#em_sky_s

High Priest Zhed and High

Priestess Niren have already

arrived, and are carefully

watching the pope's face.

They seem worried about

what will happen...

[Zhed]

How have you been, Your

Eminence? I apologize for

not visiting you sooner, but

I've been too ashamed about

my competency as a high priest.

[Pope]

High Priest Zhed...

You came... Thank you...

The pope faintly smiled

at High Priest Zhed, glad

to finally see him again.

[Niren]

Your Eminence...

I hope you understand

that I've tried my best

to only show you what is

beautiful in this world...

...............................

High Priestess Niren...

However, today I must

reveal to you the world's

ugliness as well. I'm sorry...

I gave the Sky Garden people

a vacation today so that we

tell you something in private.

Niren... What is it?

You may want to brace

yourself, Your Eminence,

for what we are about to

tell you. You may very

well be shocked...

High Priest Zhed explained

all of Arunafeltz's secrets

in detail. He revealed the

split between the moderates

and hard liners among the

priests, the corruption...

He also explained the role

of the priests in the inhumane

testing conducted by the

Rekenber Corporation, and

the hard liner priests grab

for power at Thor Volcano.

The pope stared at

High Priest Zhed in

shock as he spoke.

We all understand that

you're already burdened

enough with your duties

as pope, but we feel that

you should take action soon.

We don't mean to force

you, Your Eminence, but

we don't have much time.

We're facing the possibility

of war, and we must stop it

in order to save Arunafeltz.

.......................Finally.

[Zhed, Niren]

Excuse me?

Niren, Zhed...

I'm glad that you all

finally came to me for

a solution to all this.

I'm young, but I remember

what I saw in the holy ground.

Don't you remember, Niren?

You found me in the holy

ground, and safely led me

out. But while I was there,

I saw Ymir's Heart.

How... How did you know

that was Ymir's Heart?

The priests in the Sky

Garden don't mind talking

freely around me. I guess

they looked at me more as

a child, rather than as pope.

I'm already aware of the

moderate priest group

conducting their cruel tests,

and of the hard liners building

their military power. However,

I couldn't really do anything.

Most people don't take my

position seriously because

of my age. Nobody believes

I can change the situation.

I've also heard everything

about what you did, Zhed.

I'm sorry that you were

punished by the other priests

for allowing an outsider to

enter the holy ground, but

I understand your reasons.

Isn't this the adventurer?

I'm very glad to see you

again. Not only did you

share news of the outside

world with me, but you've

been protecting our peace.

I really didn't know...

How'd you feel about this,

or how much you actually

knew. I'm truly sorry, Your

Eminence. I'm ashamed

for underestimating you.

Please don't apologize,

Niren. If it weren't for you,

I'd be drawn into the utter

foolishness of the selfish

people in this temple. Niren,

you're like a mother to me.

Thank you. I feel

the same way...

Zhed...?

I need you to do

something for me.

Of course,

Your Eminence.

Write a report about the

tests conducted by the

moderates in Arunafeltz and

the Schwarzwald Republic,

and their relationship with

that Schwarzwald Corporation.

I'll get it done immediately,

Your Eminence. Thank you.

Niren.

Yes, Your Eminence?

Please collect the

evidence that proves

that the hard liners have

been gearing for war.

Yes, Your Eminence.

I'll summon all the High

Priests and Priestesses

soon. I'd like the two of

you to stand by my side.

I won't let anyone disgrace

our holy ground with bloodshed.

As you command,

I appreciate all your work

on behalf of Arunafeltz.

My influence may still be

weak, but I'll do my best

with Zhed and Niren's support.

I would be expecting

too much to ask you to

stay by my side. But I'd like

to thank you for all you've

done. But if it is Freya's

will, we'll meet again...

May Freya bless you...

The pope prayed in earnest

for you, and you feel a strong

aura of warmth and kindness

permeate your entire being.