I Became the Villain's Master - Chapter 127
Chapter 127
[The Emperor Has Passed Away.]
I stared wide-eyed at the headline plastered across the newspaper. Beneath the bold letters, the article detailed the Emperor’s decline and death, followed by Crown Prince Cedric’s ascension to the throne.
‘This is how it happened in the original story.’
In the original novel, the Emperor died, and Crown Prince Cedric inherited the throne. However, things were different now. Mysterious incidents had occurred one after another, plunging the Empire into chaos.
I wasn’t sure if even Cedric could resolve everything.
‘And it’s a little suspicious…’
The attendant who had come to fetch me from the Holy Festival had explicitly stated that the Crown Prince had summoned me. Couldn’t this be related to Crown Prince Cedric?
The Magic Tower and the Temple were already scrambling to uncover the truth behind the incidents.
“Lady Rosette! Our Magic Tower will surely uncover the truth!” Louis declared proudly, thumping his chest. “Look! We’ve identified the cause of the dark magic! Especially with Sir Kiris personally involved, there’s no way we won’t find out. Just wait, and you’ll hear from us!”
“I’m sure I will.”
I knew it. With Kiris directly involved and collaborating with the Temple, the truth was bound to come out soon.
“Miss, a letter has arrived.”
Lost in thought and sipping my tea, I looked up as Mary handed me a missive.
“Oh? Where is it from?”
“It’s from the Temple. They said it was imperative that you read it.”
At Mary’s words, I tore open the letter.
“Priest Noctis?”
The letter contained an invitation from Priest Noctis, summoning me to the Temple.
‘Is it to check my divine power again, like last time?’
I had to visit the Temple eventually anyway.
“[Mistress! You’re finally going to the Temple!]”
Seeing Snow purring excitedly, I knew a visit to the Temple was inevitable.
“Alright. Of course, I’ll go.”
* * *
“Is this it?”
The guards, dispatched after reports of strange sounds in the forest, were speechless at the horrific scene before them. The guard beside him wore a look of utter shock.
“Wh-what in the world…?”
A mutilated body lay before them, barely recognizable as human.
“Ugh…”
One guard gagged, then approached cautiously. The surrounding ground was a sickly, dark color, as if tainted, and a basket of herbs lay scattered on the ground.
“A herb merchant?”
Recognizing the herbs, the guards surmised the victim’s profession.
“Do you think this happened while they were gathering herbs?”
“It appears so.”
“This isn’t something we can handle. We need to report to the Imperial Palace.” The guard spoke urgently, and they exchanged nods before rushing back down the mountain.
* * *
“It’s been a while…” I murmured, gazing at the magnificent, pure white Grand Temple. It felt strange to be here, having only visited once before to have my divine power checked.
“Welcome.”
“Hello, Noctis. It’s good to see you.” I looked at Noctis, who was waiting for me. My eyes widened. His face, which seemed to hold all the purity in the world, looked exhausted.
“You must be tired. So much has been happening lately.”
“Indeed. The dark magic is a serious matter that the Temple is deeply concerned about, so there’s much to do.”
“I can imagine.”
“Shall we go inside? Thank you for accepting my sudden invitation.” Noctis made the sign of the holy symbol and led me inside. But he passed by the waiting room I had been in before.
“Where are we going? The waiting room is this way…”
At my question, Noctis turned, his face illuminated by a radiant smile.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Trusting him, I followed. We stopped before an imposing door that seemed to reach the ceiling.
“Please enter, Lady Rosette.”
Following Noctis inside, I found myself in a space entirely different from the waiting room. Resembling a private prayer room, it was filled with a sense of pure, divine power.
“This is…?”
As if answering my unspoken question, Noctis looked at me and spoke.
“Lady Rosette, there’s something you need to know.”
Suddenly, he manifested divine power in his hand.
“[Mistress! That’s!]”
Snow, nestled in my arms, whimpered in surprise. I had never seen such pure divine power before. The radiant, pure light coalesced into a sphere.
“Your… Holiness?”
Noctis smiled and nodded.
“I apologize for keeping it from you until now, Lady Rosette. I am the Pope.”
“….”
Mayday! Mayday! I didn’t know if I was dreaming or awake. The current Pope was known for never showing his face, with his representative presiding over all ceremonies.
I had naturally assumed Noctis was a high priest. I stared at the sphere still floating in the air.
‘The Orb of Divine Power.’
Only the Pope, recognized by the God Moreus and awakened with the strongest divine power, could manifest this orb. It was only seen once, during the papal inauguration, and not again until the next Pope appeared.
‘And I’m seeing it with my own eyes!’
No, more shocking was the fact that Noctis was the Pope.
‘I hope I haven’t done anything wrong!’
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