Book 17: Chapter 7
“Your Majesty!”
The young boy saluted me properly, which gave me a strangely awkward feeling. I crushed the last person dressed in the same fashion, while the pursuers he sent after me, brutally insulted me. My conflicts with others weren’t considered grudges resolvable only through death; however, the church insulted me, Nier and almost killed the two of us, which was why I hated the church to their very core. The young boy didn’t do anything wrong, but I was never fond of him.
The last time I went to the church, I reduced it to smithereens. This time, they were going to conduct my daughter’s baptism. It felt awkward no matter how I thought about it.
“Ah, it’s you. I’m glad you’re still the pope.”
Due to the pope being a young boy, Nier was fond of him from the start. He matured a bit after a year. He was no longer as frightened as he once was and also behaved a lot better in regards to etiquette. Nier cheerfully greeted him. He responded to her with a smile then refocused on me, who didn’t utter a word. He was worried about me, especially since the old church and new church were in the middle of a conflict. Last time, Mommy Vyvyan even killed an envoy. Though that was due to him trespassing into the elven spring’s area, the boy was probably worried I’d retaliate.
I nodded. Mom was behind me, so I didn’t want to express anything. Sure, the boy was unrelated to the previous incident, and he had always tried to be friendly with me, but I really didn’t want to think about the incident. For that reason, I couldn’t erase the previous animosity from myself. The church permanently lost my trust after what they did. That was why I didn’t intend to interact with them any further than letting them baptise Daisy. That was plenty for me.
Mom explained, “My son came here to check up on the chapel’s safety and your arrangements. Can you satisfy him?”
“We can show His Majesty anytime. We and the Valkyries have always protected the things we will need for Archduchess Daisy with our lives. Therefore, I am confident no matter when you visit.”
I nodded again.