The old Duke knew, the moment the Pope arrived, that the visit concerned the succession of his title.
As expected, the Pope suggested that the title be passed to Kailon.
The Duke couldn't fathom what promises Kailon and his mother had made to the Pope, but it was undoubtedly significant, possibly even detrimental to the very foundation of the Norla family.
However…
No matter the pressure, he would never pass the title to Kailon.
He was fair and just. He rigorously educated his children to ensure they possessed the necessary capabilities to inherit the Norla family title and lead the family to an even more prosperous future.
Seeing the Pope return, the old Duke suppressed his fury. He wanted to roar, "The Norla family's succession is none of an outsider's business!"
But wait…
Was he mistaken? Was he seeing things?
The previously irate Pope was now smiling at him.
Before the Duke could speak, the Pope said, "Old Duke, I was just joking with you earlier. It was merely a test for your Norla family."
"A test?" The old Duke was bewildered. He couldn't understand what the Pope meant.
The Pope returned to his seat. The Norla family members were puzzled, unsure of what had transpired. The angry Pope had been ready to leave, yet he returned midway. What had happened? It was utterly baffling.
Then someone noticed the smirk on Kailon's face and had a bad premonition. Could it be that the Pope intended to…
The family members supporting Olivia paled. If this were true, there was nothing they could do.
Then the Pope rose.
"Everyone, what happened just now was merely a test. There's no need to be alarmed." The Pope smiled and said slowly, "The Norla family has a history spanning hundreds of years. During the Rock Empire's greatest turmoil, when everyone believed the empire was doomed, it was the Norla family who stepped forward, at the near cost of their entire clan, and saved the crumbling Rock Empire."
"In the eyes of our Radiant Church, the Norla family embodies loyalty, bravery, fearlessness, and dedication. They are worthy of the Radiant Church's respect."
"Therefore… during the Norla family's succession ceremony, I, as the Pope of the Radiant Church, have come personally to represent the veneration of the thirteenth Pope of the Radiant Church for the Norla family."
"Just now, when the old Duke decided on Olivia as his successor, I feigned anger, hoping he would change his mind, hoping to use the Radiant Church's influence to sway his decision. But the old Duke refused, even at the risk of offending the Radiant Church."
"From this, I have witnessed the knightly spirit within the old Duke. It is a great spirit of justice, bravery, and defiance of tyranny."
The Pope, true to his profession, was a master of words. Accustomed to flattery, he was equally adept at bestowing it upon others.
Observe…
The pale-faced old Duke, under the Pope's eloquent praise, regained his color, as if bathed in rejuvenating light.
The old Duke was deeply moved. He hadn't expected such high praise from the Pope. After this incident, the Norla family's reputation would spread throughout the continent. Such glory was something he had never imagined witnessing in his lifetime, yet here it was, unfolding before his very eyes.
Now, the entire Norla family was in a frenzy, their blood boiling. They felt immense pride in their identity. "We are members of the Norla family! The Radiant Church holds us in such high regard! This is glory, supreme glory!"
This news would spread across the continent. No one would be unaware of the Norla family's glory.
Kailon blinked, his mind filled with questions. "What does this mean? This doesn't seem to have anything to do with my inheritance. What are you talking about? This prelude is rather tedious."
The Pope was pleased with the atmosphere. "Excellent! The conflict with the Norlas has been successfully resolved. I remain the great Pope."
The old Duke rose, his body trembling, and bowed to the Pope. "Thank you, Your Holiness, for your high praise. I apologize for my earlier behavior. The Pope is always just and fair."
The Pope replied, "There is no need for shame, Old Duke. Your spirit is evident to all."
The old Duke felt tears welling up in his eyes.
The Pope gestured for silence, then continued, "Olivia, as the eldest daughter of the Norla family and a graduate of the Royal Academy of the Lanyuan Empire, possesses the strength, spirit, and prestige befitting the next head of the Norla family."
"The earlier appointment of Kailon to the deacon position was a test, to see how the old Duke would choose. Ultimately, the old Duke chose the wisest successor. Therefore, I retract the appointment of Kailon as deacon."
"His existence is a disgrace to the Norla family."
"According to my investigation, Kailon has wantonly abused servants and committed numerous atrocities outside. I suggest that the old Duke expel this black sheep from the Norla family, as his presence is a stain on their name."
The old Duke said, "Your Holiness is absolutely right. I have long been aware of his actions, but I gave him a chance, hoping he would change. Sadly, he has not."
Then, the old Duke declared, "Today, Kailon Norla is expelled from the family."
The crowd erupted in cheers. Those who had been bullied by Kailon looked at him with schadenfreude. "Didn't expect this ending, did you? So much for your arrogance and tyranny. Let's see how you act now."
Kailon, standing there, waiting for his celebration, was dumbfounded. His eyes widened. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. The script was completely different. As if overwhelmed by the shock, Kailon coughed up blood, his eyes losing focus, and collapsed unconscious.
Even the noblewoman stood up trembling. She looked at the Pope in disbelief, as if wanting to say something. But she saw a cold warning in the Pope's eyes, as if telling her that any outburst would result in certain death…
Thud!
The noblewoman collapsed back into her chair, utterly defeated.
The Pope felt it wasn't enough. To compensate for the earlier charade, he felt he had to do something more.
"The old Duke's health is not good. My visit, besides observing the Norla family's succession ceremony, is also to bestow holy light upon the old Duke and heal his body."
The Pope raised his hand towards the old Duke, his palm radiating holy light, enveloping the old Duke's body. The sickly old Duke gradually regained his health.
The old Duke looked at his hands in disbelief, feeling invigorated.
"Thank you, Your Holiness, for the gift of holy light," the old Duke said gratefully.
The Pope smiled. "The blessing of the holy light has been bestowed. We should take our leave."
Olivia hadn't spoken a word throughout the entire ordeal. From the moment the Pope returned, she couldn't understand what was happening or why.
But Coram and the others were overjoyed. Truly overjoyed. They had thought the Pope was on Kailon's side, but the situation had turned around so quickly. It turned out the earlier events were just a test! How frightening!
Tia said, "I didn't expect the Pope to be so good, so fair, so magnificent!"
Coram added, "Yes, I thought he was our enemy. I never expected this to happen. The Radiant Church represents the light element, so it must be holy and just. The Pope is truly a respectable person."
The Pope, pretending not to notice them, had been eavesdropping as he passed by. Hearing Coram's praise, his heart was filled with relief. "Was that so easy? Fortunately, I'm a gifted speaker, otherwise, things could have gone wrong. Keep praising me when you're home. Especially in front of your father. Let me appear more frequently in his mind, boosting my presence."
The position of Pope might seem high and mighty, but it was actually quite precarious. One wrong move could lead to disaster. He had memorized the faces of the three young women around Coram.
Olivia!
Tia!
Sylph!
The Norla family, the Diano family, and the Elves. If anyone from the Radiant Church dared to provoke them, he, the Pope, would be the first to deal with them.
He pondered carefully. It seemed he needed to maintain good relations with these families. Upon returning, he would immediately inquire whether anyone in the Radiant Church had collaborations with these families, or any shady dealings. If any such dealings existed, they would be terminated immediately. Such things were too risky.
Outside, the Pope addressed a cardinal sternly, "Go, erase her memory. The Radiant Church is sacred. We do not engage in such underhanded tactics. Understand?"
"Yes, Your Holiness," the cardinal replied respectfully.
As soon as he finished speaking, the cardinal vanished. The cardinals accompanying the Pope were all Saint-level experts. As long as there were no other Saint-level experts present, their actions would go unnoticed.
Did the Norla family have any?
Unfortunately, they did not.
This was the Norla family's moment of glory. Shortly after the Pope's departure, the Norla family's bards set off in all directions across the continent. They would sing of the Pope's high praise for the Norla family, ensuring the entire continent knew of the Rock Empire's Norla family, praised by the Pope himself. Such praise was supreme, an unparalleled honor.
Recorded in the annals of the Radiant Church, it was an achievement even emperors couldn't attain. It would be passed down through generations, their legacy eternal.
In the village, Lin Fan continued his daily routine, blacksmithing and farming. In his spare time, he would sense the world, searching for the God of Darkness.
However, the dark aura he sensed was far weaker than what he needed, not even as strong as the Undead Monarch.
It was truly a pity.
"No rush, no rush. Take it slow. Even if he doesn't appear, it's fine. My daughter hasn't grown up yet."
Lin Fan muttered to himself, a smile on his face.