RD | Chapter 47

“This way.”

Keith took the lead, guiding them to the Vatican.

“This is the Vatican, the sanctuary that serves God.”

The moment Keith turned back to look at Ian after speaking, he froze in place.

“Knew it.”

Ian had anticipated this from the moment they decided on this route, but he hadn’t mentioned it to Keith. To Keith, the Vatican probably seemed like a paradise on Earth.

But in Keith’s original route, the Vatican, after his disappearance, had turned into a desolate ruin. It became a dead fortress where no humans roamed, and monsters wandered freely.

The pristine white walls were marred with dried bloodstains, the sky was choked with black mist, and sunlight was an alien concept.

It hadn’t yet reached that extreme. But it was still an ominous and gloomy place, one that repelled anyone from setting foot within.

The drawbridge leading into the Vatican was lowered, seemingly unattended. Keith dismounted his horse and crossed it on foot. It seemed like an old habit, the kind that dictated rules like, “No galloping within the holy grounds.”

“Is anyone here? …Anyone? Guards?”

Keith raised his voice, calling for the guards. The only response was his voice echoing back, blocked by the eerie, towering walls.

They led their horses deeper inside. Within the walls, a small town had been established. Though there were no visible signs of life, it wasn’t entirely deserted. The faint presence of people could be felt—perhaps they were avoiding attention and refraining from lighting fires.

“…Monsters!”

It didn’t take long for Keith to realize why people weren’t coming out. Monsters roamed freely within the Vatican.

Chimeras, creatures resembling grotesque fusions of humans and beasts, skittered across the ground with their six limbs or dragged their heads along the floor with sickening thuds. Born of experiments by the demon tribe, these creatures couldn’t be neatly categorized into one species. Their forms varied so wildly that they were collectively called “chimeras.”

“Monsters, huh.”

Ian commented casually as he shot down one of the chimeras.

“This isn’t something to be so nonchalant about! Monsters shouldn’t be roaming inside the Vatican!”

“But they are.”

“The barrier should prevent this… The barrier… hasn’t been broken… Why?”

Keith looked around, baffled. The barrier surrounding the Vatican was intact. That could only mean…

The Pope had deliberately allowed monsters inside the Vatican.

Keith had never believed things could come to this.

“This can’t be.”

“What can’t?”

“Even if His Holiness abandoned me… he wouldn’t have handed everyone in the Vatican over to the monsters.”

“If he abandoned you, why wouldn’t he abandon everyone else in the Vatican?”

Ian couldn’t understand the logic.

“Because I… I’ve been difficult at times, clashing with my superiors….”

Keith hesitated, fumbling for reasons to justify his abandonment. Ian couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You’re saying I should throw you to the monsters too, because you annoy me sometimes? Does that make sense? Think before you speak.”

Keith shook his head.

“Stop spouting nonsense and face reality. You know the truth. The Demon Duke was after you. Who do you think made a deal with the demon tribe?”

“……”

Keith covered his face with his hand as if he didn’t want to hear it.

“Why is his mental state so fragile?”

Ian was puzzled. The Keith he remembered from the game was a fanatic clad in unwavering faith, a hero who always proclaimed that everything was according to God’s will and that he would be guided by divine providence. A paragon of virtue who would never compromise with non-human races.

But the current Keith wasn’t that character.

This Keith was a version that had diverged somewhere along the original route. If his mental state had deteriorated as a result, it was Ian’s fault. And that realization stung.

“Is this my fault again?”

Ian didn’t know how to comfort someone. He wasn’t exactly the kind of person who had friends sticking around long enough to get upset or traumatized. The notion that his lack of social skills might even affect a game was laughable, but here they were.

As Ian awkwardly floundered, Keith finally spoke up.

“Lord Ian. I haven’t fully explained what happened when I fled this place.”

“…You don’t have to if it’s too hard.” Ian said, carefully gauging the mood.

“I’ll explain. It’s not a long story. When I was betrayed by the Pope, the Holy Knights attacked me. My squire, who had my sword, didn’t come to my aid. Whether he didn’t or couldn’t, I’m not sure… but the situation makes it clear that he abandoned me. Later, I learned I had been officially excommunicated. That means I am denied God’s blessings in life and barred from His presence after death. I am, for all intents and purposes, not alive.”

“……”

Ian didn’t know how to respond. But Keith still seemed devoted to God despite everything. He didn’t seem like someone who had been forsaken.

Keith shook his head.

“But that’s their misunderstanding. God doesn’t reside in rituals or institutions but watches over everything from above. Titles like ‘Pope’ or ‘excommunication’ are mere formalities. I haven’t turned my back on Him, so why would He abandon me? In fact, He sent you to save me. It’s clear now who has truly forsaken God—those who consort with demons, like the Pope.”

Keith’s voice grew steadier, his conviction returning. But to Ian, it sounded borderline cultish. Still, the important takeaway was clear:

Keith had already reached the conclusion that the Pope had abandoned God’s will, and this aligned with Keith’s role in the original story. A key quest in Keith’s route was to bring down the Vatican.

But Ian had no intention of doing anything that dangerous.

Why should he destroy the Vatican? His goal here was to retrieve the Holy Sword.

And Ian already knew who had it.

“Right… As the wise one sent by God, I think the Pope’s a bad guy. But I also think you should meet with your squire first. Talk it out, get your sword back. What do you think?”

“Why did I come here with just him?”

Ian regretted not bringing backup. If there were at least three of them, he could force Keith to agree to his plan. But now, if Keith insisted on doing something else, Ian had no way to stop him. Keith had the strength, and Ian had nothing but a silver tongue.

“This guy…”

Keith looked at Ian, who had spent the entire journey oscillating between denying and then embracing his role as “the wise one sent by God.” Keith found himself wondering why he’d ever taken Ian seriously.

“…Alright. That’s fine.”

“Good. Let’s start with your squire.”

Ian beamed, pleased that his suggestion was accepted. Keith couldn’t believe such a person existed.

What is he?

But then Ian started watching Keith’s expression again.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well, as the wise one sent by God, I think… it might be tricky to talk to your squire without some complications.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Oh, really?”

“Does he have some kind of immunity to hesitation when it comes to fighting his own squire?”

Ian’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Keith replied nonchalantly.

“I’ve never considered you wise.”

“……”

Keith froze, realizing what he’d just said.

“…Though I do think you’re perceptive.”

“Right… Thanks….”

“Is he picking a fight with me?”

Ian had never dealt with such politely phrased provocations before. If this was a fight, should he just grab Keith by the collar?

“…Before we confront my squire, there’s someone I want to meet first.”

“…Who?”

“There’s a hospital where his younger sister is being treated. She’s been frail since birth, even when I saved them both from their village. She’s likely still there, as she hasn’t been able to leave due to her condition.”

“If she’s there, it’ll help persuade him.”

“Yes.”

The two barely avoided an argument and finally set a direction.