Chapter 84: A Festival of Light and Shadows

Finally, the day’s affairs concluded. The Pope, hidden away in his office, hummed a tune as he sipped red wine, gazing up at the magic-lit night sky. His mood was undeniably buoyant.

He could honestly say that this year’s Festival of Light was the most comfortable he had experienced since the rise of the Aral Empire.

Not only had he achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough, but he had also brought about the reappearance of the Dragon Dance during the Festival of Light after a millennium. This was a monumental achievement, one that no Pope in the last thousand years had managed to accomplish.

****

A knock at the door broke his reverie. The Pope straightened his posture, sitting primly as he inquired, “Who is it?”

“Your Holiness, it is I, Alicia.”

Her soft voice instantly brought a visible relaxation to the Pope’s features. “Come in,” he said.

Alicia pushed the door open, a report cradled in her arms. Seeing the Pope so leisurely and optimistic, she chuckled softly. “Your Holiness hasn’t been this relaxed in a very long time.”

“Hahahaha, I dare say this is the most comfortable Festival of Light I’ve experienced since becoming Pope.”

In Alicia’s presence, the Pope completely shed his external pretense. He trusted his Saintess implicitly. However, upon seeing the report in her arms, he sighed with a hint of exasperation. “Alicia, work is never-ending. This year’s Festival of Light has been so lively; you really should take a proper rest.”

“I already have rested.”

“When?”

“I rested during Theresia’s performance. I even got to watch such an excellent show up close.”

The Pope looked at the satisfied Alicia with a wry smile. While it was certainly reassuring that his Saintess was such a workaholic, it also placed immense pressure on him as Pope.

‘If the Saintess is like this, shouldn’t you, the Pope, work even harder?’

The Pope waved a dismissive hand. “You truly astound me. Well, are you here to summarize the feedback?”

Alicia nodded. “Yes. I’ve collected the festival impressions from important representatives of the member states, as well as the festival opinions from the various cardinals. Most were full of praise for the festival. There were also a few suggestions.”

The Pope raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess, one of them must be from Cordon?”

“Yes.” Alicia paused, her expression a mixture of amusement and helplessness. “Cardinal Cordon said that while Theresia’s performance was certainly eye-catching, it conflicted with the Holy Light Church’s doctrines, being filled with violence and a sense of conquest. He believes that Moria’s Dragon Dance is the most fitting for the Festival of Light. He also asked when you would abdicate, hoping it wouldn’t span your entire papacy.”

Alicia gave the Pope a look of ‘I can’t help you,’ and the Pope buried his head in his hands, groaning, ‘That old fool Cordon! If he’s so capable, why doesn’t he go to Dragon Island and invite Lord Moria back to perform? We have the right to criticize this year, standing in the position of a cardinal, only knowing how to nitpick.’

Alicia watched the usually amiable and dignified old man display such an uncharacteristic posture, and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. ‘You’ve already left Cordon with only the right to speak; please bear with him a little longer.’

“I’ve considered taking away even his last right, his right to speak. Alright, but from now on, Alicia, if you read his suggestions and find them unreasonable, don’t bother reporting them to me anymore.” The Pope sighed, then looked out the window, suddenly asking with a smile, “Our newly published newspaper should have reached His Imperial Majesty by now, shouldn’t it?”

Alicia nodded, then hesitated for a moment. “If that Emperor truly extends an invitation, then my safety there would absolutely not be an issue. At this critical juncture, he cannot allow emotion to override reason. War is not the best choice for either of us, although before, it was the only choice.”

****

While the people of the City of Light leisurely enjoyed the Festival of Light, the news of the grand feast—a gathering of dragons, elves, beastfolk, and the Aral Empire’s prince—had already been disseminated by the Holy See’s publicity department, working frantically during the festival.

To ensure the distinguished guests’ parents received the news promptly, the Holy Light Church even sent special copies to the elves, the Aral Empire, the dragons, and (as an afterthought) the dwarves.

The elves and dragons would take some time to receive it, as the Holy Light Church had no embassy there, only a few people living in the multi-racial zones designated by the elves and dragons. Messages would need multiple layers of approval.

However, the Aral Empire was different.

As adversaries, communication between them was the most convenient. Though not permitted to proselytize, the Holy Light Church had official personnel stationed there who could directly request an audience with Promen.

The Pope expressed considerable delight at the prospect of his arch-nemesis being the first to learn of this pleasant surprise.

It is widely known that smiles in this world are conserved. When everyone in the City of Light was utterly delighted, someone on the other side would be profoundly displeased.

****

For instance, Promen, the Emperor of the Aral Empire.

He stared at the magical propaganda newspaper presented by the Holy Light Church, at the vivid, magically drawn images of the banquet, and at his own teacher, conversing and laughing with the Pope.

The veins on Promen’s hands pulsed, and a terrifying sense of oppression spread throughout his study.

This was what surprise meant. This was indeed surprise.

Also seated in the study were Promen’s trusted ministers and the First Prince. Each held a copy of the propaganda newspaper, silently, intently, and fixedly staring at its contents.

The study was utterly silent. If not for Promen’s expressionless gaze, heavy with pressure, sweeping over everyone, no one would have dared to speak.

The First Prince was the first to break the silence. After all, with a prince involved, the ministers preferred to first gauge the Emperor’s and the First Prince’s opinions.

Because of Larkin’s consistent excellent performance, the First Prince had a good relationship with his younger brother, who always managed to deliver surprises.

‘Larkin’s statements might not have been what he truly intended to say, as he hasn’t participated in much political activity. Facing that Pope, those words were likely elicited from him. Moreover, his presence there must have been accidental.’

‘All exits of the Montoyer Labyrinth in the City of Mazes are under twenty-four-hour surveillance by imperial personnel. There’s no way he could have left normally without being discovered.’

‘The only explanation is that an accident occurred within the labyrinth, causing them to mistakenly appear in the Holy Alliance, where they were then discovered by the Church.’

Promen stated blandly, “What matters is not whether he was led, but the difference between something happening and not happening.”

He knew that irresistible factors had caused the incident. As a father, he could understand that it wasn’t Larkin’s fault.

However, as a monarch, the Empire superseded his offspring, especially given that he did not lack heirs.

For the nation, the impact of an event was far more crucial than its cause.

Promen had never visited the City of Light. He had originally intended to either never go, or to only visit after planting the flag of the Aral Empire there, then savoring the goodwill.

He believed that the Pope had thought the same before this.

‘With the end of the festival, the three races are to take up residence in the Empire.’

‘That Pope is clearly growing restless. I hear he’s already rushing to develop new weapons and is attempting to wage war against them.’

‘The four races are tentatively cooperating with the Aral Empire, not truly intending to commit too much.’

‘However, once a truly close entanglement of interests forms between the Aral Empire and the three races, the promise not to interfere in internal human conflicts will be nothing more than a transparent sheet of paper in the face of profit—utterly useless.’

‘While they might not openly assist, they could do so in secret.’

‘Although the Tribunal was a suggestion Promen put forward at the council, the idea itself, as for the executor, there’s no real need.’

‘After all, humanity has not achieved unification.’

‘To still possess such audacity at his advanced age, Promen genuinely admired him.’

‘However, admiration aside, a dead enemy is the most commendable kind.’

Promen had already prepared for war with the Church, intending to simultaneously prepare for conflict and build the Tribunal. He would strengthen the ties of interest with the three races; after all, the Tribunal was located at the border of the allied nations. As long as the other two allied nations remained loyal, it would truly be a heartland.

‘No one should want to cause destruction there, especially since it’s an official institution established by the three races within human territory. Whoever controls it gains direct communication with the three races.’

‘It’s worth noting that due to their fragmentation, human nations cannot even establish representative embassies with the elves, dragons, and dwarves.’

‘This is understandable, though, as there are hundreds of human nations, none with absolute authority, unless they border the three races; otherwise, it’s meaningless.’

Returning to the main topic.

Now, his own teacher had handed that Pope a stepping stone, effectively telling the Pope that the Aral Empire warmly welcomed his arrival.

‘Welcome my foot!’

He would bet his own imperial palace that this newspaper had already reached all human nations. Not just human nations, but the elves, dragons, and presumably the dwarves too, even if the dwarves felt very little involvement in this matter.

Promen secretly thought, ‘What if I tell them my teacher died young, and this is just an imposter?’

‘It probably wouldn’t work. After all, others aren’t fools; his tenth brother has appeared in official capacities several times.’

“Alas,” Promen sighed. “Is it too late to exile Larkin now?”

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