Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 911: He Was Just Doing His Job

Chapter 911: Chapter 911: He Was Just Doing His Job

’Perhaps, once things calm down a bit. I will visit there again.’

"No, Your Holiness.

My memories from my childhood are still a blur, so I cannot recall them yet.

But I did hear from my family that you came to help me when I was young.

They said the monster attacks finally stopped after you visited me.

My family and I are immensely grateful for your help," Arabella thanked the Pope genuinely.

It had been a while since then, but she finally got the chance to thank him.

She heard from her family that the Pope was the only one who was still alive after visiting Lobelius in relation to the monster attacks.

Despite hearing about the rumors, he took the risk and still went to see her. And his visit did help since the attacks stopped.

"You are most welcome.

Regrettably, I was only able to stop the attacks for a few years.

You still got attacked again when you were 16."

The Pope had heard about what happened at the foot of Mt. Callion, but it was clear he did not know about Ferdinand’s involvement in it.

"I believe it’s unrelated to the former monster attacks, though, since I recall that attack clearly, unlike the ones from my childhood, which I have forgotten," Arabella explained.

"Sometimes, memories are burdensome. Perhaps you don’t recall them since it was too much to remember. I hope you are not too traumatized by what you experienced at Mt. Callion and the one from Medeus."

The Pope thought those were the only incidents she recalled encountering monsters.

"Thank you for your concern. I am no longer afraid since I have someone to protect me," Arabella said and glanced at Ferdinand.

Her husband perked up and smiled.

"You also have my gratitude for helping her back then. I will protect her with all my might from now on," Ferdinand joined the conversation.

[I wish, I was the one who protected her all that time.

If only I knew how I would feel now, I would have gone to protect her since she was young.

But then, I would probably never see her as a woman if I had seen her since she was young...

Then, what should I have done?]

Ferdinand was conflicted since he wanted to be the one who protected Arabella.

But since it meant he would never see her as a woman if he saw her when she was young, he was wondering if he should just be grateful to the Pope and Elder Satara, who protected her during that time.

Arabella rather preferred it as well that it was Elder Satara and the Pope who protected her back then, and not Ferdinand.

She would never want to marry him either if he had been around since she was a child.

She would probably treat him like her older brother.

Thus, it was probably a quirk of fate that they only met when she was 16. At that time, she was already at the age of choosing marriage partners.

"I see. That’s good then. Please keep her safe all the time," the Pope smiled.

"Of course, I will," Ferdinand quickly replied back.

[I hope you don’t become the very threat she must run away from someday.] The Pope thought.

Arabella finally understood the Pope after hearing his thoughts repeatedly today.

He was truly concerned about her safety.

It was because, for the Pope, Arabella was still human. She was among the people he must protect as the Overseer of humans.

Thus, he was concerned that, like the others, Arabella might not want to be a dragon’s mate and retire to Estrella after living in Valeria for the duration of their human lives.

The Pope was just doing his job as best he could.

He was mediating in the relationships of the Emperor and Empress of Valeria to ensure that he was still protecting humans as he should, but likewise upholding the treaty.

This was why he said he was Arabella’s strongest ally.

After all, as the Overseer of humans, the Pope had the same authority as Elrond.

The long-lived races could not simply disregard his words since he was someone upholding their pact from after the Great War.

In case Arabella wanted to escape from Ferdinand and he refused to let her go, she could run to the Pope and ask for his help so she could be free.

But why did she not get any of his help in her previous life, even when Fermin died?

The Pope never contacted her. He must have had a way to do so.

Was it because they did not have the chance to meet after Arabella got wed to Ferdinand?

Or did it get intercepted?

’I should ask Alwin once he’s awake. Maybe he knows,’ Arabella noted.

Thanks to this meeting, at least Arabella learned that the Pope was not her enemy.

He was not the enemy of the long-lived races either unless they do something that harms humans or breaks their treaty.

"Alright then, since you will also protect Lahar for the sake of Satara, let us list down all the kingdoms and territories you will protect. This way, we can clearly clarify where to send our people."

The Pope returned them to their topic to avoid Ferdinand’s gratitude which was laced with jealousy.

With the issue about Lahar clarified, the Pope enumerated all the kingdoms sharing borders with Valeria.

It was to get a verbal confirmation that Valeria would send their knights to eradicate monsters in those kingdoms, so the temple wouldn’t have to send their fighters.

Ferdinand confirmed, and the Pope was visibly satisfied.

"Then, mind sharing some information? You suspect the monster attacks were organized as well, right? Like the one in Medeus"

The Pope brought up the attackers once again since he wanted information about them.

"I had been thinking about this.

During the attack, they were clearly after someone who was imprisoned.

The most recent event where people were caught and executed was the assassination attempt on the Empress.

Perhaps, you caught someone who was not among the ones who were executed?"

[I knew I was right. Look at all their reactions. It’s clear what I said rang a bell.]