Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 398: I Am Your Greatest Ally

Chapter 398: I Am Your Greatest Ally

"I simply wanted to ask, perhaps, you knew what they were after. After all, you were way too calm earlier. I was watching from when the monsters came and there was no sign of surprise on your faces. You expected it," the Pope said without any sign of fear despite his words seeming to accuse them that the monster attack could have been their ploy, or they were involved in it.

Arabella pursed her lips. She didn’t like how the Pope was already going to conclusions and accusing them like this. Moreover, if he saw the monsters right when they were summoned, couldn’t he have sent out his magicians earlier?

If her husband and his knights, Rendell, Alwin, and Riley were not there, there could have been a lot of casualties.

Or did the Pope wait and see, to gauge their reaction?

[Hmm. She’s frowning at me. I seem to have irritated their young Empress. What did they tell her for her to be on their side? Or did she simply not like how I was speaking with her husband? Ah, that must be it. This Emperor is quite mean-looking and had a terrible reputation compared with the others before him.] The Pope thought as he stared at her.]

Arabella gasped and unconsciously went to hide behind her husband’s broad back. She blushed in embarrassment when she realized what she did. It made her husband happy though that she was somewhat relying on him.

"Stop staring at my wife. You are creeping her out. Even if it’s someone like you who was blessed by the gods, I can blind those eyes even if I earned their wrath," Ferdinand warned.

"I see. I see. I haven’t had the chance to meet you since you arrived. To be able to say such things so fearlessly, another Primordial, I presume?" the Pope slowly nodded his head.

Hearing that made Arabella frown.

’Does the Pope know about Ferdinand being a dragon? He just said ’Primordial.’ Or was I overinterpreting it?’

"Oh, my apologies. Does the Empress not know yet?" the Pope said despite intentionally mentioning it in her presence.

Arabella looked up to check on her husband since he did not reply immediately. Ferdinand looked annoyed by the Pope.

"Young one, you might think you are all-powerful after seeming to be immortal because you have lived way too long for a human. But I have lived long enough to know how to erase even your very existence, down to sending you to the reincarnation cycle or completely destroying your soul," Ferdinand warned.

His response clarified that the Pope does know about Ferdinand being a Primordial Dragon.

"Oh my. I’d love that. But only after I am sure my successor would do well," the Pope still maintained a smile. He was not intimidated in the least bit. He clearly did not fear the primordials, the long-lived races, or rather, he did not fear death itself. He welcomed it.

’Just like Ferdinand and the Primordials, had he gotten tired of living too after a long life compared to everyone he knew?’

Arabella peeked at the young-looking Pope whom Ferdinand had said to have lived way too long for a human.

{Alwin, just how old is the Pope?} She could not help but ask. Her curiosity was killing her and she could not wait until they got out of the temple before asking.

{It’s frustrating to admit, but he is older than me for a few years. Just a few years.} Alwin responded with a purse of his lips.

{What?! A human can live that long? Doesn’t that mean he had witnessed the Great War between humans and the long-lived races himself?}

Arabella was shocked to her very core. No wonder the Pope was so fearless and confident even as he spoke with Ferdinand.

{Yes, I heard from His Majesty and Raymond that he was a special case. He was tasked by the gods to watch over the humans and that the long-lived races keep their word.}

Alwin explained that there were agreements made as the humans and long-lived races parted for good. The Pope was an Overseer on the side of humans just as the King of Estrella was an Overseer on the side of the long-lived races.

It was part of the Pope’s task to ensure that humans and the long-lived races continue to live separately despite small interactions to prevent another tragedy like the Great War.

If Ferdinand and whoever becomes the Emperor of Valeria were tasked to look out for the long-lived races that remained in the human realm, the Pope was tasked with ensuring the safety of humanity from the long-lived races.

Alwin said that the Pope was a magician who was among those who opposed the plan to eradicate the long-lived races more than 6000 years ago. This was why he was chosen to become the Overseer. He had witnessed the Great War himself and knew that it only brought ruin to both sides, so he was unlikely to seek revenge by plotting against the long-lived races and making humanity go to war again instead of simply living a better life.

To prevent the Great War from happening again, the Pope and every Emperor in Valeria communicate in secret and work together when necessary. The Pope worked together with Estrella to prevent another all-out war between the two races.

{Likewise, if there were monsters that were too powerful for the temple, we are obligated to help them vanquish it if they ask for help. The Pope sends a message in secret, and we deal with it.} Alwin explained.

Eradicating monsters was, apparently, a joint responsibility since they were common enemies.

"Your Majesty, Empress Arabella Lobelius Valeria, was it? Please do not be afraid of me. I am the greatest ally a fellow human can ever have. Please contact me if you ever need help," the Pope beamed at her.

It creeped her out, but the Pope seemed to be saying it out of genuine concern.

"My sincerest gratitude, Your Holiness. But I am not sure I understand what you mean," Arabella responded.

Is there something else she did not know about?

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PLEASE NOTE:

The Pope and the Great Temple in this story are NOT in any way related to the Roman Catholic Church or any other religion.

I simply borrowed the term since it was among the highest positions of clergy that I can use to call someone of that status.

This story has different religions and gods compared to what we have on Earth.