PMEVBO 78

The apothecary found nothing unusual about the unconscious Lucariel.

“…I’ll proceed with the medicinal treatment as usual for now.”

Iser nodded and carried Lucariel into the cell.

After finishing the familiar treatment, the apothecary left immediately, saying she’d report to the higher-ups. It became Iser’s duty to stay by the unconscious Lucariel’s side and monitor his progress. This worked out well for Iser.

Drip

Only the intermittent sound of the medicine dripping could be heard.

Iser carefully dried Lucariel’s wet hair with a towel. He’d already changed Lucariel out of the soaked prisoner uniform.

─────【 Report 】─────

‘Weapon of Order’

Restoring

(2/7)

Note: After reaching Restoration Stage 2, the mission performer’s consciousness will recover.

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The records of foreign gods were organized in On Snakes, Sins, and Demons. The name of a weapon held by one of the three gods was exactly that: the ‘Weapon of Order.’

‘Restoration….’

…Then did it mean he had been hurt before?

───【 Mission Performer Info 】───

Name: Lucariel Nebella Sarachepon

Restoration Stage: Processing

Vitality: 100/100

Occupation: Prisoner Number 1004

Alias: The murder who caused the Hayut Massacre during his time as a priest.

Owned Weapon: Weapon of Order (Guidance, Wisdom)

Main Quest: Pending

Sub Quest: Pending

Note: Upon completion of all missions, a wish can be granted.

Special Note: Memory errors due to the Weapon of Brainwashing

(Hayut Massacre, XXX Hayut)

────────────────

The restoration stage in the mission performer’s information had been marked as ‘1’ ever since Iser first visit our site started seeing this strange light panel. Now, it had changed to ‘Processing.’

‘If the restoration stage changes to ‘2’ after ‘Processing,’ will Lucariel wake up?’

Three sub quests and one main quest. The restoration work began after that series of missions. If the purpose of ‘that thing’ giving Lucariel repeated quests was to restore the Weapon of Order, what would happen to Lucariel after the weapon’s restoration? And why did it choose Lucariel as the mission performer?

Just then, a clatter came from outside the cell. The iron door abruptly opened, and Palet suddenly appeared. Iser, who had been standing since the moment he heard the footsteps, blocked the doorway.

“What’s going on?”

“P-prisoner number 1004, we must transport him to the visiting room right now. His Holiness the Pope is waiting.”

“…Right now?”

“Yes.”

Palet nodded while panting heavily.

Since Hell was located in the Holy City, it was a rule that any accidents or incidents occurring in the underground prison were ultimately reported to the Pope. Especially for things happening on this 9th floor, the structure allowed reports to go straight to the Pope without passing through intermediate steps. So, the fact that Lucariel had suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed had likely been reported already.

‘…Even so, he’s asking to bring an unconscious person?’

There was a bigger problem.

Iser’s gaze fixed on the air.

───【 Mission Status Info 】───

The mission performer’s location is locked to

‘Cell 1004’ by ‘ ████ ’.

Note: Fixed status will be released after reaching Restoration Stage 2.

────────────────

Lucariel couldn’t leave this cell until he reached Restoration Stage 2. Even if Iser succeeded in taking him out, he’d return in an instant. It would be just like the day Lucariel visited Iser’s quarters after finishing his audience with the Pope for the first time in six years.

‘…What should I do?’

Iser’s gaze turned cold as he looked at the mission status info panel.

At that moment, the letters on the panel distorted. Soon, a new phrase appeared.

───【 Mission Status Info 】───

Location lock has been abnormally released.

────────────────

It was then, while Iser hesitated for a moment, that someone tapped Iser’s shoulder.

“Um… Eve?”

Only then did Iser look toward Palet.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll take him to the visiting room.”

“Oh, really? But is there anything I can help with….”

“It’s fine.”

Iser answered while walking toward Lucariel. Perhaps because of Iser’s firm attitude, Palet backed off without asking anything else.

First, Iser detached the Talicord from the cell wall and wrapped it around his own wrist. He then picked up the medicine bottle and carefully lifted Lucariel, who had been lying on the floor.

Six years ago, Iser had also moved the unconscious Lucariel from the floor to the bed. At that time, Iser was small and frail, so Lucariel’s weight—which felt like an adult’s—was overwhelming, and Iser had struggled a lot. But now….

‘…He’s light.’

Iser felt it while moving Lucariel from the bathroom to the cell, but Lucariel’s limp body was too light. It would be nice if it just felt light because Iser had grown… but unfortunately, Iser knew that wasn’t all.

Iser left the cell while holding Lucariel and headed for the visiting room. He heard the sound of Palet closing the cell door behind him.

Iser entered the visiting room with Lucariel in his arms.

The Pope was already seated on a luxurious sofa in the visiting room. The Pope’s gaze, which had been scanning the documents in his hand, naturally turned toward Iser. Iser calmly bowed his head.

“I greet His Holiness the Pope, the warrior of the Creator God Debiamas, the agent of Hail, the immortal hero, the emperor of the Holy City, and the lord of punishment. May Debiamas’s blessing always be with Your Holiness.”

It wasn’t proper etiquette to give a greeting with full hands. Iser knew that well. However, he didn’t want to put Lucariel down just for the sake of etiquette. unauthorized copy Fortunately, he was currently the commoner Eve. He wasn’t in a position where anyone expected perfect etiquette.

“Yes, I hope Debiamas’s blessing is always with you as well.”

Only then did Iser lift his bowed head.

“You must have worked hard to bring him here.”

The gaze that had been on Lucariel returned to Iser. The Pope smiled gently and pointed toward the tapestry behind his seat.

“Would you lay him down over there?”

Not a single trace of warmth could be felt in that face with its painted-on smile. Because of that disharmony, the Pope felt more dangerous than anyone Iser had ever faced.

Instead of answering, Iser immediately walked toward the spot the Pope indicated. When he pulled back the black tapestry embroidered with the order’s crest, a small room without a door appeared. Beyond the tapestry, in that place where light softly seeped in, sat a single bed.

After carefully laying Lucariel on the bed, Iser unwrapped the talicord from his wrist and placed it at Lucariel’s bedside. Iser finally took a breath after hanging the medicine bottle on the bedpost and pulling the blanket up to Lucariel’s neck.

It pained Iser to see Lucariel living in a cold cell. Now, Lucariel was even unconscious. Iser didn’t want to leave him in such a place. He was glad he could lay Lucariel on a bed, but being in the same space as the Pope weighed on him. Iser still remembered Lucariel’s expression before the audience with the Pope.

‘I don’t want to leave this person alone here.’

After tidying the hair that fell over Lucariel’s face, Iser stepped out past the tapestry. He then spoke to the Pope.

“The medicinal administration isn’t finished yet. I’ll wait here until it’s over.”

Unexpectedly, the Pope nodded without much of a word.

“Yes, do that.”

Iser succeeded in getting the Pope’s permission and tried to turn back to Lucariel’s side immediately. However, the Pope spoke to him affectionately just then, forcing Iser to stop in his tracks.

“Your name is… Eve, right? I think the guard in charge of Lulu’s medicine had a name like that.”

…Lulu.

Come to think of it, the Pope used that word whenever he called Lucariel. Iser frowned just for a moment.

‘…Is that a nickname?’

It doesn’t suit him at all.