Richard, caught off guard by the direct hit, flushed crimson and waved both hands frantically.

“B-but it’s not my fault! That cat seems to understand human speech somehow. When it looks at me, it’s like it’s showing off how much she adores it.”

This was somewhat different from the “person” Noel knew. Above all, a cat showing off? Noel looked at his brother with pitying eyes.

“Aren’t you demonizing the cat too much? That cat probably doesn’t even know you have feelings for the Holy Maiden.”

“Of course not! That’s why I hate myself for this!”

Fortunately, Richard seemed aware of how pathetic he was being. After rubbing his face for a moment, Richard heaved a deep sigh.

“If Cioranne hadn’t brought it in bleeding so heavily, I wouldn’t have allowed it in the first place.”

“Why would the Holy Maiden be bleeding?”

At Noel’s casual question, Richard’s face contorted as though he himself were in pain.

“Everyone thinks her holiness is omnipotent, but it’s not. Somehow the Pope did something last time that left her with wounds she couldn’t heal herself. She wouldn’t answer when I asked what happened…”

“When was this?”

“That time. When she went to fight His Imperial Majesty.”

“!”

Noel’s eyes widened.

A Holy Maiden with wounds that couldn’t be healed by holy power, a suddenly appearing cat, and a missing emperor.

Wasn’t it all too suspicious?

Noel stroked his chin and muttered, “So the cat seems to understand human speech… Quite an intelligent cat, it seems.”

“What does it matter?”

Richard answered curtly and naturally changed the subject.

“Why did you come to the temple, brother?”

“Ah.”

Of course, he had a reason for coming. Though inadvertently, he seemed to have found answers by meddling in his brother’s love life. Noel smiled and said:

“I’d like to meet the Holy Maiden. Would you introduce her to me?”

* * *

Back in my room, I rested my chin on my hand, gazing at the fluffy ball of fur fidgeting before me.

Our Kyle looked adorable from the right and cute from the left.

I never tired of looking at him. After examining Kyle’s face from various angles, I smiled softly and gently poked his cheek.

“Kyle.”

“Meow.”

The cat, lying on its stomach, turned its head sharply to avoid my finger.

[‘Kyle’ is annoyed.]

What annoyance? If he were truly annoyed, he would have scratched fiercely and hissed. I played with Kyle’s round ears and said:

“You like it, don’t pretend.”

As I murmured this, Kyle’s golden eyes turned toward me. Though he seemed to be glaring…

[‘Kyle’ is embarrassed.]

See? He likes it.

How could he be so cute? Unable to resist, I picked Kyle up and planted several kisses on his dignified little face. Then, rubbing my cheek against his small face, I said:

“You’re so cute. I really want to put you in my pocket and carry you around everywhere.”

Kyle, seemingly having given up, said nothing. As I played with each tiny toe, his slightly twitching nose, and his soft ears covered in fine fur, the deity, unable to contain itself, spoke:

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ says you’re being too much.]

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ needs attention too.]

“Our Kyle is just a baby. Babies grow on attention.”

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ is crying.]

[Waaah.]

“…”

Somehow, the deity seemed to have changed since Kyle appeared.

‘The deity never used to act cute like this before.’

Had the deity also fallen for Kyle’s cuteness?

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ grumbles about how you reached such a conclusion.]

I laughed brightly. Throughout my conversation with the deity, my hand never stopped stroking Kyle. Kyle blinked whenever I touched his nose, and now he was purring and dozing off.

Just then:

“Holy Maiden.”

“Huh?”

A knock sounded from outside, followed by someone calling me. I placed Kyle on the bed and stood up.

Opening the door slightly and poking my head out, I saw a senior priest standing there.

“What is it?”

“Grand Priest Arnold is calling for you.”

“The Grand Priest?”

“He’s unwell and urgently needs you.”

“Hmm.”

My completely empty schedule today was the Pope’s consideration. Sending a priest at this hour meant he knew I was resting on the Pope’s orders.

Yet he was still calling for me?

“Just a moment.”

I couldn’t refuse the summons. I closed the door again and stroked the head of Kyle, who was stretching his neck and staring at me intently.

“Kyle, I’ll be back soon.”

Perhaps traumatized by the incident in the basement recently, Kyle remained alert and stared at me despite my smile.

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ asks if this isn’t suspicious.]

‘It is suspicious.’

The Grand Priest had strong holy power, though not as much as mine. He should be able to heal himself, so why call for me?

Coincidentally, I had a hunch. I sighed, already feeling tired.

‘Looks like I’m in for another ordeal.’

But I understood the Grand Priest’s urgency, so I couldn’t delay. I put on my white robe and said:

“Please understand if I’m a bit late. I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Meow.”

Kyle raised his small front paw and thumped the bed. He seemed irritated, but the deity’s interpretation of Kyle’s state was completely different.

[‘Kyle’ is worried.]

Worried! He’s worried!

“Kyle! My angel!”

How could he be this adorable! Unable to resist, I showered Kyle’s cheeks with kisses. Kyle, pushing my cheek away with his small front paw, growled fiercely.

[‘Kyle’ says to go quickly.]

The delay was entirely because of Kyle. I looked at him with obvious reluctance before turning away. I couldn’t linger any longer or the priest might become suspicious. After all, keeping Kyle in my room was a secret.

Outside, the senior priest who had been waiting expressionlessly began walking ahead. Following behind him, I asked, “Where is the Grand Priest?”

“He’s in the Grand Cathedral.”

The Grand Cathedral.

‘That’s where the deity’s statue is.’

Was he praying beneath the statue?

‘I’d like to recommend keeping a cat for mental health instead of making impossible prayers.’

Thinking of Kyle immediately brightened my previously somber mood. I could still feel the softness of his fluffy fur on my palm from just moments ago. While I was thinking about what to play with Kyle when I returned to my room, the senior priest asked:

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Ah, I’ve recently found a hobby.”

“You, Holy Maiden?”

Surprise spread across his previously expressionless face. I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

‘Was I that devoid of a personal life?’

Honestly, until I met Kyle, I had spent my free time just reading sacred texts. Still, it was disconcerting to think I’d been so rigid that even this stoic person could show such surprise.

I was caught between wanting to boast about Kyle and knowing I needed to keep my mouth shut.

Just then, I sensed the senior priest’s gaze darkening. I smiled gently and said:

“Don’t do that.”

“Pardon?”

“That thing you’re thinking about, don’t do it.”

“…!!”

The color drained from his face. I persuaded him in the gentlest tone possible:

“Why try to find weaknesses? Even without such tactics, I always listen to what my brothers have to say. Using weaknesses to manipulate others is worldly thinking. The moment such thoughts arise, you should repent.”

“…I apologize.”

“There’s no need to apologize to me.”

I could see the senior priest’s fingertips trembling as he bowed his head to me. He seemed frightened, thinking I had read his mind.

‘I’m being too sensitive because it involves Kyle.’

I hadn’t actually read his mind. Having spent so long as a Holy Maiden, I’d simply encountered countless people like him.

I could have addressed it more tactfully, but I spoke directly because I was a bit irritated myself.

‘I still have a long way to go.’

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ asks why you’re reflecting on this.]

[He angrily asks what you mean by ‘a long way to go.’]

[He says, ‘My goodness, I feel like smiting someone.’]

If divine punishment were delivered for every small matter like this, the world would have perished long ago. I simply smiled silently.

There was no further conversation between us. We would reach the Grand Cathedral soon anyway.

Stepping into the vast, empty space after Mass had ended, I saw an elderly man, as expected, shakily rising from his prayers before the statue.

“Holy Maiden!”

Grand Priest Arnold. Though he never became Pope, he was the longest-serving Grand Priest in history at 93 years old.

“You look well, Grand Priest Arnold.”

For someone to live nearly a century seemed remarkable to me.

But he responded to my greeting with fiery anger.