Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Interlude
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The rebellion in the Holy Kingdom was more or less sorted out after about two weeks.
The priests who had belonged to Cardinal Rozan's faction were all dragged away by the inquisitors, and those who had joined the rebellion were executed in secret without trial.
It made sense. This rebellion wasn't about vying for political power—it was essentially a direct denial of the faith they truly believed in.
With clear evidence of Pandemonium's involvement aiding the rebels, the entire rebel force was branded as heretics and apostates who had denied the Goddess.
Naturally, the vacancy left by Cardinal Rozan's purged faction was filled by Cardinal Hainkel's people.
Thus, the Holy Kingdom's political instability could be considered largely resolved. Since neither the Saintess nor the Pope had faced any threats, the chaos unexpectedly subsided quickly.
Only Cardinal Rozan and her ilk were recorded in history as filthy apostates.
'They'll probably be talked about for ages.'
The foolish end of foolish priests—something like that.
And as a side benefit? Not only had he greatly assisted in suppressing the rebellion, but Yujin's feats in single-handedly cutting down two of Pandemonium's Seven Deadly Sins Seats were greatly exaggerated in the news.
Articles like "[The true warrior who cannot tolerate injustice!]", "[The empire's duke who hunted two Master-level Seven Deadly Sins Seats alone]", or "[Who is the continent's strongest warrior? I confidently declare it's Duke Banus]".
Such pieces were circulating.
Thanks to that, within the Holy Kingdom, Yujin was no longer seen as just an outsider—he had become a full-fledged hero, or even a saint-like figure. The empire had become a brother nation among the Holy Kingdom's people.
'Saint...'
The Emperor was thrilled about it.
As a joke, with the empire producing both the Saintess and now a saint, they could exert even stronger influence within the Holy Kingdom.
...
Yujin was preparing to return to the empire before long.
"Your Excellency. The Foreign Ministry vice minister says it should be fine to return home tomorrow."
"Got it."
He dismissed the Black Lotus Knight delivering the report.
The room fell very quiet.
'It doesn't feel like much time has passed... Time flies.'
Perhaps because he'd spent such intense days? The roughly month-long stay felt incredibly short. He barely remembered coming into this assigned room much.
'Once I'm back home, I should take some vacation time.'
He had a feeling things would get very busy ahead.
Pandemonium would surely reach out more aggressively with its tentacles, and tensions between nations were rising, he'd heard.
Mainly against the empire, which was establishing hegemony.
And then there was the Four Horsemen issue, which might as well be the seed of the continent's doom...
'...Maybe this isn't a romance fantasy genre but dark fantasy?'
...Honestly, is this even a romance fantasy?
If he didn't intervene and just watched, it felt like everything would collapse on its own. Pandemonium with the Four Horsemen, anti-empire forces eyeing the empire and marching toward world war.
'Haa...'
As he seriously pondered this world's genre, someone knocked on the door.
Knock knock—
"Come in."
The person who entered was Sena.
The woman who, after spending such a long time in the Holy Kingdom, might truly be reborn as a saintess.
"...Yujin."
She approached him closely.
"What brings you here?"
His words toward her were still cold.
After all, it was too late to act friendly now. Without some trigger, the best they could hope for was a professional relationship.
Whether that was even possible... he wasn't sure.
Still, perhaps if emotions faded like this, they could become... friends?
"...I have something I want to say."
"What is it? I'm busy, so speak quickly and go. We're both busy, aren't we?"
"That's... true."
Sena bowed her head and fidgeted with her hands.
Then, as if gathering courage, she looked straight into his eyes.
"Thank you."
"......?"
Yujin froze at her sudden gratitude.
'...Thank you?'
Suddenly?
'...For what?'
He hadn't expected such thanks. He hadn't done anything particularly deserving of it.
Sena continued as if reading his thoughts.
"...For saving me when I was stupidly kidnapped. Thinking back, you always saved me, and I'm so grateful for that."
To the point where she unwittingly saw him as a prince from a fairy tale, rescued so many times.
'...He really is like a fairy tale prince, isn't he?'
...
Thump—
Thump—
...
But the pounding quickly cooled.
"...Of course, no matter how much I express thanks, it won't erase the deep wounds I inflicted on you."
So her feelings could never reach him.
"I'm sorry. Truly sorry..."
She knew they couldn't reach him.
She knew, but...
"...Still, I wanted to apologize sincerely one more time."
"......"
He opened his closed eyes.
He looked into her trembling ones. What he saw in her eyes right now was fear.
'...Fear of what?'
Why?
"I'll apologize. Over and over. If you want me to kneel, I will. If you tell me to prostrate, I will."
It was pure sincerity, without a shred of falsehood.
No matter how harsh his words, even if he swung at her with violence, she would endure silently and keep apologizing until the end, begging forgiveness.
That was the bare minimum duty she owed. Her original sin to bear.
And if the day came at the end when she received forgiveness...
"...Someday, could Yujin and I return to a normal relationship...?"
"......"
He pondered her words for a long while.
No words, no actions. Only deep silence lingered between them.
And then
"...Yeah."
He nodded.
Someday, surely someday, that day might come.
When the surging emotions cooled completely and wore faint—
"...We might be able to have a better relationship."
"......!!!!"
Her face brightened in an instant.
It wasn't forgiveness, but she hadn't expected that anyway.
But
'This is enough.'
For now, this was enough.
...If someday she earned his forgiveness and they returned to normal, then she could openly show these feelings she held.
She suppressed the overflowing emotions tightly.
"...Ha. 'We might be able to have a better relationship,' huh..."
I never thought I'd say something like that.
"...Do you still have lingering feelings?"
Stupid.
Nothing but "stupid" came to mind.
"What's so stupid about it, Saint?"
"...Your Holiness?"
Lua suddenly entered the room after Sena left.
"What brings you here so suddenly..."
"I heard you're leaving tomorrow, Saint."
—It's what you'd call a farewell visit.
"...We'll see each other tomorrow anyway?"
"True, but you never know what might happen."
"You never know...?"
"Something like that."
Lua brushed it off vaguely.
Then she smiled faintly and approached him. For some reason, Lua carried the scent of flowers.
"Your Holiness. Did you put on perfume?"
"...Is it noticeable?"
"A little, yes."
Lua blushed slightly as if embarrassed.
"...Is it bad?"
"No. It's a nice scent."
"I-Is it? Good."
She murmured "I'm glad" softly.
For some reason, she looked like a girl in love.
'...Must be my imagination.'
He must be tired. Having such silly thoughts.
'Yeah, once back home, I need to rest for a while.'
Since the war ended—no, since he was dragged to the battlefield, he'd been running nonstop without rest.
"...Saint."
Then Lua stepped one step closer. So close that a slight movement would make their bodies touch.
A distance lovers might share. He tried not to notice, but it kept bothering him.
Lua looked up at him with a faint smile.
"Actually, there's something I want your opinion on, Saint."
"...? What is it?"
She moved her lips a few times softly,
"...There's something I want to do."
And uttered somewhat puzzling words.
Lua looked up at Yujin and thought.
"...There's something I want to do."
She had something she wanted to do.
"But I hesitate."
"Why?"
"...Because what I want is something others don't want."
What she desired was something Cardinal Hainkel and the Holy Kingdom's citizens did not want.
"May I ask what it is you're after?"
She gazed into Yujin's black eyes. They were incredibly beautiful.
Looking into them felt like staring at a night sky unbound by anything.
...
"...Freedom, perhaps."
She had lived a life bound by duty. Every day filled with work, sacrificing for strangers whose names she didn't even know.
She realized she had no perspective for herself.
But now it was different. Her duties were gone; she no longer needed to sacrifice. Her lost eyesight had returned, and vitality filled her body.
So, couldn't she enjoy freedom now?
'...I want to make friends and travel like everyone else.'
She wanted to eat delicious food, sit on a bench feeling the cool breeze. Watch splendid fireworks while eating cotton candy.
Make a lover and go on sweet dates.
And if possible, with the one right in front of her...
Whoosh—
'Ahem.'
Anyway, she was filled with thoughts of bolting from the papal seat right then.
...
But she couldn't.
If she stepped down as Pope, chaos would engulf the Holy Kingdom. The Saintess was still immature, and the kingdom remained in turmoil.
It would only get more chaotic, not peaceful.
So how could she abandon the position?
She knew her wish was fanciful.
But Yujin calmly said the opposite.
"Freedom... Then just step down as Pope and take your freedom."
"...?"
Her eyes widened round. He chuckled, looking at Lua.
"Your Holiness, you've done more than enough. You sacrificed for 200 years. There's no need to sacrifice more."
—It means you can enjoy freedom.
Yujin murmured.
But Lua shook her head.
"...But then the Holy Kingdom would fall into chaos—"
"—Don't worry about it."
"...?"
"Your Holiness. What do you think of Cardinal Hainkel?"
...
Cardinal Hainkel was... a man of deep faith and great ability.
If choosing the next Pope, he'd be the top pick nine times out of ten.
"...Ah."
"Realized it?"
"...Yes."
The Holy Kingdom no longer needed one person's sacrifice.
Yujin had dealt with the Knights of Domination, and the heretics were wiped out.
All that remained were pure souls unstained by greed.
"Children eventually leave their parents' embrace. And now might be that time."
"......"
"So why not trust those below you for once?"
.
.
.
.
.
Lua nodded slightly.
Lua (Her Holiness the Pope) being shy all alone...!