Chapter 187: The Saint and Maria-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187: The Saint and Maria-4
The smile vanished from the Saint’s face.
The question the boy had thrown out made the atmosphere in the classroom turn heavy.
"Ah... the Book of Emilio..."
The Saint bit his lower lip slightly, looking troubled.
Sensing his hesitation, the priest conducting the lesson spoke up.
"Ah, Your Holiness. You do not have to answer. It seems Antonio’s curiosity got the better of him."
The priest gave a hearty laugh and patted Antonio on the shoulder, though the furrows between his own brows deepened.
At the priest's words, the Saint offered a beaming smile.
His expression mirrored that of the siblings in the old tale who had just spotted a lifeline descending from the heavens in their moment of absolute peril.
Accompanied by the Inquisitor, the Saint headed toward the classroom door.
When they were halfway out, the Saint, still partially lingering in the hallway, turned back.
"Did you say your name was Antonio?"
At the Saint’s words, the young boy nodded.
"How old are you this year?"
The chestnut-haired Saint asked the child.
"I am twelve years old, Your Holiness."
At the mature response, the Saint gazed at the boy for a long moment, looking impressed.
"The time I have been given is too short to discuss the Book of Emilio right now. May I answer your question another time, when I have a moment to spare?"
At the Saint’s gentle words, Antonio gave a wide grin and nodded vigorously.
Satisfied by the boy's pure reaction, the Saint smiled and finally stepped out of the classroom.
May I answer your question another time, when I have a moment to spare?
Antonio’s heart was already racing at the thought of their next meeting, whenever that might be.
*
"I am sorry."
Maria spoke to In-ho as they walked down the hallway.
In-ho looked at her with a bewildered expression, wondering what she meant.
"For what?"
At In-ho’s question, Maria spoke as if she were too embarrassed to even bring it up.
"Back in the classroom..."
"In the classroom?"
"I should not have allowed an apprentice priest to question Your Holiness... It was my oversight."
Seeing her incredibly serious face, In-ho realized that Maria truly meant what she said.
That didn't mean he agreed with her, however.
"What’s wrong with a question?"
In-ho tilted his head.
"Because it is a great discourtesy to question Your Holiness on the words of the Scripture without proper preparation...?"
As she explained her reasoning, Maria seemed to lose confidence upon seeing In-ho’s expression, and her voice trailed off.
Having reached the exit of the hallway, In-ho stopped walking.
The heat from the ground, baked by the sun, rose up to their feet.
In-ho stared intently at Maria.
Whether it was the heat from the ground or his gaze, Maria’s face began to flush.
A different kind of embarrassment from what she had felt this morning while held in his arms pounded against her mind.
"Sister Maria."
As Maria tried her best to avoid his gaze, the Saint’s words dropped into her heart like a small lead weight.
"I might not know as much about the Scripture, the Word, or the doctrine as you do, Sister Maria."
The Saint’s tone had become strangely blunt, but Maria had no time to wonder about that.
How could the Saint possibly know less about the Scripture than she did?
It was a clear rebuke. The weight in her heart grew heavier.
"The moment you place restrictions on asking questions, the questions stop coming."
"......"
She couldn't find any words to respond to the Saint.
She simply bowed her head and waited for him to finish.
"Haha, don't look so serious. I’m not particularly blaming you, Sister Maria."
Maria cautiously met his eyes.
The Saint gave a mischievous, boyish wink.
"......."
Looking at that flawless face, Maria’s cheeks flushed slightly.
"What’s the next item on the schedule?"
"...Pardon? Ah, there are no more official schedules today, except for dinner with His Holiness the Pope this evening."
"Hmm, there’s still plenty of time until dinner... Shall we take a walk?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Lead the way, Sister Maria."
Since subtle gazes followed them wherever they went, Maria chose secluded, less-traveled paths out of consideration for In-ho.
Because these areas were remote and less maintained, the paths were often uneven.
Maria occasionally stumbled over protruding rocks.
In-ho tripped over the rocks as well, but Maria watched in internal admiration as he never once lost his balance.
"If I may be so bold... have you ever undergone any physical training, Your Holiness?"
This was the first thing Maria asked after In-ho suggested they talk and get to know each other.
"Training... I did do some. But I’m not as good as I used to be."
As he stretched his body this way and that, his joints let out a series of loud cracks.
"How long has it been since you came here, Sister Maria?"
"It has been over fifteen years since I came here as a nun... and I was appointed as an Inquisitor nine years ago."
Maria looked upward, searching her memories.
"Is there a big difference between the work of a nun and an Inquisitor?"
"Strictly speaking... Inquisitors are also nuns. While nuns without a specific title belong to Solaricia, Inquisitors belong to Solacusia."
"And the work is different too?"
When In-ho asked at the right moment, Maria nodded.
"Yes. Inquisitors... are primarily responsible for identifying and punishing internal enemies."
"That sounds like a difficult job."
When In-ho sympathized, Maria gave a faint smile.
"Hearing Your Holiness acknowledge it brings a sense of comfort to my heart."
"Was there a specific reason you became an Inquisitor?"
"I contemplated what would bring the most glory to God. Then, suddenly, I heard a voice from deep within my heart telling me to choose this path."
I believed it to be the voice of God.
Maria spoke with conviction.
"I see."
In-ho didn't have much to add, so he just gave a casual nod of agreement.
*
As the workday ended and the sun began to set, Maria led In-ho toward Solaricia.
They passed through a corridor lined with magnificent sculptures and headed toward the banquet hall.
Maria opened the door, and In-ho stepped inside.
The doors to the banquet hall closed behind him.
It’s huge.
In the middle of the vast space sat a single dining table of modest length.
"Your Holiness, you have arrived."
The Pope, who had been waiting, stood up abruptly and approached In-ho.
The stout man stood before In-ho and made the sign of the cross.
Escorted by the Pope himself, In-ho took a seat at the table.
The table was laden with a variety of foods—an abundance on a completely different level from what he had eaten in the cafeteria that afternoon.
"There is... quite a lot of food."
"How could I provide anything less for Your Holiness?"
As In-ho spoke, feeling his mouth water, the Pope gave a wide grin.
The Pope sat down, closed his eyes, and folded his hands; In-ho followed suit.
A short pre-meal prayer followed, and soon they picked up their knives and forks.
"Thank you for the meal."
In-ho said as he lifted some noodles with his fork.
The meal continued for a while. They could have made conversation, but they focused more on the food in front of them.
The Pope enjoyed his meal as much as his physique suggested.
"Ah, I heard there was an unfortunate incident today."
Well into the meal, it was the Pope who broke the silence.
"An unfortunate incident?"
In-ho asked back, surprised by the sudden comment.
"I heard an apprentice priest had the audacity to question Your Holiness out of the blue."
As the Pope spoke with narrowed eyes, In-ho waved his hand dismissively.
"No, it was nothing. As I told Sister Maria, it was a situation where a question was perfectly fine. I didn't mind."
"Haha, I was worried it might have been a great discourtesy to Your Holiness. I am glad to hear that."
The Pope let out a sigh of relief.
"How was your first official schedule?"
The Pope asked.
"It was fine. Are other days similar to today?"
In-ho replied.
"It should be like that for the time being. Come to think of it, we will soon be able to attend a worship service presided over by Your Holiness."
"I see. ...Wait, what?"
In-ho, who had been responding casually, froze.
"Pardon?"
The Pope asked back at In-ho’s reaction.
"What did you just..."
Surely not, In-ho thought, staring at the Pope.
Under the Saint’s gaze, the Pope reflected on his own behavior and repeated what he had just said.
"I said that once you become accustomed to life here, we will be able to attend a worship service presided over by Your Holiness."
"I... preside over the service?"
"Pardon? Yes... It is written that the Saint, the Agent of Light, shall lead the servants of God... so I assumed you would preside over the service... Did I perhaps misunderstand...?"
The Pope looked at In-ho, puzzled.
"Ah, no. I think I was just confused for a moment. You’re right. I preside over the service, of course..."
Avoiding the Pope’s suspicious gaze, In-ho made an excuse.
As he did, In-ho’s eyes welled up as if he were about to burst into tears.
Oh, fuck. I'm screwed.
It was an internal monologue that didn't suit a Saint at all.