Chapter 72

"Your Holiness.

This time, I feel honored to be invited—so, what is it you wish to discuss?"

Myself, Lolo, and Ines were summoned to the back of the ballroom, where we stood facing a figure adorned in a grand robe with solemn designs, seated on a golden chair decorated with various jewels. The eyes of the surrounding people were fixed on us.

The pinnacle of the Holy Misra Kingdom—Pope Astira.

One of the living legends on the continent.

And the ruler of a great nation that, taking advantage of the chaos of the kingdom's decline, had expanded its territory over the past few months to now rule over half the continent. She was smiling quietly before our eyes.

"Hehe, there's no need to be so tense.

Why don't we have a more relaxed conversation?"

"—Relaxed, you say?"

As I looked around, I could see the soldiers who were guarding the cathedral quietly surrounding us. It was not a situation where one could feel relaxed if they had a normal mind.

"You are my esteemed guest, so please, relax.

Let's celebrate our reunion first.

I have been waiting for you—Rinneburg.

For the day you would return to this country."

In contrast to our tension, she continued to smile, her face as composed as a work of art.

I feel that there is something wrong with this woman.

I finally understood why my battle-hardened father said it felt like facing a monster when he directly confronted her. The atmosphere emanating from the woman before me was so ominous and foreboding that it felt as if it would entangle my entire body, like a bottomless swamp. For the first time, I, who usually do not fear anything, felt—fear of a human being.

"By the way, Rinneburg.

I heard that before you left your country, your capital was attacked by a swarm of flying dragons.

What a disaster.

The Kingdom of Creis must be in a difficult time, with the entire country exhausted, right?

I hope such a thing never happens again."

The Pope observed our reactions and laughed, as if mocking us.

"……Ugh……"

Lolo was covering her mouth, looking uncomfortable.

Though she appeared to be showing concern for the Kingdom of Creis, it was clearly a transparent threat.

"——Your Holiness.

That swarm was enchanted with the magic of [Madness], and as I suspected, it was a gift from someone—unfortunately, my master Oaken destroyed them with a single strike.

I feel somewhat guilty towards the sender, though I do not know who it was."

"——Is that so.

However, I've heard that the activities of monsters have become very active recently.

If it happened once, it will surely happen again.

You should be more cautious in the future."

"I appreciate your concern.

But there's no need to worry.

No matter how many times such threats come, our country will never yield."

"That's right. I am well aware of your tenacity."

The Pope's smile never wavered. Feeling a slight chill from her demeanor, I addressed the discomfort I felt from her earlier words.

"By the way—Your Holiness.

What did you call Lolo just now…?

It sounded like you were referring to him as if he were an object.

Was it just my mistake?"

"……What do you mean—something?"

At my words, the Pope's smile vanished instantly, and after a moment of silence, a low voice, different from before, echoed around.

"Is there something inconvenient about it, Rinneburg?"

Her voice was so dark that it felt like it was binding my heart. Her eyes, cold and piercing, left a suffocating atmosphere of pressure.

A feeling of being swallowed by darkness instantly enveloped my entire body.

To be honest, I find the person before me terrifying. But I must not show any weakness to this woman. Intuitively, I felt this and continued the conversation, choosing my words carefully.

"I brought Lolo here today as my friend, as I was told.

At the very least, I informed him that he would be treated as such and asked him to come here.

Therefore—your words are unacceptable.

They were……what kind of change of heart, exactly?"

As I protested about the treatment of Lolo, the Pope laughed, looking very amused.

"My, my, Rinneburg.

To speak such nonsense in front of me without flinching.

Your courage at such a young age—makes me want you even more."

"……Your Holiness.

Will you not answer my question—?"

As I tried to continue my questioning, she raised a hand to stop me.

"Rinneburg. Be careful with your words.

You, too, are being a bit too disrespectful.

It seems you have misunderstood, but I have not changed my mind.

From the beginning—my intention was always the same."

The Pope smiled at us again, but now it was a sinister mask shrouded in darkness.

"From the beginning…? What do you mean—"

"Of course, I invited you as the 'fiancée' of my son Tylance.

And as a key figure of the enemy country.

The demon here was invited as your peculiar friend.

My intention has not changed at all."

The room stirred slightly.

She had clearly stated that the Kingdom of Creis was the enemy.

And that she had invited us with that intention from the beginning.

We were invited into the country of Misra as enemies of the Misra Kingdom from the start.

"Your Holiness—what do you mean by enemy country—"

"Please, Rinneburg.

Your country—the Kingdom of Creis—has made demons a part of the state, despite repeated warnings from our country.

Do you understand the implications?

You should know how our country deals with demons.

To ally with such a harmful existence is a clear insult and act of hostility towards our country. At that point, you are as good as declaring war on us—clearly an 'enemy'.

Moreover, you must have known this, which is why you have this guard, right? Unfortunately, one of them seems to have disappeared."

The Pope tilted her head as she looked at Ines and laughed again.

"——I don't understand, Your Holiness.

Our country has no intention of being hostile towards yours.

Even if the two countries were enemies, why would you call me the 'fiancée' of Prince Tylance? It's too cruel a joke, and if you were serious—"

The Pope laughed again.

"I see. You don't understand.

That's quite—"

She smiled broadly.

As the Pope quietly raised a hand, the soldiers surrounding us drew their swords.

The room, which had been buzzing, fell silent again.

"Yes, you're right. I may not have explained it clearly enough.

To put it simply—it's a condition, you could say."

"…Condition?"

"Yes, that's right.

I highly value your talent and excellent bloodline. It would be a waste to let them be buried in that small, dying country.

Our country has many more opportunities to utilize them.

…What do you think?

To formally engage with our prince here and leave your excellent bloodline in our country.

That is the condition for us to show mercy and save your country—the foolishly ruled Kingdom of Creis."

As she said this, the woman before me laughed even more joyfully—just as my father described, like a monster.

No, more terrifying than a monster, something incomprehensible and beyond human understanding.

"Still, King Creis is quite heartless.

To send his beloved daughter to a country he considers an enemy.

With just a few guards—no, now only one.

Perhaps he intended to send you as an offering?

—If so, I will gladly accept it."

Feeling her condescending gaze, I had a sudden realization.

This person—has always seen others, not just demons, as objects.

Probably, everyone in her eyes is the same.

Her cold eyes made me feel this way.

"——My father did not send me with such intentions."

"——Yes, that's enough, Rinneburg.

Our conversation is over.

Since you are not willing to listen—appropriate measures will be taken.

—Guards."

"——Yes."

"Seize them."

—Instantly.

Several guards released blue lightning-like light from their hands, which flew towards us.

—That was a capture barrier.

The sealing light that once captured me and nearly killed me by a Minotaur.

This time, it was even denser and more intense, released from all around.

And it—

"——What?"

—was deflected by the power of the hair ornaments we each wore.

The Pope looked surprised and asked me.

"…What is it, Rinneburg? Those hair ornaments.

They are—slightly different from our country's technology.

—Why do such things exist?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly, looking displeased.

"Of course, it's natural that you haven't seen them before, Your Holiness.

These are—my own creations, made by imitation.

They can dispel the same type of capture barrier that someone used on me when I was nearly killed by a Minotaur's attack. I never thought they would be useful here."

I tried to inject as much sarcasm as possible into my response.

But surprisingly, the expression on the Pope's face at that moment was—joy.

She, who had been looking displeased, was now trembling with joy.

"——Oh, how wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful, Princess Rinneburg.

You are indeed the woman I recognized.

To prepare a unique 'anti-barrier' holy artifact in such a short time.

And to recreate it from a single experience—did you already complete the theory of imitating our country's secret barrier technology during your study abroad?

—Oh, truly wonderful.

This only raises my evaluation of you even higher.

You are truly excellent—and very, very dangerous."

With an excited look, the Pope waved her hand, and the guards surrounded us, all pointing their swords at us.

"To be honest, I never imagined it.

To understand and incorporate our country's secret 'barrier' technique with just one glance.

It seems your father has greatly underestimated your value.

The value of your blood.

—More and more, I want you.

You are the person I have been looking for.

What do you think—Rinneburg.

Will you formally engage with the prince here and become mine?

If you do, our country, and this continent, will achieve unprecedented stability and prosperity.

This is your final warning.

Please, consider your response carefully—"

"Of course—"

—I refuse.

Just as I was about to say this,

—A loud noise.

The stone floor of the hall where we stood began to shake, and several lights from the ceiling fell and shattered one after another.

The previously calm hall was instantly enveloped in chaos.

"What is happening?"

From the corridor behind, the sound of multiple footsteps could be heard.

Several soldiers rushed forward, looking flustered, and reported to the Pope.

"I report.

Someone has apparently intruded into the deep part of the cathedral's underground 'Labyrinth of Lament'."

"Deep part?

The Twelve Saints—what were they doing?

Quickly, deal with it.

That is a sacred place where valuable relics are stored.

Capture the intruders as soon as possible—!"

"——Your Holiness?"

Without warning, the Pope's face contorted in pain.

She suddenly stared into space, eyes wide open—her mouth opening and closing in shock.

"What—what is happening, Your Holiness—?"

The soldiers around her were in a panic.

It was an expression none of us—probably no one in the room—had ever seen before.

The Pope's expression of genuine confusion.

Her usually calm hands and body—were now trembling slightly.

"Why, why—?

Why can a human intrude so far?

No, that's impossible.

No one should be there—!"

Again, the Pope's eyes widened—she seemed to be gasping, as if trying to speak but unable to form words.

"Why—?

—!!"

The Pope's face contorted in agony for a moment—then quickly covered with a cold mask as she gave orders to the soldiers.

"——I have business to attend to.

Seize this girl politely.

I expect a good report."

"Understood."

The Pope disappeared, enveloped in a bluish light, without waiting for a response.

"Then, I will return to my room. When the matter is resolved, bring Rinne to my room."

Prince Tylance also disappeared, enveloped in a bluish light, smiling at me as he left.

"——"

I felt something welling up inside me.

The building was still shaking, and the chaos continued.

"Ines"

"Yes"

"Go now. From here, follow my brother's instructions."

"But—"

Ines looked around.

Soldiers were rushing in, surrounding us.

"The shaking just now—must be from the teacher.

It's probably a signal from him.

He must have found something and acted first.

We need to move now.

I can handle it alone."

As I looked into Ines's eyes, she closed her eyes and nodded slightly.

"——Understood. Princess Rinneburg. Please be safe."

"Yes, Ines and Lolo too."

Immediately, Ines slashed the stone floor with her [Divine Sword], creating a hole, and jumped in with Lolo.

The surrounding soldiers were too slow to react, watching silently.

"What? The attendants and guard alone escaped?"

"Yes. Impressive resolve.

To think the Kingdom of Creis's elite would act like that. It's unbelievable."

The soldiers surrounding me laughed at them.

"Princess Rinneburg. Aren't you going to run?"

"…No. I have no intention of running."

"I see. Then, will you come with us peacefully…? If so, then—"

"No. I just said I will stay here.

I have no intention of following you."

"…Princess?

With all due respect—don't you understand the situation?"

The soldier spread his hands, gesturing for me to look around.

There were about two hundred armed soldiers visible.

Including those waiting outside the hall—hundreds.

The elite 'Holy Knights' of the Misra Kingdom, equipped with the finest holy silver armor, made up about half of them.

And there was not a single ally in this place.

I am now in a situation where everyone I see is an enemy.

"…Yes. Of course, I understand."

"If you understand, why are you being so stubborn?

Come, come with us—"

I grabbed the wrist of the soldier who tried to grab my arm, slowly pushing it away, and said,

"——There are a few misunderstandings I need to clarify.

First, they didn't run.

They just went to retrieve something."

The soldier, whose hand I held, seemed to be trying to shake me off.

His holy silver armor was likely enchanted with [Strength Enhancement].

He was trying to peel my hand off with an unnatural force.

—But I have no intention of letting go yet.

I still have more to say.

"——And another thing.

It seems you still don't understand—I didn't run because I didn't need to.

Why would I—run?

Why do I need to run here?"

I finally released the soldier's arm.

The soldier, now free, jumped back in surprise and pointed his sword at me from a distance.

I might have used a bit too much force.

Looking at his holy silver gauntlet, I could see the clear imprint of my hand.

"Running—

What possible reason could there be for me to run in this situation?"

I slowly looked around, making sure my words were heard by the people surrounding me with weapons.

"There is no one here who poses a threat to me."

I could feel a slight surge of anger welling up inside me.