80 - Protection
The air shifted subtly. Barely noticeable. But not to someone like Pope Aristophane IX. He felt it, the tension. Not loud. Not hostile. But dense. Heavy. Like something unseen was pressing inward between the two seated beside him.
His gaze flickered briefly between Mariana and Zafiel. Mariana—flustered, overwhelmed, thinking too much. Zafiel—silent, composed, watching too closely.
“I see." The Pope murmured inwardly. And just like that, he intervened. “Well then,” Aristophane said, voice warm but deliberate, cutting cleanly through the atmosphere. “If you have chosen the path of a Saintess…”
Mariana blinked, attention shifting back to him.
“Then I approve.”
She straightened slightly. “You do?”
“Of course,” he nodded. “The Temple has long awaited a successor.” His gaze softened. “The last Saintess…” He paused briefly, “… passed decades ago.”
Mariana’s expression fell slightly. “I-I see…”
“I had begun to think,” the Pope continued lightly, “that we might never see another in my lifetime.”
Mariana fidgeted slightly. “… that sounds like a lot of pressure…”
He chuckled. “It is.”
“That doesn’t help.”
“It isn’t meant to.” He replied with a small smile.
Zafiel said nothing.
But his gaze lingered on Mariana. Careful. Measuring. The Pope noticed again and continued. “You will, of course, require training,” Aristophane added.
Mariana nodded slowly. “That makes sense…”
“You may come here,” he gestured around the Grand Basilica, “to train under the Temple.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Here...?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “During the day of mass.”
Mariana blinked and then, her brain did something unexpected.
Wait. Day of mass…?
Her thoughts shifted. Rapid. Analytical.
Okay, think…
Time system. She paused. Because, now that she thought about it, this world’s calendar was suspiciously familiar, too familiar. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
The author was lazy, weren't they…?
Months. Same names. Days. Same structure.
Seriously? You built a whole fantasy world and kept the same calendar system??
Mariana resisted the urge to sigh. But then, something clicked.
Mass day…
In her old world—Sunday. But in the novel— Her eyes widened slightly.
Tuesday. Right, I remember now. Unlike Earth, this world held mass on Tuesdays.
“So I’ll have to come here every Tuesday…” she murmured absentmindedly.
The Pope nodded. “Correct.”
She exhaled softly.
Alright… manageable.
“And what will I be learning first?” she asked.
Aristophane smiled. “The foundation.”
Mariana tilted her head.
“Theology,” he said. “Understanding faith. Not just wielding it… but embodying it.”
She nodded slowly. “That makes sense…”
“And then,” he continued, “you will learn how to wield it properly.”
Mariana’s interest piqued. “Like magic?”
“Similar,” he replied. “But fundamentally different.”
She hummed softly. “Okay…”
The Pope studied her for a moment. Then without warning, he leaned forward and hugged her. Warm. Affectionate. Protective.
Mariana froze. “Eh...?!”
“It has been a long time,” he murmured softly, “since I have seen such potential.”
Her face warmed slightly. “Yo-Your Holiness…”
Behind her, Zafiel’s gaze darkened just slightly. The Pope didn’t miss it, not at all. Even as he held Mariana, his eyes flicked sideways, locking onto Zafiel. A silent message. Clear. Sharp.
She is under my protection too.
Zafiel didn’t look away, didn’t react. But his presence shifted ever so slightly.
Noted.
The Pope released Mariana gently, patting her head once more. “There is much to do.” He said warmly.
“Ye-Yes…”
Refreshments arrived shortly after.Light snacks. Tea. Simple. But comforting. Mariana ate quietly, trying to process everything. Saintess. Training. Faith. Pope. And Zafiel still beside her. Still too close. Still watching.
She finished quickly. “Thank you for the meal.” She said politely.
The Pope smiled. “You are always welcome here.”
Mariana stood, bowing slightly. “I’ll come again next Tuesday.”
“I will be waiting.”
She smiled faintly. Then turned and left.
Zafiel followed, of course.
They stepped out into the open air once more. The shift from sacred calm to bustling life was immediate. Mariana exhaled softly. Relief. Fresh air. Space.
“Well done.”
She blinked, turning slightly.
Zafiel stood beside her, close as always.
“What...?”
“You handled that well.” He said simply.
Mariana stared at him. “That’s... it?”
“Yes.”
She blinked. Then, his hand lifted and rested on her head, patting it lightly. Mariana froze again.
“You’re doing well." He added.
Her face flushed.
W-WHY DOES HE KEEP DOING THAT—
Before she could react, he stepped back just slightly. “I’ll take my leave here.”
Mariana blinked. “You’re leaving...?”
“Yes.” A pause. Then, a soft smile. Rare. Genuine. “I’ll see you soon so don't miss me too much.” And just like that, he turned and walked away.
Mariana stood there still. Processing. “That was… weird." She muttered. A beat. “… too weird.” She exhaled then looked around Luxor. Still alive. Still vibrant. “I should explore more.” She decided.
Because if she went back now, she would overthink everything again. And she really didn’t want to do that so she walked alone this time, finally.
It didn’t last long because—thud.
“Oof...!” Mariana stumbled slightly, colliding with someone. “I-I’m so sorry...!” She said quickly.
“No, it was my fault—”
They both paused then looked at each other and froze. Mariana’s breath caught. Because, silvery white hair. Soft features. Gentle sapphire eyes. And in her mind, a name flashed.
Archduchess Sadia Yulisius de Edinburgh. The Heroine.
Sadia blinked then smiled softly. “Are you alright...?”
Mariana nodded quickly. “Ye-Yes… I’m fine…!”
Her eyes scanned her. And for a moment, she forgot to breathe. Because the novel did not do her justice. Not even close.
Sadia was beautiful. No, not just beautiful. Ethereal. Like something untouched, unspoiled. Her presence alone felt calming. Warm like standing under soft sunlight.
She’s… insane…
Mariana swallowed.
This is the heroine…? No wonder—
And then, Sadia spoke gently. Softly. “You’re not from here, are you?”
Mariana blinked. “What...?”
Sadia tilted her head slightly, studying her. Curious but not suspicious. Just… knowing. And then, she said it casually like it was nothing. “You were isekai’d, right?”
Mariana’s world stopped. Her heart dropped. Her mind went blank. “… excuse me?”
···
A/n: As I expected, the world building is still insufficient. I'll try filling the missing parts lil by lil, and I'm sorry. I hope the story is still easy to follow.