CHAPTER 61……………………………………………………….
Contrary to what I had expected, things were unfolding in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
The pope’s funeral procession was still ongoing.
“Perhaps that’s why the Temple Lord hasn’t made any major moves yet,” Philip observed.
“They’re probably waiting for things to quiet down,” I replied.
Philip seemed to agree as he watched people in black robes walk through the courtyard toward the prayer room.
I wasn’t the only one facing events that diverged from expectations.
Fabivan likely hadn’t expected the mourning to last this long either.
“The commander reported that there was a monster attack and that protective wards were set up there,” Philip said.
It must have been unavoidable. The paladins had all witnessed it.
“And what else did he say?” I asked.
“He mentioned that the attack reached the monster’s territory along the border.”
“Did he say anything about treating the wounded there?”
“Yes. He did.”
I nodded slowly.
“Ah, and he also said that you got along well with Archduke Ferdian, the Ferdian knights, and Prince Nicholas III. Was that part of what was discussed?”
Philip and Alec had both sensed that I wanted to avoid being entangled with Cardin.
So they likely tried to minimize mentioning anything related, though Alec wasn’t the only one present at the scene.
The paladins had also gotten along well with the knights, so there was no problem there.
The issue would depend on how Fabivan interpreted it.
“That much had to be mentioned,” I said.
If only cautious information was given, trust could weaken.
As he took another step, he stopped and called me over.
“Saintess.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“May I ask what exactly the protective wards entailed?”
“I’ll explain in detail somewhere other than here.”
“Understood. I shall take my leave, then.”
I glanced once at the building where Fabivan was and smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
He was about to leave, but I remembered something I had forgotten and called him back.
“Oh, priest. Could you tell Lord Herald that I wish to meet him?”
“Understood.”
“Thank you.”
Only then did Philip and I turn our backs simultaneously.
Standing in front of Fabivan’s office, I swallowed a sigh.
Knock knock.
“Please come in.”
He smiled warmly, grasping the door handle.
When I entered, Fabivan greeted me from behind his desk.
“Saintess. Have you had a chance to rest?”
“Thanks to your consideration, I’ve had plenty of rest.”
“Hahaha. Your schedule must have been grueling, yet you still seem full of energy.”
He rose from his chair, speaking in a playful tone, then gestured toward the couch.
“I’d like to hear about your second pilgrimage. Shall we sit and talk?”
“Certainly.”
As I sat, the office door opened and tea was promptly served on the table.
Once we were alone, Fabivan spoke.
“I heard there was a monster attack on the way. Were you all right?”
“Yes. Fortunately, no one was hurt.”
Fabivan listened attentively with a gentle smile.
I continued, recalling the events.
“Now that I think about it, I’m not sure if it was my power, but a white protective barrier appeared.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“At the time, the commander nearly got hurt trying to protect us. I prayed earnestly, and a ward formed to protect him. Could it have been my divine power?”
Fabivan squinted thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled.
“It seems Gloria protected the commander. Has such a ward ever formed before?”
I shook my head and continued gently.
“No. Even when I prayed in the monster territory, nothing like that happened. Perhaps my prayer wasn’t strong enough.”
“Hahaha. Likely because there were those who didn’t follow Gloria mixed in there.”
“So that power was Gloria’s protection at that time?”
“Yes. She must have heard your prayer.”
I smiled faintly, sipping my slightly cooled tea as Fabivan stroked his chin, probing cautiously.
“In any case, we should thank Archduke Ferdian.”
I nodded slightly, still holding the teacup on my lap.
“Both the Archduke and the prince helped greatly.”
“That’s fortunate. We should be grateful they supported you and that you returned safely, Saintess.”
“When will the next meeting be scheduled?”
“I’ll arrange it soon. Hahaha. After such a grueling pilgrimage, you can rest a little longer.”
I finally lifted the corner of my mouth at his words.
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Outside, more people seemed to be visiting the temple.
Some paused when they saw me from a distance.
Those mourning the pope were likely unaware of his faults, so they bore no guilt.
Yet, strangely, it felt bitter. Were there as many people missing him when we left our post?
At least, I had never seen it before.
But I hadn’t shared blessings with all of them either.
I had no right to feel slighted. After all, their presence would give Fabivan time to become pope.
It would be good if more people gathered—even mourners or those who wanted to see me—as long as it bought time.
What would be the best approach?
Hearing that I used divine power differently, Fabivan would likely see me as unlike other saints.
How would he pressure me? How would he try to trap me in his “cage”?
I quickly tried to distract myself from the fear.
Did I ask for relics under the pretext of this pilgrimage? No, when Cardinal Fabivan sent people, it was merely to observe.
Neither Raymond nor Cardin had asked me for anything, so perhaps this time he just wanted to watch me.
“Can relics be used with different powers?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Spirits are living beings with chosen lives, and relics are objects imbued with divine power.”
“If they’re objects, wouldn’t their use depend on the user?”
I recalled a conversation on the way back to the barracks after destroying the Flower of God.
As Raymond said, spirits and relics weren’t comparable—but if I considered them on the same level, perhaps people sought different powers through relics in addition to their own divine power.
Spirits could contain magic; why couldn’t relics?
If the magic had been cleverly concealed, perhaps I wouldn’t have sensed it even with my power fully active.
A shiver ran down my arm.
No way.
Even so, those serving Gloria wouldn’t worship something corrupt.
If it was deeper than I imagined…
I shook my head vigorously, realizing I couldn’t control my expression.
“Saintess. You’re still here.”
“Oh. Priest.”
“Were you observing the courtyard?”
My gaze, which had been on the empty air, returned to the moving crowd.
“Yes. Priest, did Melissa request relics from either country?”
“From what I’ve investigated, no.”
“I see.”
“Where do they gather all the relics they bring in?”
I looked up at him, and Philip smiled bitterly.
“I’ll look into it further.”
If they had been trading on saints’ pilgrimages until now, there must be countless relics.
Hiding them wouldn’t be easy—unless discarded or destroyed without a trace.
I bit the inside of my cheek, sensing my guess wasn’t far off.
“Saintess.”
“Yes, priest.”
“His Excellency asked if you could meet tonight in the prayer room.”
I looked away from Philip and said,
“Could you tell me where Aria stayed? I wish to meet there.”
