Arcane Sniper

Chapter 969

“Absolutely not allowed!”

One cardinal sprang to his feet and shouted. Aside from his handsome appearance, he distinctly looked younger than the surrounding cardinals.

The fact that he wielded significant influence at this gathering, and the fact that he became a cardinal at a young age, was more than enough to prove his capabilities.

“Blasphemy! It’s blasphemy! If you had witnessed the feats of the Holy Knight and the Exorcism Cardinal in the battle against Tiamat, you would never say such words! This can only be seen as Cardinal Sergio’s narrow-minded remarks aimed at belittling the achievements of the Exorcism Cardinal!”

The pope, sitting across from Sergio, was hastily pointing fingers as he spoke.

However, Sergio, being criticized, shook his head with a rather aggrieved expression.

“How can you not know that I do not intend to underestimate that war! The ‘Key of Jannate’ must be preserved and studied for the development of theories and doctrines within the diocese! Just because of deeds in the war—do you mean to say that it can be freely handed over to a man like Ha Leeha? Even if C9 were to permit it… we won’t be able to convince the numerous believers supporting the ‘Spiritual Symbolism.’ Isn’t that right, cardinal Parnese?”

“Cardinal Sergio is right. I also acknowledge the feats of the Exorcism Cardinal, who splendidly led the paladins against Tiamat. However, do you claim that merely blocking the external invaders is the sole duty of our Ezwen Papacy?”

“That, that is not entirely… .”

The interconnected statements from Sergio and Parnese were enough to make the surroundings restless.

This included Raphaela, who also attended the debate. While most users and NPCs bustled about the Tiamat battle, there was a different movement within the Ezwen Papacy’s internal affairs.

‘Damn it, I should have considered the possibility… Those cunning foxes wouldn’t have stayed still.’

It was a public debate on the value of the Key of Jannate!

Naturally, the factions of the pope and the opposition couldn’t engage in any dirty factional fights in such a public setting, with general believers attending en masse. The card Parnese’s faction played was precisely the ‘Doctrine Battle.’

The ancient debate surrounding the ‘Key of Jannate,’ backed by the nearly majority stance of ‘Spiritual Symbolism’, had been set forth as the card of the anti-pope faction.

When Raphaela received the notification about this debate, everything had already fallen into their clutches.

“The ‘Physical Substantialism’ is a minority view. Obviously, because it couldn’t be verified!”

In the Ezwen Papacy square, the level of conversation between the panels divided left and right on the well-setup debate stage was precisely that.

A doctrinal defense for ‘Physical Substantialism’? There’s no way to prepare such a thing in a day or two.

The pope’s faction, who could only prepare for the war by supplying materials related to the battle with Tiamat, and dispatching priests, was unable to deal with the sudden debate.

Reluctantly, they tried to highlight Kijung’s endeavors during the war, but it did not resonate with them.

How does Kijung’s endeavors relate to handing the ‘Key of Jannate’ to Ha Leeha to be sent back to Laputa?

As they participated without being able to perfectly bridge that logical connection, it was only natural that the NPC general believers of Ezwen and the user groups specializing in the holy powers focused on Parnese’s side.

Parnese briefly met Sergio’s eyes, then spoke again.

“Opening the closed minds of humans who still did not long for salvation from God was no small task. The power of the ‘Key of Jannate’ as a symbol was certainly considerable. This wasn’t merely the opinion of a humble cardinal like me. Indeed, it was a compilation of views from all dioceses that supported the ‘Spiritual Symbolism.’ We present this to Your Holiness.”

Confronting them suddenly when they had already devised their plan was certainly a challenge. A paper envelope was soon delivered to the Pope, who had attended as the chairman of the open discussion.

The Pope’s assistant cardinal opened it, took a look, and relayed the contents to the Pope.

“It states… the opinions of 41 out of the 50 dioceses on the Lope Continent are included.”

“Forty-one?”

The Pope asked in a voice filled with disbelief. Raphaela was just as bewildered. Forty-one out of fifty dioceses!

‘Impossible, given the history of activities by myself and Master Kay! We’ve already garnered significant support for C9 selection!’

Was it enough to overturn everything? Just as Raphaela stood to speak, Parnese addressed the Pope.

“Not all bishops support the ‘Spiritual Symbolism’, Your Holiness. Some bishops suspect that the recent discovery of Laputa might be a place intended to test us, the lambs. Wouldn’t you agree, cardinal Sergio?”

Not all 41 dioceses supported the ‘Spiritual Symbolism’.

They weren’t opposing the transfer of the ‘Key of Jannate’ to Laputa with Ha Leeha!

However, Parnese had cleverly mixed the opinions of diocesan heads who belonged to his faction or were neutral but supportive of the ‘Spiritual Symbolism’!

‘It’s cowardly… You shouldn’t mix them like that! People only remember numbers, after all!’

Even though Parnese stated, “Not all of them are like that”, the spectators, both users and NPCs, at the open discussion began to murmur.

Raphaela could easily guess who came up with this idea.

Sergio, pointed out by Parnese, stood with a confident pose. He nodded at the Pope and looked at the general audience attending the discussion.

“Indeed, Your Holiness is already aware of this matter, I presume. Ever since the discovery of Laputa, our church has faced unprecedented division. Would it be beneficial to provoke the supporters of the ‘Physical Substantialism’ who wanted to meet the god Ahlo? They’ve remained a minority. I understand their excitement about a chance to meet the god or possessing the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ key―.”

“Wait a moment! Cardinal Sergio is making disrespectful remarks towards all scholars supporting the ‘Physical Substantialism’!”

“Not at all, Raphaela. I acknowledge that a synthesis of thesis and antithesis is vital for healthy doctrinal development. But does that mean we must bear existential risks? That is a different issue, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Existential issues?”

Raphaela stood hurriedly to interrupt Sergio’s remarks, but it was not easy.

Sergio nodded, addressing her words.

“I believe you’re well aware of Laputa’s location.”

“The eastern part… of the New Continent.”

“Precisely. Although Tiamat is presumed to be eliminated or sealed, threats still abound. Especially now, with Pyrot-Cocri awakened? With three Demon King’s Fragment fully awakened—do you believe the ‘Key of Jannate’, which symbolizes the Vatican itself, should be sent into such a dangerous—nest of evil? If attacked, I’d like to ask who, or how, you plan to hold accountable.”

As Sergio spoke, attendees and NPCs began to murmur intensely. Cardinals on the side of the Pope’s Faction did the same. Naturally, it was the complete opposite situation for the Anti-Pope’s Faction.

The anti-Papal cardinals were in such a high spirit that Parnese was even tapping Sergio on the hip encouragingly as he spoke standing up.

Raphaela thought of an idea with all her might.

“This is idle argumentation! Do you think the job of a cardinal is to crouch down and merely interpret the scriptures? We should be seeking and proving the paths beyond missionary work to directly encounter God! This too is our duty—”

“Certainly, I’d like to do that too. But, Raphaela, have you considered that very proof, the ‘evidence’?”

“Pardon?”

Raphaela’s statement had caused a slight ripple, but that was all. It was insufficient to topple the thorough preparations made by Parnese’s AI.

Sergio took advantage of the momentum.

“The absence of evidence is also a problem. Even if we risk going to the New Continent, there’s no proof that something like the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ key exists there, nor that the divinely empowered reside there—there’s nothing besides the testimony from a handful of people including Leeha.”

“Are you going to label individuals like Alexander, Leeha, and Fernand as merely a ‘handful’?”

“I’m not trying to disparage their faith… But without concrete evidence, we cannot take such risks, can we? We cannot gamble with the symbols of the Papal authority. I am speaking as a devout member of the diocese, offering my candid advice. I sincerely ask that you consider our opinions, Your Holiness.”

Sergio spoke humbly without an ounce of arrogance, even bowing his head slightly.

Raphaela had no chance to interject. The pope could not counter with a single remark.

Clap… Claps—!

Wowwwwwwww———————

Right on!

Sergio is correct! We can’t just hand over such significant symbols based on mere words!

Asking blindly without evidence is not right!

The public sentiment had been completely seized.

The crowd filling Ezwen Papal Square applauded in agreement with Sergio’s opinion.

A few supported Raphaela’s stance, but with the public opinion swayed, it was like striking a rock with an egg.

After leaving the atmosphere to free-fall for a while, Pope Urban II raised a hand to calm the hall.

“I believe the cardinals’ in-depth discussions on our church have been sufficiently heard. Ultimately, this matter will be decided through a vote three days later by the heads of the 50 dioceses on the Lope Continent… after the nine cardinal committee that reflects the members’ opinions within those dioceses is entirely appointed, we will deliberate again.”

As the pope spoke, Sergio gently raised his hand. The pope wished to conclude his speech quickly, but he couldn’t disregard Sergio, who waited for his turn to speak.

That too was the terror of a ‘public’ debate. Once the pope pointed to Sergio, Sergio finally drove in the final nail.

“I believe our Spiritual Symbolism faction’s opinion has been sufficiently communicated. Therefore, when collating the opinions of each diocese three days later…”