MPO

CHAPTER CXl

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

In the middle of the night, the entire temple was lit up by Lucas’s arrival. The Pope was surprised by Lucas’s disheveled state, which was so different from his usual demeanor, but did not show it outwardly.

“Your Grace, what brings you here at such an hour…?”

No one dared to stop Lucas from arriving unannounced and demanding an audience with the Pope. The disappointed looks followed him, as if chastising him for his uncharacteristic behavior.

Those tiresome looks, judging him by their own arbitrary standards, were extremely irritating. But now, Leila’s safety was more important than their gazes.

“Your Holiness, I have something to discuss. May we speak privately?”

“Yes, of course.”

The Pope readily agreed and led Lucas to his prayer room. As soon as they entered, Lucas got straight to the point.

“Your Holiness, I need holy water.”

“…Even for you, Your Grace, that is not something I can easily grant. Even His Majesty the Emperor cannot demand holy water.”

Anticipating the Pope’s refusal, Lucas spoke calmly.

“Long ago, when the gods were closer to humanity, people created items with divine power, did they not?”

As Lucas began, the Pope’s eyes wavered. The temple still periodically sent out expeditions to find ancient relics. So, he understood immediately.

“My ancestors acquired a relic long ago. It is important enough to be passed down as a family heirloom.”

“…Why do you need the holy water?”

The Pope could not refuse, no matter what relic Lucas brought. However, he wanted to understand why Lucas, usually so confident and proud, was now desperate, almost like a child on the verge of tears.

“I just want to save a woman. So that I can live sanely.”

Lucas couldn’t bear to imagine losing Leila. During his frantic ride to the temple, he couldn’t help but consider the worst-case scenario. If Leila truly disappeared from his world, could he go on living without her?

The answer was no. Her refreshing and sweet pheromones, her gentle voice, the way her lips curved when she smiled, her jewel-like eyes that sparkled under the sunlight, and finally, her violin playing that resonated with his heart.

There were so many aspects to her that people failed to appreciate. Unlike others, he had recognized her worth from the beginning. He had prided himself on his discerning eye.

But Leila was not an object. She had a tragic past, but she was no different from anyone else. She had thoughts and desires. Despite this, she had seemed special to him from the first moment he saw her.

Initially, he was captivated by her music, then by her beautiful eyes. Spending time with her, he fell deeply for her inner self. He became obsessed and wanted to possess her, regardless of her own wishes.

“Your Holiness, a woman believed to be abandoned by God is actually a woman loved by God. But it was human actions, akin to those of demons, that took that away and ruined her. So, Your Holiness.”

Lucas, who had been looking down quietly, slowly lifted his gaze and met the Pope’s eyes.

“If you are truly God’s representative, please help ensure that God’s touch reaches her. Do not abandon her, who has endured solitude in the darkness without even moonlight.”

Lucas, as if praying, knelt down. Before the Pope could stop him, he offered the relic with both hands. He was willing to kneel before anyone if it meant saving Leila.

“…There must be a reason why God brought you two together.”

From the moment these two, who had lived such different lives, appeared together, the Pope had sensed it. These two were destined to save each other.

The Pope, seeing a matured Lucas, looked down at him quietly and joined his hands in prayer.

“Oh God, please look upon Thy poor children with mercy.”