Pope Maria Queenpin (6)
The outer perimeter of the papal palace stretches out endlessly, ringed by ironclad security.
The densely placed sentries and the endless patrols passing back and forth fill the grounds with the quiet rhythm of their footsteps.
- Thud, thud…
Maybe it's because the strawberry-nosed uncle has such ridiculous toughness.
Or perhaps thanks to the holy power I shared with him…
Fortunately, aside from being covered head to toe in dirt, the old man wasn't seriously hurt.
He had a few scrapes, sure.
But thanks to my quick first aid, even those healed up perfectly, vanishing without a trace.
- Hoo-dal-dal-dal…
"Lumina, it's fine. Don't tremble like that."
She'd only just straightened the Sword of Salvation.
Yet in the blink of an eye, the entire area around her had been reduced to rubble. Lumina was completely out of it.
Or, to be more precise.
She was utterly awestruck by the sword's insane power—how just drawing it had utterly reshaped the landscape.
"I-I never meant to go that far…"
"I know. I didn't realize the sword's power was that overwhelming either."
At my calm reassurance, Lumina's lips quivered for a moment.
Then her already pale face drained of what little color remained as she cautiously gazed down at the blade in her hands.
"This is beyond the realm of any ordinary sword. I just steadied it, and it unleashed that kind of destruction…"
Lumina stared dazedly at the Sword of Salvation in her grip, swallowing a thick, choked breath.
I tried to pat her terrified shoulder reassuringly.
But being short, no matter how much I jumped in place, my hand couldn't quite reach.
"…Well, anyway, now we've tested its full power. We'll just be more careful next time."
"We absolutely must use it with extreme caution. We got lucky it was near a forest away from any homes—otherwise, it could've been a disaster."
After jumping around futilely for a while, unable to overcome my physical limits,
I settled for lightly tapping her elbow and matched her pace as we resumed walking.
"Honestly, though, the sword's one thing—but you, old man, were a problem too."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You were all hyped up, bragging about your glory days as a top mage."
I opened casually like that, taking a small breath.
"Then you flailed around with some weird moves instead of casting any spells and went flying off…"
According to what the uncle confessed later,
he had been a mage in his prime, no doubt about it—but after some incident, he'd lost all his mana.
High on the holy power from the goddess, he'd gotten carried away trying to relive his past glory.
"If not for the goddess's holy power, it really would've been bad."
"Haha… But my enthusiasm was every bit as fierce as any active mage's."
"Let's just hope that enthusiasm doesn't turn into reckless folly."
Something had felt off from the start…
I should've wondered sooner why a former hotshot mage was now tilling fields as a farmer.
If he'd still been a proper mage,
he would've sensed the demonic mana inside me right away and freaked out.
"Anyway, you've had a rough day. You must be exhausted—let's head back to the papal palace and get some rest."
"Where will you sleep, Lumina?"
"Thanks to His Holiness's generosity, I'm staying in the room right next to yours, Lady Vivian. My duty is to attend you."
Lumina said it softly, flashing a proud little smile.
"Ever since I met you, Lady Vivian, my life has completely changed."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. It's beyond comparison to before. Even after losing my holy power, my heart feels this peaceful and full…"
Well, she'd traded lost holy power for the Sword of Salvation.
For a lowly knight like Lumina, it was a total life turnaround.
If I were her, I'd be thrilled too.
Relieved, even, about losing the holy power.
- Creak…
The heavy door emitted a strange groan as it slowly swung open.
The pristine air inside the papal palace welcomed us warmly at once.
Outside was still grim, like the calm before a storm.
But within these massive stone walls, it felt like time itself had frozen—deathly quiet.
"Your room is at the end of this hall, in the guest quarters. I'll lead the way."
Lumina, cradling the Sword of Salvation protectively, walked ahead with noticeably lighter steps.
I followed her at a leisurely pace.
"You've been here often? You don't hesitate at all."
"No, this is my first time inside. His Holiness described it in advance, so I'm not getting lost."
She murmured that quietly, stepping even more cautiously.
Maybe she was worried about waking Queenpin, who might be sleeping soundly somewhere in the palace. On tiptoes, she waddled forward—her back view was kinda cute.
We were almost at the guest room at the end of the hall Lumina had mentioned—
"……?"
"……?"
when we spotted someone crouched in front of the firmly shut door.
At first, shrouded entirely in shadow, it looked like hallway decor.
But as we drew closer, steady breathing grew clearer and clearer. Lumina and I couldn't help frowning.
"Lady Vivian, stay behind me."
Lumina whispered softly as she straightened her posture.
"What are you doing in front of the saintess's chambers at this late hour?"
Her low, grave words made the mysterious figure flinch a beat late.
Then it frantically looked around and scrambled to its feet.
"I-It's me…!!"
A woman's urgent voice pierced the hallway shadows.
"Beatrice Valoa…!!"
"…Beatrice?"
Lumina uttered her name hesitantly, laced with bewilderment.
The dark silhouette caught the flickering candlelight, gradually revealing itself.
"I-I've been waiting, Lady Vivian…"
It was none other than Beatrice Valoa.
Not in the ornate robes from earlier.
She stood there alone in simple pajamas, clutching a pillow tightly.
Lumina gasped belatedly and relaxed her stance, but
Beatrice blinked her dreamy eyes slowly, utterly unconcerned.
"Beatrice, why are you here…?"
"No need to panic. Archbishop Calvarion pulled strings to get permission, so I've been staying here for a while."
Beatrice said it matter-of-factly, slowly turning her head toward me—hiding behind Lumina.
"I came to atone for my impudence today, even if it's rude."
"…In your pajamas, in the dead of night?"
At my stunned question, Beatrice flushed embarrassed, dropping her gaze shyly.
"As soon as His Holiness and you finished talking, I rushed here—but you weren't in…"
"…."
"I had no choice but to go back to my room, then come again at nightfall. Still no one…"
Her voice trailed off timidly, eyes darting anxiously.
Half-burying her face in the pillow, mumbling—it was kinda pitiful.
"I planned to wait all night, so I even brought my pillow…"
"That's why the pajamas and pillow?"
Hard to believe this was the poised, sharp saintess candidate from earlier. So sloppy.
Who knew this happened while I was out.
"Come inside first."
"Y-Yes?!"
"We can't keep talking in the hall. Let's go in and chat."
With that calm invitation, I strode into the guest room without hesitation.
Lumina, watching blankly from behind, panicked and spoke up.
"L-Lady Vivian, it's far too late…"
"It's fine. I'm not sleepy yet."
"That's not it… After what happened, being alone with Beatrice seems…"
"Then why don't you come in too, Lumina?"
Her eyes widened, mouth agape at my ready reply.
She clearly hadn't seen that coming.
"M-Me too?!"
"Yeah. If you're worried about me being alone, join us."
"Impossible! How could someone like me dare enter your sacred chambers…"
"Oh, are you tired?"
I pressed on calmly, ignoring her fluster.
"No, not at all."
"Then come into my room and talk. I want a relaxed vibe."
A bit of time passed like that—
No matter what I said, she kept circling back.
Lumina finally gave in, shoulders slumping as she let out a long sigh.
"If you insist that much, Lady Vivian… I'll humbly stand guard."
She murmured it seriously, then cautiously stepped inside.
Beatrice followed, clutching her pillow like a guilty puppy.
Didn't expect that level of remorse. Or was Queenpin's wrath that scary?
"Thank you for letting me in… I won't stay long, so please don't be on guard."
"No, since you're here, have some tea and take it slow. I'll prepare some—"
Lumina cut off mid-sentence, staring at me blankly.
She slowly raised one eyebrow, tilting her head quizzically.
"What's that, Lady Vivian?"
"Huh? This?"
"No, when did you even grab those…?"
I was setting complimentary breads from the tavern one by one on the table.
Lumina asked cautiously, looking bewildered.
"This is tea time, right? Bit late, but we gotta set the mood."