TFWSDW 74

~Chapter 74~

“You were going to ask what authority, right?”

“Eh. I heard the Second Bishop is a quiet person? Ah, but when you glare like that you’re so cute my heart hurts. Okay, okay, I won’t argue, ma’am! Got it!”

Alexa spoke without any sign of panic, as if she had been waiting for this.

“Doesn’t a Pope Candidate have the authority to make a direct appeal to the Central Committee if there’s a major personal problem? Our Candidate has simply exercised that right.”

I wanted to clap right then and there.

Good. Excellent.

Pleased with my role as her loyal spokesperson, I remembered my earlier conversation with Alexa.

“…But Candidate, how did you even know about that clause? It’s written in such tiny letters.”

“Memorize it.”

“Oh… sometimes, you really don’t seem like you’re three years old.”

Her sharp and cool gaze. Without her smile, Alexa’s face looked different.

It startled me when she suddenly hit the mark like that.

When I said, “Actually, God gave me extra years so I’m in my twenties,” she laughed, thinking it was a joke.

Back in the present, thanks to my help, Alexa easily pushed aside the arguments of the other bishops who began questioning her.

What could they do? A Pope Candidate who nearly died is just using the rights given to her.

Would a bishop really break Church rules?

“…It would’ve been better if you spoke for yourself, Candidate Nemesia.”

I felt Bishop Leriel’s attention on me, but I just snuggled deeper into Dad’s arms, pretending I didn’t know anything.

Yes, Nemesia is three years old, so she doesn’t know these things~.

The current concept: power behind the throne.

“This is the end of the world, when a mere common knight talks back to a bishop…”

Unable to win with logic, an old, stubborn bishop showed his displeasure.

Then the Second Bishop spoke.

“…Your point is valid, but the matter was already decided in the Inner Court. Even as a young Candidate, you understand what a court is, yes?”

Of course, I knew — one of the three courts in the Church, with a presiding judge.

But so what?

They didn’t even punish Usher properly, did they?

“Yes, that’s the problem. Why didn’t it go to the High Court? This is an important matter.”

Alexa glanced at me, then struck the final blow.

“A valuable Pope Candidate was attacked by a Holy Knight, and her only safeguard — her guardian — was branded a berserker and subjected to harsh interrogation. Was that really proper punishment?”

“Yes, under proper procedures—”

“…You didn’t even ask Nemesia.”

My sudden words made the Second Bishop, who had been about to end the discussion, close her mouth.

“…Candidate?”

Alexa looked shocked — she hadn’t been told I would step in here.

I knew it would come to this.

I had hoped Alexa could handle it alone.

But seeing the Second Bishop brush it off so casually, I had no choice.

I sent Alexa in because I thought it’d be tougher if I stepped in myself…

Looks like even the Second Bishop isn’t immune.

This is enough for now. I can see the potential.

It’ll be tiring this time, but…

For Dad’s sake, if I can show them that touching us will lead to this kind of scene, no one will mess with us in the future.

Then I’ll just live as the Church’s rising star.

“I got better, but I was really sick. And nobody came to apologize.”

“Ahem, the offender couldn’t be brought face to face with the Candidate again…”

“Nemesía was sick, so why did other people decide the punishment? Isn’t the opinion of the one who was hurt important?”

When a child’s mouth brought up that day again, the First Bishop, who had been bored, suddenly looked interested.

The two older bishops seemed flustered.

“Punishment means the offender should hurt just as much. But Alexa told me it wasn’t a painful punishment. And nobody who hurt my Dad got punished at all.”

And then…

“Or maybe the people who hurt me and made my Dad sick are on the same side as the ones who decided the punishment?”

The Second Bishop, who had been silent, opened her eyes briefly.

Wow, that was scary.

It’s never good when a closed-eyed priest opens their eyes!

She quietly asked, “I see. Then, Candidate Nemesia, what punishment do you want?”

I already had something in mind.

I was about to raise my hand and speak when—

“I will speak for her, if you allow it.”

A low, deep voice came from above my head. This time, it was my turn to be surprised.

Eh, Dad?

“The Candidate is not yet familiar with the Church’s disciplinary system or what punishments are appropriate. Please allow me, as a fellow Holy Knight, to speak.”

“Ha, interesting. Go ahead, lackey.”

With the First Bishop’s permission, Dad ignored the insult and said—

“Labor reformation. Send him near the Land of Darkness and have him resolve ten supernatural incidents there.”

I blinked.

Huh… that’s even better than what I was thinking?

The Land of Darkness was full of S-rank anomalies.

Sending a fanatic there for labor reformation?

Oh, that’s going to be one brutal team kill.

Dad probably didn’t realize it, but it was a brilliant move — having a fanatic hunt monsters.

“Wait a second, wasn’t Sir Usher Tatum said to be misunderstood? Isn’t that too harsh for a misunderstanding?”

Ugh, from the way he keeps defending Usher, that guy must be one of his backers.

“Even if it was a misunderstanding, attacking a Pope Candidate is a serious crime.”

Because I was in Dad’s arms, I could tell—

…He’s shaking.

[‘Dad’ is feeling a heavy burden! He’s trembling!]
[Calm him down with a kiss!]
[Kiss him!]

Forget kissing, do it outside! Outside!

Even a rotten bishop might notice the indicator!

“…Have you also considered the possibility that my Candidate might become Pope?”

A Pope will come from among these Candidates. Are you sure you want to take attacking one so lightly?

Can you handle the consequences?

In any world, “responsibility” is the scariest word to those in power.

For the first time, the Second Bishop’s expression hardened.

“Ahahaha, well, lackey, you say more interesting things than I thought.”

Only First Bishop Nathaniel seemed to be enjoying himself.

“There are far too many of the Evil God’s creations in the outside world.”

“So?”

“It doesn’t have to be like in my days on the front lines, but it will be enough. For a skilled Holy Knight like Usher Tatum, it will be a chance to wash away a dishonorable crime.”

Oh, so he’s basically saying: you worked the Blue Knights to death, but you think Usher is too precious to be sent out?

Dad… for someone who’s shaking, you sure talk well.

I didn’t waste the moment.

“Punish the people who hurt Dad the same way too!”

“Very well.”

I froze. I expected the Second Bishop to stall or pass it off, but she agreed immediately.

“Wait, Bishop Leriel! You’re accepting Sir Sacrum’s request?”

The old bishop who had been subtly defending Usher jumped to his feet.

“The Blue Knights hid and worshipped filthy contaminated knights to the end, and Sir Tatum is a noble Holy Knight! Anyone can make a mistake!”

Wow. Defending the offender right in front of the victim — amazing.

The old bishop started to say more, but shut up under the Second Bishop’s gaze.

“No, I accept Candidate Nemesia’s request.”

“Oh ho, what’s gotten into the stubborn Bishop Leriel?”

The First Bishop mocked her, but didn’t oppose.

“Besides, my disciple Betty also testified to witnessing that horrible scene.”

I glanced at Betty.

Like the Second Bishop, she kept her eyes closed.

Meanwhile, Flora’s eyes sparkled brightly.

…Such a perfect audience.

“I was already quietly investigating, but now that she’s requested it herself, there’s no reason not to.”

The Second Bishop’s face as she looked at me wasn’t ordinary. But I wasn’t surprised — I expected this.

When I spoke up earlier, I saw her briefly show an interested expression.

This means she’s going to keep an eye on me from now on.

For the bishops, predicting who will become Pope must be important too.