Chapter 28 | Reborn as the Pope's Heir in a Matriarchal Theocracy

“How are you? Are you all right?”

Julia rushed over to him, her voice trembling slightly. She had never imagined that even someone like Wendelina—a believer whose piety had been proven through countless trials—would commit such an act of defiance.

She had thought herself strong enough, possessed of the courage to face anything. Yet when she had seen Wendelina standing before the boy, her heart had nearly leapt out of her chest.

She didn't dare dwell on it. Thankfully, it was only a nightmare now.

“I am the Pope chosen by the Lord. I will not die at the hands of His believers.”

Lu Li slowly averted his gaze, looking up at the darkening sky where flocks of white doves flew past in the distance.

The aftermath of Wendelina's treason was handed over entirely to the Bureau of Heresy Inquisition for investigation. Under Julia's impetus, a grand purge swept across the entire Holy State.

At the same time, no one had expected that the theft of new weaponry from the Logos Foundry would entangle a branch of heretics that should have long vanished into history—the Blood Clan.

...

“Your Holiness, are you still not going to the academy today?”

Dressed in her maid uniform, Alissa placed a cup of hot milk next to Lu Li's desk. Looking at the boy sitting with his cheek resting on one hand and a dull, listless look in his eyes, a pang of heartache washed over her.

Ever since the Wendelina incident, Lu Li had shut himself in his study all day long. He did nothing, merely staring blankly at the rows of bookshelves.

Alissa assumed the young Pope had been traumatized by the scene that day, but in truth, that was not the case.

Lu Li was simply pondering a few things. Now, he had worked through a portion of them; as for the rest, he planned to leave them for later.

“I'm not going.” The boy shook his head, his gaze slowly focusing on Alissa's worry-filled face. “Alissa, go tell Soren that I will preside over tonight's Mass.”

Alissa froze for a moment upon hearing this. She could tell that His Holiness did not particularly enjoy presiding over Mass, which was why he often passed this sacred and solemn task off to Bishop Soren, the old dean of Saint Clement Academy.

Had His Holiness had a change of heart?

However, she soon realized she was mistaken.

At dusk, Alissa stepped into Lu Li's room carrying the Pope's holy vestments with both hands. The moment she raised her eyes, she saw the boy sitting listlessly on the edge of the bed.

Clearly, he was still reluctant to stand on stage and endure hours of focused attention from the congregation.

“Your Holiness, it is time,” Alissa said with a gentle smile.

Lu Li stood up expressionlessly, allowing her to drape the vestments over him, then smooth out every crease of the holy robe as though handling a doll.

As he approached the entrance of the cathedral, Lu Li constantly adjusted the rhythm of his breathing while trying his best to put on a gentle expression.

Yet as he crossed the Gates of Heaven and stepped into the sanctuary, the calm and solemn atmosphere instantly swept away the chaotic thoughts in his mind, leaving behind a peace as tranquil as a still lake.

The cathedral was packed with worshippers attending Mass, yet not a single person whispered. They all waited in quiet anticipation for the Pope's arrival.

As his footsteps echoed, the eyes of the crowd fell upon the small figure clad in holy white robes.

At that exact moment, the final ray of twilight sank below the horizon.

The light inside the cathedral shifted from honeyed amber to slate blue, and then to an indescribable transitional shade hovering between light and shadow.

Then, someone struck the first match. Next came a second, then a third, passing the light along in an unbroken chain.

Candle flames blazed to life in sequence from both sides of the altar, one bloom after another spreading along the curves of the stone pillars, reclaiming the entire cathedral inch by inch from the darkness.

The flickering candlelight painted Lu Li's white robe in a warm shade of orange-gold.

He stepped up to the pulpit, his handsome face illuminated by the candlelight, exuding an aura of holiness and compassion.

When Mass ended and moonlight crested the treetops, Lu Li finally revealed the purpose of his presence today.

“My dear children, I have heard your voices. My voice is but one, yet it encompasses the voice of the entire world; here, the entire world is made manifest...”

As the young Pope spoke slowly, enthusiastic applause erupted below. He was forced to pause and offer a benevolent gaze back to the congregation.

However, the moment he raised his head, he nearly broke composure. At some point, several familiar faces had taken seats in the very front row. Though it was merely an ordinary speech, almost the entire College of Cardinals was present, including Dean Soren.

And sitting in their midst was Julia, gazing up at him with a solemn expression.

Lu Li was somewhat speechlessly amused. Though he didn't know when they had arrived, he decided to say everything he intended to say.

“Tonight, we conclude a magnificent day of peace... Yes, 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.' Let us often repeat this blessing.”

“When we can truly say that the radiant light and sweetness of the Lord's peace unite us and embrace us, then we can say: this is how life ought to be, a reflection of all ages and of the eternal life prepared for us.”

Applause broke out once more. The gaze of the worshippers held an unprecedented level of reverence as they looked upon his figure. Yet under those very eyes, Lu Li's heart grew heavier.

“We see that within God's garden, weeds will always grow. We see that within the net of the kingdom, bad fish will also be caught. We see that human weakness exists even within the Holy Court, and that this ship of the Holy Court sails against headwinds and through storms that threaten its course.”

“We see the existence of original sin, which repeatedly draws humanity toward actual sins, and these sins can become structures of sin. At times, we might think: the Lord has fallen asleep, He has forgotten us. But with faith, despite human weakness, the Lord remains, and His mercy transcends all weakness.”

As Lu Li spoke, the image of that wine-red haired woman rose in his mind. He sighed silently in his heart, hoping only that everything he did today was on the right path.

The boy's shadow flickered softly in the dance of the candlelight. He cast a final look over all the believers present and spoke:

“When you return home, kiss your children and tell them: 'This is the love of the Pope.'”

“Perhaps you will find tears that need to be wiped away. Give them a word of comfort, and tell those who suffer: 'The Pope is with you, especially in times of sorrow and pain.'”

“Then, let us all take heart together—singing, sighing, weeping, yet always full of trust in the Lord, who helps us and listens to us, as we continue our journey.”