Chapter 41: The Pope
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: The Pope
Aiden glared with narrowed eyes at the person stubbornly maintaining her silence.
The maid blinked blankly, looking around before speaking in a vacant voice.
“—Um, what do you mean by that? Did I do something wrong…?”
Feeling the vein in his forehead throb, Aiden took a deep breath.
“Dame Stella.”
“…Yes?”
“Would you mind stepping back for a moment?”
“…?”
The moment Dame Stella took a step back at his request, Aiden drew a revolver from his coat. It was something he always carried, just in case.
“…Mr. Aiden? What—”
Before Stella could even finish her question—
“By the Law, I vow—”
A vow formed swiftly under his breath.
First, Consecration. Second, Vow. Third, Mantra.
Three supernatural abilities were instantly imbued into the weapon.
“…Mr. Aiden?” Dame Stella asked in bewilderment, but he didn’t have time to answer.
As soon as the three abilities settled into the gun, Aiden fired it straight ahead.
—!!!!!!!!!!!
The blast tore through the air, instantly shattering the maid’s torso into pieces.
“…”
Beside him, Stella stared at Aiden with a completely dumbfounded expression. The situation had unfolded so suddenly that her brain felt as though it had simply stopped processing.
“Mr. Aiden, what…!”
“It’s fine,” Aiden, the one who had pulled the trigger, interrupted with a deep frown still etched on his face. “She’s not someone who’d die from something like this.”
The attack’s power was terrifying, but it was a level of force that would only temporarily incapacitate Katya.
And this person… was an existence ranked even higher than that monster who defied all logic.
“—Hey.”
The shattered pieces of the maid’s body floated gently into the air.
“Seriously, isn’t that a bit much?”
Then, with a click of her tongue, the maid lightly flicked her wrist. It was a smooth gesture, as if she were merely stretching. With that single motion, her fragmented body stuck back together like clay, instantly regenerating.
Just like Katya.
“…Huh?” Stella let out a baffled sound.
From the perspective of an ability user, the truth was vividly clear. If Katya’s immortality was an innate trait, this person was replicating it purely through her own sheer ability.
…This is ridiculous.
Ridiculous didn’t even begin to cover it. To manually recreate the phenomenon of immortality… That was a level of control over Divine Power that bordered on godlike. Even Katya—considered second only to the Pope in the current generation—could never hope to stand on equal footing with this woman.
She’s a total monster.
As mentioned before, neither Noel nor Katya were people who could be taken lightly anywhere. And if one thought a little deeper about what that implied… it meant that even a woman who could slice buildings in half with a sword, or a woman who refused to die no matter how many times she was killed, still couldn’t easily be called the ‘strongest.’
Of course, if asked how far those two would eventually grow as the scenario progressed, one might bestow such a title on them preemptively, but the word was difficult to use right now.
And the person standing before him was one of the primary reasons why.
The strongest, worst, and most malevolent user of Divine Power in history.
The ruler of the Craven Holy Kingdom, the current Pope, Abigail III.
Every single one of those titles belonged to the woman before him.
That very woman snorted and took off the bonnet covering her head. The moment she snapped her fingers, heatless flames scattered in all directions. Her plain maid attire was washed away by the fire, revealing papal robes of pitch-black ebony beneath. It was the attire representing the highest protocol rank within the Holy Kingdom—the symbol of the Pope.
At the same time, the entity that had been called Princess Laila until moments ago dissolved into flames and vanished.
“That was a rather well-made double. How on earth did you notice?”
Aiden frowned as he looked at the Pope, who had now revealed herself. Though he wasn’t accustomed to her, her overall aura felt eerily familiar. Appearance-wise, she was practically Katya’s spitting image. White hair. Golden eyes. Even the atmosphere she projected was identical. However, her robes stood in stark contrast to Katya’s usual appearance.
Considering how their fates were entangled, it was rather fitting.
She was Katya’s biological mother. And—
The final boss of Act 2.
She was the final opponent of the episode where Katya took center stage. The wall Katya had to overcome.
“Still, who launches an attack without warning like that, Husband of the Lionheart? Hmm?” the Pope said, offering a fierce grin as she leaned her head close to Aiden.
Even that expression was a carbon copy of Katya’s—a mischievous savagery combined with the belligerence of a wild beast. One look at her face and you could instantly tell where Katya had inherited her demeanor.
Yet, facing such a sight, Aiden didn’t bat an eye.
“Your Holiness was doing the exact same thing.”
Though it was their first meeting, it was clear that neither had the slightest intention of standing on formality. Considering the gap in status, the Pope’s attitude was understandable, but Aiden’s was simply shocking.
“Not going to spare a single word for me? How cold.”
The Pope seemed to be calling him out on his attitude, but Aiden just stared back calmly.
“Politeness… is only returned to those who show it first.”
The strike she had unleashed while disguised as Princess Laila, though not instantly fatal, had undoubtedly been powerful. It wouldn’t have killed him, but it certainly would have left him severely injured. On top of that…
She beat Katya black and blue without a second thought, too.
There was zero reason to greet someone like that with a smile.
Seeing his reaction, the corners of the Pope’s lips twisted up, as if thinking, ‘Well, look at this one.’ It was the unmistakable reaction of piqued interest.
“…Fair enough,” the Pope chuckled in agreement. “I wondered why Katya was digging her heels in so deep here. Turns out there’s a natural-born madman on campus.”
“Your Holiness,” Aiden sighed, cutting her off. “You didn’t come all this way just to shoot the breeze, did you?”
“…”
“I’m a busy man.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw Dame Stella gaping, completely unable to keep up.
“…You’re a complete fucking lunatic, aren’t you?”
His attitude was indeed radical enough for even the Pope to say such a thing.
But…
So what?
If anything, Aiden was already holding back immensely. And given the Pope’s personality, there was no reason to hold back in the first place.
“Before criticizing my personality, shouldn’t you take care of what comes first?”
“…What?”
What needed to be done was clear. Sending Katya to drag him back to the Holy Kingdom, picking on her right in front of him, and testing him until the very last moment—the Pope was the one behind it all. He didn’t have a single reason to speak nicely to her. He had to wring out everything he could.
“It’s only right to pay for one’s wrongdoings.”
“Mmh?”
“Surely you didn’t plan on causing all this trouble and then walking away empty-handed?”
“Mmm—?”
“Grant me two favors. Then I’ll let it slide.”
At this point, even the Pope broke into a half-dumbfounded laugh. “Let’s hear it, then. What exactly are you ‘letting slide’?”
“Your Holiness stands to gain nothing if I go public with the little games you’ve been playing with Katya and me. Am I wrong?”
“…”
“After all, it won’t be just one or two scandals breaking out.”
The fierce grin on the Pope’s face broadened. With a short, sharp exhale, her eyes narrowed.
“Hey, Mr. Aiden.”
“Yes.”
“Do you like breathing?”
“For the most part.”
“Is that so?”
—Then, his vision shattered.
Divine Power flared like an explosion, painting his world red and distorting his senses. He felt no heat; the Pope wasn’t even deploying a proper ability. It was a phenomenon manifested purely through her raw presence. Just making eye contact felt as though an invisible hand were squeezing his heart.
“Then let me ask one more thing,” her voice sounded distorted, as if laced with static. “If you like breathing, you’d better choose your words carefully. Is that a threat?”
Just hearing her words felt like his brain was being fried. A sensation like his skin was festering, a sickening feeling as though someone had poured tar through his veins, shot painfully down every nerve.
“…”
It was a monstrous power. And while taking the full brunt of it… Aiden had only one thought.
…Jackpot.
If he could copy the skill of someone like this, wouldn’t that be a massive hit?
“…”
Maybe it was because he had been killed so many times by Mayer lately, but even with a genuine threat to his life right before him, his brain was spinning in a bizarre direction. But the thought itself was undoubtedly true.
And his next action was the ultimate move designed for precisely that.
Click. A switch flipped in his mind.
Aiden calmly raised his eyes to meet hers.
“Yes.”
“…”
“It is a threat.”
“…”
…Beyond his field of vision, Dame Stella—who had long since given up on understanding—could be seen gaping once again.
“If you don’t grant them, I’ll bite down and never let go.”
“…”
“I assure you. I might not be able to defeat Your Holiness, but I can make myself an insanely annoying problem for you.”
By the time he finished, Dame Stella looked like she was on the verge of fainting. He wasn’t doing this because he had lost his mind, however.
…This is the right approach with her.
Considering what he knew about the Pope’s background and character, she preferred someone who stood up to her over someone who cowered. What a nasty personality—pushing others to their limits while secretly hoping they’d keep fighting back. The fact that she had consistently pressured him from the very beginning fit right into that context. Her intention to find his breaking point was intensely clear.
And she wouldn’t be testing someone like this…
This woman wouldn’t even start something like this unless she had expectations in the first place. It meant she had certain standards she wanted him to meet. Considering her intentions, pushing back was far better than bowing down. If anything, that was the way to gain her favor.
Indeed, hearing his response, the smile on the Pope’s face deepened. It meant Aiden was continuously meeting her standards. If her previous look was one of intrigue, this was genuine approval.
To drive the final wedge in, he added, “But I’m not an unconscionable man. I’ll balance the scales.”
“What?”
“It seems there’s something you want my help with, Your Holiness.”
“…”
“Isn’t that why you keep pushing me like this?”
He took the initiative, making it clear he had seen right through her. And taking it one step further… why was she throwing test after test at him? Why did she want to keep evaluating his capabilities? Analyzing her motives didn’t even require calculation. He already knew the biggest headache the Pope was currently grappling with.
“You seem to be having a massive headache over the matter of succession.”
The power struggle among the candidates to succeed her as the next Pope. The plot of Act 2, <Blasphemy>, revolved entirely around that issue.
“If you help me, I will certainly lend you my power in return.”
When Aiden added those words, the Pope, who had been silent for a while, let out a dry laugh and dispersed her Divine Power. The oppressive sensation crushing his entire body evaporated in an instant.
“…You really are a weird bastard. I can’t tell if you’re a genius or a lunatic.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Sure you will, you crazy bastard.”
“…”
Her tone was blunt, but there was no mistaking that it wasn’t a negative reaction.
— System Message
▶ Target Abigail III’s Interest increases.
▶ ‘Skill: Weaver of Fate’ triggers!
▶ Your available skill copies have increased by 1!
▶ Relevant details will be updated in the Main Scenario later!
The window popping up before his eyes proved it. As Aiden cheered internally, the Pope sighed and crossed her legs.
“…Let’s hear it, then. What are these favors you want?”
Saying this meant she had practically accepted his proposal. Aiden broke into a wide smile.
What a lucrative deal.
…In truth, he was bound by the shackles of quests anyway, so it was something he had to do regardless. Whether the Pope requested his help or not, he was destined to be dragged into her problems. Normally, just thinking about it would give him a headache, but for now, it was fine. As long as he could act all high and mighty while racking up favors, that was good enough for him.
Of course, that was a separate matter. What he had to ask for his first favor was clear.
“It’s something I mentioned earlier.”
“…Mmh?”
“Apologize to Katya.”
“…”
“I will not tolerate you treating my friend however you please, Your Holiness.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then we become mortal enemies. Simple as that.”
The Pope fell silent for a moment, staring at Aiden, who spoke with such composure. His tone wasn’t emotionally charged; it was closer to a calm demand. Yet, looking at him, a single phrase came to mind: A dog that truly bites doesn’t bark. His sheer calm only underscored it. If she didn’t apologize to Katya, this man was genuinely prepared to throw negotiations out the window and go to war with her. With the head of the Holy Kingdom. With one of the rulers of the continent’s superpowers.
He really is crazy.
But that was precisely why she liked him.
The Pope smirked. “Fine. I promise. When I see her later, I’ll tell her properly that I was in the wrong.”
“…”
“Don’t believe me? I can swear an oath on my True Name to the Goddess of Purification if you like.”
“…No. That’s enough.”
Hm. He hadn’t expected her to concede so cleanly. Considering her foul disposition, he had expected her to snap back, asking who he thought he was to order her around.
Well…
Since she conceded so willingly, it was only right for Aiden to take a step back as well. Of course, the second favor was still pending, but he could at least lighten the atmosphere first.
“—First, allow me to offer a proper greeting, as a gesture of reconciliation.”
“A greeting?”
“I hope we get along well from now on.”
Although they had gotten off to a hostile start, he truly hoped they could get along in the future. As he offered those words, Abigail III, who had been listening with a sullen expression, tilted her head slightly. She pondered what he had just said for a moment, then tilted her head to the other side.
“…”
What on earth was she doing?
— System Message
▶ Target Abigail III’s Interest increases.
▶ ‘Skill: Weaver of Fate’ triggers!
▶ Your available skill copies have increased by 2!
What is this? Why did it suddenly go up again?
As he was thinking that, the Pope opened her mouth, a dubious expression on her face.
“…Hey.”
“…Yes?”
“Are you trying to hit on me right now?”
“…”
What kind of bullshit was this woman spouting? Where in anything he just said could she possibly have gotten that impression?
“…No, I am not.”
When Aiden barely managed an answer, the Pope grumpily continued.
“I’ve been single my entire life, you know.”
“…”
“You should watch what you say, lest there be a misunderstanding. A handsome, slick-tongued man like you…”
“…”
…I don’t think I’m the problem here.
Aiden swallowed those words down deep.