“We were in the process of cautioning a mixed-breed magical race.”

“That’s right. We had repeatedly informed him that entry was not allowed without an invitation, but he persisted.”

“To think he would dare, right before a holy war.”

As the Holy Knights rambled one after another, the Pope quietly smiled.

“!”

The refreshing silence was enough to remind them of the forgotten etiquette. The Holy Knights hurried to kneel on one knee. They each kissed the back of the Pope’s hand according to the ritual.

“It was this dawn.”

The Pope leisurely withdrew his hand and began. His lips, red as if stained with crushed strawberries, held a gentle voice.

“The fog that had covered the entire holy land until just the day before cleared completely. Surely, the Lord God must be blessing the birth of the new Holy Knight Commander.”

The Pope gracefully turned to look at the Holy Knights. His pure white long hair flowed softly along his shoulder line. His glossy hair hung long behind his straight back.

“On such a joyous day, how could we spread false doctrine?”

The Pope’s gaze moved slowly. His eyes had a noble radiance like amethyst carefully crafted by a jeweler. His mysterious purple eyes took time to gaze at each of the Holy Knights.

“The Lord God watches over all life in this land.”

At the infinitely gentle words, the Holy Knights’ necks stiffened. They all stood rigidly at attention, but their hands holding the silver spears trembled slightly.

“I deeply commend your efforts in my heart.”

The Pope slowly shook his head as if soothing a child.

“But you were undisciplined. Extremely undisciplined. To respond with excessive force to such a small believer. Members of the Order should be at the forefront of liberating and protecting the weak more than anyone else. Regrettably, the humanitarian procedures I’ve always emphasized have vanished.”

“We, we have erred, Your Holiness.”

“It’s not me you should apologize to.”

The Pope lowered his long eyelashes as if truly regretful. At this, the Holy Knights were utterly lost for words.

“I will remember your words and actions.”

The complexions under the helmets all turned pale. Having finished his brief reprimand, the Pope’s gaze naturally turned downward. His purple eyes captured the image of a figure curled up and trembling.

“Oh, Lord God.”

As if he could hardly bear how pitiful it was, the Pope dabbed his eyes with his pure sleeve. Soon, as if trying to meet the gaze, he lowered his body, placing a hand on his knee.

“Please stand up, little believer.”

It was an incredibly humble posture for the highest authority in the Order. Some believers who had been watching the situation from afar praised his impeccable character.

“The marble is cold. Does your neck not hurt?”

“……”

“Little believer?”

“Are, are, are you speaking to me?”

Egru asked, startled out of his wits. When he came to his senses, he found his body somehow floating in the air.

‘Huh, what?’

Egru’s limbs stiffened like a wooden puppet. It felt as if he had been hit on the crown with a rubber mallet. No matter how much he blinked, he couldn’t believe the situation before him.

“Of course. It seems there’s only one believer here who wants to become friends with the marble floor.”

The benevolent voice was heard right next to his ear. The Pope’s already wondrous face now held a smile as well.

It had happened in the blink of an eye. Despite his seemingly delicate appearance, the Pope had easily lifted Egru. He even adjusted his hold to a stable position, cradling him. Egru ended up in a position like a kangaroo in a pouch. His amber eyes shook incessantly.

‘Why?’

Why is he being so kind? This was the first time in his life he had met such a benevolent human. Ridiculously, he felt reassured rather than suspicious. Far from sharp wariness, it felt like butterflies were flying in his heart. If someone had seen this, they would have criticized him, saying his pushover nature never changes.

‘Fi, finally…’

He had found someone who would listen to him. Egru whimpered inwardly. It seemed he could finally meet D’Élysée.

“I will escort this little believer.”

At the Pope’s words, the Holy Knights hurriedly pulled the door handles. The sight of the doors opening on both sides was like a flower blooming. So this door could open so wide.

As they entered the shaded cloister, the door closed silently. The Pope walked along the red carpet. The sound of conversation from the reception hall gradually grew closer. The aroma of a delicious feast brushed his nostrils.

‘I came in without even using my two feet…’

Egru wiggled his toes inside his hole-ridden boots. His heart fluttered as if he was having a wonderful dream after a long time. He had passed the Holy Knights, who had seemed like an insurmountable wall, so easily.

Amber eyes that had been watching the receding door carefully looked up at the Pope. His white hair that rippled with each step was truly dazzling. Perhaps because of the candlelight lined along the stone walls, it seemed as if a halo was emanating along his silhouette.

‘I, I should express my gratitude first…’

Perhaps because his throat was choked with overwhelming emotions, it was difficult even to open his mouth. He was so kind that it was almost frightening, like a mirage in the night. Not only did he not drive away a mixed-breed magical race, but he warmly accepted him. As he was rubbing his flushed cheeks and composing himself…

“By the way, little believer.”

The Pope’s steps suddenly halted. Soft fingers gently pinched Egru’s cheek.

“You said you wanted to give flowers to our Commander, didn’t you?”

There was a strange emphasis on the word ‘our’. The Pope smiled just like a mischievous child. His eyes shone brightly, but the pupils at their center were as dark as an abyss. Egru blankly stared at his own reflection in those ink-like pupils. Even that was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Pardon my rudeness, but may I ask what kind of relationship you two have?”

“…Pardon?”

It was then that languid fingers entered under the robe hood. The unrestrained touch stroked his dark brown hair. At the unexpected contact, Egru froze stiff.

“Surely you didn’t come all this way just to deliver congratulatory flowers. If that were the case, you would have had opportunities when the Commander occasionally passes through the square on horseback.”

“Ah…”

“There was no need to risk such danger.”

The hand that had been caressing the back of Egru’s head stopped at his nape. The tip of a slender index finger tapped the bruised part of his neck.

“This is a secret, you know. Despite how I might appear, I’m actually very curious. So much so that I can’t sleep at night if my curiosity isn’t satisfied.”

The Pope’s attitude was as leisurely as if he were enjoying afternoon tea on a warm day. In contrast, Egru couldn’t bring himself to steady his uneasy gaze. He felt as if cold sweat might run down his spine.

“As the closest superior, I’m curious. What is it that you two must discuss today without fail?”

Egru’s lower abdomen tightened with tension. You, you heard everything. What should I do?

“I didn’t intend to eavesdrop from the start. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”

“No, no, that’s not…”

Before he could compose his bewildered feelings…

“You can speak to me without hiding anything, little believer.”

A whisper that tickled his ears flowed in. It felt as if all the hair on his body stood on end.

“I can promise you that you won’t face any trouble.”

The gentle tone offered unparalleled reassurance and trust. Suddenly, Egru recalled a story about a mythical creature that enchants sailors with mysterious singing in the distant sea. He had heard that to resist the fatal temptation, sailors tie each other to the mast[1].

He didn’t know why the story of the mythical creature suddenly came to mind. Perhaps it was because His Holiness the Pope’s skin was cool like deep sea water.

“I’m asking just in case. Our Commander has always mentioned a precious person.”

But Egru also tended to have a low body temperature, so this was just a welcome similarity.

“Actually, that’s why I’m more concerned about you, little believer. Our Commander has never had a family member or acquaintance visit until now.”

Egru really liked the Pope. Although they had just met, he was more generous and kind than anyone he had ever met.

‘Even though he must be busy with numerous duties…’

And how about his deep interest in his brother? If the Lord God truly existed, He would surely resemble this man’s form.

“……”

But despite all this, his tightly closed lips never opened. He didn’t dare to be honest. He couldn’t carelessly speak about something that involved not just himself, but his brother as well.

“Hmm.”

After a long hesitation, the Pope’s head tilted slightly. His smoothly shaped eyebrows drooped as if dejected.

“I understand your intention well, little believer. Even if I am the head of an Order, you can’t easily trust someone you’ve just met.”

“I’m, I’m sorry. Even though you went so far as to help me personally…”

“Ah, you’re truly kind. I don’t know what to do with myself when you apologize even for my personal curiosity.”

The Pope, quickly returning to a smiling face, twisted a door handle. It was a white door located right next to the wall.

“?”

Egru was puzzled. Weren’t they going to D’Élysée?

“You, you can put me down now, Your Holiness. I can walk on my own.”

“……”

“Your Holiness?”

Did he not hear? For a moment, he felt the arms supporting him tense. As the Pope crossed the threshold, candles inside the room lit up as if by magic. The view brightened in an instant. The interior, devoid of any presence, was filled with various instruments. Most had a gruesome appearance, being large, sharp, and pointed. Enough to make one’s dry throat swallow involuntarily.

“Where, where is this?”

Egru asked, still cradled by the Pope.

“The blood collection room.”

“Blood collection room?”

“Yes, there are some essential matters to confirm before I guide you to our Commander.”

The Pope displayed a bright smile.

“That’s alright with you, isn’t it, little believer?”

[1] Mast: A pole erected at the center of a ship to support the sails.