The Pope’s Decision

A Templar Knight analyzed, “Bishop Henry is correct. We were fortunate to receive a warning this time. According to Thomas’s report, the enemy even performed the Blood Moon Sacrifice, which means they were preparing to sacrifice the entire city of Pekoin. However, the Blood Moon Sacrifice requires a magical artifact to absorb the sacrificial energy and act as its core. From this, we can deduce that there is an extremely dangerous heretical artifact hidden in Pekoin City. The proof is that the cult later risked infiltrating the city even after Commander Thomas’s arrival, though unfortunately, the culprit escaped.”

Another Templar Knight added, “I agree. We heard a major explosion occurred at the Marquis’s residence in Pekoin, which is what exposed that Cardinal. If we rule out the Marquis setting the explosives, then it must have been to cover the tracks of the heretical artifact’s removal. I suspect this artifact belonged to the original Krass Order. After our Sanctum’s crusade, the cult’s information chain was broken. We never expected such mechanisms to still be in place.”

The Pope sighed. “The Krass Order is different from the other cults we have faced. The previous Pope personally led the crusade against them, and even so, our Sanctum lost half of our Templar Knights and a Bishop. That is why, after the cleansing, our Sanctum risked offending the Hanlock royal family to station troops there for nearly a hundred years, repeatedly searching every place connected to the cult. To think we still missed something.”

A Templar Knight spoke up. “What we missed may not be limited to their headquarters in Pekoin. The cult had close ties with the Hanlock royal family back then. It’s not impossible that they have arrangements in the capital as well. I request permission to secretly lead a unit to garrison our branch in the capital.”

A White-Robed Bishop retorted sharply, “Absolutely not. Thomas has already stationed troops in Pekoin City without going through the proper channels with the Hanlock Kingdom. We can use the crisis as an excuse there, and Marquis Trefle can testify for us. But if we dispatch troops again based on unsubstantiated speculation without the Hanlock royal family’s consent, our relationship with them will deteriorate further if we are discovered. Remember, although we helped the current branch of the royal family ascend to the throne, our subsequent actions have completely negated that favor.”

The Templar Knight said heatedly, “This is for the greater good! If the cult causes chaos, will they not also suffer greatly?! Are we to stand by and do nothing because of the opinions of those fools, Bishop Marketo? Is it right to watch innocent lives be harmed by the cult because of the foolishness of the royal family?”

“Insolence, Locke!” the Pope’s voice was stern, cutting through the tension. “Apologize to the Bishop. Do you think trampling on another nation’s sovereignty is the correct course of action?! Without the support of the Hanlock Kingdom, our movements within their borders will be severely restricted. If we are forced to operate entirely in the shadows, how can we possibly catch a venomous snake that can strike with impunity from those same shadows? The enemy may have already gained the support of some royals. Our Grand Holy Church is not an impenetrable fortress. If an enemy spy catches wind of our rash actions and they use the royal family to suppress us, we won’t even be able to counter-attack.”

Locke, though impulsive, was not a fool. He knew the Pope was right, but sometimes, reason did not hold sway over passion. He took a long breath and bowed his head to Bishop Marketo. “My apologies, Bishop Marketo. I was reckless.”

Marketo gave a slight nod, indicating he would not hold it against him.

Locke then turned to the Pope. “Your Holiness, please allow me to withdraw. In my current state, I am unable to make sound judgments.”

The Pope nodded. “Go. Remember, the past can be a motivation to move forward, but do not let it chain your thoughts. The line between good and evil is not always clear. I will not have you involved in the affairs of the Hanlock Kingdom this time.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.” Locke rose and left, a solitary, dejected figure.

“Your Holiness, Locke, he…” one of his colleagues began, but the Pope stopped him.

“I understand the demons in his heart. This is something he must overcome himself. Let us continue our discussion of the Hanlock Kingdom.”

At that moment, a strikingly handsome young man spoke. “Your Holiness, it is necessary to dispatch personnel to the Hanlock Kingdom. Even if we have to operate in the open, it will serve as a deterrent. And we have a valid reason. We can have Marquis Trefle, a man trusted by the royal family, testify for us. With his testimony, it will not be difficult to obtain permission. This will at least give us the foundation to counter-attack if necessary. As for the cult colluding with the royal family, this is not the first time we have encountered such a thing. We can proceed according to standard protocol for now. We do not have enough intelligence to make any definitive conclusions about what comes next; acting rashly would introduce too many variables.”

The Pope’s eyes showed a hint of approval. He looked at the others present. “What are your thoughts?”

Marketo said, “I agree with Vern’s proposal. This gives us room to advance or retreat and will not sour our relations with the royal family.”

The other bishops and Templar Knights also voiced their agreement.

The Pope spoke. “Very well. In that case, Vern, you will lead the mission to Hanlock. I grant you the authority to act as you see fit. Do not hesitate to request reinforcements if needed. Remember, be careful in all things. The fangs of the Krass Order are deadly.”

Vern stood and said respectfully, “Yes, Your Holiness.”

“This meeting is concluded. Thank you for your hard work. Oh, and Vern, please stay for a moment. I have something more to say to you.”

“Yes, Your Holiness. May you be blessed.”

The other Templar Knights and Bishops filed out of the roundtable chamber, leaving only the Pope and Vern.

Vern approached the Pope, placed a fist over his chest, and bowed. “What are your further instructions, Your Holiness?”

The Pope smiled. “No need for such formality. The leak of the cult’s plan was due to intelligence provided by a young man, correct?”

“That is correct. The Marquis’s letter mentioned it, and the young man also passed the Orchid of Love’s test.”

“What is Thomas’s assessment of him?”

Vern paused for a moment. “Thomas says he is a very ambitious young man, unwilling to accept his current situation. Although he is bound by the Black Dragon bloodline, his spirit is still strong. Thomas also said that the young man seems to harbor a deep hatred for the Krass Order.”

“The Black Dragon bloodline? What a pity.” As one of the most powerful figures in the world, the Pope naturally knew of the plight of those with such a curse.

“Does he have any thoughts on the cult’s future actions?”

Vern shook his head. “It seems he only chanced upon the information that the cult would attack Pekoin during the dark moon. He knows nothing else.”

“Thomas has already reported that to me. I’m asking for his opinion, or rather, what he plans to do next.”

The Pope’s question puzzled Vern, but he did not dare to question his superior and simply relayed what Thomas had told him.

That day, after Ard had finished speaking with the Marquis and Thomas, Thomas had said, “In that case, Lord Ard, would you be willing to accept the Sanctum’s protection?”

Ard was puzzled. “The Sanctum’s protection?”

Thomas nodded. “That’s right. The Sanctum provides protection for those who give us important intelligence, to prevent them from being retaliated against by lawless individuals. Although the cult has not yet noticed you, there is still a risk. It would be best if we escorted you out of Hanlock, at least until the storm has passed…”

“No. If I did that, I would still be the same person I was before.”

Ard refused Thomas’s kind offer. “I came here not just to save Pekoin City, but to prove myself. To prove that even as a weakling, I can fell a great tree.”

Thomas frowned. “So you intend to continue to be involved? That is too dangerous.”

“Perhaps. But hiding in a safe place and living a cowardly life is not what I want. Danger, hardship, birth… these are convenient excuses that are often the reason the weak remain weak. I want to protect the people I care about. I don’t want to experience that helpless despair ever again. I must become stronger. Only the strong have the right to protect others. To obtain that right, I will risk everything. I will try any means within my moral boundaries.”

The Marquis suddenly interjected, “But you could lose your life. Are you alright with that?”

“My life?” Ard murmured, then his gaze hardened with resolve. “I cherish my life very much. But if that is the price of admission to this game, I am willing to gamble. Marquis, sometimes, living is worse than death.”

After hearing Vern’s account, the Pope was visibly moved. “To have such an outlook on life at his age, he must have endured great hardships. A genius thwarted by fate. If that is the case, then I am relieved. Give this to him.”

The Pope removed a jewel from his own crown and handed it to Vern.

Vern gasped and knelt on one knee. “Your Holiness, is this wise? We have only just met this young man. Even if he passed the Orchid of Love’s test, we cannot be certain he will remain true to his heart in the future. To rashly give him…”

“One cannot wait for a miracle by always playing it safe,” the Pope said with a smile. “This matter is of great importance. As you have all analyzed, the enemy is in the shadows, while we are in the light. The enemy has the support of the royal family, while we are constrained by them. Locke’s words were not without reason. Innocent citizens should not suffer because of the foolishness of their rulers. Yet, we are bound by our position and can only act after a tragedy has occurred. Although this role is necessary… Sigh, sometimes I also wonder if we could save more innocent lives by resolving troubles before they happen. But I am the Pope. I cannot place my hopes in such ethereal things. Yet, I also believe in miracles. I believe in the power of the heart. The brilliance of humanity that erupts in desperate situations cannot be described by common sense. Therefore, I wish to plant a seed of a miracle. And that young man is the soil.”