When the plot-skips players into the game world

Chapter 866: Chapter 241 Still Aiwass, huh!

Chapter 866: Chapter 241 Still Aiwass, huh!

March 3rd, noon, twelve o’clock.

In past papal elections, this was the time to announce the new Pope.

All Cardinal Archbishops would vote among three candidates—The Holy Maiden herself could be elected as a candidate, but she did not have the right to vote.

After each round of voting, the three candidates each chose a “supporter” from those who voted for them to give a brief speech on their behalf.

Candidates could also choose to speak for themselves.

After the speeches, another round of voting would commence until someone obtained more than two-thirds of the votes, achieving an “absolute majority.”

With twenty-one Cardinals, it would take 15 votes; but with one seat now vacant, it would take 14 votes.

If after thirty-three rounds of voting, no one has achieved an absolute majority, the person who has received the “relative majority” of votes the most times during those thirty-three rounds would be elected.

At that time, a pure white beam of light would shoot heavenward from the twenty-first Ring, piercing the sky—a reach to the twenty-second Ring.

Then, the name, appearance, and other basic information of the new Pope would be displayed on crystal screens of every level of the Holy Nation, and the people would know that a new Eternal Pope had been born in the Eternal Theocracy.

—But this year was different.

Because the entire process of the papal election was broadcasted live…

Two hours earlier, the Elves of the Holy Nation already knew who the next Pope would be.

In the third round of the election, Aiwass Moriarty from Avalon had already attained the absolute majority.

In the first two rounds, there were some “courtesy votes.” That is to say, other Cardinals who were on good terms with these Cardinal Archbishops would cast a few courtesy votes before casting serious votes to let them know that “there were still people supporting them.” It was also meant to prevent the others from losing too disgracefully—it would seem as if everyone was targeting them otherwise.

For this reason, Aiwass only received six votes in the first round.

But by the second round, he reached thirteen votes, narrowly missing outright election.

During the third round of voting, Matilda rallied for Aiwass.

The gist was: “It’s about time.”

Thus, in the third round, Aiwass received seventeen votes.

Apart from Favna and Galatea politely casting their votes for each other, everyone else cast their votes for Aiwass.

And Aiwass cast his vote for Cardinal Favna.

By then, the Holy Nation already knew the final outcome of the election.

They had elected a 19-year-old human Cardinal Archbishop!

Nineteen years old…

In Pureblood Elf families, children of this age may not even be literate yet.

At best, they might be half a meter tall, still in the carefree days of childhood, not having undergone any formal education.

Yet at this age, Aiwass had become the Eternal Pope!

…Though only a “Vicar Pope,” essentially acting as the proxy for the Pure White Saintess.

But without doubt, it was still an amazing feat!

The Elves spread the word—Her Holiness The Saintess’ assassination and a human Pope; these two pieces of news combined to become a topic of conversation for many days adding some excitement to the Elves’ calm and monotonous lives.

Although there were some Elves who disliked humans, they were usually from extremist factions.

Since they already disliked humans, they naturally would not support progressive ideologies like Favna’s grounded approach to aiding other species.

Compared to Favna, they’d rather support Aiwass.

Similarly, Galatea represented the most classical conservatives.

Simply put, they were the very “old-fashioned” type that the “Controlled Flame” faction detested the most, the faction within the Elves that staunchly supported the idea that “Heirs possessed greater nobility.”

—Although Aiwass himself was the one who killed Cardinal Loki.

But he was at least a professional, far better than Galatea, right?

Electing Aiwass, a professional, might push forward the professionalization process within the Holy Nation…

Such kinds of thoughts started popping up in various places across the Holy Nation.

The Elves unexpectedly found the result somewhat acceptable.

Furthermore, they considered the election process very fair—since the The Holy Maiden’s designated proxy Aiwass was human, had there been Elves among the other two electors, the process might not have seemed so fair or pure.

Because Cardinals with a bias toward Elf interests might blindly choose the Elf, and Cardinals leaning toward xenophilia might deliberately not choose the Elf.

In that case, things would not seem so dignified, and the results might not gain public acceptance.

But since all three candidates belonged to species other than Elves, that amounted to fairness…

At this very moment, inside a tavern in the second Ring.

A Dwarf finished a mug of chilled beer, smacked his lips, and suddenly said, “Actually, I think Aiwass taking the position isn’t too bad.”

“Indeed.”

The Lizardfolk who was eating kebabs next to him nodded in agreement: “It feels like any Cardinal that takes office could start quarrels.

“For example—I really hope Cardinal Galatea doesn’t get elected.

If she becomes Pope, we adventurers probably can’t enter those two layers of ruins anymore.

What would they need us for then?”

“That’s what I’m saying.

I’ve thought it over carefully, and it seems like none of the Cardinals can satisfy everyone.”

“The Holy Maiden is truly the best; she is the most fair, without any bias.

But who would have expected the Holy Maiden to be suddenly assassinated.”

“I know about that poison!

I have an Elf friend who crystallized last month because the Controlled Flame spread that poison, and now she even has difficulty walking…”

“Her Holiness the Saintess is alright, isn’t she?”

“She should be fine, the Amberficate area is so small.

It looks to be less than three centimeters in diameter.”

“This just shows Her Holiness’s mental state is normally strong!”

These Short-Lived Species discussed the outcome among themselves.

Meanwhile, in the higher Rings, Pureblood Elves had completely opposite views.

The eighteenth Ring is considered the “prison” of the entire Holy Nation.

But the people of the Holy Nation don’t like to imprison others, because that would mean the criminals do nothing and require others to guard them.

In the Holy Nation, all those who breach Taboos must be put to use…

if they are Clergy, they treat people for free, if they are Alchemists, they create alchemical medicines.@@novelbin@@

Even those who know nothing can learn a skill and serve others.

At the same time, it is also the location of the “Decomposition Institute.”

Those who committed crimes so severe that they must be sentenced to death, their flesh, bones, and souls must be utilized to the utmost extent.

Only by doing so can they compensate for the loss and damage they’ve caused to others and to the entire Holy Nation.

It is also for this reason that this place is the most gloomy and cold in all of the Holy Nation.

Several old Elves were having tea in the Decomposition Institute, commenting on the results of this generation’s Eternal Pope election:

“Better this than letting that child Favna become Pope.”

“Yes, she is a Black Dragon, naturally dark and savage…

Who can manage her now?

I pity that child of hers.

I’ve submitted reports twice, hoping to hand the child over to another Cardinal for care.”

“If Favna becomes Pope, then the Holy Nation will turn into a construction squad.

If we give too much, humans get used to it, and later reducing help would turn into resentment.

Even when assisting others, such bottomless support is not advisable.”

“It’s not just that issue.

I’m very much against the Homeland Faction’s propositions, one reason being—if we take charge of all these projects, offering high-quality and low-cost services, how will the humans become independent?

These are technologies they need to develop on their own.”

“Exactly!

I’ve always said there’s a problem with this.

If humans get used to our help and then find their construction teams expensive, what then?

Just like the Trolls in the Southern Continent, who don’t develop farming techniques.

Because in the Southern Continent, scattering a handful of beans grows rampant to the point where they can’t be eaten fast enough.”

“If you really want to help them, you can’t make them feel that these things come too easily.

They need to spend decades understanding the importance of these technologies.

Then, when they face hurdles, we guide them, nurture their own scholars to solve the problems—that is the path of longevity…”