Chapter 688 The Trial Center of the Theocracy

Time always passed quickly in the Theocracy—just like the last day of vacation.

Before I knew it, the clear afternoon sky was approaching dusk.

After the feast, Aiwass and his companions headed to the eighteenth ring.

Because when they were still having their meal, they had already received the news that the "rat" had been caught by the Pope's guards.

He was clearly a fifth-level transcendent, a figure even a national organization would find difficult to maintain. Capturing him was easier than catching a chicken by the elves of the Theocracy. It was said that he didn't even attempt to resist, surrendering immediately after the Pope's guards revealed their identities and purpose.

From the time the incident occurred to the arrest of the assassin, the total time taken was no more than two hours, and this was even before the "magic mirror" was put into use.

Because he was found in the Eighteenth Ring, he was immediately locked up. Now he was waiting for the White Saint and the "Acting Pope" to come and interrogate him.

Although the Holy Crown had not yet been officially handed over, Aiwass had already become the current Eternal Pope after the election ceremony. He was determined to personally witness such a major event.

"Is His Holiness the Pope coming to see this?"

In the eighteenth circle, Cardinal Dominic, who came to receive several people, asked with a smile.

"Only acting as Pope."

Aiwass soberly corrected him, "Your true Pope is actually His Highness Grey."

The cardinal in charge of the Eighteenth Ring is none other than Cardinal Dominic.

Among all the extravagantly dressed cardinals in the Theocracy, this one could almost be called the wildest.

The cardinal's robes she wore were more like straitjackets for mentally ill patients than bishop's robes—three shackles connected her boots. Her hands were chained behind her back, and a dozen metal locks of varying sizes and styles dangled from her body. The heavy bindings bound her completely, giving the pure white robe an air of sacredness and taboo.

But unlike this outfit... Cardinal Dominic is a cardinal of the most radical "Trial Center" faction.

"Whether you are the Pope or not is not important. The main thing is that I am really interested in you."

Cardinal Dominic, with his long gray hair and a veil, said softly, "You are not only the first human Pope. You are also the first male Pope in two thousand years... and the first professional Pope in history."

"Professional..."

Aiwass murmured.

He was a little surprised: "Are you a supporter of professionals?"

"I used to have a good relationship with Cardinal Loki and his controlled fire."

Cardinal Dominic said frankly: "I believe that the professional system is the future of the world."

As early as on the road, Aiwas heard Chunbai briefly explain Cardinal Dominic's views.

Generally speaking, her idea is that "the best contribution we can make is an absolutely fair reward and punishment system."

By cultivating habits through institutions, and by transforming behavior through habits, we can create a relatively better and continuously improving environment. However, this cannot be accomplished by the individuals themselves… because if power is solidified for a long time, it will lead to corruption, while if power changes too quickly, it will lead to frequent changes in policies.

Therefore, the "elves" will complete the systematic transformation for them.

Elves disdain the interests of short-lived species and will not be bribed. Elves are not native to the region, and therefore lack complex interpersonal networks. Elves possess a long lifespan and immense strength, allowing them to implement a policy with integrity and resolve for centuries. Furthermore, the "Judgment Center" in the rear has a comprehensive reporting and oversight system to prevent the "elven governors" in the front from taking any excessive action.

"The inheritor is the 'power of the nobility'—although elves don't have the concept of 'nobility,' it's actually something commoners can't access. Only with sufficient connections can one receive targeted training from a young age, aligning oneself with a particular inheritance.

"But commoners can't do this. Those who have suffered are even less likely—it's difficult for them to simply receive the inheritance, and even more difficult to inherit the power. And in my experience, if the inheritance is simply released, a new class will form among humans—those who can inherit the inheritance will be more noble than those who can't. And so, in this way, we create a new nobility."

Cardinal Dominic sighed as he led Aiwass and the others inside.

Aiwass was a little puzzled: "But don't professionals also need talent?"

"Strictly speaking, it's not necessary."

Dominic shook his head. "Any race that can dream has its own path adaptability. Humans are a mixed race of nine paths, and because of this... the separation of adaptability is more serious.

"In most cases, those without talent aren't completely incapable of becoming extraordinary beings. Rather, their talents are directed in a direction that deviates from the power they can obtain. For example, those who yearn for art or have strong desires may have a future in Iris, but not in Avalon. This is because Avalon lacks extraordinary professional training in the Path of Beauty and the Path of Love.

"The reason why the former Helasar Empire was so rich in talent was precisely because it was an era without discrimination or prejudice against any path."

“—but they were also destroyed by it.”

Lily suddenly spoke up.

After a brief silence, Dominic nodded slowly: "Yes. That's why we must manage the extraordinary people."

As the most hardline and radical faction in the Theocracy, almost all the cardinals of the Judgment Center have contracts with the Silver Crown Dragon.

From another perspective, the Judgment Center itself was the army of the Theocracy. With the exception of a few Paladins in the Mediator faction, almost all of them belonged to the Judgment Center.

—According to the rules of the Theocracy throughout history, the Theocracy cannot directly interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. However, relying solely on rhetoric might not necessarily lead to anyone listening...or rather, the local rulers would certainly intervene.

Therefore, the "Judgment Center" came up with a way to circumvent the rules... that is, to send the Paladins of the Judgment Center to the local area to judge some sinners and villains that the people are eager to destroy, and teach them the ability to protect themselves.

In this way, they gained the support of the grassroots people and allowed themselves to stay in the local area. The enemy could not physically drive away these old-fashioned paladins, nor did they dare to send troops to encircle and suppress them.

Because of this, the Inquisition is also the faction with the worst reputation within the Theocracy... because their actions have actually caused "interference." This interference is still controversial even within the Theocracy, not to mention foreigners.

However, from another perspective, the Judgment Center is also the most reputable faction in the Theocracy—because apart from them, the elves of every other faction, when faced with a major event, almost always only address the symptoms, or even simply help to minimize the damage and impact. No matter how much suffering this generation will eventually face, it is an inevitable part of this country.

Even those chivalrous mediators only address the injustices happening around them. Because the issues beyond their immediate reach are simply too numerous and complex to address on their own, they could never fully address them in their lifetime.

——Only the Judgment Center would come all the way here.

They help them eliminate those evil thieves without any benefit, and will continue to stay here to protect them.

They will come to the weak whenever they cry out for help. No matter who the enemy is, they will be judged fairly—not for romance, but for justice.

This is the judgment center of the Theocracy, and the reason why paladins are almost invisible in the Theocracy.

Because the Paladin is almost always on the move and won't sit in a chair to meet people.

(End of this chapter)