20 years had passed when I woke up! ~ The villain's daughter’s thereafter and after that ~ - Chapter 30

Translator: Darling | Editor: Nebosuke

The Holy City of Millenia was located in the central part of the Belgian continent, in a basin, surrounded by steep mountains.

The town was so-called “grid planed” and was divided by vertical and horizontal streets running at right angles.

“Humans think the same way.”

Fioria looked back on her previous life.

There were some very similar cities in the other world.

London in England, Florence in Italy, and Kyoto in Japan.

The Holy City, Millenia, was a historical and religious city that was as beautiful as those.

“You used to live here.”

“…Right, I think I remember something and sense some kind of nostalgic feeling.”

Fioria took Heinkel on her visit to the Holy City.

Of course, it wasn’t just him.

Immediately behind them, the escort and butler, Lex, was there like a shadow.

“My Lady, would you like to have a look?”

He took out a map of the Holy City of Millenia.

There were some buildings marked by hand.

“I’ve picked the places Heinkel is most likely to be familiar with. These can be clues to jog his memory.”

“You’re as thoughtful as usual. Then Lex, do you mind taking Heinkel around? It may also be nice to nurture a good friendship between you guys, right?”

“…What?”

The two men spoke the same word at the same time.

“I’m going to see the Pope now. Lex, if anything happens, you take Heinkel and get out of this town.”

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘if anything’?” 

“I understand.”

Heinkel was confused while Lex agreed. 

“Then, let’s go, Heinkel.”

“…Okay. Just go easy, Fioria.”

“It depends on what they do. Anyways, it’s a good chance to see who the Pope really is.”

There was a large cathedral-like palace on the north side of the Holy City of Millenia.

The Monad Cathedral.

Built over 500 years ago, it was the heart of the Monad Church.

The Monadic Papal Headquarters were located here and governed the entire church organization.

“The saint has returned!”

“Welcome back, Fioria!”

“We were looking forward to your return!”

“You are as young as you were 20 years ago…”

“It’s God’s miracle!”

“Wow, Sister Fio! I’m now older than you!”

Upon entering the cathedral, she came across an unexpected welcome.

Many priests and sisters gathered in the entrance hall.

These people were once associated with Fioria.

No, not only them.

“Fioria! Can you sign this book?”

“Me too!” “Mine as well!” “How about mine?!”

Young priests, who weren’t even born yet 20 years ago, were running up to her.

The books on which she was asked for her autograph were about Fioria when she was still a saint. 

“Can you shake hands with me!”

“Such beautiful hair…! Nice…!”

“I really like the story about the former Pope’s deportation! I’m also training my wrists so that I can crush an apple with my bare hand!”

Was this all a meaningful effort? 

Fioria showed a wry smile.

“…Quiet down, everyone. The Saint seems to be baffled?”

There was a dignified, low, and heavy voice.

The people were silenced and opened the way.

An elderly woman from the back of the hall showed up.

She was in a scarlet-colored robe.

That costume was allowed for the 24 cardinals to wear and symbolized the highest rank in Monadism apart from the Pope.

“Long time no see, Fio.”

“It’s my honor to see you again, Lord Hornet.”

It was rare for Fioria as her greeting was very formal and polite.

She lifted her skirt hem when she bowed. 

No matter whom she faced, be it the king or her father, she was relaxed and easygoing. But when she met this woman, her attitude changed.

Sheila Hornet.

Currently, she behaved as a lovely and peaceful old woman with her long gray hair, yet she was the only female in the male-dominated senior executive board of Monadism. She wasn’t, of course, an ordinary woman.

When she was younger, she led the Monadist hawk faction and had a remarkable achievement as a heretic inquirer.

After entering the Papal Headquarters, she drove off her political opponents one after another and finally climbed up to the cardinal position.

She was a distinctive “figurative woman”… She had a great influence on Fioria’s personality too. 

“Oh no, don’t act so aloof. Call me Sheila like you used to.”

“Sure. Aunty Sheila, happy to see you after such a long time.”

“Hahaha. I’m not an aunt anymore. It’s been 20 years. I’m a grandma now.”

The two were close. 

No wonder. Sheila originally had a close relationship with Fiora’s mother Flora, who was supposed to be her “biggest rival” and “good friend”.

Flora was suspected of being heresy when she was young.

It was Sheila who was sent over to investigate the matter. The two continued arguing for three days and nights, and eventually, a friendship sprang up between them. 

Sheila was fond of Fioria, just like her own daughter.

Fioria was special for Sheila just because she was Flora’s daughter. 

However, just like how lions were pushed off the cliff down to the deep gorge, Sheila could kick off her best friend’s daughter to the deep bottom of the valley and throw her flame magic at about 100 shots per second at any time if necessary. She possessed that severity too.

“Fio, I heard you’ve been rampant lately… I used to think that you were going to do something beyond my imagination, but I’ve never expected you to put the Regalia Empire in your own hand.”

“… You know everything.”

The situation of the northern power, Regalia, and its surroundings had changed significantly because of Fioria.

The glory of the past was no longer present, and the current emperor Darc was only a poor puppet.

 He was under the control of the King of Tristan, Vincent, politically and of the Franz Bank’s president, Tiara, financially.

Moreover, both Vincent and Tiara would do whatever Fioria wanted.

In a sense, Fioria was the actual ruler of the Regalia Empire.

“So, I wonder what kind of storm the ‘Blizzard Empress’ intends to bring over to the Holy City.”

“… That’s overthinking it. I’m just here to get recertified.”

“That’s surprising. I assumed you were here to kick the current Pope’s bum.”

“Howl III? Why?”

As a matter of fact, the current Pope Howl III had some common ground with Fioria.

When the former Pope, Marcos, was forced to resign, an election was held over the next Pope.

Fioria mobilized all her connections and pushed Howl III to become the Pope.

Howl III at that time was one of the rare candidates, sinless and trustworthy, in the upper tier of Monadism.

Yes, back then.

“I know how the current Howl III has become such a boring man.”

Fioria’s information network had permeated into the Papal Headquarters.

Like the proverb, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” went, in the last 20 years, Howl III seemed to be completely spoiled by his own authoritative power.

Although he wasn’t as bad as the former Pope Marcos, he spent his days in banquets and parties one after another. 

“But I don’t think we need to kick him away right now.”

“You might want to listen to me a bit. Howl, in fact…”

Sheila whispered in her ear. 

Shortly after, Fioria’s right hand quivered. She repeatedly fisted and opened her palms.

“…That makes me speechless. We humans can be that stupid.”

After the chat with Sheila, Fioria went to meet the Pope.

“It is my honor to be able to escort the Saint! Would you kindly follow me, dame?”

The escorting little boy was very stoked.

Her 20-year-old episodes, while being beautified considerably, seemed to be passed down to the young Monadists. 

Thanks to that, Fioria felt a little embarrassed. 

“Here is the reception chamber. My duty is done now.”

“Thank you. Good work. “

She stroked the boy’s head.

“Ah, wow, wow…”

The boy didn’t seem to be accustomed to women, and his ears flushed. 

“Thank you. I have to go!”

He got excited and shy and fled. 

“Heinkel used to be like him….. No, he was never alike.”

When he was 8 years old, he was already twisted. ……Well, he was still lovely, though. 

After taking a deep breath, she entered the reception chamber.

“Come, Fioria.”

The voice came from beyond the red carpet, on a splendid, glittering chair that looked like the king or emperor.

A man rested his chin, which had sagging excess fat, on his hand. He looked tiresome and dull.

He was no longer lean. He, in fact, looked like a bulldog.

He was the current Pope Howl III.

This was the man whom Fioria effectively appointed to the Pope position. 

“I think you already know that I consider recertifying you as a saint.”

He lacked the majesty or dignity of the Pope.

His alcohol burned vocal cords produced a voice as if he was crawling on the ground and gasping out loud.

Howl III yawned several times while he kept talking. 

“However, there is a condition. In fact, some cardinals have received a threatening letter. I guess it’s a petty incident, but I know you are good at investigating cases like this. Go and catch the culprit real quick.”

“It’s different from what the letter I received says.”

After recognizing her achievements in the city of Bolt, he’d reassign her the Saint position.

This was what the letter said.

“I changed my mind. It’s the Pope’s decision, and you cannot go against my decision. Is that right, everyone?”

10 cardinals stood to the left and right of Howl III.

They said…

“Yes, absolutely. No one can disagree with what the Pope says.”

“His words are always full of godhood. I’m so moved, and even my tears are streaming down.”

“Haha, that woman can’t say anything back.”

“The mob seems to regard her as an empress or a goddess, but she is nothing compared to the Pope’s authority.”

“In the first place, it is wrong for women to speak up in the sacred Papal Headquarters.”

It was a terrible farce. 

The Pope was a stinky flower, and the flattering cardinals were bees who were only interested in sucking nectar out of it.

They all thought and behaved strictly within the wall of the Papal Headquarters. 

None of them understood anything outside… That was why the Pope’s authority alone became such a big deal.

The authority could collapse at any time, though.

There was a person in front of them who could flip them over at once, both physically and economically.

Ignorant, narrow-minded, and arrogant.

“…As Sheila says. It’s just like under Marcos’ leadership. No, maybe he’s worse than Marcos.”

Twenty years ago, the deprived upper management was all supposed to be wiped out.

However, the decades of time corrupted them, and the new infection was releasing its pus.

“After all, it is the structural fault of the Monad Church.”

Fioria’s murmuring was too feeble to be heard by others.

“…Hmm? Did you say something? Well, it doesn’t matter. Get going now! I think it can’t be, but are you trying to tell me that I owe you one?”

Howl III sighed irritably. 

“Looking back now, I should have been able to become the Pope without your backing. Isn’t that true, everyone?”

“Yes, for sure.”

“Howl III already had the natural capability of becoming the Pope back then.”

“Well, well, that woman was just riding on a winning horse.”

“Women are really cunning. They can only ride on men.”

“Oops, isn’t that a vulgar joke?… Sir, Pope, it’s snack time. Here, have some pears.”

“Oh, thanks. Pears suit a man of dignity like me.”

Howl III opened his mouth wide.

He didn’t hesitate to display his crooked teeth and bit into it. 

Just before that– 

“A man of dignity? A man of stupidity is more like it,” Fioria articulated and walked up to Howl III.

She reached out and snatched the pear.

“What are you doing?”

Howl III tried to get it back, but he gave up in the middle because he feared Fioria’s piercing gaze. 

“But pears certainly suit you because…..”

Fioria held the pear with her left hand.

Pears were a famous product of the Monad Church’s territory.

……She squeezed it easily with one hand.

The pear juice spilled over.

“No!”

The dribble got into his eyes, and Howl III screamed pathetically.

“You seem to misunderstand me. I’m not interested in getting back the saint title. Do I want to serve you in return? No way.”

“What?! Are you going to insult me, Pope Howl III?! You’re in big trouble!”

“Okay, I wonder what you’ll do. I’m looking forward to it. If so, I may debunk you more.”

Fioria squinted and grinned ruthlessly, “You are just like a fat and ugly pig on a farm. It’s much better to bring over a wild boar from a mountain nearby than to sit on the chair as the Pope.”

“How dare you! Did you call me a pig? A pig!?!?!”

Howling Howl III.

He got furious and threw his blue-jewel-decorated cane, the symbol of the Pope, to the ground and shouted.

“You are excommunicated! Excommunication! Fioria!”

“To excommunicate me, more than two-thirds of the cardinals need to approve it out of 23. Your faction may not have enough, right?”

There were 10 cardinals around Howl III.

The other 5 who belonged to Howl III’s faction received the threatening letters and stayed at home because they were afraid. With them, the total only came up to 15.

The remaining 9 cardinals were reformers led by Sheila.

They would surely be on Fioria’s side.

“Well, excommunication is all right… but if so, Monadism is making me your foe.”

That moment…

Golden particles radiated from Fioria.

“I will give my enemies no mercy. I will let you choose how you’d like to die. You are honored as a priest because you are called to heaven via light magic. Appreciate me in tears… What?”

The reception chamber was in chaos.

Intimidated by Fioria, Howl III and his cardinals all fainted.

Bubbles…

All 11 people were frothing at the mouth and lost consciousness.

“…How silly they are.”

Of course, Fioria didn’t intend to use her magic.

It was her bluff to stop them from taking the upper hand and look down on her. 

She didn’t expect the table itself would collapse even before she sat down on the negotiation table.

“Howl III, you are a failure…..and the five who are frightened and withdrawn at home are the same.”

If you ask someone for help, you must at least see me face to face.

At this point, Fioria considered Howl III and the others to be inadequate and incapable.

Then, what to do next………

“Let’s find W.H. and discover her or his motivation. After that, we’ll get Heinkel’s memory back.”

They might have been unfriendly and awkward, but Lex and Heinkel’s stroll-around in the Holy City is planned for the intermission.