How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 135

“Right. The reason we were able to join Dilbat before reinforcements arrived was because Selene, who had a prophetic dream, persuaded us.”

 

Thanks to Endymion’s moderate response that ignored the cold and frozen atmosphere, I was able to continue the conversation more comfortably.

 

“Although it was a prophetic dream, that’s precisely why we might know an important clue that we haven’t yet discovered. Therefore, I think it’s definitely worth talking to Selene.”

 

“I agree. Even you guys who were at the scene that day couldn’t properly see the dragon from afar, so is there anyone among those who evacuated who saw the dragon more clearly than you?”

 

Endymion sharply pointed out and joined in.

 

“On the other hand, Selene said she clearly saw magic falling from the sky.”

 

The main point embedded in Endymion’s detailed argument was one.

 

Those who evacuated at the time, and Selene, who observed the incident’s outcome through a prophetic dream.

 

Which side really has useful information?

 

The answer was obvious.

 

Most of those who evacuated were waiting inside the temple at the time.

 

“Moreover, Selene is currently at the Vatican. Meeting her briefly before moving to Dilbat isn’t a bad choice, efficiency-wise either.”

 

He delivered the final nail in the coffin.

 

Unlike the people in Dilbat, who can be met through teleportation, she can be met easily without taking much time.

 

[Tsk.]

 

Whether Endymion’s argument worked or not, Fenrir calmed down and clicked his tongue.

 

“…”

 

Yves, who had been strongly opposed, also seemed unable to find a proper rebuttal and kept his mouth tightly shut.

 

Though there was still dissatisfaction in his silver eyes.

 

“What do you think? Do you both agree?”

 

Just by looking at Fenrir and Yves’s expressions, I could tell they had already agreed, but I asked once more to confirm.

 

[Tsk. I’m not really keen on it, but I have no choice.]

 

“I will also follow Laura’s decision.”

 

With Yves’s consent, I laid out the plans we had prepared yesterday.

 

“Alright. Since it’s decided… actually, I need Fenrir’s help.”

 

[What is it?]

 

First, I briefly explained to Fenrir that without the pope’s permission, it would be impossible to meet Selene.

 

“Even if Endymion, Yves, and I all persuade him together, it’s very likely it won’t work.”

 

[So you’re asking me to convince the pope to let you meet a criminal?]

 

He understood quickly, as expected.

 

Before I started the full explanation, just by casually opening the topic, Fenrir immediately grasped my intention.

 

“But Fenrir, you don’t have to take the lead yourself. Your presence alone is intimidating enough! Just support our opinion.”

 

Before Fenrir could reject it out of annoyance, I quickly added.

 

I told him that with a divine beast—practically a representative of the gods—by our side, even the pope wouldn’t easily refuse.

 

Knowing Fenrir was secretly sensitive to praise, I eagerly fed him a lot of flattering talk in a bright tone.

 

However, on the contrary, Fenrir’s face gradually creased.

 

[You’re something else…]

 

Fenrir, who usually spat sarcasm without hesitation, for some reason trailed off at the end of his sentence.

 

“Why is that?”

 

[No, I just think you’re impressive in a different way.]

 

I couldn’t tell exactly what he meant, but I was sure it wasn’t a compliment.

 

Still, I shamelessly replied, “If it’s something impressive enough to make you say that, it must be good. Anyway, I’ll meet the pope first and talk about the oracle.”

 

My plan was simple.

 

Meet the pope and reveal the issue concerning the divine mark that appeared on my forehead.

 

“I’ll deliver the oracle of the goddess Astarte while postponing the official saint appointment ceremony.”

 

Since the Holy Kingdom places the utmost importance on the will of the gods, they will undoubtedly cooperate actively with us.

 

Then, I just need to explain the contents of the oracle and make them realize that Selene’s help is necessary.

 

“From there, we can say that Selene must be present to find the dragon, so it’s also okay to ask them to get her out of prison.”

 

It was quite a plausible alternative that I came up with on the spot.

 

“Since persuading Fenrir ended much faster than expected, somehow it feels like the rest of the plan will go smoothly too?”

 

Of course, there are still mountains of problems to solve, but since the first button was fastened well, I felt like the rest would unravel easily.

 

💫

 

“No.”

 

Unfortunately, the plan that I thought would proceed smoothly was blocked from the start.

 

It was because of Pope Artharaxis, who kept repeating the same thing with a gentle smile.

 

[Why do you keep saying no? Explain the reason.]

 

Fenrir seemed frustrated, too.

 

Judging by how he couldn’t stand it and interrupted, though he usually stubbornly stayed silent like a statue.

 

“The reason has already been explained. No one can meet Selene until her verdict is given.”

 

It was the answer I had repeatedly heard just a moment ago while talking with her.

 

“Do the essential virtues of a priest include stubbornness?”

 

At first, I thought it was simply Yves’s personality, but Enheduane, and now the pope as well.

 

For some reason, all the priests I meet seem to share the belief that, though they might break, they will never bend.

 

The problem is, to others, it feels less like perseverance and more like obstinacy.

It seemed Fenrir was thinking along the same lines as I was, as he glanced briefly at Yves.

 

[Hmph… So what I want is for you to tell me the reason. Why can’t anyone meet that girl until her trial is over?]

 

“I have already explained that, but if you want, I will say it again.”

 

Artharaxis, unfazed by Fenrir’s pressure, stubbornly opened his mouth and repeated the same words.

 

“The incident Miss Selene caused this time was something beyond our imagination.”

 

It was a repetitive, circular argument.

 

Until it is determined whether this incident was something Selene intentionally planned or an accidental occurrence, she is forbidden from contacting others.

 

Because if Selene’s actions were deliberate, meeting anyone might cause repeatedly unpredictable situations.

 

Of course, while going through this back-and-forth conversation, I also stated my case.

 

About meeting the goddess Astarte and the need to find the dragon. That Selene’s help is necessary.

 

Still, he did not revoke his order.

 

“Truly principled people as rigid as steel.”

 

It wasn’t for nothing that Yves declared it impossible.

 

But I couldn’t give up here either.

 

“I heard from Yves that the investigation isn’t over yet, and the trial date hasn’t even been set.”

 

I also heard that this issue was extremely tricky and that the investigation was not progressing smoothly.

 

No wonder—it was originally a top-secret matter only known to the pope, the seven high priests, and a few select clerics.

 

They couldn’t conduct the investigation openly, and there weren’t enough personnel, so even during the week I was asleep, there had been no significant progress.

 

So, no one knew when Selene’s trial would even begin.

 

“We want to follow the pope’s will as much as possible, but considering the oracle, we can’t just wait endlessly.”

 

It was something I had said several times already, but since the only weapon I could wield was the oracle of Astarte, I mentioned it again in rebuttal.

 

Then Artharaxis let out a dry sigh.

 

“…I understand what Miss Laura is claiming. However, I cannot judge the oracle on my own.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because there is no proof that you actually received the oracle.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I was dumbfounded. I never imagined she would deny the oracle.

 

“I know that, too. I know Miss Laura has no reason to deceive us with such a lie.”

 

“But why…”

 

Before I could finish my sentence in surprise at the unexpected situation, Artharaxis continued.

 

“Oracles originally come down through sacred relics. They are called prophecy books by the public.”

 

The prophecy book is an absolute relic that neither burns in fire nor gets wet in water, cannot be marked by human-made tools, and cannot be destroyed.

 

All the oracles received so far have come from it, and any other evidence is not recognized as an oracle.

 

“Even if it comes from the words of the continent’s first saint.”

 

Really. They were such strict, principled people that it gave me a headache.

 

Pressing my temples to ease the pain, I calmly began to speak.

 

“Um… Wouldn’t a divine oath work?”