hunting light

Alfonso II's funeral took place seven days later.

The rainy season is finally over, the moisture in the air is evaporated by the blazing sun, and Xilin has entered a dry and hot midsummer.

The funeral followed the usual tradition and allowed media from various countries to come and broadcast it live.

Leon's office in the flagship has a 180-degree holographic screen wall.On this day, all the news played on the screen was the Pope's funeral.

The blond emperor stood alone against the desk, holding a cup of coffee in his hand, searching for the face he had been thinking about day and night among the crowd.

The cameras of the media meaningfully swept across the faces of the archbishops in red one by one, and the narrator's tone, which should have been solemn, became a little more excited at this moment.

"The next pope will be born among these cardinals. Tomorrow, a primary election will be held within the Holy See to select fourteen pope candidates..."

Soon, the photography drone of the Byron Empire Central News Bureau found their special target in the crowd, and the lens was fixed on an archbishop with snowy muscles, black hair and a handsome face.

Leon smiled slightly, put down the coffee cup, his icy blue eyes were as gentle as spring water in an instant.

These days, Ian has been very considerate.He spent as much time as possible to accompany his mentor, Archbishop Xiali, to comfort him, help him find a solution, and accompany Xiali to lobby everywhere.At the funeral, he also supported Xia Li all the time, like a filial son.

Xiali aged more than 20 years in just a few days.He was naturally unwilling to admit defeat, but he also vaguely knew in his heart that his general situation was over.

Perhaps the greatest nightmare a human being can have is that a long-held nightmare has finally become a reality.

When Xiali was supported by Ian and walked out of the Holy See with the Pope's coffin step by step, he couldn't help but look back.

On the altar at the end of the red carpet, the Pope's throne will be placed, just below the Holy Light Stand.That was the throne he wanted to sit on after spending half his life doing countless things that he was ashamed of.

But instead of walking towards it, I kept walking away from it step by step.

"Are you okay, my lord?" Ian asked with concern, holding Xia Li's cold, slack hand, "You look a little unwell, do you have heatstroke?"

Charlie shook his head unconsciously.The pessimistic and desperate emotions in his mind were continuously amplified by the light guide beside him, and the strong mental stimulation made the old man dizzy.

"My lord? Do you need a break, my lord?"

Charlie collapsed to the ground.In his last memory before he passed out, it was Ian's voice calling out to him in panic.

When all the media were using long-distance lenses to record the scene of Xiali fainting and being helped away, only a drone in the Kingdom of Byron faithfully locked on the face of Archbishop Mitchell from beginning to end.

On the distant starship of the Byron Empire, the emperor walked to the holographic screen, and lightly touched the outline of his lover with his fingertips.

Only Byron's camera captured the coldness in Ian's eyes.

For a moment, Leon's smile was extremely proud.

On the third day after the funeral of the former Pope, the Vatican released the results of the first round of voting.Fourteen Pope candidates were born.

In this list, Xiali's name was replaced by a name that is relatively unfamiliar to the world: Ian Mitchell.

Ian Mitchell, an archbishop, was praised and criticized by the world at the time.

His scandal with Leonardo III, the emperor of the Byron Empire, was once rampant, but he was never caught.His outstanding contribution to battlefield charity is obvious to all, making him highly admired and loved by the local people and soldiers.

The middle and lower priests of the Holy See also have a good impression of Archbishop Mitchell.He is young, active in thinking, has no airs, and is an extremely rare doer among high-level executives.

The moment Ian's name was read out by the teller, the wily and calculating priests in the Holy See suddenly realized after a brief surprise.

"It looks like we have a pope." Someone even whispered directly to his companion.

When the cunning old wolves refused to obey anyone, they collectively elected a pure and white lamb and let him be a symbolic leader.

They wrapped the sheep full of strings and controlled his words and deeds.And when he behaved disobediently, they would attack and rip his throat out.

The young archbishop also seemed to know that he was just a puppet.He was not too excited about the election result, but a little nervous.

Archbishop Xiali has been sitting silently by the window.

These days, Xiali is almost the most embarrassing person in the Holy See.

The sudden death of Pope Alfonso interrupted the impeachment against Xiali.But he has also been unable to produce strong evidence to prove his innocence.Colleagues, supporters, all kept a distance from him.People regard him as a sinking ship and don't want to sink with him.

The high mountain that had been carefully built for half a lifetime collapsed into a ground full of rocks inexplicably.Xiali was on the verge of collapse under this blow.

After listening to the list of candidates, Xia Li stood up expressionlessly.

Yi'an left the congratulatory people around him, and walked hesitantly towards his mentor.

"Archbishop, I..."

"You idiots!" Xia Li's thick voice rolled past like a giant mill, suppressing the low voices in the audience.Everyone turned their heads to look over.

Xia Li's slack cheeks trembled like a turkey's crest: "You think you are so smart, you think you can play with power. You think you can see through human nature, you think you can control people's hearts. You are really a bunch of stupid, greedy, and selfish people. Old waste! You have no idea how much power this person you have chosen as a balance of interests has! You have completely underestimated his mind and perseverance..."

"That's enough, Xiali." An old red-clothed archbishop said, "We understand your loss. But please save a little dignity for yourself. It won't help to slander others."

Ian was at a loss, his handsome face quickly flushed red.

"I'm reminding you." Xia Li said angrily, and at the same time, he slashed Ian's face fiercely with his sinister eyes, as if he wanted to cut his innocent face and show the real inside to everyone.

"I know my disciple. He is definitely not as cowardly and simple as you think. He is a lustful Omega who has always favored his concubine. He is cunning and cunning..."

"You should go down and rest, Xiali." The archbishops couldn't stand it.

With an embarrassing expression on his face, Carol supported Xia Li, half coaxed and half dragged him out of the hall.

Ian lowered his head, his figure was straight, and there was an unyielding stubbornness in his loneliness.

"We understand that he is blaming you." Archbishop Clement, the head of the Senate, brought Ian to the window, and gave Ian a soothing look, "You just need to remember the promise you made to us in the club last night. "

"I will keep my promise, my lord." Ian said cautiously and humbly, "I signed the confession, my lord. My fate is in your hands."

In the middle of the night more than ten hours ago, Ian signed his name on a document and printed a biometric seal.

The content of this document is very simple. In it, Ian admitted that he participated in the corruption of Archbishop Xiali. He was mainly involved in covering up for him, destroying some evidence, and taking benefits from Archbishop Xiali.

"We all know you are innocent, you didn't do any of the things that are written on it. But, sign it and you will be the next pope."

In the box of the cigar club, the archbishops in red were sitting on the semi-circular sofa, staring at Ian standing in the middle.Like a group of old vultures staring at a piece of fresh tender meat.

"We won't force you, Archbishop Mitchell. If you don't sign, you won't suffer any retaliation. Once we get out of this door, we will pretend that this has never happened." Archbishop Clement persuasively said, "We will recommend Another Pope, and you will still be the Son. As long as you can conceive as soon as possible."

Ian smiled bitterly: "In this way, there is not much difference between being the Pope and being the Holy Son."

"You can say that." The elders laughed.

So Ian readily signed his name.

"I will fulfill my obligations, my lord." The next day, Ian, who successfully became the Pope's candidate, once again promised Archbishop Clement, "I will conceive a son as soon as possible."

His eyelashes were thick and slender, and as the eyelids lowered, they covered a pair of cold star-like eyes.

"And we will let you enjoy the offerings of all peoples throughout your life, and enjoy the glory and wealth from generation to generation." Archbishop Clement nodded with satisfaction, "Think about the great deeds of Saint Croy. Like him, your name will be honored." The world will always remember!"

When leaving the administrative palace, Ian was the last one to walk.

The red-clothed archbishops walked down the long steps together, with winding robes, thinning hair, and stooped backs, like a group of red-haired vultures.

Of course Ian knew that these veterans did not trust him.In other words, they didn't care if Ian had reservations.Because they have enough confidence to control Ian.

They were happy to see Ian and Xiali break up, and even deliberately caused this situation.Because after that, Ian was weak in the Holy See, and had no other choice but to be used.

Even, if it weren't for the fact that outsiders couldn't get close to Leon at all, they would have sent someone to steal Leon's sperm and use it to artificially inseminate Ian.

They are so arrogant, as Pope Alfonso sneered, thinking that a confession can manipulate a pope.

But there is one thing, Ian has to agree with these old red-haired vultures.

He really had no other choice.

He must come into contact with the Lord himself.He had to figure out the situation of the virus that the Lord was implanted with.

Ian knew that there was no turning back ahead.

Knowing that there are unknown risks, he still resolutely embarked on the journey for himself and for the blond boy he loved.

"Marville, 31 votes."

"Hawk, 37 votes."

On the day of the final election, the loud and clear sound of voting echoed under the high and empty dome of the hall.

On the exquisite paintings on the ceiling and surrounding walls, the saints are watching the people in the hall with peaceful and compassionate eyes.

Ian stood by the window, looking out absently.

The administrative palace is built on a high hill, facing a cliff on the east side.

The sea and sky under the cliff are the same color, and the sky in Xilin in midsummer is clear.The white waves beat the dark rocks all year round, carving this cliff with awe-inspiring perseverance, even if they would be smashed to pieces.

People are not born to be warriors.

They must go through many tests, gain and loss, persistence and abandonment.Only after that time and again beating and refining, like being forged in a furnace, can one realize the meaning of being human.

At that time, they will find that when they put aside their personal life and death, fight for righteousness, and fight to protect the love in their hearts, they will have the most powerful courage in the world.

Leon had to stand up again after being seriously injured and dying, and lost all his abilities, before he could awaken and become the Dark Sentinel.And Yi'an felt that if he wanted to break this predicament, he could only fight with his life, put himself to death and survive.

"Clement, 42 votes..."

"Mitchell," said the teller, "fifty-six votes!"

There was a moment of silence in the entire hall, against which the sound of the stone falling to the ground could be heard clearly.

"We have a pope," someone whispered.

Ian turned his gaze back from the window, calmly receiving the gazes from all directions in the hall.

The man's slightly curly black hair was blown by the warm wind, and only a handsome outline could be discerned on his face against the light.

But at this very moment, the young archbishop straightened his back, raised his head, and stood tall, with a stretched figure, and his young face glowed with dazzling brilliance.

This resolute and calm leadership temperament has been hidden in this body for too long, and it can finally be revealed at this moment.It is not strong, unlike a majestic wave that hits everyone and brings a sense of oppression.

It is powerful, but it wraps people gently with warmth, dissolves people's resistance, infuses it into the heart, and then flows along the blood vessels to the limbs.

It takes away the fatigue accumulated in the limbs and the lingering gloom in the back of the head, and it brightens the scenery in everyone's sight.The unspeakable joy was like a group of light birds flying into the hall from the window, hovering and singing over everyone's head.

This is the power of the light guide.

"We have the Pope!" Archbishop Clement responded first, raising his arms and shouting.

The ancient bell on the tower of the Pope's Palace rang, and the sound of the bell spread to every corner of the ancient city of Xilin.The people gathered in the square had been waiting for a long time, and at this moment, thunderous cheers broke out.

"We—have—the Pope—"

These words spread throughout the entire constellation Cetacea within a few seconds along with international communication lines.The impassioned voice of Archbishop Clement resounded on every planet.

"We've got the Pope—"

Palaces of various countries, government offices, big screens in front of squares and churches, TVs in bars and residents' homes... and the emperor's office, which is parked in the space behind the battle line, the royal flagship of the Byron Empire Army.

The enthronement of the new pope in front of the Xilin Pope's Palace Square is being played on the large surround holographic screen.

Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the square, snow pigeons circled and flew under the blue sky in midsummer, and banners and pennants fluttered in the sea breeze.

The holographic projection brought this scene to life, making the emperor in front of the screen feel like he was there.

Leon was wearing military uniform and sitting on the desk as usual, with his slender legs crossed leisurely and clasping his hands.

His gaze has been focused on the terrace of the Pope's Palace.

Finally, the long-awaited figure finally appeared!

Pope Ian I wore a gorgeous royal robe intertwined with gold, red and white, and a platinum crown on his head. His figure was tall and straight, and he walked onto the terrace.

This new pope is so young and handsome, and his temperament is unprecedentedly noble from Tsinghua University.This made the people in the square stunned for a moment, and then let out a shocking cheer.

As the holographic screen narrows the focal length, it seems that the distance between two people inside and outside the screen has been reduced to one step away.

The emperor walked up to the projected portrait of equal proportions, staring intently at his lover's delicate and handsome face set off by the Chinese costume.

There was a proud smile on the corners of Ian's warm lips, his face was facing the scorching sun, the golden embroidery and jewels on the Pope's robes were shining, but it was far less bright than his eyes.

Without rhetoric, the young pope stood before his faithful, hands raised.

The whole venue was seething, and the fiery passion lifted the bedrock like magma and rushed straight to the sky.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Pope." Leon raised the champagne glass in his hand to the image of Ian in front of him.

"You are my glory!"