Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: The Chance to Straighten Fate
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At the same time, deep inside a cave.
The Pope and Melodya, who had set off for the Path of Light, were making their way through the dark cavern, relying on a faint flicker of light. The path they tread, dependent on that weak glow emanating from afar amid profound darkness, was a trial in itself.
The Pope grumbled while eyeing his blistered feet, but Melodya walked on calmly. Her steps were steady and unyielding.
As they proceeded in silence without much conversation, Melodya suddenly let out an "Ah!" and laughed brightly.
"looks like the bluebird has arrived."
The Pope said in a low voice.
"The messenger bird sent to the Crown Prince?"
"Yes."
"...I'm worried the Crown Prince might have forgotten you. He's essential to our plan—perhaps we've wasted too much time on exploring the Path of Light."
In the dark cave, only Melodya's eyes gleamed deeply.
"That couldn't be. The Crown Prince can't forget me. I'm the fate destined for him."
"Haa...."
As the Pope's eyes darted around in confusion, Melodya replied briskly.
"Never give up, Your Holiness. We must live to perfect 'that thing.'"
"...You're right. This is our chance to restore the fate ordained by the gods to its proper place."
The wheels of fate must never turn backward.
The Pope and Melodya exchanged glances before quickly looking away. Their faces, devoid of any mirth, resembled corpses.
They walked on wordlessly for a long while.
Melodya whispered to herself as if swearing an oath.
"We mustn't let go of our destined victory. We've found that method too, haven't we?"
Melodya lifted the gem in her hand and smirked. The light was gradually drawing nearer.
It still looked terribly distant, and with the heavy loads on their backs, they had at least a month more to go, but....
"Finally, we can leave the demon realm—so smile."
The Pope gauged the remaining time before simply nodding.
The bluebird—the saintess Melodya's double and messenger bird—had been cleared to depart, so they too should soon be able to leave this place.
They had to believe that.
"We will surely wrest victory from Mirmod. Now we have a heart to make 'that thing' even more perfect, don't we?"
"Haa...."
The Pope shot a glance at the vivid garnet-like heart in Melodya's hand, his face twisting in visceral disgust. Melodya smiled softly.
"Yes, precisely because there's a saintess bearing a demon's heart."
He dryly washed his face with his hand.
"...We set out for the Path of Light to obtain a demon's heart to perfect 'that thing,' but even thinking about it, just looking at this heart fills me with displeasure."
"Is that so? I.... I'm thrilled at the thought of straightening fate with this heart."
At the words "straighten fate," the Pope flinched. He lowered his gaze before lifting it again, replying calmly.
"Yes, let's hurry and set fate straight."
They were in the same boat, after all.
They possessed the demon's heart, this "human" Melodya was supporting along the way, and the treasure slumbering deeply beneath the temple.
Because of all this, Mirmod would fall.
And Melodya was destined to triumph. Their god had ordained it so.
***
Duke Sebastian and the Mirmod family had openly exchanged visits, but they also maintained frequent internal communications. In particular, Duke Sebastian often came directly to Mirmod to grasp the political landscape.
This time was no different. He had been away from the capital and was blind to the situation, with Matthias Mirmod serving to awaken his keen political instincts.
Five years had passed like that.
Matthias had firmly established himself as a partner, honing the duke's political senses with every encounter.
But this time, even Matthias felt as if a fog was lifting.
"The Pope and the saintess are still nowhere to be found?"
"With no activity from the temple, we can only assume they're still missing."
It was time for the Pope and saintess to return, yet the temple showed no signs of movement. The priests simply went about their routines as usual.
"So, what do we do in this case?"
Matthias tilted his head as he looked at his close friend.
Duke Sebastian, who had received pinpoint lessons from Matthias over the past five years, responded clearly, proving his education hadn't been in vain.
"We seize the evident clues. The Pope and saintess are sly as serpents and might conceal their intentions. But Crown Prince Baal is different."
"Exactly."
Matthias handed Sebastian the documents on the table.
"Check these out first."
As Duke Sebastian reviewed the papers, he furrowed his brow finely. With each page he turned, his expression grew increasingly ambiguous.
"Matthias, the Crown Prince will surely try to prolong his political life. But why...."
"You see it as strange too, right?"
"...Yeah, why on earth is he recruiting children? Useless kids, no less."
"Children with divine power but no background.... Maybe he's planning to raise them as priests?"
"That seems the most plausible, but it still feels off somehow."
They stared at each other, lost in thought.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the doorway.
Both men's gazes locked onto the door simultaneously. Matthias was about to speak menacingly when....
"Come in."
...he recalled faint footsteps and quickly softened his expression into one of affection.
Only one person could stand outside the door without evading his senses: Sien.
The girl's footsteps were so soft that if you didn't listen carefully, you might miss them.
And his guess was correct.
The door creaked open slightly, and in walked the fifteen-year-old girl, Sien.
"I brought a snack for Daddy—are you busy?"
"It's been a while, Sien."
"Hello, Uncle Duke!"
Sebastian inwardly clicked his tongue at the sight of his friend's feigned affection.
"Sien, Daddy's not busy. What is it?"
Duke Sebastian deftly tucked the papers into his pocket, while Matthias pretended to tidy the table and swept the dangerous documents into a drawer.
Sien took in the scene before brightly presenting the bowl in her hands with a smile.
"Ta-da! Let's eat some delicious fruit!"
A seemingly peaceful day disguised as ordinary slipped by.
***
A few days later, inside the Sien Merchant Group.
All my limbs—my hardworking informants—had gathered after diligently collecting information. I scanned their faces one by one and spoke.
Yesterday, after hearing Daddy's words, I had immediately selected two reliable, quick-handed, sharp-eared members from the merchant group and summoned them separately.
I ordered them to lurk near the imperial palace and the temple, respectively, to gather rumors and intel.
And today, I had called them back....
"Alright, starting from the left—how's the palace side?"
The merchant who had posed as a vegetable vendor #1 in front of the palace spoke up assertively.
"The Crown Prince's movements are definitely suspicious. Word is he's openly colluding with the temple to recruit children with divine power into a new academy."
Propping my chin, I nodded to the next informant dispatched to the temple.
"Next, the temple?"
"No particular issues. Though.... they're doing volunteer work, visiting neglected areas, and opening the temple for free to attract more followers."
It was similar to usual. The temple had been quiet for the five years without the Pope. I started to nod, then paused upon glancing sideways.
"And then...."
"Why? Look at me too!"
"...Why is Delphia here?"
Delphia shrugged while stroking her chin.
"...Hmm. Why? Can't I be here? I brought info too, Sien!"
I shook my head at Delphia.
"Did you threaten your friends again?"
"Well.... I did threaten them a bit, but I got good stuff too!"
"I'll hear it."
Delphia said brightly.
"The temple might seem inactive, but nah. Volunteer work is how they expand their influence, Baby Master."
"Huh? Why?"
"So many people don't know.... Want me to tell you?"
"Yeah!"
As my eyes sparkled, Delphia grinned.
"Then give me a kiss as payment."
I furrowed my brows.
'I'm the dignified head of this merchant group, but if Delphia treats me like this, my authority vanishes!'
I gestured for the informants to leave the room, then whispered lowly to Delphia.
"Fine. Tell me, and I'll give you a kiss."
...Yeah, no choice. She's offering info.
At that, Delphia chuckled, pinched my cheek firmly, and spoke softly.
"The temple's divine power is based on people's faith. The more they believe in the gods and love the priests, the stronger the divine power of the temple's priests becomes. Especially the Pope."
"Is that possible?"
"Yep. So their volunteer work, caring for people, loving them, and growing their faithful flock—it's definitely some sinister scheme."
Hearing her, it was clear the temple was preparing something.
I let out a small sigh. The puzzle pieces were falling into place one by one, but I could definitely feel our intel was still lacking.
A proper informant would make this so much better, I thought fleetingly.
Proper informants existed in this world, of course.
Naturally.
The Dark Guild Master, Liliet.
'Dark Guild Master Liliet knows every secret in the world. She's got insane curiosity and digs into anything she's curious about like a maniac. Once she trusts you, she never betrays. But....'
But I had no way to lure out the flashy, erratic Dark Guild Master.
I sighed and thunked my forehead against the table repeatedly. Not that banging my head would accomplish more....
"Got it, thanks, Delphia."
"What are you planning?"
"Mm. I'll challenge it with what we have for now."
I let out a sinister cackle.