softly.

“God loves us. Therefore, what we can learn from that observation is simple. To love one another. To care for our neighbors, and to look out for each other.”

That was all he had seen; the noble being above continuously working for those below.

And that was the only thing he wished for.

*

Then the Pope simply turned and walked away.

No special conclusion came forth from us.

However,

“At the very least, there’s no reason for the two of you to be punished for love.”

Sister Maria conveyed such a message to us.

Hearing that, I let out a light sigh. At least, Ria wouldn’t be punished because of me.

“However, she did leave one request.”

Maria’s face turned a little pink as she spoke.

“…No matter what, since the convent is a shared space, within it… please try not to do anything too excessive.”

“Ah.”

That caught me off guard for a moment.

“Um.”

But for some reason, Ria next to me made a sound of dissatisfaction.

What’s she going to say—

“But where else would we do it if not here?”

“…”

Maria’s face went blank at Ria’s words.

“We live in a convent.”

“Well, that’s…”

Maria looked around in a fluster, sighed deeply.

As if she had let something go, she said,

“…You probably just wish to do it somewhere out of sight. After all… it’s a convent…”

She spoke in a defeated voice.

I couldn’t bring myself to look Maria in the eye after that.

Ria, with a slight smile, gently wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Is this okay?”

“Uh, I mean, it’s not finalized yet. Shouldn’t you be a little more careful? The Sister Warden is watching us.”

Only after Maria shot a serious glance did Ria clear her throat and release my waist.

…Well.

But you know, feeling a bit disappointed that Ria let go of my waist, I guess I’m already deep in this, huh?

The words “I love you” were, well, sincere.

I prayed that someday I would have the courage to say them in earnest, without a hint of pretense.