After hearing this codename, Jeanne sat there in a daze for quite a while. This kind of codename, which was both "chunibyo" and slightly embarrassing... was it really officially given by Laterano?
"Are all the official members of Laterano... so unique in their codename styles? And you, whose codename is clearly normal—how did you manage to keep such a unique one for yourself?"
Even Jeanne felt a twinge of embarrassment for this Shimmering Vigil. How on earth was the person holding this codename supposed to say those words when executing a mission? Was that person really not worried that saying their codename would lead to a "social death" event recorded in the Laterano archives?
"No, a codename with this kind of 'unique' style can only be thought of by one person. Did you forget what I said before about the Pope's strange hobbies? This must be his latest work."
At this moment, Lemuen also had a look of wordless exasperation, looking up at the sky. She couldn't help but feel lucky that she had picked her codename, "Virtuosi," in advance, leaving that old man no chance to modify it. However, even Lemuen didn't have full confidence in the old man's integrity. That old fellow might use his authority to retaliate against her for exposing his secrets behind his back.
"But, I can probably guess who they sent over. She's the only one who can calmly accept the Pope's bizarre codenames and say them out loud in front of others."
Speaking of this, Lemuen showed a nostalgic expression. It seemed she hadn't seen them for a long time, and she truly missed those two. She wondered just how spectacular her friend's expression would be the moment she saw Lemuen appear before her in Lungmen.
Meanwhile, in a room within Lungmen, a red-haired Liberi was pacing back and forth, as if waiting for someone or some news.
"Ahem, Shimmering Vigil, this is the command room. Do you hear me?"
At that moment, an elderly voice came from the communicator beside her. The voice sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet room. However, judging by the old man's tone on the other end, it seemed he was trying his best to hold back laughter.
The moment the Liberi named Shimmering Vigil heard the codename, her entire elite aura collapsed. The Shimmering Vigil, who had looked like an elite warrior just a second ago, now looked as listless as a plucked bird, having no desire to even respond to the old man on the other end.
"Good day, Your Holiness the Pope. It seems you are still basking in the radiance of the Divine today. May you follow closely in the footsteps of God..."
Shimmering Vigil replied weakly with a tiny voice, sounding as if she hadn't eaten for weeks—so frail she might pass away the next moment. She stared at the communicator with "dead fish eyes," her gaze sharp enough to melt the machine.
She truly didn't understand this Pope. Had he eaten something bad in the past? How could he say such an embarrassing name so calmly to his subordinates? Having such a boss was a massive headache. This name was like someone naming their sword "Pink Fluffy Bunny"—it was the kind of thing born from a cancerous logic loop.
"Speak up! I can't hear you clearly! You have to be considerate of an old man's hearing! Say it again, Miss Shimmering Vigil!"
The Pope suddenly raised his voice, startling Shimmering Vigil. She quickly turned down the volume of the communicator; otherwise, the moment of her social death would have been born right then and there.
"GOOD DAY! YOUR HOLINESS THE POPE!!! I HOPE YOUR HEALTH REMAINS EXCELLENT DURING THIS TIME! I AM PRAYING FOR YOU RIGHT HERE!!!"
She had no choice. Even though she knew it was just a prank, our Shimmering Vigil could only respond loudly to the old man across from her. Because he was her boss.
"Thank you for your blessings, I am very well. By the way, what was your codename again? I really am getting old; in just this short time, I can't seem to remember it..."
Remember your grandmother's leg! Even if I know you're faking, as the Pope, couldn't your acting skills be a bit better? You halo-enlarged bastard!
Shimmering Vigil cursed the old, indecent bastard in her heart, mentally stabbing a straw doll of him repeatedly. At this moment, she truly hoped from the bottom of her heart that the old man would forget to breathe and go meet God for real—that would be better than anything.
"I am called Shimmering Vigil, Your Holiness."
Despite her mental curses, he was still her superior. No matter how absurd he was, she could only stay here and deal with his "bad taste" honestly.
"What? Speak up, I can't hear you! My ears haven't been working well lately. Speak louder!"
"Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale."
Shimmering Vigil took deep breaths, trying to suppress the urge to rush to Chernobog right now and humanely destroy this old man with her shield.
Calm down, calm down, you can do this. That old man doesn't have many years left to live. Once you survive this period, your happy life will begin.
She comforted herself, saying things to make herself happy while silently counting prime numbers to quiet her heart. Now was not the time for murder.
"MY NAME IS SHIMMERING VIGIL!!!!! YOUR HOLINESS!!!"
This time, she almost screamed the words. If it still didn't work, she would immediately smash the communication device, delete all her contact info, and run away to start a new life.
"Alright, it seems there truly is no one else around you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to shout that loudly."
The old man's words implied that the reason he had done that was to confirm no one else was eavesdropping on her.
"I don't believe your nonsense for a second! Even to confirm no one is eavesdropping, you have other methods. Besides, this kind of action isn't very useful."
Shimmering Vigil scoffed at the Pope's words with a look of disdain. She knew exactly how many wicked thoughts this old thing had and what a terrible personality he possessed.
"If there's nothing of value, stop talking. Why are you looking for me at this time? You should get to the point, shouldn't you?"
Before the Pope could speak, Shimmering Vigil interrupted him, putting an end to the old fellow's desire to continue derailing the conversation.
"It's like this: in a few days, the Saint will head to Lungmen for some private matters. However, she is currently hiding her identity, and Laterano will not provide any overt assistance. So, you understand what needs to be done, right?"
"Assist the Saint in a private capacity while ensuring others don't associate her with the Saint... but is that really necessary? Lungmen doesn't even have a concept of 'The Saint.' Besides, I don't even know what she looks like!"
Shimmering Vigil skillfully listed what she needed to do. She had accepted many such tasks, though this time the subject was the Saint. She just didn't know what kind of personality this Saint had. If she was one of those spoiled "Ojou-sama" types, could she just give her a beating?
"She has a Sankta guard with her, and they will find you. You don't need to worry about those minor details."
"Yes, yes, yes. I will complete the mission properly when the time comes."