Croix City is a territory that lies midway between the Vanderford Empire and the ends of the Vanderford Continent.
A group of priests and temple servants welcomed the people clad in sacred-looking garments as they emerged from the teleportation array.
"We greet Your Holiness, Pope!" They greeted with enthusiasm.
"En…" The Pope nodded in acknowledgment before stepping forward and gesturing for everyone to look at the lady that was beside him.
"I would like to introduce to you, the Paladin who made such a big miracle during the war against the curse users"
The people then saw the young lady standing beside the Pope and a flash of complication appeared in their eyes.
"Oh… it's an honor to finally see the person behind the paladin mask." Although a trace of doubt clearly appeared in the priest's eyes, they did not dare to oppose the pope in front of so many people.
And so they still stiffly greeted the 'Paladin' introduced to them.
This reaction did not escape the Pope's eyes. A flash of alertness shone from his eyes but it was not enough for the people in front to see. Instead, he gestured to the lady beside him to greet them back.
"It's an honor to meet the priests and servants of the heavens here in Croix City…" The young lady smiled benevolently, not noticing the stiffness on the faces of the priests.
"You must have been exhausted crossing the entire continent, Your Holiness. We will lead you to your chambers to rest." The priest's expressions have completely recovered by now and immediately executed his role.
Since Croix City is the last city in the Vanderford Continent before crossing the oceans to get to the Seirende Continent, the Pope and his crew had to stay for a few days to prepare for the journey ahead.
Since it was traveling by the ocean, teleportation or travel by a winged beast in its entirety is not impossible.
And so to hasten their travel, they have to ride a ship for about a week and then a horde of strong beasts will meet them halfway on an island in the ocean to transport them to the next mainland - the Seirende Continent.
All in all the travel will be two weeks by this method, instead of a month and a half via ship sailing.
While walking towards the living quarters, the Pope observed the priest's gestures and his reaction towards his 'Paladin' to know why introducing the 'Paladin' sparked such a reaction.
He could not understand why the Priests and the servants did not react the same way as he expected but instead even doubted the 'Paladin's' identity.
'I must know why they acted that way…' The Pope thought in his mind, flashing a scheming light in his eyes.
Deciding this, he opted to send the paladin and the rest of the crew to retire for the night under the reason that they did multiple teleportation jumps to cross the entire continent from the Holy Island.
Then he had the priest of the Croix City summoned, for some 'catching up'.
"It has been well in this city, Your Holiness. When I heard that High Priest Enoch's domain was in trouble with the curse users, we were also afraid that it would happen to us, because this city will be the first to become affected should the Seirende Empire fail to defeat the curse users in this land…"
"It was also the will of the heavens that they sent the Paladin to help resolve the face and that great formula appeared, seemingly being the cure to those who are afflicted by the damaging curse."
The Priest of Croix city reported all the things that the temple where he was assigned up to. He diligently reported them all to the Pope who was the superior of all the conferred Priests in the entire Prasinos.
The Pope looked like he was also intently listening to his reports as he assumed a benevolent expression, making the Priest more comfortable in sharing his thoughts like he was sharing with a bosom friend.
"How do you find the Paladin, I have just introduced earlier?" When the Pope thought that the timing was right, he decided to get to the main point.
Hearing the Pope's sudden question, the Priest was taken aback and his expression faltered. But looking at the Pope's expression which says that he will listen to whatever his thoughts really were, the Priest sighed and responded.
"Your Holiness… I found it hard to say this… As of right now I am confused… really confused." The High Priest shook his head and carefully chose his words, afraid that his next word would offend the pope.
"Fear nothing and tell what is in your mind comfortably." The Pope waved his hand and encouraged him to talk.
"This… to be honest, we were surprised that the Pope had introduced a paladin earlier, but for a good reason…
That was because a week ago, the news of the Paladin appeared near the Beaufort Territory and healing those who were afflicted by the curse.
Through the reports of the people and witnesses, the description of the Paladin matched one that had appeared in the Beaufort Territory, including her curse healing abilities and the way she appeared from the sky…"
While hearing the Priest's story, the Pope was not able to hide the puzzlement in his expression. This in turn made the Priest become more encouraged to tell what he wanted.
"I am afraid… that the Pope was being deceived by the 'Paladin' with you…" He looked at the Pope with concern.
There was no indication of being offended in the Pope's face. Instead, he contemplated deeply and for a long time, he stayed silent.
"Let us not be hastened in this matter… The conclusion is not yet final… I'll look into the matter directly." The Pope answered with an assuring tone.
"I understand, Your Holiness." Although the Priest expected the Pope not to immediately accept the truth, his assurance to take the matter seriously gave him some relief.
"Have you heard about the latest whereabouts of the possible 'true' paladin?" The Pope benevolently asked.
"Yes… we immediately sent someone to track her whereabouts ever since we confirmed that her appearance matched the one that appeared in Seirende.
According to our men, she had actually started her expedition to heal the afflicted in the remote villages away from the large cities. The reason why she appeared in the Beaufort territory must also have been because of this.
Now according to her route and phase of travel, this time she might be temporarily serving the people in need at the Mellenberg Territory."
"Mellenberg Territory… it was the city towards the south on the coastal area of the Seirende Continent…" The Pope pointed at the map and appeared to think deeply.
"Yes, Your Holiness. But this territory is clearly out of the way of your planned route and it was not convenient for you to personally look into the matter to verify the matter… Shall I contact the nearby temple, to go on your behalf?"
The Priest of Croix City worriedly asked.
"No… the travel to the Seirende Empire can be delayed for a few more weeks. It is more important to know that the Paladin I will take with me is the true one and not fake...
For it will entail great humiliation to the heavens and the entire Temple. I must personally solve this matter." The Pope declared.
"I see, Your Holiness' words are wise. This humble one will be ready to carry out what you wanted to do to help you prepare for this journey…" The Priest bowed and knelt submissively.
This time, the Pope's eyes flashed a sinister light, it was not identifiable to whom the hostility was directed.
"Contact the nearby Temple on the Mellenburg Territory and find a way to stall the suspected Paladin. None of you shall mention why, and see to it that this matter will also not reach the paladin that is with me, to avoid necessary complication.
Be sure to also tell it to the party who would be welcoming us on the next continent."
The Pope ordered as if, he wanted to really know the truth and wanted to seek justice should it be found that the paladin with him is a fraud.
"I will do as you commanded, Your Holiness…" The Priest of Croix answered resolutely.
"I'll leave the matter to you…" The Pope replied once again and finally dismissed the priest.
Finally alone in his chambers, the Pope looked into a corner and talked,
"You heard everything. The real one had already revealed herself."
"Let's deal with her quickly…" A young woman's voice sounded behind the curtains, if the Priest would still here, he would have been scared witless.
That was because the owner of the voice was actually the paladin that traveled with the Pope.
"Just appear to be oblivious as if nothing happened. We will directly go to that territory to kill the paladin and take her artifacts. That was the only way for you to become treated as the real paladin." The Pope instructed.
"And when there is no one to threaten your place as the paladin, let's start taking the position as the Third Prince's fiance!"
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