Chapter 25

Entering the Pope’s office, I witnessed a strange scene. The person tied to the chair was too familiar.

What the hell are you playing at?

“…Ah.”

I pursed my lips at the unexpected scene. Before I could say anything, a hand appeared from behind and covered my mouth. The Pope covered my mouth and shook his head. With his other hand, he placed his index finger against his mouth. Seeing his gesture, I nodded my head.

I removed his hand and brushed the back of my head, whispering softly in my ear. Perhaps he thought Ardal had good hearing, but he whispered quietly but didn’t say my name.

“Don’t make a sound. Seduce Ardal.”

“…”

“No words or sounds. Don’t even tell him who you are.”

The Pope extended his finger and pointed at Ardal. Ardal stood tall, bound to his chair with his eyes covered. As soon as he arrived, he was taken away.

[Discovered an unexpected event! Starting <The Pope’s Quest>.]

[You must seduce Paladin Ardal in front of the Pope.]

[If you succeed, Ardal’s favorability and your reward will increase.]

[If you succeed, the Pope’s trust will increase.]

[If you fail, Ardal’s favorability will decrease.]

[If you fail, the Pope’s favorability will decrease. If the Pope’s favorability gets too low, you must stay in the Holy Land until you regain his favorability.]

An ‘unexpected event’ has occurred.

The system window popped up loudly.

‘Unexpected events’ had a low probability of proc-ing since they’re not included in the main story, but you could tell which character had ‘unexpected events’ just from the main story. In this case, the reward was a double-edged sword. If you succeed, your favorability will increase and you’ll get a lot of rewards, but if you fail, you will lose all your favorability.

This time, the penalty was severe. The Pope is a character that needs a certain level of likeability and if it falls, you need to stay in the Holy Land until you earn it back. It didn’t just end with a drop in favorability; it’ll also impact the rest of the run.

While looking at the system window, the Pope gently peeled off my coat. He ran a finger across my bare shoulder and smiled contentedly. He pushed my naked body in front of Ardal, leaving only a thin underwear behind.

“Ardal, I know you put your hands on Sister Haniel’s body without my permission.”

“Your Holiness, that…”

“Not just once. Did you think I’d never find out?”

“…No way.”

“Yes. I also know you embraced Sister Haniel in the carriage today.”

Ardal stopped breathing as if he was surprised by the Pope’s words. I too was surprised and looked at the Pope with my eyes wide open.

How did you know that?

Contrary to his cold tone, the Pope smiled kindly at me.

“Of course, I could just tell the knight that you embraced someone other than Sister Haniel in the carriage.”

“It was just Haniel and I in the carriage. How could it be like that…”

“Reading your memory is a simple thing.”

“Your Holiness… to use your powers on me…”

“I could just tell the knight.”

The Pope said calmly and sat me on Ardal’s lap. Feeling me sit down, Ardal stiffened his body and said sharply.

“Who is this?”

“I could easily manipulate his memory as long as I show him a scene of you sleeping with another person.”

“Your Holiness!”

Ardal twisted and screamed hysterically.

“It can’t be! I’m a knight! I can’t lay my hands on anyone else after embracing Haniel.”

“Get started.”

“Your Holiness!”

Ardal called out to the Pope with blood on his neck. The Pope ignored Ardal’s scream and snapped his finger, as if telling me to start.

I nodded and kissed Ardal’s nape. He twisted his body, as if to shake me off.

“Do you know who you’re touching? Get off me!”

“…”

Ardal, who shouted at me, twisted his bound wrists. His whole body tensed. It was the first time I’d seen Ardal so excited. It looked like he was going to untangle himself at any moment and strangle me.

Embarrassed, I removed my hand and turned to the Pope.

“I allowed it. Go on.”

Well then, I’ll do it. I can’t fail.

“No, Your Holiness. You can’t do this to me, no matter how holy you are!”

Ardal cried desperately.

I came down from Ardal’s lap and took off his uniform. It was uncomfortable since my body shook. Ardal gritted his teeth at my touch and muttered.

“If you touch me, I will slit your throat. You’ll be decapitated the moment I’m released…”

Oh, that’s kind of scary.

An eerie voice rang in my ears. Ardal’s threat gave me goosebumps. I shivered and kept moving my hands. I unbuttoned his button-up and tugged on his collar. His strong chest, which burned hot, rose and fell greatly.

I pressed my fingers against his muscular chest, admiring it. His beautiful muscles were taut.

“Get your hands off right now.”

As I touched his chest, he let out a low growl. He talked to me menacingly. I ignored him and put my lips on his chest.

I could feel his beating heart beneath my lips. Grabbing his thighs as he twisted, I lightly bit his nipple.

He groaned shamefully as my finger trailed down to his waist.

“How dare you… ugh…”

Oh, what a liar. As I continued to torment his chest, his docile penis grew, poking my palm.