I Became the Master of the Empress

235 – 239

“Your Holiness, have you been well?”

The Pope’s office.

The Pope is quite elderly, but I know how healthy and vigorous he is.

When hunting demons.

Who would have thought that old man would lead the charge, running and attacking the demons himself?

“Haha, has the saint arrived?”

I wave my hands, denying it.

“No, how could I possibly be a saint?”

And personally, I’d like to discard such a title.

Aren’t there enough saint stalkers out there?

Just look at those who think touching my body or the hem of my garment will work miracles.

But the Pope shakes his head firmly.

“Truly, His Grace the Archduke is a saint indeed.”

“No…”

I halt my words and fall into a brief contemplation.

Is there any reason to continue this argument?

After all, I will soon be heading to the New Continent, so I do not wish to argue.

How many debates have I had with hundreds of the Archduke’s supporters, ministers, diplomats, and legislators?

Now, with a vacation on the horizon, I do not want to stir up trouble.

Fine! Let’s just say I am a saint.

“Ha-ha, that aside, the reason I came here is, well, I have a favor to ask.”

As I broach the subject, the Pope nods and gestures towards the sofa.

“Ah, please, take a seat.”

As I sit where the Pope has directed, he asks,

“What would you like to drink?”

“Ah? Anything will do.”

With that, the Pope summons a nun to bring a beverage.

A moment of silence passes as we drink, then the Pope breaks it,

“So, what is this favor you ask?”

“It’s nothing else but… I request the annulment of my marriage to Theodora.”

At my words, the Pope looks a bit surprised.

“Oh… To live with such a beauty and maintain purity, truly, you are a saint.”

No… Stop calling me a saint…

Honestly, it’s embarrassing enough to have kept purity, but being tied to the term ‘saint’ brings an intense shame.

“Yes…”

What’s so good about a man being pure?

As I fall into panic, the Pope looks moved.

“I once thought of you as the embodiment of power. I am truly ashamed. A saint.”

No… The embodiment of power is right.

“To kill demons and now to renounce power and restore it to its original state. Truly, truly, you are a superhuman.”

At that, I smile bitterly.

“Power comes with responsibility. That’s why I wish to be free from this heavy burden.”

The Pope nods his head.

“Indeed. I too find the weight of this papal office burdensome.”

Then, the Pope’s expression turns slightly sad.

“Tsk tsk, I can’t understand why the secular folks are so obsessed with power. Knowing how heavy a burden it is…”

That’s because they are corrupt.

The corrupt nobles wield power recklessly, without considering any responsibility.

For them, power is merely a tool for the sake of their lineage.

I am different because I have seen and learned much in the modern world.

Perhaps it’s because the traditional values of South Korea, where I lived, are rooted in Confucianism.

“But… as you know, it’s difficult to declare an annulment right now, especially with the papacy just being restored. An emperor’s annulment is unprecedented… and a purity verification process is necessary.”

“I am well aware of that. Do you have any idea when it might be possible? I would appreciate it if it could be expedited.”

I plan to take care of the Grand Duchy soldiers stationed in Roman and the couples who followed me, Karl and his wife.

Plus, once we disappear, we can make William, who is staying near Roman, enter the city.

Just in case, I’ll have to leave behind a generous amount of provisions.

As I’m thinking this.

“It might take about three weeks.”

Three weeks…

“That’s perfect. I need time to retreat to the Grand Duchy myself. Oh, by the way, do you happen to know what the second warrior is?”

At my question, the Pope shakes his head.

“No, I’ve never heard of such a thing. There’s only ever been one warrior at a time. But why do you ask?”

It was just a pipe dream.

“When I lost consciousness. I had a pipe dream. A self-proclaimed ‘El’ said that the Demon King would resurrect someday, and that both the first and second warriors would appear. I just thought I’d ask. It was just a…”

“Cough! Oh, oh~! El, oh El! You are truly a blessed one.”

Suddenly, he’s on his knees, crying.

What… What’s going on? Why is he acting like this?

“Are… Are you alright?”

The Pope stands up and looks at me.

“You have been recognized as a saint by El.”

“What?”

“Those not chosen by God cannot even dream of God. But the fact that you met El in your dreams means you have truly been acknowledged by God. Oh, oh~! Devian, you are indeed a holy person.”

I felt it—the Pope’s eyes had gone mad—and I rose from my seat.

I… I must run away.

As I stood up with a look of fear, the Pope’s eyes gleamed and he said,

“Please bestow your blessing upon us.”

Has he gone insane… The Pope asking a mere believer for a blessing?

Is this not Rome? Have I perhaps become a commoner’s brain?

Fear rushes in.

“I… I’m sorry, but I must be going now.”

As I said this, the Pope looked at me with regret.

“Oh? Are you leaving already?”

“Yes, there are still things I must do before I retire.”

After my collapse, I had abandoned the duties of the Grand Duke.

There are still responsibilities I hold, so I cannot just leave them be.

Honestly… I’m about to quit. I want to play, but… there’s no helping it.

The existing imperial political system cannot function without the Grand Duke.

“Travel safely, I will soon visit the palace to receive your blessing.”

Don’t come… A blessing? I don’t know how to bestow blessings here.

“It would be an honor to have Your Holiness visit.”

With that, I left the place.

***

Thus, I returned to the palace and went back to the Grand Duke’s office.

Of course, on the way…

I scoffed at the empire’s citizens celebrating the bizarre Saint’s Festival.

“Tsk tsk, the scriptures say not to believe in falsehoods.”

Honestly, seeing a festival that exalts me like this makes my head spin.

I got off the carriage upon arriving at the palace and entered my office for the first time in a while.

Papers filled the place everywhere.

“Phew… It’s almost over.”

In three weeks, it all ends.

Just the thought brings me happiness.

With that single happiness, I begin my work earnestly.

***

“Why hasn’t he come?”

Devian, who has just woken up.

Didn’t he say he was going to the Vatican?

It’s already late evening, and I worry if something has happened to him, or if he has collapsed.

Of course, given his personality, he might have gone out incognito to enjoy the festival.

But what if he collapses?

With such thoughts, I’m fraught with worry.

-Knock knock!

“Come in.”

Ipha enters the room.

“So, where is he?”

“His Excellency the Archduke…”

Ipha, unable to meet my eyes, speaks as if to reassure me.

“It’s okay. Where is he?”

“He’s… at the Archducal Office.”

“What?! No way, a person who’s just woken up a day ago has gone to work?! This is unbelievable!”

And so, I rush to the Archducal Office.

***

“Huh? Why has the tax revenue increased so much?”

This shouldn’t be happening. How strange?

Shocked by the tax revenue that’s collected more than four times the usual amount, I search for related documents.

-Your… Your Majesty?! Please hold on!

-Argh! Open the door!

What’s going on? Why is it so noisy outside?

-Bang!

The menacing Theodora approaches.

“You… again? Doing this?”

Where has the woman who always spoke so respectfully gone…

“What’s wrong with Theoora?”

Theoora’s bright red eyes, which seem to be staring at me, make me swallow hard.

-Gulp.

“You said you’d work at the agency right after waking up?”

I don’t know why she’s changed so much since we didn’t meet…

As I sit down in my chair, she rushes towards me, her movements like a cat’s play.

“Died!”

“Wow!”

She leaps onto my leg, wrapping her arms around my body.

“Ahh! Ah… Ah, it hurts!”

“If it hurts, stop! Take a break, relax!”

My screams echo through the agency.

“Ah… Ah…”

I try to wriggle free from her grip, but my position makes it difficult.

Just then…

-Kunk!

The chair falls backwards.

Thanks to the cushion, I didn’t get hurt, but I was startled, and I hug Theoora tightly.

“Ugh… Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But… Sigh…”

Theoora starts laughing in my arms.

I stroke her hair and say, “There’s something I wanted to say, but let’s talk in the bedroom for a bit?”

Theoora nods slightly, her face slightly reddened.

As we head towards the honeymoon suite together…

Slightly… Theoora’s hand slightly grasps mine.

“But… You’ve only been awake for a little while. Aren’t you overexerting yourself?”

With a slightly reddened face, she rests her face on my arm.

Why is this? Are you overexerting yourself in our conversation?

To be honest, my body is almost perfectly fine.

“No? I’m okay, though?”

How long have I envisioned this moment?

“Hmm… I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Did you feel the same? I did too.

And so, we entered the honeymoon suite.

I’m puzzled as I see her standing there awkwardly, her face flushed with color.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you sitting down?”

“Huh?”

I point to the sofa with my finger and say,

“Sit down and let’s talk.”

She bows her head deeply and walks cautiously to the sofa to sit down, and I sit beside her.

A brief silence follows.

To break the silence, I speak in a kind voice.

“You know? You’ve been through a lot.”

“Ah… No. It must have been harder for you to endure.”

It was hard indeed.

Always being swamped with work.

But sharing everyday life with a man she disliked must have been an unpleasant memory for her too.

“I know it must have been tough.”

Living with the son of an enemy wouldn’t be easy.

Theodora clutches the skirt of her dress with both hands at my words.

With a trembling voice, she says,

“At first, I misunderstood… I didn’t know why you were doing this, and it was hard… but not anymore… Please be good to me from now on.”

Yes… I should treat her well.

“Yeah, I’m really sorry for everything… It’s late, but I’ll set you free now.”

“Huh?”