Chapter 1365 - 641: Creation Mountain Falling Sky: The Pope’s Demigod Ceremony

Upon hearing this aged voice, the seven saints hastily ceased their argument, all collectively gazing towards the papal throne at the end of the teak long table.

Seated atop it was a frail old man with completely white hair and a face full of wrinkles, draped in a white priestly robe, a [Fisher’s Ring of Authority] adorning his hand.

His eyes seemed to glimmer like radiant gold, and holy power as vast as the sea surged within his body.

Every breath resonated in harmony with St. Peter’s Cathedral and the City of Seven Hills, as if the entire world responded to his every gesture.

Though he spoke casually, every word he uttered seemed to instantly become an established fact.

In legend, the "word follows the law" of the great prophecy skill is just like this.

This is none other than the being with the highest status on the Silver Continent, the current Pope Francis IV!

Under normal circumstances, the pope does not speak carelessly, but when he does, all saints and clergy must absolutely obey his will and commands.

"Your Eminence!"

Each saint subconsciously rose to show respectful tribute, yet they all concurrently and instinctively focused their gaze on the [Papal Tiara] atop his head.

It was a majestically adorned Triple Crown inlaid with countless gemstones, exceedingly luxurious.

The body was crafted from extraordinary noble metals, Holy Gold and Mithril, further embellished with a variety of gemstones: Pearl, Yellow Jade, Yellow Crystal, Sea Blue Gemstone, Amethyst, Garnet, Emerald, Tourmaline, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, and others.

Even just the fundamental materials used in crafting it were worth a fortune.

Yet each saint knew that compared to the power and rank it symbolized, the value of the jewels themselves was negligible.

This [Papal Tiara] signifies the supreme authority in the mortal world and derives its name "Triple Crown" from the three circular crown designs on it.

The Triple Crown bestows upon the pope: the "power of instruction," "power of governance," "power of servitude," symbolizing the divine attributes of exhortation, sanctification, and governance;

Simultaneously, it represents the pope’s three highest powers: legislative power, judicial power, administrative power; furthermore, it embodies earthly power, divine power, and human rights.

Legend has it that it originally belonged to the creator.

When the creator donned it while roaming the mortal world, the series of legends left behind deeply captivated the earthbound monarchs.

Thus, they too began to adorn themselves with noble headpieces, proclaiming the monarch’s nobility and authority.

This led to the proliferation of "imitations" of divine artifacts in the mortal realm, which are the crowns belonging to monarchs.

However, these crowns only wield power over their own nation’s people and cannot be compared with the [Papal Tiara] possessing triple power.

Saint John held the highest status among the seven saints, wielding the strongest influence through the Holy Infant Society, and when he looked at that papal tiara, his gaze was eager:

’Once Francis IV, Your Eminence, passes away and vacates the throne, this Triple Crown will ultimately be mine.’

Pope Francis IV was inaugurated at the age of 57 and had held this position for a full 13 years.

The leaders of the Church are all mortal, their lifespans limited. Even reckoning back over fifteen hundred years, the tenure of serving popes has been among the longest.

In ancient times, living beyond seventy was exceedingly rare, and it’s the same everywhere.

The saints present were mostly advanced in age, with an average age surpassing fifty, having long awaited this moment eagerly.

After all, spending seventy years as a crown prince was an extreme case.

Normally, thirteen years is already quite a long time, and within the lifespan of these mortals, how many thirteen-year periods do they really have?

History is replete with popes dying of old age or illness within less than one year in office.

The thoughts of the seven saints at the time were unspoken, yet they shared the same aspirations.

Saint John suppressed his eagerness, speaking with a face full of respect:

"Your Eminence, allow me to be responsible for sending someone to invite the strongest assassin of this era, the current [Mountain Elder] Assassin to act personally.

There are many who wish for Byron Lancaster’s demise; regardless of the success of the assassination, no one would suspect us, letting those Bayfolk completely turn towards the Protestant Doctrine.

Once he is dead, as long as we dispatch capable personnel, regaining ecclesiastical authority over the Eternal Night Three Kingdoms will be no difficult task, naturally eliminating the threat from the North Sea Empire."

Such personal arrangements concerning him are acceptable.

However, as for the ’Church Meridian’ concerning the entire North Sea Empire, how it should be drawn, may Your Eminence guide us."

Francis IV evidently had preparations early in place; with a lift of his hand, a complete map of the known material world was projected within the great hall.

Including the Old Continent Dragon Court, the Bantaan Archipelago in its midst, the Southern Continent Safari Paradise, and even the Truth Corridor’s newly lit first lighthouse of Distant View Port.

Yet the entire Truth Corridor and the other areas of this world still remained shrouded in mist.

Using his hand like a pen, the pope drew a line 300 nautical miles east of the Chasm Trench whale oil production area on the Southern Continent and the Centaur Archipelago.

"I have decided to establish a Church Meridian here, letting the two strongest maritime nations, the North Sea Empire, and the Kingdom of Castilia, each explore."

All uncharted lands west of this line are to be allocated to the Kingdom of Castilia, while all uncharted lands east of this line are to be allocated to the North Sea Empire.

Within the current map, neither country may continue to develop colonies outside their own jurisdictions, they can only expand west or east of the Church Meridian."

What are your thoughts?"

The seven saints were not simple individuals, even if they had never ventured out to sea, they still had a clear insight into the current situation on the seas.