I Became The Pope, Now What?-Novel

Sylvester hurried to the Bard's as he didn't want his workers to quit. He had a long plan for the Bard's, and for that, he needed skilled cooks and workers to train others for the future.

"If it's not the snake, then who else could it be? Who can eat so much food in one go?" Lady Aurora asked as she understood how much food was sold daily in the Bard's, and since it was just morning, there should have been a lot of food.

"I don't know, probably a madman or perhaps someone who wanted to pique my interest. But, the way the knight refused to elaborate on who he was, I'm guessing it was someone who wanted to surprise me or attack me. So, do watch my back."

Sylvester galloped forward and soon reached the gates of the Holy Land and called for some knights to come along as escorts. Since he used to be the overseer of the gates not long ago, many guards knew him and had a favourable impression, so many of them willingly came along, hoping they'd get to eat something too.

In no time, a huge angry crowd outside the Bard's came into view. They were shouting and hurling insults at the building and were trying to pick up some stones from nearby to throw.

Woosh!

Sylvester pulled out his spear and shot a bright light beam into the sky. It instantly earned the attention of all, and they turned silent in fright in no time.

"Soldiers, move them away. If any of them decides to create any ruckus or fight, you can use non-lethal means to stop them." Sylvester commanded them and trotted down the path split between the crowd.

As he arrived outside the Bard's, he saw the five mercenaries he had hired for protection, trying to keep the angry customers at bay.

"What happened?" Sylvester asked.

"M-My lord… It's… Inside he ate everything and demanded more. He also said he'd give them a thousand gold for it, but we have nothing left, and the crowd got angry."

Sylvester noticed one of the workers, the youngest of them, fourteen-year-old Ava, sitting near the stairs and crying her eyes out. So he quickly walked over and patted her shoulder. "What happened?"

"Nothing… The customer is very kind and sweet, but I'm tired, my lord. Every day so many customers come, and we don't even get time to breathe during the whole shift. Today, the people said they'd burn this place down… I won't have a place to live then. I'm sorry, my lord."

'Did I overwork them? Or did the Bard's get too popular while I was gone?' Sylvester wondered.

"It's okay, dear. I have brought some help, and they will be here soon. So you won't have to work as much. Consider the shift over for today, so go and have some rest. Also, your home is where your heart is, so as long as you're well, you will always have a home wherever I am." Sylvester tried to calm her down.

He knew that it was likely hard on her mind. Being an ex-slave, she probably had more traumas and fears than he could imagine.

So after sending her to rest, Sylvester walked into the building and went to the first floor directly to see this mad customer.

Bam!

"Sylvester! Young Bard! My boy, my greatest benefactor!"

Sylvester stopped as soon as he reached the top of the stairs and saw the man who had caused so much ruckus. Sadly, the man held such a background that he could not even get angry at him.

Woosh!

The tall, muscular man hugged Sylvester as if they were long-lost family. "Haha… Come, Lord Bard! Let me show you my son! The medicine you gave me worked."

"..."

Sylvester was even more shocked as he had shot an arrow in the dark with no hope. "King Highland… You had a child?"

The King nodded proudly and went to the Queen to take the baby out of her hand and show it to Sylvester as if he were a puppy. "Bwahaha… Not just a baby, but a strong boy! Look, he already has strong muscles in his arms and legs! He's going to be a fine king."

"Ah! Don't hold the baby like that, your majesty!" Sylvester quickly took the baby in their arms and looked at his face intently.

The little one had ashen blonde hair and a round chubby face. The eyes were big and blue, showing Sylvester's reflection in them as the baby stared at him intently.

Tap!

"Aya!"

A moment later, the baby suddenly raised his palm and tapped on Sylvester's nose, instantly melting the strong and ruthless man he had become. The baby made noises as if he was talking, although it was just cute gibberish.

Sylvester didn't want to, but his eyes went a little wet as he remembered the loss of his own child in his past life. All the hopes and dreams that were quashed, all the memories that broke him, resurfaced for a split second.

He controlled himself and caressed the baby's chubby face. "Hehe… Forgive me, little one. My body and armour probably stink a lot… I caught a lot of bad people, you see. You must do the same when you grow up."

"It's fine. He's used to stinky people. His father plays with him after his daily exercise." The absurdly beautiful woman stood up and walked over to Sylvester.

'S-She… Isn't she also a Grand Wizard? Good lord, not only is she blessed in beauty but also might—What a perfect power couple.'

Woosh!

But, shocking Sylvester, she didn't raise her hand to shake it. Instead, she hugged him with the baby in between. It wasn't anything lustful but just a hug from a delighted mother. It was evident as she raised her hand and caressed Sylvester's hair.

"Your mother must feel so much pride to know she brought a son like you into this world. Lord Bard, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the healing blessing you bestowed upon us. So, we want you to be the Godfather of my son and name him." The Queen stepped back, leaving Sylvester in a strange storm of emotions.

He looked down at the baby and intently poured a little of his own solarium to see if he got any pushback.

'Ah! I can sense it. The magic is surging through his veins… He will one day be an utterly strong wizard, it appears… To be his Godfather, I must do a genuinely good job.'

Sylvester didn't have any spy-like dark motives behind his thoughts. He just wanted the baby to grow up to become a good man who uses his blessing for good. But, first, he needed to give a good name.

So, he silently looked at the baby while thinking intently.

"Rex Magnus… Meaning Great King… Rex Magnus Highland!" Sylvester murmured in a low breath, enough that King Atrox and Queen Trinity could hear him.

Both royals looked at each other with big smiles and eventually nodded to agree with the name given by Sylvester. It was beautiful and mighty as they hoped it to be.

"This was sudden, and I heard you made my staff cry, your majesty?" Sylvester gently handed the baby back to the Queen and turned to the King.

King Highland tried to steal his gaze and give an excuse. "Well, the thing is… The food was great, Lord Bard… Better than any I have ever tasted, and I could not control myself. You know, I'm a Grand Wizard, and our apatites are big."

"We're sorry, Lord Bard. I should have stopped him earlier." Queen Trinity apologised.

"It's alright. I've sent the people away. The staff will need some mental healing and rest, that's for sure. But what brought you here, your royal majesties? The baby is still too small for you to be travelling." Sylvester questioned them as if he was their elder.

Queen Trinity answered him in her soft voice. "We wished to see you and let the baby have the grace of the Holy Father and the Magna Sanctum temple. As the temple can heal anyone with any ailments, we hope that little Rex here can be cleared of any problems before he starts to grow big."

'Amazing… Does this mean these nobles can use the Magna Sanctum like a vaccine?' Sylvester was amazed by the usage.

"Then… I believe we will see each other in the coming few days. Sadly, I cannot accompany you as I must first fix the issue here.

"Of course, Lord Bard… I have much to discuss with you, as does my beautiful wife. We shall meet you soon inside the Holy Land later." King Highland picked his items from the seat and proceeded down the stairs.

But then he stopped and looked back at Sylvester. "Oh, one more thing… I heard the Bard's also deliver inside the Holy Land?"

Bam!

Queen Trinity smacked her husband's back and dragged him out of the building. She mumbled some scolding while pushing him into the carriage and then entering.

"What an amazing couple." Lady Aurora spoke finally. "I felt like I had lost my breath in the presence of those two. How did you manage yourself, Sylvester?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Sylvester looked back. "Wait… What happened?"

He noticed the guards he had brought and the mercenaries he had hired had pale faces and appeared stuck in one position with eyes wide open.

"M-My lord… King Highland's aura… It's scary!" One of the soldiers said.

"Scary? I felt nothing." Sylvester blurted.

"Ah! Of course, you're the Bard, after all!" Another soldier said as he returned to normal.

Sylvester tried to wonder what had just happened. King Highland did not affect anyone the last time he visited Bright Mother's housing. Then, this was either purposeful, done to gauge him, or it was King's natural aura.

'He didn't smell of anything but positivity. Could it be because of…'

"Lady Aurora, send the people away that are crowding outside. I will meet with the staff in the meantime. They are probably shaken up by such a high-ranked person appearing here." Sylvester requested her.

"Sure, it won't take any time." She agreed and took all the soldiers and mercenaries along.

However, Sylvester's goal was something else. He went straight down to the ground floor, then to the basement, and then entered the hidden entrance to the vast labyrinth he had constructed. There, many rooms were visible now that had been completed. But the one that mattered was at the end of the long corridor.

Knock Knock!

He knocked on the door before opening it to enter. Instantly, the form of a man came into his vision, and everything made sense.

'Did King Highland sense Healer Hendrix here? Both are Grand Wizards, after all.'

Boom!

"Right on time! Come here, boy! A BLOODY BREAKTHROUGH!"

Healer Hendrix suddenly boomed and laughed like an evil mad alchemist.

"I've done it! I've separated the eye and the nerves! Now I know how to plant another man's eyes into someone else!"

Sylvester's ears stood up. "Do you mean…"

"YES! We can plant Duke Daemon's eyes with the future sight on someone else!!!"

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