novelraw Chapter 90: Her Holiness the Pope Actually Cares So Much About Me? I’m Truly Moved!
Chapter 90: Her Holiness the Pope Actually Cares So Much About Me? I’m Truly Moved!
Chapter 90: Her Holiness the Pope Actually Cares So Much About Me? I’m Truly Moved!
👹
Imperial Capital.
For once, the ever-bustling streets had fallen silent, locked down under martial law.
Judgement Knights of the Holy See, joined by the Imperial Capital’s Royal Guard, were conducting their most rigorous joint patrol in recent memory.
The silver moonlight, usually so gentle, was now swallowed by thick, brooding clouds, casting a grave pall over what would have been a tranquil night.
Locals who ventured out early found themselves met with wary, scrutinizing stares. Even merchant caravans from distant lands dared not leave their inns, huddling together and whispering about the events that had shaken the city overnight.
“What’s the situation?”
“Y-Your Holiness the Pope!?”
The priest, just returned from his duties and expecting to report to a subordinate, was stunned to find Her Holiness herself waiting in the main hall. He quickly pressed his fist to his chest in salute, then hurried forward to deliver his report.“According to our search, we’ve detected no clear traces of cultist activity within the bounds of the capital.”
“Other than the noble district, which suffered damage during the battle, only the Imperial Magic Academy was attacked.”
“At present, Grand Commander Meilin is leading the Judgement Knights in combing the battlefield for clues. She’ll report back to you personally later. As for the Academy, our people are tallying the losses—an inventory will be presented to you soon.”
The knight’s report came out tense and breathless.
Bathed in the soft glow of sacred light, Pope Veya nodded, though her brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Last night, an extraordinary battle had erupted in the skies above the capital—one that far surpassed the city’s usual disturbances.
According to intelligence, for reasons still unknown, Grand Commander Alfron of the Retribution Knights had clashed with a high priest of the Cult of the Evil God right in the noble district.
This was the first time in thirty years that the Imperial Capital had faced an incursion from the forces of the Evil God.
Yet the most troubling part was that both Grand Commander Alfron and the cult’s high priest had vanished somewhere within the capital.
Their whereabouts and condition remained completely unknown.
Even Veya, as Pope, was unable to track the enemy’s movements.
If only I hadn’t been forced to remain at the Holy See last night to guard against an attack on the church…
If I’d been able to act in person, I could have taken down that cult priest on the spot.
Her expression icy, Veya stared out the window at the clouded sky, her fist tightening at her side.
For Commander Alfron to be forced to unleash his full strength just to hold the line—the opponent must have been among the most formidable in the entire Cult of the Evil God.
Had she slain such a foe then and there, the blow to the cult would have been every bit as severe as the loss of a Grand Commander for the Holy See.
But what was done was done. No amount of regret could change that now.
I pray that Commander Alfron returns safely.
Two years ago, the trap we encountered in the Northern Countries nearly crippled the Holy See—we still haven’t recovered from that loss.
Now, all we have left among our elite are the three Grand Commanders and the Archbishop, who is still in seclusion. If anything were to happen to them, it would spell catastrophe for us all.
At this thought, Veya’s gaze grew grave.
Fortunately, the defensive ring Lin Wei wore hadn’t been triggered—he should be safe, at least for now.
But… was he truly alright?
After all, according to the Judgement Knights, the Imperial Magic Academy had also suffered an attack from the cult.
That location wasn’t far from Lin Wei’s residence. True, as an assistant in the alchemy department, he shouldn’t have been too involved…
But still, could anything have happened to him?
What if, when everything happened yesterday, he’d just happened to be working late at the Academy?
This is troublesome.
The Pope drew a deep breath, suppressing the ripple of emotion in her heart.
Of course, she wasn’t truly worried about Lin Wei himself—she was simply thinking about the vast stores of logistical supplies kept at the Imperial Magic Academy.
A place like that, falling under attack from the Cult of the Evil God, was enough to make anyone uneasy.
But in these troubled times, her duty to protect the Holy See meant she couldn’t leave, no matter what.
Otherwise, she might have strolled over to the Academy, and on her way back, glanced in on him—no big deal.
First there had been the evil god incident in Lotai, and now, upon arriving in the capital, he’d nearly stumbled into another disaster.
Lin Wei must be terrified at a time like this, right?
“Secretary.”
“Yes, Your Holiness!”
Miss Rennie, summoned in the middle of the night, forced herself to look alert as she hurried over.
The moment she’d sensed the battle breaking out yesterday, she’d instantly realized the Pope would need her.
So, even though she’d just returned home after work and finished her bath, she’d rushed back to the Holy See at once.
Thankfully, her dedication had paid off—she’d truly helped the Pope with a great deal tonight. All those hours of working through the night hadn’t been in vain.
“Tired?”
Wait—was the Pope actually showing concern for her?
“I’m not tired at all, Your Holiness!”
Miss Rennie, flustered by the unexpected kindness, immediately straightened her posture and shook her head.
As long as she could stand by Your Holiness’s side, how could she possibly feel tired?
“You’re just an ordinary cleric. Pulling an all-nighter like this—how could you not be exhausted?”
“I…”
Even in such a tense setting, the Pope could still speak in such a gentle tone to comfort her.
Rennie was genuinely moved. This side of Her Holiness—so gentle, so thoughtful—was impossible to refuse.
“If you’re tired, go home, get some proper rest, and return to work later.”
“I recall that adventurer asked you to help investigate some market information. How did that task go?”
“It’s all ready!”
In truth, she’d finished that simple errand yesterday evening. By plan, she’d meant to deliver the report this morning—until last night’s terrifying events threw the city into chaos.
But why would the Pope bring this up now? Even with everything else on her plate, she still kept track of these little details?
“In that case, take those documents and deliver them to him.”
Just as Rennie had guessed, that was exactly what the Pope would say.
Under Rennie’s watchful gaze, Veya picked up a sheet of paper and, as naturally as breathing, began to write with holy energy flowing from her fingertips.
“Give him this letter as well.”
“In the name of Veya, and once you’ve received his reply, bring it to me as quickly as possible.”
As expected, she wouldn’t feel at ease until someone checked in on the situation personally.
Given the current state of the Holy See, the only suitable messenger was the secretary standing before her.
“Once you’ve finished these errands, you can consider your work done for the day,” Veya said gently. “Be sure to go home and get some real rest. Only come back to the Holy See once you’re fully recharged for your next tasks.”
“I actually…”
Rennie wanted to protest—that she didn’t need rest, that she could easily power through another day.
Yet, even with her face shrouded in holy radiance, as the Pope’s personal secretary, Rennie could see the genuine concern in Veya’s eyes.
Was Her Holiness… really worried about her?
Oh no… I’m just an ordinary secretary, but even I’m worthy of such care and attention!
A legendary tale was unfolding: [The Great Pope and Her Loyal Assistant, Miss Rennie].
Yes! No matter what happens—
In the end, the one standing by the Pope’s side, the one she looks to, will always be me!
“I understand, Your Holiness!”
Secretary Rennie’s gaze sharpened with resolve.
No matter how exhausted she felt, no matter how little she liked that so-called adventurer Lin Wei—
As long as the Pope entrusted her with a mission—
Even if she had to NTR herself on the spot, she, Rennie, would complete the task perfectly for Her Holiness!