Chapter 69

“So, Anne, promise me too. Okay?”

“Don’t die, and don’t cry because I can’t hold you anymore.”

069

Unlike Us (Part 2)

Since that day, my treatment has completely changed.

Of course, it was natural. Who I was, what I did—none of that mattered anymore. The only thing that mattered was that I had become the Holy Mother.

When hardships that are hard to overcome with human strength arise, the saints save the human world in place of the sleeping god. Their recorded achievements seemed like fictional stories, but they were nothing but the truth.

My child became such a saint. Like all the saints before, my child’s path will be filled with light, and their name will be remembered in history.

And yet, my child will have to walk through countless thorny paths, enduring numerous trials and hardships. As the Lord has prepared, and as I have accepted.

“I’m sorry.”

The room was incomparably luxurious and spacious. Of course, the servants wouldn’t come into the bedroom, but if I rang the bell, many would come immediately to grant my every wish. It was a level of luxury and wealth beyond comparison to before.

But my heart, enjoying all of this, was not the least bit happy. This place was quite central in the Inquisition Temple, and the lighting was good, but my heart under the sunlight was only gloomy.

In the end, didn’t I do the same thing as the father I resented? Despite saying I hated him and would never forgive him.

“I’m sorry······.”

I know. Even if I mutter like this, it won’t reach the child in my womb. A hollow echo. A meaningless act just to comfort myself.

If only I could be by their side. It might sound a bit arrogant, but no matter how strong the enemy is······.

I don’t think I’d lose now.

Absentmindedly, I reach out and grab a nearby metal decoration. Without any particular effort, I clench my fist and then open it again, leaving only a small metal lump the size of a bean in my palm.

I flicked it away. My strength had grown to a level I couldn’t even understand. Did I eat another Holy Body? That power must have all flowed into my child.

The divinity of the Inquisition Judge. I was originally called by that name, but now I’ve surpassed that level. I wish I could consider all of this as Ailim’s grace and move on peacefully.

“······Sigh.”

I let out another sigh and pulled out a mace from under the bed, hugging it tightly. It gives me a slight sense of stability.

All the restrictions placed on me as the Holy Mother were lifted. Of course, I can’t serve as an Inquisition Judge in this state, but it was simple to get my holy weapon back. Such a private loan wouldn’t have been allowed originally.

······Yeah, I know it’s weird to find comfort hugging a mace. But who cares? It’s not like I’ll get hurt even if I get pricked by thorns.

Polaris, the star in my hand. But no matter how tightly I grip the handle, the holy weapon doesn’t shine as brightly as before. It only flickers uneasily and precariously, as if reflecting its owner’s will. I guess I should be grateful it hasn’t gone out completely.

But at least this light isn’t a faith offered to Ailim.

“Forgive me, Ailim.”

Muttering, I raised the mace as if in prayer. Staring blankly at it, I was driven by an inexplicable impulse and smashed my head against the metal lump.

Of course, I didn’t get hurt. Instead, only a clear, metallic clang echoed.

“But, I still don’t understand······.”

That a god would care for and watch over a mere mortal? It’s an absurdly arrogant thought, but I’ve already received two divine revelations. And the second revelation was directed precisely at me.

Over time, the incomprehensible language gradually took a form I could understand. The second gift Ailim gave me was······.

*

From an Inquisition Judge to a sinner, and then to the Holy Mother. The story of Anne, who underwent such dramatic changes, was a hot topic within the Religious Order.

Of course, only a very few could meet her directly. The Pope never left the Cradle of God, and even a cardinal couldn’t meet the Holy Mother unless she wished it. The most devout and strong among the holy knights guarded her residence.

No, did the Holy Mother of this generation even need guards?

So, François hadn’t seen Anne for a long time. To be precise, their last meeting was at the trial where her execution was sentenced. Of course, the verdict was nullified when she became the Holy Mother, but the memory of that moment was still etched in François’ mind like a brand.

The last image of his daughter. The child, who was always cool and cold, looked like an ice sculpture at that moment. Under the sunlight, waiting to become a puddle.

So when François saw Anne again, he couldn’t help but be shocked by her changed appearance.

“Ho-Holy Mother······.”

Though he quickly regained his composure with his wisdom, the first words from his mouth trembled. It was understandable.

Even months into her pregnancy, nearing birth, Anne’s belly wasn’t as swollen as one would expect. She was clearly pregnant, but it looked more like early pregnancy or a premature birth. The inherent fragility passed down through her bloodline.

Anne’s mother, the woman who left ‘a single stain’ on François, died giving birth to Anne. In fact, that was lucky.

Originally, the child would have been stillborn before the belly even swelled. Anne wouldn’t die from childbirth as an Inquisition Judge, but if she hadn’t received the Holy Body, her child wouldn’t have been born alive.

If that had happened, Anne would have surely broken.

“Speak comfortably, François······. I called you here now.”

But whether Anne was still unbroken—François couldn’t be sure.

His daughter, who had become a mature woman but still retained a girlish charm, smiled with a pale face. The icy atmosphere that once surrounded her had long melted, but instead, a shattered-glass-like unease and sharpness enveloped her.

In the sunlight, the fragments glisten. It’s beautiful, but no one reaches out. They know they’ll only get pricked and bleed.

“Still, because you’re my father.”

Watching François, who couldn’t approach, Anne laughed. François wisely didn’t reach out toward the shattered glass.

Did he know that this wisdom created the current gap? That fearing to touch what might break or shatter ultimately isolated her rather than protected her? The old man, in the final stretch of his life, looked back on the past and realized a little—

But it was already too late to turn back. Even if he wanted to apologize, what should he apologize for?

“Actually, even if I didn’t make this request, you wouldn’t take your eyes off my child, of course.”

“You know. That child is also my grandchild.”

“Still, if a child’s last words are added, wouldn’t it carry a bit more weight?”

Listening to the calm, mocking voice, François realized why he felt such unease looking at Anne.

She was holding a mace with her thin limbs, her swollen body ready. Her gaze was fierce and full of fighting spirit. In a situation where she should be lying down to rest, Anne was fidgeting like a gladiator waiting for an upcoming battle.

But the madness and ecstasy in her eyes were darker than that of a bloodthirsty slaughterer.

“When my child has to walk a thorny path like I did.”

Anne looks at François. A human with a body infinitely weaker than hers. But he has something she doesn’t.

An intangible power. The ability to command the strong with such weak power. Anne also had political talent, but in the end, she chose the path of smashing and trampling everything with her own hands. With every step, she shattered and bruised, unable to rise high.

On the other hand, François rose to the highest position with hands too delicate to pluck a single flower. Anne hates François.

But still, she wished her child would resemble François more than herself.

“Stay by their side, protect them, and if possible, walk that bloody path for them. You couldn’t do that for me······. As much as I didn’t receive. And as much as I can’t give.”

“Why······? As if you’re going somewhere, never to return.”

The old man’s voice trembled. But Anne, who had prepared her heart, spoke calmly.

She simply uttered the fate Ailim had prophesied for her.

The conversation with the Pope didn’t leak outside the Cradle of God, and the first revelation would be announced after her childbirth. Besides Anne herself—someone in the world should know about the Lord’s second revelation.

“I’ve received a revelation.”

I wanted to be together. I wanted to stay by their side. Not to pass the burden to someone else, but to walk the thorny path for my child myself.

But now I know. It’s all an excessive desire. Looking into her father’s blue eyes, Anne finally lowered her gaze.

I just can’t muster the courage to look into his eyes and tell him.

+□□□ □□□□ □□□ □□ □□□.+

“You will die by the hand of the man you love.”