“Little Devotee…!”

The Pope’s call was the last thing Egru heard before losing consciousness.

Perhaps the gentle, beautiful voice had put him at ease. The moment the tension dominating his body released, he felt the tremendous cold.

“We’ll carry him, Your Holiness. Please hand him over.”

“No, it’s fine. Rather, please find a warm place for us to stay immediately.”

During brief moments of consciousness in his dazed state, Egru thought he might have died again. His vision was pitch black, like the dark void he had experienced before. But the occasional voices of people suggested otherwise.

“Weren’t you planning to return immediately?”

“Treating the Little Devotee takes priority. His fever is severe.”

“I will obey your command.”

For days, Egru felt like he was traveling between heaven and hell. Sometimes he was freezing as if buried naked in a glacier, other times burning hot as if covered with a cotton blanket under the blazing sun.

The sensation of his brain pulsating like a heart persisted. Each time his head pounded mercilessly, his eyes throbbed painfully in their sockets.

Egru struggled mightily. He had no idea when this skull-splitting pain would end.

‘Ah…’

But occasionally, a hand would cool his raging fever. When he managed to lift his heavy eyelids, he could see a snow-white angel.

The figure seemed familiar somehow, but he couldn’t quite remember. Perhaps his brain had lost its function, cooked by the boiling fever that nearly took his breath away.

“My savior, my ruler…”

The angel whispered.

“The moment I realized I had treated you carelessly, I experienced mortality.”

He wanted to say he couldn’t hear well, but his parched throat couldn’t make a sound.

“Shh, everything is fine now. It’s okay.”

“……”

“Because I’m here. Right beside you. This time, I will protect you.”

The angel bent down. Something cool yet soft touched Egru’s forehead.

The last thing he saw through his closing eyes, succumbing to overwhelming fatigue, was a smile.

“My hero.”

With the angel’s dazzling smile as the final image, Egru closed his eyes completely.

***

After days of feeling as if he were alternately immersed in fire and ice, the torturous heat finally subsided. For the first time in a while, the area around his eyes felt cool.

‘W-where am I…’

Egru tried to gauge his surroundings with his eyes closed. He was lying on a soft bed but found it difficult to move his arms. Several thick blankets seemed to be layered over his body.

Meanwhile, unfamiliar music stimulated his gradually awakening hearing.

A peaceful violin melody.

It was fascinating. Where could such a rich sound be coming from?

Since there was no presence of anyone, there couldn’t be a performer in the room.

Egru slowly opened his eyes. His guess was correct. There was no one in the room, only a machine with a spinning black disc.

Egru knew what it was called. He had seen one in Levian’s office before.

‘A g-gramophone…’

Starting from the spinning record, his amber eyes surveyed the surroundings.

He was in an upstairs room of a cozy cabin.

Seeing nothing but white outside the single window, it seemed he hadn’t left the northern region yet.

Though a blizzard was raging outside, the interior was magically warm. The window frame rattled slightly in the harsh wind, suggesting all screws had been tightened well.

The fireplace in front of the bed emitted warm air. The wood must have been high quality, as it gave off a fragrant aroma.

‘Who would go to such lengths…’

Just then, the sound of light footsteps stopped in front of the door. As the door creaked open, Egru startled and struggled to sit up with all his might.

“Ah, ah…!”

His throat was so dry that only a metallic sound came out for a while. Meanwhile, the music stopped. The room became buried in silence, and his amber eyes widened.

Egru finally moistened his throat and spoke again.

“Your Holiness…!”

“How are you feeling, Little Devotee?”

The Pope, who had removed the gramophone needle, was holding a wooden tray. A fragrant aroma wafted from the bowl and cup on the tray.

Egru forced his weak legs to support him as he got out of bed and stood up. Barely standing, he swayed as if about to collapse at any moment.

“How did you find me? And how did we get h-here…!”

“It’s too early for you to be up and about. You’ll hurt yourself.”

The Pope hurriedly placed the wooden tray on the table and approached. With his calm, supporting touch, Egru lay back down on the bed and was covered with blankets.

But his heart, which had started pounding, showed no signs of calming. He suddenly remembered how he had ended up here. In the basement of the Demon Federation’ palace, Miss had been shot by Levian’s gun…

“Y-Your Holiness, I’m terribly sorry, but may I ask you something?”

“How surprising. I had something I wanted to ask you as well.”

The Pope said with a gentle smile.

“It seems our minds are aligned. Please, ask away. How can I help you?”

“Ah, well, um…!”

Egru asked in an uncontrollably trembling voice.

“Have you heard any recent news about Miss Mayfil— I mean, the Q-Queen of the Demon Federation?”

“What kind of news, for example…”

“A-anything!”

“Hmm.”

The Pope sat down on a small chair beside the bed.

“As far as I know, there hasn’t been any particularly sensational news. The Demon Federation haven’t made any official announcements either. The newspapers have been relatively quiet too. Whatever happened, I believe there’s no need to worry.”

“Ah, th-thank you…”

Egru felt somewhat relieved.

“It’s nothing, really.”

The Pope, with a faint eye-smile, handed Egru the mug from the wooden tray.

“Be careful, it’s hot.”

The beverage was as white as the Pope himself. Egru’s face reflected clearly in the round mug. With each ripple in his hands, a sweet and rich aroma wafted up.

“It’s milk mixed with honey and cinnamon powder.”

Before Egru could ask, the Pope continued his explanation.

“Try it. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Th-thank you.”

The moment he took a sip, Egru’s amber eyes flew open. Gulp, gulp, he emptied the hot cup in an instant, as quickly as a crab disappearing into its hole.

With his eyes half-glazed, he smacked his lips. His slightly cooled body trembled. The warm sensation was spreading to every corner of his body.

“May I ask you something now?”

The Pope, chuckling softly, opened his mouth. Egru straightened his posture with a start.

“Of course! Anything…!”

“Do you remember my last appearance?”

“Your last appearance?”

“Yes, to be precise…”

Something strange flickered inside the Pope’s amethyst-like eyes. It was a fleeting, unusual gleam that would be unnoticeable unless observed carefully.

“Could you describe your last memory of our time together?”

“Um…”

Egru fidgeted with his hands for a while, organizing his memories.

“Well, I received a black potion from the Papal Headquarters, and then I gave it to you again…”

“Is that all?”

“Was there something more? Perhaps I’m m-missing something…”

Egru asked, startled. The Pope silently stared down at Egru before smiling.

“No, that’s sufficient. More than enough.”

“Y-yes!”

“It was an unusual question, wasn’t it? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“Not at all!”

“Actually, I wanted to apologize for being forceful that day.”

The Pope’s shoulders slumped sadly.

“I selected excellent ingredients for that nutritional supplement, and I really wanted you to take it, so I…”

Seeing the expression that looked ready to shed tears at any moment, Egru frantically waved both hands.

“It’s o-okay, Your Holiness. I wish you wouldn’t worry about it so much.”

“Really?”

“Really, really.”

“You possess a remarkably generous spirit, Little Devotee.”

A relaxed smile spread across the Pope’s face. His elegant hand moved slowly, gently stroking the back of Egru’s hand that lay on the blanket.

“Ah, ah! I…”

Startled by the sudden contact, Egru reflexively hid his hand under the blanket.

“By the way, how did you c-come all the way here, Your Holiness? I heard from the Holy Knights that you were waiting for me!”

“Ah, about that…”

For a while, the Pope merely moved his red lips without speaking. Then, as if unable to explain, he turned his head away.

“My goodness, I really don’t know how to explain this.”

“Is it something serious?”

The Pope spoke with a bitter expression.

“I think it would be better for you to see for yourself rather than hear a hundred words. Could I borrow your hand?”

“Y-yes…”

Having lent his hand without any particular question, Egru couldn’t help but be startled.

“Ah, ah! Your Holiness, wait…!”

The Pope had placed Egru’s hand inside his own outer garment.