Chapter 59
The Pope’s Secret Agent
Even though she was annoyed inside, Idnia welcomed the village guard captain with the calm grace of a true noble lady.
“Yes, I’m Idnia Kache Betelgeuse. What brings you here?”
“There was a robbery yesterday nearby, and I want to hear the details,” said the smiling guard kindly.
Idnia didn’t want to waste her precious outing time giving statements, but as a member of a top noble family, she had no choice when the other person was being polite.
“I believe you already arrested the robbers. Didn’t you get anything out of them?”
“Yes, but… they said they can’t remember the last week. We think someone used memory-erasing magic, so we need your testimony.”
Just as she expected—memory-erasing magic had wiped their memories.
Idnia calmly told the guard what happened. Of course, she didn’t mention that Parinelli was investigating Academy secrets or that they had started working together. She just gave a simple statement as a robbery victim.
Then the guard asked:
“Do you think they were after something specific? Maybe an item you had? Or maybe… you yourself?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Even after what happened, you left the village. Why? Most robbery victims wouldn’t want to go outside again, right?”
Idnia paused. That question made her suspicious.
Her bodyguard, Black Wolf, stepped in:
“Wait, what? That’s nonsense! She got robbed inside the village. If the village was really safe, she’d have stayed in it. But your poor security made that impossible!”
“Ah…”
“And we’re camping outside the village because you people overcharge for rent! And your guards don’t even show up when it rains! No wonder crimes happen!”
“Haha… sorry. But rent prices aren’t up to us. So many guests came from outside that the landlords raised the prices. We asked them not to, but they didn’t listen. And we’re short-staffed. We’re doing our best, but it’s hard. And honestly… a lot of these so-called servants that came from other duchies are actually very dangerous people.”
“They’re searching the village outskirts?” Idnia asked.
“Yes. They think there’s an entrance to an ancient ruin around here—where the Academy was built. That’s why they’re searching. So… yes, it’s dangerous outside too. Are you also interested in ancient ruins, Lady Betelgeuse?”
The guard asked with a knowing smile.
Everyone—nobles from Mazdari, from Ansbach, even secret groups—was here to find the legendary power buried under Dynaise Academy.
Even Scarlet Pimpernel was involved.
There was no way village guards could really protect the place anymore.
“I see. I understand. But I just went out for a short walk.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Please be careful. The village isn’t very safe… but it’s still better than the outside.”
After a few more formal questions, the guards left.
Idnia dropped by the general store to buy a few items she had missed earlier. Then she went to a restaurant. After enjoying her meal and dessert, she rested in her seat.
That’s when a man came to her table.
He was middle-aged with a beard and a strong, serious look.
“Lady Idnia Kache Betelgeuse, you are one of the Saintess candidates, correct?”
“Yes, I am.”
“May I sit here? I’m a servant of Prince Lorenzo Medici from the Duchy of Mazdari. And…”
He showed her a token in his hand.
It was the holy badge of the Trinity Church and the Holy See—the double-cross symbol.
“You’re from the Vatican?” Idnia asked.
“Yes. Didn’t Bishop Betelgeuse speak to you about your duties as a Saintess candidate?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure. Can you explain more?”
(Truthfully, Bishop Betelgeuse hadn’t told her anything.)
The Vatican agent explained:
“There was a divine message: the next Demon King will bring the end of the world. He’ll be stronger than any before. To stop him, the Holy See is investigating the secrets hidden in Dynaise Academy.”
The Scarlet Pimpernel, the Vatican, even the Emperor—they all wanted the same thing: the legendary power buried beneath the Academy that could change the world.
“For example, the power to let a human become a god?” Idnia asked.
The Vatican agent looked shocked.
“That’s blasphemy! In the Trinity Church, we do not believe humans can become gods. In the past, you could have been burned as a witch for saying that!”
“A witch hunt?” Idnia asked in surprise.
In the past, people without powerful families would be executed as witches for saying things like that.
But Idnia was a high noble with inheritance rights. No one could do that to her—not even during the height of Vatican power.
And today, the Vatican was weaker than ever.
The Pope used to have power to choose the next emperor, but Emperor Franz already chose Crown Prince Rudolf without needing the Pope’s approval. One of the Pope’s cardinals died suddenly, and his replacement was loyal to the emperor. The Vatican’s influence was crumbling.
So this Vatican agent couldn’t really scold Idnia.
“Cough… I apologize. That was a foolish thing to say.”
He bowed.
“But whatever the secret in the Academy is—legendary magic, ancient artifacts, or tools that open other dimensions—it could help us stop the Demon King.”
“And that’s why you’re here? But you’re pretending to be a servant of the Mazdari prince? So… does that mean the Duke of Mazdari is loyal to the Pope now?”
Idnia asked carefully.
“The Duke is a devout follower, like King Betelgeuse himself. Our Holy Father highly respects King Betelgeuse’s holy achievements in defeating the previous Demon King.”
In other words, Mazdari had joined the Vatican’s side—and the Vatican thought that Betelgeuse was also on their side.
‘Did Bishop Betelgeuse brag too much to them?’ Idnia thought.
He must’ve told the Vatican things like:
“King Betelgeuse broke the royal engagement and left the capital! Trust me, he’s on our side!”
That’s why the Vatican had been pouring money into rebuilding the fallen Betelgeuse kingdom and supporting the refugees.
“Anyway, Lady Idnia, as a Saintess candidate, please investigate the Academy for us. The school leaders won’t share any secrets, no matter how important the mission. But you might get close enough.”
Basically, they wanted her to spy from the inside.
Idnia understood. They thought she was already under their control since she got money and support from them.
“But I’m just a student. What exactly should I do?”
“There are five professors called the ‘Five Sinners of the Empire.’ They are the key. Win their favor. Observe them. And if possible…”
The agent lowered his voice.
“Become a teaching assistant.”
“…What?” Idnia blinked.
“You want me to be a TA?” she asked.
“Yes. Normal graduates won’t learn the secrets. But teaching assistants do.”
“But…”
“If you say you want to learn stronger magic, they will accept you. And if you’ve already earned the right to go outside, it means you have impressed them.”
This agent clearly didn’t understand how hard it was to become a teaching assistant at the Academy. He thought it was like being a wizard’s apprentice.
‘It’s not wrong… but it’s like asking someone to go to graduate school,’ Idnia thought. He wouldn’t understand even if I explained it.
“All right. Whether it’s possible or not, I’ll consider it. But… will you ask the other Saintess candidate to do the same?”
“Yes, of course. If both of you work hard, you might both be accepted as real Saintesses.”
“…Ah.”
Idnia didn’t really care about becoming a Saintess. But this Vatican agent clearly thought she was desperate for that title—even ready to beg for it.
“To be clear, can I share this with her too?”
“Please do.”
“Good. Then… can I ask for more funds?”
“…What?”
The Vatican agent was stunned.
Did this noble lady just ask him for money?
