Chapter 114

Costance gently massaged each of her fingers, which had relaxed.

She leaned her head against his arm, quietly gazing at the vast territorial waters of the Papal State stretched out before her.

“When we arrive, we’ll head straight to the Holy Nation. Wear this. I’ll teach you the titles and greetings.”

Before long, it was time to reach the coast. A priest handed her clean clothing to change into and guided her to a cabin.

The outfit resembled a priest’s robe but was slightly different. The green skirt was similar to the dresses people wore in the past. It wasn’t extravagant, but its length reached down to her feet, leaving no skin exposed. An unusual feature was that the sleeves were as long as the hem of the skirt, almost touching the floor if one wasn’t careful.

She removed her clothes layer by layer and took a shower for the first time in a while. Even as the water cascaded over her without much thought, she felt refreshed. It was as if not only the dirt on her body but also the burdens in her heart were being washed away.

When she stepped out of the room after getting ready, Costance, who had been in the adjacent cabin, emerged as well, seemingly prepared.

Upon seeing each other, they momentarily lost themselves in each other’s attire. While he meticulously observed her dress, she took in the sight of Costance in his pristine cloak.

He was an impressive man by nature, and with his strikingly handsome appearance, everything he wore suited him perfectly.

“Let’s go. I’ll guide you back to the navigation room.”

The priest’s words brought her back to her senses. Costance, who had approached her side without her noticing, couldn’t take his eyes off her attire. Silently, he gently took her hand.

Even on the way to the navigation room, Costance’s gaze never left her. It was reminiscent of the intense gaze he had given her when they first met at the Canary National Library…

They arrived at the navigation room. Through the window, a faint island could be seen in the distance. That must be the Papal State.

As she stopped and looked closely, Costance reached over her shoulder and tucked her hair behind her.

“When you arrive in the Papal State, you will meet His Eminence immediately. If His Eminence greets you first, bow slightly and show your respect. Afterward…”

Cardinal Rahie began to speak. Standing beside her were Alres and Dr. Rydier, dressed similarly to Costance, listening intently to the cardinal’s instructions.

After hearing the etiquette, Cardinal Rahie glanced out the window.

“The Papal State is home to many priests, pilgrims, and residents. Each holds different thoughts and values. Naturally, there will be those who do not welcome you. Most will see you as outsiders.”

The cardinal spoke calmly.

“Now that you’ve come to the Papal State, this is a burden you must bear. So I offer you one final choice.”

“……”

“Will you live as someone belonging to the Papal State, serving the Holy Goddess?”

This was the final choice given to them.

Before answering, she exchanged glances with those beside her, one by one. None of them wavered or hesitated at the cardinal’s words.

They all left the decision to her.

“……”

Taking a calm breath, she turned back to the cardinal.

“Yes. I will.”

At her answer, the cardinal smiled. He revealed the view beyond the window he had been covering and extended his arm toward the approaching Papal State.

The radiant sun. The emerald sea stretching before a small coastline. Temples and columns harmonizing with nature. In front of them stood a procession of Holy Knights welcoming the returning visitors.

“Welcome to the Sacred Land, the Papal State.”

* * *

Holding Costance’s hand, she slowly descended onto the Papal State’s land. The wind blew strongly, as expected near the coast. Before she could grab her hair, his hand reached out.

She smiled at the touch of his hand as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

Finally, she set foot on the land of the Papal State.

“……”

She swallowed her breath and looked ahead.

The Holy Knights, holding their spears in front of them, paid their respects to Cardinal Rahie, who had safely arrived here.

“Cardinal Lidams.”

“You’ve managed to pull off something reckless.”

The two cardinals embraced each other. Meanwhile, Benny, surveying the unfamiliar land, noticed three small heads under the temple columns.

“……Ah.”

A sound of emotion escaped her lips. A boy who met her gaze couldn’t hold back his feelings and ran toward her.

“……Costance, it’s Eugene.”

Costance’s gaze also fell on Eugene. Not only Eugene but also the two children hesitating behind him were familiar faces. Anna, whom she often played house with at the Canary Cathedral Orphanage, and the other boy…

“The boy who escaped with us is here too.”

The boy they had parted ways with while fleeing Toramde’s territorial waters on the passenger ship was also present. Her eyes stung as they filled with tears.

“Vivi!”

“……Eugene!”

Eugene, who had run up to her, didn’t slow down and threw himself into her arms. The force nearly caused her to fall backward.

“……”

Costance, wide-eyed, supported her back with his arm. After pulling her upright, he watched her and Eugene embrace.

“Vivi, I’ve been waiting.”

“Eugene.”

“Do you know how much I’ve missed you?”

Eugene said. The boy, overcome with emotion in her arms, stretched his arms toward Costance as well. Eugene hugged both her and Costance tightly.

“……And you too, brother.”

“……Alonso. No, Eugene.”

Costance’s voice was thick with emotion. Holding the two brothers close, she noticed the two children still hesitating under the columns.

She smiled toward them. Encouraged, Anna grabbed the boy’s arm and ran toward her. She opened her arms wide to welcome the approaching children.

“Vivi, Sister!”

Anna leaped into her arms. However, the boy beside her couldn’t hide his awkward expression.

She pulled the boy closer and kissed his forehead.

“Thank you for helping us.”

“……Yes.”

The boy replied timidly.

“Can you tell me your name now?”

It was the name she hadn’t been able to ask back then. His bright eyes gazed steadily at her face.

“Seth. My name is Seth.”

“I see, Seth.”

The Holy Knights in front of them rearranged their formation to clear a path. Beyond the space they made, the full view of the large temple where the children had been was revealed.

A finely crafted statue of the Goddess stood there, with a blue bird perched on it. Another blue bird, wandering by the sea, landed on the statue’s head and shoulders.

* * *

“What happened to Julia?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention. Don’t worry, Doctor. Julia has safely reunited with my acquaintance.”

Cardinal Lidams answered Alres’ question.

‘So Julia is safe too…’

Once again, she felt a sense of relief.

The Holy Nation wasn’t far, so they walked instead of taking a carriage. As she walked barefoot, slowly taking in her surroundings, she noticed the curious gazes of the people. By now, she was used to it.

She gazed at the gray cathedral ahead, the Holy Nation, which served as the highest administrative body of the Papal State.

The Holy Nation wasn’t ostentatious, yet the building exuded a sense of history and dignity. The surrounding pillars and the circular arrangement of twelve statues enhanced its majesty.

“Let’s go inside.”

It was time to meet the Pope. Following the cardinal’s guidance, they entered the building, where the first thing that caught her eye was the artwork filling every inch of the walls and ceiling.

The external simplicity was replaced by internal splendor.

Awestruck, she soon reached the door to the Pope’s office, accompanied by the two cardinals.

The door opened. Inside stood the Pope. They performed the greeting they had learned before arriving.

Apparently, their greeting and etiquette weren’t too far off, as there was no reaction from those around them.

“Welcome to the Papal State.”

Her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the Pope’s handshake.

“There’s no need to feel uneasy. I’m human too.”

As rumored, he was a kind man.

“Thank you for accepting us, Your Eminence.”

“Your name is Costance, correct?”

Costance addressed His Eminence with a firm tone and expression.

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

“The international situation is turbulent. You must already be aware of the reasons.”

Despite the heavy topic, the Pope chuckled heartily.

“Nevertheless, each nation will seek solutions and alternatives.”

“……”

“But this is no longer your concern. All I ask of you is one thing: live an ordinary life.”

The Pope’s smile disappeared.

“And get used to it. Now that NOK One is gone, we won’t treat you as anything special.”

Cardinals Rahie and Lidams also listened attentively to the Pope’s words.

“Of course, we’ll provide shelter and food, but only temporarily. You’ll need to find jobs, earn money, secure homes, and build families like any other believer here.”

The life and future they were expected to lead in the Papal State. His Holiness refrained from discussing the serious matters related to NOK One or their past.

His point was that, in time, the Papal State would offer them no special treatment.

This was the life she had longed for.

〈Benny, survive.〉

It was the life her father had wished for her.

〈I want you to be happy.〉

She understood that the happiness her father spoke of wasn’t about a grand or glamorous life.

Her father, being simple in his emotions and daily life aside from his research, likely wished for her to live a simple life, forgetting about NOK One.

But her father and NOK One were inseparable. He had placed the happiness he couldn’t attain into her hands.

She felt it in her father’s final embrace. His desperate gestures spoke to her.

Survive, Benny.

Her father genuinely wished for her to live an ordinary life.