NOVPUBHe had read about the cost of human demonization and mutation in the second visit to the Lichtenstein Castle library at the border of the Shadow World Huoning Empire.
People like Lankros, who underwent immature artificial transformations at the Empire’s experimental site in their early years, seldom lived past thirty.
Now, calculating the current timeline, Lankros was almost 49 years old.
Lanci found it somewhat incomprehensible as to why he was still alive.
However, the advantages accumulated from the previous three visits to the Shadow World had finally brought about a beautiful end.
"You are still the same."
Looking into Lanci’s eyes, Empress Kexiya sincerely spoke, as waves of guilt and compassion surged in her heart.
She couldn’t forget that Prime Minister Wilford had answered her in the same way the first time he met her.
Even if betrayed by the Empire, he would not betray the Empire.
"You said you’re not hungry, and I’ve said all I need to say, so I won’t take up more of your time here. Please head back to the Papal Hall."
Empress Kexiya wiped her eyes, squeezing out a smile to bid farewell to an old friend, and spoke to Lanci.
"Your Majesty, goodbye."
Lanci stood up, bowed to Empress Kexiya once more, and bid farewell.
After arriving in this Shadow World, there had been no prompts to leave the Shadow World for so long, making him feel it was inappropriate to stay here for a meal.
He needed to quickly understand more about this era.
Like the Demon World.
Like his friends in this era.
Since he had won, his friends in the Shadow World should have had their grand reunion as well.
"Um, goodbye."
Empress Kexiya waved to him.
Escorted by guards, Lanci passed through successive porticoes.
He stepped out of the grand doors of Shalem Palace and arrived at the entrance.
The streets of Helsaray were bustling, with citizens busy coming and going, and the city’s noises constantly surrounding him from both sides.
Things had changed since a decade ago.
Hope was now visible in people’s eyes.
The mist of fear had been dispelled.
The city had gained vitality too.
Having concluded his meeting with Empress Kexiya, Lanci, now the Holy Polante Pope, was supposed to return to his Papal Hall as planned.
When Lanci’s figure appeared at the entrance of the royal residence, the members of the Temple Knights Order who had been waiting knelt down immediately, as if witnessing the descent of a deity.
They were clad in silver armor, with the emblem of Holy Polante embroidered on their chests, holding sharp long spears, like guards of the heavens.
"My Lord, His Holiness the Pope has arrived!"
"Glory—Praise—"
With the Knight Commander’s high-pitched chant, a uniform and sonorous praising sound surged like waves all the way to the heavens.
Lanci walked slowly out, followed by several clergy clad in Apocalypse Regalia, respectfully accompanying him on both sides.
Next, they took a vehicle from the Temple to return to the Saint Polante Papal Hall.
A dozen minutes later.
The majestic fortress at the pinnacle of the imperial capital was faintly visible.
It shone with a solemn and sacred brilliance among the afternoon sun, like a painting in the Imperial Palace.
Along the way, Lanci looked through the mask to the outside of the vehicle.
Occasionally, he saw elderly couples carrying the relics of a young officer, praying with tearful eyes, young girls holding budding lilies, shyly bowing, and children excitedly climbing on their parents’ shoulders, eagerly stretching their tender necks to see the vehicle of the Papal Hall.
Lanci watched quietly.
Unintentionally, the vehicle had already slowed down and stopped in front of the Saint Polante Papal Hall.
The Papal Hall, situated at the highest point in the imperial capital, Helsaray, served as the residence and power center of the Holy Polante Pope.
The outer walls were built of stone, with soaring pointed tops, and the hall entrance featured a giant stained-glass window, surrounded by limestone city walls and defense towers. Except for the external basic structures, the core area was the Holy Polante Pope’s Throne Hall.
Lanci’s footsteps echoed on the white stone steps, as the Papal Hall was lit with bright lights.
He passed through the lined-up Temple Knights clad in silver armor and entered the great door of the Papal Hall.
The door slowly closed, sealing off the noise of the mortal world.
Inside the vast Holy Temple hall, the light was dim, with only two or three rays of diagonal sunlight from the window grids casting divine light of Heaven onto the red carpet before the altar.
Lanci walked slowly towards the throne, and the clergy staff positioned themselves to his left and right, closing the massive ebony doors of the Throne Hall behind him.
"..."
He stood in front of the throne but did not rush to his position.
Instead, he turned to face a mirror on the side of the Temple.
The reflection showed a figure, tall and erect, who could be mistaken for an elderly individual, as his youthful face was obscured and his white hair gave such an impression.
A pure white robe embroidered with gold thread on the outer layer, the hem and cuffs trimmed with gold, and a deep red lining inside, embroidered with a trinitarian religious pattern.
"Heh, I have become a Pope?"
Lanci unveiled the silver-white mask in front of the mirror.
In this Shadow World, his outfit had been transformed into the Pope’s robes, and his hair color had also been dyed pure white.
Standing in front of the mirror with the mask, he had not recognized himself.
"Hold on, Lanci, it seems you’ve gained a debuff."
Talia suddenly reminded.
She found a strange status on Lanci after he arrived in the Shadow World.
It was too concealed, until now, in the space of the Throne Hall, she could safely use magic power to identify it.
[Spiritual Fissure]
[Category: Negative Status]
[Grade: Epic]
[Attribute: Spirit]
[Rank: 9]
[Aftermath of the battle with Rashar, the Third Ancestor Duke.]
Talia shared the information with Lanci through telepathy.
"...I actually feel fine."
Lanci carefully sensed it and responded.
