Chapter 66
And Thus I Adore You
The Pope, having heard my question, gave a smile that was impossible to read.
Then he slowly walked over and perched on one of the chairs in the chapel.
“Long ago, when I had just ascended to the papacy, a prophecy was delivered. It was a dreadful prophecy, one that could have shocked all the faithful.”
“…What kind of prophecy?”
Once again, the Pope smiled.
But what he spoke with that smile was far from something one could listen to lightly.
“It was a prophecy that our world would be destroyed by monsters born from human hands.”
“…Excuse me? Monsters born from human hands… You received such a prophecy? Why didn’t you inform anyone?”
According to doctrine, the ability to foresee the future was a gift from God given to His most cherished servants.
Only those with this ability could ascend to the papacy.
In other words, a prophecy was the “future information revealed through the abilities of those awakened to the papacy.”
Since these abilities were divinely granted to see and relay the future, prophecies never failed.
For that reason, if a Pope received a prophecy, he was obliged to inform the world—regardless of whether it was a positive or negative one.
Yet, he had received a prophecy of the world’s destruction and had never told anyone.
The Pope sighed lightly and finally satisfied my curiosity.
“I didn’t withhold it out of choice—I simply could not inform anyone. According to the prophecy, the one who would bring about this destruction… was none other than His Majesty the Emperor.”
“…I see.”
“How could I possibly announce that the sun of the Empire would bring about destruction? Anyone could predict what ruin would befall the Church if I did.”
Only then could I understand.
Now, the imperial family’s power had weakened considerably, but when the Pope first received the prophecy, that was not the case.
Back then, the former Emperor was alive and cherished Hernant dearly.
Had he heard that his own son would eventually bring ruin, he certainly would not have stood idle.
He might have seen it as an affront to the imperial family and used his formidable power to suppress the faithful.
The Pope continued.
“From the moment the prophecy was delivered, we trembled with fear every single day. We prayed without fail, beseeching the Lord to show mercy on His creatures and grant salvation.”
“……”
“And as I watched the faithful praying so desperately, I—”
The Pope bit his lip and continued with difficulty.
“I felt as if my heart was being scorched by fire.”
“……”
“Because of the prophecy I had conveyed… because everyone trembled in fear at that dreadfully unfortunate prophecy.”
After speaking, he closed his eyes as if in prayer.
The corners of his eyes creased slightly, as if carrying the pain of his memories.
Still wearing a sorrowful expression, he continued.
“I felt as if it were all my fault. If my faith had been stronger, if I had been more devoted, perhaps that prophecy could have been avoided… That thought plagued me endlessly.”
“……”
“But my child, God is merciful.”
His furrowed expression softened, and he smiled once more.
Without waiting to be assisted, the Pope stood and slowly approached me.
“Exactly ten years after receiving that prophecy, I received another one.”
“…?”
“It was a prophecy that a silver knight, guarding the Empire, would travel back through time to defeat the destruction approaching our world. Do you know who that silver knight is?”
I was too overwhelmed to answer, so he gave me the answer himself.
“It is you, Yulia.”
His hand, pale as carved marble, touched my cheek.
As if I were a fragile glass ornament, he gently caressed my cheek with utmost care.
“The merciful Lord sent salvation along with despair. Salvation in the form of you.”
“……”
“You wondered why I, who have never even had a proper conversation with you, adore you. How could I not? You are the salvation of the Empire, and my salvation as well.”
Salvation? I thought. That was absurd.
“I am not some grand person—”
“Because of you, I was freed from my guilt. Watching the faithful tremble in fear, my heart used to ache with unbearable guilt. Thanks to you, I was finally liberated from that suffering.”
“……”
“As long as the prophecy exists, your very being is already salvation. The faithful no longer fear. They simply trust in and give thanks for the salvation granted by God—salvation that is you.”
I felt a strange weight on my shoulders.
Prophecies, salvation… I had never thought of such grand things.
I had only been focused on overcoming the obstacles in front of me, fighting frantically without a second to spare.
“Your Holiness… the prophecy you received… the ‘silver knight’ mentioned in it, does it truly refer to me?”
“You are quite doubtful, aren’t you?”
“I’m not doubting the prophecy itself. I just… wondered if the silver knight might perhaps be someone else—”
“No. I am certain. The silver knight refers to you. I am absolutely sure.”
With that, the Pope gently stroked my cheek once more.
The touch felt oddly ticklish, and I instinctively tried to pull back slightly, but he withdrew his hand first.
Seeing my nervous expression, he smiled at me, as clear and serene as always.
“You must be tired today. Rest well.”
“Thank you, Your Holiness. I will leave as soon as I am well. How can I ever repay this favor…?”
“No, there is no need for such burdens.”
The Pope bowed slightly and extended his hand to me.
Reflexively, I placed my hand atop his, and he kissed the back of it softly.
“Please make use of me as much as you wish.”
Afterwards, the Pope prepared a place for me to rest.
He treated me with utmost care, as if I were his personal attendant.
Even when I insisted that such treatment was unnecessary, he ignored me and only asked if there was anything else I needed.
Did he truly believe I was the savior?
As night fell, I rested in the guest bedroom of the main building of the Cathedral.
“……”
I could not calm my mind.
It would have been easier if he had given me a simple place like a stable, but the room he provided was far from such modesty.
It was almost as spacious and luxurious as the Emperor’s own chamber.
“……”
Lying on the bed and staring at the intricately painted ceiling, I felt a twinge of bitterness.
If the silver knight mentioned in the prophecy isn’t me… if that truth comes to light, would the Pope still treat me with such kindness?
His adoration, his meticulous care—all stemmed from his belief that I was the savior.
In other words, he adored the “silver savior,” not Yulia herself.
But I could not be certain that I was truly the savior mentioned in the prophecy.
Though a silver knight traveling back through time is rare, one can never be sure.
In the Empire, “silver knight” is not an entirely unique title. Perhaps another silver knight had traveled back through time.
And if a more fitting savior appears?
The Pope would withdraw his warm attention in an instant.
What would become of me then?
Thinking this, my eyes involuntarily narrowed.
“…Dangerous.”
I felt guilty toward the Pope, and his attention was overwhelming, yet for now, I would have to pretend to be the savior and make the most of his favor.
Otherwise, Hernant would catch me.
He was a man with an intense obsession over possessions.
To survive, I had no choice but to rely on the Pope’s kindness for the time being.
The words he had said to me earlier flashed through my mind.
-“How could I not adore you? You are the salvation of the Empire, and my salvation as well.”
I recalled his gentle smile, full of affection as he claimed to adore me.
Guilt once again scratched at the corners of my heart.
“……”
Forcing my eyes shut, I tried to sleep, hoping to erase the image of the Pope’s face from my mind.
