BPWBD 97

CHAPTER 97……………………………….

Tears streamed down from Joseph’s open eyes as ragged breaths escaped his lips. It was because of the nightmare that had made his head throb in pain.

“Aah… No… no…”

Just the memory of it made his heart twist in agony.

In the nightmare—set in a wasteland swept by the shadow of death—people writhed in endless suffering. And in the midst of that chaos, Joseph saw Gregorian, standing alone, smiling serenely.

Despite the countless dying at his feet, their wretched, pitiful faces did not seem to trouble the Holy Pope in the dream. Wanting to erase the suffocating image from his mind, Joseph shook his head.

Then, slowly opening his eyes, he stared up at the ceiling.

“Haa… ah…”

Thankfully, it was his room—not the ruins from his dream. But the ceaseless command to bring Uriel to him still lingered, just as it had every day. Only moments ago, that same voice had wrapped around Joseph’s throat.

Thanks to the potions from Roziana and Edwin, he had managed to stabilize his body without divine power. Yet the real problem remained—the voice that kept echoing in his head.

[Joseph. Don’t you wish to save them?]

The gentle tone was unmistakably the Pope’s. Now, Gregorian appeared not just as a voice, but as an image in Joseph’s dreams.

Joseph had been avoiding both the Holy Pope and Daniel, but the vivid nightmare from moments ago made him press a trembling hand against his chest, where his heart pounded furiously.

A hellish scene of thousands crying out for salvation, writhing in torment.

That was a future he had to prevent.

[To free them from pain and despair, we need Uriel.]

The voice was still demanding Uriel. If he wanted to stop this hell, he had to bring him.

Who in the world is that?!

If he could, Joseph wanted to rip open his skull and pull out the voice and the dreams by force.

[Bring Uriel.]

“Ugh…”

For more than ten days, the unrelenting voice had battered Joseph’s mind to the point where he could barely hold onto his sanity. The sound of the Pope’s voice alone terrified him so deeply that he trembled all over. He feared that if he lost control for even a moment, he might start grabbing people by the collar, demanding to know who Uriel was.

At least Roziana remained safe. She continued to meet Gregorian, Daniel, and other candidates for tea—without incident.

That was the only thing keeping Joseph going. But he knew enduring alone wouldn’t solve anything.

“This is… my limit.”

He felt cornered. Though he was still breathing, fear choked him constantly—fear that if he relaxed for even a second, he’d lose control and obey the voice’s will.

“Haa… haa…”

He exhaled shakily, recalling the scene from his nightmare.

“I can’t… let that happen.”

And the Pope who had asked him if he wanted to save them, urging him to bring Uriel.

Does he truly mean that if I bring this Uriel, he’ll save those poor souls?

Joseph couldn’t understand what the Holy Pope was thinking—or why he demanded a person Joseph didn’t even know.

“Maybe… running away isn’t the answer.”

There was nowhere left to run. The voice reached him across time and space—it would always find him, always try to control him.

While his mind was still somewhat his own, he had to face the problem directly.

“I’ll… go and speak to him myself.”

Joseph pulled the bell cord with trembling hands—to summon Thomas, who waited outside his room under Roziana’s orders to assist him.

“Sir Joseph, is something wrong?”

Thomas entered promptly.

“I wish to move around a bit. Could you help me?”

“Of course.”

Thomas helped him wash and change. As Joseph prepared himself, his resolve solidified.

Yes. I’ll go to His Holiness and tell him myself.

That he didn’t know who Uriel was—and beg him to stop these false commands and tormenting dreams.

And to use his power to prevent the same despair he’d seen in his nightmare.

His Holiness is said to be the one who pities and saves all mankind.

Though dazed and confused, Joseph clung to his wavering faith, steadying himself again and again. Soon, thanks to Thomas’s help, he was ready.

“Sir Thomas. I’m going to see His Holiness now. Please inform Her Highness the Princess. If… something should happen—”

If I don’t return, or if something goes wrong…

He stopped himself.

No. No.

Saying that aloud would sound like he expected something to happen.

Nothing would. Nothing could. He would see the Pope, ask for help, and hear what he truly wanted. Nothing more.

It has to be that way.

Even if a world where everyone was happy seemed impossible, Joseph was a man who had always prayed for such a world. Though no longer a priest, his heart remained pure, wishing for peace and happiness for all.

“Ah, no. Just tell her that I went to see His Holiness.”

“But Her Highness ordered me to stay by your side. I’ll escort you there and report afterward.”

Joseph nodded.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Wearing his clerical robes, Joseph quietly left the room alongside the knight Thomas, who carried a sword at his waist. Together, they walked toward the Pope’s chambers.

“At last! I’ve found her, Sir Bastel!”

Daniel, the Grand Sage, exclaimed with delight. The woman before him looked exactly like Joseph. Of course, it was actually Nair in disguise—but Daniel didn’t suspect a thing.

“Oh! Truly?”

“Yes! Just as His Holiness described.”

A woman identical to Joseph—though her hair color might differ, perhaps dyed to conceal the white. Even so, the resemblance was unmistakable.

She was Joseph’s twin.

“You’ve done great work. I’ll take her to His Holiness myself. You may return to your estate now, Sir Bastel. I’ll contact you again once our business is done.”

Bastel’s face brightened with relief and pride—his efforts had finally borne fruit.

“It was an honor to be of service. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

After Bastel left, Daniel turned to Nair with a cheerful smile and explained,

“You’ll soon meet His Holiness. When you do, place both hands together and raise them to your forehead in greeting. Be reverent, and answer truthfully to whatever he asks.”

Nair nodded quietly, then asked,

“Yes, I understand. But… why is he looking for me?”

She had to find out what the Pope wanted—and what he intended to do with her.

“Well…”

Daniel stared at her face—identical to Joseph’s.

“…I don’t know either.”

When he finally answered, Nair clicked her tongue inwardly and followed him. The only way to learn her purpose was to meet the Holy Pope himself.

“Shall we go, then?”

After preparing, Daniel led Nair toward Gregorian’s chambers.

But before they could enter, they were stopped with unexpected news.

“My apologies, Grand Sage, but His Holiness asks that you wait here for a while. He already has another guest.”

The priest guarding the door relayed the message. Daniel’s eyes went wide.

“Another guest? But I bring the news His Holiness has long awaited! Are you sure you conveyed that properly?”

Gregorian had told him himself—Daniel was to find this person and bring them when the time was right.

He had waited eagerly for this moment, certain the Pope would rejoice to learn Joseph’s twin had been found.

And now he was being told to wait?

Who could possibly be important enough to keep him waiting?

“Yes, I relayed the message exactly. His Holiness said to wait.”

“Then who is this guest?”

Daniel pressed impatiently, and the priest, looking awkward, replied,

“…Sir Joseph.”

“Joseph?”

At the mention of his former disciple, Daniel’s voice rose in surprise and annoyance. His eyes narrowed sharply. Then he recalled a conversation from days ago.