Diary of Guarding Monster Girls-Chapter 744 - 396 The Saints Gather (6.2K, seeking comfort——)

The Sun Pope wants to see me privately?

"..."

Herbert took a full three seconds to digest this sudden news.

A meeting with the Pope.

For any believer of the Sun Church, this is the ultimate glory.

The Sun Pope's status is far above that of an Angel, and can even be seen as a demigod walking in the mortal realm.

Yet Herbert wasn't excited, nor was he joyful; instead, he slightly furrowed his brow.

Firstly, he was not a believer of the Sun God, nor a follower of any god, and he held no admiration for gods or their churches.

His attitude towards the Sun Pope was one of awe but not reverence.

As the pinnacle who leads the entire Sun Church, the Sun God's representative in the mortal world, the Sun Pope is undoubtedly one of the most powerful "mortals" on earth.

The Sun Pope is a Saint, and a mighty one not weaker in hard power than middle-tier divine power gods.

A Summoning by the Saint.

For ordinary people, just those words alone would be enough to instill fear and trepidation, and they wouldn't dare refuse.

But for Herbert, it wasn't anything special.

So what about the Saint?

Oh, isn't it just a Saint, what's so great about that!

Our family has Saints too!

And I can talk and joke with him!

After interacting with his own Archbishop, Herbert no longer felt that Saints were that noble.

Perhaps they were worthy of respect in terms of power, but not enough to cause him fear.

Herbert wasn't surprised at the prospect of being summoned by the Sun Pope.

He thought it should be a formal affair, before everybody's eyes, an official summoning. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Not for any other reason, just as a standard practice considering the face of Mist Monastery.

What Herbert hadn't expected was that the Pope wanted to meet him privately.

What was the reason for this?

Herbert didn't have any special interactions with the Sun Church and didn't think he would have caught the Sun Pope's attention.

Was the Pope curious about me?

In what way?

My talent? My monastery background?

Or is he that lurking presence in the shadows?

Or perhaps...

Friendly, malicious... all sorts of possibilities flashed quickly through Herbert's mind.

But the current constraints were too few, and the options for speculating were too many, so Herbert couldn't come to a conclusion in the moment.

Finally, he nodded slightly and asked the stoic-faced Bishop, "You're saying that the His Eminence the Pope wants to meet me privately? And I can't tell anyone in the Holy City?"

"Correct."

Herbert hesitated for a moment and tentatively asked, "Um... about this invitation, can I say I'm busy?"

Hmm?

Upon hearing Herbert's words, Bishop Evelyn had a very rare reaction; her eyes widened slightly.

They widened a full tenth, a significant emotional fluctuation.

"..."

She looked at Herbert, somewhat incredulously, asking, "Sir Herbert, are you saying you intend to refuse His Eminence the Pope's invitation? Rejecting the request of a lonely old man?"

"Ahaha..."

Herbert chuckled dryly, his mouth twisting into an awkward smile.

He hesitated for a moment, but then, steeling himself, said, "Uh, if you must understand it that way... yes."

"You're not mistaken in your understanding, I am rejecting his invitation."

What lonely Old Deng?

What solitary old man?

Don't know him.

Don't get involved!

Besides, it's not my fault your old man is lonely!

If you're really worried about his loneliness, you should keep him company!

I take care of my own Old Deng.

I chat with him from time to time, listen to his stories, and provide him with some emotional value.

"If possible, I still wish you could convey my thoughts to him." Herbert stated his stance straightforwardly.

But this time, Bishop Evelyn did not reply; she merely shook her head slightly, stepped forward, and silently stared at Herbert.

"..."

Staring—

She just quietly observed him, not saying anything, yet seemingly saying everything.

Herbert understood her meaning—it seemed there was no room for refusal.

"I see, got it..."

Seeing Bishop Evelyn refusing to give an inch, Herbert nodded silently.

Understand, and accept.

Though there was a tinge of regret, Herbert quickly adjusted his emotions.

If the enemy attacks, counter with defense; if water comes, cover with earth.

He had indeed tried, tried, and failed.

Since avoidance was useless, he might as well face it.

After all, isn't it just another Saint Old Deng!

What's so great about that?

Do I need to avoid his brilliance?

Nonsense.

Humph!

Let me face him!

Herbert adjusted his mindset, shook off the helplessness, and smiled slightly at Evelyn, saying, "Please give me some time to arrange things with my companions."

Seeing that Herbert was no longer evading, Evelyn said no more and stepped back to her original position, nodding lightly, "That goes without saying."

Click.

Herbert closed the door, returned inside the residence, and nodded slightly to the three Monster Girls looking at him from the living room.

"You probably heard the gist of it; the Sun Pope has summoned me, and I need to go. Be nice and stay put here, don't wander around."

Herbert spoke earnestly, with the tone of an old father about to head out for oranges.

"I'm about to depart, do you three have any questions?"

The three Monster Girls exchanged glances, looking at each other; for a moment, none of them spoke.