Chapter 268: Holy Knight Randy's Proposal, Cardinal Juke's Suspicion

The Pope's cold and commanding voice reverberated like shockwaves, enveloping everyone in the chamber, including Holy Knight Randy, with the force of its authority.

After giving his decisive verdict, the Pope proceeded to issue a firm decree: "Henceforth, you are stripped of your position as Head of the Council of Cardinals and shall assume the role of East Cardinal. Cardinal Zaul shall become the North Cardinal and ascend to the position of Head of the Council of Cardinals. The South Cardinal position would be given to the East Cardinal. Are there any objections?"

In the hierarchy of the Holy Church of Light, there were four Cardinals— East, West, North, and South Cardinals. The East Cardinal oversaw the direction leading to the nation of the long-eared tribe. 

The West Cardinal was responsible for the direction leading to the territory of the werewolf tribe, while the North Cardinal was in charge of the region where the demons resided— a pivotal role, as it made the North Cardinal the leader of the Cardinals. The demons resided on a separate continent in the north, and the North Cardinal held the pivotal role of overseeing their activities, effectively serving as the leader of the Cardinals in times of war.

While the East and West Cardinals also played their parts in the larger strategy of humanity's survival, their primary responsibility lay in encouraging other races to join the battle against the demons. This, however, had evolved with the recent decision of some leaders of the werewolf tribe choosing to align themselves with the demons.

In contrast, the East Cardinal's duties, overseeing the long-eared tribe, were relatively straightforward and less demanding. The peculiar long-eared tribe had opted out of participating in the war, instead choosing to safeguard their territories by relocating their small villages and employing illusion-based sealing to shroud their settlement.

During times of war, the North Cardinal had to lead the Holy Church of Light's army against the demons. This was precisely the role that Cardinal Juke had sought to avoid, having aspired to become a Supreme Cardinal, the next in line for the position of Supreme Pontiff, a selection that had yet to be made by the Pope for undisclosed reasons. 

Cardinal Juke had sought to consolidate his position and demonstrate his worthiness for selection, thereby shedding his title as Head of Cardinals and avoiding deployment to the front lines. A new cardinal would be appointed to lead the war effort in his place if he had succeeded in his endeavor.

The role of the South Cardinal carried great significance as well, as they held oversight of the human territories— a position second in importance only to the North Cardinal, as both were responsible for ensuring humanity's survival. 

Over the years, Cardinal Juke had managed to conceal certain information from the Pope with the assistance of South Cardinal Zaul, who oversaw the human territories. This covert arrangement had been maintained in exchange for gaining first access to specific Sacred Artifacts provided by the church, a privilege reserved for the Head of Cardinals before anyone else. 

However, as Cardinal Zaul exhibited a chilly disposition and an inscrutable expression during the Pope's questioning, it became apparent to Cardinal Juke that his trusted friend had abandoned him when he needed support the most.

Upon hearing the Pope's words, the other Cardinals in the chamber exchanged meaningful glances, having already made their decisions among themselves before the current meeting with the Pope.

Without hesitation, the Council of Cardinals responded unanimously, led by South Cardinal Zaul. 

"There are no objections, Your Holiness."

"Very well." The Pope acknowledged with a nod. He then turned his attention to Holy Knight Randy.

"In regards to the crusade in the Meistic Forest, how would you recommend we handle the matter concerning the discovered hidden hideout of the demon's accomplice, Sir Grant? We must take into consideration that there could be multiple Vampire Queens within their abode. Engaging them head-on would prematurely reveal our actions, and we would struggle to reach their location, let alone overcome them. Any rash or imprudent moves by our church would undoubtedly backfire on us."

The Pope's sudden inquiries and worries directed at Holy Knight Randy drew the somber gaze of all the Cardinals who had accompanied the Pope. Various thoughts ran through their minds regarding this individual who had seemingly gained the trust of the typically detached Pope.

Cardinal Juke, still reeling from the abrupt loss of his position, was the most astonished among them. He contemplated whether to implicate 'Zolat Grant,' but ultimately decided against it. It appeared that the Pope had a particular trust in 'Zolat Grant,' and accusing him might be perceived as an attempt to evade responsibility for his transgressions.

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When the Pope's words reached his ears, Cardinal Juke lifted his head and fixed a blank gaze on 'Zolat Grant.' However, his eyes betrayed a deep-seated resentment he had toward 'Zolat Grant'. The Pope's remarks had only allowed him to confirm that 'Zolat Grant' had indeed been deceiving him all along about the discovery of the Vampire Queen's lair.

Although he had been convinced of the presence of a Vampire Queen in the Meistic Forest, given his divination ability, which he employed to verify threats surrounding his domain of influence, he felt deeply aggrieved that he had not received credit for it. Instead, 'Zolat Grant,' whom he had initially intended to exploit to confirm his findings, had independently located the hideout and reported it to the Pope without relaying it to him.

This act by 'Zolat Grant' had not only undermined his credibility but had also led to his demotion, the opposite of what he had initially hoped to achieve by claiming credit for discovering the Vampire Queen's lair.

Despite his internal thoughts and bitterness toward 'Zolat Grant,' Cardinal Juke remained silent, awaiting 'Zolat Grant's' response to the Pope's questions.

Upon hearing the Pope's deliberate inquiries and concerns, which were undoubtedly designed to draw attention to him, Holy Knight Randy straightened his posture, placing his right hand over his chest, and performed a deep bow before responding: "Your Holiness, if I may be so bold, I suggest we employ our sacred artifacts for covert infiltration of the enemy's lair and then swiftly eliminate the lair's leader by utilizing one of the Divine Relics of our Holy Church of Light." 

He paused briefly and allowed everyone to process his words before he continued: "Given that we already possess knowledge of the enemy's location, infiltrating their hideout should prove to be a straightforward endeavor. The enemy remains in the dark about our procurement of this piece of information and would be unguarded, making it easier to infiltrate their lair."

"Oh, such ingenious thinking, Sir Grant. I had no inkling of your intellect. I must admit my previous misjudgment." The Pope praised. Although this idea had already been discussed with him beforehand, he put on a show for the Cardinals as if he were hearing Holy Knight Randy's proposal for the first time.

"Very well, we shall proceed with your suggestion, and if we achieve success in subduing the enemy, I shall personally ensure you receive your reward." The Pope declared, his gaze resting on the bowing Holy Knight Randy with satisfaction.

Holy Knight Randy's eyes widened with gratitude as he was moved by the Pope's words, and he promptly expressed his commitment: "Thank you, Your Holiness. I shall endeavor not to disappoint and shall strive to bring honor to our Holy Church of Light in the name of our God."

The new head of the Council of Cardinals turned his attention to Holy Knight Randy after hearing his words and inquired with disbelief: "Were you truly the one who discovered the hideout of the enemy, Sir Grant? I don't mean to doubt your capabilities, but how were you able to discover something that many who ventured into the Meistic Forest couldn't?" 

He appeared skeptical that Holy Knight Randy had been the one to uncover one of the Vampire race's hideouts, the same vampires who had officially aligned themselves with the demons to terrorize humanity.

Holy Knight Randy met Cardinal Zaul's gaze and responded solemnly: "Yes, Eminence. Using my newfound abilities, I was able to identify a peculiar dark region within the Meistic Forest. This anomalous region remains imperceptible to the ordinary observer, which was why none had reported about it."

Recalling his earlier conversation with the old man from the initial village he visited, Holy Knight Randy remembered that his main body had sought to confirm whether others could perceive the unusual dark region that had caught his attention upon his arrival in the world of Acruxia, but the result was that no one could perceive the dark region. His main body could only conclude that only he could perceive due to his high perception or something else.

In response to his explanation, the Cardinals present in the chamber were left dumbfounded by the eloquence displayed by 'Zolat Grant.' It was distinctly different from the 'Zolat Grant' they were familiar with. Moreover, the 'Zolat Grant' they had known had never possessed any perceptive abilities.

Observing and listening to the ostentatious words of Holy Knight Randy, Cardinal Juke's eyes reddened as he witnessed this sanctimonious display by 'Zolat Grant.' This was the same man he knew to be a debauched pleasure-seeker. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. Even worse, 'Zolat Grant' had previously lied to him about failing his mission, only to divulge everything to the Pope as though he was solely responsible for finding the location of the Vampire Queen's lair.

Was Zolat Grant always a schemer? Why had he dared to go against him, knowing full well the consequences? Cardinal Juke was confounded by the actions of his former subordinate. He wondered about the source of this newfound audacity and confidence. What encouraged him to believe he could successfully turn the tables against him? Is it possible that Zolat Grant had someone supporting his actions all along, and he simply had been unaware?

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