Pope Claudius handed a small towel to Angelica so she could wipe the sweat from her face. He offered her a warm smile, his eyes filled with pride as she gratefully accepted the towel. After dabbing her face once, she let out a soft sigh.
"I thought I could pass this level today, but it looks like I was too optimistic," she said, glancing toward the training platform.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. For someone who could barely walk not long ago, this is already far beyond my expectations," Pope Claudius replied with a smile.
Angelica continued to wipe her face and neck until the pope spoke again.
"It seems something happened in the Caritas city."
Angelica froze. Her expression quickly turned to worry.
"What happened, Father? Is he alright?"
The pope sighed. "Look at you—the first question you ask is about his well-being, not anyone else's. Poor people, you don't even spare a thought for them. Are you already—"
"Father!"
