On our way to the church, we told Ryan everything he had to know including the plan. It was honestly just a partial one since me and Micheal simply connected some dots. However the situation might not be as it was back then. Thanks to me, we didn't know if the pope would actually go and deliver the money today himself or not. However one thing was sure, after I healed everyone and after the pope tried to actually attack me, no one wanted him anymore. He lost all his power and from what I heard was also dragged away from the scene quite far away if not into a prison cell.

Ryan was the one pointing this flaw out which both of us didn't think about until now. Anyways we had to actually wait till the banquet would begin to see if the pope would be there or not and what the current rumors were all about. At least the holy knights would know about what was going. Micheal should also be the one knowing everything but he was with me the whole time which already told me everything.

Once we arrived at the church, both of us quickly got ready and then went out to the banquet hall. There was one room which was used for such events and it was huge. Luckily nothing changed from my attire or even Micheals. I would know how he looked exactly besides only the holy church's people wearing white. No other person was wearing white. Ryan himself was actually wearing something completely black. At least it had some blue touch and fancy dragon embroidery of the emblem on his shoulder but it was still a bit out of place.

The rest of the guest were wearing light pastel colored dressed nothing heavy like black or red at all. It seemed as if there was an unspoken dress code but that didn't matter at all.

"Ready?"

"I am a bit nervous."

Though I think I can make it...

I should... well need to... at least you and Ryan are there...

I wouldn't know what to do without anyone to rely on at all.

"Do you feel alright otherwise tho?"

"Yeah... "

"Don't worry, I am here for you... and your brother is right there too... just look at how he is looking at me escorting you into the room... uff if glares could kill."

"I am sorry for that."

"Don't be! It's not your fault at all and I would probably do the same thing if I had a sister."

"You would?"

"Of course! I would try to protect her. Vivi, we are friends due to everything happening... well I see you more like a sister as well but I would also not want you to be in danger nor a stranger escorting you."

"Pfff-hahahahaha."

"Is it that funny?"

"Of course it is, but I know what you mean. I also wouldn't let you be taken by any random girl. You know we can be quite dangerous as well."

"You can say that twice. Womens are scary!"

"Pffff-"

I continued to sneaker for a bit longer until we got announced and that was when all their eyes shifted towards us and once again, they all started staring at first for a short while but soon after that, I could hear them chanting again. For me it at least was sounding like chanting because they were praising me and the new pope. This was apparently it. The pope was not the pope anymore and I could only guess that this was just what the people felt like because we didn't get any notice about the old popes death at all.

"LONG LIFE OUR SAINTESS!"

"LONG LIVE OUR NEW POPE!"

It continued to be this loudly till we finally got to the center of this room and that was when Micheal announced the opening of this banquet. There was enough food and drinks for everyone.

"Please everyone, feel at home and enjoy this evening!"

As short as this announcement was, it was enough to make everyone burst out into talking, laughing as well as dancing together. This was a banquet after all. This was how things would go and of course I found myself surrounded by many people in a heartbeat as well.

"Saintess, can I ask how old you are?"

"May I ask how you feel about being a Saintess?"

"Did you always know that you were destined for greater goods?"

WOW!

Stop!

I can't answer this fast!

The questions came without any end and I was honestly a bit and I mean more than a bit lost. I wanted to answer but before I could even answer one of the questions another person would ask the next one. It was pure chaos.

"Pardon the ladies but I have to talk with the Saintess."

I felt it before. The people here were afraid of Ryan and I took up this opportunity to actually show that Ryan could be friendly as well. Without any prior notice, I swirled around to look at Ryan and he looked just tense and a bit grumpy as well.

"Would you stop look at people like that?"

"How am I looking at people?"

"Grumpy and Threatening."

"Better?"

Once I kinda told him my opinion while still being surrounded by a lot of women, he softened his expression and the reaction was immediate. The people around me started whispering what a handsome young man he was and that it was a shame that he wasn't smiling like that more often. All in all, I think he may or may not have just bewitched a lot of people. I knew Ryan was really something else but I was glad that people were about to realize that too.

"A lot!"

"If this makes you this happen, then I will try to smile more."

"You should. You know being strict and showing no emotions like you usually do, can give you soo many wrinkles! You don't wanna look old, do you?"

"Pfff- is that your only concern?"

"As far as I know, this is one huge problem!"

"I see.. I am sorry for causing you such a huge concern."

Right now, I knew that I had melted the hearts of the ladies around me. They all could hear how sweet and carrying this brother of mine was. Though, I had to admit he was definitely someone who would treasure his own sister more than his wife. I could tell how much he was adoring me as a sister. Maybe it was something special in the Underwood family but I felt spoiled too much. Besides, he was a great person for sure. I knew that and I wanted others to know that too. No one should feel threatened or even scared of us. The Underwood family was just another family with people which needed the same things like everyone! Love, Food, A roof above the head, Security and that is it! These were necessities!

"Why did you come over?"

"Ah, I need to talk to you for a bit. Can I abduct you from this circle?"

"Sure."

With that, I went along with him and we ended up walking to the garden to be all alone. I think he knew something and he was definitely going to help us especially since he knew his own life was on the line this time around.

"Vivi, do you know the situation back home?"

"A war is about to start with the crown, right?"

"Yes but there are bad rumors and I will need to return soon... I want to ask if you can come with me?"

"I don't know yet..."

"I know you want to help Micheal ascend but he doesn't need more help right now."

"Huh?"

"Just enjoy the evening. I already made arrangements."

"Wait, what?"

"Vivi, I am your brother, of course I care about you and did you think I would let the pope go by while he was talking this rudely to you? He even was about to hurt you!"

"But he didn't!"

"Only because of your little friend."

This conversation was definitely not what I thought it would be. However it was definitely something I kinda also wanted to know. I mean the news was great! I could rest assured that the pope was gone now. Then again, this was not what I wanted. I never intended to let any outsider handle the burden of killing anyone. Maybe it was different this time around. Ryan looked as if he was waiting for praise. He somehow reminded me of a puppy. There was no remorse, no regret , no nothing. It was as if he had done this soo many times and was already used to killing people. This once again showed me how this world was different from the one I knew.

"I.... did you take care of him? When? How?"

"I am not alone here. I let one of our family knights handle it."

"So he is gone?"

"Soon."

"...."

"Vivi, are you alright?"

"I- I don't know how I should feel about this."

"Be happy."

"I am but I also feel guilty that you had to do this."

"Don't. I am your brother. Let these kinds of things be my job."

"Alright. Thanks! This helps us a lot."

Now all there was to do was wait till Micheal would be officially called the pope. Then this story was over. After that, all there was left was to actually go against the crown and then peace. There was nothing left after this. Maybe the duchy would lead the people or there will be a new king. I didn't think this far but I knew that things had to change. Was this not enough?

"Vivi?"

"Mh?"

"You looked so sad right now, what are you thinking about?"

"How bad do you think the war will be?"

"I don't know... there are some nasty rumors and for now Delca is investigating them. I am sure I will hear the result of that investigation once I get back."

"What rumors?"

"They say the crown will release some demonic beasts if not even demons to fight."

"THEY WHAT?!"

"Yes... I don't know if that is true but if it is, I fear we will need your help and the popes as well."

Now it made a bit more sense why Micheal was here. He wasn't only here to see if I would be the Saintess. Well probably only because of that but now he also was here to ask for help. If what he was saying was true then the duchy and all the people living there would need all the holy power they would get. No one could tell how a fight would end, especially one on this scale.

"I'll ask Micheal for help."

"I don't want you to be directly involved in this war!"

"But didn't you ask me for help earlier?"

"I did but Vivi, I don't want anything happening to you. You are my little sister. I always wanted one and now that I have one, I will not let you get in any kind of trouble like that!"

"I am a dragon too!"

"I know the blood of the dragon flows through our veins but that doesn't mean we can't die."

"No brother, I mean I can shift into a dragon. Don't worry about me."

I kinda dropped a huge bomb at my brother because he just looked lost for words. Honestly, I really thought he knew at this point since the duke knew about this from the magic tower owner. Apparently this was not the case.