Chapter 83

“There are a lot of things to discuss with His Holiness. First of all, about the status, what do you think?”

“Do you have any registered families?”

“No. I am not from this world.”

“…Yes?”

The Pope asked, confused.

Before I came, I kept contemplating whether I should let him know about this. However, I needed the protection of the temple because I did not have a connection yet. For that, we need to inform him of the situation.

“Rohim brought me from another world.”

I briefly explained why Rohim had no choice but to make such a choice.

“…Well, I see.”

The Pope, who was confused for a moment, nodded his head slightly in understanding before continuing.

“This is a secret that should never be known.”

“I will put my divine power and keep it a secret.”

Even if I didn’t say it, the Pope made a firm resolve as if he knew the reason.

“Then, we will need something to prove the savior’s identity.”

“Yes.”

If I showed my divine power, everyone wouldn’t be able to take me recklessly though I needed something to prove it with documents.

“Of course, the Great Temple must guarantee the Savior’s identity.”

Don’t worry.

The Pope smiled softly.

“In the next few days, I plan to announce God’s revelation and announce the existence of the savior. In addition, I want to give the savior the title of Saint.”

“I know that when you receive the title of Saint, a surname is also newly given.”

The Pope nodded at Declan’s question.

“You’re right. The Ruhandel surname is given down.”

“Ruhandel…?”

“It is the name of the former holy nation. It is also a surname given to popes and cardinals.”

I remember reading it in a history book.

Ruhandel, the holy nation founded by those who had not lost their faith after being driven out of Perseum. In the days when only priests could use divine power, it was said that their status reached the sky. Nevertheless, after the divine power disappeared, only the Great Temple was maintained.

“Now that the savior has e, the glory will be restored again.”

As he said so, the Pope’s darkened face brightened.

“From now on, the savior will be Erica Ruhandel. Of course, you will also be protected.”

‘…My name is Erica Ruhandel.’

Even though it was quite awkward, as evidence that I finally made my root here, it also made me feel weird.

“It suits you well.”

Declan smiled contentedly.

“Have you decided on a place to live?”

The Pope glanced at Declan and asked me.

“I will go to the Empire with His Majesty.”

The Pope sighed a little and made a somber face after hearing my answer.

“The priests will be very sorry. You are the long-awaited savior.”

“She’s my fiancée. She’s the one who will be the Empress in the future, so it’s no wonder she’s with me.”

“It’s still before the wedding, you don’t have a place to stay in the Empire, right?”

However, the Pope, unable to give up his regrets, tried to persuade me once again.

“She just has to stay in the Imperial Palace as she has always done.”

Again, Declan cut his attempt with a single knife.

“Have you stayed in the Imperial Palace before?”

Because I couldn’t say that I had been a doll, I only nodded with an ambiguous face.

“If the savior’s will is that way, there is nothing we can do. Still, don’t forget that we are always here.”

“Erica will never stay here.”

The Pope raised his lips when Declan was about to cut off the remaining possibilities.

“You don’t know that.”

The two men’s eyes met tightly in the air.

‘…Am I supposed to act as a mediator here, too?’

All of a sudden, I got tired.

“As a savior, I may stay here out of necessity, but my place will always be by His Majesty’s side.”

“If you say so.”

In the end, the Pope was forced to retreat due to my strong will.

“I have one last thing to tell you about Epist.”

The next moment, the Pope’s eyes lit up at the mention of Epist.

Since Declan had promised to decipher Epist, I couldn’t just go. I used Epist as the key to Perseum that had been said not to exist. Then, the Pope was surprised to hear that I had been to the Perseum rather than Epist, and asked questions about it.

Thanks to this, we decided to replace the treaty by explaining in detail about the Lacande tree and deciphering the holy words.

“When do you plan to leave for the Empire?”

“Tomorrow.”

The Pope expressed his dismay.

“His Majesty has been away from the Imperial Palace for a long time. He has some urgent work to do, so I think we should go right away.”

“Then, can’t His Majesty leave first?”

As he asked that, he glanced at Declan’s eyes and sent pleading looks.

“This is the safest place for the savior.”

“She’s safest by my side.”

Once again, seeing a nerve war break out between the two of them, I sighed inside to myself.

“I will be back soon. At that time, I will stay fortably, so please understand.”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. Please, visit us again as soon as possible.”

Saying so, the Pope glanced at Declan. Somehow, his eyes were like looking like a thief who had taken his beloved granddaughter.

‘Cute.’

Seeing the pope, I laughed inside.

After discussing a little more about the future schedule, the Pope personally led us to our room.

“This is where Your Majesty will be staying. You’ll be familiar with it, as you used it a few days ago.”

He showed Declan the room first, then he turned and headed to the next room.

“This is the room the savior will use. It was prepared suddenly today, so there may be some shortings. However, I will prepare it properly next time.”

Coming into the room, he explained in detail before going out after a long time explaining the grand plans for the future.

“He’s a talker.”

Murmured Declan, who was leaning against the doorway and watching the Pope’s back.

“That’s right. His first impressions are very different.”

“It’s because you are the savior.”

As he moved closer, Declan pulled me gently by the waist.

“Every time I hold you like this, I realize that you have bee a person.”

“Really? Me, too.”

I hugged him and smiled brightly as well.

“I think I’m dreaming.”

He gently stroked my hair and kissed the tip of my hair.

“It’s so warm, but it’s not a dream.”

As Declan continued, he smiled as he grazed my face gently.

“But, since when did I bee Your Majesty’s fiancée?”

“From the moment you confessed your love to me.”

He replied very proudly as if he was asking what the problem was.

“It’s a confession of love. I never said that I would bee Your Majesty’s fiancée, did I?”

At that, he was bewildered when I spoke coyly.

“Didn’t the Pope say that your seat is next to me?”

“An engagement definitely has a process. Don’t you think you’re forgetting something?”

Contemplating, he immediately shook his head.

“Hmm, is that why you’re upset?”

I gazed at him with anticipation, wondering if he had found the answer I was looking for.

“The engagement ring was meant to be made when we go into the Empire.”

…No, excuse me?

‘The ring is not important. There are some things you have to say while giving the ring…!’

I quickly grabbed the word that was about to e out of my mouth.

‘I stayed here while talking about the savior matter. Shouldn’t he have dealt with it somehow?’

Meanwhile, Declan was a little perplexed as he felt my sullen gaze. He started thinking again about what he was missing.

“Oh, is it because of the engagement ceremony?”

Declan looked apologetic.

“Actually, as soon as we arrive in the Empire, I’m going to announce that I’m already engaged. Instead, the wedding…”

As he was speaking, he suddenly let out a groan.

“Wait, wait, wait here.”

All of a sudden, he went out in a hurry. To be honest, I hoped that he had e up with a marriage proposal, but on the other hand, I was also worried about what kind of absurd thought he had.

‘Is it because he never thought about marriage at all…?’

Come to think of it, Declan said to the nobles that he would never marry. How could someone who was so hard-headed introduce me as his fiancée?

Although the change was unfamiliar, I was satisfied with the fact that he had only me in his heart.

* * *

As he left the room, Declan messed up his hair.

‘…You idiot.’

Within one day, a series of happy things happened that made his heart overwhelmed.

How could he miss it?

It was pathetic, and he had no excuses. Even if things weren’t going well, he should have at least talked to Erica first and asked for forgiveness.

‘It’s not enough to make Erica sad… I made her mention it first as well.’

He was so sorry and ashamed.

“I just wanted to do the best in anything.”

A remorseful sigh escaped from his mouth. In fact, even now, he didn’t have a sense of reality as if he was walking on clouds.

The past days seemed to be an accumulation of all the good fortunes of his entire life. He wondered if all the pain he had been through was to prepare for this time. It was not enough for Erica to e back safely, she had bee a human.

Was that it?

Declan felt like he was going to burst with ecstasy when she told him she loved him. Even though he was afraid that he was really crazy, he could accept anything like this. If it was a dream, he never wanted to wake up again…

So, could he ever be sane?

He gazed down at his hand that had just touched Erica’s warmth.

“…She’s really alive.”

Her body temperature still remained in his hand, and the soft feel of her was still there.