Translator: Cinder Translations
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"If there's nothing else, let's adjourn for today."
After a morning-long meeting, everyone's stomachs were rumbling. Pope Harrington II decided to conclude the session.
"Your Holiness, I must lodge a formal complaint."
Just as he was about to rise, a man burst in unannounced.
Harrington II looked up to see Bishop Walsh, who, in addition to his ecclesiastical duties, was also responsible for maintaining order in the Royal Capital.
Walsh had been able to enter without prior notice for two reasons: first, this was the Pope's private residence, and Walsh enjoyed a close personal relationship with Harrington II, well-acquainted with the servants and guards; second, he had been scheduled to attend the meeting but had been delayed by an urgent matter.
"What has happened to provoke such a display of anger?" Harrington II asked, intrigued. Walsh, at this moment, bore no resemblance to a venerable bishop; he looked more like a gladiator in the arena.
"My apologies for arriving late, esteemed colleagues," Walsh began, his voice tight with fury. "But Your Holiness, you must take action against those heretical lunatics of the Rationalist Society!"
The room instantly brightened with understanding. It was likely the Rationalist Society had caused trouble again, which explained why Walsh, responsible for Royal Capital security, had been delayed.
Without even sitting down, Walsh stood beside the table and addressed the gathering: "Yesterday, they stirred up trouble again, this time near the embassies of foreign nations. They've utterly disgraced the Holy Capital."
As Walsh spoke, he slammed his fist on the table, clearly furious. If not for the presence of familiar faces, he would have been charged with disrespect and immediately dragged away by the guards.
"Take your time, Bishop. Speak slowly," Harrington II instructed a servant to serve Bishop Walsh a cup of tea. The Bishop sat down and slowly recounted the events of the previous day.
"To have to send a Gabellan envoy to mediate... it was utterly humiliating," Walsh said, his face contorted in pain. "At this rate, the Holy City of Light will become nothing more than a barbarian settlement in the eyes of foreigners."
He glanced at Turs, the head of the inquisition, and added, "Those heretics of the Rationalist Society, who dare to speculate on the truth of creation, should all be sent to hell."
Turs grimaced, recognizing Walsh's accusation.
What can I do? His Holiness the Pope has always striven to maintain an image of enlightenment. As long as they don't directly deny the contents of the Scripture of Light, he tolerates them.
As expected, His Holiness the Pope waved his hand at Walsh and said, "Use the word 'heretic' with caution. I don't want the Holy Capital to become as chaotic as Horns Bay."
"Do you still consider the Holy Capital to be orderly now...?"
"Ahem... Of course, letting them continue to run wild isn't an option either. Turs!"
"Your Holiness," the head of the inquisition rose to his feet.
"Find some time to speak with the leaders of the Rationalist Society. Warn them that reasonable debate is acceptable, but resorting to violence and inciting conflict is absolutely beyond our tolerance."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Harrington II turned back to Bishop Walsh. "As for those who caused yesterday's disturbance, arrest those who should be arrested and sentence those who should be sentenced. Show no mercy, but treat it as an ordinary public order case."
"Yes, Your Holiness," Bishop Walsh replied somewhat dejectedly.
"By the way, which nation's envoy did you say it was?"
The Bishop answered, "Gabella. Specifically, it was one of the Gabella envoy's attendants."
"Gabella, eh?"
Harrington II narrowed his eyes. "Aldridge, the great scholar from the Scholars' Tower. I've scheduled a meeting with him for this afternoon."
Master Aldridge, leaning on his wooden staff, entered the audience hall with slow, deliberate steps. Mond and Kevin followed closely behind, their faces tense.
As he passed through the doorway, the hall's master awaited him in full regalia.
Harrington II sat upright on the main throne, flanked by the most important members of the College of Cardinals in order of rank.
"Welcome, honored guest from afar, Master Aldridge of the Scholars' Tower," the Pope greeted him.
Aldridge bowed deeply.
"It is my great honor, David Aldridge, to represent the Emperor of Gabella and millions of faithful followers in paying homage to Your Holiness, the Supreme Representative of the Heavenly Father on Earth and His Most Loyal Servant, His Holiness Harrington II."
The Pope smiled and gestured with his right hand.
"Please, be seated, Master. I trust you have brought what I desire."
Aldridge sat down, while Mond and Kevin remained standing behind him.
Carefully, he retrieved a sealed letter from his breast pocket. "This letter, Your Holiness, was entrusted to me by His Imperial Majesty himself. It contains everything you requested."
The attendant immediately rushed forward, received the letter with both hands, and quickly brought it to Harrington II.
The Pope opened the envelope, unfolded the letter, and began to read it carefully. He studied it intently, as if pondering the meaning of each word.
Kevin stood behind Aldridge, summoning his courage to observe the Pope.
Harrington II, though white-haired and aged, was remarkably well-preserved. Only a few wrinkles marked his face, and a long white beard trailed down his chin.
His eyes, though clouded like those of other elderly men, radiated an indescribable benevolence. A single glance from him could inspire complete trust.
This is the Pope of the Church of Light! Kevin thought. A figure who once existed only in legends, now standing right before me.
Despite countless mental preparations before the audience, Kevin's heart still pounded uncontrollably.
He watched as Harrington II's slightly furrowed brow relaxed as he opened the envelope, suggesting that the letter's contents had pleased him.
The Pope looked up at Aldridge and said, "I am deeply grateful for His Imperial Majesty's support."
Aldridge smiled and nodded. "Gabella has always been a staunch supporter of the Holy See. That much is beyond doubt."
"Then, Master Aldridge," the Pope said, carefully folding the letter, "if your nation has no objections, I will announce the contents of this letter to the surrounding kingdoms. What do you think?"
Aldridge replied without hesitation, "Of course. Since we have already made our position clear, there is no need to hide anything."
The Pope chuckled. "Well said. I won't keep it from you—His Majesty Rodney of the Aldor Kingdom has also pledged his support to the Holy See."
Aldridge nodded. "Everyone recognizes that the Holy See under your leadership is the true authority of the Church of Light. Those heretics who suddenly appeared from nowhere are nothing to worry about."
"Haha!"
Harrington II didn't respond directly. Instead, he said, "Master Aldridge, we have prepared a grand banquet for you at the Golden Dome Temple. Please, stay and join us."
"It would be my honor!"
Aldridge immediately stood up to express his gratitude.
As the dinner began, Harrington II suddenly posed a question to Aldridge: "Forgive my impertinence, but has His Imperial Majesty chosen his successor yet?"
The Chief Scholar of the Scholars' Tower frowned, as if the question had caught him off guard.
He quickly gathered his thoughts and replied slowly and deliberately: "His Majesty is still in his prime and sees no need to rush his succession plans. He has plenty of time to carefully assess his children."
"Indeed," the Pope sighed, stroking his long white beard with a wistful expression. "I envy his youth. Unlike me, I am already old."
Aldridge quickly interjected, "Your spirit is unmatched by any mortal body... Uh, who is this? May I have an introduction?"
He gestured toward the young man standing beside the Pope.
"Anthony, our youngest Cardinal Deacon," Harrington II replied with a smile.
Anthony immediately stood up and bowed to Aldridge.
"Anthony?" Aldridge said with a smile. "Young man, your name gives me a feeling of great familiarity."
"Priest Anthony just returned from Horns Bay as an envoy," Bishop Bloom, who was dining with them, continued with a hint of pride. "To be appointed a papal envoy at such a young age, your future is truly promising."
Aldridge's smile deepened. "So, young man, you witnessed firsthand the current state of Horns Bay? Tell me, what's your assessment of the situation there?"
"Master Aldridge," Anthony replied with a smile, "there's no problem at all. Even if some overconfident individuals might disagree, I must assure you—everything is under our control."
The church officials present burst into laughter. They all believed that once the Holy See intervened directly and demonstrated its power, both factions in Horns Bay would submit. Their overly conciliatory approach had clearly been misinterpreted by some.
"Under control, you say? Hahaha." Aldridge raised his glass of juice. "Let us pray that Horns Bay will soon restore order with the Holy See's assistance! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
(End of the Chapter)
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