Published: July 4, 2025
"Can you hear me, Sakarias?"
"Yes, Lord Regna. I, Sakarias, your faithful servant, am here."
This is the office of the head of the Western Church Development Bureau, located not far from the Holy See.
In the center of the room, Cardinal Sakarias kneels with his face bowed as if in prayer.
Sakarias had no doubts that 'Regna' was an angel.
He had shown enough evidence to make it worth believing.
Sakarias recognized that he was a very suspicious and skeptical person by nature.
Yet, Regna had demonstrated many things beyond this world that could convince even someone like him.
Particularly in Sakarias' area of expertise, which is undoubtedly close to the pinnacle of alchemy, Regna had revealed things that far surpassed anything Sakarias had shown him.
The magic circles and magic formulas presented by Regna contained many parts that even Sakarias could not understand.
Truly, they were not of human karma.
What else could he be but an angel?
"The mages in the underground city have been released."
"What!?"
The words of the one called Regna seemed to directly resonate in Sakarias' mind.
Though Sakarias spoke normally, he was taken aback.
While it was rare for Sakarias to be surprised, he was indeed astonished by this news.
This was because the captured mages were supposed to be in a constant state of drained magical power, unable to move properly.
Moreover, one of the 'Pope' was positioned as a guard...
What on earth had happened?
"Were the magical power drains insufficient for the mages?"
Sakarias asked the most plausible question.
Thirty-two exceptional mages.
Among them, four had once been part of Hero Roman's party.
Without a doubt, they were top-class mages in the Western Nations...
They were not ones to let their guard down.
If they had even a slight surplus of power, they would surely break free from their restraints.
"No, that is not the case."
To Regna's words, Sakarias felt a slight sense of relief.
However, the following words would once again put him on edge.
"The 'Pope' has been defeated and was freed by the one who defeated him."
"That's impossible!"
Sakarias couldn't help but shout.
It was likely that no one had ever seen Sakarias shout like that.
Such an event was indeed rare.
"I-I apologize. Please forgive my outburst."
Sakarias said this while rubbing his forehead against the floor.
"All thirty-two mages were in perfect condition to supply magical power, and the 'Pope' displayed the expected strength, yet he was defeated by just one man."
"…"
Regna revealed this, but Sakarias could no longer say anything.
He literally couldn't utter a word.
Despite being in a perfect and optimal state, one of the Popes had been defeated.
Moreover, by just one man.
"Do not worry. That man is from the Central Nations."
"Among the delegation?"
"Through the 'inauguration ceremony,' that man will also be drained and will become my sustenance. Do not worry."
"Oh…"
Sakarias felt a deep sense of relief at Lord Regna's words.
Indeed, if that were the case, it would not matter how strong the man was.
On the contrary, the stronger he was, the better sustenance he would provide for Lord Regna.
It was more than convenient.
The papal inauguration ceremony was in three days.
All preparations were almost complete.
Of course, they had been preparing for a year.
All that was left was to wait for that time to come.
"According to Lord Regna's will…"
"After all, nothing beats cake and coffee after finishing a job!"
"Wait, you haven't done anything yet, have you?"
Ryo happily ate cake while Nils interjected, yet he too ended up eating cake.
The four in Room 10 were in the lounge of the kingdom delegation's dormitory.
It was currently ten in the morning.
"I struggled to wake Nils, who wouldn't get up no matter what, and dressed him in a proper outfit as he tried to go down to the dining hall in a disheveled state. I had to persuade him to stop when he said, 'Let's destroy the Western Nations.'"
"That’s all wrong! I got up by myself and went to the dining hall in proper clothes. And what was that last part? Why would I ever say, 'Let's destroy the Western Nations'? Don't make me sound like a dangerous person!"