Published at 17th of January 2023 5:41 pm

Side Stories: Chapter 3

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The Great Temple at Yuras looked the same as before: holy and monumental. With just its presence, it displayed the great influence the Karuwimans had over the whole world. All the Karuwiman members entered the temple with great pride on their faces. Whether they were holy knights or priests, they all confidently walked with their chests out. After defeating the Bellids, the mightiness of the Karuwimans rose to greater heights and its members were enjoying their greatest golden age. Yet, even those proud Karuwiman devotees all bowed their heads the moment Zich and Lyla revealed their identities.

“It's an honor to meet you both!” A holy knight wearing armor with the Karuwiman insignia engraved bowed deeply. The knight had a sword on his waist and held a spear with one hand to guard Yuras.

“It's an honor!” The other holy knight bowed his head. Each of their actions showed deep respect for Zich and Lyla. After all, they were speaking to a dragon slayer who destroyed the Bellids” main base and killed their enemy's pope. Furthermore, Zich was a Karuwiman honorary knight, and the Pope had already ordered them to treat Zich and Lyla with the utmost respect if the guards saw them. Thus, they couldn't even imagine treating Zich and Lyla with the slightest disrespect.

With the knights” help, Zich and Lyla were guided to the Pope. Although the people at the temple knew the two were coming, they didn't know the exact date; and it wasn't as if they made an appointment with the Pope beforehand. Normally, they would have to wait before meeting the Pope since he was a busy man. Yet, the Pope pushed everything back on his schedule to meet the two immediately. This was something the Pope would only do for a leader of a formidable country or an emperor. Thus, the fact he did so showcased how important the Karuwimans thought of Zich and Lyla. The Pope greeted them with the same warm smile he had shown before.

“It's been a while, Sir Zich and Lady Lyla.”

“Yes, it has been a long time, your Holiness.”

“I'm happy to see you again.”

Zich and Lyla exchanged greetings and sat in front of the Pope. The Pope had already prepared the table for them, and steam was rising from hot tea.

“How have you both been doing these days?”

“We've been doing well.”

“I heard that you have been wandering around doing kind acts.”

“Yes, I am doing that as a side hobby.”

“You two have characteristics as outstanding as your skills—it's truly a blessing from God Karuna.”

“Haha, I do have quite a character!”

“Hoho, I've heard much about it!”

Lyla listened to the conversation between Zich and the Pope with disbelief. It was baffling that the Pope was complimenting Zich's character even while knowing what his personality was like, and it was equally unbelievable that Zich would simply admit to this. If she had to choose who was more impressive between the two, it was Zich. It was at least understandable that the Pope would compliment Zich for everything he had done, but only someone as brazen as Zich could accept a compliment like that.

“I hope that you will continue to use those outstanding skills for the world.” It was then that they heard someone knock on the door.

“Come in.” With the Pope's permission, the door opened and two people entered. It was Lubella and Weig. The two looked overjoyed to see Zich and Lyla.

“It has been so long, Sir Zich and Lady Lyla!”

“Good to see you again. How have you two been?”

Zich and Lyla got up from their seats.

“Thank you for asking. We've both been doing well.”

“It's nice to see your faces again.”

All of them greeted each other and Lubella asked the Pope, “What have you all been talking about?”

“I was listening to what I have been doing until now. Sir Zich told me that he has been doing kind acts as usual, and I was complimenting his splendid character.”

“Ah, character…you say?” Lubella instinctively looked at Zich. Weig did the same, and Zich shrugged his shoulders.

“It appears that the Pope has a perfect grasp on my character and personality. I can see why the Karuwimans always boast of their might and greatness. I mean, how could an organization with such an impressive leader be weak?”

“Hohoho! I am glad to hear that you think so well of this old man!”

Unable to disagree with the Pope's stance nor agree with him out of her conscience, Lubella managed to mutter, “I-I see.”

The Pope looked at it a bit mischievously. “Our Saintess is perfect in every way, but she can't seem to take a joke. It would be nice if she could be a bit more carefree.”

“But isn't that Lady Lubella's charm? Although she is too stiff sometimes.”

Lubella's face reddened slightly at the Pope's and Zich's teasing.

“Hohoho! We should stop teasing our Saintess now. If we go on for too long, Sir Weig may grab me by my collar.”

“How could I dare to do that to Your Holiness? I will just request you to be less bothersome to the Saintess.”

“Did you hear that, Sir Zich and Lady Lyla? He says that he won't get physical with me, but doesn't it sound like he would try punching me first if I speak a little more? My position as the pope is so weak.”

“Your Holiness,” Weig said a bit more forcefully and the Pope chuckled.

“Okay, I will really stop now.” Then, he got up and said, “Why don't the young people talk amongst each other now? Ah, should Sir Weig be exempt from this group since he isn't young?”

“I am young enough.”

“If you are talking about one's mental age, I am still in my twenties then. I can swear this in front of God Karuna.” It was a wonder how the Pope could bring up the god he served so easily like this, but seeing the look on Lubella and Weig's faces, they seemed to have given up on the topic.

After bursting into a fit of laughter again, the Pope asked a question that popped up in his head. “Ah, I just remembered that I have one more thing I want to ask. When are you two going to marry?”

“Marry?” Lyla asked.

“Yes. I'm sure you two are going to ask the Karuwimans to hold it, right? If it's your marriage, I can personally officiate it.”

Having the Karuwiman's Pope as a marriage officiator was a huge privilege that even the leaders of a country could not dare ask for. Thus, even though Zich and Lyla knew that the Karuwimans would probably do their best to fulfill most of their requests, they were slightly surprised. However, no matter how great the people were, only one person seemed to be against the Pope officiating the wedding.

“Wait, Your Holiness! I object to this!” Lubella shouted.

“What? I had no idea that our dear Saintess would express her opposition. Even if I'm the Pope, if we consider their merits, don't you think I can officiate their wedding...”

“Your Holiness, I'm going to be the one to officiate their wedding!” Lubella clearly expressed her will without being rude. The sight of Lubella strongly pushing her argument to the leader of her organization showed her indomitably strong will, and it was enough for people to be amazed. However, no matter how hard one looked, it was doubtful whether the subject of her words was so significant as to challenge the Pope himself.

“Hoho, I see. That makes you my competitor then.” Unlike the others who were dumbfounded, the Pope replied to Lubella with a mischievous smile.

“Your Holiness, considering the relationship I have with those two, don't you think it's only right for me to act as their officiator?”

“Saintess, a person with experience usually officiates a large-scale wedding. I fully acknowledge your ability and character, but I don't think you've caught up to my experience yet.”

Both of them were laughing, but neither of them seemed like they would back down. Lyla was startled and she looked at Weig—the only one who could stop the situation—but he was sighing quietly while clutching his head. Although he was a Bellid subjugator and a knight strong and brave enough to be called Tasnia's Killing Machine in an alternate future, it seemed as if this situation was beyond his powers.

“Then why don't we ask the two people involved?” Lubella suggested.

“That's a good idea. They won't refuse this old man's request.”

Lubella and the Pope shifted their eyes toward Lyla and Zich. Lubella asked, “What do you two think?”

“You don't have to think hard about it. Please feel free to choose either of us.” The Pope said this, but neither was an easy option.

Even Lyla could not come up with the right answer in this situation. ‘Uh, what should I do?”

Her face naturally turned to Zich. Then she clearly saw his face; unlike her own troubled face, his face was completely shameless and brazen as if he had an iron plate on it.

‘Ah, he's thinking of something crazy again.” Lyla was not making a guess; she was certain of it—one could call it even fortune telling, and her prediction was right on the mark.

Zich crossed his arms and legs. He lifted his chin as if he was looking down at the Pope and Lubella. The Pope had a mischievous glint in his eyes while Lubella was somewhat fervent, and Weig had been waiting for the right timing to intervene. However, they were all taken aback by Zich's reaction.

Zich raised one corner of his mouth as if he was enjoying their appearance and said, “I don't think I need the Karuwimans to host my wedding, but if you two want to so much, I guess I'll let you do it. We do have quite the history after all.” Although others would offer mountains of gold for this chance, Zich spoke as if he had no choice but to accept the Karuwiman Pope or Saintess to officiate and host their wedding.

Lyla's mouth was wide open. Not only the sly Pope, but Lubella and Weig also became speechless. However, Zich wasn't done yet. “So, both of you want to officiate my wedding, right? Since it's my once-in-a-lifetime wedding ceremony, I can't help but deeply contemplate this matter. So I'd like to ask what you can specifically do for me if I let you officiate my wedding? Why don't you say your offer first, Saintess?”

The Karuwimans also opened their mouths in shock like Lyla. No one had expected Zich's reaction at all. However, that only lasted for a moment, and the Pope burst into laughter.

“Hohohohoho! As expected of you, Sir Zich! I falsely thought that you would be like most people who'd gladly accept our offer to help you two with everything at your wedding, in addition to the Saintess or I officiating the wedding. Even though I already knew you're not the type to be easily put in a box like that.”

“Yes, bias is very scary like that.”

“Of course. As a person serving God Karuna, I try to see the world as objectively as possible, but as expected, it is very difficult to see the world as it is. I should at least be grateful that I've realized one of my misconceptions.” The leader of the world's most powerful religion with a considerable amount of experience was genuinely happy to have realized this trivial fact. This was a scene that clearly showed how great the Pope was. Lyla, Lubella, and Weig were all impressed by the Pope; as expected, only an extraordinary individual could rise to the highest position in Karuwiman.

Zich also congratulated him. “Congratulations, Your Holiness. I'm also very happy that I could at least be a small help in removing some of your biases.”

“Thank you. As expected, it must be the Karuwimans” great fortune to have such a close relationship with Sir Zich.”

As they gave each other words of blessing and exchanged pleasantries, a warm expression naturally breezed across everyone's faces.

“So, Your Holiness, I haven't heard your offer to officiate my wedding yet.”

“Oh no! I forgot that I had an emergency. It's such a serious problem that I keep forgetting things now that I'm old. Why don't you young folks have a nice conversation together while I deal with this matter?” With these last words, the Pope scrambled out of the room.

The remaining people were Zich, who was chuckling by himself, and everyone astounded by the events that had quickly unfolded just now.

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