Episode 118

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[Ismail is really smart and kind.

He’s still young, but he’s already finished studying the scriptures.

His dream is to become someone as great as Your Holiness and help others.

But since he has trouble speaking, he’s being bullied at the orphanage.

The bully is strong and has the support of a nobleman, so no one can stop him easily.

Honestly, I understand. There are some things that can’t be helped when you live in an orphanage.

But still, I really, really want to help Ismail.

So, I thought of a way.

Can I sponsor Ismail? (I read the sponsorship qualifications, and it didn’t say only nobles could do it!)

I may not be a noble, but if I become a strong sponsor for Ismail, the bullies won’t be able to pick on him so easily.

This is a secret, but… I was also an outcast at the orphanage.

But now, I’m living with the Duke of Kallios, and I’m so happy.

Because now, I have people who comfort me and love me when I feel tired and worn out.

I really want Ismail to have that too.

So, could you help me just this once?

Please, Your Holiness, the coolest, most amazing, and incredibly handsome Pope!

P.S. 1 – I also sent the sponsorship fee written in the qualification form. I earned it myself through volunteer work!

But… I only managed to make 952 talents at that time, so… could you possibly take off just 48 talents?

I swear I’m not saying I won’t pay it at all! I’ll earn more money soon, and I’ll definitely, definitely pay it back.

Please, Your Holiness, the super cool Pope!

P.S. 2 – I thought it’d be rude to ask for a discount empty-handed, so I’m also sending one bottle each of the all-purpose cure and the hair mist that I sold during volunteer work!

Together, they’re worth 51 talents—don’t forget that!]

* * *

As soon as Logan was dragged away and the situation seemed to settle down, I dropped everything and rushed to the temple orphanage.

Please, let nothing have happened…

The entire time I rode in the carriage, I desperately prayed for Ismail’s safety.

The task I had asked him to do wasn’t particularly difficult, but if he got caught, it could be dangerous.

That’s why I had, of course, put safety measures in place beforehand.

Originally, I had planned to wait until I had secured enough funds, but now was not the time to be picky.

Thankfully, the Pope’s response had arrived astonishingly fast.

Just as I was about to slip out of the duke’s residence in a hurry, the butler handed me a letter from the temple. If he hadn’t, it could have been a disaster.

Sponsorship Certificate

Guardian: Belze (5 years old)
Sponsored Child: Ismail (8 years old)

Holding the sponsorship certificate stamped with the Pope’s seal, I confidently walked through the orphanage.

But no matter where I looked, Ismail was nowhere to be found.

Anxiety surged through me.

No way… Has he already been taken by those bastards?

They had been able to use dark magic to teleport.

And—

 

“I was going to offer you as a special sacrifice to Lord Ursis, but that won’t do. Instead, if I rip out your heart while you’re still alive and offer it, the goddess will surely recognize my devotion.”

 

The word sacrifice from Logan’s ramblings stuck in my mind.

For some reason, I had a strong feeling that the sacrifices he spoke of were blessed children like Ismail and me.

That chamber of repentance, covered in crimson sigils, filled with ominous ancient chants…

The divine power and abilities that had vanished without a trace…

What if Ismail lost his abilities because of me?

Dread filled my mind as I ran toward the headmistress’s office.

And then, the moment I saw Magnus, who had been colluding with Logan—

My fear and impatience turned into fury and hostility.

“You vile scumbag! Give me back Ismail right now!”

This time, I wasn’t going to lose anything.

Not my powers, not the people at the ducal house, not my new friend.

I would protect everyone precious to me.

Try messing with me again. I’ll make you all bald. I’ll kill you all.

It didn’t matter whether or not I saw purple around Magnus anymore.

Glaring at him with burning intensity, I gathered divine power at my fingertips.

“…Bring Ismail here, High Priest Magnus.”

A calm voice echoed through the room.

Magnus, who had been glaring at me with a frown, flinched and turned toward the Pope in shock.

“Y-Your Holiness!”

“Quickly. This is the request of a sponsor, is it not?”

“But… but Belze isn’t a noble! And she’s younger than Ismail! Doesn’t that disqualify her from being a sponsor…?”

“There are no such conditions in the sponsorship qualifications.”

With a single statement, the Pope dismissed the requirements Magnus had fabricated.

“The only condition is to ensure the sponsor genuinely cares for the child and has the financial means to support them—hence, the one-time sponsorship fee of a thousand gold.”

“……”

“Were you truly intending to become the orphanage’s head with such a narrow-minded way of thinking, believing only nobles could sponsor children?”

At the Pope’s cold rebuke, Magnus clamped his mouth shut.

Seeing that, I felt glad I had sent a letter to the Pope directly.

To be honest, I had been hesitant until this morning.

A thousand gold was no small amount.

But to the temple and the nobility, it was merely the minimum show of sincerity required to obtain sponsorship rights.

And it wasn’t a one-time thing—it had to be paid every year…!

If it had ended with just a thousand gold, that would have been a relief.

I knew all too well that the temple, which profited off blessed children, would find countless excuses to extort money from sponsors.

Especially when children like Diana and me, who had special abilities, were needed—the price skyrocketed beyond imagination.

Even now, I could vividly recall that greedy mutt Dunkeski from both my past and present life.

That’s why I couldn’t be sure.

I still didn’t know if the Pope was the same kind of person.

Since he seemed completely unaware of the Chamber of Repentance, he probably isn’t involved with heretics… but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be obsessed with money.

Ismail’s control ability was that rare and valuable.

Yet, to my surprise, the Pope readily issued the sponsorship certificate, even with my insufficient funds.

That alone gave me some relief.

At least the temple hadn’t been completely taken over by heretics.

“…I apologize, Your Holiness. I will bring Ismail at once.”

Under the Pope’s stern gaze, Magnus finally relented and called for a priest with a reluctant expression.

And a short while later—

“Ismail!”

The moment Ismail walked into the headmistress’s office, I shot up from my seat.

I dashed toward him and threw my arms around him in a tight hug.

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

Clinging to his waist, I hurriedly checked his body for injuries.

Fortunately, he seemed fine on the surface.

But he just stood there silently, giving me no response or gesture.

“Why aren’t you answering?! Did those jerks hit you?!”

A sinking feeling settled in my chest as I pressed him anxiously.

“…I’m fine.”

Finally, a sluggish reply came from him.

“So can you… let go now?”

Ismail covered his mouth with one hand and turned his head sharply away from me.

Was he mad because I was late?

His neck had turned a bright shade of red.

It’s not like I was late on purpose…

I had plenty to say for myself, but since I had been late, I just pouted and hugged him once more before finally letting go.

“Belze.”

The Pope, who had been watching us, suddenly called my name.

For today, he was my benefactor.

So I clasped my hands together and greeted him with proper respect.

“Yes, Your Holiness! May the Goddess always be watching over you!”

“Haha, what a belated greeting. And the Goddess does more than just watch over us—she is always with us.”

With a gentle smile, the Pope corrected my improper phrasing.

Oops!

Since I rarely interacted with him, I had completely forgotten the proper temple etiquette.

Blushing, I mumbled the correct greeting.

“May the Goddess’s blessing always be with you…”

“Indeed. May her blessing always be with you as well.”

After tracing a sign of blessing, the Pope returned my greeting. Then, he asked—

“There is something I wish to ask you. I hope you will answer honestly.”

“Yes! What is it?”

“Has High Priest Magnus ever done anything wrong to Ismail or the other orphans?”

“Y-Your Holiness!”

Magnus was visibly shaken by the blunt question.

He stammered before quickly shouting in protest.

“I’ve only been in this position for two weeks! I’m still unfamiliar with my duties—why would I do anything to harm the children?!”

“Be truthful. I promise that neither you nor Ismail will suffer any consequences.”

The Pope paid no mind to Magnus’s flustered response and urged me to answer.

For a brief moment, I hesitated.

Should I reveal here and now that Magnus was a heretic?

With Logan captured, this could be the perfect chance to expose Magnus and uncover the heretics hidden within the temple.

“No, not exactly…”

Just as I opened my mouth—

Suddenly, Ismail grasped my hand tightly.

And then—

“The Headmaster never did anything to me.”

 

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