Published: July 4, 2025
On the Day of the Papal Inauguration
The papal inauguration is a ceremony held one year after the pope's ascension, serving as a public presentation to distant lands.
This marks the first time a delegation from the Central Nations has visited, but those from the dark continent and religious leaders who have had relatively frequent interactions are often invited.
This time, it seems nearly four hundred people have been invited from the dark continent...
"Look at how they are divided, on the right and left. Their clothing is quite unfamiliar, isn't it?"
Amon points this out, utilizing his keen eyesight.
"They're quite flamboyant in color, aren't they?"
"They're using a lot of primary colors. It seems there are also religious figures among them, but their outfits combine red, green, and multiple colors, making them stand out."
"The design is actually pretty cool!"
Nils states the obvious, while Eto points out the differences between the outfits of the priests from the Central Nations and those from the Western Nations. Ryo shares his thoughts in line with his own judgment.
The people they saw at Café Roma were wearing Western clothing, but it seems that for such ceremonies, they wear their own country's attire.
They are situated in the audience seats of a massive circular assembly hall located within the papal estate.
The circular assembly hall resembles the Colosseum in Rome and is used for events with large attendance, like this one.
Although referred to as 'circular,' it is actually oval-shaped.
What is commonly referred to as round is called a true circle, while an oval is a shape that resembles a squashed true circle.
The seats where Ryo and the others from the kingdom delegation are sitting happen to be right at the center of that squashed area.
To the right of the kingdom delegation is the imperial delegation, and to the left is the alliance delegation.
Incidentally, the opposite side is occupied by the clergy from the Western Church.
It appears that the guests from the dark continent are seated in the areas that are not squashed.
"We're all grouped together while the guests from the dark continent are divided to the left and right."
As Ryo pointed out, they were seated separately at the ends of the longer axis of the oval, on the right and left tips.
"I heard from a monk I met at the papal estate that they are divided between the eastern and western nations of the dark continent's coast. Apparently, these nations have been in a state of war for over a hundred years, so the church is keeping an eye on them..."
This was answered by priest Zeek, who was seated behind Room 10 in Room 11.
It seems he has made acquaintances within the papal estate before anyone else, even Ryo... how impressive!
"Oh, and that's Brother Carl, whom you know, Ryo-san."
He was indeed familiar...
"By the way, Cardinal Graham isn't here, right?"
Nils comments while looking at the audience seats in front.
"It seems that those above the archbishop rank don't sit in the audience, but rather enter the arena."
This was also answered by Zeek.
Most likely through Brother Carl.
Clang.
At that moment, a bell rang.
Though just once, it was enough to silence the audience seated in front, affiliated with the Western Church.
That silence spread to the guest seats from the dark continent and eventually reached the Central Nations delegation's seats.
The four from Room 10 and the three from Room 11 also closed their mouths.
Not a single cough could be heard—complete silence.
The assembly hall should be filled with three thousand people.
In that utter silence, a group entered the arena.
At the forefront were twelve cardinals wearing crimson robes.
While the crimson color was as usual, it was clear even from a distance that their attire was quite extravagant.
Behind those cardinals was a man in white ritual robes.
The pope.
The man who was supposed to have disappeared twice.
The man Ryo had defeated twice.
And he seems to have... resurrected.
From the looks of it, he appeared exactly the same as before.
However, it resembled the atmosphere of the pope seen during the welcoming ceremony of the Central Nations delegation a few months ago.