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Chapter 34
“Did you feel it?”
“At that time, when we destroyed the mark carried by the Apostle of the Evil God. The energy surrounding the mark felt familiar… only someone like me, who had been protecting the relic up close, would notice. It’s subtly different, you see.”
‘Right. If it were to be noticed, the Pope would have sensed it first.’
I nodded, satisfied that it was a sufficient answer.
“By the way… it seems you’re curious about my actions. You want to help me, don’t you?”
“Eh? Y-Yes… of course.”
I smiled faintly, pressing my eyes slightly with my fingers. Mila’s shoulders stiffened, sensing the suspicious expression on my face.
“Then… would you like to tell me what you know?”
“What I know?”
I had assumed she would be of little help, returning only once, but I realized she possessed knowledge I did not.
“You’re asking about what happens after I die, aren’t you?”
Even if it concerned events after my death, knowing more was better than knowing nothing. Since Mila would remain at my side, it was useful to learn what she knew.
But her reply made me pinch my forehead in exasperation.
“Ah… that. Hmm… I’d like to explain, but I don’t remember.”
“What?”
“I stayed at the mansion after hearing the news that Lady Grace and Sir Leandros had an accident. I spent my days crying, and one day I opened my eyes and… found myself back in the past.”
It was an unexpected answer.
A moment of worry crossed my mind.
‘The path I must take will be far harsher and more dangerous than Mila realizes.’
Though she was a Saint, her influence was weak, and most importantly, she lacked the power to stand against the Temple in times of crisis.
Could she truly help me in life-threatening situations?
‘What if she gets into danger helping me?’
Despite her previous annoyances, I felt a small pang of affection for her.
‘It’s better to keep her distant than let her struggle because of me.’
I opened my mouth to politely send her away, when suddenly—
“Waaiiit!”
Mila’s shout made me blink in surprise. She looked flustered but determined.
“Even if I’m inadequate, I promise I’ll do my very best!”
“Do what?”
“Anything! Whatever you ask of me!”
Although Mila had always been somewhat oblivious, her time by my side had taught her to read my expressions fairly well.
“I’ve seen it this time! I know there are many problems in the slums, and that loan sharks run rampant, but unlike me, who was too preoccupied to care, Lady Grace acted differently.”
I was the one intervening for my own survival, so her statement wasn’t entirely fair.
“Since Lady Grace has changed, I want to change too. I don’t want to be a useless Saint who just stands by. I want to be a Saint everyone can trust. I will become a strong Saint!”
I was relieved that her outlook had shifted positively from her past self.
“And I’ll serve Lady Grace by her side!”
That was not something a Saint should be saying.
“Mila, do you even know what being a Saint means?”
She answered with complete confidence.
“A Saint draws close to God, spreads His love to others, and brings hope!”
“Don’t you think your words sound more like you’re serving me rather than God?”
“Oh, well… as long as I fulfill that role, it doesn’t matter!”
I was thankful that neither the Pope nor anyone else overheard that declaration.
Had she always been so stubborn in her previous life? My temples throbbed from the headache, and I pressed them to ease the pain.
“Then just trust me! I’ll change that image of a villain, the witch image—all of it!”
I finally exhaled a long sigh.
“Do you know my true goal?”
“By the way… what is Lady Grace’s goal? You already possess the relic… Could it be the Temple’s destruction? Or even the Pope’s seat?”
Neither was correct.
“Or is it… something related to Sir Leandros?”
Bingo.
‘How heavy is Mila’s tongue?’
Should I let her go, pretending not to know, or try to sweet-talk her into staying close?
‘Since Lady Grace has changed, I want to change too.’
I wasn’t sure what had changed in me, but her words echoed in my mind.
“Yes… it is related to Sir Leandros. I must save him.”
“Gasp!”
She clutched her hands to her mouth.
“You two really weren’t close… so how did you come to think that?”
“If Sir Leandros dies, this world will be destroyed.”
“Ahhh!”
Her eyes nearly popped from shock.
Though I had decided to keep her by my side, it was best she did not know how deeply his death was tied to me.
But later, if she found out and accused me of lying, it would be a headache.
“If Sir Leandros dies and the world falls, I die, you die, everyone dies.”
I wrapped the truth convincingly.
“So you came to this position with the noble faith to protect the world.”
It seemed to work.
‘Better not tell her I’ve returned multiple times.’
This was simply to preserve the tears of admiration welling in her eyes.
“And I didn’t even know, and yet I acted so foolishly…!”
She reflected on her actions.
“I’ll stay right by Lady Grace’s side!”
Now she even vowed with firmness.
‘This should be enough…’
“I’ll become a remarkable Saint and help Lady Grace!”
“Before helping me, shouldn’t you solidify your own position as a Saint? If you want to avoid being bullied again like before, you’ll have to work very hard.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
“Your Excellency, Rike here. I’ve completed the copies of this year’s Bishop’s meeting that you requested.”
“Come in.”
Hearing the voice of the cleric supporting me as Cardinal, Mila immediately straightened herself.
Rike entered the office, smiled at her, and said,
“The two of you are together again today.”
“Yes, we were studying theology together.”
“This is truly the example all of the Temple should follow.”
Rike silently offered a short prayer of thanks for such a Saint before approaching me.
“These are the copies of the meetings held before Your Excellency’s appointment. Also, here is a record of areas where heretical groups have appeared, as you requested.”
“Wow.”
Mila’s eyes sparkled. She seemed to sense I was about to act and edged closer. I smiled at her.
“Saint, didn’t you have remaining duties today?”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yes, you, Saint.”
Her puzzled expression deepened my own amusement.
“You said you’d work diligently.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Indeed? You truly promised to work diligently?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then you won’t have time to let your attention wander elsewhere.”
I left the rest unsaid, but she immediately straightened under my gaze, fully understanding.
She saluted energetically and left the office.
“You two seem quite close, don’t you?”
“Do we?”
I smiled at his comment and took the documents. The Bishop’s meeting that had occurred during my absence contained nothing significant—mostly discussions about selecting Saint candidates, rural region visits, slum relief, orphanage investigations, and decisions regarding Holy Knight training grounds.
“And the mission from His Holiness the Pope.”
“Yesterday’s meeting also mentioned that you would be assigned your first task as an Inquisitor of Heresy.”
“Are you not nervous? You’ve only recently made your name in the Temple. I’d be terrified in your place.”
“I’m actually looking forward to it. Many criticize me, saying I’ve taken not only the Cardinal’s seat but also the Inquisitor’s position. This mission will let me prove my abilities—I’m excited.”
Had the Pope assigned the mission suddenly, I would not have been so calm. We had prepared in advance, discussing strategies to ensure I could perform excellently.
“It’s the border region for the first time. I’m looking forward to it.”
That meant… I had chosen this mission myself.
