CH 125.2

“…I’m sorry…I don’t…I don’t!”

The person you love will die if you have a child with him or her. Most people would refuse to take that risk if they had to. However, Cielo was born under the blood of a “Priestess” who must do so. For so many years that we don’t even know how many generations have gone by, many mothers and fathers have made that decision while shedding tears of blood.

Naturally, Cielo’s mother is the same. So did her father.

Goutani did not want Cielo to die. He felt deeply sorry for Cielo’s fate. That is why he cried and moaned, bowed his head and repented.

“…I’m sorry…I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too… for not accepting you properly…”

As they apologize to each other, the Pope looks at them and speaks to the people.

“One needs a strong heart to have great power. He was, at the end of the day, a man who could care for others. Still, power changes people. In his case, the power of “heroism” changed him. If the heart cannot endure and clings to power, only great sin and destruction await. Records say such things have happened many times to the past heroes. It is said that each time it happened, the country was destroyed.”

That is why we must not misjudge what we believe in, the Pope said.

“What we believe in is the very teaching of ‘heroism’ itself. The thoughts left behind as a guide to the future created by the first ‘Priestesses’ and ‘heroes’ must not be distorted by the power of the ‘heroes’. Let us all read the Bible again and think about it once more. We are living in a period of peace that was built on the sacrifice of the heroes, boys and girls… The heroes will be punished accordingly, but not to the death. Now…disperse.”

With the Pope’s words, everyone returned to their homes and lodgings. The Pope decided to take a break from his daily routine for a while to give the people time to think. He was also very tired and dizzy.

Armani supported him from the side.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, please take care of yourself. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Yes, please…Cielo.”

“…Yes.”

The eyes of father and daughter met. Sadness or joy? It was hard to read it from their expressions, but they certainly felt something in each other’s eyes.

“I myself do not begrudge the heroes. But I can’t leave him in La Veil Radd. Yes, he’s better now, but I don’t think people will be convinced. When he settles down, we might need to deport him as soon as possible. Is that clear?”

“…Yes, I understand. Good night, Father.”

“Oh, good night…”

After watching the Pope leave, supported by Armani, Cielo takes Goutani’s hand and makes him stand up. Then she brings him in front of Mika.

“Goutani…”

“Sakurada…I see now that I’m an asshole…sorry.”

“It’s ok. We’re classmates, I gave you a shot, and I punched you for Cielo’s share. I’ll make it all go away. You won’t do anything stupid again, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Yeah, Cielo, the three of us are going to stay up all night drinking.”

“Yes, I’m going to check on her.”

“I’ll go with you to Mika’s place.”

Mika nodded, then clasped Goutani’s shoulders and whispered in his ear.

“I also wanted to apologize to you, and all the other heroes, for fighting for me. So I’ve decided that if there’s a crazy fool out there, I’m going to beat him up. You know, to bring them back to their senses.”

“…Just like how you beat me.”

“That’s right!”

She laughed and patted Goutani on the back, whereupon Quad smiled at her with a few bottles of the wine he created with Fairy Magic.

“Well, it’s a bit old-fashioned, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Please try some.”

“Really? Come on Cielo, Goutani, let’s drink!”

“Yes, yes, Mika likes to drink as much as La Veil.”

“I’ve been doing most of my training for the past six months.”