Aftermath

The pope was sitting on his golden chair, his hands were over the armrests as he steadily tapped his right foot on the tiled floor. All the windows in the pope's room were closed, several candles scattered across the walls and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling provided the room enough light to see.

In-front of him was a messenger, carrying with him news of the scripture he sent to the forest, the scripture he would never see again.

"That is all, holiness" The messenger bowed and left, his face was covered by a mask which was necessary for the pope's messengers to hide their identities.

The pope sighed and leaned back on his chair, many thoughts were colliding in his mind and he could not focus on a single one. He was having thoughts, was he foolish? hasty? did he lack good judgment? none of this would have happened if he only sent a lower-rank party instead of the scripture.

"But the goddess," He thought, this was caused by the suggestion of the Goddess. Deities were supposed to be all-knowing and careful, why was the goddess hasty?

The pope continued to be lost in thought. Before the messenger arrived he prayed for the goddess to visit him but she didn't come. What only came was the tragic news of one of the most powerful scriptures in the Theocracy failed to report back nor did any of the scouts sent to search for them returned.

The front door creaked, a stepping sound echoed through the silent room.

"May I come in?" A womanly voice spoke, the pope didn't move.

"You may" He answered rather lazily. Anna, a woman in priestess uniform walked in, gently opening and closing the door as she walked through it. Her entire body other her face was covered by a black veil and black robes alongside her uniform. Her face was rather wrinkly but despite her age of 50, she looked younger.

"I heard the news, but I refused to believe it.." Anna walked up to the small steps and stopped a step from the pope's position. The pope had his eyes closed, refusing to even glance at Anna.

"Until I saw you, like this," Anna gave an awkward smile. The pope replied with a sigh and continued to act lethargic.

Anna stood there, her eyes locked on the pope. She could see the sadness from the aura of the pope who lost more than just a scripture.

"I'm sorry about Vilvintine," Anna said, though she was only asking for a conversation with the pope.

The pope's eyes opened when he heard Vilvintine's name and glanced at Anna who was smiling the entire time. He gave her an indifferent look from when he had his eyes closed and finally opened his mouth.

"This is a defeat, for us and the Theocracy" The Pope pointed out.

"Not only did we lose one of our most powerful scriptures, but we also didn't even get any information regarding the demons"

Anna's smile faded and a rather stoic expression took over.

"That is true, as of yet no scouts have returned from the Anub Forest, communication magic is mysteriously cut off during encounters or sightings. This is strange since any spell which cancels communication magic in specific preferences is considering tier 8" Anna said.

"Modifying magic in such a way is possible but unheard of, we can only assume the demons are highly proficient in magic" The pope replied.

"I haven't heard about Yuhin lately, didn't we gain information about one of their fortress cities near the Anub Forest was attacked?" The pope asked.

"Why, yes but haven't you already peaked through your magic ball?" Anna was a bit confused.

"For some reason, I can't"

Anna stood there, confused and bewildered. It was just not possible to cancel the effects of a magic ball, let alone the magic ball of the pope!

"Strange I know, there's also a specific area in the Anub Forest where magic ball vision can't see. That's why I sent the Papal Scripture in the first place.." The pope sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned forward.

"It was foolish of me.."

Anna was silent, she could not think of anything to ease the pope.

"So, why are you here exactly?" The pope asked, regaining his composure.

Anna smiled a bit but returned to her stoic expression.

"The Holy Council wants to use Yuhin to lure the demons out of the forest"

"Oh?" The pope's eyes slightly widened.

"I came here to ask for your approval"

The pope remained silent for a few seconds before leaning forward and placing his hands below his chin.

"How will the plan be executed?"

"The council will use the reclamation of the Fortress City as an objective for Yuhin. As of now, the kingdom is in a bit of turmoil after the death of the late king and only one pure blooded Yuhini Dynasty member remains, we can use her naiveness and convince her to send out an entire army. The army will engage the demons and lure them out where our scouts could see them from the hills east of the city itself"

"Hm.." The pope liked the proposal but was unsure of one thing.

"The question is, if the Yuhin Army is defeated, wouldn't they start their advance on Yuhin?"

"Not to worry" Anna smiled.

"We have prepared countermeasures to ensure that half of the Yuhin Army expected to clash with the demons can retreat safely"

"We do not know of the exact capabilities of the demons, don't let your guard down" The pope warned, he was fearful that the same fate would befall them as it did to the Papal Scripture.

"Yes, your holiness"

"Then, I approve" The pope agreed, casting a red circle from his palms.

Anna reached out both of her hands and took the circle, this was the mark of the pope. Evidence of the pope's compliance and approval.

"I thank you, your holiness" Anna said, she turned around and walked out of the room, gently closing the doors as she did before.

The pope stared intently as she left.

"Goddess, you let them die"