As the silhouette of Jeanne's vehicle faded into the distance, the faint trace of melancholy returned to the Pope's face, his expression a mix of lingering unease and deep-seated worry.
The old man stood there in contemplation for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh, turning back toward the heart of Laterano. As he reached the city gates, several Apostolic Knights emerged from concealed positions, accompanied by the Cardinal Jeanne had met previously—Velliv.
Upon seeing the Pope return safely, Velliv let out a long breath of relief. She spoke to the old man in a tone thick with exasperation and helplessness.
"It is truly a relief to see you unharmed! Honestly, I feel your actions today were reckless. If anything had gone wrong, it would have been no laughing matter!"
In truth, the moment that black smoke erupted from the horn, she and the nearby Apostolic Knights had been ready to charge forward to protect both him and the Saintess. Had the event not concluded so swiftly, Jeanne would have witnessed the sight of an army of Knights forming a living wall in front of her.
Even though the incident was over, they remained uneasy about the old man's physical well-being. That was, after all, an ancient and malicious Sarkaz curse; who knew if it harbored some subtle, lingering power that could affect the Pope's health?
Realizing this, the lead Knight quickly reminded him:
"Your Holiness, that was Sarkaz sorcery! For your safety and the security of Laterano, you must return to the Basilica immediately for a thorough examination!"
Seeing the Pope's indifferent, breezy attitude, the Knight was nearly fuming with anxiety. This old man cared far too little for his own health! If the Pope hadn't ordered them to remain hidden, he would have stormed to the Saintess's side as well, insisting she be examined to ensure no harm had come to her person. Even if he were later accused of being paranoid, he didn't care. As long as a risk existed, it had to be eliminated!
"Sigh, I know, I know! I'll head back in a moment. We'll confirm that no deep-seated Sarkaz curse has been planted in me, alright?"
Faced with his subordinate's unwavering stance, the Pope offered no further resistance, repeatedly agreeing to the veteran Knight's demands.
"But surely there's no need for such haste? I believe the medical staff are still having their breakfast, and my body isn't going to change that quickly."
The Pope's tone was remarkably relaxed, as if he weren't the very person they were describing as being in mortal peril. This was partly due to his poise as the Sovereign of Laterano, but also due to his own keen observations and Jeanne's deductions.
While the old man hadn't fully deciphered the nature of those ink-black mists, he had recognized the look of "liberation" in those indistinct figures. It was the expression of souls who had endured endless torment suddenly finding salvation and release.
Based on that reaction alone, a man of his experience could guess the horrific nature of the spell's creation. The mere thought of such a process felt like a violation of human morality. If the perpetrator were in Laterano today, they would likely be thrown in jail to rot for life.
To create that artifact, multiple Sarkaz must have been subjected to agonizing torture until they questioned the very nature of life and death—only to be killed at the precise moment their souls were ripe for extraction and imprisonment within that Goliath hide.
Even among the Sarkaz, playing with the souls of deceased kin is an unforgivable sin. Those who manipulate souls are hunted by all Sarkaz tribes.
"The curse was likely used to track the object's location. Notify the units currently stationed near Kazdel; tell them to be on high alert!"
The Pope pondered for a moment before issuing orders. If his predictions were correct, the number of spies from Kazdel would increase significantly. It might even reach an unprecedented level, serving as a severe test for Laterano's internal security against the infiltration of the Kazdel Royal Court.
"Understood. I will issue orders to the border guard units surrounding Kazdel immediately. Furthermore, the nearby Apostolic Knights will be dispatched to the border for defense!"
Those around him understood the gravity of the situation. Anyone who had witnessed the scene earlier felt their wariness toward Kazdel jump tenfold.
Despite his subordinates' quick responses, the Pope's expression did not soften. Compared to the safety of Laterano, he was actually more worried about Jeanne's safety. Laterano had a much stronger foundation to defend itself, whereas the prize they sought was currently hanging around Jeanne's neck!
The Pope could only hope they wouldn't find her. If they truly obtained that object, disaster would be inevitable.
Back in the office, after the others had left, Velliv turned to the Pope with a suggestion:
"Your Holiness, since the situation is no longer optimistic, should we make preparations? Perhaps even strike before the Sarkaz can?"
In Velliv's view, since a conflict with the Sarkaz was becoming unavoidable, it was better to take the initiative. They even had a legitimate reason to mobilize—Kazdel had recently tried to collude with Victoria to attack them. Retaliating now would be seen as a justified response, leaving the Sarkaz with no time to plan.
She believed there might be a "better" long-term solution, but the current situation required a method that could handle things immediately. They couldn't just sit there passively defending while waiting for slow-moving committees to discuss a plan.
The Pope merely shook his head and rejected her proposal.
"There is no need for that. Doing so would only make them think we have already secured the golden horn and are attempting to use it."
What the Pope didn't say was that even if a war broke out, it might actually benefit the Sarkaz. Such a conflict might cause the currently fractured Sarkaz factions to unify rapidly to launch a counter-offensive. That would drag Laterano into a quagmire of war.
"And do not forget the past of Gaul! That nation taught us a lesson with its very lifeblood: always remain vigilant of the countries surrounding you."
Recalling the fallen empire of Gaul, he could not stand by and watch Laterano walk that same path. He looked out the window at the scenery and spoke:
"Let us wait and see for now. Maintain close contact with the Saintess. As for the rest, let time give us the answers. After all, for now, the initiative is in our hands!"
Following his command, Velliv left to make the necessary preparations. Perhaps the Pope was right—as long as the object was in the Saintess's hands, they could strike back even if the Sarkaz resorted to force. With that artifact in play, the Sarkaz would suffer horrific casualties. Surely, the current Demon King wouldn't want to rule over tribes that are on the brink of extinction.
(Fumina: There's one small arc left before Babel)