Chapter 28

Chapter 2 Perhaps a Fake Pope

In the capital of Nalanjiade.

It was historically the largest agricultural trading center and renowned as the “Jade City” worldwide. As a country primarily reliant on agriculture, the Silgay Republic did not depend solely on planting and breeding. Instead, they formed cooperatives to integrate scattered family farms into the entire industrial chain, achieving large-scale division of labor and specialized production. Unlike in the original world, here, farmers were symbols of wealth.

Unlike the small village where I once stayed, Nalanjiade, one of the four great human cities, was flourishing beyond words. The architecture was impressive and dense, with countless intersecting streets forming a complex network. Most passersby were dressed brightly.

Feser, the archdiocese of the Holy Church in Silgay, naturally stood in the most bustling area of Nalanjiade. It was already noon, and the rhinoceros cart quietly passed through the noisy market street, finally stopping in front of a magnificent building resembling Baroque style.

The Great Cathedral of Saint Mary, initially built six hundred years ago, was one of the oldest churches in human history.

“Wake up, we’re here.”

“Wake up.”

Feeling a slight jolt in my sleep, I unwillingly opened my eyes, and Carlos’s bearded face gradually came into focus.

I frowned, impatiently pushing him away.

Long journeys were the most exhausting. During this time, to keep up with the journey, I often slept in the rhinoceros cart, disrupting my biological clock. Last night, I barely slept until dawn. Being woken up at this moment was naturally unpleasant.

“Where are we?”

After a few seconds, I regained consciousness and stretched lazily, yawning as I asked.

“The Great Cathedral of Saint Mary, we have arrived.”

“……Oh.”

For some reason, I suddenly felt nervous.

Throughout the journey, Carlos told me many things, including how the Holy Church despised the Abyss. It was akin to a father’s death, especially in recent years, when the frequency of monsters from the Abyss appearing had increased. With the Church’s intelligence network, they could usually predict signs beforehand, evacuate civilians, plan strategies, and make full preparations to minimize losses, just like when I appeared. However, there were also special Abyss monsters that would appear without warning, completely unpredictable. In such cases, if not stopped in time, these monsters would become extremely powerful after consuming a large number of lives.

That power was overwhelming and terrifyingly chaotic. Without three or more Papal Knights to suppress them, humans would have no ability to counterattack.

Carlos told me that the last time such a situation occurred was two years ago in the Valen Empire, the most devastating Abyss battle in history. A monster named Gluttony, accompanied by a black tornado that darkened the sky, destroyed three major cities within days, wiping out tens of thousands of people. Countless Church Knights and Archbishops were powerless against such a calamity.

On that occasion, five Papal Knights bravely fought, assisted by the Cardinal, and eventually killed the monster outside the Winter City, sacrificing two heroes in the process. If not for this, humans would only have three of their four great cities left.

But at this moment, as a monster from the Abyss, I found myself in one of the Holy Church’s archdioceses.

If this was a trap, would I be caught and burned alive on a cross? I thought, feeling somewhat afraid.

“Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Get off the cart.”

Seeing me motionless in the rhinoceros cart, Carlos couldn’t help but urge me.

“Carlos, I want to run away, okay?”

“……No, please call me Carlos, thank you.”

Carlos pulled me out of the rhinoceros cart.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine with me. Let’s go.”

Looking at the grand and inviolable building before me, I felt slightly intimidated and followed Carlos somewhat reluctantly.

“Respected Mr. Carlos, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

As soon as we stepped onto the stairs, two monks in black robes immediately approached us, seemingly having been standing there for a long time. The style of the robes was familiar, reminiscent of the old man with the golden bell, and I trembled, recalling the fear I had experienced back then.

One of the monks saw me following Carlos and was about to ask for my identity. But when he turned his head and met my gaze, his face suddenly turned red.

“This… beautiful…”

He trembled, trying hard to suppress his laughter, struggling to spit out two words before finally breaking into a smile.

I frowned, displeased.

Was he belittling me?

What was so funny? Was this the appropriate time to laugh during such a formal welcome? This was the quality of a monk of the Holy Church?

“Um, cough, Mr. Carlos, this, beautiful lady, um…”

Another monk, seeing the situation worsening, quickly stepped forward to mediate, but he too couldn’t resist the urge to laugh, and his words were interrupted.

“She is a distinguished guest of His Holiness, we must not be negligent.”

Carlos’s expression was indifferent; he stared straight ahead as if he saw nothing at all, calmly saying his words.

“Yes, yes… Please follow us. His Holiness has been waiting for some time.”

After barely finishing their words, the two monks quickly turned around as if they dared not look at me any longer, leading us into the church’s hall.

The interior of the church was splendidly decorated. The intricate masonry had withstood centuries of wear and tear, exuding a heavy sense of history. The elegant walls were adorned with several large murals that radiated unparalleled artistic charm, while the golden cross atop the dome stood tall, bathed in the sunlight filtering through the ribbed windows, appearing sanctified.

It felt like being in a painting, but I couldn’t muster the interest to appreciate it. My attention was entirely focused on the laughing monk in front of me.

“Carrot, what are they laughing about?”

“Hmm? Oh, probably because you’re very cute.”

Carlos responded carelessly, his feeble explanation doing nothing to dispel my doubts.

Could I have something dirty on me?

I immediately lowered my head to check. The delicate lace-trimmed dress was clean and tidy, with no abnormalities.

…What a lunatic.

The monk led us up three flights of stairs and stopped in front of an exquisite wooden-carved door at the far end, gently knocking.

“His Holiness, Mr. Carlos has arrived.”

Then he stepped aside to wait quietly. After a moment, a lazy voice came from inside the room.

“…Oh, please let him in.”

“Mr. Carlos, His Holiness is inside. Please come in.”

Carlos rudely pushed open the door. Behind him, I took a deep breath and stepped into the room with tiny steps.

The door closed, and warm sunlight flooded the room. I squinted my eyes and looked over. Immediately, I saw a luxurious and ornate bed before me.

Its size seemed large enough for ten people to lie on, but at this moment, it was occupied by a young figure with messy hair and disheveled appearance.

“Hey, Your Holiness, long time no see.”

Carlos greeted casually.

Hmm, the Pope?

I looked around in confusion. Apart from the person sitting on the bed, where was this Pope?

“Ahh—Carlos, don’t act like this with me here. There are no outsiders.”

That figure scratched his gold hair, which was tousled like an explosion, yawned, then used his pinky finger to clean out his ear.

????

Is this person the Pope?!

What kind of joke is this? Shouldn’t the Pope be a slow-spoken old man with a white beard, always composed and radiating saintly aura?

This doesn’t match what I expected!

I couldn’t help but scrutinize that figure more carefully. Golden-haired and blue-eyed, with sharp and powerful facial contours, handsome to the point of being effeminate, looking even younger than Carlos.

At this moment, he looked like he just woke up, still wearing pajamas!

Could such a person really be the Pope of this world? Isn’t this like something out of an idol drama? What is the Holy Church thinking?

…Hard to accept.

“Sit down, why are you standing?”

The man on the bed waved his hand, showing no intention of getting up, as if they could do as they pleased.

But your room only has a big bed, there’s not even a chair, where can one sit? Do they expect me to sit on the bed? The Pope, the true ruler of humanity, meeting others like this?

“Oh, never mind, let’s just stand.”

Carlos said quickly, probably feeling too awkward.

“Alright, suit yourself. So, why did you come to see me… what was it again?”

The golden-haired man rubbed his eyes sleepily, looking at Carlos and asking in confusion.

“…Just be a human being.”

Carlos seemed speechless.

“Haha, joking, joking. I just woke up, my head is still a bit fuzzy… Hey, you…”

The golden-haired man seemed to notice me only now, lifting his lazy eyelids and slowly looking over.

I was about to speak when—

“Pfft, Hahaha!!” The man who might be the Pope suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and pounding the bed, turning to Carlos, “Carlos, what are you doing? Bringing her here to wake me up with laughter? Hahaha!”

He laughed so hard he started rolling on the bed, seemingly unable to stop.

Carlos shrugged his shoulders.

“Stop laughing, let’s get to the point.”

“Haha! No way, you’ve painted her face like this, and you won’t allow me to laugh? That’s unreasonable, hahaha—”

Like this?

I immediately reached up and touched my face, my palm instantly turning black. Confused, I wiped my other hand, and now both hands were black.

I sniffed it.

…Ink?

I realized it in an instant.

My chest began to heave violently. I felt like I wanted to grind my teeth, glaring angrily at the innocent-looking Carlos.

Anger.

Anger anger anger anger!!

“Carlos—” I pounced forward like an angry kitten, raising my small hand to smear it on his face.

“No, listen to me, please!”