Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 278

“Saintess, are you really sure about this?” Cardinal Austin asked. “We told everyone already, but…”

Ilia looked at him, her face serious. “I saw it myself, Cardinal. Even the Pope didn’t expect this.” She didn’t even say “Your Holiness” anymore.

Austin sighed, long and heavy. He saw the truth in her eyes, cold and hard. “A Sacred Mark… faked? It’s terrifying,” he whispered. “He really scares me now.”

Austin had always respected the Pope, even when he was locked away. But now, that respect was gone. He was working with Ilia now, so this change should have been good news. But Ilia couldn’t smile.

Because the old priest looked completely hopeless.

And it wasn’t just about the fake Sacred Mark.

“I thought life was simpler,” Austin said. “I believed if I worked hard, things would be okay…”

Ilia quietly watched the Cardinal.

The old priest had always believed in the teachings and tried to do good. Most people in the Holy City knew he was good.

Did he have no desires? Did he never doubt? Who could say that his life, lived faithfully for 70 years, was easy?

But simple faith wasn’t enough to fix the problem.

“I thought if I accused him with enough proof, all the sensible priests would follow. But…” He sighed deeply, showing his frustration.

“How can they do this when we all serve the same God? Aren’t they ignoring God’s will by caring more about worldly power?” He was talking about when he first suggested the accusation.

He had gotten support from the trainee priests and regular priests in the Holy City. But among the bishops and higher-ranking priests who could actually vote, fewer agreed than he had hoped.

“I’m ashamed that I was the one talking about hope when everyone said the temple was corrupt. It was already rotten inside…” Deep anger burned in the old priest’s blue eyes.

Ilia was worried that his good heart might become twisted by his frustration, so she tried to comfort him.

“Things have changed again, right? Bishops are contacting us, saying they’ve changed their minds because of the rumors. Especially if the fake Sacred Mark is proven…”

But Austin shook his head firmly. “…That’s not it, Saintess. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know I’m not perfect, but I don’t want to be a fool who ignores reality, even now.”

“Cardinal…” Ilia said sadly, but Austin spoke even more strongly.

“It’s not because they’re disrespecting God. They’re just angry that they were tricked. Worldly power is more important to them than God’s will, those…!” His face turned red.

Ilia thought something bad would happen if this continued, so she spoke up quickly. “Cardinal! Calm down. Still, isn’t this a chance to get rid of the biggest source of corruption? It’s a chance you created yourself. We can change things. We can change it! We can!”

Did her words help? Austin looked at her for a moment, then sighed and took a breath.

“…Ha. Yes, that’s right. We have to change it. We have to change it. We can’t go on like this. The gods will be angry. Maybe they already are.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those ‘forsaken ones’ might be a sign of that.”

“……What?” Ilia was surprised by the sudden topic and looked confused.

“Before the world is completely abandoned by the gods, we have to clean up the temple first.” Austin clenched his teeth, as if making a promise to himself.

‘Cleanse the temple. Yes. For now…’

Even though his point was unsettling, she wanted the same thing.

“Yes. Absolutely.” Ilia nodded firmly, encouraging the old Cardinal.

A few days later, the morning of the accusation trial arrived.

The Colosseum was only opened for big events like the Pope’s inauguration. But today, it opened for something unpleasant.

Of course, everyone was talking about it. It was a huge event. The Colosseum was more crowded than ever. The Pope’s accusation trial had only happened a few times in the temple’s history.

“What’s going to happen?”

“How should I know?”

“Still, if that rumor is true…”

“Come on, no way.”

“Anyway, today either the Saintess and the Cardinal, or the Pope, one of them will be finished…”

Chatter chatter.

Not only priests but also people from the Holy City came, packing the huge Colosseum. All thirty levels of seats were full, and people were overflowing, holding onto the railings or exits.

“D-don’t push!”

“I’m trying not to!”

“Hey! Move back a little!”

“Ack! Who was that! Who hit me in the head!?”

“Quiet down!”

“Keep order!”

Luckily, the paladins were keeping some order. Otherwise, there would have been many accidents because of the crowd.

The seats near the courtroom, where the bishops and cardinals who could vote in the trial were sitting, were very noisy, almost like a big fight was starting.

“Hang the trickster who fooled the world!”

“Seize and kill those who slander the Pope!”

“Get out, you crazy people!”

“What, you heretics!?”

Suddenly, angry shouts came from the seats where many paladins were standing.

Defendant! Julio Umberto I! Enter!

A shout echoed through the Colosseum, and the main person of the day appeared.

At the same time.

Waaaah!

Punish the trickster!

Long live the Pope!

The roar of the crowd, maybe thirty thousand strong, echoed throughout the Holy City, beyond the Colosseum.

Everyone be quiet! Today, we begin the trial that will decide the fate of the Holy City!

Only after a strong voice spoke again did the noise in the Colosseum start to quiet down. The power in the voice calmed the crowd.

Most of those sitting far from the courtroom were confused. But those in the front looked closely at the person who had quieted the crowd.

A middle-aged man with light blond hair and brown eyes stood above the courtroom. He looked ordinary, but everyone in the Holy City knew him.

He was Harmon Killerbrew, the Shield of God.

He commanded the Holy Knights Order, which protected the Holy City, and the 500,000 troops of the temple across the land.

He was incredibly strong, even among very strong people. He had bishop-level divine power and had mastered Aura.

The people of the Holy City thought he was the strongest person on the continent, even stronger than Tris Hornsby, the Empire’s greatest swordsman.

With that person, this kind of power is possible.

Everyone who knew him nodded.

Inside the Colosseum, the iron bars opened, and the Pope walked in, looking worn out.

He wasn’t a prisoner yet, so he didn’t have chains or handcuffs. But the Pope looked tired, wearing a plain white priest’s robe that even trainee priests would wear, instead of his usual fancy robes.

“What should we do? The Pope looks terrible…”

“Oh, you cruel people. Just kill me instead!”

“Your Holiness the Pope!”

A few crazy people cried, but most people just watched with interest.

The people of the Holy City were more loyal to the temple than people in other places. But not everyone was a crazy follower, as people thought in other regions.

To most of the people gathered there, the Pope’s appearance was just a rare sight.

This was something they would only see once in their lives.

And they would soon see even more interesting things.

The accusation trial of Pope Julio Umberto I begins!

Tenner Rainey, known as the Pope’s right-hand man, looked unhappy. Maybe it was because the leader of his group was in trouble, or maybe for another reason. He soon revealed the reason.

“We should first look at Cardinal Austin’s claims and proof, but there is a more serious accusation. The judges, including me, think it’s very important for what happens today. We will start by confirming the facts about that.”

At those words, everyone in the Colosseum held their breath and listened carefully.

“Priest Julio Umberto, you became a Saint before becoming Pope. Show your Sacred Mark and prove God’s power again!”

As Tenner finished speaking, the Pope looked at him with tired, sad eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, then turned his head past the cardinals, toward the thousands of people in the Colosseum.

Those who could see his face could clearly see the sadness on it.

Even those who couldn’t see his face could hear the deep sadness in his voice.

“I know people are talking about silly rumors about me. I’ve given almost seventy years of my life to the church! It’s sad people are saying these things. But…!”

The Pope’s old voice, as he clenched his fist, echoed through the Colosseum.

The moment his voice faded.

“I declare to everyone in the Holy City, with my life and name, that I have lived a life I am not ashamed of!”

With a shout, the Pope ripped off his old, thin robes.

He even pulled off the simple clothes underneath.

Everyone gasped. The shock was huge.

It wasn’t just that the Pope was suddenly naked. That was shocking enough!

“Your Holiness!” someone screamed.

“This is too much!” cried another.

“Oh no! Those evil people made the Pope do this!” wailed a few very upset people.

While some fanatics shouted and cried loudly, most people stared at something else.

On the Pope’s wrist, shining brightly, was a golden mark. It was the stigmata, proof he was chosen by Ageron, the god of gold and trade.

A soft, golden light glowed around it, clear for everyone to see.

“It’s… it’s real!” someone whispered.

“The rumors were wrong!” another voice exclaimed.

“He really is a holy man!”

“I knew it! The Pope could never…”

As people started to whisper, all the cardinals who supported the Pope turned to look at one place.

They stared at Cardinal Austin and Ilia, who were sitting a little away from the others.

“Cardinal Austin, you will regret this!” one cardinal yelled, his face red.

“Saint or not, she’s just a beginner!” shouted another. “How dare she insult the Pope!”

“Well? Say something!” demanded a third.

Cardinal Tenor Rainey, and the other cardinals who liked the Pope, looked much happier now. They pointed fingers at Austin and Ilia, blaming them for everything.

The angry voices spread through the huge crowd of people in the Colosseum.

“The Saint lied?” someone shouted.

“Did Cardinal Austin lie too?” another voice called out.

“No! That can’t be!”

“But… the stigmata is real, right?”

A wave of confused whispers went through the crowd.

“Those two are trouble!”

“Get rid of them!”

“Saint? She’s a fake!”

“Throw her out!”

Mixed with the shouts of the fanatics, the Colosseum became louder and louder, like a busy, noisy market. People were yelling and pushing.

In the middle of all the noise, the Pope, still glowing with his golden light, raised his hand.

“Even though this embarrassing thing is happening to me,” he said loudly, “I don’t blame Cardinal Austin or the Saint! I think they just wanted to check if those nasty rumors were true! So, if you need to blame someone, blame me. I have failed to lead the church well!”

The Pope knelt down, tears running down his face. Cardinal Tenor Rainey, who had been sitting up high, hurried over and put the robes the Pope had thrown off back around him.

Then, Cardinal Tenor Rainey knelt too. “Your Holiness, everyone has seen your kindness! Please, stop this! I, Tenor, have never been so inspired to follow you as I am right now!” he said in a loud voice, so everyone could hear.

Right away, Sam Freeman, the Pope’s closest helper, threw himself to the ground in front of the Pope. The other cardinals, looking worried, quickly did the same.

“Lead us again!” someone shouted.

“The church needs you, Your Holiness!” cried another.

“Long live Pope Julius Umberto I!”

It was a strange scene. It was hard to tell if this was supposed to be a trial to remove the Pope, or a celebration praising him.

In a corner, where the crazy excitement was strongest, the old priest seemed to fall apart. He sank down, hiding his face in his hands.

“The real trial hasn’t even started yet,” he mumbled sadly. “And they’re already fooled by these tricks…”

Hearing his sad voice, Ilia stepped forward, her face set with determination.

“Commander of the Knights Templar,” she said clearly, “as a Saint, I have a request for you.”

Everyone, even Cardinal Austin, turned to look at Ilia.

“She still dares to speak!” one cardinal roared.

“Does she think being a Saint means she can do anything wrong?” another yelled.

“Be careful what you say!” warned a third.

The cardinals who supported the Pope all started shouting accusations at her.

“Yes! Shut her up!”

“What could she possibly say now?”

“Get rid of the fake Saint!”

Angry shouts came from everywhere in the Colosseum.

But then, Cardinal Austin spoke, his voice strong. “I agree with her request, Commander Harmon. Please, listen to what the Saint has to say.”

When Cardinal Austin backed Ilia up, the noise suddenly quieted down for a moment.

“Cardinal Austin said that?” someone whispered, surprised.

“But still…” another voice trailed off.

Ilia was a new Saint, not known to people in the Holy City. But Austin was different. People respected him because of his long life as a priest, not just because of any holy sign. Because of Austin, the angry mood calmed down a little, even though it felt like it could explode again at any moment.

Everyone looked at Harmon Killerbrew.

But Harmon, even with thousands of eyes on him, calmly shook his head. “The Knights Templar cannot get involved in temple matters,” he said firmly.

That was typical of Harmon. He was known to be even more honest and unyielding than Cardinal Austin.

But Ilia didn’t give up. “The Pope,” she said, her voice clear and strong, “is wearing a clear bracelet on his right arm, where the stigmata is. It’s fake. It’s making it look like he has the stigmata. I ask you, Commander, to check this with your sword. Only you, a high-ranking temple official who is neutral and not involved in this, can do this.”

Even Harmon’s eyes flickered for a moment when he heard Ilia’s words.

But then, the Pope’s voice, full of sadness, suddenly rang out clearly. “Oh,” he sighed loudly. “I have made the Saint distrust me so much. My sin is truly great.”

Hearing this fake sad cry, the cardinals quickly stood in front of the Pope, blocking him.

“Where did you learn to say such terrible things?” one shouted.

“How much more shame will you bring to the Pope?” cried another.

“We won’t let you!” yelled a third.

Their faces looked almost insane with anger.

Harmon frowned slightly, seeing how wildly they were reacting.

“Commander,” Ilia started to say again, “I beg you…”

But before she could finish, *FLASH!*

A sudden bright light shot from Harmon’s body. It flew across the space, dodging around the cardinals, and hit the Pope’s right arm.

The Pope, the cardinals in front of him, even Ilia who had asked for it, were all surprised by Harmon’s sudden move.

If there had been someone who understood magic in the crowd, they would have been amazed by how perfectly Harmon controlled his power. But everyone else just cared about what happened next.

*CLANG!*

It was a sound like hitting something hard, not skin and bone.

The Pope’s face went pale. At the same moment, the golden mark on his arm vanished.

Where the stigmata had been, there was now a plain white bracelet, glowing with a holy light.

The stigmata was gone.

Instead, there was a bracelet that seemed to have real holy power.

When everyone saw this shocking sight, the Colosseum went completely silent.

But only for a second.

“I demand this trial be started again!” Ilia’s clear voice cut through the silence. “And we need to add new charges! The Pope has tricked the church, the priests, and everyone in the Holy City! He must be charged with fraud for all the crimes he has done as Pope!”

“Wait… is it really fake?” someone stammered.

“The Pope tricked us?” another voice asked in disbelief.

“This is impossible!”

“Then what is that bracelet thing?”

The fanatics, completely stunned, just sat down, confused.

“Get him out of here! Drag out the fraud!”

“He tricked us! Get rid of him!”

“Yes! Kill him!”

Now, even normal believers were turning into angry fanatics, causing even more chaos.

In the middle of the uproar, Ilia suddenly remembered what Logan had said.

*– The Pope passed the Saint test a long time ago. So, that thing, that holy object, probably can change its appearance.*

*– But even that object will have to show its real form if it’s hit hard. Maybe.*

The word “maybe” had worried her, but it turned out Logan was right.

*How did Logan know all this?* she wondered.

That day, Pope Julius Umberto I was removed from power. The temple was thrown into chaos, and nothing worked properly anymore.