Hearing the Pope's half-joking words, Andoain immediately snapped back to reality. He wasn't in a position to indulge in idle wandering thoughts! Right now, he was in the most dangerous place imaginable. One slip-up and he might not live to see the morning sun.
While the Pope had no intention of killing him personally, if the Gun-Knights returned and a conflict broke out, it was unlikely the Pope would step in to stop them on his behalf.
"In that case, I shall take my leave first. I can promise you that everything I saw today will not be shared with others."
Andoain bowed to the elderly man, offering a solemn guarantee of silence to put the Pope's mind at ease. This wasn't just because the information was world-shattering; it was a way to protect himself and the compatriots walking the same path alongside him. If the authorities suspected he would use this information to attack Laterano, the lives of everyone associated with him would become very difficult indeed.
"Very well. We won't pursue this matter further. However, I must still remind you: it would be best if you did nothing to harm Laterano."
The Pope nodded slightly at the promise. He believed Andoain would choose a correct path forward rather than stubbornly committing to a foolish one. If he did choose the latter, the Pope would have to find a way to let "The Law" settle the score for his current crimes.
"Also, when you have no business here, try your best not to appear on the streets of Laterano. If people realize a wanted criminal is wandering our avenues, it would cast doubt on our security measures."
As Andoain turned to leave, the Pope quickly added this final instruction. After this incident, the level of scrutiny Andoain received within Laterano would increase significantly. After all, this man had just bombed the city! Even if Laterano not exploding a few times a day would feel like a sign of the apocalypse, it still wasn't allowed!
Once the incident was made public, the question remained: should they reveal him and his subordinates, or just pin the whole thing on the Sarkaz? That was a problem for later.
"You're just letting him go? I thought you'd at least make him pay the renovation costs for this office."
Jeanne watched Andoain depart and spoke to the old man. Renovating an office like this wouldn't be cheap, and she remembered clearly the look of "physical pain" on the Pope's face earlier. Was the old gentleman planning to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket? Then again, Laterano was wealthy; they probably wouldn't miss the repair funds for one office.
However, upon hearing this, the hand the Pope was using to stroke his beard suddenly froze. The smile on his face turned rigid.
It seemed the only reason he hadn't brought it up was that he had completely forgotten he could demand compensation from Andoain for the damages! But on second thought, that fellow likely didn't have much money left; even if he demanded it, Andoain probably couldn't afford the cost of a single sofa. Besides, for an elder to ask a junior for money felt... awkward. He couldn't bring himself to lower his dignity and hold out his hand.
"Ahem... as an elder, I can still afford these small expenses. Besides, even if I asked him, the source of such funds would be quite embarrassing to explain to others..."
Since it had already happened, regret was useless. It was better to use this opportunity to build a glorious image and perhaps salvage the reputation of the Sankta in Andoain's eyes. At the very least, he, the Pope, was reliable—wasn't he?
"I get the feeling you just simply forgot," Jeanne said with a suspicious tone, noting the conflicted expression on the little old man's face.
She was one hundred percent certain: if he had thought of it in time, he absolutely would have demanded the repair fees. During her days in Laterano, Jeanne had formed a specific viewpoint: no matter what these Sankta did, it wasn't surprising.
"How could that be! Am I such an unreliable person in your heart? At the very least, regarding matters like this, I am dependable!"
While the Pope was busy denying Jeanne's suspicions and explaining himself, Andoain was making a hasty exit from the scene of the crime. Though the personnel had been evacuated once already, there was no telling when they would come rushing back. He had to be gone before then!
However, the Andoain leaving now lacked the spirit he had when he arrived. His eyes looked vacant, and he was walking somewhat absentmindedly.
Clack... clack... clack...
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway. Andoain quickly ducked into a hiding spot, peeking out to observe the situation.
He saw a purple-haired Sankta leading a mother and daughter quickly toward the Pope's office. The woman's face showed clear signs of nervous tension.
"Please rest assured, we will do nothing to harm you. It is simply that your situation is unique, and the Pope wishes to meet you," Velliv explained, noticing that Feoria's complexion had turned disturbingly pale. She was worried that excessive stress might affect the woman's health.
Whether due to her physical condition or sheer exhaustion, Feoria's face was so white it lacked any trace of blood. At a glance, she didn't even look like a Sankta; she looked more like a Vampire. A doctor would have diagnosed her with severe anemia on the spot.
Hearing the words, Feoria only smiled and nodded, saying nothing. She held little Cecilia a bit tighter in her arms; because it was late, the child had already fallen asleep.
"I can't help you with anything now. I can only wish you mother and daughter the best. Fortunately, that old man isn't the type to hurt a child, so there's no need to worry about that," Andoain whispered silently as the three figures disappeared from view.
He truly did have the desire to rescue the two of them. But at best, that was a lofty-sounding idea—and a laughable one at that. Against someone like Velliv, he would be lucky to break even in a fight, let alone carry two people out of there. Besides, even if he rescued them, where would they go?
And he wasn't sure if it was just an illusion, but Andoain felt that Velliv had noticed him. For some reason, she hadn't moved to capture him; as she left, she had cast a meaningful glance toward his hiding spot.
After that encounter, Andoain's movement became much smoother. He met no further obstructions. Walking along the deserted streets near the Basilica, he took a breath of the cool air, which helped clear his stiffened mind.
He hadn't expected to return so smoothly and completely from the heavily guarded Basilica. He looked a bit disheveled, but he was whole. And he had finally obtained the answer he had sought for so many years—even if it wasn't good news.
But... now that he knew everything, what could he do? From the looks of it, he could do nothing at all! Even the promise he made to his compatriots—a paradise where everyone could live equally without discrimination or oppression—was unattainable.
They had entrusted their lives to him this time, risking being shot by the Gun-Knights to help him! How could he face them now?
For a moment, various thoughts exploded in Andoain's mind. He moved forward mechanically. Regardless of their reaction, the first step was to regroup with them.
But just as Andoain was lost in thought, a sense of crisis descended from above. He dodged instinctively as an explosive round landed beside him, triggering a violent blast.
"A person like you actually managed to walk out of the Basilica in one piece! I have to wonder if that old man of a Pope is starting to suffer from senile dementia!"
Facing Andoain was a woman as fierce as fire—Dawn Destroyer—and her words were fueled by a rage that had reached its peak.