Chapter 732: Succession to the Throne (2)
Upon receiving Armand's suggestion to visit her younger siblings, Joanna politely, yet firmly, expressed her refusal.
It was an incomprehensible choice.
Though not related by blood, the children of the Ark Orphanage were dear to Joanna, more so than anyone else. The reason she had become a Holy Knight was less about her faith and more for the children’s stable lives—a fact that was clear to anyone who understood her.
Armand was no exception; he knew this well.
Yet Joanna refused to see her siblings.
Ironically, Joanna’s decision stemmed from her deep love for them.
After all, now Joanna was officially considered the Child of Angels. Meeting her siblings under such a title? No matter how she thought about it, it was far too dangerous.
It might sound strange, but it was true.
Just as the sun, if too intense, can scorch life itself, Joanna meeting her siblings in these circumstances was perilous.
As rumors of impending doom spread and with the authority of Holy Magic fading, the attention of the world had shifted to Joanna, now rising as a new pillar of hope for the Holy See State. If she met with her siblings now, it was inevitable that they, too, would draw the public’s eye.
And whether that attention was friendly or hostile, it would be of little benefit to her siblings, who knew nothing of such matters.
One only needed to look at Joanna herself, who often felt the weight of countless gazes upon her.
Seeing Armand’s apologetic expression, he seemed to finally realize his mistake and quickly offered his apology.
“Oh... that was a foolish suggestion on my part. I’m truly sorry.”
“No, Holy Sovereign.”
“I’ll find a gentle way to explain it to the children. I’ll tell them you were too busy to come, Sir Joanna.”
“Yes, thank you... And—”
“—I will ensure they are well-protected from prying eyes. The situation is turbulent, so I doubt anyone will show undue interest in the children. There shouldn’t be too many difficulties.”
Joanna expressed her gratitude once more for Armand’s adept handling of the matter.
Receiving her thanks, Armand glanced at his watch.
“My, time has flown by. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
“No, nothing more.”
“That’s good to hear. Since I have no further business, I will take my leave... If you would like, I can inform the attendants outside to give you some privacy.”
Understanding Joanna’s desire to rest alone, Armand offered his thoughtful suggestion.
Though she showed no sign outwardly, Joanna accepted his offer gladly.
“...Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. Rest well.”
With a respectful bow, Armand exited the room, and Joanna nodded in acknowledgment, watching him leave before turning her gaze toward the window.
The temple she resided in was located on high ground, allowing her a view of the Holy See State’s landscape, a sight she had come to appreciate recently.
Watching the view alone had become a new pastime of hers.
It was, at the same time, a pastime born of necessity.
Ever since she had become the Child of Angels, her activities outside had been severely limited, leaving her with little else to do besides gazing at the landscape beyond her window.
‘The term is ridiculous the more I think about it.’
Looking out over the Holy See State, Joanna reflected on the title, Child of Angels.
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it felt.
It was a term rooted in nothing, suddenly coined after the old texts were scrutinized and ancient language stretched to force an interpretation.
It appeared nowhere in the apocalyptic prophecies, yet it was now in official use.
She knew how hard the survivor priests, the ones who had narrowly escaped the hands of demons, and people like Kevin had worked to establish this term. However, whenever she found herself alone, Joanna couldn’t help but find the term laughable.
It was too much like her own existence.
‘A term granted power without roots or true merit. It’s too much like me.’
Shifting her gaze from the window, Joanna looked down at her hand.
Specifically, at the hand that had absorbed the Sacred Blood.
Because she had absorbed the Sacred Blood, Joanna could confront the demon that had descended upon the Holy See State. Amidst the chaos, she had been granted the undeserved title of the Child of Angels and was being hailed as a savior, but...
The truth brought her no joy, for it was all a lie.
To prove this, Joanna had been unable to defeat the Lady on the Camel, nor could she heal those within the Holy See State whose skin had twisted and contorted.
She had tried secretly on several occasions, but each time ended in failure.
Even Director Amelin, who had turned into a tree, remained beyond her power to restore.
Yet people called Joanna the Child of Angels, the savior, and showered her with praise.
After all, Joanna had absorbed the Sacred Blood.
However, Joanna herself doubted the truth of having absorbed that blood.
Rather than feeling that this powerful force had wholly become part of her, it felt as though it was merely residing within her temporarily.
As though it had chosen her, not by design, but of its own volition, as a mere waystation on its path toward its rightful owner.
Though she had an inkling of who that rightful owner might be, Joanna tried her best not to think about it.
The demon had officially declared the world’s end, and perhaps that person was the one the world needed most. Yet Joanna averted her thoughts, settling for playing the role of a false savior.
‘I, too, am afraid. I want to flee from here this very instant... so please don’t tell me to leave or return.’
‘Then, could you pray for me just once? That I might have the courage and strength.’
‘Stop it... Stop!!!’
‘Aaaaahhh... Aaaaaargh!!!’
‘Take me. I am... the Prince of Hell.’
He had suffered too much already. That was why Joanna kept suppressing her suspicions.
Even as the world neared its end, even if she was merely watching it all unravel, Joanna chose to turn away. She simply wished for him to be spared from further suffering.
This, perhaps, was the real reason Joanna was reluctant to see her siblings.
In a time when so much hinged on destiny—both her siblings' fates and the world’s—it was her selfishness, thinking of him more than them.
...
As her thoughts spiraled into darkness, a knock on the door pulled her back.
Turning her head toward the sound, Joanna saw the silhouette of the visitor beyond the door.
“Come in. Regent, Alexander.”
With her permission, the two men, Regent and Alexander, stepped inside.
Both were sons of noble families serving as Joanna’s attendants. Initially, they had come to the Holy See State to pursue lives as priests. But fate took a twist after the demon's descent, prompting them to volunteer to assist Joanna as attendants, going as far as to draw upon their family resources.
These two approached Joanna and addressed her, their noble upbringing evident as they spoke with calm exteriors, though they calculated inwardly.
“Pardon us, O Savior.”
“…”
Savior.
Joanna wished to request they stop using that title, but she held back.
Officially, she was the Child of Angels, and the title of Savior was hers to bear.
For the sake of stability within the Pater Church, peace in the world, and for Oliver’s rest, she had decided to accept, whether she liked it or not, this undeserved title of Savior.
“O Savior? Did we perhaps make some mistake…?”
“No, nothing of the sort. What brings you here? Today was meant to be a day of rest.”
“We are aware, thanks to the Holy Sovereign’s words. However, we have come to ask a cautious question. We beg your forgiveness for intruding.”
With the demeanor of those addressing royalty, the noblemen extended courtesies to Joanna.
Forcing a smile, Joanna responded.
“No need. What is it you wish to know?”
“It is about our homeland, the United Kingdom, where the succession ceremony is soon to take place. Have you received an invitation?”
As expected of noblemen, they were quick to receive news.
Joanna didn’t deny it.
“Yes, I was invited. His Holy Sovereign just informed me of it earlier.”
“Please, allow us to accompany you!”
Like fish caught on a hook, Regent and Alexander immediately raised their voices in a plea.
Although Joanna hadn’t yet said she would attend, they seemed to assume she would.
Seeing the look on Joanna’s face, they appeared surprised.
“Oh… Are you, by chance, not planning to go?”
“No, I intend to accept the invitation.”
“Ah, that’s a relief… Well then, though we know it is a bold request, we humbly ask you to permit our families to join your entourage.”
“…”
“Our family has deep roots in the United Kingdom. Surely, we could be of help to you, Savior. Of course…”
“We, too, can serve you well. It’s just…”
As Joanna fell silent, the two men—originally priests who had come to the Holy See State with different intentions—quickly extended their speech, eager to escape the Holy See State, rumored to be cursed since the demon's arrival.
It was not hard to understand.
Having traveled around to demonstrate her status as the Child of Angels, Joanna had seen firsthand how the outside world viewed the Holy See State...
A land abandoned by the gods, a breeding ground for plague, and a cursed place. Their sentiments were far from favorable.
It was not unlike Zone Z in Landa.
The distorted skin plague that had struck the Holy See State was also reminiscent of the appearance of Landa’s anti-development committee...
Having seen information and photographs of them during her time assigned to Landa, she understood.
From this perspective, it could be said that these two were indeed wise.
“If absolutely necessary, just the two of us…”
It was indeed prudent to leave before the Holy See State became the Zone Z of Landa.
Wise though they were, their willingness to leave alone might be seen as selfish, yet Joanna chose not to mind.
For she, too, was no different.
“...I cannot promise you a definitive answer, but I will bring it to His Holy Sovereign’s attention.”
“That will be more than enough. Thank you, Savior.”
With their desired response secured, the two attendants expressed their heartfelt gratitude before leaving.
Once more alone, Joanna returned to gazing out the window.
This time, her view shifted.
Instead of the restored streets of the Holy See State, courtesy of the newly established archive by Kevin, Joanna looked beyond, down the road that Oliver had taken.
She didn’t know where he was or what he was doing, but all she could do was hope for his safety and peace...
In this world filled with people as selfish as herself.
...
“Indeed, the alliance between Puppet and the Royal Family is real. And the End of Days is indeed drawing near.”
A-District in the center of Landa’s political and administrative hub.
At the heart of it all, the City Hall.
Oliver suddenly burst into the meeting room, flung open the doors without permission, and casually dropped into a seat, as if he were simply there to announce the news.
The city councilors and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Landa, hearing these unexpected words, merely stared at Oliver, unable to find the words to respond.
He had interrupted their busy work with an explosive declaration, so their reaction was understandable.
However, their response only showed that they still hadn’t grasped Oliver’s intentions. He proceeded to make it clear.
“Oh, one more thing. I am the Prince of Hell. Does anyone have any questions?”