"I see. So you told them directly. Don't worry—even if Evangelista XI learns of this, she won't do anything to her."
"You don't seem surprised by this at all."
Even Theresa had been shocked upon learning about little Cecilia's existence, yet Kelsey was unnaturally calm. From her tone, it also sounded like she was quite familiar with Laterano's current Pope, Evangelista XI.
"Got it. If anyone asks, I'll just mention your name." Seeing Kelsey remain silent, Daniel didn't press the matter. After all, for women, age is their greatest secret—especially for someone like Kelsey, whose age might be in the four-digit range. Grip-strength meter, beware.
Unfortunately, Daniel still didn't realize that he was completely underestimating Kelsey. Her age wasn't in the four digits—it was over five.
"I can tell you all the details, but what I'm about to say might shatter everything you believe. Are you sure you want to hear this?"
"Just spit it out," Fiammetta said bluntly.
"Alright, here's the situation." Daniel proceeded to recount Cecilia's origins.
"No way!" Exusiai cried out, visibly shaken. The others were just as stunned, falling silent. As Laterano citizens, they knew exactly how dangerous this truth would be if leaked.
"Nothing's impossible. Just look at her." Daniel pointed to Mostima, her black horns and wings now taking on an entirely new significance.
In Laterano, black wings and hooves symbolized a "fallen" Sankta—someone who had violated one of the Thirteen Core Doctrines and been punished. But now? Could "falling" mean turning into a Sarkaz? And if so, were Sarkaz once Fallen Sankta?
"Poor kid… hasn't even started her life and already caught up in a storm."
Of everyone present, it was the trainee Executor Aizel who was the most shaken. His halo was flickering erratically above his head.
"Her mother and daughter are on Rhodes Island. If you don't believe me, feel free to go see for yourselves." With Kelsey's backing, Daniel had nothing to hide. And with Rhodes Island and Penguin Logistics now closely partnered, nearly everyone from Penguin was on the island. The only ones not present were Emperor, his right-hand man Ice, and Mostima.
"This has to be reported to the Pope. Apologies, but I must ask you to remain in Laterano for now," Fiammetta said after a long silence. If Daniel hadn't healed Lemuen, she absolutely would have taken him straight to the Tribunal.
"No problem. And while you're reporting it, pass along a message to the Pope—Kelsey sends her regards."
"I will."
"Hey, don't overthink it. Go home and rest up. Laterano will still be Laterano," Mostima suddenly said to Aizel, whose halo was still flickering.
"Yes, ma'am." Her words seemed to have a calming effect, instantly steadying Aizel.
"The Pope knows. They've been taken to Rhodes Island. What will you do now?"
Outskirts of Laterano, Requiem Chapel. Envoy of All Nations Oren was speaking with a Sankta in black. If Fiammetta saw him, she would draw her guns immediately. This man—Andoen—was her former captain and the one responsible for Mostima's fall and Lemuen's five-year coma.
"Rhodes Island, huh? That's not a bad place for her to end up."
"You don't seem to care at all. Don't forget—without her, your plan wouldn't even be possible."
"I only have one question to ask."
"Tch."
Annoyed, Oren snorted and left. Though they both sought change in Laterano and had worked together, their ideals differed significantly.
"Greetings, Your Holiness."
The next day, after receiving a summons, Daniel stepped into the sanctum of Laterano: the Apostolic Palace. There he met Pope Evangelista XI, a kindly old man with white hair and beard, whose presence exuded gentle humor.
"How is Lady Kelsey?"
"She's doing well."
"Good to hear. Now try the new cactus-flavored fruit tart."
"Well, that's certainly… something." Looking at the table covered in all kinds of desserts, Daniel gained a whole new appreciation for the Sankta love of sweets. No wonder there were so many bizarre desserts on the market.
"Not everyone shares our taste in sweets, Your Holiness."
The voice came from a purple-haired Sankta whose left eye was covered. After introducing herself, Daniel learned she was Cardinal Virlif, one of Laterano's top figures.
"It's still dessert, isn't it?" Though she rebuked the Pope, her own treat was also sweet—just not cactus-flavored.
"I'm curious about Chernobog. Mind if I ask a few things?"
Once seated, the Pope quietly enjoyed his dessert while Virlif turned to Daniel with deep interest. Her questions were about Chernobog and the Infected.
Originium infection was Terra's greatest problem—even Laterano wasn't exempt. Infected people weren't allowed to reside in the city and were expelled. Many of the Sankta on Rhodes Island were Infected, having been driven out themselves.
Still, Laterano's treatment of the Infected was comparatively humane.
Naturally, Laterano had been watching the rise of Chernobog closely. This Summit of All Nations was part of their plan to begin addressing Terra's suffering. As a civilization with thousands of years of history, Laterano knew many ancient truths.
"It's simple. Find a cure for Oripathy, and the rest follows."
"You sound confident you'll find one."
"We are."
Boom.
A sudden explosion shook the room, interrupting Daniel mid-sentence. Through the massive stained-glass windows, smoke could be seen rising from various parts of Laterano.
"That's as far as we go, then. Send my regards to Kelsey."
"Of course. Farewell."
Since the Pope hadn't brought up Cecilia, Daniel didn't feel the need to either. She was already at Rhodes Island. It was Kelsey's problem now.
"I hope you succeed in your mission." Virlif quickly escorted him out, then rushed off. She was clearly upset by the sudden attack.
"Andoen! Stop right there! All you do is run, huh?!"
Curious about the explosion, Daniel had headed toward the blast site—only to find Fiammetta in a rage. Based on the destruction, she was responsible for at least half of it.
Even though Lemuen had fully recovered, her anger toward Andoen hadn't lessened. Especially now, seeing that Mostima, Lemuen, and even Exusiai bore no grudge against Andoen—it infuriated her even more.
"Doesn't concern me… whatever, I'm out."
From Exusiai, Daniel had learned a lot about Mostima's fall. Even Exusiai held no hatred for the man who injured her sister. The Sankta's innate empathy truly was extraordinary.
But that only made Fiammetta seem all the more tragic.
"Sarkaz and Liberi working together… no casualties… a diversion? W's gonna be pissed when she hears about this. Someone beat her to the punch—striking Laterano before she could."
Leaving Fiammetta behind, Daniel checked the other blast sites. It quickly became clear the attacks were a diversion—to lure away the Apostolic Guard. Someone wanted to speak with the Pope.
"Laterano's god is actually here, huh… better not meddle in internal affairs. Time to leave."
Though curious about the attackers' goals, Daniel wasn't about to get involved—especially not with Laterano's god present.
Frankly, the Pope had already shown incredible leniency regarding Cecilia. In most religions, someone like her would've been executed on the spot. Lifetime imprisonment would already be considered mercy.
In the original timeline, even Executor Aizel had worried about this. That's why he took Cecilia to the Requiem Chapel first, unsure if she would make it out of the Apostolic Palace alive.
"Your Laterano's really something, huh?"
"Sure is. Well, looks like you're done here—I'm heading out."
Exusiai grinned at Daniel's teasing. She wasn't remotely worried about the attacks—she knew how powerful Laterano was.
The rest of the city was just as calm. Many citizens even thought it was some kind of new event. Some Sankta even joined in, guns in hand.
One thing that stood out to outsiders about Laterano: almost everyone carried a personal Guardian gun.
Thanks to their cheerful nature, Sankta were incredibly creative when it came to events. Lemuen's wheelchair shooting tournament was just one example—open to everyone, not just the disabled. As long as you sat in a wheelchair and shot, you could enter.
There were also handstand shooting contests, blindfold shooting, and more.
That's why, despite the chaos, foreign emissaries at the summit weren't panicking. They were just amazed at how "playful" Laterano was. After days in the city, they'd gotten used to it.
Meanwhile, within the Apostolic Palace—a Sankta quietly walked in. Curiously, none of the Apostolic Guard were present.
Only the Pope remained, seated at a table, gesturing for the newcomer to sit down and try the sweets.
If Fiammetta had seen this, she'd probably have passed out from rage. She'd spent years chasing Andoen… only to find the Pope had known where he was all along—and never told her.
"I want an answer."
"Your Originium Arts are impressive. Good thing you're not a courier—otherwise a lot of messengers would be out of work. But wouldn't that be boring?"
In Lungmen, Daniel stepped through a golden portal, returning from Laterano. Exusiai marveled at the magic, though it didn't seem to be her preferred mode of travel.
"True. I'll keep your advice in mind."
To read thousands of books and walk ten thousand miles—teleportation skipped the latter. But as Exusiai had said, she didn't join Penguin Logistics to make money—it was for the fun. And that was Emperor's original vision.
"Old Wei! Long time no see. How've you been?"
Daniel barged into Wei Yenwu's office in Lungmen, greeting him with a grin.
"Your Excellency must have business, no?" Wei said dryly. Daniel's tone was rude—but then again, he was an emperor.
"Yup. I'm leaving soon. Thought I'd ask if you're interested in coming along."
"Another world, huh…"
Wei fell silent. He understood what Daniel was implying—and it made him pause. Unlike Daniel, who didn't seem to care much about the Great Tang, Wei had poured his heart into Lungmen. He couldn't leave it behind—not until he passed it on to Ch'en.
"I heard Ch'en and Talulah are back?"
Not long into the chat, Madame Wenyue entered. She'd clearly gotten word that Talulah and Ch'en had arrived in Lungmen.
Indeed, since Daniel was leaving this world, he had brought Talulah and Ch'en back to Lungmen so they could say goodbye to their friends.
By "friends," of course, he meant Swire and Lin Yuxia. Oh, and now Beatrix, too.
"Talulah's here?"
Wei's expression changed. He'd always felt guilty toward her.
"Yeah. Want to see her? They're probably out shopping now—later we're all having dinner."
"I'll pass. Please have Madame entertain her on my behalf."
Wei wanted to see Talulah. But her father had died by his hand. That wound would never truly heal.
"You said you weren't coming. So what's this?"
At the Chaoyang Restaurant's private room, Daniel chuckled at the sight of two elderly men facing each other.
Ordinary citizen Wei. Retired Grandpa Lin.
"I need to eat too. Just happened to come here."
Wei refused to admit anything else.
"Suit yourself. I won't be dining with you."
While they chatted, a table full of beautiful women sat outside. Given the choice, there was no contest.
"You want Yuxia to go with him, don't you?" Wei asked quietly after Daniel left.
"It's a rare opportunity. I'm old—it doesn't matter. But for Yuxia, it's different."
"I'll speak with him later."
"Iberia. Locking coordinates. Immediate support."
Dining with a table full of beauties was enviable—judging by the jealous stares in the restaurant.
They could've eaten in a private room, but Swire didn't like that. Though she was a noble, she wasn't the pretentious kind.
Unfortunately, just as the meal began, Kelsey's emergency call forced Daniel to leave.
"What happened?" Talulah asked quietly as he returned.
"Nothing major. You all keep eating." Though Kelsey's request for aid was unexpected, Daniel wasn't too worried.
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