Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Revelation at St. Peter's Square
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as word spread that the Pope would be attending Mass, the Sunday service was packed with people.
“Wow…… there are really so many people.”
“Of course. It’s the Pope’s Mass.”
While I was marveling at the sight, Han-gyeol spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I’m not even Catholic, so I wouldn’t know.”
“True, but St. Peter’s Basilica is already world-famous as a tourist spot, so it’s always crowded even without the Pope.”
“Have you been here before?”
“A long, long time ago? Once when I was little. Of course, I was so young I don’t remember it clearly…… but I have some vague memories.”
“This kid, you were bourgeois. Overseas trips as a child?”
“Hey, what can I do if my family was well-off? And that was ages ago…….”
We exchanged lighthearted jabs as we waited for the Mass to begin.
The venue for this Mass was St. Peter’s Square.
The crowd was so thick that, just to be safe, I cast a spell to conceal both Han-gyeol and myself.
It wasn’t just Han-gyeol—even if I showed my face, I’d draw all kinds of stares.
Besides, since she’d planned this surprise event, I intended to play along as much as possible.
A surprise wouldn’t be a surprise if it was expected.
We’d vanish completely, then pop up out of nowhere.
Me, descending dramatically like that.
“What about the Deputy Bureau Chief?”
“He’s not Catholic either, and this is strictly off the clock, so I told him to take it easy and enjoy some sightseeing.”
“Ah.”
“He never gets a proper vacation because of work, so he should make the most of this opportunity.”
“That bad?”
“If you saw how he works, you’d faint. You’d wonder how a non-Mutant could live like that.”
Han-gyeol gave me a suspicious sidelong glance upon hearing that.
“You weren’t planning to shove me in there, were you?”
She eyed me dubiously.
Before she came to the Vatican, I’d casually asked if she had no interest in joining, and she must have suddenly remembered.
Sharp as ever.
“Uh, uh? I just thought it’d be better than rotting away in your room…… I was gonna suggest it. And honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig here?”
“You just said with your own mouth that the workload is so insane someone can’t even take a vacation and burns out, and now you’re trying to put me in there?”
“Hey, that’s only for early Second Mutation cases…… The registration numbers and paperwork are handled by other agents.”
“…….”
“Anyway, you said you’re not interested from the start.”
“You evil bastard. Divine retribution will strike you down.”
“……That’s actually scarier coming from you.”
As we bantered pointlessly, His Holiness the Pope made his appearance.
In a voice brimming with emotion, His Holiness announced that there was a profound reason for him presiding over this Mass today.
-This is a day of immense joy. I never imagined such a day would come in my lifetime.
The crowd looked puzzled.
‘What on earth is this about?’
The current Pope was a man of quiet diligence, never one to show such passionate emotion.
For him to react this way only amplified everyone’s curiosity.
……It was something monumental, after all.
“Hey, you ready?”
“……I’m a bit nervous.”
“No need to be. If worst comes to worst, just show your silhouette.”
“No, I’m aiming for something else…… Father said if I’m going to step up, to do it fully.”
“Aiming for something?”
“Unification of the Abrahamic Religions. Not sure if it’s possible, though. Judaism might be tricky.”
“……You think that’ll work?”
“Who knows. Worth a shot. Countless lives are still lost to religious conflicts.”
She was plotting something enormous. Probably what Yahweh intended.
It felt like ever since the Second Mutation, everything had escalated to otherworldly scales.
That’s when I learned what being I’d inherited.
Yet strangely, even as the world changed, there were no Mutants massacring people left and right.
……Maybe because of the chaos I caused in America.
Or thanks to the World Tree.
I’d need to visit the World Tree again soon. If my memories were correct, I might even be able to talk to it.
Through Sia, maybe?
As I pondered that, His Holiness spoke.
-I witnessed a miracle a few days ago. Some might call me mad, but it was undeniable reality.
It was starting.
-I heard the voice of God.
The square erupted in murmurs.
Masses usually began in solemn silence, but that hush vanished as people reacted in confusion to the Pope’s sudden declaration.
The voice of God.
And not from some lunatic, but from a religious leader.
Someone shouted, demanding if it was true.
-This is indisputable fact.
Yet the crowd couldn’t easily believe.
Even with Mutants and a world turned upside down, God’s existence remained unproven.
And then.
“Now.”
Han-gyeol said to me.
* * *
As the Pope’s words threw the crowd into chaos, he looked up at the sky.
Would Father keep His promise?
Of course He would.
As she thought that.
Suddenly, a brilliant light bathed St. Peter’s Square.
A girl, who looked no older than a middle schooler, with a radiant halo and six wings, descended slowly from the heavens.
The Pope remembered her face.
God’s messenger, Seraph.
Hadn’t she said she’d remain hidden?
Why reveal herself now? He couldn’t fathom it.
But…… that wasn’t important right now.
The sheer shock of her appearance overshadowed everything.
Six wings veiling her face and body.
Seraph.
Undeniably, a Seraphim serving closest to God.
“Oooooh……!”
The devout crowd’s overwhelming reaction nearly deafened the Pope.
And it didn’t end there.
With the Seraph’s arrival, a pure white dove suddenly perched on her shoulder.
The sight left everyone stunned.
“O, Lord……!”
Everyone present knew what the white dove symbolized.
The Holy Spirit.
Another form of Yahweh.
Then, the dove’s beak opened, and the sacred voice of God resounded across the world.
-Hearken.
The square went wild. People clasped their hands in prayer, listening intently to Yahweh’s voice.
- Meaningless wars rage in the world. Children of Abraham, why do you fight? I desire not your pointless bloodshed.
This heralded the unification of the Abrahamic Religions.
-I wish for all to unite in peace. Thus, I send My messenger to the world. This child will guide you.
Instantly, the Seraph’s wings unfurled. Yet no one could see her face.
Only her gleaming platinum hair fluttered brilliantly.
That was the limit of human memory.
Even if Yahweh restrained His power, mortals had limits in facing God.
The scene broadcast worldwide…… naturally upended the religious world.
* * *
As people collapsed one by one around us, no one remained standing in the square.
But they had merely fainted—no serious harm done.
Yahweh had vanished once more, and I concealed myself with magic, hiding Han-gyeol as well.
“Exhausting.”
“You were awesome. But you okay? Sounds like you’ll be traveling a lot from now on.”
“……I’ll manage.”
“So, off to the Muslims next?”
“Yeah. They’re the most critical, all things considered.”
Han-gyeol’s face took on a sense of mission.
Positions shape people, it seemed. She’d stepped beyond the Yoo Han-gyeol I once knew.
“Heading out right now?”
“Yeah. Right now. Can’t delay. Other faiths might feel sidelined and get bitter, or refuse to acknowledge it.”
“What about me?”
“You’re busy too. Can’t expect you to tag along forever. I can fly…… This is my duty now, so yeah. Thanks for helping me so far.”
“When will you come back to Korea?”
“Soon.”
“……Alright.”
“Let’s grab a meal when I return. I’ll keep covering my face, so no wings or halo means I can live normally.”
“Sure. Guess I should check the messages from Tae-hoon.”
“He’s at action school now, right?”
“Yeah. Word is he might land a movie role soon.”
“That fast?”
“Dunno. Planning to hear the details from him.”
“……Sounds fun. Imagine that punk in a movie later.”
“Right?”
“Anyway, I’m off. See you.”
She soared into the sky, heading to some distant place.
Does she even know the way?
* * *
“No, Father! Are You really omnipotent? Is this the right way……!”
-……The world has changed so much.