PAID

Antonious Ortega.

The Pope of the Order of Balance and Harmony.

A former Pope.

Having grown weary of his long clerical life, he voluntarily abdicated his papal duties and set out on a pilgrimage of self-reflection, wandering across the continent.

That was the setting.

While progressing through Elise's story, Antonious eventually returns to the Holy Kingdom, where he and I can cross paths. I figured we'd meet eventually if I stayed put, but Elise brought him to me first.@@novelbin@@

From the looks of it, Elise didn’t seem to know his true identity. But why did she bring him to me?

Feigning ignorance, I asked,

“Sister? What brings you here at this late hour? And who might this gentleman be?”

“He’s an old man I found wandering the streets. He seemed to have nowhere else to go, so I brought him here.”

“The Holy Kingdom is littered with shelters. Why, of all places, did you bring him to my inn?”

Elise gave a soft smile.

“There weren’t enough vacancies.”

Ah, I see.

That smile was her mischievous one.

I knew it well—she’d worn it often enough to play pranks on me.

She must’ve brought this old man here just to mess with me.

“Tsk tsk, would a shabby old man like me even deserve to stay in such a fine room?”

“Of course, sir. This gentleman here is the kindest soul in the world. He’d never refuse, so please don’t feel burdened.”