Chapter 120

She naturally possessed a combative heart—being able to spar with the strong was, to her, a stroke of fortune in life.

“Come on, come on~ Let me see... just what trump cards do you still have!”

“You’re very strong.” Timani opened her eyes, a trace of sympathy unexpectedly surfacing within them. “I never wished to use you as a stepping stone for glory... nor did I want to hurt anyone. But... I’ve wandered lost for far too long. I no longer have any other choice.”

Moments later, both the spectators in the front rows and those at the back turned away or shielded their eyes.

Because that dazzling burst of light created an instant, instinctive judgment—“If I look straight at it, my eyes will definitely be hurt.”

“So... I’m sorry.”

The Cormier Arena in the Royal Capital witnessed the highest-caliber magic it had ever borne or seen successfully unleashed since its inception.

It was a domain magic unique to Timani.

——【Scarlet】.

...................................

Sheffy, walking through the forest outskirts of the Royal Capital, suddenly halted and looked back in the direction of the arena.

A towering scarlet light screen illuminated half the sky, casting a blazing-red hue over the night-shrouded capital.

——Even though the arena was already dozens of miles away from here.

“Whoa, who lit the fireworks? Pretty decent job!”

“That’s... the direction of the arena?” Xiarette, walking alongside, felt a wave of unease rising in her chest. “Isn’t that where Little Sylatrella and Timani are competing? What kind of magic is that... are they fighting that intensely?!”

“Relax, let’s analyze this rationally. If that firework was from the fire lizard, then it’s not enough to scare off that pervert. And if it was set off by the pervert, then the fire lizard’s probably not in any danger either. I mean... not that I’m trying to compliment that pervert, but your Holy Sword is actually pretty measured when it comes to action, don’t you think?”

“Uh... Sheffy, where exactly are you seeing ‘measured’ in her actions...?”

“You don’t get it. Back when I went fishing and asked her to help haul the net, she didn’t miss a single fish. Just for that alone, Sylatrella is reliable. She’s a good pervert.”

“But that’s only because you barely caught any fish at all, so how could she have missed anything hauling the net...?”

“Ahem ahem ahem!! The air quality in this place is just awful! Aren’t we there yet? Look at the mess this is!”

“......”

Sheffy would never admit her lackluster fishing skills.

Since Sheffy said it was fine, Xiarette didn’t dwell too much on it.

Her Sheffy had always had sharp judgment—definitely quicker than her own sluggish mind.

Moreover... Xiarette knew there was something more important the two of them had set out to do on this journey.

She reached up to part the branches blocking the path and ducked through.

Sheffy didn’t need to part the branches because her height allowed her to pass straight through without obstruction—she could just walk normally and the path would remain clear.

As Xiarette bent down again, she caught another glimpse of the envelope in Sheffy’s hand.

Tsk, she really couldn’t understand what that Pope was thinking.

Couldn’t he just speak plainly? Why leave such vague and cryptic wording?

——【Would young friend be willing to come to the Cormier Forest? I wish to meet here and jointly discuss an important matter.】

The magic firefly-like light particles that had emerged from the letter continued to guide the two of them toward a certain place—that should be where the Pope was waiting.

Xiarette’s steps grew heavier. She felt deeply uneasy about this.

If it were under the identity of "Shaya," the Pope would never lower himself to write such a letter.

After all, "Shaya" wasn't royalty, so what basis was there for "jointly discussing an important matter"?

But since Gustana VII had phrased it this way, did that mean...

“Sheffy, does this mean the Pope has realized that ‘Shaya’ is actually ‘Sheffy’ in disguise? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have written with such a collaborative tone, right?”

“He can’t tell.”

“Whew... then it’s still—”

“But the thing behind him can.”

“!”

So in the end, they’d been found out after all!

Sheffy continued walking, casually spreading her arms as she moved forward.

She sighed like a little grown-up, but it couldn’t hide the mischievous smirk on her face.

“No helping it~ Since ‘Sheffy’ had to show up for the match, ‘Shaya’ had to use teleportation. Two back-and-forths with teleportation—if it were farther away, maybe it’d be fine, but at this short distance? If that presence floating behind the Pope couldn’t even see through that, would we even need to bother with him?”

“Well yes, but... if the Pope realizes this and exposes your identity... wouldn’t the peaceful life you wanted, Sheffy, be—”

“That possibility doesn’t exist if there’s no interest chain.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

See, this was exactly why Xiarette...

You’re way too slow on the uptake.

But then again, Sheffy was always indulgent toward her older sister.

She came to a stop, crossed her arms in front of her, leaned against a nearby tree branch, and shook the letter in her hand as she explained.

“What benefit would the old guy gain from exposing my identity? The games between nations aren’t child’s play. All he wants is a promise—maybe to start trade with the Demon Clan, or maybe to ensure the Demon Clan doesn’t pose a threat to the Holy Theocracy of Coreia’s territory. But if he exposes who I am, all he’ll get in return is me bringing an army to flatten his little nest~ What good would that do him?”

“So that’s how it is... but if that’s the case, since he doesn’t dare act rashly, then even if we don’t go meet him, isn’t it...! Mmph!”

Once again, Sheffy delivered a knife-hand strike to Xiarette’s head by tiptoeing up...

It didn’t hurt.

Even after being “hit,” Xiarette still gently helped remove the leaves that had caught in Sheffy’s silver hair during her tiptoe reach.

Xiarette actually felt quite aggrieved.

Everything she thought about—what mattered most—was ensuring Sheffy’s safety. Nothing else was as important.

She had agreed to let Sheffy participate in the match back when she didn’t know that the Pope had some unknown ace hidden behind him.

Now that the situation had changed, everything was up in the air, wasn’t it?

“...I know, really. This match is just a way to see what the Pope is planning—that’s why we came... But... but Sheffy, you never said whether that thing behind the Pope poses any threat to your safety. I’m not being cowardly, but if there’s any uncertainty, I’d rather take you and leave... Mmph!”

Another strike!

But this time, the knife-hand was clearly much gentler.

Sheffy handed the letter she’d just received to Xiarette, then turned her head, chuckled through her nose, and continued forward.

“I really like something a certain famous writer once said—‘I won’t try to catch fish I can’t catch.’”

“Who said that?”

“Sheffy Harl.”

“You’re not a writer!”

“Pfft... whether I am or not doesn’t matter, Xiarette. You need to savor the meaning in those words!”

“I won’t try to catch fish I can’t catch.”

“But Sheffy, you don’t even know how to fish!”

“You looking for a fight?! Is that it?! You’re totally looking for a fight, aren’t you?!”

Sheffy stomped her foot in frustration, her tiny fists thumping against Xiarette’s overly elastic chest.

——Only to have herself bounce back a step from the recoil.

Sheffy blinked, lowered her fists, and sighed deeply.

Tch. I’ll let it go this time—only because of how soft it is.

“What I meant is, I wouldn’t have come if I couldn’t win! That thing—though it can’t be gauged by strength—isn’t all that powerful. If it were, the Pope would’ve played his cards long ago. It must have some kind of limitation... But you, Xiarette...! I already said you didn’t have to follow me. Why are you so stubborn?”

“That’s not stubbornness... If I didn’t come, there’s no way I’d be at ease. I know how strong you are, Sheffy... but like I said, that’s beside the point.”

Xiarette reached out and gently patted Sheffy on the head.

The motion made Sheffy’s petite body sway left and right.

“Sheffy, didn’t you say before—no matter how dangerous things get, as long as I’m here, you can rest assured? The Pope has his hidden cards, but you have yours too. And your hidden card... is me. That’s something your big sister is very proud of. Honestly... seeing how strong you are now, how you don’t need my help at all, I already feel pretty useless... Don’t tell me you’re going to take away even that little bit of pride I have left?”

Sheffy pouted and lowered her head in silence.

She gave her head a slight shake, seemingly annoyed, but the blush rising on her cheeks betrayed the truth—she actually quite enjoyed Xiarette’s head-patting.

A low muttered reply followed.

“Meh... whatever. The Pope’s already seen ‘Shaya’ sitting next to the Hero, so there’s no point hiding anything now. Besides... letting him know that the Demon Clan Princess and the Kingdom’s Hero are friends isn’t a bad thing either. It might serve as a warning for the Theocracy to stop taking advantage of the Kingdom’s misfortunes. Honestly, I’ve had enough of their behavior for a while now...”

“Is it because you care about the Kingdom’s people?”

“Of course not...? It’s just because you live here and... tch, forget I said anything!”

“Sheffy.”

“What?!”

“When we get back tonight... mm... one more time?”

“!”

Sheffy Harl: in peril!

But what good is panic? The road still has to be walked, doesn’t it?

Xiarette stared at that ever-swaying ahoge atop Sheffy’s head. The more she looked, the more a soft smile bloomed on her beautiful face, unable to be hidden.

They were heading into the unknown.

And yet, as long as she was with Sheffy, why did it feel like there was nothing to fear?

What a truly wondrous thing this was~

..............................

The “fireflies” continued to float ahead until they reached the forest’s edge—then slowly dissipated into nothingness.

And together, Sheffy and Xiarette stepped out from the dense trees of the forest—only to spot, in the distance, a gilded cloak embroidered with golden crosses, a scepter topped with a ruby, and the crown that symbolized papal authority.

Gustana VII stood with his back to the Cormier Forest, head raised as he surveyed the overlapping mountains ahead.

Upon hearing movement, the old man turned around.

He placed his hand over his heart and gave a slight bow—this was the highest welcoming gesture the Theocracy extended to its guests.

Seeing this, Sheffy quickly whispered something to Xiarette.

“Whoa... Xiarette, look at that hat of his—it looks so heavy. How does it not fall off when he bows his head?”

“That’s what you’re focusing on?! The real question is... wasn’t the Pope still sitting on the high platform when we left? Why’s he here now, what about the arena?”

“A puppet, probably. Same logic as the Shaya doll. As for the hat not falling off—it’s definitely because he’s worn it so long that the hat’s shape perfectly matches his head. That’s gotta be it.”

“So the point was never really the hat... Fine, yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

After whispering their thoughts back and forth, Xiarette and Sheffy finally stepped forward toward where the true body of the Pope awaited.

The Pope set his scepter aside.

And, as if tired of standing, he sat down on a large stone nearby.

He nodded again and spoke gently.

“Welcome, Princess of the Demon Clan and Hero of Aurus. I am truly gratified that you accepted my invitation and came to this place.”

35. A God?

Hah, just look at the Pope’s mindset—he sees the two greatest threats from enemy nations standing side by side, and instead of cursing them with a swift death, he’s actually here offering a warm welcome.

When factions meet, the most important thing is establishing presence.

Sheffy saw it at a glance—the scepter the Pope had been holding, and the crown on his head—those weren’t just ornamental.

——They were magical artifacts containing immense reserves of magical power, capable of casting tenth-tier magic.

It seemed that, just like the Kingdom had its three great treasures, the Holy Theocracy truly possessed its own formidable foundations as well...

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