William sat on his wooden chair with a pale expression. In front of him, there was a redheaded woman, Mary, who wore a pitch-black set of armor. Behind her, there were twelve n lying on the ground. The majority of them were unconscious, but the few who werent were curled up in the fetal position while quietly groaning. One of them was even choking back muffled sobs. William had seen what Mary did to the twelve keepers of the Lord, and judging from how she was standing, hed suffer the sa fate next. W-wait, he said. His voice was cracking, but he didnt pay it any mind. Im just an ordinary person compared to them. If you hit that hard, Ill die.
Mary tilted her head. But you seed like the leader.
In a sense, I am the leaderwait, wait, wait! William stuck his hands out, hoping to protect his face as he curled into a ball, falling out of his chair in the process. Im the leader because the keepers have no rank in the church! Theyre shadows, people that arent supposed to exist!
Mary retracted her fist and frowned. She knew all about having shadows, underlings that would listen to her every order, but this mans words confused her even further. How do you control them if youre so weak? she asked. Arent you afraid of them killing you to take your position?
They would never do sothing like that, William said. Theyre the keepers of the Lord, the descendants of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Theyll never betray the pope as long as he works in the churchs best interest.
Mary blinked. Is this pope very strong?
Hes very strong, William said, but only politically. If youre talking about his physical strength, then honestly, he might be even weaker than .
Marys brow furrowed, and she turned to look at the fallen n behind her. The furrow in her brow deepened when she realized none of them were in any state to answer her questions. She turned back to the archbishop and crossed her hands over her chest. I declare myself the new pope.
T-thats not sothing you can declare, William said in a tiny voice. He couldnt bring himself to raise his voice under Marys cold gaze.
Mary snorted. Didnt you say youd submit before ? Do you disagree with my position?
N-no, William said and shook his head. Youre the new pope. All hail Pope Mary.
Mary nodded. Spread the word. Im the new pope. Anyone who disagrees can co visit personally, and Ill convince them. She turned around and nudged one of the still conscious n with her foot. Youre fine with that, yes?
The groaning man clutched his side, the area that Mary had nudged. Yes, youre the new pope. We dont have the strength to disagree with you. He rolled onto his back and sat up. Youve completely convinced us to work under you.
Is that so, Mary said and looked around. The few conscious n bobbed their heads up and down. A bright smile appeared on her face. See? All your discontented expressions are gone now and replaced with fear. Arent you glad I gave you a thrashing?
The n exchanged glances with each other, wanting to cry. Were they supposed to thank Mary for attacking them? She had said she ca here looking for a demon, but why did it seem like the real demon was her? Before they could decide on what to say, there was a knocking sound coming from the door which had been closed soti during the thrashing. All the n in the room turned towards Mary. Co in, she said and took a seat on the chair that the archbishop had been sitting on.
The door opened, and a figure wearing white robes took a step inside the room. The rolled-up paper in his hand fell to the ground, and he froze. He swallowed and looked around before bending down, picking up the paper. T-theres a report for you, Archbishop William.
Hand it over, Mary said and stretched out her hand. The white-robed figure scurried up to Mary and bowed while handing her the paper. He stiffened upon seeing the blood dripping from Marys gauntlets. I-Ill be taking my leave now.
Hold on, Mary said, stopping the white-robed figure midturn.
The white-robed figure swallowed and gave Mary a shaky smile. Yes? Was there sothing else?
Im the pope now. Mary nodded and gestured with her hand. You can go.
The mans gaze shifted from Mary to the archbishop, who didnt say anything, before shifting back to Mary. Ill be going then, Your Holiness. He left the room, shutting the door behind himself under everyones stiff gazes.
Mary opened the paper in her hands, staining a corner of it with blood. Her brow furrowed, and she grasped her swords hilt. However, even after doing that, she still couldnt understand what was written on the paper. She turned her head and waved the paper at the archbishop. Read it out loud.
William grabbed the paper, avoiding the bloodstain in the corner, and cleared his throat. An extrely dangerous witch has been located on the borders of the Kingdom of Hungary. The Ottomans care not that shes a witch and has chosen to recruit her for their war efforts. Shes said to be the righthand woman of Suleiman, the emperor of the Ottomans. She has monstrous strength, according to those who witnessed it, she destroyed the reinforced walls of Belgrade, a fortress city, by hitting it with a shield until the wall collapsed. Sending ordinary inquisitors to apprehend her would be sending them to their deaths. The twelve keepers of the Lord must take action. Prioritize capturing her before quashing the peasant uprising. Leo X.
Leo X? Mary asked once it was clear there was nothing else on the paper.
Thats the na of the pope, um, ex-pope, William said. Only the pope can order the keepers of the Lord into action.
Mary nodded. Alright, she said. Lets apprehend this witch. I think I might know her.
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