When the Pope Becomes Competent - Chapter 82
Only Noblemtl
◈82. The one who won the heart of the Iron-Blooded Duke
The hornpipe item description reads:
-You can use sailors who died with the ship as ghost soldiers.
(However, ghost soldiers have no ego and only obey the orders of the person holding the item.)
… said.
These skeletons I saw before my eyes seemed to be ghost soldiers who were said to be absolutely obedient to the one holding the flute.
‘I want to ask how you got stranded, but… you said you have no ego, so I can’t answer. For now, it’s better to―’
I shook off my distracting thoughts and shouted toward the bottom of the ship.
“You can come up! Be careful, there are some skeletons up there!”
* * *
Everyone who climbed onto the ship let out a single scream.
-“Eww, skeleton!”
-“Ugh!”
-“It’s a skeleton, but it’s alive!”
Everyone was terrified to see the crispy dried bones lined up as if they were alive.
Even Elodie, who rarely showed much emotion other than being annoyed, was startled when she saw the skeletons.
After that, he said, “It’s just a skeleton. It’s nothing special.” But… … .
Fortunately, however, the group quickly adapted to the standing skeleton.
Rubin even handed me his camera, saying he wanted to take a commemorative photo with the skeletons.
Meanwhile, the ship was sailing across the sky―
‘We have arrived. The Duke’s house.’
Currently, we have arrived at the ducal residence where Duke Elina is eagerly waiting.
Of course, when a black ghost ship appeared in the sky, the Duke of Gongjak prepared to attack.
As they were about to use the item to fire a barrage, Argelio quickly stepped forward and waved his hand.
“It’s me! Don’t attack!”
Fortunately, the soldiers quickly recognized Argelio and took up an attack stance.
We were able to land safely in the Duke’s Garden.
“Brother!!”
As soon as the boat hit the ground, Elina came running.
She made sure her brother was okay and hugged him tightly.
As someone who saw Argelio being crushed by a tree with my own eyes, I had no choice but to step forward.
“I don’t want to interrupt your reunion, but… I guess you shouldn’t hug me too tightly? Lord Freeburn is still not fully recovered.”
I can’t call him Argel even in front of my younger brother Argelio.
As I was advising Elina, calling her Sir Freeburn, her gaze turned to me this time.
“His Holiness.”
“hmm?”
“As the head of House Freeburn, I pledge my eternal loyalty to Your Majesty on the honor of my family.”
“Huh? Right now?”
I was a little surprised that you suddenly brought up such a heavy topic.
But compared to what followed, that was just the beginning.
“Your Majesty’s enemies will soon become my enemies, and your allies will soon become my allies. Even if your Majesty must go on a path full of thorns, a path full of terrible filth, a path full of hot flames… no matter what kind of hardships you may face―”
Elina paused for a moment in her long speech to catch her breath.
What followed were heavy, heavy words of determination.
“I will follow you silently, without even asking why.”
When I first saw her ashen eyes, I thought they were a cold color.
But while she was giving me her long oath, her eyes sparkled only with heat.
I thought he thought pretty highly of me because of this incident, but as expected, a message popped up.
[Elina Van Freeburn’s affection for you has increased to the maximum!]
It was a message that Elina’s affection for me had risen to the maximum.
And then―
[A surprise event occurred due to increased favorability!]
▶ Event title: The One Who Won the Heart of the Iron-Blooded Duke ◀
―You have won the heart of someone who has never opened his heart to anyone outside of his family.
Elina, the Duke of Ice Heart, who only classified others as enemies and allies… … .
She used to be like that, but because of you, our relationship will become warmer and more open from now on.
*Reward List*
-Timeless Sacred White Belt (3-piece set item)
A similar type of favorability event that occurred before occurred.
I received boots during the first event and gloves during the second event.
And by just receiving the belt, I had finally collected the entire set of three ‘timeless sacred items’.
Now that I’ve collected all the set items, I’m sure there will be some great effects, but I guess I’ll have to check that out later.
Elina, who had finished pledging her loyalty, was waiting for my answer.
I had to give her something cool in return for her cool words. I racked my brain.
“There are many ways to be loyal in this world. Knights are loyal by defeating their enemies, and vassals are loyal by giving sound advice.”
“Is the coachman… loyal to his master by driving the horse safely and protecting his master’s life… …?”
“That’s right. And the servants show their loyalty by waking up before their masters every morning without fail.”
I continued speaking while using both hands to straighten Elina’s shoulders, which had slightly dropped as she bowed her head to me.
“So each person has their own way of being loyal, but this is the kind of loyalty I expect from you.”
After a brief pause, I looked straight into Elina’s eyes.
And then he said it again and again, emphasizing it.
“Don’t overdo it and get yourself in danger or hurt yourself, and always remain my strong supporter.”
Luciana alone was enough to be fanatically obsessed with loyalty.
I really hated it when people around me put themselves in danger by stepping up for me.
That’s why I emphasized it again so that you don’t forget.
“Stay safe always. This is the loyalty I ask of you.”
“His Holiness…….”
Elina called out to me with a slightly trembling voice, then bowed her head again.
“I will keep this in mind. The method of loyalty that Your Majesty has asked of me.”
“thank you.”
If I had said it to that extent, I thought she wouldn’t have to go to great lengths to repay my debt.
While I was nodding in satisfaction, Argelio approached me cautiously and whispered.
“Your Majesty is truly an amazing person.”
“what?”
“I’ve known Elina since she was little, but I’ve never seen her show such strong affection for her.”
Argel continued talking, rubbing his chin as if he found it strange.
“He was such a child that I was worried that he lacked emotions. He would cut off any relationship that was even the slightest bit detrimental to him like a knife, but the oath of loyalty… … . He’s amazing.”
“Stop complimenting me. Before I get really cocky.”
I felt embarrassed when I heard that Argel guy’s words, so I answered him playfully, but I was a little surprised.
When I first saw Elina, I didn’t notice because she was crying, but she seemed to have a surprisingly cool personality.
Well, since you saved my family, would you show me any favor, no matter how cold-hearted you are?
While I was agreeing, Elina said.
“Then shall we take you to the mansion? I know you must be very tired, so I have prepared a place for you to rest.”
As she said, many of her companions were exhausted and injured.
We gladly accepted her consideration and stepped into the ducal residence.
* * *
At the Duke’s residence, I was treated with the utmost respect.
Nutritious food, clean bedding, a warm bath… … .
Everything you need to relax was there.
Even though he was so well prepared, he was so anxious that the servants kept coming and asking him what he needed, to the point where he felt annoyed.
After I finished bathing, there was a knock on the door. I thought it was the maid again and tried to send her out, but this time it wasn’t.
“Your Majesty, are you inside?”
“Argelio? Oh, come in.”
The one who came was Argelio.
The guy opened the door quietly, came in and said.
“It’s not that I didn’t do anything else, I just felt like I wasn’t able to properly thank you earlier because I was so busy.”
“What about greetings? Don’t worry, just go and rest. Even if you look fine on the outside, you might not be fine on the inside. You need to recuperate before going to the cathedral to drink the elixir.”
“No, I can’t just let it slide like that. You saved my life.”
Despite being told to rest, Argel did not turn back and continued to express his gratitude.
“I will definitely repay this favor. One way or another.”
“Tsk, okay, pay me back then. But whatever you get, you’ll get it later, so for now, go and rest. I saved everything, but if you collapse and die, it’ll all be for nothing.”
Only after saying that did Argel seem to agree.
He said goodbye with a smile.
“Okay, then let’s go back.”
“okay.”
It seemed like he was going to turn around and leave, but his steps stopped before he could.
“I almost forgot. I had something to ask you.”
“hmm?”
I looked at him curiously and he came into the road.
Then, for some reason, he cleared his throat with a face that seemed embarrassed.
“First of all… please listen carefully. This is absolutely not what I am asking. Elina asked me to ask it on her behalf, so I am asking it on her behalf.”
“What is it?”
“That, what is it―”
Argel hesitated for a while before finally opening his mouth.
“Are you seeing someone… um, a lover or a fiancée or something… ahem, is that you?”
I couldn’t help but flinch at the unexpected question.
‘So, you asked me if I was seeing a woman? Elina?’
Even though I clearly understood the question, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
It was a question I never imagined I would hear from Elina.
“… …Why is that? Well, there isn’t one anyway.”
As I answered like that, Argel asked me next.
“Do you have any plans to meet up?”
“that is…….”
For a moment, Luciana’s face appeared and then disappeared.
“… … Not right now. The situation is just so-so.”
“I see, right?”
“Then let me hear the reason. Why did Princess Elina ask me that?”
I asked the question and stared at Argel.
The guy hesitated as before, but eventually he confessed.
“I heard that the child is of marriageable age and is looking for a fiancé.”
“… … ?! So what you’re saying is… … .”
“Yes, if it is okay with you, Your Majesty, I said that it would be a good idea to try getting engaged.”
What should I say?
I was just as surprised as when Netelon suddenly appeared on the third floor of the dungeon.
I barely managed to come to my senses and answered him.
“That… It’s really unfortunate, but as I said earlier, I don’t have the energy to meet anyone right now. The situation is also critical because of the remaining dungeons.”
“I knew you’d answer like that. I kept telling the kid that it wouldn’t work out that way… but he was stubborn. He kept nagging me to just ask him… … .”
“……okay?”
“Yes, as the head of the Duke’s family, I must find a suitable groom without delay and work together to raise a successor.”
Listening to Argel, I could understand her impatience.
I guess he wants to quickly and stably obtain a successor who will pass on everything to the family.
“Isn’t that amazing? Princess Elina, such a responsibility as the head of the household at such a young age.”
“My younger brother is quite amazing.”
“… … Why are you so proud? It’s not you, it’s Lady Elina who is so great.”
As I jokingly teased him, he burst into laughter as well.
“He’s my younger brother, so shouldn’t I be proud of him as well?” … he asked back.
After laughing a little like that, I opened my mouth again when the laughter subsided.
“But if you look at it from a different angle, it’s a bit disappointing. You probably don’t want to marry a man you just met, but you have no choice but to do it for the sake of your family.”
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