### Chapter 8: Departure!
“So… you guys want me to go home and fetch some cash?”
I tilted my head, my eyes sparkling with tears, and blinked innocently, wearing an expression that was completely clueless about the ways of the world.
Abe and his younger brother immediately covered their noses.
“Uh, you see, it’s just that we’ve only just met. It seems a bit inappropriate to go to your house like this… How about this: you head home to grab the money, and we’ll follow you. Then we’ll wait near your house for you to come back with the cash. Deal?”
Abe’s little eyes, peeking out from under the dark cloth, sparkled with a greedy smile.
I almost burst out laughing at his silly plan. He was the type who wanted to be good but couldn’t quite manage to be bad, right?
However, I realized my seemingly pitiful face might actually be working wonders at earning trust.
So I tried to keep my expression innocent, making myself appear even more harmless.
“Hmm… That works. How much do you guys need? I’m worried my allowance might not be enough.”
“How much allowance do you have?”
“About… a few hundred coins, maybe?”
At that, the bandit brothers gaped in shock.
A few hundred coins!
She said coins! Not silver coins, not copper coins!
But coins! A few hundred coins would keep them living lavishly for at least five years!
Bless the Deity, she’s really a little rich girl!
In that moment, the two looked at me like I was a devout follower of the Deity.
“That’s more than enough! I’m just borrowing the money; I’ll definitely return it to you!”
Abe quickly reassured me, looking like he was afraid I might change my mind.
He was struggling to hide his emotions, but inside, he was practically dancing with joy.
This girl looked so silly and easily deceived! She must be some sheltered little girl from a noble family. Kids like her usually grow up pampered, well-educated, surrounded by reasonable people, completely unaware of the sinister nature of human hearts. Maybe tonight, she was just sneaking out to play the adventure game nobles love so much.
What a stroke of luck to catch such a clueless duck! Plus… this girl really has the face of an angel… If only, there might be a chance to con her a little for more!
With that thought, Abe’s eyes sparkled with mischievous intent. An evil hope radiated from him, making me feel a bit uncomfortable; goosebumps prickled across my skin.
This show was on the verge of collapsing.
“Then let’s hurry! Where’s your house?”
“Saint Marie, the Cathedral.”
I blinked again, my previously innocent demeanor slipping away, becoming plain and ordinary. These two had such low skills; it was becoming boring. Next time… I’d better find someone more formidable to play with.
“Did you say… where?”
Abe’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Bro, she says her house is in the Saint Marie Cathedral.”
“Um, beautiful lady, we’re also just trying to make a living here. Please don’t joke with me. How could a cathedral be your home?”
“But I’m not kidding! I really live there.”
Looking at the serious girl in front of him, who didn’t seem to be lying at all, Abe swallowed hard, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
“You… are you from the Holy Church?”
“Um—”
Upon hearing that question, I actually tilted my head, pondering seriously.
Am I a part of the Holy Church?
That’s hard to say. Although Carlos told me that being a Pope Knight was merely an honorary title bestowed by the Pope, it didn’t really mean anything. A Pope Knight is a hero of humanity, not belonging to any organization or under anyone’s control, not even remotely able to be dictated by Angel himself. But that was just Carlos’s take, so it could very well be a face-saving remark by the Holy Church.
Looking at it another way, the Holy Church had a large number of well-equipped Church Knights and controlled the largest currency exchange and countless resources worldwide. The greatest military power and economic lifelines of human society lay in the hands of the Church; even rulers of various nations had to submit to its will. So, could a Pope Knight truly escape the Church’s control, no matter how strong they were?
Haha.
If they could really break free, then why call them Pope Knights?
“So… I guess… kind of?”
Abe’s slightly panicked expression made it clear he was worried. What if this little girl really had ties to the Church? He decided to probe a bit.
“Kind of… So, are your family at the church?”
“My brother’s there.”
“What’s your brother’s name?”
“Angel.”
Angel? That name sounds familiar. Abe’s suspicion grew.
Although he couldn’t quite recall who it was, it was definitely a name not belonging to a mere nobody.
“He’s very rich. I can have him give you lots and lots of money.”
I said this earnestly.
“What’s your brother’s last name?”
“John. John the Eleventh.”
John the Eleventh?
Abe was stunned.
John the Eleventh!
This little girl is saying her brother is John the Eleventh!?
Isn’t he the Pope of the Holy Church!!!
Come to think of it, the Pope does indeed have a brother named Angel; no wonder it sounded familiar… What kind of joke is this? The Pope? Your brother? Do you think I’m an idiot!?
“Do you think I’m an idiot?!”
Abe shouted angrily at me, completely forgetting he was in the middle of a robbery. Young people can easily lose their cool when tricked, letting emotions cloud their judgment.
I flashed him a sweet smile.
“Isn’t that how you’re acting?”
“Abe, this woman is playing you.” The younger brother chimed in from the side.
“I know, d*mn it! I don’t need you to tell me!” Abe slapped his brother’s head again. “You let my name slip, you fool.”
“…Bro, so what do we do now?”
“What do you mean what now?! I don’t know what to do! She has no money on her; are we really going to follow her to the church?!”
“How do you know she has no money? What if she’s just fooling you? Bro, search her! A kid like her with a good background must have at least a few valuable trinkets!”
“…Oh, right. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Abe’s eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, addressing me.
“Okay, little miss. I don’t want to search you; that wouldn’t be polite. Let’s both take a step back, and you can just hand over any valuables you have, okay?”
“Sure, thank you~”
I nodded at his words, pulling out the Pope Knight’s medal hanging around my neck, waving it in front of Abe.
“This, is pure gold. Do you want it?”
It really looked like it was made of high-quality gold; Abe immediately squinted, leaning in closer to inspect the shining medal.
Then he saw the blooming iris engraved on it.
As someone who’s been clawing his way at the bottom of society for years, if Abe didn’t know the significance of the iris, that would be an insult to his intelligence. He knew better than anyone who was worth the trouble and who wasn’t.
He remembered standing in the streets earlier, looking up at the newly minted Pope Knight on the balcony. The age, size, and voice… seemed to resemble this girl quite a bit.
“…Farewell!”
