I entered something like a conference room.
There was a long table, with ten or so seats arranged so you could sit face to face.
The Pope was there, Cliff too.
There was another person who looked similar to the Pope, wearing an expensive looking vestment. I wonder if that's the Cardinal?
Aside from Carlyle, there was another guy wearing an expensive looking set of armor.
White armor.[9]
Behind them stood seven knights, with their arms crossed.
Two of them had familiar faces.
They were the Pope's bodyguards.
Everyone was facing me.
It looks like I interrupted a heated debate.
Holding their breath, silently, they were watching me.
And, at a somewhat secluded place at the table.
There were two people sitting alone.
One person, an old woman with her lips tightly closed.
She was glaring at me.
Claire Latreia.
And, next to her.
It was...
Finally...
A woman absentmindedly looking up at the ceiling.
Just under 40 years old.
The woman my father loved more than anyone else.
My mother.
Zenith was sitting there.
Ara?
Wait.
... Why are these two here?
What is this?
I still haven't made any demands.
I didn't tell them to bring Zenith.
[Bang].
That sound broke the silence.
The door closed behind us.
The Temple Knights arranged themselves as to protect the door.
They stood opposite the other knights in the back of the room.
Only Therese was seated.
"Well then, now that all the actors are on the stage, let's commence."
The Pope sat back and said that.
Apparently, in the last few hours, something seems to have changed.
I thought I took the first move, but was I beaten to the punch?
Hmph.
"Rudeus-sama, Miko-sama, would you please take your seats?"
I wonder if I've fallen behind.
But, this situation, it's not bad.
I can work with this.