Chapter 6

The saintly girl, with steam coming out of her ears, was choking the old man who was pretending to be absent-minded and shouting at him.

"This year, I'm definitely going to get a raise! I won't be fooled by a bonus anymore! I demand a base pay increase!"

The content of her anger was unbecoming of a saint.

"Well, you see... the church is established by donations, so the management is in a tough spot."

The pope, who was still saying such insincere things at this point, was no ordinary man.

"How many times are you going to use that excuse! The cigarettes you puff on cost three silver coins for half a pound! You drink and smoke, and my treatment is completely different!"

"What, where did you find that out... I was smoking without knowing the price."

"You, you... you treat me cheaply and indulge in luxury without even looking at the price!"

The pope tried to calm down the seething saint, who was trembling with anger.

"Listen, saint. It's important for a clergy member to avoid luxury and maintain poverty. However, at the same time, it's not good for those who teach and guide people to look shabby. People seek dignity in those they rely on."

"So you're saying it's okay for the pope to indulge in some luxury?"

"Yes. It's a delicate balance. We must be like lotus flowers that bloom pure and lovely in the mud, maintaining a pure heart even if we are buried in the mire up to our necks."

While saying something that seemed quite reasonable, the pope raised his head to find Coco, who was choking him, had her face right up close, glaring at him.

"Hey, old man."

"What is it?"

"If that's the logic, then isn't it just a matter of appearance? A beard and a gaudy robe should be enough, right?"

"Well, that's one way to look at it."

"Besides, you don't smoke or drink in front of the believers, do you?"

"...Is that so?"

"Basically, if you say that those in higher positions shouldn't look shabby, isn't it bad for the church that the saint is working for low wages?"

"...That's a matter the believers don't know about."

"Even if I wear the same robe as a regular nun, I'm still revered as the saint, you know?"

"..."

"Isn't the real problem that you need to maintain appearances?"

"Hey, stop being so pedantic, you brat!"

"I'll return those words to you exactly as you said them!"

The pope, exasperated, had the secretary pull the saint, who was shaking and shouting, by the collar.

"Anyway, since we've received a notice from the palace, the plan is set! If the prince wants to meet you, you must meet the prince!"

"No way!"

The pope forcibly cut off the argument and ordered Coco to leave.

"Work out the details with Sister Natalie. Practice your charming smile! I'll inform the abbess, so there will be no escape or running away. Hey, Wallace, escort the saint."

"Understood. Good work, Saint Coco."

"It's tyrannical! The conversation isn't over!"

As the shouting saint was dragged out by the pope's secretary, Pope Chaos VII sighed.

"Wasn't she a street urchin for only two or three years? After living in the church for eight years, why doesn't she show any signs of propriety?"

Natalie, who was asked such a question, couldn't answer.

"Perhaps it was a very intense experience?"

Natalie herself was born into an average noble family and raised in a relatively affluent environment. She couldn't understand the life of a noble who could do whatever they wanted, nor the feelings of a poor person living on the streets.

Wallace, the priest, who had returned after closing the door, scratched his head.

"It's not that the education has no effect. The saint learns things like a sponge, and she's quite good at writing and arithmetic compared to girls her age."

"There are important tasks like bookkeeping and salary calculations..."

This was Natalie. Wallace stroked his chin and stared into space.

"That girl is quite intelligent. So maybe..."

"Maybe?"

At that moment, a voice from the corridor outside could be heard.

"Passing church officials, this is Saint Coco! In today's society, where issues like child abuse and working poor are being discussed, the Gothland Church is also facing the problem of overwork and poor treatment of young clergy members! Specifically, the saint's salary has been stagnant at the level of a six-year-old for the past eight years! Even an apprentice craftsman who only does odd jobs wouldn't be paid this low nowadays! I am negotiating with the management to improve this situation, but unfortunately, there has been no concrete progress! Therefore, I am asking for your support and will conduct a signature campaign to convey the will of the people..."

The three of them fell silent. The priest was the first to speak.

"...The quick thinking and thick skin to come up with and execute such a public protest on the spot. I think this is a talent she was born with, not something she learned."

This area is only frequented by core church staff, and those who regularly pass by know about Coco's character and treatment. Coco knows this too.

So this is a demonstration, knowing that she won't get support from passersby, but deliberately saying bad things so they can be heard inside the room.

Unless an ordinary person who doesn't know the situation happens to pass by, there won't be any real harm. But if such things are deliberately made to be heard, the person being criticized will definitely feel frustrated.

A high-level technique that stays just within the bounds of harassment without causing a complete breakdown in relations. Saint Coco, who understands human emotions, is skilled at stopping just short of a dead end.

As the pope, stressed by Coco's nerve-wracking protest, veins popping on his forehead, shouted at Natalie.

"Sister Natalie! It's bad for the reputation, so hurry and take the saint back to her room and lock her in!"

"Yes, sir!"

In the end, the burden falls on me...

Natalie sighed inwardly and rushed out of the room to fetch Coco.

◆

"Why do you always pick fights with His Holiness, Pope?"

Natalie sighed while preparing Coco's bed.

This saint just doesn't get along with the pope at all. Can't she at least stop greeting him with "Hey, old man" and starting arguments as if it's second nature?

While licking the mead she received as a peace offering for complaining about her poor treatment, Coco tilted her head.

"Hmm... maybe because he's an old man?"

Natalie didn't understand this non-answer.

Seeing Natalie's confusion, Coco put down the cup, jumped onto the bed, and crossed her legs, looking up at the ceiling.

"The old man... he thinks he's a monk, but his head is too focused on politics. I mean, the papal court is a place like that."

Not knowing what to say, Natalie remained silent, so Coco continued, still looking up.

"It's not a bad thing. The Gothland Church is huge, and you can't run it with just innocent monks."

The Gothland Church, which gained fame by supporting the party that defeated the demon king, has expanded to over ten thousand clergy scattered across the continent. Its influence rivals that of major nations, and its communication network spans the entire continent, surpassing any guild. The papal court is the executive branch of this state without territory.

To manage such an organization, it's necessary to accept both the good and the bad. A large organization can't be maintained with only good people who are dedicated to service.

"But when a politician's mind is applied to the core work, it leads to misplaced priorities... So I have to occasionally remind the old man to think like a monk."

Hearing this, Natalie, who has two faces as a nun and a noble lady, felt she could understand.

The pope, who is burned out by dealing with the overly secular saint, Coco, is reminded not to forget the true role of a clergy member. For a fourteen-year-old girl who knows little beyond the church, it's a rather presumptuous statement, but... thinking about it, it does seem that the only one who can voice opinions to the pope in the rigid church organization is the saint.

The saint, who is unbecoming, constantly reminds the pope to maintain his role as a clergy member.

When the pope is about to go astray, the saint reminds him of his position through her actions.

Natalie felt a laugh rising in her throat.

"It's like the chicken and the egg, isn't it?"

Coco lay down on her back.

"Exactly... He says I'm making him waste time at my age."

"Huh? Are you taking a parental stance, Coco?"

When Natalie turned around, Coco was already dozing off without even covering herself with a blanket.