The central church of the Vatican ＜Hedenia＞. It was a sanctuary where you could feel the absurd divine power.

The divine power felt in the leadership room was great, but the place where many high-ranking priests gathered was different no matter what. Even if [Contemplation] is activated, it is difficult to see what is in front of you.

“So you said you came to volunteer?”

“Yes.”

Lucia Domine was looking down at the two of us with a disapproving look.

Is it that I don’t like it either? No, maybe he was thinking about Eleanor’s true identity. Eleanor seemed to know Lucia Domine.

“… … I haven’t heard anything.”

But the words that came out of Lucia Domine’s mouth were different from what I expected.

Could it be that Tia sent us without saying anything to the Vatican?

Are you really crazy?

“… … Could you please tell me the exact situation?”

“… … .”

Lucia Domine also said with a sigh, rubbing her eyes as if the situation was roughly predictable.

Can you explain this with my mouth?

that’s a little… … . isn’t it?

How can I say with my own mouth that I was disqualified for volunteering outside the country for manipulating the popular vote? That too to the pope, the representative of the country.

Even if I look like this, I am the [successor of the King of Darkness], should I say this with my own mouth? No, no.

It shouldn’t be.

That’s why Eleanor, who is quietly avoiding her eyes, hits her with her elbow to notice it.

“… … why?”

“No, since it’s your job, I thought it would be good for you to explain.”

Eleanor hesitated, then lowered her head with a blush on her face.

“I’m glad you’re aware that you’ve done something embarrassing.”

“Yeah, after all, it’s a bit hard for me to explain it with my own mouth… … . Master, help me.”

At the same time, Eleanor began to weep.

uhh… … ? Are you being cowardly? Squeezing juice here?

“Do you know that you are very mean right now?”

“Huh… … .”

“Really like this dog… … .”

It’s a reaction I’ve never seen before, so I’m even embarrassed.

“Damn it… … .”

In the end, there is no choice but to explain the circumstances of the incident on behalf of Eleanor, who cannot lift her face in shame.

Lucia Domine was silent for a while even while explaining the situation in a concise, plain, and objective way.

“This is so… … .”

after that explanation.

“Amazing.”

Lucia Domine sighed as she looked down at Eleanor, the party to the case, with emotionless eyes.

Eleanor blushed even more and had no choice but to bow her head.

“A three times the vote of our Arietta in the category of ‘a woman who seems to be kind’… … .”

Does the pope have no mercy if he picks it up and points it out?

“… … I’m not saying this because I’m our Arietta, but why are you telling such a lie that will soon be discovered?”

“Keugh!”

Eleanor covered her face as if she was feeling pain now.

I guess I can’t stand it any longer.

“Now, wait a minute… … .”

“No, let’s end it here for today. The sisters will show you to your room.”

“… … thank you.”

Eleanor lowered her head with tears in her eyes.

After she left, Lucia Domine began to look down at me with a disapproving look.

“By the way, the heir of the King of Darkness still has something to say?”

“Yes, you could say this is the main topic.”

My hands are shaking because the content is the content. Too many things are intertwined with this one.

Where should I begin to explain this? No, more than that, this issue is not something to be taken lightly in a place where there are so many people.

Fortunately, Lucia Domine nodded and said, as if seeing through my intentions.

“Sisters. Could you please step aside for a moment?”

“… … .”

At that, the clergy lined up around Lucia Domine silently nodded and left the room.

I don’t know if it’s faith or faith, but it’s a great thing.

Still, the highest ranking member of the church was said to have a private meeting with an outsider, but he left without an escort left.

“Now everyone who needs to be sent out has been sent out. The successor of the King of Darkness.”

“It seems that way.”

Even when I looked through my [contemplation], I couldn’t feel any energy around me.

It was just a little burdensome divine power and discomfort for a person named Lucia Domine.

“priority… … .”

Organize your thoughts a bit. Since many things are intertwined, I am worried about which topic to start with.

But yes, the most important of them all… … .

“It seems that Myungwang is aiming for your key.”

This is the gist of Chapter 5 of the main story.

Lucia Domine quietly lit her pipe at the remark that could be heard even with my absurd nonsense.

Lucia Domine, who took a breath of cigarette like that, exhaled a long and thin smoke and said.

“Patience.”

It was a short and intense expression of intention.

It was a crooked posture that was hard to think of with his usual neat appearance.

“It must be true because no one like you would lie. Does Tiamat-nim know about this by any chance?”

“No, I didn’t tell you.”

“Why?”

“There is nothing that can be done with King Myung right away, and the head of the academy cannot stay in the Vatican forever, right?”

“Yes. That’s right. We can’t just rely on Tiamat-sama all the time.”

Tia will be busy trying to hatch Spina’s egg from now on. No, even if it’s not Spina’s problem, there’s no way to deal with it.

[King] Thanatos’ invasion will happen absolutely when he wants. Unless Tia stays in the Vatican forever, the attack cannot be stopped.

“Let’s hear the details.”

“Recently, irregular behavior has been detected in Myeongwang’s movements… … .”

Adapting what I know appropriately. It wouldn’t be a lie, so there’s nothing to get caught in her [contemplation].

“… … Finally, the fact was confirmed by Marie Sistus, the daughter of King Thanatos.”

Lucia Domine, who was listening to me, immediately said something suspicious.

“However, the reason why you came here is a coincidence?”

“It’s bound to come one way or another, but that’s how it is.”

“Is that so… … . It may sound funny to you, but I think this might be God’s guidance. You must be a great force in terms of firepower.”

“… … .”

divine guidance.

Normally, I wouldn’t have cared about it, but thinking about my recent work, I wonder if that might be the case.

The process by which Eleanor came to the Vatican was too contrived.

Penalty points that exceed the limit with good timing can do so.

Considering her usual behavior, it’s quite probable.

But what about the rest?

The punishment he received was out-of-town service, and the place was, of course, the Vatican, and [Myung-King] suddenly moved the plan forward. Coincidence overlaps so much.

A great flow cannot be twisted. But who made the flow?

God exists in this world. As proof, there is divine power and magic.

“Then, did the rest of you unfortunately fall for you?”

“… … .”

Unfortunately, I think it might be me who got involved. That is how it fell into this world in the first place.

More than that, it was a bit surprising that Lucia Domine didn’t know about Eleanor.

Even if she didn’t know that she was the holder of the key, I thought she would know that her ability was special.

When dealing with [Myungwang] in Chapter 2 of the main story, Arrieta also confirmed Eleanor’s ability.

Even so, it must be Arrieta’s consideration that Lucia Domine doesn’t know. Since Eleanor’s ability is special, it must have been buried rather than publicized.

I really wish Eleanor was only half of her.

“You don’t have to worry about her. As she herself is a combat student, she must have the strength to protect herself. Moreover, there are escorts attached separately.”

“You are thorough.”

Lucia Domine replied with displeasure. There’s no way they’ll like it because it’s the same as saying they put in unknown personnel in the Vatican.

It was the moment when the explanation continued for a while and the conclusion was about to be drawn.

“good. It shouldn’t be that difficult as long as it’s defensive. If it’s information from the Empire, it’s probably credible… … . But there is one thing that gets in the way.”

“… … ?”

“How did the king plan to invade Hedenia? If it moves from the outside, it will surely be caught beforehand, and it would be impossible to send a spy inside to open the door.”

Of course, I know where [Pyeongwang] Thanatos is invading.

The outline of Chapter 5 of the main story is an unexpected raid. Yeah, they didn’t come from outside.

“Myungwang’s army will appear in the middle of the Vatican.”

“… … Do you think the dead are hiding in this sanctuary?”

As far as I know, there are two ways to connect ＜Underworld＞ and the present world.

One of them is where the morale is deep.

This usually applies to places where there are many dead bodies, such as cemeteries or battlefields.

And in this case, the door could be connected naturally even without the power of the key.

Of course, if you use the power of the key, it will be much easier.

“The dead cannot come in hiding in this sanctuary. However, traces of Pyeongwang may already be inside Hedenia.”

And the second case is the place where traces of [Pyeongwang] Thanatos are left.

This is how Marie opened the door inside ＜Skientia＞.

“You mean the Cistuses?”

Those who have the surname of Cistus are like that. They were beings who inherited the blood of the [Myeongwang] alive.

“I don’t know for sure, but given the circumstances, wouldn’t it?”

I don’t know if [Myungwang] has a biological child. However, according to Mari, she was told that she herself was an adopted daughter who received physical blood from [Myungwang].

Their blood and flesh can be used as traces of the [Myeongwang].

Tools to open the door. That’s why they must have been given the surname Cistus, which is called a ‘suicidal flower’ because they can be used and discarded at any time.

Moreover, now everyone in the world knows that even talented people like Marie are used as scapegoats.

“Let’s investigate that part separately. It would be best if we could prevent it in advance.”

“Yes, then we will investigate on our side as well.”

“Please be careful not to cause friction with the priests.”

Lucia Domine made the sign of the cross in her place and stood up.

I’m thinking of moving immediately.

“Then let’s talk the two of you.”

“… … two?”

Lucia Domine, who had come down from her huge marble chair, suddenly said that.

Everyone should have sent them out earlier.

Even if you examine it with [Contemplation], there are no traces of people around here.

It is only full of divine power.

“Arrieta. Don’t do that at the door, just come in.”

“Ah, hahahahaha? hello. Mr. Oz. Oh, long time no see?”

At Lucia Domine’s loud voice, the door opened cautiously and Arrieta entered.

She was wearing a plain white priest’s uniform, not her usual school uniform.

Unlike other priests, it felt like they added patterns or decorations, but it wasn’t too much, so it suited them.

“This is amazing… … .”

“If Arietta is determined and hides, it will be hard to find even with her own eyes.”

Even though Arrieta was right in front of the door, it was a blur.

Discre level stealth?

No, no. Rather than hiding, it feels assimilated into the space itself.

She, who is no different from a lump of pure divine power, is no different than a part of this space called the sanctuary.

“It’s funny how you’ve been fidgeting right in front of the door since earlier. What are you doing if the one that falls every time your voice gets louder is not a frightened puppy?”

“Well, it’s not good to eavesdrop on their conversation… … .”

“Yeah, I’m glad you knew it was going to be a problem… … .”

Lucia Domine sighed as she looked down at Arrieta with a pitiful look.

Unlike me, she seems to have noticed Arietta’s existence.

It is not [contemplation], but an individual’s ability accumulated over many years.

“Then why not go on a date with two adolescents?”

After that, Lucia Domine left the audience room first, and I was left alone with Arietta.

“ah… … . Ahahahaha… … .”

“… … .”

This unbearable awkwardness.

I would really turn around.

* * *

[King] Thanatos was looking down at his troops in a world stained with turbidity.

“Hmm… … .”

Since the last ＜Skientia＞ raid, the number has decreased considerably.

It was a number that would naturally recover if time passed, but I couldn’t feel good.

If you fail this time, you have 2 more chances left.

“no.”

You have to go with the thought of ending this time. You can’t seize an opportunity unless you put all your energy into it.

You have to pour it all out in one go.

Failure is not tolerated.

No, even if you fail, there must be some kind of achievement.

“Mrs Thanatos.”

[King] While Thanatos was organizing his thoughts, his lieutenant, Lich, approached cautiously.

“What does the author intend to do? It looks like you made it with ‘Cistus’… … .”

What he was pointing at was ‘Scar’, the leader of the Red Lion Mercenary Corps, who had lost his will due to being captured by the power of [Myungwang].

Thanatos was a car that forced him into cistus.

“You will have to seize the opportunity.”

“I will.”

“how?!”

When Scar, who must have lost his sense of humor, answered calmly, Thanatos’ adjutant was shocked.

“Don’t worry about that. Anything else to report?”

“ah… … . Yes, Lord Thanatos.”

Scar still had a line with the ‘outer being’.

It was left on purpose.

“I heard that you will be accompanied by ‘hands’ on this expedition. How do you plan to organize your troops?”

Thanatos once again looked down at his army.

The place to attack this time is the Holy See.

He needed a means to protect the throne from the overwhelming power of Tiamat, the [Dragon Emperor] who would soon appear in the ＜Underworld＞.

It was already confirmed that the pope had the [Missionary’s Key].

It seems unfavorable in terms of compatibility, but it should be more convenient than retrieving the key near Tia or other keys with unknown whereabouts.

“Except for the two who will be guarding my place, I will take the other three with me.”

You must not fail.

“… … Are you talking about three?!”

The adjutant was astonished.

No matter how much they hit the Vatican, it was too much power.

“It would be better to be certain. … … And there might be one case in ten.”

A being with an unknown key and a being who seemed to have dared to set foot in the realm of gods passed past Thanatos’s head.

It’s provocative, but it’s hard to imagine anyone accepting it.

However, Thanatos thought that the magician would surely respond.

It was because the magician’s arrogant eyes gave him a similar feeling to himself who couldn’t accept defeat.

Thanatos turned to his adjutant and said.

“Then the military… … .”

“Similarly, all but the minimum power is put in.”

Don’t overlook those variables.

Even if you make a lot of plans, it doesn’t matter if unexpected variables pop up.

It’s just a matter of pressing down with overwhelming force.

Thanatos’ plan was to create a one-sided game that would not give the opponent a chance to respond.