Sherlock's Farewell

March 6, morning. The Fifth Ring.

Sherlock opened his suitcase and checked his belongings once more.

He turned around and looked at Iver, who was eating breakfast. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, though it was unclear whether this was respect or sarcasm. "Our esteemed Pope Your Majesty... You've confirmed that you don't need me anymore, right?"

His head was aching a little, too.

He had basically done nothing this trip. Iver could solve every problem himself, so it seemed he had merely come over to mooch a Grimoire... This left him somewhat at a loss.

Fortunately, he had already finished reading the Fool's Eulogy Grimoire, so at least he hadn't wasted too much time.

But the roommate who had originally accompanied him on this business trip had suddenly gone out, only to return as the Eternal Pope—a development that still left him utterly bewildered.

Iver had to explain that he was merely a tool filling in a place for the Eternal Saintess Grey—

The Most Holy Crown's mechanism caused its wearer to begin growing younger in reverse after putting it on, but in reality, it required burning twice as much lifespan to maintain the Theocracy's normal operation.

Theoretically, there would be no major issue with the current Pope continuing to wear the Most Holy Crown. The other Cardinal Bishops would not refuse this proposal either... After all, Iver was, in essence, merely a tool filling a spot in line for someone else.

But having Iver serve as Pope for half a year would only cost him one year of his lifespan. For the current Eternal Pope, who could completely transform into a tree at any time, however, the time she had left to move about freely was less than a year.

Normally, after an Eternal Pope stepped down,