Elsewhere...
When Gohwa returned to the recreation center, the sight before her left the girl stunned.
The hall was a scene of devastation.
A group of roughly fifty people was gathered inside.
Some had their backs against the walls, some sat on benches, some lay sprawled across the floor, and some could barely remain standing.
Every one of their clothes was torn, and their bodies were wrapped in bandages. Red bloodstains faintly showed through both the clothes and bandages, making for a miserable sight.
All of the Amakusa-Style Church members had suffered such injuries. They could only endure the pain as they treated and bandaged one another, using tissues, photo albums, adhesive bandages, and other supplies to perform the Amakusa-Style's unique spells and gradually recover their strength.
It was clear what kind of attack the Amakusa-Style Church had endured.
Of course, this was a scene Gohwa had expected.
What truly surprised her was the tall figure standing among the Amakusa-Style Church members.
"Female Pope...?"
Yes.
It was Kanzaki Kaori.
"Gohwa..."
Kanzaki, who was helping an Amakusa-Style Church member bandage a wound, noticed the movement at the entrance. When she saw Gohwa, a nostalgic smile appeared on her face.
But the smile vanished almost immediately, and Kanzaki resumed her composed demeanor.
"I found them all collapsed nearby, so I brought them here for treatment."
Kanzaki spoke as though she were discussing strangers, her tone somewhat cold.
Yet despite that cold tone, her next words exposed what she truly felt.
"What were you all thinking? You actually confronted a Saint who possesses the power of God's Right Seat head-on? That was far too reckless!"
The reprimanding words allowed Gohwa to clearly feel Kanzaki's worry and concern. Her eyes reddened at once, and tears began to fall.
"W-wait...! W-why are you crying...!?"
Kanzaki