Since the official decentralization of power, everyone in the Glorious Academy of Theocracy has made a tacit agreement not to disturb Laurent's final cleansing, and all the requests made by Cat Jing should be met, without any restrictions as in the past.
.
Without any disturbance, the Papal Tower ushered in a rare peace in decades, and people were surprised to find that after Laurent's long-term reform and governance, the Theocracy could still operate smoothly even if it no longer relied on his guidance.
The cold wind is gradually rising, and the last trace of autumn heat has disappeared with the wind.
Laurent suddenly announced that he had summoned everyone in the Guanghui Academy.
It was so sudden that even Mao Jing was stunned for a while before he hurriedly went to convey it in person.
Everyone who had not set foot in the Papal Tower for a long time breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Laurent lying on the bed as usual, not seriously ill, and looking calm.
Many major events happen unexpectedly in a peaceful atmosphere.
In front of the archbishop, high priest, and head of the radiant incarnation, Laurent calmly announced the candidate for the pope.
There was no sign at all.
This was a decision that surprised everyone, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the new pope.
Archbishop Antonio of the Tribunal opened his eyes wide, and with his hair and beard all white, he looked at Laurend in disbelief, completely unaware of how impolite his actions were.
Antonio, sixty-eight years old, is the most senior and oldest person in the Glory House composed of archbishops and archpriests at a time when Laurent is vigorously promoting newcomers.
Like most people who became members of the Glorious Academy, Antonio was helped by Laurende when he was a child. When he grew up, he conquered a kind of old man from the Theocracy with his outstanding ability, and was recognized by Laurender and received the honor of the Glorious Academy.
Tickets.
Laurende once commented to Lu Yu that Antonio was a man who was aggressive but could not live up to expectations, and who was conservative and accomplished.
People of Antonio's age are often afraid of change, so they will do everything possible to stabilize the current situation.
Frankly speaking, even without comparison with Serra, Antonio still has some shortcomings compared to other people in the Glorious Academy. Within the Theocracy, almost no one thinks highly of Antonio.
Laurent's eyes swept over everyone present one by one, silently emphasizing his unquestionable will.
It was not yet time for the coronation, but good old David still stood up and hugged Antonio.
Antonio, who was still in shock, sluggishly accepted the greetings from his companions with complicated emotions.
Antonio knelt down facing Laurent, his head close to the ground.
Laurende seemed to know what Antonio wanted to say. He interrupted the other person's prepared words without hesitation and asked everyone in the Guanghui Institute to retreat outside the tower and wait.
At this time, Antonio could no longer care that Lu Yu and others were watching in the room. He shook his head excitedly, shed tears, and choked up: "Your Majesty the Pope...I don't have the ability to match..."
This may be the most magical scene in the history of the four major countries. After being confirmed as the next pope, the gray-haired Antonio cried like a child, not caring about his image at all.
"I cannot lead the Theocracy further... You once criticized my conservativeness and closed-mindedness, and taught me that I should be open-minded and open-minded... I tried hard to correct it, but I am old after all... How can I be qualified to succeed you when I am not favored by the gods..."
Instead of pretending to accept the situation when the ministers came to remonstrate with him, Antonio walked to the hospital bed, took Laurende's pleated hand, pressed his forehead against it, and cried uncontrollably.
He is afraid.
Afraid of the unjust people Laurent entrusted to him, afraid that he was incapable of making the Theocracy better, afraid that his own shortcomings would cause the Theocracy to decline in his own hands...
The majestic Archbishop of the Inquisition was already in tears.
Laurent touched the old boy's head and said seriously: "It is true that you have many shortcomings... but at this moment you have shown a sense of responsibility that is worthy of being a pope."
"Your Majesty the Pope..." Antonio still didn't want to raise his head and look at Laurend.
"Don't cry... When you were a child, you were injured while practicing swordsmanship. The nuns helped bandage it and still didn't say a word. Why do you cry so much when you are old... Old age has actually enriched your emotions a lot." Laurende teased.
"Antonio, please remember what I say next."
"Lift your head and look at me!"
Laurent's stern voice made Antonio raise his head as a reflex.
"You, who are cautious and conservative, are by no means unavailable as pope. In terms of qualifications, you are the best candidate for the pope in the next four years."
Antonio, wiping tears, caught the special number in the words: "Four years?"
"Whether you believe it or not, I did hear a strange voice in my dream... That voice told me that a turmoil is coming, and only a cautious helmsman can protect the Theocracy from the storm."
Laurent said, "Antonio, you are indeed not the most suitable candidate for the Pope. No matter how you look at it, you are far inferior to the people of Guanghui Academy. But the turmoil is coming, and the Theocracy needs you to be conservative and cautious, and you need to be serious.
We must weigh the pros and cons in every choice to make the most prudent decision.”
"In the next four years, you will be the best pope in the Theocracy, bar none."
Laurent looked at the head of the incarnation of radiance who also did not leave the room. The will of the Theocracy, who covered himself in a silver robe and a black veil on his face, walked towards Antonio with a photo scroll.
At the same time, Sera stood up holding the same scroll.
"The scroll contains the Pope who is most suitable for the Theocracy after the turmoil ends. You will be needed to help him then."
Antonio, who fully understood Laurent's intentions, swore to the God of Glory, promising that he would ensure a smooth transfer of power and fulfill his responsibility as a transitional pope.
…
…
Everyone in the Guanghui Institute left under the leadership of Antonio. Although everyone was puzzled, they quickly adapted to Antonio's change in identity.
In the garden of the Pope's Tower, which was quiet again, the shaping element of wind, a cute little manta ray, clung to Laurend's chair, using the constantly flowing wind element to transform the chair into a flying chair that can float and move.
Although Laurent has always been determined to walk without the help of external forces, his deteriorating health cannot tolerate his stubbornness.
Serra suddenly asked: "I am the best candidate for the Pope, right?"
Everyone who was walking behind the flying chair was stunned for a moment.
Laurent smiled but said nothing.
"Why did you change your mind?"
Laurende turned around, his eyes swept over Lu Lu, Lu Yu, and Mist Demon, and finally landed on Mao Jing's face - she was smiling gracefully and demurely.
"I don't want you to be me."
Laurent reached out his hand and gently stroked Sera's face.
"This road... is too hard."
These are not words spoken in the capacity of the Pope.
"It's really too bitter...I've tasted too much, how can I let you taste it too..."
"I still remember that day, you were standing in the middle of the hymn class. Others were trembling when they saw me coming, and their voices were out of tune. Only you, your voice was sweet, and your smile was like a sunflower blooming facing the sun... See you
To me, you are neither humble nor arrogant, and you actually boldly asked me if I would be rewarded for singing well."
"I didn't bring anything with me when I went out. Do you still remember your expression... I was very unhappy and felt that I had deceived you... But I never lie, so I took you away from the choir class that night."
"It only took you one day to make everyone in the Papal Tower fall in love with you. You would cheer for the chef to cook a table of delicious food, take the initiative to help the servants clean, learn skills from the gardener who took care of the garden, and then run away excitedly
Show off in front of us..."
"The cold-faced nuns in black smile when they see you, and the silent and solemn Papal Knights warmly open their arms to you, giving you their cherished swords and helmets to play with..."
One by one, one by one, Laurent kept talking.
Attending Prince Raphael's dinner in Slagos, because a viscount slandered him secretly, Serra took away the viscount's gloves with a smile and put the tail of a spiny shrimp in it...
Laurend laughed. He could still remember the panic, worry, and embarrassment on the face of the Viscount who was looking for the prankster when he waved violently, and Serra deliberately stepped forward to dive.
.
Eleven-year-old Serra accompanied him to the banquet of the Four Great Nations for the first time. She secretly used sugar glue to inhabit the sacred statue placed in the corner by the royal family of Codezoon. She also pretended to accidentally knock over the offering and hid it secretly.
Take one away and eat it secretly.
Sera, who ate the offerings as ferociously as a greedy cat, thought she was unnoticed, but she never thought that Laurend and Cat Jing were secretly watching.
Sera lowered her head, even shaking... The beautiful memories in Laurend's eyes were indeed her dark history being publicly executed!
After returning to the Theocracy, Serra hid in the church and ate the offerings one by one, seemingly awakening.
Laurende summarized Sera's favorite flavors based on her choices, and secretly asked people to change a large number of offerings, just to make her happy.
…
He remembered it so clearly that the details were vivid and he looked happy when he recalled them.
Sierra no longer felt ashamed, her eyes were red, and crystal tears fell down.
"If I hadn't become the Pope, Mao Jing and I would have had many children..."
"I want to hold them and read to them the books stored in the basement; I want to make them exquisite and small toys, and listen to them praise 'Daddy is so awesome'; and I want to take them to the place where I met Mao Jing... tell
They, look, it's right here. Your mother and I had a fight here. Dad even pulled off a lot of mom's scales, and she chased her angrily..."
"I don't want to be the pope...but they chose me, the Theocracy chose me...the gods somewhere also chose me."
"Sela... I have always regarded you as my own child..."
"I know..." Sierra lowered her head, tears dripping down her face.
"I want my children to be happy, but I don't want them to endure hardship... That's what it is like to be a parent." Laurent said, "You have a group of good friends, and you also have the love you want to pursue... Be bold and pursue it... Don't be fooled by the country,