My older sister is a villainous rich girl

When he first learned of this shocking news, his initial reaction was fear and shock. During that time, no one hoped more than him that His Holiness the Pope would live to a ripe old age. Otherwise, he simply couldn't imagine what kind of doubts and consequences this ticking time bomb would bring him if it were to explode during his reign as Pope.

Fortunately, so far, everything is proceeding as he envisioned. Even the unexpected appearance of a new chosen one, and the inexplicable collapse of a large portion of the mountaintop temple, have not affected his plans.

While it was a pity that he had to miss out on the papacy, it also meant that he had an excellent shield to deflect the imminent risk.

If this inexperienced pope ultimately fails to withstand the test of various negative voices and cannot hold onto the position that has already been handed to her, then it is no wonder that one day, according to the rules of the Church, she will exile the unqualified and derelict pope in her capacity as the chief cardinal.

"How is Leo's injury healing?" he asked.

“He’s almost fully recovered. He’s very upset, saying that the despicable guy used underhanded tactics to ambush him,” Mellen replied.

"Hmph, you can't even handle this simple matter, and you still have the nerve to make excuses. It seems you weren't seriously injured enough." Diabat said with displeasure.

"What about the new chosen one?" he asked again.

"We haven't found any trace of them; it's like they've vanished into thin air." Mellen was also puzzled. "We sealed off the Vatican immediately, investigated all people who had recently entered or left, and the Inquisition used every available tracking method, yet not a single clue was left. This doesn't make sense."

Diabatt remained silent for a moment, recalling the information the inquisition had given him: Reginald had described the mysterious man's strength as "inconceivable." He had also investigated the forcibly broken seals on the mountaintop, but aside from the man's magical power far surpassing his own, he couldn't discern anything about his origins.

I don't know if this person's appearance is a good thing or a bad thing...

"Regardless, we can only take it one step at a time for now. Wayne Wincher's background is his biggest weakness, and it will definitely make him work for us..."

Diabat looked out the window at the deepening night and smiled.

On the long corridor outside the Cardinals' House.

Wayne's steps were unsteady as he trod across the smooth paving stones, each one reflecting his image, yet it felt as if he were walking through a muddy swamp, each step a struggle.

He didn't understand.

He had already told Tasia that he would help her if she encountered any problems, and he had also clearly analyzed the situation of the Holy See for her. Even Tasia's own reply to him was: "After graduating from Qingxi Academy, I will join the Holy See."

The words echoed in his mind, and Wayne tried for the 177th time to recall her tone.

However, there was no clue.

Even if she had already decided to join the Vatican, so what? Even if she couldn't graduate from the academy, so what? Why couldn't she just tell me her true thoughts and situation so I could make some arrangements for her in time? Why did she have to hide and deceive me?

He wouldn't even say a few words to me after the ceremony. Now that he's the Pope, he thinks he's all that.

He got angry again.

He really wanted to rush up to Tasia and give her a piece of his mind. What had she done, acting so impulsively to become some damn pope? Where did she leave her mother, still in the capital?! Where did she leave her friends at Qingxi Academy?! And... where did she leave her mentor, Exos...?

After being reprimanded for disturbing the peace by the knights guarding the Pope and taken away, Wayne spent the entire day in turmoil. So when the cardinal who called himself "Mellen" came before him and said that he was delivering a message that an important person wanted to see him, Wayne was filled with a mixture of sorrow, anger, and joy.

It seems that Tasia still has feelings for me after all!

Chapter 674 Making the Light Shine Brighter

However, don't think that just because of this, you can easily forgive her for what she did!

On the way to the agreed meeting place, Wayne had even prepared what kind of dissatisfied expression he would put on when he saw her, and how to preemptively seize the moral high ground. But when an old man of about sixty years old suddenly appeared in front of him, all his fantasies instantly became like bubbles ruthlessly punctured, vanishing into thin air.

The person before him was expressionless, with a deep gaze. Beneath a white shawl symbolizing holiness lay a long red robe as deep as blood, and a golden cross pendant hung on his chest. The long scarf tied at his waist was also embroidered with a cross pattern in gold thread, proclaiming that this person was no ordinary individual.

How could it be the Vatican's Secretary General, Elfman Diabat?!

Wayne had seen him at a prayer ceremony, but had never spoken to him alone.

In Wayne's memory, this Chief Cardinal and Secretary was always busy with official duties and was undoubtedly one of the most central and high-ranking figures in the Papacy. The vast majority of affairs within the Papacy had to be handled by him, including presiding over internal meetings of the Cardinals. In some special circumstances, the Chief Cardinal even had the authority to convene closed-door meetings excluding the Pope, demonstrating his immense power and influence.

However, for those unfamiliar with the internal structure of the Papacy, the Chief Cardinal, who often remains behind the scenes, is naturally less well-known than the Pope.

His pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly snapped out of his fantasy about Tasia.

“So it was you who invited me.” Wayne smiled without revealing any flaws. “Actually, I’ve been wanting to have a conversation with you ever since I came to the Vatican, but unfortunately, I haven’t found a suitable opportunity.”

Although Diabat was also old and had gray hair, he was far more imposing than the Pope when he sat in his chair, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

“Mr. Wayne Wincher, I met your father once.”

"Is that so? My father never told me."

“I’m not talking about the Duke in the capital of Lornes.” Diabart finally gave Wayne a slight smile, but Wayne saw it as blatant malice.

Wayne's smile faded.

"what do you mean?"

“I think my representative, Homa, has already spoken with you. It is precisely because of our shared vision that you were invited to the Vatican, isn’t it?” Diabatt seemed very confident in his control of the situation.

Indeed, at this point where the truth is laid bare, who wouldn't feel confident of victory? All the Papacy needs to do is issue another decree, and the events of the Duchy of Milstein will be reenacted on this descendant of Laird.

Dark mage—what a grave crime!

Wayne frowned. "Without divine decree, the Holy See has no right to convict me."

“Who says there was no divine decree?” Diabart’s smile widened. “Isn’t our new Pope ascending to the papacy under the glory of divine decree?”

"How dare you use the name of the gods to commit fraud?!" Wayne's expression showed extreme shock.

He had actually guessed it, after all, the former pope had personally confirmed to him that God was dead, but he was still slightly surprised that the person was so bold.

“Not ‘you,’ but ‘us.’” He finally burst into laughter, an unexpectedly hearty laugh. “What, quite frightened?”

Cardinal Mellen, who had been standing behind him, also smiled. "Wayne Winch, you have been approved by His Excellency the Chief. Welcome to be part of us."

Wayne didn't laugh. "Why did you choose me?"

“Because of your status, because of your potential, Mr. Wayne,” Mellen said casually, as if discussing what he had for lunch.

"So, what do you want me to do?"

He was past the age of being easily fooled like a child, and he wouldn't believe that these people had gone to great lengths to bring him to the Vatican just to exchange a few meaningless pleasantries.

“Perhaps you don’t know, but the Vatican has never systematically studied dark magic because no dark mage is willing to cooperate with the Vatican’s research.” Melen said with a playful tone, “Of course, the Inquisition is never very gentle in its treatment of dark mages, so it’s understandable that those people don’t trust the Vatican to some extent.”

"So you want to borrow my help to study dark magic?"

"Why not?" Diabat suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with undisguised ambition.

"We—everyone in this world—are preoccupied with the fame and fortune before our eyes, yet no one ever looks up at the sky," he said in a deep voice. "If our most revered King of Kings was able to break free from the shackles of this sky and ascend to the throne as a human, why can't there be another like him in the future?"

"His existence proves that we just haven't found the right way, not that we can't do it."

To think that there were people in the Vatican with such rebellious ideas, Wayne was starting to look at the Church, which he had always thought was an expert in brainwashing and deception, with new respect.

However, having lofty ideals and a guiding principle does not mean that one can do whatever one wants based on righteousness.

Everyone can have ideals; the real question is how to realize them.

“I am not a dark mage,” Wayne said calmly.

"It will happen someday."

Diabat didn't mind the boy's weak and stubbornness. In his eyes, although the boy was intelligent, he was still inexperienced and at the most naive and arrogant age of youth. Despite being fortunate enough to be chosen by the Grand Duke as his heir, he still couldn't resist the temptation of romantic love, and his weaknesses were impossible to hide.

"Imagine if His Holiness the Pope knew about your background, how would you face him?" he asked slowly.

Wayne: ...

Sorry, but she already discovered the secret of her origins with Aikos on a dark and stormy night. Logically, she should still be struggling with whether to reveal the truth to Wayne and how to handle the situation without hurting herself.

Seeing his thoughtful and silent demeanor, Diabatt seemed genuinely worried about the issue, so he continued to reassure him with a combination of gentle persuasion and firmness: "Therefore, we have ample reason to cooperate, not only for the sake of ideals, but also for the sake of reality."

“Are you threatening me?” Wayne asked.

"It's not a threat, but a well-intentioned reminder."

Diabat raised his hand, and a bright flame instantly appeared in his palm. "You see, our lives are like this inconspicuous flame; though it burns brightly now, it will eventually go out."

Bathed in the light of fire, his face glowed with a crimson hue.

With a casual wave of his hand, the flames that had illuminated a section of the room vanished without a trace.

"In that case, why not make its light shine even brighter while it's still burning?"

Chapter 675 How long are you going to keep lying to me?

"The gods no longer send down divine pronouncements to guide us."

"—Therefore, we must find our own way forward."

Before the fountain, a handsome young man carefully savored the subtle sensation of each tiny water droplet splashing onto his skin. It was like the unintentional glance of a cold and arrogant noble goddess, or the moist eyes of a gentle and affectionate mountain spirit.

How beautiful and joyful the water droplets are, just like the countless ordinary people in this world who are unaware of their own lives. Although they cannot grasp the ever-changing winds and clouds, they can still enjoy every moment of collision where they compete with each other and are full of vitality.

Finally, he seized a moment when no one was around. The boy, who had been sitting by the pool, quickly rolled up his trousers and jumped into the pool, searching and retrieving something.

"Where's the sword?"

"Damn it, where's my sword?"

Wayne was sweating profusely.

It wasn't because of physical exhaustion, but because he was worried that having someone else pick it up would cause unnecessary trouble.

He carefully recalled whether he had remembered the place correctly.

Although the Vatican had built many similar fountains for aesthetic purposes, he only passed this one on his way back in the dark that day. The bottom of the pool was covered with fine golden sand, and some ornamental aquatic plants floated on the surface. He clearly remembered hiding the rusty sword in a gap under a large, round rock.

"It should be right, it's this rock..."

After searching for a while and finding nothing, Wayne was confused.

He sat back down by the pool, his mind blank, watching the startled goldfish dart about anxiously at the bottom. The temperature on Papal Mountain was lower than outside, but perhaps because it was closer to the sky, the sunlight shining on the rippling water was even more brilliant and bright, like the height of summer.

What are you looking for?

A familiar voice sounded from behind.

With a "whoosh," Wayne leaped out of the water like a goldfish, splashing water all the way out of the pool.

"Tasia!" His expression of surprise lasted only a second before it instantly darkened. "Hmph, so you haven't forgotten about this nobody after all! Congratulations on becoming Pope. When are you planning to move to the mountaintop temple for ascetic practice, spending the rest of your days in solitude?"

He was already a head taller than Tasia, and standing on the edge of the pool made him appear even more superior.

Dressed in a white robe, Tasia was not as elaborately dressed as she had been at the funeral; the only difference was the style of the tasseled ribbon at her waist. If one didn't know her identity beforehand, other strangers would likely never guess that this seemingly delicate and adorable little girl was actually His Holiness the Pope, who had countless followers.

Tasia looked up at him, but could only see his deliberately raised, arrogant chin.

“The temple is currently undergoing closed renovations.” Her gaze fell on the fountain pool behind Wayne. “So, I probably still have some time to be outside, like now.”

Strangely, there were no knights or guards who were usually by her side.

“Recently, I’ve been sitting here for a while every day, thinking about the answer to a question.”

Wayne was taken aback, forgetting all about the "I'm going to make Tasia regret this!" performance he had rehearsed countless times in his mind, and asked, "You didn't come here to see me?"

Tasia looked at him quietly without saying a word.

“…” Wayne finally realized that his current posture was somewhat ridiculous.

Gan!

"Uh, sorry, I suddenly remembered I have to go back and feed the dog, so I'll be going now—"

Being presumptuous is so damn embarrassing!

“I really am waiting for you,” she suddenly said.

But before Wayne could even rejoice, he heard her next casual remark: "I thought you would come back here to pick up what you left behind, and it seems I was right."

His movements froze as if a freeze button had been pressed.

"W-What fell down?"

"It's you, isn't it, the [Hero] who appeared out of nowhere?" Tasia's expression made Wayne feel unfamiliar. "There are many strong people in this world, but not just anyone can come and go freely from the Holy See. Let alone a complete stranger like a weed that appeared out of nowhere, without any sect or lineage."

"Ha, hahaha... You doubt me?" Wayne could only cover up his embarrassment with a loud laugh. "This is ridiculous. I never thought that I would have such great power in Tasia's mind."

"Yeah, I think it's ridiculous too."

Tasia also stepped forward, standing on the edge of the pool like Wayne: "Mr. Wayne, if you want to prove your innocence, would you mind telling me what you were looking for at the bottom of the pool just now?"

She stared intently at Wayne's face, not wanting to miss a single subtle change.

Wayne really felt like he was about to crash and burn.

"actually……"

Which part of the process went wrong?