Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Is Your Majesty’s life in danger?
Anos paused for a moment, then began to ponder.
As the highest authority of the Papacy and the highest representative of God in the world, no matter how much St. Gregory III may appear to be an elderly man, his vitality was more vigorous than that of any young man, unless attacked or when it was time to pass on the throne. Illness was utterly absurd.
Anos had to take the possibility of a “trap” into consideration.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Where is Your Majesty now?”
The cardinal respectfully replied, “In the Palace of Santa Sora.”
Anos’s gaze was serious, and he nodded slightly: “I’ll be going there now.”
The cardinal hesitated for a moment but did not call out to him.
Luo Mi cautiously observed the other person’s expression, and after walking a distance away, she whispered to Anos, “I think this cardinal is considering taking sides.”
“What side are you referring to?”
“For the next pope,” Luo Mi analyzed, drawing on his extensive experience with Machiavellian tactics. “Logically, you should be the new pope without a doubt. But since the old pope only used you as a tool, he must have considered a more satisfactory option and cultivated power for that person.”
Anos had never considered these issues before, but now that Luo Mi had pointed them out, he remained silent for a moment before whispering, “I had never considered these things before, nor did I particularly want to become Pope.”
Because everyone said he would be the next pope, he began to think about what kind of pope he wanted to be, but he struggled when it came to choosing his name.
He thought he had plenty of time to grow and learn, but amidst the twists and turns of events, he had reached a point that was both the furthest and the closest he had ever been to the papacy.
Luo Mi’s mind raced: “Let’s just—”
He originally wanted to say to kill the Pope but considering that Anos had not yet fully accepted reality, he changed his approach to a more tactful one: “Just ask the Pope to abdicate, and you can become the new Pope. All the previous issues can then be easily resolved.”
Whether it was the alchemy school or the Empress of the Empire, no matter how many problems there were about Anos’s background, as long as he obtained that supreme scepter of glory, everything would no longer be a problem.
A hint of confusion flashed in Anos’s azure eyes: “Am I really suitable?”
Before Luo Mi could persuade him, Anos continued in a low voice, “Lian, I myself inherited the bloodline of those who betray their faith, and the power I rely on comes from heretical alchemy. I am even in a state of confusion myself… How can such a person be the Pope? No matter how His Holiness treats me, as the Pope, he spreads the glory of God and cares for the world. I don’t think I can do better than him.”
Luo Mi’s passion subsided slightly as she reflected on herself: “No matter what, it’s hard to believe that the Pope would genuinely care about the world if he is so cold-hearted to his own successor.”
Anos shook his head: “That’s not the same thing. But let’s go there first, it’s a bit far— Saint Sora Palace is a heated palace specifically for recuperation, and most of the divine magic arrays it’s equipped with are healing-type.”
He gave a brief introduction to the place they were going to.
Luo Mi pondered for a while, his mind wandering, when he suddenly felt as if he had missed something, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Has some detail been overlooked that could pose a fatal threat to Anos? Is there anything that hasn’t been prepared yet?
Luo Mi quickly ruled out this answer— because they had nothing to prepare for at all.
They’ve come only to get an answer; if they don’t get it, or if they find out, they’ll run away immediately. Anos was the main fighter, while Luo Mi was responsible for disruption and self-preservation.
At this point, he should redeem some useful functions… Luo Mi paused, realizing he had forgotten something:
—Where is the system?
His suggestion to help Anos seize the papacy completely contradicted his mission. According to the system’s style, it would definitely jump out and nag him in his mind. However, the system had remained silent and hadn’t said a word.
Luo Mi tentatively asked in her mind, “System? Are you there?”
[The system is running automatically. The host is free to use the system repository. To view settings information, press 1; to inquire about task progress, press 2; to chat, press 0.]
Luo Mi: “…”
Where did his system go at this critical juncture?
Before Luo Mi could think it through, they had already arrived at the Santa Sora Palace.
The Palace of Santa Sora was bathed in soft white light, with countless orange-red dots of light, like fireflies, floating in the air and converging into a sea of starlight.
As Luo Mi approached those points of light, he felt much more invigorated.
Anos, without bothering to explain what it was, stepped inside.
The silver knight at the door blocked his way: “Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that no one be allowed to visit.”
Anos frowned: “Not even me?”
“Your Majesty was referring to anyone.”
Anos thought for a moment and said, “Then please inform His Majesty and if he does not want to see me, then so be it.”
The Silver Knight nodded to his companion, walked to the side, and dialed a communicator.
He quickly put down the communicator: “Your Highness, please.”
Anos walked in with a solemn expression.
When Luo Mi followed him in, he was mentally prepared to be stopped by the Silver Knight and told that “His Majesty only allows His Highness to enter alone.” But the Silver Knight only glanced at him and let him go in with Anos.
Luo Mi muttered in a voice only he and Anos could hear, “This is not a good thing.”
Anos glanced at him, nodded slightly, and gently clenched his fist, which was hidden in his priest’s robe.
As they reached the door, Anos’s expression turned serious: “There’s an illusion.”
“Illusion?” Luo Mi glanced into the unclosed hall and saw the Pope lying on the bed, seemingly fast asleep.
Anos made a cross on his chest with his finger, then grasped Luo Mi’s hand: “Be careful.”
Luo Mi blinked; the scene before him had changed.
Before meeting the Pope, Luo Mi imagined many scenarios, including the worst-case scenario that the Pope was unharmed but had laid a trap for them. He also darkly wondered if the Pope had used alchemy on himself and was now suffering the backlash.
But no situation was as bizarre as what they were seeing now.
The white-haired and white-bearded Saint Gregory III sat leaning against the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his face ashen, and the veins on his wrinkled hands bulging, like an old man on his deathbed.
Most strikingly, atop his head floated a crown of thorns formed from pure light. The thorns within the crown extended inward, piercing the pope’s scalp.
The Crown of Thorns would flash intermittently, and with each flash, the Pope’s aura would weaken, making him feel increasingly like he was on the verge of death; only when the Crown of Thorns stopped flashing could the Pope’s aura barely recover.
Luo Mi murmured subconsciously, “What kind of torture is this?”
Anos’s azure eyes reflected the thorny crown atop the Pope’s head, and his face showed undisguised astonishment. He paused for a moment before explaining, “This is divine punishment.”
Luo Mi looked over in shock.
Anos whispered, “From the first time God set foot on the earth until now, through seven eras, there have always been people who opposed God, committed blasphemy, and incurred God’s wrath— the thorns on the forehead is one of God’s punishments, mostly used to punish members of the Church who betrayed God.”
“Can an ordinary person perform this divine technique?”
Anos shook his head with a stern face: “Only gods and complete angels can perform this.”
Luo Mi had no particular respect for the mythological texts of this world and quickly recovered from his shock: “No wonder the cardinal only said that the Pope was in danger, and started to consider how to take sides, and even considered taking your side.”
Because the current Pope has betrayed God!
Luo Mi hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Is it still possible to communicate with the Pope now?”
Anos shook his head again: “Those punished by the gods can only pray for forgiveness in their hearts and cannot communicate with outsiders.”
Who set up the illusion used to confuse the knights? Luo Mi frowned: “Then how do we question the Pope… uh, do you expect me to do it?”
Succubi can communicate directly through mental means!
Seeing Anos nod seriously, Luo Mi licked his lips and said dryly, “Can I break through the Pope’s mental defenses?”
So far, he had successfully penetrated the mental realms of two bishops, but Bishop Ellis opened up willingly, while for Bishop Euglin, he had the assistance of the demon Anos and had long been conquered by Lord Zixiang…
But this is the Pope! He is truly the most powerful person in the world today!
Luo Mi even felt that even if the Pope opened his mind and let him try, he still couldn’t get through!
Anos pondered for a moment: “I can try to provide you with power support, but the Holy Light will cause you some damage. I can only guarantee a steady stream of power, not strong support.”
Luo Mi thought about it seriously for a moment, then suddenly remembered the promise that Lord Zixiang had made to him later. He touched his chin and said, “Then we can give it a try. I might have a way.”
Anos nodded and placed his hand on Luo Mi’s shoulder: “I believe you.”
Luo Mi felt the warmth of Anos’s palm and gently exhaled.
Although he dared not say it to Anos’s face, his magic was overflowing after sleeping with the demon Anos, which was advantageous when facing the Pope.
….
This was the most difficult time Luo Mi had ever had to charm someone.
The surging holy light within Pope Gregory III’s soul was like a tsunami, seemingly about to annihilate him.
Anos’s power formed a fragile protective layer around his soul, allowing him to merge with the Holy Light and avoid the Pope’s Holy Light attacks. After silently reciting the name of Lord Zixiang, Luo Mi felt his charm power surge suddenly, as if supported by an invisible force, enabling him to slowly but resolutely advance into the depths of the Pope’s soul.
….
The real dream trembled slightly, as if it had been struck by an earthquake.
The succubi and nightmares trembled and hid themselves. The flower fields, the bar, the laboratory, and other scenes were all faintly visible, as if they might vanish into nothingness at any moment.
The wine glass in Lord Zixiang’s hand was now empty. She rubbed her forehead, muttering to herself in a tone that was both a smile and a sigh, “What a pleasant surprise…who is he trying to charm?”
What ordinary bishop possesses such a powerful divine light?
Could it be that supreme Pope?
Unfortunately, it’s too late to retreat now— that being’s power has already detected the existence of the true dream. If she retreats now, the little succubus with her bloodline will die instantly, and then that being will be able to track her down and destroy the ark she has painstakingly built.
Lord Zixiang sighed again, closed her eyes, and focused on supporting her bloodline.
….
He didn’t know how much time had passed, but Luo Mi felt like he had advanced for a hundred years. It wasn’t until the holy light around him suddenly disappeared that he realized he had succeeded.
He broke through the Pope’s holy light protection and entered the Pope’s spiritual realm!
Saint Gregory III’s spiritual world was completely empty, with neither “planet” nor “universe,” only a pitch-black church with an upside-down cross hanging in the middle, dripping blood, looking both eerie and terrifying.
Saint Gregory III stood in front of the inverted cross, looking much younger, his entire body radiating a soft white light that dispelled any sense of evil in the surroundings.
Without a second thought, Luo Mi used his succubus magic to plant a seed of allure in the Pope’s soul.
The Seed of Allure, which could theoretically be controlled for a long time, was only faintly visible in the Pope’s soul and seemed poised to disappear soon.
The Pope is terrifying… Luo Mi never thought he could control the Pope for long; he just wanted to get the question that Anos was concerned about as soon as possible.
Unlike the demons, Anos wasn’t skilled in divine magic and couldn’t let his consciousness follow. So Luo Mi could only ask on his behalf, “What is Anos’s background?”
The younger version of Saint Gregory III glanced at him and said in a low voice, “He is an angel sent to earth by God.”
Luo Mi frowned: “His true identity is not what the Vatican boasts about.”
“It is true.” The Pope, still temporarily affected by the Seed of Enchantment, answered frankly, “If I hadn’t interfered, he would have been a complete angel.”
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