Chapter 69 - An Audience with The Supreme Pope

Although the commotion that happened at the center of the Capital wasn’t huge, the commotion still caught the attention of the civilians.

Residence of Prince Rostislav.

In the study, an old man was battling a young man in a game of chess, each holding a piece in their hand. The game of chess was like a battlefield as the intensity rose and the killing intent heightened between them.

Finally, white chess pieces seemed to dwindle in number after shedding layer after layer of defence against the attack from the black chess piece.

The old man shook his head helplessly and sighed. “Young Highness, your skill in the game of chess had indeed improved tremendously. I’m no match for you.”

The young man whom the old man addressed as “Your Highness” was Prince Rostislav, the second son to the ruler of the Kingdom of Kate. He smiled humbly. “It was just a fluke. I still have many shortcomings that need your guidance.”

The old man shook his head. Although he said nothing, he was still comforted by the young man’s words.

At this moment, a knock came from the door of the study.

The second prince softly answered, “Come in.”

A young man clad in the kingdom’s attire for the armored soldier walked in.

He leaned gently towards the second prince and whispered into his ear. The humble smile disappeared from his face. His expression turned stony. But he immediately boxed up the stony emotion, as if nothing happened earlier.

The old man stroked his beard and said nothing. Neither was he curious about the news the soldier brought in, as he knew that the young man would tell him if he wanted to.

As expected, Prince Rostislav spoke.

“It was that girl from the Frances family. She caused a slight commotion at the center of the Capital earlier, acting intimately with a man in the public.”

Frances?

The old man thought for a moment, and his expression changed. He asked, “Frances. I recall that you’re…”

The second prince continued his unfinished statement calmly. “That’s right. The daughter of the Frances was betrothed to me.”

Looking at the calm expression on Prince Rostislav after hearing the news of his fiancée acting intimately with another man in the open, the old man couldn’t help feeling gratified. A great man would not be bothered about trifles.

What he did not know was that Prince Rostislav was clenching his fist under the table, so tight that it hurt.

Even though he had no affection towards his fiancée, no man could stand hearing their woman being intimate with another man. And she was Heidi, a woman with an impressive figure.

Although hatred filled his heart, none of the emotion showed on his face. “I don’t care how she is now. I won’t care what she does as well, as long as she marries me. I just need the support of the Frances.”

He repeated to himself of the same in his heart as he said calmly.

A woman was just a tool to hold power. As long as he had the support of the Frances, she could do whatever she wanted.

She was just my tool!

But he would not let the man escape as well.

Prince Rostislav instructed. “Run an investigation on the man.”

He did not need to be detailed in his instruction. The soldier understood his instruction and who to investigate.

He lowered his head and said, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Time passed by fast. It was already nine o’clock the following morning.

Monn sent little Elma home ahead of time and waited for the clock to strike nine so that he could arrive at the Holy Cathedral of the Capital on time.

Conference room of the Holy Cathedral.

The Supreme Pope was seated on the principal seat on top of the conference hall with his eyes closed as if he was resting.

Below the principal seat was Lucius, the leader of the paladins.

Lucius looked at Cardinal Monn and Saintess Ace, who arrived right on the dot at nine in the morning.

Suspicion rose in his heart. Saintess Ace left for just a few days. Was she corrupted under Cardinal Monn’s influence so soon?

Saintess Ace looked around the conference room. Only Lucius and the Pope were left in the conference room. She couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

It was all Monn’s fault to drag her along and not letting her come over sooner.

If Monn could read minds, he would have thrown her a disdainful glance, as it was Ace who overslept, and yet she was blaming it all on Monn.

Monn did not feel the slightest bit of shame over the disbanded conference. He bowed at the Supreme Pope and greeted him, “Your Holiness.”

Ace, who had recovered from her embarrassment, hurriedly bowed to the Supreme Pope and greeted him as well. “Your Holiness.”

The Supreme opened his eyes. He said nothing to the two youngsters who arrived late.

He knew Monn from his last visit to Saint Servant. He heard of their return at nine as well.

“It has been long since I met you, Cardinal Monn.”

The Supreme Pope looked at Monn and said kindly.

“Yes, Your Holiness. It has been long indeed. I see that you’re still in high spirits.”

Monn returned the greeting.

The pope smiled kindly and continued. “Cardinal Monn has contributed a lot during this time. I’m having a headache over your merits right now.”

Monn wanted to tell the Pope to just reward him with money. But he kept quiet after he thought it through. It was his job to complete his task during working hours, as his salary had already compensated him for the task he had done.

The pope stroked his beard and continued. “I’ll get someone to build a church in a suitable place after the incidents with the werewolves’ resolve. I would like Cardinal Monn to lead the church as the new Pope.”

After giving it much thought, The Supreme Pope could only come up with this solution. He could not limit Monn to being just a Cardinal with his strength and capability. So, he had no choice but to build a new church and promote Monn as the Pope of the new church.

Monn gave it a thought and found no issue with the proposed solution of the Supreme Pope. Logically, a Pope should earn a much higher salary compared to a Cardinal. That was all he had in his mind right now.

Ace, who was standing by him, was happy for him. She had never expected Monn to be a Pope at such a young age. He had indeed lived up to her expectation of him.

Lucius sighed, but he was not surprised by Monn’s promotion as the Pope for the new church. Monn had indeed impressed him when they were in the Demonic Beasts Forest. Thus, it was only right for him to be promoted as a Pope.

“Alright, that would be all from me. You can discuss with the royal family about the werewolves’ attack on the Kingdom of Kate.”

The Supreme Pope waved his hand and continued. “The people from the royal family are waiting for you outside. They will bring you to meet the ruler of the kingdom.”

Monn nodded and turned to leave.

Ace watched him leave. She was worried for him and wanted to follow him to the Kingdom of Kate, but did not know how could she tell him that.

On the principal seat, the Supreme Pope looked at Ace and smiled. He said, “If you want to go, then go. Perhaps Cardinal Monn might have little understanding of the situation of the royal family. I’ll feel more at ease if you go with him.”

Ace’s mood instantly lit up. She nodded solemnly, as if she was following orders and was only doing it for the mission.

She caught up with Monn soon after and even scolded him for not waiting for her.

Lucius smiled as he looked at the two leaving figures disappearing from his sight, reminiscing his young self.

They were both young, and with much to care about in the world.