novelraw Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Chapter 232. Mafia Game (1)
With Yulian's arrival, the bishops gathered for the round table conference stopped their conversations and silently turned their gazes to Yulian.
Their expressions varied.
Some showed admiration.
Some showed trust.
Some showed displeasure.
Nevertheless, it was certain that all attention was focused on Yulian.
No matter how much they denied it, it was clear that he was the one closest to becoming the "High Pontiff" and held the most power in the room.
"Then, let's discuss the issues that the new Dawn Society needs to address."
Naturally, Yulian led the conversation, and none of the bishops dared to speak.
"But before that, I'd like to express my gratitude to Lord Uberon."
Suddenly, Yulian shifted his gaze to Uberon. Following his lead, all the bishops directed their attention to Uberon.
"For arranging this meeting."
Upon hearing Yulian's words, a smile bloomed on Uberon's face, a smile stemming from the thought that he was looked upon favorably.
'So naive.'
'So youthful.'
Unable to hide their feelings, Eleanor and Kolparan clicked their tongues inwardly.
"It, it was nothing. Using the necessary force where it's needed—it's a motto of our Hynix family."
Even as he spoke briefly, Pintel frowned slightly, but before he could say anything, Yulian gestured for him to remain silent.
"No, it was quite a feat. You arranged a meeting for us who had lost cohesiveness after the death of the High Pontiff, didn't you?"
"Uh, uh?"
A faint smile appeared on Yulian's face. Seeing this, Uberon scratched his head sheepishly.
"Well, yes. If you put it that way, sure."
So youthful.
Eleanor thought again as she looked at Uberon.
Though his words were grand, in the end, Yulian hadn't given anything to Uberon. He merely created an environment where a mere word could earn him Uberon's favor.
"Now, let's return to our main topic and discuss the continuation of the new Dawn Society."
Leaving behind Uberon's apparent smile, Yulian moved the discussion forward by turning his gaze to Eleanor.
Now that the High Pontiff was dead, externally, she was the highest-ranked officer. It seemed Yulian wanted her to steer the conversation.
"What our new Dawn Society needs is nothing less than a pillar to hold us steady. A leader."
Everyone nodded in agreement to Eleanor's words.
After all, they had gathered here to select that "leader."
"In light of that, we plan to gather the opinions of the bishops present to go through the selection process for the next High Pontiff."
Once again, all the bishops nodded with eyes filled with assent.
Yet, the emotions in their eyes were all varied.
'Finally, the day has come! This is a step for Sir Yulian to ascend the throne. My, Pintel and the Obradin family, are merely his limbs to achieve his will.'
Some praised the designated candidate.
'Tsk, though the position of High Pontiff is distant, it's not as if there's no chance. There are still bishops who oppose Yulian.'
Some harbored dark desires.
'... The next High Pontiff is practically decided. But, if he truly possesses the Demon God's Chalice, as Kolparan claims...'
Some expressed anxiety.
'To be praised in such a setting! If I show a good face a few more times, securing a position wouldn't be difficult!'
Some simply hoped for the future.
Amidst all this, a specific figure occupied most of the bishops' minds.
None other than Yulian Cryphart Frason, the one practically predetermined to be the 'next High Pontiff'.
It was him.
He followed the overwhelming emotions with his eyes and chuckled silently.
'I'll never do it.'
The next High Pontiff.
He denied the predetermination.
***
"... Then, with the conclusion of these discussions, Yulian is appointed as the next High Pontiff."
Clap clap clap──!
With Eleanor's words, the bishops all began to clap in unison.
Unsurprisingly, the selection of the 'next High Pontiff', based on the predetermined story, didn't take long.
In fact, everyone thought such a gathering was merely for the 'next High Pontiff', Yulian, to observe the bishops and confirm their loyalty.
"It's best to set a date for the inauguration ceremony. The rest of the congregation should also know this news."
"It's a matter that doesn't need delay. It's best to set it soon, tsk tsk."
There were no bishops who voiced opposition to the expected result.
Even if there were, expressing such a view in this setting would have been akin to suicide.
"Thank you, everyone."
As everyone talked among themselves, Yulian stood up and uttered a single sentence.
Naturally, everyone focused their attention on him.
"While it may be appropriate to say this in such a setting, it is hard to think that the previous High Pontiff, Tenelon, led the congregation properly."
To make sure everyone could easily focus, Yulian shared his opinion on the path Tenelon had taken.
"Though he tried to lay a good foundation, it was also Tenelon who ultimately broke that foundation. Before his death, the path he took was very different from the High Pontiff we knew."
As Yulian said, Tenelon behaved bizarrely enough to seem possessed by a ghost shortly before his death.
He carelessly killed members of the congregation as proof of loyalty and even initiated an inexplicable bishop hunt.
His incomprehensible policies were enough to shatter the bishops' trust in the High Pontiff.
"Such incidents never happened during his time as an archbishop. It seems that perhaps from the moment he became High Pontiff, something went awry with Tenelon's mind."
"Tsk tsk, the title of High Pontiff is just a position in the end. Tenelon was bound to act that way because he was a garbage person to begin with."
Bishop Kolparan, who had always viewed 'Tenelon' negatively, criticized him sharply.
"That is true. He was an individual far from normalcy from the start."
Aren't you the same?
Some bishops had such words rising to their throats but barely managed to hold back.
There were not many bishops present who could meet Yulian's gaze directly.
"Assessing someone who's already dead is pointless."
The veteran Kolparan.
"Yes, discussing the future of the Dawn Society... no, the new Dawn Society, would be more constructive."
The archbishop, Eleanor.
"We will follow the commands of Sir Yulian, no matter the choice."
The loyal Pintel.
These were the individuals who assisted Yulian and helped bring about the current result.
Now that Yulian was the 'next High Pontiff', everyone assumed that their power would surpass that of ordinary bishops.
"Then, as the next High Pontiff, I have something to say to all of you."
The bishops thought that surely the discussions taking place here had been coordinated in advance.
"Tsk tsk, are you thinking of giving a thank-you speech?"
"It's nothing much. I'm just saying that I intend to resign from the position of High Pontiff."
"Uh-uh, as for a letter of resignation, I can distribute that. I also...."
Nodding along, Kolparan suddenly looked at Yulian with a bewildered expression.
Initially quiet, the atmosphere in the conference hall gradually shifted to one of confusion.
"Can you say that again, Sir Yulian?"
"I said I intend to resign from the position of High Pontiff."
Astounded, Kolparan chuckled in disbelief.
Yulian.
He was known for being someone who acquired what he desired through such performances.
Yet, if such unexpected actions were to be taken, a heads-up would have been appreciated.
'Tsk tsk, surely, he informed the loyal Pintel.'
Kolparan shifted his gaze to Pintel.
Pintel looked at Yulian with a world-shattering expression.
'... So, you didn't know either?'
***
The position of High Pontiff of the Dawn Society.
The moment I took on this role, the "Dawn Society" would become an inescapable quagmire.
Everyone would hold me accountable, and once the public knew, we'd get labeled as 'heretics'.
'The High Pontiff of the Dawn Society.'
The root of my worries.
And to eliminate this worry?
'Get rid of the position of High Pontiff!'
Trying to run away from the problem offered no solutions. Simply eliminating the "problem" was the answer.
"Th-that's nonsense, Sir Yulian!"
Resigning from the post of the next High Pontiff, Pintel rose from his seat in protest.
So it has come to this. I knew you'd stand in my way.
I directed my gaze at Pintel.
An expression as if questioning why such a statement was being made in a place like this.
Somehow, tears seemed to well up, but there was no choice.
"Currently, there's no one other than you, Sir Yulian, to lead the new Dawn Society!"
"I also can't deny this statement, Sir Yulian."
Adding strength to the angry Pintel's words was Eleanor.
With an unusually flustered look, she stared at me with her usual cynical expression.
"Someone must take on the role of High Pontiff. And that 'someone' must be the one most trusted."
"The past incidents of bishop hunts happened because of that one single leader, lady Eleanor."
However, there was a simple way to dismiss Eleanor's opinion.
What she values is the essence and legitimacy of the 'Dawn Society'.
"The reason the previous High Pontiff went on such a rampage was that the Dawn Society's power was concentrated at a single point. That's what I believe."
"Ah...."
Upon hearing my words, Eleanor let out a sigh as if something dawned on her.
She would explain the rest.
"The supreme power must be divided. I'm assuming that's what you'd like to say, Sir Yulian?"
Correct.
Clacky's Corner:
I don't know much about Mafia Game.