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Fall of the Holy City – Part 05

Sophie was elated. She had never entered the Tower before, and meeting the Pope in person was also a first.

Despite their significant achievements as adventurers, the Four Eastern Stars might be considered small in the face of the massive organization known as the Church.

What was Luvain, who stood at its pinnacle, thinking? Recalling the man’s demeanor, both aloof yet possessing profound intellect, Hikaru reminded himself to be cautious around him.

Entering the Tower was not a problem, as they had already received a free pass from Luvain. However, the combination of Hikaru, dressed very suspiciously in a hooded cloak with a silver mask, Selyse, who radiated dazzling immaculateness, and Sophie in her monastic attire, attracted a lot of attention.

The temple guards at the entrance of the Tower glanced back and forth several times between them and the permit written personally by Luvain.

Lavia, Paula, and Sara were not present. Hikaru had asked the girls to pack up their belongings at the hotel and transport them to the Einbiest army’s tent, and Sara, as usual, expressed her free-spirited nature by saying, “Going to the Tower sounds boring, so I’ll stick with Star Face and Flower Face!”

Since it wouldn’t take long to fetch their belongings, they planned to do some shopping and enjoy good food. They were scheduled to depart for the pit this evening, so they had plenty of time until then.

Upon receiving word that Hikaru—Silver Face—had arrived, Luvain decided to end his meeting early.

“This is incredible,” Sophie said. “I wonder how virtuous you have to be to meet His Holiness so quickly.”

Sophie’s opinion on Hikaru was skyrocketing, but she couldn’t be more wrong. It had nothing to do with virtuosity, and everything to do with threats and hostility. Of course, he couldn’t say that.

The closer they got to Luvain, the more courteous people were. Perhaps the Pope sent a directive to treat Silver Face with special care. As they waited in the audience chamber reserved for receiving guests of honor, Luvain appeared dressed in a robe.

Oh, he looks quite healthy. Is he wearing makeup? Being the symbol of the Church’s leadership must be tough.

Luvain was fundamentally a handsome man exuding an intellectual aura. And now add to that the title of Pope. Sophie knelt down, her cheeks flushed.

“Silver Face, thank you for coming.”

“I’m glad to see you in good health,” Hikaru said, kneeling with Sophie and Selyse.

Luvain looked baffled by his demeanor, but quickly realized his intention—to make it seem to the two ladies that their relationship was a formal one.

“Please, stand up. Let’s have a seat over there.”

“These two are renowned adventurers.”

Hikaru explained that the Four Eastern Stars would be helping in the investigation of the pit. Since there were people present who were not Luvain’s trusted subordinates, he needed to choose his words carefully.

“I see, that’s very much appreciated. Ranna has attempted to undo the seal and throw the holy city into chaos. Capturing her and interrogating her is the quickest way to restore order. She should also have knowledge about the undead monsters.”

Luvain already understood that the pit’s seal was the problem. If Ranna was trying to undo it, she should know how to reseal it.

Sophie, after listening to the conversation, voiced her anger. “This Ranna person can’t get away with this. If she was the one who developed the Accursed Toxin, then she must have been the one behind the Pope’s poisoning.”

“…”

“…”

Hikaru and Luvain remained quiet. Sophie would never have imagined that it was Hikaru who had administered the enhanced version of the Accursed Toxin and that Luvain did not heal the Pope when he could have.

“Your Holiness, may I continue using the White Ray Blade?” Selyse asked as she removed the sword—along with its scabbard—from her waist and placed it on the table.

Luvain frowned. “What is this sword?”

“A 300-year-old church ruin was discovered in the Kingdom of Ponsonia, and there was an undead there, an archpriest from those days. After killing it, the former Pope lent me this sword.”

“I see…” Luvain glanced at Hikaru, who said nothing. He smiled. “Someone, bring me a pen.”

A priest handed him a quill pen. Luvain imbued it with mana before writing his name on the sheath of the White Ray Blade. There was a bluish-white light.

Hikaru wondered if it was a pen that used mana as some sort of ink. He had never seen such a thing before.

“You may continue using this sword for as long as I’m in office.”

His words shocked the priests.

“Thank you very much. I never expected to have your name written on it, Your Holiness.” Selyse was grateful to receive the authorization of Luvain himself.

I’m glad she can keep using it. It’s an incredibly powerful sword.

With their business concluded, it was time to leave. They still had to rendezvous with the others.

“Well, then. We—”

“Y-Your Holiness, please excuse my impudence, but I have a request.” Sophie prostrated herself out of nowhere.

A chill ran down Hikaru’s spine. If the conversation shifted to the wrongdoings of the former Pope, it would be quite troublesome. Hikaru was already certain of the former Pope’s crimes, but it was better to keep them ambiguous within the current Church, especially since Luvain’s administration had just begun.

“What is it, Miss Sophie?” There was a slight tension in Luvain’s voice. Perhaps he was thinking the same thing as Hikaru.

“May I request for a blessing?”

What Sophie asked for, however, they did not expect.

“A blessing…?”

“Y-Yes. I may have strayed from the true path of the Church, working as an adventurer, but the gods have always guided my heart. W-Would that be acceptable?”

Hikaru noticed the long sigh escaping from Luvain’s nose.

The Pope put on a gentle smile. “Of course, that’s perfectly fine. Please, come here.”

“Th-Thank you so much!”

As Sophie knelt beside Luvain, he placed his hand over her head.

“Blessings be upon Sophie Bloomfield, servant of our gods in heaven. May this individual offer charity in times of hardship, provide solace in moments of sorrow, and bring comfort in times of pain. May the light guide you in your journey.”

Hikaru watched as golden powder—glowing mana—spilled from Luvain’s hand and entered Sophie’s body. He wondered if it was some form of magic.

“The road ahead may be challenging, but we will walk it together.”

“Understood!” Sophie beamed, then stood up.

Hikaru asked later if the gesture had some special effect, and Sophie explained, “It’s just a blessing; there’s no specific effect or anything like that.” It only made the Church even more baffling.

“Well, then. We’ll take our leave now.”

“Very well. Silver Face, I leave the rest to you.”

“Understood.” Then, Hikaru raised his index finger. “Oh, I forgot to mention something. Lord Gerhardt, the leader of Einbiest, also volunteered to help solve this issue. He will be coming to the Tower later.”

The Beastmen were having a mock battle to select their delegates, and there was absolutely no way Gerhardt would lose.

Luvain’s eyes widened in shock. Finally, Hikaru managed to surprise the man. It gave him a slight sense of satisfaction.