I didn’t actually have time for lunch. Heading straight to the inner court without having lunch freaked me out a little. I was wondering to myself the entire time as to whether or not Elizabeth would cook for me. Fortunately, I realised that she didn’t have the time to cook or eat since both popes were sitting in the conference hall in the inner court. Under normal circumstances, no men were permitted entry into the inner court, so I presumed that it was a meeting Mom didn’t want anyone to know about.
Mom gave me a small nod when she saw me come in. She patted the seat next to her. I went and sat next to her. Mom wore an expressionless look. She wanted me next to her to control her emotions. She was vulnerable to losing control due to the incident taking place inside the Royal Palace. Mom did have things that she didn’t want to recall, after all.
Both popes wore gloomy looks, especially the old church’s pope. He had his small fists placed on his knees tightly. If we weren’t in the inner court, the two of them would probably have been fighting. The new church’s pope wore an incredibly nervous expression. He didn’t mind the old church’s pope. He was just worried about Mom changing her attitude toward them or doing something to them in response to the assassination.
Mom sat straight up: “Since everyone is here, let’s begin this debate. With regards to the culprit, he has been arrested and is currently locked up in the dungeon. However, neither of you need to go and see him. There is one thing that I need to confirm. New church, are you positive that this was not committed under your command? I will have someone investigate. You can admit to it now or choose not to. Bear in mind that the consequence for lying to me will be even more serious.”
Tone solemn, the new church’s pope answered, “No, no, Your Majesty, I can swear to God on our life and soul that I did not give the order to. Your Majesty, I am cognizant of what should and should not be done. What I want is the status of state religion. I would never do such a thing. I would never do such a thing in your territory. You would understand that. I do not deny he is our companion and believer; however, he is just a fanatical member. Our creed does not suggest for others to commit violence or murder. We have never advocated violence. We convinced the people through healing and passion, not violence. We are very disappointed to have this fanatical member, but you must understand that, while I am the pope, I cannot force everyone to think as I do. I cannot control everyone.”
I agreed with what the new church’s pope said. The new church was highly ambitious, and they weren’t foolish. What they wanted was the state religion status, so they wouldn’t go and strike Mom’s nerves then of all times.
Mom let him sit down. She then looked over to the old church’s pope: “So, what’s happened has happened. You, too, are aware that the dead cannot be resurrected. He’s dead. As the new church’s pope has denied their involvement, I shall hand the culprit over to you to deal with. However, I want to judge him with you. After all, he not only killed your member but also carried it out in my Royal Palace!”
The old church’s pope glanced at the new church’s pope with an enraged gaze. He seemed to want to say something, but then turned back to Mom. He contended, “Your Majesty!! It is obvious that what he said is a lie! How could he be ignorant of it?! It is unreasonable to claim he was completely oblivious!! Did this man not follow him into the Royal Palace?! Does it make sense for him to know where someone he trusts and has following him by his side is?!”
“Sometimes, that is the case. It’s precisely because you trust them that you don’t mind where they go, and also not notice their secrets. I have personal experience on that matter. One of my personal aides once made a mistake.”
Mom looked at me with mixed emotions. I knew who Mom was talking about, and I gritted my teeth. I still couldn’t forgive her despite having revived Luna. She was so brutal to Luna. I’d never forgive her!
The old church’s pope didn’t seem to want to shut up after that. He was going to emotionally say something, but Mom had already sat back down and began scratching her hair: “In any case, I’m not particularly sure what connection this has to do with the new church. How about you wait for me to finish investigating everything? At present, your main job is calm your angry followers, isn’t it? This fellow is your tool for appeasing the people. We’ll kill him first and then discuss what to do about the new church. I won’t end it with this. I have to conduct a proper investigation on the new church, understood?”
The new church’s Pope frankly responded, “You may investigate me anytime, Your Majesty. I will do my best to cooperate with you.”
Elizabeth scanned him. He looked at Mom the same way the entire time. He never evaded her gaze. Mom stopped looking after a while. She continued, “Let’s do that, then. Old Church, have your people take this man and then discuss the details with Castell. I don’t care how you kill him, but you must make him suffer miserably before killing him, understood? I will also go see him. This public execution will be for everyone to witness, which is also a chance for you, so prepare well. As for the new church, although you deny all allegations against you in relation to this case, I will conduct an investigation. Before I do that, keep a low profile. Don’t let the old church find any incriminating evidence against you. I’ve said it already: I don’t want to see any disturbances in Hilles City. You can fight as you want, but you are not to use weapons, understood?”
The new church’s pope sensibly stood up right away and nodded: “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The old church’s pope looked as though he didn’t want to be resigned to that conclusion, but Mom wasn’t willing to say anything else to him. He looked as if he was going to get back to the new church regardless of what Mom said. Mom was right, however. Chaos had to be avoided in Hilles City. If a riot broke out in the capital, the surrounding nations might jump at the advantage. Once the entire empire was shaken, it’d be left on the brink of collapse. Rosvenor Empire was a vast empire, but a mere drop of water was enough to shake the entire empire. As such, Mom could not allow anything to happen in Hilles City.
“That’s that, then. Once things have settled, I will conduct an investigation. Get going. This best be settled within three days!”
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