I Became The Pope, Now What?-Novel

"This is the building where all the talents in the Holy Land learn magic and knightly arts. School of Dawn is the name, for this is where our minds overcome the darkness and learn to appreciate and bask in the warmth of the lord." Sylvester showed Isabella around.

However, he was not allowed to take her inside the various buildings, but the buildings themselves were so well built that they were a piece of art.

Princess Isabella had grown calmer as she held Sylvester's waist and looked at the structures around in awe. "This is so pretty. Although the Green City's royal castle is itself a complex of castles with much space and places in between, the Holy Land defeats it. So much delicate work on each building."

Sylvester agreed to this and pointed above. "Oh, you see that window on that floor? I was thrown down from there on my first year by a corrupt mentor."

"Wait, what? You were thrown?"

"Hah, indeed. He was angry after I confronted him because he was unfairly trying to fail me while taking the side of King Riveria's son. In the end, the mentor was revealed to be a spy working under King Riveria's family. He was given death punishment for sulling the land of god."

She looked interestedly at the eighth floor of the building. "How did you survive the fall?"

"Wind magic is one of my strong elements. But I still fell hard and knocked myself out for a while. Anyway, those were the good old days, I must say. Life is much more complex and full of hardships now." Sylvester trotted the horse forward.

Isabella looked at Sylvester's face for a second. "I'd say the same. I was so happy and free when young. As I grew up, I realised how sheltered I was. By the way, didn't King Riveria's son run away from the Holy Land? It was the talk among all nobles back then."

'It happened just a year ago, though.'

"He did run away. But wherever he is, I hope he rests in peace and warmth, under the light of Solis."

She hummed and made a happy face. "I was to be wedded to him to ease the relations between Gracia and Riveria after mother waged war on them and was forced to stop. My elder brother felt combining the two families would have been the best."

"From your expression, I presume you didn't want that?" Sylvester questioned.

There was silence and a small sigh from the Princess before she replied. "I heard words about him… that he's mean, bratty and cruel. I never met him, but since everyone said the same, I reckon they were right. Was he like that, Sylvester?"

Sylvester didn't exaggerate much. "I don't know. I only knew him briefly. He did indeed use his family name to pass exams. He did bribe other God's Favoured candidates so they'd leave the class. He mortally wounded other kids so they'd be disqualified from the class. But, I'd say, he was pursuing his goals only—as mean as he was—he knew what he wanted."

She hummed. "I'm glad he ran away. Now I get to stay single for a little longer."

Sylvester chuckled as he arrived in front of the Pope's Palace. "You probably know what this place is. But with you, I can not even start to climb its stairs."

She gawked at the giant palace made of white marble and an abundance of gold platings here and there. Under the sunlight, the palace appeared to shine like a torch. "It is so beautiful. How is it from the inside?"

"Even more beautiful. Just imagine all the Popes have lived here and contributed to its beauty." Sylvester roamed the horse around the castle so she could see it from the sides.

Bam!

"There you are!"

Suddenly, a small pebble hit Sylvester on the back of his head. He quickly turned the horse around and saw Felix and Gabriel on their horses.

"..."

"..."

But, only their jaws fell as they noticed Princess Isabella sitting in front of him, so close. Of course, envy was any man's normal reaction at that point, especially the horndog.

Felix came beside Sylvester and glared at him with narrowed eyes. "Hmm… what are you two doing here?"

"I am showing Isabella the Holy Land. She has never been out of her royal castle."

"Isabella?! Calling her highness by her first name?" Felix exclaimed as if the heavens were falling. "How can you be so disrespec–"

"I let him!" Isabella clarified. "You can call me Isabella as well, as long as I can call you by your first name."

'Good girl, making friends already and coming out of the cocoon.' Sylvester appreciated her confidence.

Felix quickly agreed. "Of course, Isabella. You can call me Felix as much as you want. And that praying guy behind is Gabriel."

"Why is he praying?" She asked.

"He probably felt aroused by your beauty, but he's too religious and is praying to ask for the Lord's forgiveness." Felix was straightforward as always, which was why Sylvester knew the man would stay a virgin for a long time.

Isabella blushed and looked at Felix and Sylvester amusedly. "Then why are you not praying as well, Felix? And what about you, Sylvester?"

Felix answered for both. "Oh, Max? Don't expect anything from him. Even a naked beauty from the heavens won't make him feel anything—he's basically a stone—he's dead inside."

Isabella nodded vigorously, agreeing with him as Sylvester's reaction was unlike any other male she had met.

It's not hard for a woman to know when the other person is looking at her differently, so she could tell. "What about you then?"

Felix proudly pressed his palm on his chest. "Oh me? Well, one reason is that I do not shy away from appreciating beauty when I see it. You see, before I was a clergyman, I was the second son of Count Sandall."

She knew that much. "What's the second reason?"

"Hmph!" Felix puffed out. "I'm shameless!"

"Pfft!" Isabella laughed uncontrollably, so hard that she caught Sylvester tight to balance herself from falling from the horse, making Felix more jealous. "Hahaha…"

Sylvester blankly looked at his friend. 'I changed my mind. He might just get laid by making women laugh. It will definitely work with his pretty face and strong body. But… can he seduce this naive princess?'

"Thank you for making me laugh, Felix. I feel much refreshed now." Isabella finally started to calm down.

Felix proudly nodded. "It's my pleasure. Why don't you join me on my horse? I can make you laugh much more—unlike certain stoneheart."

'I changed my mind again. He's a dumbass and will die a virgin.' Sylvester shook his head in disappointment.

The hand holding Sylvester's robes near his waste tightened as Isabella shook her head. "I'm quite comfortable, Felix. Frost is a larger horse, after all. Sylvester, shall we continue the tour?"

"Of course." Sylvester moved the horse.

He could feel that Isabella got anxious as soon as Felix asked her to hop to him. However, that also made him happy because that meant she was relaxed and trusting enough towards him that she felt comfortable even when being so close.

'Things are going very well.'

As he left, Felix was left embarrassed and confused.

Pat!

Gabriel came beside Felix and patted his shoulder. "My brother, I shall pray to the lord that he grants you another brain—for the one you had is likely in the drain."

"What? What did I do wrong?"

"May the lord enlighten your brain." Gabriel prayed and moved behind Sylvester.

After that, Sylvester took Isabella to various other buildings and monuments. He showed her the Golden Peninsula from the distance since none was allowed to be near it. Then he took her to the Guild Peninsula, where the real fun was as the place was full of various family-friendly taverns, shops, and guilds.

As Sylvester left the horse in the stables and walked with Isabella, all eyes would fall upon them. But, he'd try and make it appear that he and his friends were just her bodyguards instead of friends.

There, he loaned her a few hundred gold graces so she could buy whatever she liked. From some clothes, and souvenirs to food. She tried everything and enjoyed it the whole time, as apparent by the big smile on her face.

Sylvester let her be and didn't disturb her as this was her first time seeing a market or getting to buy something.

But, past noon, Sylvester had other things to do, so he got her back on the horse and proceeded back to the Pope's Peninsula, and back home. Thankfully, this time, he called <anno data-annotation-id="caff38dc-4dbf-75fc-ea61-67a221b65454">Anya Moller</anno>, the young Bright Mother in training to give company to Isabella in his home.

"There is some food in the cabinets that mum left behind. Take whatever you like, and enjoy your time. Mum will likely return before me." He instructed the two girls.

"Where are you going?" Isabella asked, her face growing anxious once again being with a stranger.

'Hmm, I left such a good impression? Excellent!'

"To meditate in a classified location. See you later." Sylvester shut the door and left the building again.

He arrived at the port and caught a boat to head to Soul Peninsula to meditate beside the Soul Tree and meet Grandpa Monk to see if he was alive or kicked the bucket.

He had received special permission beforehand from the Pope, so he was allowed into the heavily guarded island. After giving his prints as records, he was let go to roam around under the dense cover of the giant tree.

But before going to Grandpa Monk, he decided to finish meditating and see if there was any update on the visions.

After jumping a few branches, he chose a location and sat down. "Chonky, go around and see if you can find any inscribing by the first Pope."

"Aye, aye, Maxy!" Miraj saluted and ran away.

After that, alone, Sylvester sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes. He slowly let his mind go empty and let the air flow through him and the Solarium from the tree enter his body.

By the time an hour passed, his brows started to crease together. But he didn't stop meditating and stayed in the same position.

Another hour passed, and his face started sweating from forcing himself to focus so much.

"Gah! Nothing!" A few minutes later, his eyes opened abruptly, and he breathed heavily. "No more visions? Did she die? Did she not escape?"