How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 136

The only means I had to prove it was a divine oath.

 

Whether it was to avoid Nanna’s gaze or for some other reason, one thing was certain: oracles could not be delivered through relics.

 

“But a divine oath is also an absolute law, so it might work…”

 

Since a divine oath is essentially the god’s certification of truth.

 

Holding onto a faint hope, I looked at Atharaxis , but she shook her head firmly.

 

“I’m sorry. According to tradition, only the contents written on the relic are recognized as oracles.”

 

“I see…”

 

I let my words trail off in vain.

 

In her apologetic yet calm tone, I caught a glimpse of an unbreakable, shield-like stubbornness in her eyes.

 

I didn’t expect to persuade her easily, but it was even more solid than I imagined.

 

“What now?”

 

I was wondering whether to find a new way to break through the iron wall that was Atharaxis or to carry out the backup plan of Selene’s escape.

 

[Wait, is the pope doubting the gods?]

 

To my surprise, Fenrir interrupted.

 

And he asked a question that was extremely sensitive to the priests.

 

“That’s not the case. Personally, I also believe Miss Laura’s story.”

 

It was almost a provocation, but Atharaxis responded calmly.

 

“However, since I hold the position of pope, I must adhere even more to social conventions. Humans do not believe in things they cannot see.”

 

She added the unavoidable reason that only what is recorded on the relics can be recognized as oracles.

 

Fenrir’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Clearly displeased.

 

[That’s contradictory. Then why do humans believe in gods they have never seen even once?]

 

“Because they have seen miracles granted by the gods.”

 

She explained that faithful people have deep faith even without witnessing miracles, but ordinary humans are extremely self-centered and selfish, refusing to acknowledge anything they haven’t personally experienced.

 

“This is the first time I’ve seen the pope like this.”

 

She was always wearing a gentle smile, but now there was even a faint trace of contempt.

 

It seemed she had been quite tormented by selfish humans.

 

“Wait a moment. Both of you, please calm down.”

 

I stopped Fenrir and Atharaxis, who were starting to get heated.

 

“First, I understand the pope’s position.”

 

In fact, my intervention was not only to calm things down before they got worse, but also because I had another intention.

 

While Fenrir and Atharaxis were debating theology, I had more or less finished revising the plan on my own.

 

“Regardless of the truth of my claim, since it cannot be recognized as an official oracle, you won’t be able to help me.”

 

“Thank you for understanding.”

 

“I won’t mention that part any further. Instead, please postpone my appointment ceremony. Until after Selene’s trial.”

 

My suggestion seemed unexpected, and Atharaxis asked with a puzzled expression,

 

“Why?”

 

Oops.

 

‘I didn’t think of a reason.’

 

Since this was a plan hastily put together here, it naturally lacked detail.

 

But I forced myself to pull myself together. Because the only thing that had increased was my ability to rationalize, blaming it on my failure to control my expression.

 

“…The appointment ceremony is a sacred ritual. So I thought it would be better to attend it with a clean heart after solving all the problems.”

 

Of course, not me, but Selene.

 

I omitted the last sentence, but even without it, it was clearly nonsense.

 

Nevertheless, I looked Atharaxis straight in the eyes with sincerity. Because I was genuine enough to swear a divine oath, placing my hand over my chest.

 

‘After all, you have to settle uncomfortable issues first if you want the celebration to go smoothly!’

 

Despite living in a world advanced in science, I naturally thought this because of the influence from my previous life, believing in superstitions like doing important tasks on lucky days.

 

Anyway.

 

When I stepped forward with such confidence, Atharaxis couldn’t find any particular fault.

 

‘Maybe she’s bothered that I denied the oracle I supposedly heard, so she’s just going to accept this request.’

 

She stared at me intently, as if trying to read my true intentions, then slowly nodded.

 

“…Understood. The saint appointment ceremony will be postponed until after Miss Selene’s trial.”

 

Finally, Atharaxis gave her approval.

 

“Thank you. Then we’ll be leaving now!”

 

I quickly exited before she could stop me.

 

Endymion, who followed behind, looked full of dissatisfaction, but I ignored it until the end. Because I couldn’t reveal the backup plan I had in mind in front of the pope’s office.

 

‘One of the two objectives is achieved, so I should be satisfied with this for now.’

 

Honestly, Selene’s matter was more critical, but since it wasn’t something to be resolved by stubborn demands, I chose to retreat strategically.

 

[Hey, Laura, compared to the spirit you showed this morning, you gave up too quickly.]

 

Before we even left the Vatican building, Fenrir was the first to voice his doubt.

 

“Well… yeah, I guess.”

 

But I thought it was still too soon to bring it up, so I rolled my eyes and dodged the topic.

 

“You must have another plan in mind.”

 

Endymion, who had probably guessed something from my expression, asked curiously.

 

“Hmm… I’m not sure.”

 

I answered vaguely again, and Endymion’s face stiffened.

 

“You’re not giving up because you don’t have a proper alternative, are you?”

 

“N-no, that’s not it…”

 

Does Endymion really have such little patience?

 

Thinking he might be sensitive because it was about Selene, I was inwardly conflicted about whether to drop a hint, when Yves finally broke the silence.

 

“Brother, stop teasing Laura.”

 

Somehow, that made sense.

 

It was unlike Endymion, usually so perceptive, to suddenly ask such a strange interrogation, but it seemed he was just teasing me.

 

I glared at him in disbelief, and when our eyes met, he smirked with just one corner of his mouth raised in a sly smile.

 

“Sorry. Your reaction was just too amusing.”

 

There was no sincerity at all in that apology, but I didn’t bother pointing it out.

 

I just grumbled inwardly, once again realizing how hard it was to tell if he was being genuine or just acting.

 

[Hmm, you had another plan? That’s unexpected.]

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

Fenrir’s voice could only be heard by us anyway, so it didn’t matter what he said, but one phrase struck a nerve, so I stopped him.

 

“What do you mean by ‘unexpected’?”

 

[I was surprised you had multiple plans.]

 

“So why’s that?”

 

Isn’t it normal for people to have several plans sometimes?

 

[I just thought you were the type to live without thinking much… ahem, just going with the flow and being swept along.]

 

When my glare shifted from Endymion to Fenrir, he cleared his throat and changed his words casually.

 

It was clear he had almost said I was thoughtless, but softened it to sound nicer.

 

‘I wonder what kind of image I really have in Fenrir’s mind.’

 

I’d felt it for a while now — to Fenrir, I seemed like some kind of reckless troublemaker. I swallowed the question of why such an impression stuck when my first impression wasn’t even bad, and sighed deeply.

 

“Anyway, let’s just go outside and talk. Outside…”

 

[Hmm, you’re not offended, right? I’m not good with words, but that was a compliment.]

 

“I get it. Thanks.”

 

When I answered without much spirit, Fenrir, looking a bit awkward, came closer and rubbed his head.

 

His white, fluffy fur touched my fingers, and I couldn’t help but feel my mood lighten.

 

At first, I wondered why he was watching me so closely, but I soon realized it wasn’t a good sign.

 

It probably meant that even Fenrir could read my expression.

 

‘But this isn’t something to worry about right now, so whatever.’

 

After all, his fur helped calm my mind and body.

 

Soon after, we left the Vatican and headed toward the back of the Astarte temple.

 

That was where Huluppu was.

 

“Fenrir, could you set up that barrier you made in my room last time?”

 

[Got it.]

 

As a geometric pattern glowing with blue light appeared on the floor, the flow of the air quickly changed.

 

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

 

I had thought it was just divine power I was sensing, but now I could also detect a subtle sense of alienation.

 

‘So this is the kind of sensation everyone felt.’

 

I wondered how Xenon or Yves had noticed the barrier, but it definitely felt like being cut off from the outside.

 

[Looks like you can tell the difference now, too. When you become more sensitive, you’ll even be able to distinguish between divine power and magical power.]