“She was walking around openly wearing the mark of the Hunt royal family… I wonder if persuasion will work.”

“Ahem-“

One cardinal mumbled while stroking his long beard.

He was from a branch of the Wilkins family and was close to neutral.

“But we can’t just leave things as they are!”

Molech, a pro-Emperor faction and Bael’s close associate, raised his voice.

Originally, Bael was the next Pope designate.

If the previous Pope hadn’t met a sudden death, Molech would have risen to the position of cardinal by now.

But everything fell apart with the oracle pointing to Michael.

Moreover, it was customary for the previous Pope to choose the next Pope.

Therefore, they were constantly looking for an opportunity to bring Michael down.

If Michael were to join hands with the Hunt family, not only their power but even their very existence would be in danger.

“That’s right. No matter if he’s the Pope, he can’t make such unilateral decisions.”

A cardinal in a similar position to Molech added.

“But if it’s God’s revelation……”

“How can we be sure it’s truly God’s revelation!”

“Enough!”

Bael stood up, shaking his seat.

“First, shouldn’t we meet the saintess?”

A vile smile flashed across Bael’s face.

* * *

In this 19+ erotic novel, what’s the big deal about nightwear?

It wasn’t low-cut, nor was it see-through.

‘Besides, why is this person so devout?’

Inside the Espenon Temple’s prayer room.

Charlie, who had come after a simple breakfast, wrinkled her nose in displeasure.

[Since we skipped morning prayers, we’ll offer double prayers this time.]

Charlie glared at the back of Michael’s head, who was sitting motionless in prayer.

‘If we pray every two hours, the whole day will be spent praying.’

She was already going crazy with numbness, and to endure this for a week? Wasn’t this a case of ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’?

In the original story, the Pope was human trash who enjoyed s*x with those young enough to be his daughters while pretending to be faithful, without an ounce of real faith.

If such a guy had come running to gaslight her, she could at least have cursed him out.

The kind and herbivore-like Michael was nothing short of a natural enemy to Charlie.

‘I can’t even get angry at his good intentions.’

Charlie’s intention to figure out Michael’s true motives had long since disappeared.

No. His head must surely be filled with nothing but God and prayers.

And his purpose of bringing her here was certainly to indoctrinate her.

[No matter how bad-tempered you are, it’s not good to compare people to g*nitals. Moreover……]

He has a good memory too, to return the curses she had confessed like this.

Charlie shuddered, remembering the sermon she had heard in the morning.

“Sister.”

Michael, who had been praying, quietly opened his mouth at the rustling sound.

“Prayers offered to God should be approached with a reverent heart.”

“……”

Does he have eyes on the back of his head too?

Charlie quietly corrected her relaxed posture.

Michael, with a smile on his lips, continued,

“As the sister receives God’s protection, you should revere God deep in your heart, and always maintain proper……”

Sigh–

Just as Charlie was about to make a disgusted expression at the nagging starting again.

“Your Holiness! Your Holiness!!”

* * *

In the Grand Temple’s conference room.

Charlie, Michael, and the cardinals were seated around a round table.

It was a formal meeting requested by the cardinals.

‘Is this a hearing or what….’

Charlie’s eyes rolled across the round table.

Michael’s face was completely stiff, while the cardinals and priests pounced like hungry beasts.

“Therefore.”

Michael’s monotone voice crossed the conference room.

“I believe it is appropriate for the saintess to stay in the Pareon Temple, not the Espenon Temple. Moreover, priests should be allowed to assist the saintess so that she lacks nothing in performing the rituals. This is my opinion.”

A cardinal who was Bael’s close associate and pro-Emperor sat down after finishing his words.

The cardinals’ claims were not wrong.

Originally, Pareon was a temple where guests and past saints had stayed.

Strictly speaking, it would be correct for Charlie, as a saintess, to stay there.

The same applied to the aides.

But if that happened, Charlie would be exposed to numerous people and her safety would be jeopardized. These people were like the Emperor’s limbs, after all.

Michael’s angry gaze fixed on Bael.

Bael hadn’t said anything since the meeting began.

He just watched the situation with a peaceful face.

Michael said,

“The imperial family or other houses might interfere with the saintess’s whereabouts. Therefore, she will stay in the Espenon Temple.”

One cardinal sneered.

“Is that also God’s will?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if there’s any reason the saintess should stay in the Espenon Temple if it’s not God’s will.”

“Among you, is there anyone with holy power who can prevent intruders or unexpected accidents?”

The cardinals’ faces hardened.

There was no room to argue about the Pope’s holy power.

Michael drove the point home.

“Although magic use is prohibited within the temple, I have arranged the saintess’s quarters in the Espenon Temple, in the Pope’s bedroom closest to me, to prepare for any unfortunate incidents that might occur. So, let’s not discuss this further.”

Silence fell over the conference room.

How much time had passed like that?

The corners of Bael’s mouth turned up slightly.

“Everyone here serves God. The same goes for the priests in the temple.”

Molech, not missing the opportunity, raised his voice.

“That’s right. Your Holiness, are you now doubting the priests who were selected through strict procedures? Or are you disregarding God’s permission given to us?”

Another cardinal chimed in.

“I agree. It sounds like you’re saying we might harm the saintess.”

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly flipped.

The cardinals and priests started whispering.

The reason novice priest Michael could become Pope was because of the oracle.

Conversely, even if he was the Pope, he couldn’t carelessly discuss the qualifications of priests who had received God’s baptism.

Moreover, Michael was more devout than anyone.

And Bael knew this well.

As expected, when the flustered Michael hesitated, Bael calmly said,

“Of all places, using the Pope’s bedroom……”

“……”

“Is there any reason to prevent even aides?”

Michael gripped the armrest of his chair. Bael added, mocking Michael,

“The Espenon Temple has only one low-ranking priest. If you’re worried about the saintess’s safety, there’s even more reason not to prevent it. Isn’t that right?”

The cardinals nodded, agreeing with Bael’s opinion.

“At a time when her whereabouts are unclear, using the Pope’s bedroom could cause problems later.”

“Unless there are other intentions……”

“Intentions!”

Finally, unable to hold back, Michael’s voice rose.

Bael looked at Michael with a faint smile.

It was the certainty of victory.

A cardinal who had been observing the situation stood up.

“The temple has traditionally been balanced between the imperial family and each ducal house. However, due to this incident, the relationship between the imperial family and the Hunt family has become the most precarious since the founding of the country. It’s to the point where it wouldn’t be strange if a war broke out right now. Can’t the temple no longer stand by and watch this situation?”

Even the neutral cardinals nodded.

Charlie, who had been watching, let out a deep sigh.

She might not know the exact details, but it was clear that these people were trying to separate her from Michael.

Michael was struggling alone to protect her.

It was a moment when enemies and allies were clearly distinguished.

But the problem was that Michael had gotten into trouble trying to protect her.

‘This novel is accurate after all.’

Charlie chuckled at how little had changed from the original story except for the Pope.

In the original story, Liliana had also faced such a situation.

‘Liliana had acquiesced and blamed herself.’

But she wasn’t Liliana.

She wouldn’t easily fall for threats like ‘It’s because of you.’

She already knew well what the result of that would be.

‘What should I do?’

Charlie fell into contemplation.

At that moment, one of Bael’s close cardinals turned to Charlie.

“What does the saintess think?”

“……?”

Charlie’s eyes widened at the sudden question.

“The saintess is……”

“The saintess’s whereabouts are the saintess’s choice.”

Bael cut off Michael’s words.

“Shouldn’t we follow the saintess’s opinion on where she should properly stay?”

Eyes narrowed like a snake’s looked at Charlie.

“Does the saintess wish to continue staying in the Pope’s bedroom?”

‘I wondered why it was so quiet.’

Was she the highlight of this show?

Charlie stared at Bael.

If she went to the Pareon Temple, she would have to fight against all sorts of schemes in their vicinity for the remaining week.

If that happened, Hector would surely intervene and the Hunt family would be in trouble.

‘Then there’s no point in coming here.’

With Hector’s mana stone, she was safe from magical attacks.

Hadn’t it already been proven during the Josh incident?

And that’s not all.

[God’s blessing protects you, Sister. I’m not sure about pheromones, but it might have prevented abilities from working because of it.]

‘Kaisis clearly couldn’t read my thoughts.’

It was quite plausible since holy power neutralizes abilities.

But what about the rest?

In the original story, when Kaisis learned the true nature of the mana stone, he tried to kill Liliana with physical force.

She couldn’t guarantee that such a thing wouldn’t happen to her.

Kaisis had tried to kill Luke, Kieran, and herself using Josh.

[Don’t worry, sister. This is a place that even the Emperor can’t enter without permission.]

The Espenon Temple is safe.

Moreover, Michael would protect and never harm her.

However…

[I’m not cut out for doing things with my body……]

I’m not cut out for doing things with my body either.

Charlie, who had been lost in thought for a while, finally seemed to make up her mind and raised her head.

* * *