The Dragon Kingdom.
In a deserted mountain ravine outside Capital City.
In the wilderness, where there were no traces of Human Race activity, that open fire stood out conspicuously.
Two old men sat facing each other. One was heartily gnawing on a chunk of meat, while the other rested with his eyes closed, looking like an immortal sage.
Outside their ravine, countless Converted Beasts huddled trembling in caves.
"Hm?"
The white-robed old man, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
The old man opposite him looked up in puzzlement. "Don't worry. There are no Dragon Kingdom people here. The people in the Capital won't find us."
The white-robed man remained silent, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
His gaze was complicated, and several times he nearly rose.
"What's wrong? We've known each other for decades. This is the first time I've seen you so restless."
"Merck... is in danger." The white-robed old man clenched his hands and took a deep, anxious breath.
"Your younger brother? Didn't you fall out?"
The old man opposite him sneered. "You two brothers really are something, coming to blows over a woman."
"With your strength and status, what woman couldn't you get? Yet you had to fall out over some down-and-out noblewoman."
The Pope did not refute his mockery.
Instead, he lowered his head and checked his phone. There was no signal.
But the wallpaper on the screen showed two young men.
They were vaguely recognizable as him and Saint George in their youth.
Both were smiling happily, their arms around each other's shoulders.
"My younger brother was extraordinarily gifted, but... he lacked resolve. To become the next Pope, he had to give up personal love and accept God's greater love."
"So