Chapter 248
Ryan had no intention of implementing the Red System in the other world. His core objective was to make the empire prosperous and powerful. The prerequisite for prosperity was that all its citizens were happy, well-fed, and had a surplus. Otherwise, how could it be considered prosperous or powerful? How could you call yourself powerful if your empire was full of starving poor people?
At this moment, the kings of these countries appeared one by one, looked around, and then wisely all remained silent.
They knew perfectly well that they were just called in to make up the numbers, and that they would vote with their feet when it mattered most.
Creak~
The sound of the door opening rang out, and everyone looked toward the door on the left side of the hall, where 'Vainay', wearing a long, fitted gold dress, walked gracefully in.
"It seems everyone is punctual." 'Vainay' walked to the top of the long table, and 'Ina', who was waiting nearby, pulled out a chair for her to sit down. "Good morning, Empress Motis."
"Good morning, Empress Vainay." Motis nodded slightly.
"Well then, since everyone's due, let's get started."
'Vainay' glanced at 'Ina'.
The Minister of the Interior put down his notebook, adjusted his glasses with his right hand, and spoke in a gentle and pleasant voice, "The core purpose of this Northern Continent Conference is to discuss the Arcadia Empire's recent invasion of the Northern Continent. As we all know, Arcadia used a technological product called 'rifle' in the war, which, according to investigations, may be a legacy technology of the Roman Empire from the previous era."
At this point, 'Ina' looked at 'Motis' and lowered her voice slightly: 'Empress Motis, could you please provide some data on the Arcadia rifle?'
"Shane." Motis waved.
Duke Shane, standing behind him, produced a document he had prepared beforehand. It contained the latest intelligence gathered by the Northern Federation, including information on the range, power, rate of fire, and even assembly technology of rifles, as well as data on new types of cannons.
It's clear that the Northern Federation has put a lot of effort into this.
"It's a very powerful weapon. If we were to convert it to Musketeers, the firepower difference between the two sides would be at least seven times for the same number of people, and that's without even considering the possibility of the muskets exploding," Magana said.
She was focused on the fight and knew more about the weapons than anyone else present.
"What other information? For example, the difficulty of maintaining the rifle, its production volume, and its technical requirements," Elvian asked.
"These data are not available at the moment," Shane said, hanging his head. "Arcadia does a very good job of protecting its new technologies. We can't even find out where their weapons are manufactured, let alone who is involved in the research."
"So, this was a premeditated invasion. Arcadia's goal was to use this new technology to take over the Northern Federation ... no, the entire Northern Continent." Shane glanced at 'Vainay' and quickly looked away. "If Arcadia is allowed to continue, all the countries of the Northern Continent will suffer the same harm."
At this moment, 'Vainay' spoke up and asked, "What are everyone's thoughts?"
The hall was quiet, and no one had any thoughts, because even Amabena could see that this was an alliance between the Augustus Empire and the Northern Federation, the key was just in what form it would take.
What are these people going to do by offering their opinions at this time? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?
Besides, the Kingdom of Lotte doesn't need her to speak. Prime Minister is here; if there's anything, she can go talk to him!
After a moment of silence, just as Ryan was about to speak, there was a knock on the door of the hall, and the soldier guarding outside said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Archbishop Josh has arrived."
"Let him in."
Josh?
Ryan glanced at 'Lin Qi', who shook his head imperceptibly. Then he looked at 'Vainay' and quietly opened the game's AFK log. He then discovered that the Gate of Janus had recently sent an application to 'Vainay' that Cardinal Josh would be attending the Northern Continent Conference.
Josh is ranked fourth among the cardinals, a position far higher than Andeni's.
The fourth one must have reached the seventh level of strength. It's strange. Lin Qi has always been in charge of the Gate of Janus. How come an archbishop suddenly appeared?
Moreover, 'Lin Qi' has not received any news yet.
Just then, a man dressed in a silver-white robe walked into the hall.
He looked to be around forty years old, with well-defined features, deep and bright gray eyes, and a gentle demeanor. As he walked over, he smiled and nodded to everyone.
"I apologize, Your Vainay Your Majesty, I am late." Josh bowed slightly to Vainay as a sign of respect, then looked to his right, "Your Majesty Motis, Saintess."
"Bishop Josh, please have a seat," said 'Vainay'.
Josh glanced to his right; the first few seats were already taken. 'Vainay' had clearly not reserved a seat for him, but he didn't mind and walked over to sit behind the few kings who were just there to make up the numbers.
"Bishop Josh, please have a seat," the king, who was closest to the front, quickly said.
The fourth-ranked archbishop was far more prestigious than these kings.
Josh smiled gently, "Don't worry about it. I only joined temporarily. You guys continue your conversation. I'm just here to listen in."
Ryan rubbed his chin.
What's going on with Gate of Janus?
Does this mean they don't trust 'Lin Qi'?
Ryan originally wanted to bring up the alliance between Augustus and the Northern Federation, because he wanted an equal alliance between the two sides. Given that the Northern Federation was at a disadvantage, wouldn't it be necessary for his empire to loyally step in?
After all, he and Empress Motis had a life-or-death bond; if he didn't help, who would?
But when he saw Josh appear, Ryan changed his mind; he wanted to see what this guy was here for.
He remained silent, and although some people offered their ideas, no one mentioned the possibility of an alliance between the two countries.
Finally, no result was reached by noon. Ryan took the opportunity to ask 'Vainay' to end the meeting, have lunch first, and continue the discussion in the afternoon. He also took the time to find out from 'Lin Qi' why the Gate of Janus suddenly sent an archbishop.
"Ryan, I'm leaving now."
Magana greeted him, and the projection disappeared from the hall.
"Sir Ryan, I'm leaving too." Amabena waved with a smile.
Elvian took a deep look, and the two left together.
"Ryan, would you like to have lunch together sometime?" Caslathdi asked as she approached, intending to tell Ryan about Kavanagh first.
"Lord Ryan."
Just then, Josh walked over with a smile and said, "Can I take a few minutes of your time?"
"Archbishop Josh, what is it?"
"Come over here and let's talk."
Ryan, filled with doubt, walked aside with Josh.
"I was planning to speak with you privately later, Lord Ryan, but it seems you won't be free before the afternoon meeting starts." Josh glanced at Caslathdi and Haino not far away, then whispered, "His Holiness the Pope wants to see you."
"The Pope wants to see me?" Ryan was a little confused.
What's going on? I shouldn't have ever met your Pope, right?
"Yes. The Pope thanked you for helping the Saintess stabilize the Gate of Janus in Augustus, and she asked me to ask you if you have considered developing your career here at the Gate of Janus?"
What does "development" mean?
"The Pope said that if you are willing to Gate of Janus, you can become a bishop immediately, and he promised to make you a cardinal within three years."
Ryan was stunned. "I'm going to be the archbishop? Really?"
10,000 words done! I'm 10th in monthly votes now, sob sob, I'm about to get poked in the butt by 11th place! Please, please, please give me more monthly votes!!!
814 Jiuling Sanqijiu Zhao
Chapter 152 Pope: Ryan, become the archbishop! Ryan: I refuse! [1w1]
Am I really going to become an archbishop?
Can we win?
It's sealed shut!
First of all, Ryan had never met the Pope before, so his sudden gesture of respect must be suspicious.
Secondly, what does it mean to be a Cardinal? There are only eleven Cardinals in the entire Gate of Janus, and they are all at least Sixth Tier, and they are quite high Sixth Tier. Especially the top Cardinals, even the Emperor of the Empire has to treat them with great respect.
Even ordinary cardinals were objects of great fervor among princes and ministers.
The nobles, especially those who believed in Janus, would shamelessly fawn over him.
This is the influence of religious power. Those nobles dared to be insincere to the king, but when faced with the Gate of Janus, they would wag their tails like dogs.
Once Ryan becomes the Archbishop, the power will no longer be confined to one empire or the Northern Continent; it will be a matter for the entire Rhea Continent.
In short, it's an incredibly good thing. It's not just a windfall, it's a gold ingot falling from the sky. Can you say there's no problem with it?
Ryan only knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch, and that breakfast and dinner were essential.
"What, Lord Ryan, do you still have any hesitation?" Seeing Ryan's silence, Josh said, "His Holiness the Pope thinks highly of you. Once you Gate of Janus, your future achievements will be limitless."
The Pope personally promoted him—something that had never happened before at the Gate of Janus.
Or rather, most people will never see the Pope in their entire lives, let alone be promoted. Even Josh, who is fourth in line, only saw the Pope for the first time this year... No, that doesn't even count as seeing him; it was just the Pope contacting him unilaterally.
As for why he needed to find Ryan, Josh had no idea, but as a loyal member of the Papacy, he would resolutely and without hesitation carry out every task assigned by the Pope.
"Archbishop Josh, I want to know why? Although I did help Lin Qi in a small way, I don't deserve this reward at all, do I?" Ryan asked doubtfully. "Besides, I helped because of my friendship with Lin Qi, not because of the reward."
"Of course I know that. Lord Ryan and the Saintess are good friends, but I don't know what the Pope is thinking." Josh shook his head. "However, Lord Ryan, don't be so quick to doubt. First of all, the Pope would never harm you, there's no point in doing so, is there? Secondly, she values you highly, and there will be plenty of opportunities to find out the reasons later. In short, don't miss such a good opportunity."
As a royalist, Josh naturally wanted to complete the task assigned by the Pope perfectly. He had just noticed that Ryan was hesitating. He was actually hesitating.
Oh, Janus, this is a great honor! So many dukes Prince have traveled to St. Gero City just to see His Holiness the Pope, but that's a pipe dream. They can't even see me.
Ryan is merely an Imperial Earl, or at most High Lord, with the power to govern a kingdom, but so what? He's not the Emperor, and judging from the current situation, Magana has no hope of rebelling. Therefore, Ryan may be stuck as an Earl for the rest of his life.
A count or a cardinal? Even a three-year-old knows which to choose.
"Archbishop Josh, you've misunderstood me." Ryan shook his head. "I'm the kind of person who doesn't accept rewards without merit. Although I'm the most devout Janus Follower, I can't accept being made archbishop for no reason. Besides, helping Lin Qi was something I did willingly. It's somewhat insulting to my character to use that as a reward."
Josh was taken aback.
How did this come to be related to personality?
He whispered, "Lord Ryan, this has nothing to do with your character, nor with the Saintess. It's His Holiness the Pope who wants to promote you, understand? If you accept, then from now on you're on the Pope's side."
Ryan asked suspiciously, "Could there be other factions within the Gate of Janus?"
Josh coughed lightly. "These things... there's always a bit of that, more or less, but I can't say too much about it, you understand? If you don't, that's okay too. Let's get back to the point. What I mean is, you can..."
"Ryan, are you done talking? It's almost lunchtime," Caslathdi suddenly called out from not far away.
Josh frowned slightly. He was annoyed that Caslathdi had interrupted him, but the latter was Prince of Augustus with a special status, so he couldn't reprimand him.
"Coming." Ryan smiled and gestured, then turned and said, "As you can see, Archbishop Josh, I have to go, or they'll suspect I have some secret deal with the Gate of Janus."
"What happened just now..."
"I'll think about it, but I still maintain that as a devout Janus Follower, this is something I find very difficult to accept, do you understand? It seems you don't quite understand, but that's okay, you'll understand sooner or later."
Josh: "???"
What exactly should he understand?
"I understand." Josh nodded. "I will convey your thoughts to the Pope. Good luck, Lord Ryan."
After saying that, Ryan turned to leave, and asked as he departed, "Did Archbishop Josh come here just for this?"
Josh smiled gently, "I will tell you when you become my companion."
Ryan thought to himself, "I already am, and I'm even Saintess... Since the other party is unwilling to say, then so be it. I can just let 'Lin Qi' find out."
He walked over to Caslathdi and Haino.
"Did I disturb you just now?" Caslathdi smiled, winking playfully. "You and he didn't seem to be having a pleasant conversation."
"You can tell from that?"
"Holy Word Master have an exceptionally keen perception of emotions; you can think of it as a kind of extraordinary characteristic."
Ryan shrugged. "It wasn't unpleasant, I just didn't want the conversation to continue, so you did me a big favor."
"What is Archbishop Josh doing here?" Haino asked curiously.
"I asked, but he didn't say... Ms. Haino, do you know anything about him?"
"The fourth-ranked Cardinal in cardinal robes rarely leaves Saint Gros Island. He is powerful, elusive, and extremely loyal to the Papacy." Haino nodded slightly. "I don't know much more, but if he appears, it must be on the Pope's orders. Strange, could it be that the Pope wants to interfere in the alliance of the Northern Continent?"
Caslathdi asked in confusion, "Isn't Lin Qi here?"
"The Saintess and the Pope are not necessarily on the same side, or perhaps the Saintess has been interfering in too many things, and the Pope wants to find someone else to handle this matter."
"As expected, forces like the Gate of Janus have much more complex internal structures."
Caslathdi shook her head secretly, hoping that nothing bad would happen to 'Lin Qi'.
Ryan didn't speak. This was also his first time learning about the inner workings of the Gate of Janus. After all, 'Lin Qi' was too inexperienced and spent most of her time outside, so she didn't have much contact with the inner workings.
The existence of a staunch Pope Faction implies the existence of other factions, such as the archbishops and the Cardinal Bishop who hold the highest rank. The papal orders are not necessarily absolute.