Water Magician

Chapter 405

TLN: Please read my translations at , I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.

Authors note:

List of Western Church ranks:

Pope 1

Cardinals 12

Archbishops 24

Bishops Many, originally 48

Abbots A lot, originally 48, equivalent to Bishops

Priests A ton

Deacons A ton

Editor: Tseirp

The day before the Popes inauguration.

The entire Holy Capital was bustling and glamorous.

But that wasnt the case in some places.

The Papal Palace was one of them.

Of course, tomorrows inauguration itself would be held at the Papal Palace.

In addition to the delegation from the Central Countries, guests from the Dark Continent would be there.

The main inauguration ceremony was to be held in a huge amphitheater, reminiscent of a Colosseum, on the grounds of the Papal Palace.

And many of the clergy who work in the Papal Palace were vigorously decorating it.

The carpenters and masons of the Holy Capital had already finished their preparations, laying out the carpets, arranging the chairs, and so on.

The expressions on the faces of the clergymen engaged in the work were very contented.

Its not surprising.

The inauguration of the Pope would be held during their time in the Papal Palace.

Moreover, it was the inauguration of the 100th Pope!

What luck.

There was no one in the Western Church who was not pleased with this good fortune.

Yes, normally.

A room on the third floor, across the courtyard of the Papal Palace.

There were four bishops there.

They are called the Four Bishops of the Pope.

Bishop Abelardo, Bishop Brigitta, Bishop Cesare, and Bishop Dionisi.

Though not just any bishops.

These are bishops who, by order of the Pope, lead assassination squads that eliminate by force those who are deemed obstacles.

The four are feared by many church officials.

However, when they are inside the Papal Palace, they rarely engage in any operation.

They are always clad in a calm expression and atmosphere.

But that wasnt the case today.

Bang.

Dionisi banged on the desk.

Why?

He grunted in chagrin.

We cant help it, its the order of His Holiness the Pope.

Abelardos expression was not cheerful as he said that.

The expression on his face also showed that he was dissatisfied with the situation.

Rather than His Holiness, more like Sacharias, you mean?

Gritting her teeth, Brigitta grunted.

It was a very unusual sight for Brigitta, who was the least expressive of the group.

It doesnt matter. Im definitely wiping off my disgrace. Im going to kill Ryo today.

This time, Cesare spoke without changing his expression the most among the four.

No, weve been instructed to refrain from doing that

Abelardo said with a sigh.

If I dont defeat him, I wont be able to move on.

In Cesares mind, the matter had already been set in stone.

Tonight, he would kill Ryo, the magician of the Kingdoms delegation.

Knowing full well what would happen if he did that.

Negotiations between the Theocracy and the Central Countries breaking down would be the least of the aftermath.

Even the inauguration of the Pope tomorrow would not go smoothly if he did.

From the perspective of the four bishops, who are supposed to devote their entire allegiance to the Pope, such a thing should not happen.

It has never happened before, and will never happen customarily.

To think His Holiness the Pope was Sacharias puppet

Dionisis muttering said it all.

They had found out.

The subject to whom they had devoted all their loyalty was in fact a puppet.

No, they dont know for certain if it was a puppet or not.

But whether he was or not didnt change a thing.

He was an existence undeserving of their loyalty.

What happens to people when what they believe in from the bottom of their hearts falls apart?

First, they act in ways that are incomprehensible to an onlooker.

It may be an aggressive behavior of hurting someone.

It may be a defensive action of retreating to ones room.

It may be an act of abandoning everything, shutting down all manner of thought

No one can tell.

Some will be able to get back on their feet, while others will never be able to pull themselves back together.

However, even for those who can get back on their feet, it usually takes some time.

Its nothing to be ashamed of.

Its just what it means to be human.

These four bishops were in exactly such a situation.

They found out last night.

That the current Pope is a puppet of Cardinal Sacharias. At the very least, hes not human

Of course, it was completely accidental.

What happened last night?

Whats the meaning of this, Sacharias?

Abelardo asked in a fiery tone of voice.

Everyone lived their lives earnestly.

The two deacons, who were cleaning the Popes office as usual, were surprised to see the people who entered.

Of course, they were familiar with the Popes four bishops.

Uh, bishops

Both of them bowed hurriedly.

We appreciate your efforts in cleaning the place. We will be using the room for a bit. And we already got permission from His Holiness.

Abelardo announced.

The two deacons left the room without question.

Since it came directly from the Popes four bishops.

There was no reason to doubt them.

After confirming that the two had left, the four gathered around the Papal Scepter.

Just touching this is a grave sin

Even Dionisis voice was trembling.

It was only natural.

To touch that staff was to stand up to the authority of the Pope.

It also signified a decisive dissolution of what they have believed until now.

However

Theres no other option. I need to know about the real Pope.

Abelardos words did not waver.

He said it clearly.

Effectively dispelling the hesitation of the other three.

They nodded.

All four touched the Papal Scepter at the same time.

The impression was that their minds connected directly to somewhere else.

Angel-sama.

Abelardo said.

No response.

Please answer me, Angel-sama.

Abelardo said again.

Then

Who is that?

A voice rang directly into the heads of the four.

Instinctively, all four got down on one knee. Firmly holding on to the scepter.

Angel-sama, we are the bishops, Abelardo, Brigitta, Cesare, and Dionisi.

Abelardo answered.

So you are not Sacharias. Then, what do you want?

The fact that the name Sacharias was included in the words of the being that seemed to be an angel was quite a shock to the four of them.

At least, Sacharias had gotten to the point where this supposedly angelic being knew his name.

But even so, there was something they must confirm.

Yes. We are called the four bishops of the Pope, directly under His Holiness the Pope. However, we learned that the one we call Pope is not the real Pope. And this has greatly shaken our faith. Do you know about this, Angel-sama?

I know that he is not human.

All four of them let out a small sigh at the words of the being they thought was an angel.

But the next words startled them.

Thats something I had Sacharias make at my behest.

What

Abelardo exclaimed.

The other three were naturally speechless.

For a good thirty seconds, no one could utter a word.

To what end, Angel-sama?

Thats something you dont need to know.

The angels words struck the four of them heavily.

My apologies.

The words came out of their mouths reflexively.

I command you. You shall assist Sacharias. Consider his words as my words.

With these words, the angelic being left.

The minds of the four seemed to return to the Popes office from wherever else they had been.

Were you able to speak to Angel-sama?

The four of them hurriedly turned in the direction from which the voice had come.

Lo and behold

Sacharias

Abelardo uttered.

Didnt the angel tell you to do as I say?

Sacharias said with his usual smile.

Yeah, he did.

Abelardo responded. Then he quickly continued.

But I refuse.

Sacharias tilted his head and asked.

Why?

I dont trust you. Whats to say that the being we spoke to just now wasnt some kind of hoax you prepared?

What nonsense

Abelardo said, and the other three nodded.

Seeing this, for the first time, Sachariass expression twisted and distorted, and he said as if he was about to gag.

Then, without saying a word, he flicked the ring on his middle finger with his thumb.

At that moment, the bodies of the four bishops collapsed to the floor.

W-Whats this

My body

I cant move

What did you do?

Dionisi, Brigitta, Cesare, and Abelardo unable to resist, couldnt exert any strength in their bodies whatsoever.

They didnt even understand what had just happened.

The principle behind that Papal Scepter is the amplification of vibrations. Thats what makes it possible to have a conversation with an angel. The whole time you were talking to the angel, incredible vibrations were running through your bodies. And what I did now was amplify it. Well, I know it probably sounds like gibberish to you. I will have you all buried in the amphitheater in a state of suspended animation. Then you can be absorbed by the angel at the inauguration tomorrow.

What are you talking about, you bastard

Oh, you four foolish bishops. You dont need to know.

TLN: Please read my translations at , I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.

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