An attempted assassination of the Saintess occurred in the very heart of the holy site.
Fortunately, it was defused thanks to the efforts of the paladin guarding the prison gate and an academy student.
Still — nearly losing the Saintess, the hope of humanity and the world.
'The Saintess has safely overcome it, so this too is a blessing of Nepisa. But such incidents must not happen again.'
His Holiness, in a tone of disquiet, smoothed his still-reverent white brows over his face.
Even the leader of Saleranto's holy site could still meet some people he found hard to handle.
If someone had been raised to the papacy by the faithful, and the other person had been directly chosen by the goddess, the way one spoke of the other naturally became careful.
"Saintess, why do you ask us to forgive that vile demon?"
The Saintess, who had been the target of the incident, protected that demon and opposed execution — this surprised His Holiness beyond measure.
Even when asked, she only gave a small, gentle smile.
"Nepisa taught that a saint must be able to embrace the guilty. We must not blindly shun demons."
'…She even quotes scripture; she's been diligent in studying doctrine.'
For His Holiness the words were touching.
"This… what is this? Let go of me! This is not the Middle Ages. Why are there knights who look like something from a movie—!"
Back when he had escorted her the first time and heard her speak in a way that made no sense for a proper lady, this was a different sight entirely. Now she seemed properly trained as a faithful.
"You are chosen by Nepisa! When you speak, you must keep the dignity of a Saintess!"
"Saintess, in doctrine—"
"Saintess…"
Their words carried the sweat and effort of bishops who had poured themselves into church affairs.
"Ahem. The Saintess' words have merit. But are you perhaps thinking of demons too naively?"
However, correcting a mistaken notion was the duty of elders.
To correct the Saintess' soft view toward demons, His Holiness cleared his throat.
"Have you ever been to the North, Saintess?"
"…No."
"I see. Then you must be ignorant about demons. Allow this old man a word."
To rise to the seat of His Holiness required faith and leadership, yes — but also one qualification: service as a military chaplain. Those who wanted the papacy had to go to the front lines in the North, to personally show and spread miracles; doing so bolstered one's claim to the post. Thus any prospective pope had battlefield experience.
"The demons I know were tyrants of the front. They repeatedly invaded our fertile lands and took the lives of countless soldiers."
He recalled those days vividly even in his youth — the hilltops burned to ruin, the pitiful lives that perished before relief came.
"Sometimes they slaughtered their own kind in internecine strife. They are crueler than you imagine."
"That is the story of war. I do not think all demons are so."
Her gentleness wrapped in resolve — the blue in her irises proved she was a true Saintess.
"Besides, I know someone whose personality is the exact opposite of those vicious demons you speak of."
"…Yes?"
The Saintess had met someone other than the demon locked in the prison. At the thought that she might be lying to save a demon, suspicion rose.
"Let me introduce him. The youth who saved me from the demon's terror this time — Hans Byron."
At her call, the young man came from wherever and naturally found a vacant spot on the sofa.
"He's also the one who proposed embracing the demon that attacked me."
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Holiness."
The unexpected guest the Saintess had summoned made His Holiness knit his brows.
"…This place is for discussing the future of the Church of Nepisa. We'll do the honors later. For now, would you step aside a moment?"
Perhaps because Hans was an outsider to the Church of Nepisa, the pope's wariness toward him exceeded expectations.
"I can't. I came because the Saintess asked me to listen about demons. I intend to do my duty."
His Holiness was the sort of meddlesome old man well known in the game world — picky and interfering. Hans knew it was wiser to soothe such a man than to be rude; still, he could not yield completely.
'Don't chicken out. You're already on the Saintess' side.'
At least here, in this sanctuary, the Saintess stood staunchly behind him.
He gave a subtle thumbs-up behind his back.
"Actually, besides the paladin and the captain of the guard, there was another who played a part in stopping the attack."
"What do you mean? The report from Sir Heiken said you three handled the crisis — the Saintess and two others."
"Perhaps the identity is such that including it in a report could cause a disturbance if revealed recklessly…"
As he finished the sentence, the shadow beneath him rippled.
"I will pay my respects to the leader of such a human religion."
Unmannered as he was, and lacking formalities, his manner made His Holiness' jaw drop.
"A d-demon in a holy place—!"
That reaction was expected. A demon suddenly appearing at the very center of a shrine would startle anyone. And Batory Erzebet was a vampire. The pope's generation had collided with vampires on the battlefield; such a sight would be shocking.
"You, Hans Byron — were you a demon collaborator?"
"…Of course not."
Even if he hadn't predicted how deep the misunderstanding would get, Hans had a plan.
He cleared his throat a few times to smooth the atmosphere, then spoke again.
"Her name is Batory Erzebet. A demon who defected to the North."
"…A defector?"
"Yes. I bound her by oath not to harm humans. And those close to the Speda family already know her."
"Indeed."
Batory, wearing a maid's dress but performing perfect etiquette by lifting the edges of her skirt, then spoke.
"I came seeking revenge. Is that insufficient as an explanation?"
"A demon? Your revenge is of no concern. Rather, your mere presence exposes, plainly, the cruel character of those who use any means."
Long-rooted distrust.
His Holiness' prejudice toward demons, built up over countless years, extended even to Batory.
"Since she saved the Saintess, we will spare her execution. Let her leave quietly. Are the paladins outside? Take these troublemakers away…"
"You omitted something. I didn't tell you who I seek revenge against."
His words included a term a pope could not ignore — a word that must have a place even in prophecy. He baring sharp canines a little.
"We seek revenge against the one you call the 'Calamity' — the one who rules."
"…Did you say what I think you said?"
"Is my beard blocking your ears? I'll say it again. I seek revenge against the 'Rule-Calamity'."
The four calamities prophesied by the goddess that threatened the world — one of them, known to be in the North, was called the "Rule-Calamity." Hearing that term come from a demon's mouth must have shocked them.
His Holiness' trembling, sacred brows confirmed it.
"She told us the state of the demon nation Eveldun is dire."
Her arrival and the mention of the Calamity delivered shock enough; Hans would explain the rest.
The appearance of self-proclaimed demon lords; the civil war aiming to unite demons; the conflicts between the Revine and other tribes that followed.
"You lump all demons together, Your Holiness, but they are entirely different peoples. The enemy of my enemy may be my ally. Keep that in mind."
"Hans Byron, I understand your meaning well. Batory… was it?" His Holiness smoothed his bristly beard and nodded.
"By the grace of the sun goddess Nepisa, do not turn away those who are persecuted. We welcome you."
His Holiness, who had been prejudiced a moment ago, now reversed to an expression opposite of before. Even the Saintess blinked in astonishment and let a small remark escape.
"That's unexpected. The man I know, Your Holiness, is rather stubborn — for better or worse."
Tsk. That's why the half-possession vessel hasn't shrugged off the borrowed shell.
His Holiness was a meddlesome old fox who could flip his stance when it served the church. He knew the faith had spread across the Manhet Empire for a long time; expanding influence required looking outward. This was the opportunity he craved to extend Nepisa's reach into conquered lands.
"If I may give you one piece of information — several northern houses, including the Speda family, are eyeing a northern campaign."
It wasn't final, but seeing those words from the minor duke's camp indicated they were at least under discussion.
"Hoho… that's welcome news indeed."
His Holiness' eyes gleamed with ambition.
What follows conquest is governance. Governance and religion are inseparable. The pope would have seen this as a prime chance to expand Nepisa's influence.
"My first impression was mistaken, but indeed, Saintess' guest brings valuable intelligence. A precious person."
"Not at all. To the supreme spiritual leader of the great Church of Nepisa, I behaved too rudely."
Their eyes met briefly — the blue of his gaze with Hans' own. Hans planned to take the Queen; the pope would secure rights to proselytize the conquered regions.
"Ha ha ha! We have some fine wine brought from the South. May I pour you a cup?"
"Ha ha ha! How could we refuse the divine drops poured by Your Holiness?"
Sealing a mutually satisfying agreement, Hans and His Holiness laughed together for a while.
"Excuse me, have you forgotten I am here? Hello? Could you step out of your private world, please?!"
"Agreed. You called me here; I didn't come to be ignored."
Rene and Batory, who had been effectively sidelined, complained in sulky voices.
read more on novelshub.org