The Revenge of the Soul Eater

'My name is Noah Carnelius. I hold the office of Pope in the Kingdom of Caritas.

When the girl in front of me bowed her head, I didn't know what to say and looked around the room for no reason.

Right now, I am in a room in the command center on the fourth defensive wall. This is the room where I was with Seal and the others before the attack of the Black Corpse (Al Ghul) began. Incidentally, the other members of the group have left their seats. This is because the girl in front of them wanted to do so, not the others.

After burying the undead who are thought to be the master of the Black Corpse (Al Ghul) in the forest of Titis, I returned to the fourth defensive wall while protecting Miroslav and the advance party. Since I didn't know when the next attack would occur, I didn't have time to listen to the situation along the way, and I had no idea of the details.

However, by the girl's introduction, I think I understand the purpose of that well-spoken skeleton.

From the feel of the soul-eating, that skeleton was 'not as good as the illusory species, though'. In fact, the level hasn't gone up from '30' either. If it was before I ate a demon god on the island, I might have gone up at least one, but anyway, that's the extent of the opponent for me.

However, I'm also sure that it was a force that could be destroyed by a single rider in a city like that. It's hard to believe that such a demon was wandering around the forest of Titis for no reason. I don't mind asserting that his target was the Pope.

The question is, why is the Pope here - or, for that matter, why is His Holiness here? If I remember correctly, His Holiness should be on his way to the royal capital Horus by now.

Could this girl really be His Holiness?

I've never met His Holiness himself. Before I was expelled from the Gokens, I had spoken with my father, Lord Carnelius, at a banquet I attended on behalf of my father, but at that time, His Holiness had already moved from the Empire to the Holy Kingdom.

However, even if he had never met him, he had heard the rumors of the world. Some of the rumors about His Holiness referred to his appearance, the most famous of which was that His Holiness, the current Pope, had a one-eyed look.

The girl in front of me, however, has a pair of eyes like a jewel - she seemed to have sensed my suspicion and said, "Excuse me," and then turned her back to me.

And then, while running her hands over her face and hair, she is doing something else.

When the girl turned to me, she had a round pebble-like object in her hand. Her hair has changed, too, with bangs covering her left eye.

The girl, perhaps recognizing the color of understanding in my gaze, moves her hair to show me her left eye. I found a hollow there and let out a small breath.

'I see, so it was a prosthetic eye.

Yes, Swordsman. It's an item with magic attached to it, so once it's fitted, others won't notice. However, some people who are highly observant may feel uncomfortable seeing me. This was the case with Lord Miroslav and Lord Lunamaria.

The girl - Pope Noah Carnelius of the Holy Kingdom said that, and after blinking a couple of times to clear her vision, she began to explain what happened this time (what happened).

According to him, the Holy Kingdom had predicted the enemy's attack from the beginning.

The Holy City (the Holy Kingdom's royal capital), where the Pope usually resides, was strongly defended both physically and magically, and it was not easy for immortal demons to even break in. This one incident of the Pope leaving the Holy City would be the perfect opportunity for the enemy.

With that in mind, the Holy Kingdom thought of taking advantage of this situation. In other words, it was a good opportunity to round up the enemies who usually lurk in the dark.

In line with this decision, the Holy Kingdom has put a team of canary-bound personnel under their control to prepare a plan to defeat the attacking enemy. Of course, the Pope was a shadow soldier. So, it is this group that is currently heading to the capital from the south.

In the meantime, the real Pope and his advance party will enter the Canary Kingdom ahead of the rest. That was the whole plan.

If there was a ship-eyed priest among the advance party, there was a risk of being detected by an enemy with good instincts. Apparently, the artificial eye was a measure to avoid that.

When I heard about the incident from the Pope, I was convinced, but at the same time I had a question.

Normally in such a scenario, I thought the general would be safe in the Holy City and wait for the success of the operation.

''If I didn't move from the Holy City, there was a risk that they would find out about the operation. Besides, if I waited for the operation to succeed before I left, that would delay the construction of the boundary magic.

This would inevitably spread the damage of the poison. On the other hand, if we go in first with the advance team, we can spend that much more time on building the wards.

After explaining that much, the Pope looked apologetic and depressed.

''In the end, they saw through everything and even caused damage to the people of this country. One misstep and even your swordsman-dono's companion... I can't apologize for that.

'Please pass those words on to both of you. I do not believe I am to receive them, sir.

'Very true. Now, let me express my gratitude, not my apologies, to the Swordsman-dono.

As I said this, the Pope stared into my eyes.

I could see my face in his clear green eyes.　　

He said, "If you had not avenged his impurity this time, I and all those who were sent ahead of me would have lost their lives. I give my heartfelt thanks to you for your great valor. And in the name of Noah Carnelius, I pledge to repay this debt of gratitude.

"I am honored by your praise, Your Holiness. I could not be more pleased if my sword has been of any use to you, Your Holiness.

I'm going to be very serious and hang my head down as best I can.

To tell the truth, I'd like to add that there's no need to return the favor. I'm also seriously grateful to His Highness. For risking your life to come to this country in order to build a ward as soon as possible.

However, it would be rude to say "no, thank you" to the person who said that he or she would return the favor in his or her own name. I decided to accept their gratitude in a straightforward manner.

The problem is after this.　

--How do I pay off the book of silence that has descended into the room?

Ever since I came to this room, or rather, ever since we met in the Titis Forest, His Holiness's facial expressions have been difficult to read. It's not that he's expressionless, but the changes in his expression are small and short, making it difficult to understand what he's thinking.

I'm not sure if he has something else he wants to talk about, or if he's waiting for me to leave, or if he has some other reason for this silence, but I can't read it.

Of course, I can read an approximate personality from what has been said so far and from his polite attitude towards me. That of His Holiness is a favorable one for me.

But I also feel that what I've seen so far isn't everything about His Holiness.

Well, it's not surprising, I suppose. The Pope and the King. A man in such a complicated and bizarre position can't be without a back side. It is natural that he has something inconceivable.

As I was thinking about this, suddenly a clear voice shook my eardrums.

''-- Swordsman-dono.''

What is this?

There are, no, there are two things I'd like to ask you. May I ask you a few questions?

Saying that, Seishita tilted his head back. His expression is still dim, but his gesture is very cute. Before you know it, the power in your shoulders slipped away.

You can ask me anything you want.

When I responded, His Holiness nodded his head and continued.

''I was told that your name is Sora. Are you sure about this?

Yes, I'm sure.

When I reply in the affirmative, His Holiness politely thanks me.

My shoulders relax more and more. I began to wonder if I was thinking too much about tengei, or if it was just me thinking too much," His Holiness said.

I'm not sure if I'm thinking too much," he said without pausing to ask his next question, with a voice full of sharpness, as if to catch me off guard.

''Your real name is Mitsurugi Sora. There's no doubt about this too, right?