The Game Difficulty
Is Crazy
The deeper Glen walked into the audience chamber, the more clearly he could see the face sitting on the throne.
At the same time, familiar faces began to enter his field of view one by one.
Saint Luceria, wearing a gentle smile and giving off a benevolent atmosphere.
Cardinal Grazia Deleda, looking at Glen with an expressionless face.
Ignat van Romeo, guarding the Pope’s side with kind yet steadfast eyes.
‘Up to here are people I already know.’
Of course, officially this was their first meeting, so none of them showed any sign of familiarity and instead maintained dignified composure.
‘And then there are three I’m meeting for the first time.’
One of them was an old man with a striking white beard and completely grayed hair.
Pope Agostino IX.
He was emitting a benevolent aura different from Luceria’s, waiting for Glen to approach with a sacred and compassionate appearance.
The remaining two were cardinals like Grazia Deleda.
A neatly groomed middle-aged man was Joachim Hawthorne.
The elderly priest who looked the oldest after the Pope was Petraco Estevez.
‘Cardinal Petraco barely has any presence in the original work, so I don’t really need to pay attention to him.’
On the other hand, Joachim Hawthorne played the role of a typical high-ranking villain in the original story.
Archbishop Bastian Rodriguez, infamous for joining hands with the Black Order, was on the same boat as him.
In any case, the six figures standing before Glen were the highest-ranking priests who could truly sway the fate of the Papal State.
Step—
A short walk that felt strangely long.
When he reached the front of the throne, Glen lightly smiled and knelt on one knee.
Then he expressed his respect and reverence toward the Pope and the Saint.
“Shield of the Papal State. Glen Wordsworth, son of Henry Wordsworth, greets His Holiness the Pope and the Saint, the two noble lights that illuminate the Papal State.”
Glen’s clear voice echoed through the chamber.
The three cardinals remained silent.
After a brief pause, Pope Agostino IX replied in a gentle tone.
“May God’s grace be with you at this noon hour, Sir Glen Wordsworth.”
A strange resonance that shook the heart.
Just like when he first saw Saint Luceria, Glen’s mind felt dizzy.
Perhaps out of consideration, a brief silence followed, giving him time to steady himself, and then the Saint welcomed him.
“I sincerely welcome you to the Holy City, Istirenne, brother.”
After that, Glen also paid his respects to each of the seated cardinals one by one.
Only after the simple formal greetings were over did Glen rise to his feet.
“It is not common for the throne room to be this full, but I hope you will not feel burdened by it.”
The Pope smiled faintly.
As he said, it was unusual for all cardinals to attend the Pope’s audience with a noble’s son who was not even a grand noble.
They must have heard stories about Glen beforehand and taken interest.
‘Saint Luceria and Cardinal Grazia attended at my request, but Cardinal Joachim wouldn’t normally have any reason to be here.’
Considering his recent actions, Archbishop Bastian’s influence was likely involved.
Something along the lines of personally checking the one who was interfering with the Black Order’s plans.
Judging by this, Cardinal Joachim would probably be the biggest obstacle to Glen achieving his goal today.
“Thank you sincerely for your merciful consideration, Your Holiness.”
Ignoring the cold gaze from Cardinal Joachim, which was different in meaning from Grazia’s, Glen bowed deeply.
After that, Glen exchanged conventional talk with the Pope about the Wordsworth family and other formal matters.
“The matter of Sir Henry Wordsworth is truly unfortunate. Though taciturn, he was a man who fulfilled his duty.”
“Thank you for your words of comfort. At present, my elder sister and firstborn, Tris Wordsworth, is managing the territory.”
He then exchanged questions and answers with the cardinals and the Saint as well.
Although there had been a demon assault, the disappearance of a noble house’s head was still a major topic of concern.
The conversation finally moved to the main issue when Cardinal Joachim opened his mouth.
“…So. For what reason has someone who should be guarding the front lines come to seek an audience with His Holiness at such a critical time?”
He stared coldly at Glen, arrogant and authoritative, just like in the original story.
If the Pope had not been present, he likely would not have even used polite speech.
“……”
“I have an engagement this afternoon.”
The Pope silently looked at Cardinal Joachim, but Joachim merely brushed it off with his sly smile.
“My apologies. I have taken up much of your time, yet my introduction has grown rather long.”
But Glen did not mind.
Rather, he welcomed Joachim’s question, as he wanted to end this tedious, conventional conversation.
“The reason I left Wordsworth and came all the way to this holy land is because I have one request to make of Your Holiness.”
“Coincidentally, commendation for military merits comes after the holy war has concluded, Sir Glen Wordsworth.”
Cardinal Joachim seemed to think Glen had come to ask for recognition of his achievements in Avenue.
“Cardinal Joachim. Sir Glen Wordsworth has not yet said that.”
This time, Cardinal Grazia tried to intervene instead of the Pope.
But since the Pope remained silent as the mediator, it had little effect.
Joachim continued.
“Ah, I understand. Since the capital is far away, it is only natural that you might not know such basic facts.”
Blatant mockery.
Joachim held no personal grudge.
He was simply looking down on Glen for lacking a proper title and ruling over a declining rural territory.
“Ah, I see. I didn’t know. My goodness… thank you. I nearly would have come to the capital twice for nothing.”
But Glen was not foolish enough to be swayed by such petty provocation.
“To show such kindness even to a country bumpkin like me. As expected, Your Eminence’s consideration is truly exceptional.”
“What did you say?”
If provoking the other party was the goal, Glen simply responded calmly.
When things did not go his way, Cardinal Joachim frowned.
Cardinal Grazia, who had been silent, let out a quiet chuckle as if mocking his pettiness.
“But I did not come here merely to receive praise for my merits from His Holiness. I wish to do something more for this country and the Order.”
“That is a grave matter beyond the concern of a mere local noble—”
“Cardinal Joachim. Let us at least hear him out first. Did you not say you had an engagement earlier?”
At Grazia’s restraint, Joachim ground his teeth.
“…Go on.”
Exchanging glances with Cardinal Grazia, who wore a relaxed smile, Glen looked straight at the Pope.
“Your Holiness. What do you think is the thing a knight fighting on the front lines fears the most?”
“Surely demons.”
“That is indeed a valid answer, but it is not the true one.”
This time, Glen looked at Ignat, who stood by the Pope’s side.
