The Cowardly Baby Saint Sees Ghosts - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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# Chapter 81.
The moment Seria’s testimony concluded, the Temple shifted into emergency readiness.
Before the Pope had even crossed the threshold of the conference room, maps and documents were already spread across the table.
Liam, Michael, and the command structure of the Knights moved swiftly to their positions.
Despite the early hour, not a single face bore the softness of sleep—all were drawn tight with tension.
Candlestubs lay piled beneath the table in thick drifts, replaced again and again as they burned down to nothing.
“According to Seria’s account, there are at least two strongholds,” Liam began, pointing to the map.
He spoke rapidly, his eyes never leaving the parchment.
“One appears to be a manor on the city’s outskirts; the other lies somewhere in the Abandoned Mine. Time is critical. If they’ve already caught wind of this, they’ll be moving evidence and children right now, in this very moment.”
“How do we divide our forces?”
Michael’s question came immediately.
“I’ll take the manor myself. The Abandoned Mine is likely larger, so I need you to lead thirty men or more in that direction. Ensure a Healing Priest goes with you. And prepare two Carriages separately—in case we need to evacuate children.”
“Understood. We’ll be ready within the hour.”
Before his answer had fully left his lips, Michael was on his feet and out of the room.
His footsteps faded quickly down the corridor.
Even before the door had closed, his voice carried back from the hallway, summoning his men.
“All personnel—weapons check! Gather plenty of Lanterns and Spare Arrows for nighttime movement! Assemble in the courtyard in half an hour!”
His shout echoed through the corridors, spreading to every corner of the Temple.
Knights who had been sleeping jolted awake, lighting Lanterns and tumbling out of their quarters; the sound of armor being donned mingled with the frightened neighing of horses in the stables, and within moments the entire Temple was alive with urgent motion.
The Pope placed his hand on the map and spoke.
“I will accompany the force heading to the manor personally.”
One of the elder priests spoke up in urgent protest.
“Your Majesty, you must reconsider venturing into such danger yourself. Should anything happen to you, the entire Temple would be shaken to its foundations.”
“That is precisely why I must go.”
There was no wavering in the Pope’s voice.
“This is not the work of a mere cult organization. This is an attempt to counterfeit the sacred itself, and I cannot simply leave it in others’ hands. We depart at dawn tomorrow, before first light. Let each of you make ready with all speed.”
“…Very well.”
The elder priest bowed his head. The taut atmosphere that had filled the conference room crystallized into something absolute with that single concession.
Liam added to his explanation, pointing once more to the map.
“The manor lies half a day’s journey by horse. However, according to Seria’s account, the final stretch is a narrow Forest Path that horses and Carriages cannot traverse, so from that point we’ll have to proceed on foot. I’ll send a Scout Squad ahead to clear the route.”
“…And if the manor is already empty?”
The Pope asked quietly.
“Then we’ll need to conduct a broad search of the surrounding area. Using the traces Seria mentioned—the sound of the waterwheel, the location of the stream—we’ll narrow our search radius from there.”
“…Very good. We proceed as planned.”
* * *
The moment the conference ended, I caught the Pope’s sleeve.
“I want to go with you.”
“Diane. That’s not possible. You’re still a child.”
“I need to see with my own eyes what happened to Seria. I’m a Saint too. This concerns me directly.”
Instead of answering, the Pope studied me for a long time.
The longer his silence stretched, the tighter I clenched my fists and held my ground.
I had no intention of backing down.
“Very well. But on one condition—you never leave my side. At the slightest sign of danger, you retreat to safety immediately.”
“Yes, I promise.”
The moment permission was granted, the Temple erupted into activity.
Horses were saddled in the stables; soldiers hurried to check supplies and weapons.
Lanterns burned through the night without dimming, and through the storehouses moved an endless stream of people gathering provisions, Bandages, and First Aid Medicine.
Even amid the chaos, Becky stayed at my side, pressing extra clothes and blankets into my hands.
“Miss Diane, please take these. The forest will be very cold at night. And be sure to pack this Dried Bread and Jerky as well.”
“Thank you, Becky. I’ll be back soon.”
“…Please, you must take care of yourself. I’ll remain here and pray every day for your safety.”
Watching Becky’s eyes grow red with tears, I tried my best to keep my expression calm.
But once I returned alone to my room to finish packing, my heart began to sink.
It would have been a lie to say I wasn’t frightened of this journey into the unknown.
My fingertips grew cold, and my hands trembled as I gathered my things.
It was possible—even likely—that I would come face to face with members of the Heretical Cult.
Then, from among the blankets, came a small sound: a meow. It was Cheese.
“Cheese, are you worried too?”
Instead of answering, Cheese purred softly and rubbed his face against the back of my hand.
The moment his cool touch reached my fingers, the frozen tension began, ever so gradually, to thaw.
I pulled the small body close and buried my face in soft fur.
“You’ll be alright. Won’t you?”
Cheese let out a short whimper, then burrowed completely into my embrace.
I felt the chill of it and slowly steadied my trembling breath.
A mute beast spirit could offer greater comfort than any human being.
Even after finishing the packing, I sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, stroking Cheese.
Beyond the window, darkness had already fallen completely, and only the light leaking from various corners of the Temple spoke of the bustle within.
Sleep would not come.
* * *
Before dawn broke, the courtyard of the Temple lay shrouded in thick morning mist.
The sound of horses stamping their hooves, of knights making their final equipment checks, echoed low through the fog.
The formation was already assembled, dewdrops glistening on the soldiers’ armor.
Their faces were set with grim resolve, yet beneath it burned the determination to see this through.
Being still too young to ride properly, the Pope himself cradled me in his arms as he mounted his horse.
“Hold tight now.”
I grasped the fold of his robe firmly with my small hands.
Cheese, tucked inside my clothes, peeked out just its face through a gap in the fabric.
“Are you frightened?”
“A little, but I need to see this with my own eyes.”
The Pope smiled gently and stroked my hair.
“You are truly strong.”
Liam and a handful of elite knights lined up behind him.
From atop their mounts, their hands moved busily with final checks of weapons and provisions.
Michael’s Detached Force had already departed the day before, heading toward the Abandoned Mine.
“We depart.”
At the Pope’s command, the horses began to move, cutting through the mist.
The sound of hoofbeats echoed in a steady rhythm across the quiet courtyard.
As the Temple’s gates grew distant, I glanced back once toward the prison where Seria was held.
Cheese, as if understanding my heart, let out a small cry.
I turned my gaze toward the misty path that led into the forest.
My body swayed atop the horse, but the Pope’s arms held me steadily, and the firm footfalls of the knights following beside us filled the space behind with reassurance.
After riding for some time, the Temple disappearing completely from sight, the Pope asked softly.
“Your stomach isn’t unsettled, is it? You’ve likely never ridden long before.”
“I’m fine.”
“First we’ll send the Scout Squad ahead to confirm it’s safe, then Liam and I will follow. You’ll need to wait near the Carriage until the scout reports are complete.”
“…I understand.”
I answered as instructed, but in my heart I had the distinct sense that I would eventually enter that manor myself.
I was certain I would need to see inside it with my own eyes.
As the hoofbeats continued their steady rhythm, the sun began slowly to lift the mist away.
My frame was smaller than expected, so my vantage point from atop the horse was considerably high.
At first I felt a pleasant breeze rushing past, but as we continued, fear crept in and I held the Pope’s robe more tightly.
Perhaps noticing this, a low chuckle fell from above my head.
Now that I thought about it, I no longer felt Cheese fidgeting in my arms.
“Wait…”
Where on earth did it go?
I turned my head frantically, then gasped and opened my mouth wide in alarm.
“…Hey, get back here!”
In panic, I grabbed Cheese, whose claws had caught on my cloak and were fluttering wildly.
Cheese’s expression was one of complete resignation.
Being a spirit, it felt so light that it seemed about to drift away at any moment.
Only after tucking Cheese safely inside my clothes did I finally let out a sigh of relief.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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