Published: July 4, 2025
Tomorrow, March 10, 2022 (Thursday), the fourth volume of the novel will be released!
(Signed copies have been appearing in bookstores since yesterday.)
To commemorate this, here’s a short story posting.
On TO Books' Twitter, my favorite face of Abel was shared!
It’s the cover illustration for the fourth volume.
The reason why Abel has such a face... is explained in the newly written section!
Please make sure to read the fourth volume!
The day after the papacy election concluded and the announcement of Graham’s ascension as the next pope.
In Graham’s office at the Holy See.
The room's master Graham and his right-hand, Archbishop Stefania.
The three leaders of the Central Nations Delegation—Count Oscar Lusk, Former King Robert Pirlo, and Hugh McGrath—had gathered.
"As you have heard, I will be the next pope," Graham announced.
"Should I say congratulations? I have heard about the events in the Silent Hall," Hugh asked with a frown.
"Yes, there is nothing to celebrate," Graham replied with a wry smile.
During the papacy election, an attack believed to be by vampires occurred, resulting in the deaths of many cardinals in the Silent Hall.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the young Graham's ascension to pope was a result of that incident.
"The events during the papacy election, specifically the attack on the cardinals by the vampires, will be publicly announced at noon today."
As Graham said this, shock ran between the three leaders.
Silence lasted for a minute.
Hugh was the first to break the silence.
"You mean to say... that you will announce everything to the public?"
"Yes. Without any concealment," Graham stated firmly.
To inform the people of all the information.
If taken at face value, this sounds like a wonderfully enlightened policy.
However, they knew better.
It was not something so simple.
"This will undoubtedly cause confusion," Former King Robert Pirlo murmured.
Graham nodded silently.
There was no doubt that the people would fall into a panic.
This was certain.
It wouldn't be a panic where people hastily packed their bags and left the Holy Capital.
On the surface, things might appear unchanged.
However, mentally, there would be a clear shift.
Their thoughts would come to a halt.
They would lose the ability to think for themselves.
Above all...
They would become emotional and unable to engage in rational discussions.
They would lose their composure.
The panicking populace wouldn't understand even if explanations were given logically.
That's just how it is.
No one was to blame.
The people present knew this.
The earl, the former king, the grand master, and the next pope along with the archbishop.
All of them were in responsible positions, not just passive recipients of information.
The people would scream.
"Reveal all the information!"
However, if all information were revealed, the populace would panic and lose their rational judgment.
Those in responsible positions understood this.
The populace would fall into a panic and begin to harm innocent others who had nothing to do with the situation.
Of course, they would do so without a sense of guilt.
Believing that they were taking the right actions.
At that moment, no one would pay attention to the harmed populace.
That’s how it is during a panic.
Thus, disclosing all information is terrifying.
The solution lies in the passage of time… There’s no other way for the populace to regain their calm.
There is only one reason why the populace might panic.
That is, "because they are scared."
They are scared because they cannot foresee the future.
They are scared because they don’t know if they or their families will be okay moving forward.
They are scared because they don’t know what will happen next.
Therefore, they fall into thoughtlessness, become emotional, and begin to deny differing opinions.
Is there no way to prevent this?
Of course, there is.
The populace must continue to think.
They must avoid falling into thoughtlessness.
They must keep asking themselves, "Why did those people take those actions?"
And "Why aren’t those people taking these actions?"