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“So, what did you call me for?”

“Ah, whether you’re really brave or just plain cheeky… you still have that calm look on your face, Director Hop.”

Nao, with a sulky face and pouting lips, glanced at me with disapproval.

It was true that the people here seated were a bit discomforting to me, but that didn’t mean I had to feel intimidated or lacking in confidence.

“As Zion said, we just chose where we wanted to be. There’s no reason to be uncomfortable.”

“That’s right!”

As I replied to Nao and sat down, someone came over joyfully, sitting next to me and patting my shoulder.

It was none other than Duke Crofel.

“Your Grace?”

“I’m on your side. It was quite exhilarating and romantic! I thought I’d just end up being used by the princess, but you handled it very well! Hahaha!”

“Haha… Thanks for the compliment.”

From the Duke’s point of view, it was certainly a relief that a situation where diplomatic resources could have been wasted over something that wouldn’t benefit Libya was avoided. He was the only one here who could truly be on my side.

However, the expressions of the other two still showed they weren’t entirely pleased with me.

“Anyway… Director Hop. The reason I called you is quite simple…”

I sighed deeply at Nao’s abrupt interruption but continued speaking nonetheless.

What on earth did she want to say that she called me for?

“Uh…”

Nao hesitated for quite a while.

Was she trying to talk about something difficult?

“I think I need to say thank you.”

The wait ended with Nao’s expression of gratitude.

Even while saying “thank you,” she seemed a bit shy, turning her head away and avoiding eye contact with me.

“But I was the one who stopped what you were trying to do with the princess.”

“That was just a political dispute. I didn’t really do well. I may have mentioned the Emperor’s message and all, but what I did was simply a child’s tantrum out of not wanting to lose my friend, Zion.”

The more she continued, the further down her gaze fell.

I see. She was embarrassed because she thought of her actions that way.

“But Director Hop, you boldly rescued Zion from that unavoidable situation right in front of this crowd. It’s quite… how should I put it…”

Nao lifted her head to look at me again.

In her bittersweet smile, I could sense her mixed feelings.

“I thought you two suited each other well. As Zion’s partner, as someone she would choose and swear for eternity. I believed there was nothing lacking.”

A moment of silence followed.

Honestly, I hadn’t anticipated I’d be hearing thanks or compliments when coming here, but I was relieved to see that Nao seemed to understand the good I did for Zion.

“Director Hop.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do you remember the day when Hanamana and I visited the center?”

If it’s that day…

“I remember. How could I forget that day?”

That day, Nao and Hanamana had come to talk to me about Zion and went to confess to her. It was the day Zion and I confirmed our feelings for each other and became romantic partners.

“Since I’ve heard what you talked about that day, I know that Zion cannot live without her role as a hero; she would fall apart otherwise. So your declaration that you would make her quit being a hero… is like saying you’d save her from all the shackles binding her, beyond just the political ones. It’s something even Hanamana and I, who pride ourselves in caring for Zion more than anyone, could never have imagined.”

As Nao continued her speech, she seemed to feel parched and elegantly raised her wine glass, taking a sip of the water inside.

After drinking, she took a big breath to steady herself.

“Please take good care of Zion. So that she can be happy, so that she can live in this world… hold her tightly, as you do now. The only thing I can do now is to ask you, Director Hop. So please… do you understand?”

With that, Nao forced a smile and entrusted Zion to me.

Though at the very end, Nao seemed to want to hand Zion over to me, she was the one who had held Zion in this world for the past three years before I appeared.

Knowing how much effort she had put in for Zion and how much she had suffered because of her, I felt my heart grow heavy with this request.

“Don’t worry. No one wishes for Zion’s happiness more than I do.”

“I know. That’s a huge relief.”

I hoped this would allow Nao to finally release the burden of her feelings for Zion.

In any case, I was relieved that the reason she called me wasn’t to scold me or anything like that.

Maybe I should observe the situation a bit longer before slipping away to see Zion…

“Hey, Director Hop.”

Ah, come to think of it, that person was also here.

“Do you have nothing to say to me?”

Leaning back against the chair with folded arms and piercing eyes was a burly middle-aged man.

Pope Silane IV.

“I have nothing. I was called here, not the other way around.”

“Is that so? That’s good enough for me.”

I half expected him to get angry, but oddly enough, the Pope spoke rather calmly.

Is he really not going to say anything at all?

“So you say that? Aren’t you the one who called me here because you had something to say?”

“I was just sitting here; the one who called you is the princess, is it not?”

“I figured I was just going to get a scolding.”

“I was merely trying to prevent Zion from being used politically as well. You did well. I have no complaints about your decision.”

“I see.”

It was surprising that the Pope didn’t have anything else to say to me, but I was still relieved.

In that case…

“If you have nothing else, then I’ll be going…”

“Wait a moment.”

Ugh. Just as I was trying to slip away with the flow of the conversation, the Pope stopped me again, preventing me from leaving.

Does he really have something to say?

“Listen, princess.”

“Yes? Me?”

“Did you visit Eina four years ago?”

“Oh, if that’s what you mean…”

Eina, the name of the saint. Saint Eina Silane was the Pope Silane IV’s daughter present here.

“Yes, I went with Zion.”

“I heard from Bedros. I’m sorry about my clumsy daughter.”

“No, there’s no need for the Pope to apologize.”

Four years ago, after the war ended, when Zion was wandering about not knowing what to do, I took her along to the saint to directly ask the Creator what Zion had to do.

Why did the Pope suddenly bring up that incident?

“Director Hop.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Do you know this story too?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that she went to ask if there’s a way for Zion to recover and what she should do.”

“Then it would be quick to get into the story.”

The Pope seemed to be preparing to start a serious conversation, loosening his arms and placing his hands on his knees to straighten his posture.

“Zion does have a way to recover, and she has things to do. The Creator undoubtedly said so. Among those, the way to recover is what you, Hop, and Rehabilitation Medicine refer to. It’s needless to elaborate; Zion’s already fully recovered.”

Is the Pope now speaking about the interpretation of a divine revelation?

“And yet, there’s still work Zion must do according to the Creator. Listen, Director Hop.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“You said you were going to make Zion quit being a hero, correct?”

“That’s right.”

What could those “things to do” Zion is supposed to accomplish be?

Saint Eina had clearly said that since the Creator made everything, most of it simply exists.

But is the Pope thinking differently?

“I don’t have any particular complaints about your decision. However…”

His expression now was quite serious.

This was only the second time I’d met the Pope, but I had never seen him look so grave before.

“If this world were to need heroes again, what would you do?”

“What do you mean, Your Holiness? Are you saying there’s a prophesy or revelation about a war starting again…?”

“Nothing like that exists. It’s purely a hypothetical situation.”

A hypothetical situation? Why is the Pope bringing up such a topic…?

“Director Hop. I get that you want Zion to quit being a hero. But you must understand the significance of that statement and its weight. Since we’re talking about war, let’s use that as an example. Suppose the gates were to open again and the Demon King charged in. What do you think Zion would do?”

“Well…”

The question the Pope just asked was easy enough for anyone, even me, to give the right answer.

“She would take up her sword and head for the gate.”

“Indeed. You won’t be able to stop that. And it’s only natural, as Zion is a hero. Therefore, saying you’re going to make her quit being a hero means you must ensure she doesn’t go out in that situation. Do you think…?”

The Pope’s gaze pierced through me like an arrow.

“Is that even possible?”

The Pope’s question left me breathless.

It carried a pressure that implied there’s no way that could ever happen.

And my answer, of course, was…

“That’s impossible.”

It was unthinkable. How could one possibly stop her?

“I was quite hopeful you’d say something insightful that might surprise me…”

“Hahaha! What a gem this is! You truly are the best!”

With a headache, I rubbed my forehead while Duke Crofel burst into laughter.

It seemed the Pope, who had been asking serious questions, also looked a bit dazed, realizing how blunt my answer was.

“Are you intending to take Zion lightly like that…?”

“That’s not it, Pope.”

They all really don’t understand who Zion is.

I could never have taken my feelings toward Zion lightly.

Using such an extreme example to frighten me…? I guess it’s just unavoidable for someone involved in religion?

“Zion said she didn’t help people just because she was a hero.”

Only Zion truly understands what kind of person a hero is.

I, too, merely gained a vague understanding through various conversations with Zion.

The Pope, Nao, and everyone else truly didn’t know anything about Zion.

Why are they trying to both teach me about the weight of my words while knowing nothing about Zion?

“And Zion also said she didn’t save the world all on her own. This world is safe because everyone fought to protect what’s precious to them. Even if she stopped being a hero, she’d still fight to protect what’s precious to her. So what I intend to do is…”

“To become what she will protect, her ‘precious thing’.”

By the time I finished saying that, no one at the table looked shocked, nor was anyone laughing or getting angry anymore.

Everyone simply fell into thought, listening to what I had to say.

Did they finally understand a little about what kind of person Zion is?

“If there comes a time when Zion picks up her sword to fight again, it will not be for the sake of the world or everyone; it will be solely for me. That is… what it means for Zion to stop being a hero. What do you think? Does that answer suffice?”

“…….”

Nobody answered at the table. Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter.

“If there’s nothing more to say, then I’ll really be heading back.”

I turned away from the table and made my way back to Zion.

The ball was about to wrap up soon.

It had truly been an eventful ball.

Equally, I had gained a lot from it as well.

I had never imagined that a light-hearted comment made to comfort Zion would escalate into something this significant.

But no matter what happens in the future, if I always prioritize Zion, I feel like everything will turn out alright.

Perhaps this is also because the world loves Zion, right?

And the only person in this world whom Zion loves…

Is none other than me, a mere human.

 

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