Chapter 64
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Two Hearts
The center of the continent.
A sacred precinct located about three days' distance from Legion, a place so heavily guarded that even stepping foot here was considered a dream fulfilled for priests in the outskirts.
'Vaticarezro', the Papal Court.
A wall so high it seemed to pierce the heavens enclosed an territory the size of an entire nation.
A space of utter mystery, where even the interior's layout was unknown to common folk.
No unauthorized person could enter. This wasn't a matter of strength or weakness.
The sacred barrier enveloping this place was impenetrable even to apostles.
That was why Judah, who was with me now, had been biding his time by Cynthia's side.
'Exactly.'
Someday, whenever it might be, he could enter alongside Cynthia upon her return as the Holy Knight Order Captain.
'But.'
I didn't have the luxury to wait until she completed her mission and returned to the Papal Court.
So, I contacted the Strange family home and asked my father for a favor.
'I need to go to the Papal Court.'
I didn't explain the reason. I simply stated what I wanted, and a reply arrived the very next day.
[Do as you wish.]
Accompanying the letter was Bess, the captain of the guardian knights protecting the Strange family home.
"It's been a while, Young Master."
I threw a question at him before even finishing my greeting.
"What about the estate? Is it alright to leave it unguarded?"
He smiled brightly and replied.
"Of course. The Family Head ordered it personally. He said since Young Master Berddin has business at the Papal Court, head straight to Legion and escort him safely all the way."
I instantly read my father's intentions.
'I see.'
As long as I was at this mansion, I was effectively under Deveri's watch.
He surely knew I hadn't fully recovered, and he must have been reporting my progress to my father.
'And.'
Even without Deveri, my father would have grasped my condition.
Figuring that much out was child's play with his information network.
And so, under the protection of the escort troops dispatched directly from the Strange family home, I arrived at the Papal Court.
"Impressive."
Judah craned his neck to gauge the wall's height. Up close, no matter how far back you tilted your head, you couldn't see the top.
It exuded such majesty that anyone facing it would doubt if mere humans had built it.
"Isn't it? Built by those who carry out God's will."
"...Those who carry out God's will. Do you really think God granted them the authority to do so?"
Judah's expression grew subtly complex.
Cynthia, who had overheard our conversation, approached with a displeased look and snapped sharply.
"Judah, God doesn't grant them authority. They merely enact His will as revealed in the oracle."
Judah scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"That's what I'm saying—did He give the priests the right to enact that will?"
"Do you think He did?"
Judah rolled his eyes thoughtfully, then suddenly locked gazes with Cynthia.
"He... probably didn't?"
"Then why ask such a question?"
"...Sorry."
When Cynthia eventually learns Judah's true identity, she'll flip out. He's one of the twelve—or rather, thirteen—apostles guarding the tower, selected as the strongest among the three.
Pow! Pow!
"S-stop hitting my head! It really hurts!!"
Receiving such treatment while sticking by her side—who wouldn't be surprised? If Judah countered even one blow with an apostle's power, Cynthia could be done for.
Yet, enduring the pain without crushing the weak one beneath him was truly befitting the name 'apostle'.
Pow!
No one could just become an apostle.
Pow!
Even with power surpassing all others, having to endure such bullying and disdain.
"P-please... stop hitting me."
Cynthia huffed and grabbed Judah by the collar.
"If you spout nonsense like that after coming all this way, I'll really kill you."
"W-what? Why are you so mad? Did you join the Holy Knights or something?"
He asked knowing full well.
But Cynthia didn't flinch, responding with an unflinching expression.
"If I did, could I punish you?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant."
"Then shut up. Keep yapping uselessly here, and your head will roll."
"My head will roll?"
"Yes."
Judah didn't retort defiantly. But Cynthia interpreted it as him shutting up out of fear.
'A shame.'
In my previous life, seeing scenes like this would have spawned plenty of entertaining stories.
"By the way, Berddin."
"Yes?"
"Why'd you leave Alfredo in Legion?"
I'd excluded two from the existing party this time. One was Alfredo, Cynthia's party member and a northern martial artist.
"No need for him."
"No need?"
"Yeah. I'd bring him for climbing the tower, but he's useless here."
His middling skills would just be a hindrance in executing plans.
Cynthia nodded slightly in understanding.
"What about that kid?"
"Kid? You mean Rox?"
"Yeah."
"I gave Rox a separate mission."
"Mission?"
I couldn't explain that one.
Since I'd come this far anyway, I'd soon find out what he was up to.
I answered with silence.
As usual, Cynthia gave up on the conversation and turned away.
"Please, just stay quiet while we're here."
A meaningful remark.
Was this what they called intuition? Hinting that I'd stir trouble beforehand.
"Cynthia, let me ask you one thing."
"What?"
"If God desired your death, could you die right there?"
Cynthia couldn't answer my question.
She just maintained a stiff expression and silence.
'Well.'
This much was enough preparation for her future trials.
My question was mere child's play compared to the ordeal soon to come.
After entering the Papal Court, we each went our separate ways.
Cynthia, hiding her identity, headed toward the grand cathedral, claiming she wanted to look around.
Judah exchanged light farewells with me and set off to gather info on his target, the saint 'Joanna of Arc'.
Of course, those two could move freely inside thanks to me.
"I'd like to rest here for a week. Is that possible?"
One of the seven archbishops under the Papal Court, the eldest among them, gently took both my hands.
"Of course. The Strange family guards this continent's peace alongside us. It's only right they rest here."
He cracked open his closed eyes and continued.
"Moreover, aren't you Sir Berddin, the knight who recently vanquished a dragon wielding demonic power in Legion? We wouldn't be saints if we couldn't offer this much to a hero who protected the holy land."
"Thank you."
Thanks to the archbishop, I could stay in the Papal Court without issue.
Up to here, things flowed much like in my previous life.
Except for the different party members and my fame being incomparably higher.
Siegfried circled a statue of a man holding a massive cross and asked me.
"I always feel uneasy here, no matter when I come."
Brunhilt, in cat form on my shoulder, licked her paw and whispered.
"It's a place that sends souls to heaven and earth. Of course it feels off. I get nauseous just coming here."
Soon, they'd learn the Papal Court's secret and faint from their keen senses.
Without any historical records, just standing on this land told them it was bad news—their senses were on a monstrous level beyond mere beasts.
'Monsters.'
No, that's what it takes to face dragons.
Anyway, I cut off their impending argument by resuming talk with the archbishop.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Berddin de Strange, the youngest son of the main family, currently gaining experience as an apprentice adventurer in Legion."
The archbishop's kindly smile.
He nodded deeply, his long white beard fluttering, and replied.
"Juda. My name is Juda."
The real power behind the Papal Court, a man of such exemplary character that believers already pegged him as the next Pope.
I knew him well. In my previous life, we'd had many conversations. That's why I anticipated this meeting even more.
Between him and me, who had fallen further this time? Thinking this about a priest was absurd in itself.
'But Juda isn't your average priest.'
I grasped his wrists with both hands and continued.
"A fine name. One of my friends shares it with Your Excellency, always doing things worthy of blessings."
"Is that so? Hohoho! I'd love to meet him sometime."
On the surface, a harmonious chat.
Of course, whatever transpired beneath was known only to us.
"Yes, a friend of deep faith. I'll bring him sometime."
The Vaticarezro Grand Cathedral, dwarfing any church in Legion in scale.
Following the middle path of the three—left, center, right—
Four knights in silver armor and cross helmets concealing their faces escorted Cynthia.
"Please, enter."
Passing through the majestic seven doors opened by the four knights, she entered the cathedral.
Twelve priests in the final chamber bowed their heads in welcome.
Step, step, step.
As she entered, a choir's voices rang out, angelic enough to seem heavenly.
Aaaaaah—
Ecstatic tones and beautiful decorations.
"Welcome, Miss Cynthia."
An elderly man in a ornate crown whispered softly while gazing at the massive cross inside the cathedral.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
The two exchanged no words, merely sharing a brief prayer while gazing at each other.
Cynthia needed no explanation of recent events. The Pope, already aware, simply inquired lightly about her labors.
"How was your journey with Sir Berddin?"
Cynthia's eyebrow twitched.
Attaching 'Sir' to an eight-year-old, no less from the Pope, a figure equal to the Emperor.
"It was fine. Thanks to him, we climbed the tower quickly."
The Pope lightly placed his palm on her head and asked.
"Did you find the oracle's master?"
"Not yet. But I know where."
"Oh? Where?"
"...Between the tower's 20th and 30th floors."
Cynthia pulled out the book she'd secretly taken from Berddin's room, opened it to the marked page, and handed it to the Pope.
"Right here. The Messiah sent to us by God."