Volume 7 Chapter 23: The Birth of a New Pope

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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Chaos continued in the main temple Cain had disappeared from after having fulfilled his role as Apostle of the Gods.

Many of the people there couldn’t quite understand whether what had just happened had been a dream or reality, so the place was full of noise.

“Please listen to me.”

As Hinata’s dignified voice reverberated throughout the temple, conversations stopped.

Everyone looked at Hinata.

“The Apostle of the Gods has delivered the Gods’ words to us. As the Saint, I would also like for Cardinal Denter to become the next pope as per the Gods’ words.”

Nobody objected. Not even the people who had been Cardinal Bangla’s subordinates; their leader had been arrested right in front of their eyes.

And even though they had belonged to his faction, many had not forgotten their faith in the gods.

They realised that opposing the Saint’s words would be opposing the gods’ words.

“So there’s no opposing opinions. Then, some words from the newly-pope Denter.”

Pope Denter was wearing the robes he had been given. They were even more luxurious than those the previous pope had worn.

Wondering at how comfortable they were, then taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

“I’m Denter, and have been made the new pope. I don’t care about what factions you belonged to up until now. So let me assure you first and foremost: we will not make unreasonable personnel decisions based on that. Marinefordism is the only religion of its kind in the world. That is because the Gods do, in fact, exist. You saw earlier, did you not? The appearance of the Apostle of the Gods is also a sign that the Holy Country of Marineford must come together.”

Pope Denter slowly looked at all the people there, then continued speaking.

“However, there are also those from the church who pretended to be bandits and participated in killing the bishops and priests despatched to the other countries. Furthermore, they even attacked merchants, who are the keys to spreading our faith. Those people must be severely punished.”

Many people showed surprise at Pope Denter’s words, but there were also a few who paled. They were scared that if their involvement was revealed, they would also be arrested.

Having said what he wanted to, Pope Denter glanced at the moderator and nodded.

The moderator, who had been hiding in a corner of the stage, took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Er, er, er, so then, the new pope has been chosen. I still can’t believe it, but the Apostle of the Gods appeared, we were able to see the gods, and many things not able to be expressed with words happened. After the formal procedures are over, this will be announced to the other countries. I hereby declare the papal elections over.”

The papal elections ended with the moderator’s words.

◇◇◇

“Cain-sama, Hinata-sama, I am so grateful to you I cannot even put it into words. Thank you very much.”

Cain and Hinata were sitting next to each other, with Bishop Harnam, and his brother, the new Pope Denter also sitting with them.

Pope Denter bowed deeply to Cain.

“Please, don’t think too much of it. I think we went a little overboard to get the gods’ opinion to pass. Anyway, your new clothes are splendid, don’t you think.”

“That’s true. I never thought I would ever wear such wonderful clothes. I immediately sent a prayer of gratitude to the Gods.”

After the papal elections were over, Pope Denter, the new pope, had thanked the gods by speaking to their statues.

He had been in an absolutely unfavourable situation, but had been able to become the new pope thanks to Cain and Hinata’s aid. He was so grateful to the gods he kept repeating his thanks just in case it had not been enough.

“Anyway, the future. You’ll have to replenish the cardinals’ numbers, and you’ll also have to identify the people who had connections to the attacks. It sounds like a lot of work, so please do your best.”

“Regarding the new cardinals, I’ll have to take personality and factions into account. I’d like for you to become a cardinal from out faction, Harnam, if that’s possible…”

“I won’t. I’ll stay in Esfort for the rest of my life. Hearing of Cain-sama’s exploits is the most fun thing to do nowadays.”

“Not fair. I want to see Cain-sama’s exploits from up close too. I’m going to Esfort too.”

Even Hinata started saying she wanted to go to Esfort at Harnam’s words, making Cain smile bitterly.

“Right now is an important time here, so Hinata, could you please help Pope Denter? I’ve already been here, so I can come here again quickly with magic.”

“Really!? You’ll come see me every day!?”

“…That really would be impossible though…”

Cain thought about how it would be good if they had a way to come and go over that distance.

“Oh, I might be able to do it… Hang on a sec.”

Cain stood up and used Create Make. A huge amount of magical power was all taken from him at once, but he gritted his teeth and kept on pouring more out.

The magical power took shape and colour, and when it was finished, there stood two full-length mirrors there.

“I think this should be fine…”

“What is this…?”

The other three were confused by the two mirrors.

“Hmm, it would be easier for you to see what they do than for me to explain.”

Cain placed his hand on one of the mirrors and let magical power flow into it.

The mirror he had poured magical power into should have reflected him, but instead, it turned pitch-black in the blink of an eye.

“Watch closely.”

Cain pushed his hand into the mirror, which swallowed it up, for some reason. Without any resistance at all, Cain’s body was swallowed up by the mirror.

And, from the other mirror, Cain appeared.

“What do you think? It’s a Transfer I attached to the mirrors. If I put one in Esfort, Hinata will be able to come immediately should anything happen.”

Cain said smiling while patting the mirror, but the other three were speechless. Nobody would have thought one could use transfer magic through a tool.

Cain had thought it up thanks to his knowledge from anime from his previous life, but it was definitely a foreign idea to this world.

“…This is… To think you can make such a thing so easily. It must be because you’re an Apostle-sama…”

“With this, I can go see you every day, Cain-sama.”

Compared to the impressed Pope Denter, Hinata was overjoyed.

Cain smiled bitterly as she said ‘every day’.

However, Bishop Harnam’s thoughts were different.

“I’ll have to report to His Majesty once we return to the kingdom…”

Cain’s eyes widened at Bishop Harnam’s words as he realised he had messed up, then he sighed.

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