Chapter 25 – First Meeting with the Pope
Chapter 25 – First Meeting with the Pope
Wow, it’s as spacious as a castle.
Led by the white priestess, I was carried in the vice captain’s arms as we hurried through the gardens alongside the captain.
After entering the building and passing down a long hallway, we stopped in front of a door adorned with beautiful decorations. The vice captain gently set me down.
Confirming this, the white priestess knocked on the door three times.
The door then opened from inside.
Hesitant, I felt the captain nudge my back, urging me forward. As I stepped inside, the two of them followed behind me.
With them swiftly dropping to one knee on either side of me, I did the same and lowered my head.
“Raise your heads.”
When I looked up, a somewhat imperious-looking old man was sitting at an ornate desk, hands clasped, his face stern.
Right away, I heard the door close behind us.
“Fuu. That’s enough. Be at ease.”
“Yes, sir!“
The captain and vice captain abruptly stood and plopped down onto the sofas.
I followed suit, approaching the sofa, when the old man scooped me up from behind and sat me down on the sofa opposite the captain.
A male white priest gracefully poured tea, then stepped back behind the sofa. The old man settled leisurely beside me.
“So you’re Marie… We searched high and low for you.”
The old man gave a weary smile, exhaustion etched on his face.
Sorry for running off like that.
For now, I offered a polite smile.
“Well, no matter. Those two had it the worst.”
The captain and vice captain managed weak, fatigued laughs.
“Still, you managed to stay alive. We were so worried. And you look healthier than expected.”
“Yes. Traveling with S-rank adventurers was very comfortable—nothing hard about it at all.”
“I see… No health issues?”
“They matched my pace perfectly, and their knowledge of herb mixing was extensive. It was even better than when I was in the village.”
“As expected of S-rank adventurers.”
The three of them exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
“Right, show me your full status.”
“S-Status Full Open,” I said, heart pounding as I gripped the pendant.
Oh, nice. The disguise worked perfectly. Phew, what a relief.
“Hm. Just as expected. Must’ve been tough without any magic. But rest easy. Your mother commissioned us, so until you come of age, you’ll be under our protection here. Inside church grounds, your safety is guaranteed.”
“Yes.”
Hm? Safety?
“You’ll live with the orphans and other children entrusted to us by their parents. We’ll select work suited to you and have you study various things.”
I see. Called it.
If Mom commissioned it, there’s nothing an underage kid like me can do about it.
Alright! Ditch school, straight to work it is.
“Can I go outside?”
“Of course. You’ll need to complete the initial procedures, but there are no restrictions on outings. Just mind the curfew.”
“Yes.”
Eh? No way!
No restrictions. I’m free.
“The captain, vice captain, and I are all on your side. Come to us if you have any troubles.”
“Thank you.”
Scored some major connections right off the bat, but who is this old man, anyway?
After leaving the room, I parted ways with the captain and vice captain. The waiting white priestess then led me to another building.
“This will be your room from today onward. Put on these clothes. Your education supervisor will come later, so wait here quietly.”
With that, the kind-looking white priestess left the room.
Adult priests wear white, but children wear black.
Black priests are orphans or kids abandoned by their parents—they graduate from the church upon reaching adulthood.
White priests are elite exam passers—kind of like high-ranking officials.
So even among priests, black and white are treated completely differently.
Getting my own room is nice, but no time to relax.
I hurriedly changed into the provided clothes, transforming into a black priest.
Black priest starting today.
Man… That was nerve-wracking.
I clutched the pendant Fernet had given me tightly.
“This is an illegal pendant used by thieves and criminals to fake their status. Make sure no one ever finds it. It’s already set up, so don’t worry.”
He’d said that as he placed it around my neck.
Something like this only shows up in black market deals.
It might even be pricier than the fee for my commission this time…
He’d been a bit embarrassed, saying it was meant as an enrollment gift.
Fernet, thank you.
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thanks for the chapter