The Sponsored Heroines Are Coming for Me

Chapter 232

Chapter 232

The distance between the Vatican and the portal customs station was considerable.

All important facilities were usually located far from the portal customs stations.

The carriage provided by the Pope wasn’t ostentatious but was luxurious and comfortable.

Not knowing what might happen next, I relaxed as I rode in the carriage.

“…Thank goodness.”

It was undoubtedly Danya speaking.

She had already sighed in relief at least a dozen times.

Not only her—Elena, Lina, and Silvia had similar reactions.

Although Silvia’s gaze held a bit more reverence than the others.

“When we return, please explain how you managed to clear the charges during the witch trial.”

Silvia asked earnestly, her expression like a puppy eagerly awaiting food.

Unconsciously, I chuckled and nodded.

At the same time, I had questions I wanted to ask.

“Why were you in prison? I almost passed by without knowing you were locked up for something you didn’t do.”

“I infiltrated to rescue Ian.”

“…I figured as much. But Silvia, you know as well as anyone how impossible it is to break someone out of the Vatican when they’re imprisoned as a witch.”

Silvia fell silent for a moment before nodding.

“I know. It’s nearly impossible. But…”

“?”

“Making sure Ian didn’t die was more important than anything else.”

Everyone nodded in agreement at Silvia’s words.

“Still, wasn’t it too dangerous?”

“If it were you, Ian, and any one of us were imprisoned, you’d have come to rescue us too, wouldn’t you?”

Lina hit the mark with her remark.

True.

I would have done the same.

“Thank you. For risking such danger to rescue me.”

Regardless of the outcome, I was grateful for their intentions.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“But if you all got caught because of me, I’d feel terrible. I can find my way out on my own, so next time, only act when it’s safe and feasible.”

Eek—!

Elena reacted to my words.

“In fact, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Sister Silvia had planned everything out, but I messed up navigating…”

“You came through the vent under the old tree, right?”

“How did you know?”

That’s a famous trap passage.

It’s one of the first pitfalls people encounter during infiltration missions at the Vatican.

The passage was cleverly designed with illusions.

The Numina faction within the Vatican probably planted it discreetly.

‘Come to think of it, they might be tightening internal control soon.’

With the recent summit between the Pope and Emperor, the chances of war between the two nations had dwindled to nearly zero.

As a result, both sides would likely focus more on internal order.

The Vatican would try to resolve the intense conflict between the Celeste and Numina factions.

‘Meanwhile, the Empire will focus on the struggle for the throne.’

The question of who would ascend as the next Emperor—between the First Princess, Second Prince, and Third Princess Asteria—was pivotal.

Of course, I supported Asteria.

However, the First Princess, who enjoyed overwhelming support from high-ranking nobles, held a firm position.

Then there was the Second Prince, who was willing to go to any lengths for the throne.

A man closely connected with the new nobility and high-ranking merchants like Emilia Raymond.

He was someone I stood in clear opposition to…

Honestly, I wished he’d self-destruct as soon as possible.

Preferably with Emilia Raymond along for the ride.

But what added tension to this succession battle was Asteria herself.

She was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to stage a coup for the throne.

‘Although she probably wouldn’t go that far now.’

Still, given the high likelihood of me being involved in her path, I’d have to guide her toward more stable choices.

Above all, her talents made her the most suitable candidate for the throne.

Ultimately, both the Holy Constantine and the Empire would focus their efforts on consolidating their internal structures.

If the Bloodstone Cult moves to expand its influence in this situation, the factions will unite to counter them.

The reason is simple.

There’s no cleaner way to consolidate internal order than by rallying against an external enemy with a clear designation as “evil”.

‘The minimum conditions for the final chapter are more or less complete.’

An environment where everyone’s swords can turn toward the Bloodstone Cult at any moment.

In such circumstances, the minimal requirements to prepare for the final chapter can be considered met.

After all, that level of force is necessary to confront the final boss.

“Ian, have you heard any news about Miss Aria? I also received intelligence suggesting that the Saint Trial is being conducted concurrently.”

“You’re surprisingly well-informed, aren’t you?”

“The Vatican is one of my main sources of business, after all.”

It was a response loaded with multiple meanings.

Well, there are always worldly individuals among the priests.

“Aria failed the Saint Trial.”

“I see. Honestly, looking at it objectively, it seemed likely she would fail early—”

“No. She failed just before the final stage.”

Everyone’s expressions showed clear surprise.

To be fair, even I found it hard to believe at the time.

Aria, whose mental state was shattered beyond repair, reaching the final trial?

It was something that never occurred in the game.

Instead, the Aria forced into despair had delivered a completely unexpected result.

Fueled by her obsession with me, no less.

It’s a rather burdensome situation.

‘There’s still a significant possibility that Aria is the culprit.’

The circumstantial evidence I have regarding Aria.

The reactions she displayed during the “Despair” trial.

I can’t afford to completely let go of my suspicions about her.

At the same time, it’s true that the regret and despair she’s currently experiencing seem to be stabilizing somewhat.

Even if she’s the culprit, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a way to use her.

A Saint holds utility in many respects.

‘The real worst-case scenario is Emilia.’

Her disdainful gaze, as if looking down on me with hatred.

Even though her sudden petition in an unrelated situation made me doubt whether I had misread her attitude.

‘But what if even that was calculated?’

If anyone could plan something like that, it would be Emilia Raymond.

She’s someone I can never let my guard down around.

My thoughts reached this point when—

“Hmm…?”

A sudden chill enveloped my skin.

Something felt wrong.

Had the flow of mana stopped?

An eerie stillness filled the air.

“Ian?”

Someone called out to me.

Even that voice reached me as if in slow motion.

The flow of the world itself felt as if it had slowed to a crawl.

At the same time, I heard it.

— Dong, Dong, Dong.

Three chimes.

The first time I’ve heard them, and yet, somehow, it felt like the third.

?

First, the flow of mana halts.

Next comes the air.

Even if we remain still, there’s always slight movement in the air that we can feel.

But the moment that air freezes entirely—

“…”

Perhaps that’s when time itself comes to a halt.

These were sensations I’d never experienced before.

For the first time, I witnessed the sight of the world freezing over.

— Sssrrrk

In the distance, I felt the presence of someone approaching.

A crimson robe fluttered alone in the frozen world.

No sound accompanied it.

Of course, there wouldn’t be—air had ceased to move.

Instinctively, I froze in place.

Unlike before, I could move if I wished, but I made a split-second decision to remain still.

Turning my eyes, however, seemed safe enough.

In the distance, I saw her approaching with long, flowing sleeves swaying in the air.

“It’s been a while.”

She moved as though walking, yet it didn’t feel like walking.

The space between us folded, and in an instant, she was much closer.

She was smiling.

Her red lips, as vivid as her robe, stood out against her pale white face, making her look bewitchingly striking.

Between her narrowed eyes, crimson pupils glowed, shimmering like gemstones forged from the freshest blood—beautiful and deadly.

She was one of the three high-ranking members of the Bloodstone Cult.

Among the most combat-obsessed individuals in the cult, she stood as one of the top three in power.

“You’ve grown again, haven’t you? No… Can this even be called growth? You’ve surpassed your limits.”

Her abrupt greeting carried sharp insight.

Even I could feel it—recently, I had overcome a significant threshold.

The trigger had been deciphering Evan’s spells.

“As expected… You’re utterly radiant.”

Her crimson eyes flickered dangerously.

What filled them was unmistakable—pure greed.

A greed directed entirely at me.

‘…This is bad.’

This was undeniably a perilous situation.

The Bloodstone Cult thrives by absorbing others.

They don’t need complex training or effort. They simply take—whether it’s life force, blood, or vitality—and make it their own.

Swish.

Another soft, enchanting sound echoed.

No, it wasn’t truly a sound—just my perception of her presence.

Even her voice, I now realized, wasn’t a sound but a message embedded directly into my mind.

“Do you remember?”

At some point, the Blood Witch was standing right before me.

She raised her long, pale fingers.

A delicate yet cold hand.

“The promise we made on the third day we met.”

To me, she felt like a spider.

And I, caught in her web, was her prey.

That third day had finally arrived.

“The promise that I would take you.”

The prey, fattened and ripened within her web, was ready to be harvested.

There was no point in questioning why today was the day.

I was merely the prey.

The decision of when to feast was hers alone.

“Stay still. I’ll take you somewhere warm and comfortable soon.”

She whispered into my ear.

Her voice dripped with sweetness.

Swish.

My consciousness faded into darkness.