Chapter 107
Conferences are not uncommon at the Papacy, and the Papacy has been extremely cooperative with the King's actions over the past two years.
But today is different, because the person holding the meeting is none other than His Holiness the Pope.
All eleven archbishops were present and seated at the table. They dared not whisper among themselves as usual, carefully examining the documents in their hands and making sure there were no errors or omissions before they were somewhat relieved.
It's one thing for His Holiness the Pope to be in a meeting, but where is His Holiness the Holy Son...? Many eyes swept over the seat that originally belonged to Sylvain.
Today's meeting wasn't very important; it mainly consisted of some trivial matters and arrangements for the next quarter.
If Sylvain were to hold a meeting, he would be concise and to the point, and once the matter was settled, he would adjourn the meeting.
But today it is His Holiness the Pope.
When His Holiness the Pope appeared with a smile on his face, almost everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
The white-haired youth wore a light brown robe, with a book tucked under his arm. The book had a thick cover with light gold patterns.
He stood at the head of the table, glanced at the assembled archbishops, and said, "Long time no see, gentlemen."
Oh no!
Should I reply, or not?
If we don't reply, wouldn't that be disrespecting His Holiness the Pope?
Reply... reply to what? Hahaha, Your Holiness, it's been a long time!
For a moment, everyone's expression went blank. After racking their brains, someone finally replied tremblingly, "Good day, Your Holiness."
Veris glanced over and met Copperfield's fawning smile. He smiled back and said, "Good day? I don't think so at all."
It's over—despair filled everyone's eyes.
Veris took the book out from under his arm and slammed it on the table. Garcia, who was closest to him, felt his flesh tremble twice... Oh no, he had already successfully lost weight and could only sadly reminisce about his flesh in his heart.
He glanced at the book cautiously; it was a very basic beginner's magic book.
That's even worse. His Holiness the Pope didn't even bring any documents to the meeting. It seems they're doomed today.
A group of archbishops, who were no longer young, held high positions of power, and enjoyed great praise, now listened to the Pope's lukewarm words like docile quails.
...It's okay, it's just a scolding...
...This isn't the first time they've been scolded.
Garcia hunched over, too afraid to move. Opposite him sat Copperfield, an old man with a wrinkled face, also hunched over.
But Garcia inexplicably felt that, based on his brief time with the Pope, the fact that the Pope only brought a magic book to the meeting today was definitely not just a simple reprimand.
His body trembled slightly, because he was closest to Veris and could hear him very clearly, as if Veris was speaking directly to him.
He was waiting for a terrible outcome.
It must be said that Garcia's keen insight was truly the best among all the archbishops. When he heard the Pope casually dismiss several of his colleagues from their archbishop positions, his expression went completely blank.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
His Holiness the Pope continued, saying that these individuals would no longer serve as archbishops.
Suddenly, very suddenly, they received no news. They all thought it was just a meeting like any other, except that the person holding the meeting had changed to the Pope, whom they feared.
Those who were named didn't dare to move at all, wishing they could turn into statues immediately.
If those people are no longer serving as archbishops, then what about the new archbishops? Who will temporarily take over their original duties?
Veris didn't mention this. After giving the group a good beating, he acted as if nothing had happened and smiled as he made them begin their work reports.
I have never experienced such a terrifying moment.
His Holiness the Pope didn't even sit down. Instead, he leaned on the table, his fingertips tapping lightly on it, like the tolling of a death knell, echoing repeatedly in my ears.
Some people, who had already begun to become lazy due to the shrinking influence of the church, were now on high alert.
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the Pope seems to have a more murderous aura about him this time.
Garcia had just fought a war last year and was acutely aware of this. He was even more frightened. Who was the Pope going to kill? His colleagues... no, these people weren't his colleagues anymore, so were they someone else?
Despite the Church's diminished power, and despite Sylvain's repeated admonitions to his subordinates to be cautious in their words and actions and not to consider themselves as the once all-powerful members of the Church who dominated Icarus, some people still couldn't change their ways; arrogance had become ingrained in their very bones.
After a long hour and a half, the meeting finally came to an end.
With a forced smile, Veris said to Copperfield, "Copperfield, I brought you a special gift."
Copperfield was so frightened that he didn't even ask what the gift was, and thanked the Pope in a trembling voice.
The beginner's magic book that Veris brought was a gift from Veris to Copperfield.
His Holiness the Pope left in haste again, but the announcement of the reduction in the number of archbishops will soon appear on the bulletin board in the Papal Square.
This time, there was no small talk; they simply lowered their heads, grabbed their things, and hurriedly left the meeting room.
Garcia stood up. He had been a king, led an army, and killed his own brothers. He felt he had seen it all, but when he straightened his legs, he felt stiff and terribly cold.
In the past two years, the status of the archbishops has indeed changed.
He knew a lot of inside information; he was a member of the royal family, so while others were filled with fear and anxiety, his fear was even greater than theirs.
After more than a decade of laxity, he only started to perk up in the last two years and was happy about the time he spent fighting in the south. However, he could also see that in recent years, the archbishop, no, even the entire Papacy, had been immersed in a decadent and extravagant lifestyle.
He certainly indulged in it at times.
But when the true ruler of the church returned, he was as stiff and motionless as the deer head hanging in the church hall.
Unfortunately, not all of his colleagues were as intelligent as he was.
They did not realize how well-versed in the entire Church was a true, immortal monster, a ruler who had existed since its founding. They could hardly imagine the Pope's immense power, as time had left no trace on him.
His travels over the years have certainly been for more important reasons, but that doesn't mean the church has fallen into the hands of these people.
How can they consider themselves in charge of a part of the church?
They are all just followers of His Holiness the Pope.
When their desires are insatiable and they are unwilling to relinquish power, that is when His Holiness the Pope will act swiftly and decisively to strip them of their true colors.
Garcia walked out of the cloister, into an open garden, and then onto a cobblestone path past the West Church, where his carriage was waiting for him.
His gait was somewhat stiff. The magnificent Papacy, the opulent Papacy, every part of it was exquisitely crafted. He looked up and saw the tallest tower in the capital.
Further down, there is a continuous stretch of milky white walls, piles of dark tiles, and adorable little figures carved into the roof corners.
A group of priests and pastors walked by not far away. They looked respectful, but their gestures still revealed a hint of arrogance.
Garcia, listening to the gurgling sound of the fountain, suddenly snapped out of his reverie.
He needs to go see His Majesty the King about today's matter.
Despite the changes in the political system over the past two years, officials at all levels still hold His Majesty the King in high esteem and reverence.
His Majesty the King still holds great power.
By the time Garcia was allowed to enter the palace to meet His Majesty the VIII, the city lights were already on, and the palace guards had changed shifts; the sound of armor clashing could be faintly heard as they moved about.
Garcia was not young; he was nearly fifty, but he still walked with a brisk pace and ran all the way to the palace where His Majesty the VIII lived.
Lortheran was having dinner when he saw someone stumbling and running towards him from outside. Upon closer inspection, he realized that Garcia was acting recklessly, looking completely out of his mind.
Garcia didn't bother to disturb Lortheran's meal. Lortheran didn't have many servants when he ate; he was surrounded by his confidants. Without saying a word, Prince Garcia knelt on the ground and quickly explained the great changes that had taken place in the Grand Papacy that day.
Lortheran was also startled. He was holding a plate, choked on one, and then coughed incessantly.
After drinking several glasses of water, he finally caught his breath. Garcia looked at him worriedly, but still didn't dare to get up.
Lortheran took a handkerchief and wiped his mouth, frowning deeply, but said nothing.
He had just met Veris today.
When he talked about the curse, Veris seemed a little doubtful, but not to the point of being this angry... Or was it that he had planned this all along?
He turned his head slightly and ordered his subordinates, "Go and summon the Crown Prince."
His subordinates quickly left in a hurry.
Lortheran glanced at Garcia, then told him to get up and had a chair brought to him.
Then, with his head down and fork in hand, he continued eating at a leisurely pace.
He even had his servants prepare a dinner for Garcia as well.
Compared to the royal nobles who received an education from a young age, Lortheran was much more relaxed and less disciplined, eating only what he liked for dinner.
Garcia looked at the food but couldn't eat.
Ethan arrived quickly and entered the palace to find the king and his uncle having dinner. He paused for a moment, wondering if His Majesty had invited him to dinner.
When Lortheran saw him arrive, he was not in a hurry and ordered his servants to prepare a table full of dishes.
An eerie atmosphere permeated the palace. Ethan glanced cautiously at his uncle.
Uncle Wang's expression looked terrible.
Another person has lost their appetite.
When Lotheran finally picked up his handkerchief to wipe his mouth again, Ethan and Garcia also put down their cutlery.
The leftover food on the table was quickly cleared away, and as was Lortheran's custom, a servant brought in a pot of hot tea.
He slowly poured tea without looking up: "Garcia, you should tell Ethan what happened."
Ethan immediately looked at Uncle Wang, while Garcia, familiar with the situation, quickly recounted the events at the Papacy.
Now, there's one more person with a grim expression.
Lortheran took a leisurely sip of water and said, "The Pope will remain in the capital for the time being."
Garcia paused slightly, which didn't surprise him. Ethan, on the other hand, was bewildered. In fact, Ethan didn't know much about the Papacy and the Church, and hadn't had much contact with them.
"Ethan, let's have a formal meeting with the Pope tomorrow."
Ethan's body trembled. His memory of the Pope was very vague. Garcia rarely mentioned the Pope, let alone his whereabouts.
During this meeting, he vaguely realized that it was not just a simple visit, but more likely... a change of power.
His breathing quickened slightly.
What filled my heart was fear.
He had heard many rumors about the Pope, especially in recent years, as the rumors intensified. If it weren't for the Papacy's considerable efforts in major events over the years... he even knew that some people were sparing no effort to smear the Church, using the pretext of the supremacy of royal power, but in reality, they were just seeking personal gain.
What about the Pope?
How does the Pope view these people who are vaguely associated with the royal family?
Judging from Uncle Wang's appearance, one can tell just how terrifying His Holiness the Pope's majesty is.
Moreover, the Pope's actions this time seem to send a cryptic signal.
Ethan swallowed hard and respectfully agreed.
Even as the crown prince of a nation, Ethan suddenly felt that he was an insignificant figure, a "little devil" who suffered the consequences of his own actions.
When he thought of His Holiness the Pope, an image came to mind: above all living beings, a figure whose achievements could no longer be judged by human standards. He had his back to everyone, and he saw the past, the present, and the future, and he was plotting for humanity.
At this moment, he, His Majesty the King at the head of the table, and everyone else he had ever seen were all chess pieces on a chessboard neatly arranged in front of that figure.
Ethan thought about the tremendous changes that had taken place on the continent of Icarus over the years.
He also thought of the church's attitude of accepting the king's policies in their entirety over the past two years.
Finally, he seemed to see a hand slowly pushing a chess piece forward.
After capturing the opponent's last piece, this game is a resounding victory.
-----------------------
Author's note: I'm late... I have work to do this afternoon.
See you tomorrow [glasses]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com