Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 401: Are You Ready?

Chapter 401: Are You Ready?

Ferdinand and the Pope talked more about the eradication of monsters and Ferdinand agreed to send out more knights and magicians from their side since it was also part of their duty.

They used to hunt monsters in disguise so the people would not know they were from Valeria. But now that they joined the Council, they can do it openly, and in the guise of doing their duty as part of the Council.

Ferdinand was also concerned about the Pope raising a successor since the King of Estrella needed to be informed in case the Overseer of the human realm was changed.

"Have the gods agreed to what you are trying to do?" her husband asked, and the Pope looked away.

"I have been asking for them to send someone else. But since they haven’t sent one yet, I decided to choose one myself and raise him. In just a few more years, he would be able to take my place without any worries."

"I see. I need to meet your successor someday before you are replaced. He might need to meet with the Overseer of Estrella too."

[But once he learns of this, he would probably ask to be replaced too.]

"Yes, of course. You will send my soul to the next life before you return to Estrella, after all, right?"

"Hah. Do you want to make me the villain? Not that I mind being one. But ask the gods first if they will allow you to die."

[I have asked for eons and never got approval until all of us decided to keep fighting regardless of the damage we caused to our surroundings.] Ferdinand thought.

"I have worked diligently for a while; I am sure they would agree," the Pope replied though he seemed unsure. It felt like he had tried to end his term before but did not get his wish granted.

The two talked more about a lot of things they needed to discuss until it was almost time to go but Ferdinand recalled asking something.

"What were you planning by trying to get my magicians on your side? You already know they are from Estrella, didn’t you?" Ferdinand narrowed his eyes at the Pope.

"It’s simple. I needed more hands due to the increase in monster sightings lately. The more capable people I have, the lesser the burden to everyone. They are all hardworking and dedicated but they need rest too," the Pope clarified that he was not scheming something.

Ferdinand was wary of sending Alwin to the Pope since he apparently knew how to make the poison that was once used to weaken and kill the long-lived races. Though the ingredients may not exist now, who knows if he was hiding something?

’Isn’t that too dangerous?’ Arabella easily got triggered by the thought of poison.

Thankfully, to be safe, her husband noted to warn Alwin and Riley not to eat or drink anything from the temple.

And finally, after a long talk with the Pope, it was time to leave.

Alwin teleported them back to the mansion since her family was already escorted by Riley to their accommodation as well.

It was worrisome that her parents would stay in Medeus, but thankfully, the Pope was there. Since the Great Temple, which was just beside the Grand Palace, was where the Pope usually was, the palace was usually a safe place since it had a barrier in all of Medeus and even more so around the palace grounds.

The Pope’s holy power apparently prevents monsters from approaching which was why what happened today was unexpected.

"Why did you accept the ring?" Ferdinand asked with a dark expression once they were alone. "Are you having second thoughts about being with me now?"

"No, of course not. It was so that I have a way to contact him. I believe it would be good to have a way to speak with him in case necessary. He is influential in all of Eliora after all. It’s not bad to have an ally like him," Arabella explained but her husband didn’t look convinced.

"Can you not speak with him? Most Empresses who spoke with him decided to refuse to go to Estrella," her husband informed.

Now she understood why he was worried. The Pope did try to discourage her. But that was because he thought they were forcing her or fooling her into agreeing to go there.

"He doesn’t seem to be a bad person. He was just genuinely concerned that I may have been forced to agree to be your mate and go with you. And -"

Ferdinand captured her lips, so she could not continue what she was about to say.

"You are taking his side now," he complained, and Arabella chuckled.

"I am not. I am merely stating a fact from what I heard from his thoughts," Ferdinand kissed her again.

[You are still taking his side.] He sulked.

It was rather cute how he changed to someone like this so quickly after he was acting all high and mighty earlier.

"I am on your side. Didn’t you notice I was really irked by him earlier? I didn’t like how he insulted and provoke you," she soothed her husband.

"Really? Then why accept the ring?"

"I just accepted it since it may be useful to us in the future. Not because I was planning to tell on him when there’s something you do that I don’t like," she assured him.

"I still don’t like another man’s ring on your fingers."

"I won’t wear the ring then. I will have it stored in my study."

"Good. I will make a box for it in Estrella so I wouldn’t pick up his mana every time I enter your study."

"Yes, of course. You can do as you please," Arabella quickly agreed since Ferdinand made a scary expression.

It would be weird to be wearing a ring from another man indeed, so she was not planning to wear it in the first place. Just having it somewhere accessible to her would be enough so she could contact the Pope if the necessity arises.

"Then, are you ready?" he asked, and Arabella tilted her head.

"For what?"

Was there something else they needed to do today? The monster attack ruined their plans for today after all.

"To head to Estrella," Ferdinand said with a gleam in his eyes.

’Right, we were supposed to go there and go all the way once the Assembly is over,’ Arabella gulped.

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A/N:

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