Chapter 141: An Unsettling Hunch—Am I Really Being Watched by the Goddess Alicia?

​The first light of dawn spilled languidly over the land, casting a gentle radiance that bathed everything in a golden glow.

​Here within the Holy See—this sacred ground—even the sunlight seemed sanctified. Its brilliance possessed a rare clarity, as if hallowed by the very air it touched.

​“Ugh… my back is killing me.”

​In the modest bedroom adjoining her study, Pope Selena sat up with a faint groan. Her dignified features were drawn in irritation.

​She glanced at the wide, rumpled bed—far too spacious for just one. The odd, lingering scent that clung to the air made her wrinkle her nose in distaste.

​That Lin Wei… He completely lost control last night!

​The memory replayed, vivid and intrusive. At first, caught up in his gleaming enthusiasm, she’d allowed herself to indulge his whims—a little curious, a little tempted.

​But as the night wore on, things tipped well beyond reason.

​Three full hours! He dragged her to every corner of her study as though it were some grand playground for his antics.

​And then—Selena flushed with shame—he’d actually suggested she turn her back to him, kneel before the statue of Goddess Alicia, and… continue.

​I am the Pope! The leader of the Holy See! How could I ever allow myself to do something so... blasphemous?

​“If I really had let him stay the night, I’d have no hope of getting any work done today.”

​This recollection drew a glower and a huff of indignation from her. Serena mentally scolded Lin Wei—not only for his boundless energy, but for his total disregard for her dignity, and most of all, for plunging her carefully planned morning into complete chaos.

​Yet… now that her secret was laid bare, that tight knot of anxiety inside her finally slackened.

​After all, she had agonized endlessly over how she would ever confess her true identity as the Pope.

​But now, for better or worse, that ordeal was over.

​A shame, she supposed. The Holy See had been so preoccupied with its own troubles that it had never dared to involve him. By the time they realized that Lin Wei wasn’t just capable, but brilliant at untangling such knots, the chance had slipped past.

​Who would have thought an ordinary mission would expose everything? Well. At least that would spare her a great deal of trouble in the days to come.

​What should I do when my Lin Wei helps put the Holy See back in order? she wondered, the hint of a smile breaking through.

​Maybe I’ll finally take that long-overdue vacation back to Aurens Town. The Holy See stands too close to the Empire—if I stayed any longer, the nobility would surely guess something was amiss. After that... serve a few more years, mold Yalis into a worthy successor. Once all is settled, I can finally lay down this heavy burden. Then Lin Wei and I can travel the world together. It would be a fitting way to fulfill the promise I made to my old mentor.

​To ascend as Pope and lead the Holy See—she had made that vow to the former Dawnstar Pope as he lay dying. That was why, through every trial and humiliation of the past two years, she had not faltered. Not once.

​To abandon it all now would be to break that oath—she could never allow herself that shame.

​But now—at last—there was hope shining over the horizon.

​Knock, knock, knock.

​A sudden rap at the door snapped Veya from her thoughts.

​She looked up immediately, knowing it wasn’t Lin Wei at the door.

​Quickly, she composed herself, drawing the dignified bearing and clear authority of the Pope like a mantle as she strode towards the study.

​“Enter.”

​A moment later, the door creaked open and her secretary—Miss Secretary—stood on the threshold, looking drawn and pale.

​As always, she wore the Holy See’s formal uniform. Step by step, she drew closer to the Pope, her posture measured, her expression composed.

​The sharp lines of her cropped hair, that reserved smile—she was the very picture of a competent professional.

​But beneath all that, exhaustion was unmistakable. Her pallor told the truth—she was nowhere near fully recovered.

​And yet, here she was—forcing herself to stand before Her Holiness, the one leader in whom she placed her deepest trust. Worry and guilt gnawed at her until she could barely raise her eyes.

​Had it been proper within the Holy See’s traditions, she might have thrown herself to her knees in apology there and then.

​“I’m sorry, Your Holiness.”

​Remorse thickened her voice; her fists clenched until they shook.

​Her head bowed, she all but whispered, “I never imagined the traitor in the Holy See… might be me. I have no idea when the Evil God’s touch first infected me. I, who was supposed to be your most trusted secretary—yet all I did was bring you endless trouble.”

​This was far more than just “almost bringing harm to the Holy See.”

​Ever since the leaks began—logistics, supply routes, secrets reaching the nobles year after year—she had fumed, swearing to expose and destroy any traitor.

​And all the while… it was herself she had so despised.

​“I’ll resign. I’ll take responsibility for everything I’ve done.”

​She saw no other way, no right to stay. All those dreams of becoming a tale revered for generations—the loyal secretary to a wise Pope, steadfast in the Holy See’s legacy—had shattered in a moment.

​Regret was useless. The blame was hers, and hers alone.

​“Miss Rennie—”

​“Your letter of resignation… I have no intention of accepting it.”

​The harsh censure she expected wasn’t there.

​Startled, the secretary lifted her head—only to meet Selena’s warm, gentle gaze. No anger. No blame.

​“Your contamination by the Evil God’s taint wasn’t your fault,” Selena said softly. “From what I can tell, this seed of evil was planted during your Baptism of Holy Light, by one of the traitors hiding among us. As Pope, I failed to see through such deception sooner—the blame is as much mine as yours. How could I possibly lay all responsibility on your shoulders?”

​Rennie stared, wide-eyed. “How could anyone blame Your Holiness for this?”

​“And besides…” The Pope’s smile was gentle as a benediction. “The evil’s mark has been completely purged from your body. There won’t be any lingering aftereffects. Someone I’ve come to trust so deeply isn’t easily replaced. Why would I let you leave, when your loyalty has already been tested?”

​She leaned in, lowering her voice to a gentle murmur. “Or… is it that you blame me for leading you into such danger?”

​“Never! I—Your Holiness, I will always be faithful…” Rennie’s voice broke with emotion, her eyes stinging with grateful tears.

​Even after all this, she hasn’t cast me aside. She still wishes for me to serve…

​“Enough of this resignation nonsense,” Selena said gently. “Focus on recovering your strength. Come back when you’re ready. I won’t tolerate any of the clergy judging you, either.”

​“Just yesterday, I issued the order to Adventurer Lin Wei to visit the Herald and arrange your commendation as well.”

​It had actually been Lin Wei’s plan, of course—but as Pope, Selena still needed to look after her own people, even if it required borrowing her beloved’s cleverness.

​She took a little private satisfaction in this bit of credit—her own repayment, perhaps, for Lin Wei’s… enthusiastic attentions last night.

​“Miss Rennie, secretary to Her Holiness, uncovered evidence that Duke Ous might be colluding with the Cult of the Evil God. In pursuit of the truth, she bravely infiltrated enemy ranks, risking infection, and indeed suffered contamination from the Evil God’s energy.”

​“It was only due to the timely intervention of a Retribution Knight that she managed both to secure the evidence and return alive. Under Pope Selena’s personal care, she is now out of danger.”

​“Let all members of the Holy See recognize Secretary Rennie’s courage and devotion, her unwavering defense of Alicia’s ideals… Surely, that’s no exaggeration.”

​For once, Rennie was utterly at a loss for words.

​Standing before her trusted superior, Pope Selena delivered her final word.

​“Truthfully, we have you alone to thank for catching Duke Ous.”

​“And as for your rescue, the credit goes to Adventurer Lin Wei as well… Don’t forget to thank him.”

​With a pause, Veya decided that Lin Wei deserved the recognition—without his quick thinking, she wouldn’t have been able to craft such a suitable rationale for Rennie’s ordeal, no matter how deeply she wished it.

​“Huh? It was Adventurer Lin Wei who helped me?”

​She’d always felt a prickly wariness toward him—he seemed uncomfortably close to Her Holiness.

​Yet fate had repaid her doubts with his aid. It was more than a little humbling.

​“So… where is he now?”

​“Hmm… Probably finishing up some matters before heading out on another mission. He’ll be back soon enough.”

​Veya answered absently, then remembered something.

​“Actually, I meant to discuss something with you.”

​“I’ve never had much talent for names, but given how much Adventurer Lin Wei has done for the Holy See lately…”

​“So I thought…”

​◇

​“Achoo! …Huh? Who’s talking about me now?”

​Lin Wei’s voice sounded puzzled as he rubbed his nose. “Could it be the Goddess Alicia herself, upset about my audacity last night?”

​He glanced up at the colossal marble statue looming over the Holy City’s central plaza. The Goddess Alicia, carved in mountain-white stone, gazed serenely ahead. The flowing folds of her robe looked diaphanous and light, lending a delicate kindness to her sacred air.

​Those eyes—so masterfully sculpted—seemed nearly alive, sharp and pure, as if they pierced to the soul. Lin Wei thought that even a fleeting glance would be enough to make evil quail in terror.

​“Maybe I did get a bit too carried away last night…”

​Half-joking, he shook his head. “No, that’s ridiculous. If the goddess herself was really watching me, I’d be too scared to set foot inside the Holy See, much less stroll in like this.”

​“Definitely overthinking it.” Drawing a deep breath, he let the morning air chase away his lingering unease. “Best get this task finished quickly.”

​All around the plaza, priests and clergy bustled about—their day had begun even before the sun had crested the horizon.

​With a glance and a muttered thought, Lin Wei picked up his pace, heading straight for the Holy See.

​The previous night’s joys were one thing, but he hadn’t neglected his duties. Even before leaving, he’d made sure to remind Veya to handle a few crucial tasks in his absence.

​First, placate Secretary Rennie and ensure someone competent kept things running.

​Second: whatever noble came knocking, she would have to face them head-on. If it could be solved on the spot, she should do so. If not—buy time, wait for his return, and he would find a solution.

​But most pressing of all was the task he had to handle personally before departing.

​The matter of the Papal Propaganda Office.

​“As the Holy See’s propaganda arm, they ought to be burnishing the Pope’s image and shaping public opinion.”

​“Yet, for the past two years, this lot has done nothing to help brilliant Pope Selena—and let rumors of a ‘useless pontiff’ run wild.”

​"They might not be colluding with the nobles outright, but at the very least they have never truly accepted Pope Selena in their hearts."

​Once Duke Ous was dealt with, the propaganda team would need to go all out to support the administration.

​If something went awry there—if rumors and deceitful narratives were twisted by the Empire to strike at the Holy See from behind the scenes—even Lin Wei would be hard-pressed to untangle it.

​“Excuse me, could you direct me to the Papal Propaganda Officer’s office?” Lin Wei let his holy power radiate just enough to draw the attention of a passing cleric.

​She blinked at him, surprised both by his sudden question and, apparently, by his striking appearance.

​She seemed to wonder when the Holy See had hired such a handsome new priest. Collecting herself, she answered automatically: “You must mean the Oracle Cardinal? Their office is on the second floor, end of the hall to the right.”

​So that’s what they call the propaganda division here—the Oracular Consistory.

​Makes sense. My Veya’s ‘propaganda officer’ always sounded a little off. Clearly, naming things isn’t her strong suit.

​And Miss Secretary is really just “Secretary”? Honestly…

​“Well, thank you.”

​Suppressing the urge to grumble, Lin Wei simply offered his thanks.

​He turned and headed inside, leaving the secretary to stare after him in confusion.

​“Where did he come from, anyway?”

​“Is the Holy See recruiting a new Saint Child?”

​Following the directions, Lin Wei climbed the broad marble steps and arrived at the Office of the Holy Oracle.

​Within the Holy See, only this office was responsible for all external news and communications.

​Its director, the Holy Oracle Cardinal, was a cleric ranked just below Vice Commander Guga—a figure of considerable authority.

​“This should be it…”

​It was an imposing building—the largest office in the entire complex.

​Certain he’d reached the right place, Lin Wei strode inside.

​The vast hall was already bustling. Clergy gathered in knots, passing around the latest intelligence. Unsurprisingly, much of the day’s talk centered on last night’s events.

​“Did you hear? Last night, the Empire’s Duke Ous was hauled into the Tribunal by Vice Commander Guga’s men. The charge was colluding with the Cult of the Evil God—even the Empire’s High Council is backing the arrest.”

​“I chatted with a Retribution Knight on the way in—they say the Pope herself gave the order. Must have had hard evidence! She wouldn’t risk such a bold move otherwise.”

​“That’s… Pope Selena, acting so forcefully? I only heard rumors that Miss Rennie suffered some kind of evil god contamination.”

​In a shadowy corner, a trainee cleric piped up quietly.

​“Shouldn’t we write something praising Pope Selena for this?”

​“Last time, when she expelled Duke Ous so abruptly, we said nothing. As part of the Sacred Edict Staff, isn’t it our job—” Ow!

​A hefty tome thudded sharply atop the trainee’s head.

​“Who told you to speak out of turn on matters like these?”

​The blow hardly hurt, but the suddenness startled him, and the stern voice drew the full attention of the office.

​“Lady Sylvia.”

​“I—I only meant…”

​“Meant what? I heard you skipped your shift last night to help deliver medicine.”

​Sylvia was a woman nearing forty, her manner severe and uncompromising. Even divine favor cast little gentleness over her sharp, exasperated features. Clearly, something had darkened her mood.

​“The Hall of Sacred Healing’s night attendant was out, and when Her Holiness passed by, she asked me to—”

​“And now you’re using the Pope’s name to cover for yourself?”

​Sylvia’s sarcasm was sharp as a whip, her glare cold and merciless.

​Fine lines etched her face, unchanged by any divine radiance.

​“Don’t think I don’t know: when the secretary was out, you snuck off to do errands for the Retribution Knights as well. Was it a memory stone last night?”

​“If you find the Sacred Oracle’s Office burdensome, hand in your resignation. The Holy See would be glad to process it by the end of the day.”

​“Go on then! Run to the Pope—see if she’ll take you in.”

​A heavy silence fell. Sylvia’s anger charged the air—no one dared meet her gaze.

​Hot with temper, she pressed on mercilessly.

​“How the Holy See’s Daily Reports are drafted is my decision. It’s not the business of an intern to intervene!”

​“If anyone is desperate to work for the Pope, say so. I’ll put in the request—let’s see if you’re as desirable as you think. Pack your bags if it comes true. Really, you—”

​“You are the Sacred Oracle?”

​A voice rang out from the doorway, cutting through the tirade like a stroke of cold steel.

​“Hmm?”

​Sylvia turned, startled—an unfamiliar young priest stood at the threshold.

​Oddly, the intern she had just berated also looked up, eyes wide in recognition.

​“Wait… aren’t you the cleric the Saintess brought in last night?”