“Disgusting. The chores of being a substitute head…”

Where else would you see the Pope holding a broom, cleaning the bedroom of the substitute head? The Pope swept away the dust in the room, neatly organizing the ancient language translation on the desk. Soon, when the Pope saw the empty wine bottle under the desk, his blood pressure rose, and he shook his hands.

“You, get up.”

Hanelly was asleep, wearing the entire clergy outfit, with his arms crossed.

“Why do you sleep lying down, and why am I sweeping and cleaning when my spine is bending? I am the Pope, and you are my disciple, and I’m almost eighty years old. Even if the world turns upside down, there should be a limit!”

“Is it because you’re old and can’t sleep at night?”

The Pope raised his arm holding the broom and struck Hanelly, causing dust to fly.

“You filthy guy! You look like a weed! I kindly prepare meals for the sick and brew tea, and you…!”

“Who’s here?”

“The palace sent someone. The queen wants to receive a baptismal name.”

The Pope suppressed his anger and shook Hanelly’s temples more gently. Hanelly had bandages wrapped around.

“You’re late.”

“Maybe it’s the right time. Didn’t you delay the one you were going to receive at the national marriage?”

At the time of the national marriage, the temple already knew that the queen did not have a baptismal name.

“It’s not a delay; I was looking for the right time.”

The Pope asked, looking at Hanelly sitting in the dust.

“Do you think the waterway will flow?”

“The waterway has opened, but I don’t know if it’s flowing yet.”

The Pope sighed without losing his temper. The waterway rots if it stays stagnant.

The stagnant waterway rotted over time, and now it was slowly opening.

“It seems that stopped time is flowing.”

“Of course. Time is like a waterway. If it stays in a narrow timeline, it rots. Just opening the waterway doesn’t mean it will all flow. There must be water. There must be water to flow, and it must flow for the waterway to open and not rot.”

Bearing the weight of a soul is not as light as words.

“Soon, dawn will break. It’s good to prepare for the guests.”

“I’ve informed the novice clergy.”

The Pope scolded Hanelly, who had removed the bandages.

“Are your eyes okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“You seem uneasy about being polite.”

“I understand why the gods warn against using divine power.”

A blue gleam flickered in his eyes. His eyes saw the essence of human nature.

Although his eyes were gouged out as a divine punishment, the eyes of the gods took their place.

These eyes pierced through the essence, and just by opening them, fatigue overwhelmed him.

“I’ll cover your eyes roughly.”

Hanelly roughly straightened his clergy outfit.

The Pope suffered alone. This guy misused divine power and even obtained divine punishment.

Such a guy still handles my divine power without caution.

“Guests will come soon.”

“It’s still dark.”

“When the dawn breaks, send the clergy to the entrance.”

Hanelly raised his head and looked towards the palace direction.

“I understand why the divine punishment devoured your eyes.”

“Baptism will be over soon.”

The Pope administered the baptism.

Inside the prayer room where the baptismal name was to be received, there was a marble basin.

Water flowed gently into the spacious platinum basin, streaming down through an opening below.

“Dip your hands here. It’s better to take off your gloves; your bare hands should touch it.”

Normally, newborns are submerged in water so that their entire bodies touch, but it’s just a formal procedure, and only a part of the skin needs to touch anywhere.

‘Kiwoong.’

Ran groaned as Shal helped his foot.

The temple referred to Ran as the ‘White Companion.’

A companion bound by the soul was allowed to accompany to the baptism room.

“It’s okay. It’ll be over soon.”

Shaloff dipped his arm into the holy water. The ripples tickled his skin.

It’s an expression for the forgotten ancient gods in ancient language.

“It feels like a missed name.”

Ran laid his head against Shal’s ankle.

‘Kreung?’

The Pope placed the holy water on Shal’s forehead.

Droplets flowed, tickling the bridge of his nose.

“I heard your body is weak. I’ve prayed for the blessing for good health for the coming year.”

For some reason, words were stuck. The baptismal name was also confirmed.

“Why does it feel like a missed name?”

“Yeah.”

“Why are you crying?”

The Pope stole a cry. It was the first time he cried after seeing the baptismal name.

The Pope wiped the tears flowing from his eyes. Soon, his eyes turned red, and tears fell.

“Let’s go now.”

Shaloff slowly left the baptism room.

“It’s early, and there are no worshippers. Please stay comfortably.”

The path to the temple was empty. Only priests were seen sweeping the path with brooms here and there.

Newly enrolled priests stared blankly into the air.

“Is it over?”

Benjamin, who accompanied them in secret, turned to Shaloff.

“Everyone seems to be crying. Did something happen?”

“They just received their baptismal names.”