Chapter 10 – The Pope’s Visit
Chapter 10 – The Pope's Visit
「Wh-what in the world is going on here?」
The Pope was stunned and utterly perplexed by the blessing that didn’t match her aptitude.
「It’s not like one of those fairy tales where you kill someone and steal their blessing. What on earth happened?」
「No, that’s not it at all. While my twin older daughter was in the middle of receiving her blessing, this child accidentally wandered into the room… and they ended up with each other’s blessings.」
If she didn’t get her “Certification Document”, the Adventurer Guild wouldn’t release the funds.
And if that happened, Marie would be left all alone in some strange town.
What should I do?
Afterward, her furious husband—out of sheer stubbornness—had blown every last coin they’d set aside on Marie’s travel expenses.
“That squares us. I don’t care if you drop dead in a ditch.” He’d been fuming ever since.
There was no other money left in the house.
For Marie’s sake, I had to get them to recognize Lily’s Light Blessing.
「Lying is a grave sin. That’s impossible. Spirits don’t make mistakes. I don’t know how you pulled it off, but stealing a Light Blessing is a capital offense.」
A capital offense…
Only now, hearing it from someone else, did the full extent of what Lily had done to Marie sink in.
My head spun at the weight of such a crime, but for this child’s sake, I had to stay strong.
「So, where’s the twin older daughter? Bring her here at once.」
「Well… about a month ago, I sent her off to stay with my father in the royal capital.」
「What?! You sent a five-year-old child to the capital all by herself? Are you even her mother?!」
The Pope fixed me and Lily with a piercing glare, then looked up and let out a heavy sigh.
Her attendant White Priest offered tea, but the Pope waved it off and exhaled deeply once more.
「Hah… Forgive me. It’s just such an outrageous situation. I lost my composure for a moment there.」
I was simply terrified, praying in my heart that we’d somehow make it through this unscathed.
「Why didn’t you stop your younger daughter from stealing the blessing from her older sister? And why send the older one away from home?」
「The truth is…」
From there, I explained everything as best I could—Lily’s habit of coveting Marie’s things, and how, in this latest incident, Marie had insisted she couldn’t live with Lily anymore and left on her own.
「…I see. So you used all the subsidies and education funds earmarked for Light Aptitude on hiring that adventurer instead…」
「Yes.」
The Pope gave a meaningful glance to her attendant White Priest, and one of them slipped out of the room.
「What a troublesome mess,」 he muttered, cradling his head in his hands for a while.
「If that’s the truth, we should halt her journey immediately and place her under church protection. We could even arrange for her a high-status position that doesn’t require magic. What say you?」
「Please! Protect Marie! …But what will happen to this child… my younger daughter?」
I looked down at Lily smiling innocently in my arms, and a chill shook me to my core.
I have to protect her.
「I’d love to say ‘take her into custody’… but she’s only five. We’ll chalk it up to childish ignorance this time and let it slide. If you’d been swayed by parental favoritism, I’d have sentenced you to death on the spot. But it seems you’ve poured every coin into supporting the older sister. Raising this blessing-less child properly is your atonement. Do your best.」
The Pope’s sharp eyes bored into me, convincing me beyond doubt that he truly meant to execute the death penalty.
Without question.
「From now on, Lily is strictly forbidden from any contact with her older sister. Break that rule intentionally, and she’ll go straight to prison, no exceptions. Understood?」
Ah… so Marie and I will never meet again…
It can’t be helped.
「Yes.」
「If word gets out that she stole a blessing, I won’t be able to protect you. Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.」
「Yes.」
「Should this become public knowledge, to deter such acts, the harshest punishment—”death to all involved”—will be imposed without mercy. Etch that into your soul.」
Death to all involved…
What a nightmare. I can’t even consult my husband. Can I bear this burden alone?
「Yes.」
After that, as I answered every question about Marie’s personality and daily life, the White Priest who’d stepped out earlier returned.
Something’s up. This is terrifying.
「Good. We’ve confirmed it with the Adventurer Guild. I’ve covered the payment on that end. For now, use any means necessary to bring the older sister into protection immediately!」
With that, the Pope and his entourage hurriedly departed our home.
Ohhh… thank goodness.
All the strength drained from my body, and I collapsed right there on the spot.
Now Marie would be safely protected and surely receive the finest education.
Lily and I had escaped the death penalty…
Truly, what a relief.
After the Pope left, I recalled that day—the day Marie had declared her complete severance from me and her father.
Thank you for reading.
Grateful to everyone who’s bookmarked, rated, or liked!
If you’re so inclined, I’d be thrilled if you could bookmark, rate, or like it.
1 Comment
Login Required
You must be logged in to comment on this chapter and rate the novel.
Login to rate this novel
thanks for the chapter