Chapter 19

It was called ‘The Pope’s Truth’. Just by looking at the name of the route, it seems to be a single route towards the Pope. My goal for this run was to target all the characters. I shook my head since this route didn’t match my goal. I would have been worried if it was Ardal’s single route, but I would have thought about it. The Pope, on the other hand, wasn’t my target.

“Then I won’t listen. What if Ardal were to be punished for saying such a thing?”

“I’m fine.”

“But I’m not. As Ardal said, I won’t use my abilities in front of His Holiness, so don’t worry.”

When I answered Ardal, he laughed bitterly. He looked like he wanted to talk, yet at the same time he looked relieved.

[Not listening to Ardal’s explanation will destroy ‘The Pope’s Truth’ route.]

I was a little curious, but now I know how to enter this route, so I’ll try it next time.

I smiled widely, hiding my regret.

[Dangerous Secrets – The Pope’s Abyss]

[The hidden route ‘The Pope’s Abyss’ is activated because you did not listen to the Pope’s secrets.]

[Cannot view due to lack of information.]

[Target character: due to lack of information about the Pope (Orias), the Pope (Orias)’s danger level increased.]

[Probability of reaching Confinement ending increased by 15%.]

Hmm…? What?

A system window came up in front of Ardal, who stood up.

The system window flashed red. I blinked blankly when I saw the system window glow red, as if to warn me.

Is this the first time a system window looks like this?

“Haniel, I’ll take care of your clothes.”

“Ah, yes…”

Staring at the empty space where the system window once was, I nodded casually at Ardal’s words.

Abyss… that doesn’t sound good.

Based on the name and the red system window I’ve never seen before, this sounded like a difficult route.

“Wait, Ardal.”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing?”

Blinking foolishly, I looked at Ardal’s hand on my collar and asked. He was taking off the pajamas someone had given me while I fainted. He looked straight into my eyes, unbuttoning the button.

“To help you change into your outdoor clothes.”

“Ah.”

Ardal answered calmly. I scratched my cheek out of embarrassment at his innocent touch.

What the hell am I saying?

I misunderstood Ardal since we had already done it once. Even if there was the Pope, there was no way that Ardal would attack me like a beast in heat. If I challenged him, he would accept it, but there was no Ardal Ardal would initiate it first.

I laughed despondently and said to Ardal.

“Sorry for stopping you. Please continue.”

Ardal nodded as he scratched his cheek. I felt strange as I watched his large fingers unbutton my pajamas one by one. He did a good job of undoing the small buttons with his fingers.

Looking at Ardal’s cool face, who was absorbed in undressing, I smiled happily. His black hair was neatly brushed back and his well-groomed hairline was visible. His deep and cool eyes, high nose bridge and upright attitude; he was handsome.

I wanted to send infinite praise to the person who designed Ardal. If the development team that locked me up here didn’t contribute to the design, I’ll still give them a big compliment.

While admiring Ardal’s face, he undid the buttons up to my waist.

“Could you please raise your arms a little.”

“Okay.”

Ardal slipped the clothes off. After wearing only one thin garment and shivering, Ardal got up and quickly returned with my outdoor clothes.

“Ugh…!”

Ardal, who briefly kissed my neck before dressing me, straightened his collar with a straight face.

“Now your shoes.”

He bent down with a cold face that didn’t look like someone who had just kissed my neck.

A tingling sensation ran through my body, perhaps because his lips had touched my neck. After taking a stamina potion, my body was overflowing with strength, so I thought it would be okay to do it at least once.

Will he fall for it if I seduce him?

I put my bare foot on Ardal’s thigh. I could feel his firm things on the soles of my feet. I applied strength to the tips of my toes as I swept Ardal’s stone-like thighs from the inside to the top. Ardal dropped the shoe from my lewd footwork.

He gasped as if he had been strangled.

“…Haniel?”

“Ah, did I put it too high? Should I move it down a bit…?”

I frowned as if I hadn’t noticed and leaned toward Ardal. Ardal let out a low groan as he tilted his upper body and dragged my foot down again.

“Ugh…”

Ardal stared horribly at my small toe that swept down the inside of his thigh and near his genitals. He clenched his fist and took a long, deep breath. Ardal, who chewed his lips, looked at my face and stared at the closed door. He shook his head and said as he stared at the door.

“I’ll put on your shoes.”

Unfortunately, Ardal didn’t cave in.

“Captain, the carriage is ready.”

“Alright, we’ll be leaving soon.”

A knock was heard as Ardal stood up. Then, a paladin’s voice was heard and Ardal held out his hand.

When I went outside, there was a long line of paladins lined in front of the carriage.

Surely all those paladins won’t follow me home?

I looked at Ardal, but he held my hand and stared straight ahead. The pure white carriage was exceptionally gorgeous.

“Haniel, His Holiness told me that he regrets not being able to come with you.”

As I looked at the flawless white carriage, a paladin spoke to me and took a step back. The news that I was going out seemed to have reached the Pope. After I responded to the paladin, I headed for the carriage. Horses as white as the carriage began shifting in their positions.

Looking curiously at the realistic-looking horses, I climbed into the carriage. It really was indistinguishable from reality.

“Captain, this way.”

“Ardal, won’t you ride with me?”