Side Story Chapter 1. The Official Couple of the Worldview (Part 1)
It has already been three months since Tesillid and I safely returned alive.
There was an important matter for our Incantation Cult that could no longer be postponed. It was none other than…
“May God’s blessing be with Your Holiness the Pope!”
“Lead us on the path of divine favor, Your Holiness!”
“O Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World, protect the land of Your Holiness!”
It was my inauguration ceremony as Pope.
Wearing ceremonial robes that were even more beautiful, elegant, and flowing than usual, I stood on the balcony and waved my hand.
Saint Agnes Church, which had been expanded over the summer, displayed a grandeur befitting its name, the Incantation Cult Pontifical Palace.
Thanks to this, the balcony where I stood was high enough for me to take in the sight of the devotees gathered in the church courtyard.
And it was the same for the devotees. Even a small child could see me from afar. [The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World is deeply moved by your wearing the ‘Incantation Pope’s Costume Ultimate Version’.]
[The Scales that Judge Souls questions how a ceremonial robe can be more opulent than even renowned wedding dresses.]
[The Scathing Critic of Balance clicks their tongue, wondering if even the attire is now over-balanced.]
[The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World ignores this.]
[The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World is extremely pleased with an event that can showcase your beautiful and distinguished appearance to all corners of the world.] Meanwhile, the cheers of the devotees continued to erupt.
All this glory I received was rightfully due to the Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World. To do so, I needed to prove divine majesty. I immediately activated my 9th Divine Power Tier.
A halo unfolded behind my back, and brilliant holy light poured down upon the ground.
“Wowwww!”
“It’s a divine blessing!”
In truth, this was mostly for visual effect. As it covered such a wide area, the effect was inversely proportional to the area. It was merely enough to heal minor pains and boost immunity. [The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World praises your wisdom, stating that nothing is as important as immunity with the cold season approaching.]
[The Scales that Judge Souls sneers, asking if it’s just being indulged because it looks pretty no matter what it does.]
[The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World gives the Scales that Judge Souls a sorrowful look, saying it’s pitiful not to know the wonder of devotee love.]
[The Scales that Judge Souls trembles.] “May your days be filled with the abundant care of the Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World!”
After a conclusion faithful to the purpose of the religious ceremony, I turned away from the balcony.
People waiting on either side of the hallway gave me glances of appreciation for my hard work. I met each of their eyes: Bianca, Hilde, Ash, Iphail, Hestio, and…
“You’ve worked hard, Your Holiness.”
The owner of the deep, resonant voice extended a hand towards me.
Tesillid was wearing a knight’s ceremonial uniform topped with a cloak symbolizing a cardinal. Thanks to his splendid attire, his handsome appearance seemed to shine even brighter.
Currently, he held several titles: Holy Sword’s Master, Aura Master, Incantation Cult Cardinal, and royalty of the Winchester Kingdom.
Thanks to this, he was regarded as the most noble and sacred man in the world, suitable for escorting me ceremonially. [The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World nods in approval.] Since even the Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World acknowledged our relationship, there was no reason to refuse the escort.
I gently placed my hand on his and met his gaze. I could feel his deep-set, high-saturation ocean-blue eyes looking at me with emotion.
It was my turn to return the same emotion, conveying tens of thousands of words with my eyes.
<Don’t make the atmosphere so good all the time.>
“Ahem.”
“Hmm-hmm.”
Those who couldn’t hear Agnes’s voice wondered at Tesillid’s and my coughs. Before it looked suspicious, I changed the subject.
“Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the ceremony could be completed safely. I’m proud that the Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World also seems pleased.”
I wasn’t the only one who had a grueling schedule because of the Pope’s inauguration ceremony.
The primary duty of the Silver Citadel Knights was my escort. They must have all been exhausted from accompanying me since the crack of dawn.
The members each spoke a word.
“Seeing you become Pope is truly moving, Your Holiness.”
Hilde, clasping her hands tightly, her eyes sparkling.
“Wow, now we’re the Pope’s direct knight order. Nice.”
“It was really good that we accepted the offer to join the knight order without pulling out because there was a couple.”
Iphail and Hestio felt proud of having chosen the right side.
“Those in power are major clients in our line of work. If you need political enemies eliminated, just say the word, sis. We’ll handle it cleanly.”
“Aren’t you going to wash your hands of that business?”
“The Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World will surely allow me to become a righteous assassin.”
“What are you even saying?”
Ash, as always, acted playfully.
And finally, Bianca…
“Even though you’ve become Pope, there won’t be any special duties other than being mobilized for events on occasional feast days. You saved the world; we shouldn’t make you work more. Now, live comfortably receiving your hero’s pension, Aillet.”
Bianca thoughtfully looked out for my convenience. Early retirement at this age, with retirement preparations already complete – how could I not be touched?
“Gasp! Thank you, Bia. It’s really only you…!”
At my deeply heartfelt words, Bianca’s gaze dropped diagonally. There, her eyes fell upon my hand tightly holding Tesillid’s.
“Only me? Really?”
“…”
The atmosphere grew awkward. [The Scales that Judge Souls bursts into laughter, saying your words and actions are too different.]
[The Eye that Oversees All Chaos looks crestfallen.] How embarrassing.
Fortunately, the kind-hearted Bianca simply chuckled, saying nothing more and letting it go.
We all moved together into the knight order’s exclusive lounge.
While everyone comfortably sat and rested, Bianca asked me,
“Aillet, your future plans haven’t changed, right?”
“Nope. I’m going to rest fully in a quiet place for a while. With Tesillid.”
I intend to reward myself with enough rest for how hard I’ve lived so far. Both for myself and for Tesillid.
Tesillid, in particular, needed to experience a stable, ordinary life.
It would be good to experience spring, summer, autumn, and winter once each in a cabin. Planting cherry blossom trees in the yard and digging a pond nearby for fishing. Just the two of us, intimately, for a while…
“Just the two of you?”
Bianca hit the nail on the head.
While I flinched, a follow-up shot came from another direction.
“Is it a honeymoon?”
“It is a honeymoon.”
“…Quiet, Hestio, Iphail.”
“Sister, even if you like your honeymoon, you have to visit the Duke’s Castle often. Okay?”
“Hilde, even you…”
Even Hilde, whom I trusted, joined in teasing me. Then Ash stepped forward as if he couldn’t be left out.
“Look. Sir Tesillid isn’t denying it.”
“…”
It was true. Tesillid just awkwardly averted his gaze, keeping silent.
But why?
Honestly, I didn’t dislike his silence.
“Ahem. Hmm-hmm.”
Ash and Hilde, as if it was nothing new, said something to Tesillid.
“Well, it’s been a long time since you were called grandson-in-law by Hispenril.”
“I… I call him brother-in-law, too…”
Iphail and Hestio looked at me, implying there was no need to bother denying it.
“We knew you two were ‘like that’ even before joining.”
“And you’re even wearing matching rings. Weren’t you already engaged after a proposal a long time ago?”
Of all things, I wanted to refute Hestio’s last remark.
‘He hasn’t proposed yet, okay? Don’t arbitrarily skip someone’s proposal.’ [The Scales that Judge Souls protests, asking if the proposal wasn’t on Wibril Island.]
[The Eye that Oversees All Chaos argues that a verbal proposal without a gift is invalid.]
[The Architect of the Skyscraper of Trials comments that it was merely an impromptu confession, insufficient to be called a proposal.] More importantly, the rings Tesillid and I exchanged were Rosary Rings, weren’t they? I immediately retorted.
“Just because we’re wearing a pair of ring-type artifacts, you’re getting ahead of yourselves. Typical of someone raised in the clergy, always so conservative with your Holy Stigmata.”
“Hey, Aillet.”
“What?”
“Don’t you know Tesillid is the most conservative among us?”
“…”
Upon hearing that, it was true. It seemed it was my turn to shut up.
But surprisingly, someone else broke their silence.
“Conservative… not necessarily…”
Was it just my imagination?
At this timing, his ear tips turned red as he denied being conservative, making the meaning sound a bit ambiguous. [The Scales that Judge Souls smiles suggestively, wondering in what ways he is progressive.] Ah, so it wasn’t just my imagination.
Sometimes, the Scales that Judge Souls’s reactions seem to be a good indicator.
Sure enough, as the surroundings grew quiet, Tesillid cleared his throat with an embarrassed cough.
Ash didn’t miss the opportunity to be mischievous.
“I understand that the Incantation Cult’s doctrine is looser than the Order Religion’s. I’ll be cheering for you, Sir Tesillid.”
“…Right.”
Seeing Tesillid accidentally answer informally, I felt I needed to quickly diffuse the situation.
“Alright, that’s enough! I’m hungry. Let’s go to lunch.” ✠We all moved to the Duke’s Castle, Raimian House. In fact, it wasn’t just a simple lunch but a formal schedule had been prepared.
With his granddaughter having been inaugurated as Pope, Duke Hispenril, my grandfather, could not let this day pass quietly. Thus, a luncheon banquet was held, inviting dignitaries from various nations.
With the aim of adding more fun than formality, seats were determined by drawing lots. The format was to go and sit at a four-person table with the same number as the one drawn upon entering the banquet hall.
Regrettably, the power of love did not extend to Tesillid’s and my lot drawing.
“Oh, we’ve been separated.”
“That’s a shame.”
“It’s okay. We’re having dinner together, right?”
“Yeah.”
“See you later, Aillet.”
Tesillid pulled out the chair at my table, then moved to his own seat.
No one was at my table yet. I rested my chin on my hand and watched Tesillid’s back.
“Hmm, he shouldn’t get into trouble when I’m not around.”
<I don’t think you need to worry about that.>
“Ah, you’re right.”
At the table Tesillid was heading towards, two people were already seated, enthusiastically welcoming him.
“Alright, come on, sit down. Son-in-law! We’ve been waiting for you!”
“Hahaha, our grandson-in-law’s zygomaticus and masseter muscles are artistically handsome today!”
“Thank you.”
With my father and grandfather there, Tesillid was safe.
Around that time, one of the seat owners appeared at my table.
“Oh! You’re also at this table?”
Privilege for Possessors