Halfway through the conversation, seeing Shelter VII's face turn ashen, Delazan quickly shut his mouth.
Although the Pope before him was infamous, he was ultimately a Sanctuary powerhouse. If he were provoked, who knows what reckless actions he might take.
By proper standards, even if the Clergy became secular, the Pope should equate to the Emperor.
Even if the Clergy underwent a schism and a few Kingdoms were established, it would still be within the rules.
To be relegated directly to a Duchy is blatant humiliation.
Being displeased wouldn't help; after all, they had offended too many people, and no one wanted to grant them higher status.
Desiring to retain Kingdom-level status, the major Kingdoms on the Continent jointly opposed, with the Alpha Kingdom, leader of heretics, stating: To be listed alongside them as Kingdoms is an insult to themselves.
Taking a step back, they hoped to maintain Duchy status, but then the Moxi people disrupted that plan.
