The Kingmaker System
Chapter 267 - 266. Vile Intentions (1)

Chapter 267: 266. Vile Intentions (1)

The time was ticking and my deadline was coming close and close with it. I did have a plan for the emergency but I was trying that I wouldn’t have to use that plan. It would mean bloodbath and some loose ends and I didn’t want that.

I wanted to leave this place with as less bloodbath as possible and no loose ends left untied.

I was currently sitting in the garden with the child making the flower wreaths in front of me. The butterflies and the small animals were easily attracted to him and my sides.

I rose my hand and a blue butterfly landed on my outstretched finger and the child came up to me with a bright smile and a flower wreath in his small hands.

With time he had started making them better, I smiled as I ducked slightly and he grinned before he placed the wreath over my head.

These days with him were quite peaceful but I knew the danger was looming just a couple of feet away from us.

I reached out and placed my hand over his head ruffling his hair making him giggle before I noticed a presence hurrying towards us.

Turning, I saw Father Kerrins, his face flushed and breath labored as he struggled to compose himself. Sir Asher who had been standing silently all the while leaning against the tree straightened up eyeing the priest.

"Saintess... Saint..." He huffed as he doubled over and I fixed him with a small smile.

"What is it, Father Kerrins?"

"H-His Holiness... has requested your presence in his office... urgently." He said among his huffs and I looked once at the child whose face had gone pale.

The child was still scared of the Pope, I guess it was time that I removed that fear completely.

"All right, we’ll go see His Holiness now, thank you for delivering this message to us, Father Kerrins." I smiled and he looked at me with his cheeks pink and a giddy smile.

"Uh... It was my duty... Saintess."

The priest then looked once at Sir Asher before he walked away and I took the child’s hand before I rose to my feet looking at Asher.

He didn’t say anything but his gaze was enough to tell me that he was worried, not only about me but also for the child whom I had vowed to protect. I gave him a subtle nod before we started walking towards the Pope’s office.

I wondered just what he wanted from us, I was half expecting it to be his move but it could not have included us calling to his office. Or did he somehow suspect that we knew something about his lab being trashed?

No, that was impossible... Then, did the High Priest open his mouth regarding the attack of the Parent of the child?

Unlikely. Then what?

We reached in front of the Pope’s office and I could sense the child’s palm growing sweaty and cold while his face was pale and the sweatbeads formed over his forehead.

I squeezed his hand gently making him look at me.

"You trust me, right?" I asked and he slowly nodded.

"Then don’t be scared, I’ll protect you no matter what."

He blinked twice before he nodded again and I smiled before I glanced once at Asher who looked like he would grab me and the child and make a run for it any minute but he didnt. I rose my hand to knock at the door.

The voice came from beyond the doors before I pushed them open and we faced the large office with a mahogany desk in the center and the Pope sitting behind it.

There was a fireplace along with the sofas and armchairs there with a coffeetable and a large window.

I curtsied and the Saint bowed before the Pope. Technically, we were in higher positions if not equal to him but we still bowed to him because, etiquette demanded this show of respect.

"You called for us, Your Holiness." I spoke up first and he nodded.

His expression showed that he had been going through some stress inducing situation these days and it satisfied me.

"Yes," he stood up from his chair and a tremor went through the child as the Pope approached us.

His gaze at Asher was clearly filled with hostility but he managed to hide it well before he cleared his throat and with full authority said.

"Sir Asher, I wish to speak with the Saint and Saintess on a sensitive matter so, I’d like for you give us some privacy."

Asher flinched, he was always thrown out whenever I was called at the Pope’s office. It was probably because he betrayed the trust that he had managed to earn after a lot of time and hard work and it was for me so, I was a little guilty, but it proved his loyalty to me so, I let it be.

Asher opened his mouth to speak but I looked back at him. His resistance would make things worse between him and the Temple, I didn’t want that, there was still time for that so, I would rather not cause any more friction in this matter.

"It’s fine, Sir Asher. Please wait outside." I smiled at him and he stared at me and then at the child who clung to my side before he bowed and left the room.

"Please have a seat here," the Pope gestured at the sofa.

I and the child sat down and the Pope sat in front of us, I saw the dark bags under his eyes and somehow I could feel that he hadn’t been as strong as before when I had seen him. Maybe he was taking the potions made with the child’s blood but after his lab was trashed he wasn’t able to.

"I have called you here to discuss about something really disturbing," he spoke up.

"Please do," I spoke up.

He eyed me for a moment as if searching for something before he sighed loudly.

"You... must remember that we visited the Holy Place a couple of days ago,"

Ah, so it was about the Holy Place.

"Yes," I said with a smile.

"It’s an absolutely beautiful place," I added and he looked a bit sombre about it.

"There... had been an incident..."

"Incident?" I prompted.

The Pope licked his lips, "The... Holy Lake... has vanished,"

"Pardon?" I gasped, my hand going up to my mouth hiding the small smile that made my lips curl.

"Yes," the Pope breathed, "something caused it to vanish over night... I don’t know how but there were rumors that started spreading about the Holy Lake and when the High Priest went to investigate he returned... completely harried saying that the Dragon’s wrath was upon us... The Holy Lake had disappeared and there was nothing left there... He didn’t see any dark creatures so... We’re worried that since the Holy Place’s power had ended those creatures must have been released in the kingdom now..."

I watched with an expression of worry and fear as I listened to him and made a mental note to praise Lyall’s men for doing their work so perfectly.

"It’s a big problem! We should-We should look into it as soon as possible, Your Holiness!" I said and he nodded.

"I have decided to go and investigate that place myself so, I wanted to ask you two to lend me your strength in doing so. You two are the only hopes of our kingdom... His Majesty has also left this decision up to me so..."

I smirked inwardly as I placed my hand over my chest with an expression of determination.

"I will gladly go!" I announced, "If it is to protect the lives of the innocents then I’m ready to lay my life on line for it."

The Pope smiled and then his eyes drifted over to the child who sat beside me practically glued to me.

The child flinched and then looked up at me, I gave him a subtle nod and he gulped before he opened his mouth for his answer.

"I-I will go too..."

The Pope smiled at us, his expression carefully neutral, though a faint glint in his gaze betrayed a subtle calculation. "I am truly grateful for your willingness, Saintess, Saint. Your deeds will forever be remembered by the kingdom."

He looked at both of us and I could sense something in his gaze.

"Then... the Saint and I shall proceed to the Holy Place to investigate," he continued smoothly, his tone carrying a note of finality. Beside me, the child stiffened, his small hand gripping the edge of my sleeve with a desperate intensity that turned his knuckles white. I didn’t need to look down to feel his fear—it radiated from him like a faint tremor.

Keeping my eyes fixed firmly on the Pope, I watched him as he added, "Meanwhile, Saintess," his gaze shifted to me, "you, accompanied by the Templar Knights, will visit the surrounding towns to search for any signs of malevolence. Your presence will reassure the people and maintain order. The masses just be worried so, we should make sure that there isn’t any miscommunication or problems."

Ah, so that’s what he is plotting.

"I agree to your proposal, Your Holiness," I replied, my voice carrying no hint of resistance.