Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Interlude (2)
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The next day arrived quickly.
In front of the departing imperial delegation led by Yujin stood countless citizens of the Holy Kingdom, along with its leadership.
Heinkel approached him with a solemn smile and extended his hand.
"I hope the Goddess's blessings accompany the Duke on his path ahead."
"Thank you."
"Truly, truly, thank you."
Cardinal Heinkel, in the midst of the handshake, suddenly bowed his head.
"Thanks to the Duke's help, our Holy Kingdom was able to survive. If heretic Rozan's plan had succeeded... it would have been a disaster unlike any other."
The other clergy behind Heinkel bowed their heads simultaneously.
"Our Holy Kingdom will not forget the Empire's aid. Using this incident as a foundation, we will build a healthier and stronger relationship."
-Waaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
-You're so cool, Duke!!!!!!
-Thank you!!!!!
-Holy Kingdom's hero!!!!!
Suddenly, an enormous cheer erupted.
All of it was directed at Yujin.
He was the man who had single-handedly slain two of Pandemonium's Seven Deadly Sins Seats—enemies of humanity who had dared to shake the Holy Kingdom to its core—and indirectly saved the lives of everyone in the holy city.
Considering that news of his feats had already been greatly exaggerated in articles spreading across the continent...
There was more than enough reason for the people to go wild.
For those who would become allies like the Holy Kingdom, it brought relief; for their enemies, terror.
It was the tale of a true hero.
"...Yujin."
Sena stepped forward.
"I'll study hard here."
She looked up at him with a solemn expression, as if swearing an oath like a knight.
"I'll hone my judgment and develop my abilities as a saintess."
She would become a better person.
She would strive to the death to become someone everyone looked up to.
"Why bother telling me this?"
"...I want to become someone useful to you."
"......"
If she became someone useful to him, wouldn't that give her the right to approach him again?
If so, wouldn't she be able to properly apologize and convey her feelings once more?
Even if those feelings didn't reach him, just the fact that she could be of help to Yujin would be enough.
'...I'm such a coward.'
This was self-satisfaction.
The self-satisfaction of thinking that her hard efforts might make it okay.
Late emotions overwhelmed her, making her feel ugly.
But—
"...Do that, then."
Yujin didn't show any negative reaction.
Sena's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
There were times when Sena was truly repulsive and he never wanted to deal with her again. In fact, it wasn't much different now.
There was no reason to bother getting involved.
But... her belated apology had started to change his mind bit by bit.
'At first, it was absurd and ridiculous.'
He had only thought, 'Now, of all times?' The apology had come too late. Years after the broken engagement, when everything had returned to normal.
'But now...'
Having ascended to a higher realm, had he achieved enlightenment?
Anger and resentment felt somewhat meaningless.
Of course, that didn't mean he forgave her or looked down on her pityingly.
Anyway, she was sincerely reflecting now. Even if her original sin didn't vanish, the future could change.
So if they both worked hard in their respective places and their emotions diluted over time... it might be okay.
That was the thought.
"...Thrash around as hard as you can. If you do, maybe one day we'll really be able to talk openly."
"...!!!!"
She clenched her fists tight.
Emotions surged within her.
"I'll do my absolute best...!"
"Do that."
And so, Yujin's group bid farewell to the Holy Kingdom amid everyone's cheers.
'...Come to think of it, one person was missing.'
He belatedly realized Lua hadn't come to see them off.
'Well... she must be busy with something.'
He let it pass with that thought.
And...
"...Why is Your Holiness here?"
"...I got caught a bit earlier than expected."
Among Yujin's group heading to the Empire was one uninvited companion.
Yujin stared silently at Lua, who had emerged from a box.
Why on earth was she here?
And why had it taken him this long to notice?
'...Simple. She must have used some divine power.'
He knew her current physical condition surpassed her prime. Plus, with 200 years of accumulated power, hiding her presence would be possible unless she wasted time.
He just hadn't expected her to evade even his senses, enhanced by absorbing the Knight of Dominion.
"...Why on earth are you here, Your Holiness?"
"Hmm... to enjoy some freedom, shall we say?"
"...Freedom?"
Suddenly, he recalled last night's conversation with Lua.
She had spoken of shedding her duties and living her own life, and he had given her a slight nudge...
'...And it led to this?'
No, people seeking freedom don't usually hide in luggage on their way overseas...
'No, that's not the issue.'
Upon reflection, there was a bigger problem.
"...Your Holiness. Did you at least inform the Holy Kingdom? Otherwise, there's no reason to sneak away like this..."
"...Ahem."
Lua coughed awkwardly and turned her head.
The tips of her ears were bright red.
"...You didn't really just run away, did you?"
...For real?
Lua hurriedly shook her head.
"N-No, that's not it, Chosen One."
Fortunately, she hadn't just vanished without a word.
Of course, someone who had led a nation for 200 years wouldn't act so recklessly.
...
...Or would she?
Maybe the accumulated stress had led to impulsive action. She'd practically been pope for life.
She hurriedly added an excuse.
"I stepped down from the papacy. So I'm completely free now."
"...Stepped down from the papacy?"
...In just one day?
"A-After our conversation, I gathered the courage to have a frank talk with Cardinal Heinkel. And that's how it happened."
"That doesn't sound like something you can just brush off..."
What the hell?
Didn't that mean the papacy was vacant now? And Cardinal Heinkel had agreed to her suddenly stepping down...?
"W-Well..."
Lua fidgeted with her hands.
Then she squeezed her eyes shut and blurted it out.
"...I said there's someone I want to be with! That it had to be now!"
"Someone you want to be with...?"
Her face flushed at Yujin's question, but she stared straight at him.
'...No way?'
"...You mean me?"
"...Yes."
No... seriously?
"May I ask why?"
"I... the Chosen One... the Chosen One..."
Lua hesitated.
Then she finally wailed.
"Can't I follow the Chosen One!?"
"No, that's not it, but..."
Lua looked at him as if asking why he had to question it like that.
In the end, she sighed.
"...The Chosen One is really a bad person. How can you steal someone's heart like that and then ask why?"
She recalled the things Yujin had done.
Saving her from a future of nothing but ruin, encouraging her with warm words.
"...Do you really want me to explain each and every one?"
It was mortifying.
Having to explain to the person she liked why she liked them.
"......"
Yujin was at a loss for words.
He finally nodded.
"...Understood."
"...Does that mean I can follow the Chosen One?"
'That I can be with you?'
"Of course, Your Holiness."
"...!!!!!!!"
Her face lit up.
This was as good as accepting her unspoken confession.
"Then stay at my estate in the Empire, Your Holiness."
Nod, nod.
"Sounds good."
"There are some people you need to get along with... Is that okay?"
She needed to befriend Lucia, Irene, and Yuseol.
The first two were his promised fiancées(-to-be), and Yuseol was practically one with him.
"...! Making friends has always been my dream."
"...I see."
A snicker escaped him.
What a modest dream.
...Though even that had been difficult for her.
Thinking that stirred pity for Lua.
Regardless, Lua suddenly blushed and looked up at him cautiously.
"...Chosen One. Could you perhaps drop the formalities with me?"
"Why?"
"W-Well..."
They'd be living together from now on, she wasn't pope anymore...
And most importantly, he'd be her future husband...?
'...So embarrassing.'
But she lacked the courage and shamelessness to say it outright.
So she said something else.
"...We'll be close from now on, so we should close the distance."
So...
"...Could you call me by name...?"
...
..
'......'
After some deliberation, he nodded.
"Got it—no, sure. Lua."
"......!!!!"
She smiled brighter than he'd ever seen.
"Thank you, Chosen One."