“Did the Pope really… do such a thing to them?”

The Emperor asked in a disbelieving voice.

He knew that Pope Pronunce Briel had been showing greed little by little for the past few years, as the influence of the papacy grew larger and larger. But he never thought he would act so absurdly like this.

He couldn’t believe that the one who dared to call himself God’s representative had done such a thing to the imperial citizens who did not hesitate to respect him.

The Emperor raised his hand to his wrinkled forehead as if his head hurt.

With the situation suddenly flipped, the courtroom was now filled with utter chaos.

Amidst the confusion, Escalion appeared at the very back of the people from Rablesserona.

He passed through the entrance of the courtroom with light steps, easily leaped over the gate guarded by knights, and immediately approached Belladonna.

Standing close to Belladonna, he raised the corner of his mouth and asked.

“Am I not too late?”

“You came just in time. If you were even a few seconds late, I might have been exiled from the Ellenerus Empire.”

“Strange. I haven’t rested for a moment since my wife sent me to Rablesserona. I must have been a bit late because I was feeling unwell. Forgive me.”

Escalion said jokingly. Belladonna looked up at him with a helpless smile.

She had sent Escalion to the address she found while searching through the Pope’s documents. She kept having a feeling that place was deeply related to the Pope’s secret.

As she expected, there existed victims and survivors of the drug hidden by the Pope to avoid people’s eyes.

“Silence! I ask everyone to be quiet! We will now proceed with the verdict of this trial.”

At that moment, the Grand Priest who came forward to stop everyone raised his voice. He waited for the commotion to subside and then lifted the verdict document to raise his voice.

“Belladonna Diete has killed her father, Pope Pronunce Briel. Although this action corresponds to parricide, which should be strictly punished according to imperial law…”

Trailing off, he raised his gaze to slowly look around at Belladonna, Escalion, the audience, and the Emperor. Belladonna looked at him with a tense face.

“…the investigation reveals that the reason for the murder is justifiable and close to self-defense given the circumstances. Also, newly revealed evidence shows that the victim, the Pope, had committed grave crimes, which could have greatly harmed the empire, and we agree on this.”

Belladonna, listening to the Grand Priest’s verdict, exhaled in relief at the direction flowing as she wanted.

“However, it is true that Pope Pronunce Briel lost his life by Saint Belladonna Diete, and murder cannot be justified for any reason.”

Escalion’s hand gripping Belladonna’s shoulder tightened.

Everyone filling the courtroom listened intently to the Grand Priest’s voice.

“Therefore, as of this moment, Belladonna Diete is permanently expelled from the Astanya Papacy. That is all.”

At his verdict, Graham and Hazel, who had been standing with tense faces, both sighed in relief. Escalion also slightly relaxed his body that had been stiffly tensed.

Yes, this much is… Belladonna lowered her head, exhaling a small breath.

As the Grand Priest finished reading the verdict, all eyes moved towards the Emperor. If he agreed to this verdict finally, the trial would end like this.

“…”

The Emperor’s cloudy gray eyes moved towards Belladonna. After staring at her blankly for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I agree with the verdict. As of today, Belladonna Diete’s qualification as a saint is revoked, and the imperial court will form an investigation team to thoroughly investigate the former Pope’s situation. However, keep in mind that if Belladonna Diete’s words are found to be false or if traces of deliberate intervention are discovered in the process, she will be punished more severely.”

As the Emperor finished speaking, one of the priests rang a small bell to signal that the trial was completely over.

The small bell sound was soon drowned out by the voices of people bursting out. The inside of the courtroom was suddenly filled with voices of people expressing their opinions without exception.

“Saint!”

“She’s no longer a saint! What will happen to us?”

“When will the new Pope be elected?”

The Emperor ignored all the people’s questions and stood up. Descending from the high chair, he walked with slow steps towards the door at the back of the courtroom.

“I guess he means for me to take care of the aftermath.”

The Grand Priest, watching the Emperor’s back as he quietly disappeared, muttered in a small voice with a tired expression. He approached Belladonna and said.

“You may return now. The trial results will be formally written and sent to Gribblata Castle.”

“I understand, Grand Priest.”

Belladonna bowed her head briefly in greeting and turned around.

Although her body was very tired and exhausted from preparing for the trial and undergoing investigations for a long time, her mind was clear and refreshed.

She tightly grasped Escalion’s large hand. She wanted to leave this place and return to a cozy place soon.

At that moment, the Grand Priest who was organizing the verdict document in the back opened his mouth again.

“Saint. Ah, no. Mrs. Diete.”

“Yes?”

He approached again and spoke.

“The new title feels awkward. It’s nothing much, but even if you’re no longer a saint, I think we’ll have many occasions to ask for your opinion in the future. Is it alright if we send a priest to Gribblata occasionally?”

“You want to ask for my opinion?”

“In selecting a new Pope and managing the papacy in the future, I think the former saint’s opinion will be important. Although more investigation is needed, Cardinal Nicholas is almost certain to be dismissed, so you’re the only one who knows well about how the papacy has been run so far.”

Belladonna blinked her eyes with a troubled face.

In a way, the Grand Priest’s proposal seemed very reasonable. But the problem is that I’m not the real Saint, so I don’t know anything.

She had only lived as Saint Belladonna for about a year. So it was virtually impossible for her to recommend a new Pope or be involved in management.

“Grand Priest, I…”

“Once the investigation on Pope Pronunce Briel is over, we will also push for your reinstatement.”

“Reinstatement?”

Belladonna asked in surprise. The Grand Priest glanced at the still murmuring spectators and nodded.

“Don’t you know what your existence means to the imperial citizens? With even the Pope gone, your absence is unthinkable to those who believe in and support you, living day by day.”

“But that’s…”

“Moreover, if the Pope’s misdeeds are fully revealed, public opinion will turn even more. Support for you, the saint who chose to stain your hands with blood for the sake of the imperial citizens despite the Pope being the father who took you in and cared for you since childhood, will grow even stronger.”

Is that how it works…?

Belladonna turned her gaze to look at the imperial citizens shouting something towards her. Having lost two people they mentally relied on at once, they looked somewhat anxious and worried.

“However, I’m concerned that the new role might be burdensome for Mrs. Diete, as you’re also the lady of Gribblata.”

At the Grand Priest’s words, Belladonna raised her head to look at Escalion.

He, who had been silently listening to their conversation, raised the corners of his mouth and said to her.

“Why are you looking at me? You should do what you want to do.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I will fully respect my wife’s decision, so take your time to think about it.”

Escalion said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Perhaps even the next Pope…”

“Ah, no! No!”

Belladonna quickly shook her head, blocking the Grand Priest’s words as he seized the opportunity.

“Grand Priest, I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of returning to Astanya. I’m not qualified for that.”

“…You’re still humble indeed.”

“It’s not humility, I really am not qualified! And now I want to live a free life away from being Astanya’s saint.”

Belladonna gripped Escalion’s hand more tightly as she spoke.

“You can ask for my opinion on the papacy anytime, but I won’t be returning to Astanya.”

“That’s a shame. But if that’s really your wish, I understand.”

“However, I do have someone in mind for the next Pope, and I’ll let you know if I get the chance.”

Belladonna replied with a soft smile. The Grand Priest nodded, lowering his eyebrows as if he had no choice.

As he turned away and moved towards where the priests were gathered, Escalion asked as if surprised.

“Why the stubborn refusal all of a sudden?”

“I’m sick of Astanya now. There’s no way I’d want to go back to that place with not a single good memory. I also want to end this act of being a fake saint once and for all.”

“Is that so? I have no reason to object on my part.”

After finishing his words, he led Belladonna towards the entrance of the courtroom. From behind, they could hear the Grand Priest shouting to calm the spectators.

“We will soon issue an official statement, so please wait a little longer!”

“Please calm down, everyone!”

Hearing the poor Grand Priest’s voice, Escalion spoke.

“Can we really leave for Gribblata now?”

“Yes! I want to go back quickly.”

“Fortunately, the cold is easing a lot. It’s becoming just the right weather to spend time with you.”

“That’s perfect.”

Belladonna replied in a refreshed voice as she came out of the courtroom. As they walked side by side through the lobby and out, dazzling sunlight shone down on her. Belladonna reflexively narrowed her eyes.

Escalion placed his palm on her forehead, pulling up the corners of his mouth in a grin. His golden eyes, shining even brighter reflected in the sunlight, looked down at her affectionately.

“Congratulations, Bella. Now everything is really over.”

Belladonna curled up even more under the blanket. Noticing her, Escalion let out a low laugh and pressed his hot body against her.

Belladonna pressed as much of her body area as possible against his firm muscles, as if seeking a warm stove. Sticking even her ankles exposed under the thick pajamas tightly to his thighs, she grumbled.

“Didn’t you say the cold had eased a lot?”

“It’s much warmer at this level.”

“It’s been a week since we returned to Gribblata, but I still can’t get used to it. I can’t even sleep without Escalion.”

“That’s a welcome thing to hear.”

Pulling her round back of the head, Escalion let out a satisfied groan. After lying close to her for a moment, he opened his mouth again.

“Bella, are you still cold?”

“It’s better than before.”

“I know a way to make the temperature rise quickly. Want me to help?”

Escalion’s body quickly stiffened as he said this. Belladonna, immediately realizing what his words meant, shook her head with a blushing face.

“No…! It’s okay!”

“Don’t hold back.”

Escalion, whose gaze had already become intense, raised his thick upper body to cover her.