Chapter 50: At Times Like This, It’s Lin Wei Who Knows How to Comfort Me
It had been some time since I returned to my duties at the Holy See.
With the northern campaign progressing smoothly, the last stronghold of the demons in this land—the Northern Fortress—was on the verge of being reclaimed.
The entire coalition army was already swept up in a night-before-the-victory celebration.
Yet, as the one charged with overseeing the rear lines and managing all logistics, I couldn’t afford even a moment’s relaxation.
On the contrary, I was working harder than ever before the decisive battle, patching up every last detail and keeping everything firmly within my grasp. I had no intention of delegating any of it.
After all… this was the perfect chance to reclaim authority.
When I first took over, I clashed with all manner of factions in order to purge the Holy See’s corruption and support the war effort as much as possible.
Whether it was internal resistance within the Holy See, the Empire’s old guard, or those northern nobles, there was no shortage of conflict.
In fact, because of all that, trustworthy allies were few and far between, leaving me exhausted every single day.
Otherwise, once the war ended and the external threat faded, wouldn’t those same people immediately start plotting against me, who’d only been entrusted with this position out of necessity?
Losing the Pope’s seat would be the least of my worries. If the Holy See—after all my efforts to purge it—fell back into that mire, I’d be letting down the goddess Alicia, who placed her trust in me.
But the price for all this was that I felt more and more drained—now I was nearly at my limit.
Still, once the Northern Fortress was fully reclaimed, maybe things would finally get a little easier.
I’m so tired. I just want to rest for a while…
How is Lin Wei doing since he arrived in the capital? Is his living situation alright? Does the food suit his tastes?
While I’m gone, he wouldn’t secretly bring a woman back to his place and do something improper, would he? No, Lin Wei isn’t that kind of person… but then, where is he now?
Just thinking about Lin Wei, even in my weariness, seemed to give me a bit of strength.
She gently rubbed her temples. The thought of Lin Wei—of how little distance truly separated them—sent fresh ripples through her once-calm heart, stirring up a restless longing.
If I could just see him, even for a moment… Surely that would be enough to restore my strength.
Otherwise, I really might not be able to hold on much longer…
"Your Holiness, did you say something?"
It seemed someone had caught the faint words she’d murmured.
The secretary, Miss Rennie, blinked in surprise and hurried a step forward, already berating herself for failing to catch what the Pope had said.
"It’s nothing. I was just talking to myself about the work," Veya replied, quickly schooling her expression and turning her attention back to the documents in front of her.
She rubbed her brow again, now facing the ever-diligent secretary standing just a pace away.
Almost as if searching for some small distraction to ease her fatigue, she spoke while slowly working through the paperwork.
"Everything’s been arranged well. The Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy really does need adventurers with shining achievements as examples—role models for those sheltered flowers who’ve never seen the real world. It gives them something to aspire to, and lets them glimpse how harsh things can be outside their safe little gardens."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
A flash of excitement lit up Rennie’s eyes at the unexpected praise, but her professionalism as secretary kept her emotions tightly reined in. She clenched her fists discreetly, channeling her feelings into that small gesture.
"Life in the capital can be inconvenient for residents during the probationary registration period," Veya continued. "Bishop Alec should have considered that. What arrangements were made for his lodgings in that letter of recommendation?"
"He’s been placed at the Yavis Inn on Berron Street," Rennie replied promptly.
The thrill surging in Rennie’s heart made her forget to feel jealous of that adventurer, Lin Wei, who had somehow captured the Pope’s attention.
Almost without thinking, she suppressed her excitement and answered quickly.
After all, he was just someone Her Holiness had mentioned in passing to ease her fatigue—how could he possibly compare to me, who was just praised by the Pope today?
She thought with pride. In the end, it was only because of that goblin disaster that the Pope kept mentioning his name.
Give it a few months, and chances are, everyone will have forgotten about him completely.
And when that day comes, I’ll still be the one at Lady Veya’s side. That’s the real difference between us.
“Mm… Distribute these documents,” Veya said, taking a quiet breath, unaware of her secretary’s inner thoughts.
She looked at the mountain of paperwork before her, determination flashing in her eyes.
If she wanted to meet Lin Wei tonight, she’d need to muster all her energy and finish this work in one go!
◇
Late at night, Yavis Inn, Berron Street.
Even after dark, the Imperial Capital of Saint Henas—known as the radiant jewel of humanity—remained as vibrant as ever, its energy infectious.
Seated by a window overlooking the city, Lin Wei propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought. Strangely enough, he had no urge to wander the capital and take in the sights.
He’d already finished all his preparations.
If everything went as planned, reporting to the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy tomorrow would make him a substitute instructor.
And then, in this city called the Imperial Capital, he’d begin a whole new chapter—hiding in plain sight, ready to start a brand new quest beneath the glow of the city lights.
But… his thoughts drifted back to the Catkin Tribe woman he’d run into at the academy earlier that day.
Tapping his fingers idly against the table, Lin Wei let his mind wander, inevitably circling back to the current predicament of the demon.
The Northern Fortress is about to fall to the coalition. By all accounts, that place is the most critical strategic stronghold the demons have in the occupied territories.
If it’s lost, the coalition can sweep straight through and reclaim all the lost lands… At that point, the demons will be pushed right back to where they were three years ago—facing a disastrous war on their own soil.
But why does something about this whole situation feel off?
There was no concrete reason—just a sense that things were going too smoothly.
After all, it had only been two years since he’d left the demons behind. Back during that infamous coup, he’d gone on a rampage, cut his way out, and made his escape.
But in reality, it was the coalition’s elite who’d taken the brunt of the chaos. The demon army’s best had stayed well out of harm’s way, untouched by the fallout.
Logically, with their defenses intact and supplies plentiful, and facing only human forces, the demons should have been able to hold out for years—even if they’d just hunkered down and let the war drag on.
So how had things deteriorated so quickly, to the point that the coalition was already hammering at the gates of the Northern Fortress?
Even if they weren’t winning, at the very least, the war should have been a stalemate at first.
Who’s actually commanding the demon army now?
Krulu? Kuba? Or maybe Cain… And if the Northern Fortress is truly under siege, how did that Catkin Tribe woman manage to slip into the capital?
The Catkin Tribe are notorious for being cowardly and self-preserving. They all scampered to the rear as soon as the fighting started, never daring to show their faces on the front lines. For one of them to sneak all the way into the capital… it just doesn’t add up.
Questions kept piling up in his mind.
Even if he’d given up the Demon Lord’s throne, faced with such a tangled web of mysteries, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a sudden rapping at the door jolted Lin Wei from his thoughts.
He frowned, momentarily puzzled, and glanced over his shoulder.
Hm? At this hour… Who could it be?
Could it be Yalis?