Firefly Journey

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, the unicorn carriage slowly drove into Yicheng.

The two parted ways; Fengling returned to the Xu family, while Lin Yuanran went straight to the Vatican.

Inside the spacious hall of St. Philharmonic Cathedral, Lin Yuanran placed his right hand over his heart and bowed in reverence.

"Greetings, High Priests."

Standing before Lin Yuanran were "Raging Flames" Conrad and "Thunder" Texas. Originally, with the new Pope about to take office, "Tidal Wave" Matthew should have also appeared, but the Abyss was stirring and he simply couldn't spare the time.

The two elderly people, whose ages were unknown, did not respond to Lin Yuanran's bow of greeting. Instead, they performed a standard Vatican prayer, just like Lin Yuanran.

"Conrad/Texas greets His Holiness the Pope."

Two voices, weathered by time, spoke simultaneously, addressing Lin Yuanran as Pope.

Lin Yuanran was flattered. He had not yet completed the transition to his new identity. In his eyes, the two high priests of the Holy See were still as sacred as before. Moreover, they were elders and should be respected.

However, in the Vatican, age is not the standard for measuring status; position is.

Lin Yuanran didn't say much, and took the lead in straightening up, with the two high priests following closely behind.

"Wrathful Flame" Conrad said, "The Pope's return to the Papacy is presumably to announce to the world the succession ceremony."

Lin Yuanran nodded. So far, only those within the Vatican and some high-ranking officials in various countries and churches knew of his position as Pope; the inhabitants of the Pan-Ancient Continent were unaware that the Pope had been replaced.

“The former pope said that all our actions are in accordance with your will, and we have no objection to that,” said Thunderbolt Texas.

Is this a show of loyalty?

Lin Yuanran was also aware that he was able to stand in this position entirely because of Brevich's arrangements. These high priests and archbishops might not necessarily think highly of him, but they would certainly obey the orders of the former pope.

The prestige of the 37th Pope is among the highest of all popes.

Lin Yuanran said, "You two are my seniors. I am not familiar with the internal affairs of the Holy See. There are many things that I need to learn gradually. I hope you two seniors will not hesitate to give me your guidance."

"Your Holiness is too kind. Assisting the Pope is the duty of a high priest; it is not a matter of bestowing instruction or not."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sides began to discuss the specific details of the succession ceremony.

The change of papacy is a major event for the entire Vatican, and the Vatican's influence on the mainland is undeniable. Therefore, the papal inauguration ceremony is also a grand event for the entire mainland.

The ceremony wasn't simply a matter of Lin Yuanran walking up to the platform, giving a speech, and that was it. There were detailed regulations governing everything from the location and time to the specific etiquette and even the content of the speech.

First, the Vatican needs to spread the word widely, sending invitations to prominent countries and churches on the continent as a sign of respect. Those who receive invitations will then dispatch messengers from somewhere on the Pan-Ancient Continent to Eden to attend the new pope's inauguration ceremony.

Then the new pope met with envoys from all over the world, accepted their congratulations, and discussed future plans and directions.

Finally, the messengers left the city of Iberia, bringing back news of the new pope's succession, thus completing the transfer of power within the Papacy.

These things are actually not difficult; the Vatican has dedicated officials in charge, so Lin Yuanran doesn't need to handle every detail personally. All he needs to do is make an appearance at the inauguration ceremony, and even his speech can be prepared in advance.

Lin Yuanran was more concerned with other things.

The Principality of Bema operates under a parliamentary system, meaning that the highest decisions are made through discussions among the members of parliament.

In reality, the principality's policies have long been controlled by the seven major families. Members of parliament from humble backgrounds are not even qualified to offer opinions, let alone make decisions.

So-called fairness and justice have never belonged to ordinary people.

The Vatican did not interfere. Its gaze was fixed on the abyss, on cults, and on the stars.

As long as the country is functioning stably, that is enough.

But Lin Yuanran felt that the world shouldn't be like this.

Cassius Bello taught him a lesson: even the smallest and most lowly person has the right to bask in the light.

Although, in retrospect, everything he gained bore the imprint of Brevich, Cassius's decision to let him leave Torreg was entirely from the heart.

In the city of Yi, he saw the common people struggling daily to make a living, barely managing to survive. Meanwhile, the nobles in the castles were born superior, as if there was an inherent hierarchy of social status among people.

This is not normal.

Both Cassius and the education he received in his original world made him want to change something.

Powerful nations like the Duchy of Bema, the Empire of Debasa, and the State of Chu, down to the Kingdom of Delos and the tribes of the frozen plains, all adhere to the same concept.

The throne is passed down from father to son, and the family rules the world.

The dregs of the feudal era still influence this unreformed world. Based on what he has seen and heard, Lin Yuanran is determined to become a pioneer.

In his view, this matter was even more important than resisting the giant shadow in the starry sky, which was why he accepted the papacy without hesitation.

Having this identity makes it easier to act.

Systems cannot be changed overnight; they require a gradual, subtle process. Fortunately, Lin Yuanran has enough time and patience to fulfill Cassius's grand ambition.

Looking at the two kind elders, he said, "I would like to ask you both a question."

"Your Holiness, please speak. We will tell you everything we know."

Lin Yuanran's eyes sharpened: "Tell me, what kind of person is my teacher, Cassius Bello?"

"This……"

The two high priests found it difficult to answer.

They even wondered if Lin Yuanran's question was an attempt to interrogate them.

After all, Lin Yuanran was rescued by Cassius from a remote mountain town. Cassius's initial ambition was to enter politics, but the duchy did not give him the opportunity.

"He is a young man with great ideals."

Ultimately, this was the assessment from the two high priests.

“Yes,” Lin Yuanran said with emotion, “My teacher only spends a little time teaching us each week, so you don’t have to guess what he does the rest of the time.”

"A teacher can educate one person or one class. But what if they were to educate the entire world?"

"Harmony among all people and coexistence among all races. This idea was proposed as early as the time of the Seven Ancestor Gods, yet it has not been properly implemented even today, ten thousand years later. I find this very strange."

Lin Yuanran seemed to be talking to himself, but the two high priests understood the implication and dared not underestimate this young pope. No, they had never underestimated him; they had simply become even more impressed.

Wherever there are intelligent beings, there will be disputes. No matter the world or the time, true justice and balance can never be achieved.

Lin Yuanran is not an ancestral god, but even an ancestral god cannot bring true equality to all races.

There are no absolutes, but there are relative ones.

Lin Yuanran's idea was that, at least, people like Delvis wouldn't have been filled with longing at the sight of a handful of candy when they were young, and wouldn't have to work themselves to exhaustion after a day's work just to make ends meet.

The world could have been a better place.

The two high priests and Lin Yuanran left one after another, behind them was a crescent-shaped support.

That was the place where the "sun" was originally stored.