Chapter 485 - 103: Preaching
Adrian held his breath, just like everyone else, pinning all his hopes—and all the pressure—on the Pope.
In their eyes, Elizabeth might be deeply influenced by Murphy, but she was the Pope, after all—the very symbol of their faith. On an issue this fundamental, she ought to... she ought to hold her ground, shouldn’t she?
The three young Cardinals said nothing, but they too looked toward Elizabeth, their gazes filled with the same pleading and apprehension.
Under the weight of eight pairs of eyes, Elizabeth slowly lifted her gaze.
Her gaze was clear and calm. It swept across their faces one by one—some agitated, some grief-stricken, some somber, some bewildered. Finally, her eyes met Murphy’s for a brief moment.
Then, she turned her gaze back to the Cardinals. Her voice was not loud, but it was clear, steady, and carried the authority befitting a Pope. "Your Eminences, I understand your concerns and your loyalty."
She paused, her tone growing more resolute. "However, I believe His Holiness the Sword of Divinity has a point. Power itself is neither good nor evil; what matters is how it is guided and wielded. For a thousand years, has our understanding of the way of Wizards been entirely objective? Out of fear and antagonism, have we ignored the wisdom it holds for exploring the laws of our world?"
"Holy Throne!" the old Cardinal cut in urgently, his face a mask of disbelief. "How... how can you say such things! The Holy Scripture clearly states—"
"The Holy Scripture also states that Oriane grants us wisdom to discern the truth," Elizabeth interrupted, her tone gentle yet firm. "To cling to convention and refuse to re-examine is to lock that wisdom away. The duty of the Church Court is to guide souls toward the light and to protect all living things so they may find peace and progress. If a new system of knowledge could help us discover more of the world’s mysteries, cure more diseases, and create greater prosperity, yet we reject it out of hand simply because its name was once associated with ’evil’—is that truly what it means to be a guardian?"
She looked to Ambrosius. "Cardinal Ambrosius, you have served through several eras and witnessed much change. When His Holiness Noe VII pushed for new policies that threatened old interests, the voices of opposition were like a tidal wave. Yet time has proven that those changes allowed the Church Court to be reborn from the turmoil. Today, we may be facing an even more fundamental reformation. But the purpose of reform is never destruction. It is to ensure that in a new age, the light of our faith can continue to shine upon the world in a more suitable and powerful way."
She then turned to the three young Cardinals. "You supported the new policies because you saw the vitality and hope that change brought. So, now that this change touches something far deeper, will you shrink back into the safety of old routines, or will you summon your courage, follow Oriane’s guidance, and explore the vast unknown? Faith should not be a shackle on our minds, but a lighthouse in our hearts and a source of courage in our quest for truth."
Elizabeth’s voice echoed through the Cardinal Hall. "Establishing the Tower of Aofa is not about subverting our faith. It is about forging a new path for seeking knowledge and applying it, all within the framework of that faith. We will enact the strictest of charters to ensure this power is used for righteous ends, that its students can distinguish right from wrong, and that their hearts are filled with benevolence. This path may be difficult and fraught with challenges. But to abandon a route that could lead to immense progress simply because we fear those challenges is not a burden the Church Court should shirk."
She concluded, "I support the proposal of His Holiness the Sword of Divinity. This is not merely about discovering talent or respecting knowledge; it is a profound investment in the future of the Church Court and the very Life Force of our faith. I believe that with Oriane’s guidance, we can master this new power and make it another potent tool for enacting Oriane’s will and protecting all people."
A dead silence fell.
All the questions, the grief, the weeping, and even the final sliver of hope—it all dissolved into cold despair in the face of Elizabeth’s clear, resolute speech, which sided completely with Murphy.
The Pope’s position was now unmistakably clear.
She supported this "insane" plan.
Cardinal Ambrosius closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they held nothing but a bottomless exhaustion and a dim, gray weariness.
He slowly sank back into his seat as if every ounce of his strength had been drained in an instant.
Adrian unconsciously straightened his crooked spectacles, his eyes unfocused behind the lenses.
The two old Cardinals who had shot to their feet in agitation collapsed back into their chairs as if their spines had been ripped out. Their eyes were vacant, and they seemed to have aged twenty years in a single moment.
The three young Cardinals exchanged glances, seeing the same shock and bewilderment reflected in one another’s eyes.
Murphy waited a full minute, allowing Elizabeth’s words to be thoroughly digested.
"It appears you all now fully appreciate the necessity of this proposal and the support of the Holy Throne."
His tone was so placid it was as if the fierce opposition from moments before had never occurred. "In that case, the matter of establishing the Tower of Aofa and teaching the way of Wizards will be considered approved in principle by the College of Cardinals."
No one dared to voice another word of opposition.
Even the most vehement of the old Cardinals now sat listlessly, too crestfallen to even lift his head.
"Time is of the essence," Murphy continued, his tone shifting to one of indisputable resolve. "Now that our course is set, we must act immediately. Starting now, we will draft the specific charter. Site selection, institutional structure, student criteria, curriculum, rules of conduct, resource allocation... every detail must be planned out and formed into an actionable proposal within one month."
His gaze swept across the room, lingering on the three young Cardinals. "The Holy Throne will oversee this matter, and the College of Cardinals will provide its full cooperation. Cardinal Adrian, you will be responsible for coordinating with the Holy Temple Research Institute and integrating our existing systems of knowledge. Cardinal Ambrosius, you will be responsible for preliminary communications with the various nations and powers of the Continent, as well as for risk assessment. And the three of you,"
he said, pointing to the young Cardinals, "will be responsible for drafting the charter and ensuring its efficient progress. You will report directly to the Holy Throne."
Those who had been named flinched but could only lower their heads and reply, "Yes, Your Holiness."
"One month from today," Murphy said finally, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent hall, "I want to see the complete ’Charter for the Establishment and Operation of the Tower of Aofa,’ along with a detailed timeline for the first phase of selection and preparation. This matter concerns the future landscape of the Continent, and it is a test of whether you can all truly embody ’efficiency’ and ’responsibility.’ The meeting is adjourned."
With that, he looked at no one and was the first to rise.
Elizabeth rose as well. She gave the Cardinals a slight nod, then followed Murphy out of the Cardinal Hall, one after the other, leaving behind a room whose atmosphere had been utterly transformed.
The heavy wooden doors swung shut behind them, sealing the dead silence, the despair, the confusion, and the crushing pressure securely inside.
Around the long table, the eight Cardinals remained motionless for a long time, like eight soulless statues.
DONG!
At that exact moment, the hour struck, and the grandfather clock in the corner chimed.
The clear, resonant chime echoed through the suffocating hall, as if slowly raising the curtain on a new age.