Chapter 64
“The Pope has arrived in the capital.”
“I see. Is the welcoming ceremony ready?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The roads to the palace have been cleared, and crowds have already gathered in the outer areas. The orchestra is also prepared.
However… it seems the Saintess, who traveled with the Pope to the Empire, disappeared midway along with the Holy Knight Commander. Our agents from the Intelligence Bureau attempted to track them but lost their trail.”
“Don’t worry about it. She likely went to find Xian.”
Not long ago, I received a report from Xian—he had defeated the Black Swan.
After that, I ordered him to seek out other Freefolk—either recruit them or, if necessary, eliminate them. So truthfully, even I don’t know where he is right now.
If the Saintess is trying to find him, she’s in for quite a journey.
“Minister Dia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What’s the situation with Haon?”
“Duke Verde has raised troops and seized the royal palace. He’s declared himself king and publicly proclaimed that he is both Haon’s ruler and a vassal of the Empire.”
“And the backlash?”
“Surprisingly little. Only those who were trying to use the child-king rose up and called him a traitor—but they received no support and were crushed instead.”
“Hmm… I can’t tell if the boy-king was pathetic or if the Duke is simply impressive. Ah, did you prepare the map?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I’d been inspired by the map the Pope showed me before—so I had one drawn up of my own.
One with only the Magic Tower, the Holy Nation, and the Empire.
“Looks like he’s almost here.”
The immense surge of divine energy reaching this far could only mean the Pope had met the welcoming crowds—and was bestowing a large-scale blessing.
“Tch.”
He’s spreading Kiriya’s holy power among my people.
It started to annoy me—but then again, if it’s Kiriya… well, it couldn’t be helped.
After all, my people wanted that blessing.
“Well then, I shall go receive the Pope.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the entire history of the Holy Nation—longer even than the Empire’s—the Pope had never once visited a foreign ruler in person.
Faithful or not, the people were bursting with pride and joy.
Cheers echoed endlessly through the streets. Waves of holy energy erupted as the Pope passed.
The clergy accompanying him gladly released their divine power, not for any miraculous effect, but simply to share Kiriya’s light.
And for the faithful, that alone was enough to rejoice.
As the Pope approached the Imperial Palace, a wave of violet energy mixed with Kiriya’s divine aura and spread among the people.
“WAAAAHHHHH!”
They had seen it only twice before—once at the Imperial Assembly, and once during the joint funeral.
So most knew exactly who that power belonged to.
I walked slowly through the parted crowd, making my way to the Pope.
“I greet the Pope. Welcome to the capital.”
“Thank you for the warm reception.”
We shook hands. A second wave of cheers burst forth.
The orchestra began playing, just as planned.
Magical instruments ensured the music was heard even through the cheering, yet not so loud as to overwhelm the atmosphere.
Still holding the Pope’s hand, I leaned in and spoke quietly.
“I hear the Saintess disappeared with the Knight Commander. Care to explain?”
Of course, I knew it wasn’t some covert operation—she just went to find Xian. And the Pope knew it too.
But still, it was an excuse. And I’d be a fool not to press just a little.
“You know how it is. Young people should be left to their own adventures.”
“…The Saintess and I aren’t that far apart in age.”
“Aren’t you a little beyond that kind of thinking by now?”
…Well, he wasn’t wrong. I gave a slight nod.
“Let’s head inside. I’ve postponed the banquet until tomorrow—tonight’s discussion may run long.”
“As it should.”
We kept up a display of closeness as we walked toward the palace.
Of course, it was mostly for show.
“Pope. To honor your personal visit, I’ve prepared a gift. Please, take a look.”
The moment we entered the specially prepared meeting chamber, I handed him the map.
He already knew I had absorbed Haon—and this was my silent declaration that Xere and Anon would soon follow.
I was curious to see how he’d respond.
“This map was created by the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, yes?”
“…Indeed. How did you know?”
To my surprise, the Pope didn’t protest or offer caution.
Instead, he just said that.
“The Holy Nation’s position and borders are incorrect. It appears this map was based on misinformation we deliberately released.”
What? Counterintelligence?
I turned to Dia. Her face had gone pale.
We didn’t even have the correct location of the Holy Nation?
“Haha. The lady beside you—is she your Director of Intelligence? Please don’t be too hard on her, Your Majesty. That particular piece of disinformation was leaked long before she took office.”
“The Imperial Bureau only uses cross-verified intel. How did this happen?”
“If I recall, we released that false data over 400 years ago. The Intelligence Director at the time was quite the devout brother.”
“So… you’re saying the head of your own Intelligence Bureau recorded false information himself?”
“I mean, come now. In all that time, no one thought to double-check it?”
“Well, Your Majesty, from that point on, the Empire and the Holy Nation ceased communication. It’s not so strange, is it?”
“There must’ve been people who visited the Holy Nation on their own, though. Didn’t Duke Fael go there recently?”
Sure, I simply followed the strongest trace of Kiriya’s divine presence—but what about the others?
“Those who came with pure intentions—whether they had a false map or none at all—would have reached us regardless. Kiriya guides those who seek her.”
“Tch… So that’s your response?”
“Would Your Majesty stop if I said more?”
“No.”
Of course not. Nothing the Pope says could change my course.
Still… I hadn’t expected him to be this compliant.
What am I missing here?
“…Your Majesty. Do you recall what you once said to me?”
Something from before…
“You said we should unify the continent together.”
“And do you remember my reply?”
“You said that wasn’t Kiriya’s will. Don’t tell me—”
“…Yes.”
The Pope paused, his expression grave.
“Kiriya now supports Your Majesty’s unification of the continent.”
Not “permits,” not “tolerates”—but supports.
It was more than approval. It meant Kiriya viewed me not as a mere mortal, but as an equal—and that she understood my character.
“Well now. That… was unexpected. I prepared quite the list of arguments to convince you.”
“…Then allow me to deliver Kiriya’s words. Please, focus.”
“I am listening.”
The Pope closed his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice changed—no longer that of an aged cleric, but of a warm, gentle woman.
“O Emperor… A great disturbance stirs in the world. Those long forgotten are being remembered once more. Traces of those who vanished have returned. Things long asleep begin to open their eyes, and those between begin to gather power.
And beyond all of this… death waits.”
As he spoke, the voice was no longer his.
Not the deep, worn voice of a man, but the nurturing tone of a woman—soft, divine.
“Your methods may be forceful, but I accept them. For now, there is no better way. If you seek not to crush the continent beneath your heel, but to embrace it—if, like I do, you seek to cherish its people—then I shall gladly support you.”
“…You’re skipping ahead a bit. When I speak of force, I speak of wiping out any place where death might gain a foothold.”
There was no reply.
The Pope opened his eyes once more—but Kiriya was no longer present in them.
“…Then I’d say Your Majesty is likely correct,” he answered on her behalf.
Though Kiriya was gone, the one she had entrusted to carry her will was still here—and he had answered me in her stead.
“So… Kiriya supports me. There’s no better justification. But I can’t help but wonder… why go that far?
These ‘forgotten ones,’ the ‘vanished,’ the ‘sleeping,’ and those between—what are they?”
I had a vague idea, but I wanted confirmation.
“The forgotten and the vanished—you already know them, Your Majesty.”
“…The gods.”
“Exactly.”
“And the sleeping?”
“You’ve not heard of them?”
“No.”
“Then… how much do you know of the beasts?”
“I know that after the 15th Emperor’s Great Purge, they were all but wiped out within the Empire.”
“Indeed. But the kingdoms are still fighting them. And you know that some parts of this continent are still considered uninhabitable—lands ruled by beasts.”
“I know this as well.”
“The ‘sleeping’ ones are the kings of those beasts.
In the great war long ago, they were one of the main forces.”
“The great war… is it what I think it is?”
“Yes. The War of the Gods.
Though, truth be told… far more than just gods took part in it.”
The Pope had come… to help the Emperor unify the continent.
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