The Kingmaker System
Chapter 249 - 248. The Masked Intent (1)

Chapter 249: 248. The Masked Intent (1)

Marvoni Venil, was the current Pope of the Holy Temple of Saintess Miella and the Dragons. He had assumed his position only a couple of years ago after the death of the previous Pope and since then he had been working hard to spread the influence of the Temple across the continent.

The building where the Pope lived was in a different wing, it was a place kept specifically for him. With the prayer room, to his living quarters he owned that space completely.

I was kind of wondering how he’d managed to snag all this, even in my previous world there was the concept of Pope and religion and everything. But in this world, I was directly up against it.

I was led by the priests to the room where the Pope usually had his meetings. I sat down on the comfy armchair watching the paintings and the beautiful sculptures that were scattered about the large room.

Most of them were of Dragons and some of Saintess Miella alone. I stared at her figure as she was dressed in a robe with her hands joined in prayer.

I wondered just how she managed to get the Dragons to come down for her. I didn’t specifically feel anything for her but I couldn’t deny the familiar sensation that my blood sizzled with whenever I would lay my eyes on those statues.

They were finely made and if not for the obvious signs of them being handmade, I would have thought they were the Dragons themselves, frozen in the clay.

I wondered if I would be able to meet these Dragons soon. I did want to but I guess I would have to wait, I wasn’t ready yet. My body was only halfway assimilated with the Dragon’s bloodline, so they would instantly know that I wasn’t a Pureblood, yet.

I might die if I came across a Dragon at this point. Dragons didn’t like half-bloods. The one in the lake was good enough but the others would be extremely prideful and would see me as a contamination for their kind.

It irked me a little but I knew it was only a matter of time till I would be harnessing my capabilities to the fullest.

The doors opened and I turned to see the tall figure entering the room. I stood up and curtsied, my blood singed and I swallowed the humiliation that I felt. He was dressed in the long white robes that were adorned with the golden embroidery and his hat was missing giving a view of his dark blonde hair streaked with a few silver strands, there were faint aging lines on his face which would give an indication that he was growing old, or else he seemed like he would be in his late thirties even though he was in his sixties. I wondered if it was the power of Healing or prayer.

I was ready to bet that it wasn’t prayer’s power.

"Welcome, Saintess Mirielle." The Pope regarded me with a smile and I straightened up.

"Good morning, Your Holiness. I hope you are in good health." I smiled.

"Yes, I am, thank you for asking." He replied as he walked over and took a seat while gesturing me to do the same.

I sat down and he eyed me, I couldn’t help but feel as if he was trying to assess me.

"So, how is the Temple life? Is it comfortable?" He asked sounding like an amicable neighbourhood uncle but I knew better.

"Yes, it’s really comfortable and I’m especially happy to spend time with the Saint, he’s quite loveable," I smiled.

I purposely mentioned the Saint because the kind of reaction I wanted was then exposed. The Pope’s expression hardened for a split second and his eyes grew dark, he managed to mask his expression quickly but his eyes stayed the same.

"Is that so? I’m glad you’re getting along well with him,"

"I’m truly blessed, Your Holiness. To be able to spend time with such revered people."

He was smiling but that smile didn’t seem to touch his eyes, rather there was something in his eyes which was closely related to the malice that I was able to feel even though we were sitting at quite a distance.

He picked up his tea cup and I watched as he took a sip. This man was the one who was responsible for that child’s suffering and probably also the one who cursed the boy with the secrecy dark spell. But if that were the case then he must be a dark mage himself. I couldn’t feel that kind of energy from him though, or maybe he was a master at concealing that side of him.

Whatever it was, I knew I would rip apart his mask soon.

"I heard from the High Priest that you are engaged,"

My eyebrows jumped as I heard him and I kept the smile, "Yes,"

"Can you tell me his name?"

"His name is Ace D’Arc, Your Holiness." I answered and his eyes focused on me.

"Do you know what kind of person he is?" He asked and I tilted my head to a side by a fraction.

"Yes," I spoke and he smiled.

"Then, do you perhaps know that you were sold to the temple by him?"

I almost chuckled, so this was what he was trying to do. He was trying to break my and Ace’s relationship by feeding us lies or rather the harsh truths.

"Pardon?" I gasped and he nodded.

His expression turned to a somber, regretful one and I couldn’t help but frown in order to keep the emotion.

"But... Why would he...?" I whispered.

"Because he is a buisnessman. He struck a deal with us, he told us that he would let you enter the Temple if we support him and his trade, if not then he would use you as a pawn for the nobles to gain power." He explained.

His tone and the way of him speaking almost made me believe him but his fundamental problem was his eyes. His eyes and his tone didn’t match at all. His eyes gleamed with the dark glint while his tone was filled with the parental love.

"No... It can’t be... Ace cannot do that. He told me that I am born with a gift so, I should use it for the betterment of the people. That’s why I stepped out of my house and went against my father to cure those who were in need, he can’t!"

"I know it must be really hard to listen but it’s the truth, Saintess. You could consult the High Priest if you want to know more, the High Priest had done all he could to convince Lord Ace to not treat you like a commodity but..." He shook his head with a sigh.

I wanted to clap at his performance but he was a hundred years too early to fool me. I looked down at my hands.

"That’s why, I pray you realise that you are in danger. You shouldn’t trust that man, he will only bring you harm."

I shivered to show that I was indeed understanding his point and he seemed to be getting ahead of himself as he kept speaking.

"But you don’t need to fear of you can’t do anything about him. We all at the Temple will help you, you are our precious Saintess. We will go to any lengths to protect you."

I looked up at him with the big, fat, fake tears glistening at the corners of my eyes, his eyes went wide for a fraction of moment before he smiled. I saw him stand and come up to me before he crouched near my side placing a hand over my shoulder.

"Please don’t cry, Saintess. Your tears should not be spilled like this," he smiled.

"But... But..."

"You don’t have to think about it, Saintess. Lord Ace won’t be able to do anything to you from now on. I and the Temple shall protect you. You are the reincarnation of our Saintess Miella so, you are the most important person."

I sniffled and kept crying feeling him pat my shoulder as a kind and understanding father.

After a while, he offered me some water and I drank two sips from it before I sat in the chair holding the glass in both my hands.

"Your stay here will be safe and happy, Saintess. Rest assured of that, you won’t have to see that man again. You can have better prospects ahead."

I nodded and he smiled, "Speaking of that, is there anything that you want?"

I looked at his smile and wondered if I should drop a bomb or let him off.

"Will you really?" I asked in a low, frail voice and he smiled.

"I swear it in my name, Saintess." He placed his hand over his heart as he promised and I smirked inwardly.

So, bomb it is.

"Then, would it be possible for the Saint to live with me?"

His expression frozen, "Pardon?"

"I... I feel really betrayed and despaired so... I need a bright and healing presence around me. So, will you allow for the Saint to stay with me for a while?" I requested.

Well, what will you do now?