I returned to my work on the crystal nodes, finishing the last few before sending them to the people from the Second Tribunal. When I was about to stretch, I suddenly felt a pair of hands on my shoulders. I let the person behind me massage me while I leaned back.
-"How was the meeting?"-Mostima put her chin on the top of my head.
-"As planned. I got what I wanted, showed some of my strength so that they continue paying interest to me, and promised to pay them a visit if they do well enough."
-"That's good to hear. And what did you get?"
-"Extraterritorial churches in Yan, along with the right to escort missionaries with our military there."
-"And they agreed?"
-"Not fully, but the foot is already in the door."
-"But why do you need that?"
-"You know what Laterano's biggest advantages are, right?"
-"Religion and unity."
-"You are right, but there is something more. Laterano is an armed pacifist with long years of neutrality. This makes others less wary about us, while giving us enough consideration to be a major player in the international field."
-"But your appearance disrupted that."
-"Indeed, so they will try to satisfy my needs to ensure Laterano remains neutral. Few pieces of land are worth nothing in exchange for having a nation of six million armed Sankta as a friend."
-"But again, why did you ask for them?"
-"Two reasons, publicly, it's for our evangelism to be easier, this is true, by not being bound by laws, we can much more easily work with infected, a group that can easily be converted into the Lateran Church believers. As for the other reason, you've read about teleportation in my notes, right? I plan to us is to monopolize some industries."
-"Won't your plan put Penguin logistics out of business?"
-"Don't worry, not everything can be transported out in public."
-"But why do you wish to evangelize so much?"
-"It's an easy soft power to be gained. Wars are the lowest kind of politics. If 20% of your country believed in Lateran Church, won't you fear rebellion if you act against Laterano?"
-"But won't that make others wary of us?"
-"This is the beauty of religion, even if it's an over scheme, it's hard to stop. More often than not, the more you repress it, the more it grows. But to not make others act irrationally, this is where Laterano's neutrality comes in."
-"You plan to make Laterano the center of the world."
-"You can say it that way. I want to create Terra where Laterano words are something even Emperors can't ignore."
-"I would love to see that."
-"Just give me some time. What brings you here anyway?"
-"Nothing, just wanted to see if I can help you around."
-"You actually can. Help me organize those and send them to Tribunals that would need them."-I made a tower of books appear next to me.
-"Books from another world?"
-"Yes, mostly about technology, politics, and philosophy. I want them to help us move forward."
-"Sure, leave it to me.
And so the work continued. I full focused on constructing the great formation, cooperating with hundreds of recruited workers to make the work progress quickly. From the tiniest runes just under the surface to the grand magic circles hidden deep in the Lateran Catacombs, every detail needed to be inscribed carefully, so without the support of many others to complete trivial matters, I wouldn't even attempt to complete it in a week's time.
Even then, I was only able to complete the bare minimum, the foundation on which the future formation will slowly be laid. This foundation is responsible for the magic power flow and gathering, so it's also the part that I promised to the Law, which is why I tried to complete it so quickly. Now, the Law should enter a state of hibernation, lessening its monitoring of my actions.
But the time of my departure to the Leithanien also arrived, so I could only bid farewell with everyone and get going. Old Man already prepared a convoy that would escort me to the Zwillingstürme, a total of ten armored cars carrying a whole detachment of Apostolic Knights. After receiving their mission, they bombed a whole street for a night straight, so even now they could hardly contain their excitement.
-"I'm sorry, Eno."-Margaret held her forehead by my side, her normally straight ears now hanging low.
-"Don't worry, I know how they get."-I looked at the group of rowdy Apostolic Knights.-"We just left the city, can't you behave well for a little longer?"
-"Son, don't be like that."-One of the Apostolic Knights responded.-"It's rare we can leave the city, let us enjoy some free range shooting."
-"Ugh, sometimes I regret ordering you all to act casually around me."
-"It's too late to take it back, Son."
-"Sigh. You'll get used to it. I hope you three won't lose sleep because of them."
-"They are quite funny. Better than the scheming and profit-driven mafioso."-Cellinia shrugged her shoulders.
-"I can't believe they are the Apostolic Knights that kept Confessarii in check for so long."-Shining, on the other hand, was doubting her existence.
-"Sigh. I'll give you the rest of the day to play, but you'd better behave after that."
-"Long live the Holy Son!"-They cheered.
-"Whatever. I'll set up a teleportation circle so that I can send the cars with us."
-"Let us help."
-"Sure."
Preparing it wasn't that hard, so I was able to finish it within an hour, returning to the Apostolic Knights, who now set up a whole BBQ picnic. I grabbed a bear from a cooler and sat among them. Growing up surrounded by those 'uncles', you get used to how they are in private, rubbing off on them at the same time. Their mastery of switching from serious to casual and staying true to oneself no matter what was something I gained from them.
Three girls also relaxed slightly due to the atmosphere created by those uncles. Margaret was soon surrounded by them, drinking with everyone. It would seem that they are about to learn a lesson about not trying to outdrink a Kuranta Knight. Cellinia simply remained by my side, showing me some interesting news on her tablet from time to time. Shining stayed on the periphery, conversing with a special member of the Apostolic Knights. Lemuen was also present, but she was busy organizing our stay in Leithanien.
That person was known as Aurela, a Fallen who was once a prominent Apostolic Knight. She returned to Laterano after hearing of my restoration of Mostima's halo, pleading for the same mercy. Because Mostima previously investigated her Fall, and due to Uncle Patrizion's speaking up for her, I agreed to her return. I remember our conversation back then, as I was surprised by her return to Laterano.
-"Holy Son."-She knelt before me.
-"You must be Aurela. I heard about you from Uncle Patrizion. I thought you got disillusioned with Laterano."
-"I did. I can't stand the false façade ever-present in Laterano, but it's still my hometown. I heard of Holy Son's actions, and I wish to be of use to Son, to change the Holy City into something worth my faith."
-"A reformist? Good. Only if one dares to criticize the errors they see will they dare to try correcting them. I will restore your position and name, but from now on, you shall report directly to me any sin of the fellow Sankta you see. I shall be their judge; you are only to be my eyes."
-"Thank you for your blessing, Son."-The halo on her head slowly mended.-"I have one more thing I wish to ask Son."
-"Go on."
-"I followed a group of faithful and refugees, running from the horrors of war. I hope Son can grant them protection in Laterano."
-"They may settle in Laterano, but the City will be opened only to those who were granted the Sacrament of Confirmation. I'll inform Sixth Tribunal to work with your group and settle them in."
-"I'm eternally grateful."
Even though this happened not even three days ago, I still received whole twenty-page report detailing the sins of a large number of high-ranking Sankta, many of them were Apostolic Knights. After consulting with the First Tribunal, I decided to order a strict investigation of the claims before making my verdict, but with my order, simple questioning was enough for suspects to admit to their crimes.
Because of that, many people lost their positions, part was even exiled from the city into some minor monasteries and missionary missions to repent. Laterano doesn't practice the death penalty, but for believers, there are worse things than death, so everyone got the punishment they deserved. This made Aurela fully give her loyalty to me, joining the old cadre under Patrizion as my guard.
-"Son, here you go."-Speak of an angel and hell appear, Patrizion handed me a plate of grilled honeyed meat.
-"Thanks, Uncle."
-"Don't mention it, Son. It's good to see you smile naturally again."
-"Yes, I made you worry as always."
-"Haha, it's the old people's right to worry for the young."
-"Speaking of old people, hasn't Uncle retired? How come you came to be my guard again?"
-"I did retire, but it was only so that I don't have to waste my poor knees by standing still all day in the Cathedral. When Son returned, I instantly rejoined the Knights."
-"Then I'll be in your care as always, Uncle."
-"Leave your enemies to me, Son. But I wanted to consult you on something."
-"Let me guess, it's about your dear granddaughter?"
-"Son is right."
-"What's the matter this time. Did she blow up your house?"
-"No, after Son left, Fifi abandoned her training and joined Notarial Hall, working with saintes Mostima for a while before going on some mission. I hope Son can speak some sense into her and make her return to the Knights."
-"You know how she is. I doubt she will listen to me."
-"No, Fifi always respected Son's opinions. Please, Son."
-"Sure, I'll speak with her when I see her."
-"Great. I'll be going back to the grill. If Son wants more meat, be sure to call me."
-"Have fun, Uncle."
-"Uncle?"-Cellinia asked me after he left.
-"Pope is my Old Man, but he was often too busy to take care of me. It was Uncle Patrizion who watched over me."
-"Oh? He sounds like a great person, then."
-"He is. Almost all younger Apostolic Knights were trained by him, while those here, the old cadre, are his lifelong companions. If not for the Apostolic Knights having no internal leader, he would be one. But he also carries many burdens due to his long life."
-"He sounds like one of those long-retired godfathers. Enjoying their twilight light, doing what they like."
-"Just be careful not to talk about movies with him. Few can stand his taste in movies."
-"I'll remember that."
In the evening everyone cleaned up after the party, and after throwing the drunk knights into the back of the cars, we prepared for the teleportation. After the blue glow of magic enveloped us, we disappeared from the Laterano.
When everyone shook off the discomfort of first-time teleportation, we climbed back into the cars and departed for the Zwillingstürme. I looked at the lightly tipsy Margaret next to me, admiring how she had drunk ten knights under the table. But we didn't have much time to talk, as not even fifteen minutes later, Zwillingstürme appeared in our sight.
Our arrival was a little earlier than planned, but we were quickly granted entrance into the city. Because this was official visit, we traveled through the main streets openly, attracting quite a crowd of spectators due to our convoy being full of Lateran symbolism. The Lateran pure white stood out well in the background of the Leithanian classical style.
Without any issues, we arrived in the mansion Empress gifted me, and under Lemuen and Uncle's arrangements, everyone was assigned rooms and an order of the guard duties. Soon, one could see fully armed Apostolic Knights standing guard around the building, scaring some reporters and spies from approaching.
As it was already quite late in the evening when we arrived, any social activities will only start tomorrow, so I was able to calmly decide on my plans in the city. My main focus is to find information on Originium, Witchcraft, and to look for some more knowledge about the Arts. With access to the Ludwigs-Universität, it should be easy to find what I need, but sadly, I still need to waste some time on other matters.
Dealing with nobles was always annoying, but with me holding a higher status, it should be manageable. Lemuen arranged everything so that two of my three knights will always accompany me, and due to Cellinia disappearing to gather some information in the underground of the city, Shining and Margaret will be the ones following me tomorrow.
With Cellinia's abilities, by the morning, we might already have enough dirt on the nobles that we will be meeting that I can just ignore them, giving them a warning when they outstep some boundary, but what I needed to watch out for more was the opinion of the people. In may occasions, the common people will also be present in droves, and as Holy Son, my public image is much more important to me than to nobles with status from their bloodline.
Some time later, Lemuen brought me my plan for the day for tomorrow. First was the meeting with the Empress, after which I will be free until the evening, when I will take part in a concert and socialize with the elites. There was no way around it, so I agreed and went to rest.
The next morning, I took Lemuen, Margaret, and Shining, along with four Apostolic Knights, and left the mansion, heading to the Empress's Spire. Because of the close proximity between the Empress's Spire and the Ludwigs-Universität, I decided to walk there instead of taking a car, enjoying the morning air. The streets were also mostly empty, so our group didn't cause too much commotion.
After entering the Spire, we were led to a dining room where the Empress waited for us with a meal. Like before, our talk was amiable but mostly empty, ending in an hour or so. The Empress gave me the documents that allowed free access to the libraries in the city, and appointed Viviana, the knight who was already familiar to me, as a guide. I decided to agree to that as assistance from someone familiar would help me not to waste time looking for things.
After leaving the Spire, I went directly to the Ludwigs-Universität where the lessons had already started. While most students were in classrooms, some classes took place in the open air, allowing me to see the proud Arts of Leithanien.
Seeing the passion of the teachers as well as the interest of the students, I couldn't help but envy Leithanien. Such a scene was hardly possible in Laterano, where the Sankta were too content with the status quo, rarely seeking to further their knowledge or understanding. With such thoughts in mind, I entered the library, the main reason for my arrival here.