Ark Simulator, Wasn't I Supposed to Be Incorporeal?

Volume 17, Chapter 1017: The Old Pope

Seeing Su Rui and Lemuen enter, the old Pope raised his eyelids, his cloudy yet wise eyes sweeping over them, giving Su Rui a particularly long look, before laughing, his voice aged yet resonant:

"Oh? It's Lemuen and Little Su? You're back? Perfect timing! It's so noisy outside. Come and keep this old man company, have some tea, and have something to eat." He gestured to the empty seat next to him and the plate of snacks, his tone as relaxed as if he were greeting a younger relative who was visiting.

This reaction was completely unexpected by Su Rui and Lemuen. They had expected to meet a worried leader who was urgently directing operations.

Su Rui frowned even more. He stood in the doorway without moving and went straight to the point, asking, "What's going on outside?"

The old pope took a leisurely sip of his black tea, smacked his lips, and then said unhurriedly, "It's nothing serious. It's just a few ignorant youngsters who have been misled by outside trends and want to create some 'big news' to prove their 'worth.' They won't cause any trouble. The City Defense Force and the Tribunal can handle it."

His tone was nonchalant, as if he were talking about a trivial prank.

Lemuen felt slightly relieved upon hearing this, but remained vigilant. "Your Majesty, is there anything we can do?"

"No need, no need," the old pope waved his hand, picked up a small pastry, took a bite, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction. "You've just returned, you must be tired from your journey. Rest for a bit and have something to eat. This pastry is quite good, would you like to try some?" He pushed the plate of pastries toward them.

Looking at the old pope's calm demeanor, and hearing the faint, clearly not trivial, noises coming from outside, Su Rui's lips twitched. He felt that the old man was either confused or hiding something. But he suppressed the urge to ask, because... the pastries did look quite good, the kind he liked, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Moreover, the old pope's attitude suggests that the situation does indeed seem to be under control, at least in the eyes of this supreme leader.

So, under Lemuen's somewhat amused gaze, Su Rui actually walked over to the small table, pulled up a chair and sat down, then unceremoniously reached out and picked up a tart decorated with berries, and put it in her mouth.

Mmm, the crust is crispy and the filling is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour; it's really delicious. He finished one piece in a few bites and then reached for a second one.

Seeing his expression, the old pope laughed even harder, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening. "Right? I told you it was good. Lemuen, you should try some too, don't just stand there."

Lemuen looked at the old woman and the young girl—one leisurely sipping tea during a crisis, the other actually sitting down to eat snacks—and suddenly felt a little absurd, yet also inexplicably at ease. She pushed her wheelchair over to the small table, picked up a small macaron, and began to savor it.

The only sounds in the lounge were the soft rustling of pastries being chewed and the aroma of black tea. The commotion outside seemed like distant background noise.

While eating his snacks, Su Rui observed the old pope out of the corner of his eye. He noticed that although the old pope appeared relaxed, a sharp and insightful glint would occasionally flash deep within his seemingly cloudy eyes, as if he knew everything.

He suddenly understood. The old Pope's composure didn't stem from ignorance or contempt, but from a confidence based on absolute control. He was like a seasoned chess player who had already seen through every move on the board, and no matter how much the opponent struggled, they couldn't escape his grasp. Letting them in to rest and have some refreshments might itself be a form of reassurance and... a test?

Thinking of this, Su Rui's initial excitement due to the unexpected situation subsided somewhat. He put down the half-eaten pastry, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze returned to its calm and profound state.

It seems there might be a deeper reason behind this sudden "excitement." And he and Lemuen may have been passively drawn into another game. However, since the snacks are good, he doesn't mind replenishing his energy first, and then seeing what this old fox is up to.

The old pope watched Su Rui with a smile, his worldly-wise eyes narrowing into slits, much like a kind grandfather watching his grandchildren devour their food. Su Rui initially maintained a semblance of composure, but the pastries were indeed to his liking—the layers of pastry were distinct, and the sweet and sour filling was perfectly balanced, without the cloying sweetness common in Laterano desserts. He ate quickly, finishing a berry tart in a few bites, and then precisely picked up a piece of chocolate lava cake that looked even more generously filled.

However, when he took his second bite, his brows furrowed instantly. The outer layer was normal chocolate with a slightly bitter taste, but the molten center... it wasn't lava at all, it was practically a waterfall of syrup! The overly sweet taste instantly overwhelmed his entire mouth, making his throat tighten and almost causing him to spit it out. He forced himself to swallow it, feeling like his tongue was numb.

Almost instinctively, he reached for the cup of black tea the old pope had poured for him on the small table beside him, hoping the bitterness of the tea would wash away the awful sweetness. He picked up the cup, glanced at it, and gulped down a large mouthful.

The next second, Su Rui's expression froze completely.

The tea... is sweet too!

Moreover, it wasn't a delicate, lingering sweetness; it was a cloying sweetness with obvious honey or sugar cubes added, accompanied by a floral aroma! For him, this was like adding insult to injury, a double blow!

"Cough... cough cough!" He coughed violently, his face becoming quite a sight, a mixture of anger at being deceived and extreme discomfort with the sweetness. He slammed the teacup back onto the table with a crisp clinking sound, splashing a few drops of sweet tea inside.

Upon seeing this, the old pope not only did not apologize, but laughed even more heartily, his white beard trembling as if he had witnessed something extremely amusing.

Su Rui glared fiercely at the old pope, convinced the old man was doing it on purpose. He no longer expected any liquid from the place, and with a look of utter disgust that seemed to say, "You Sankta all have taste problems," he reached for his waist. A flash of light, and a sealed, unlabeled metal jug appeared in his hand.

He unscrewed the cap, tilted his head back, and gulped down several large mouthfuls of his own absolutely pure and tasteless water before letting out a long sigh of relief, as if he had finally come back to life.

The old Pope watched his series of reactions, especially the final gesture of taking out his own water, and his smile deepened. He turned his head meaningfully, his gaze passing over Su Rui, who was still struggling with the lingering sweetness in her mouth, and landing on Lemuen, who was eating macarons and trying hard to suppress her laughter.

Volume 17, Chapter 1018: The Old Pope: It's Definitely Not Me

The old pope winked at Lemuen, his eyes full of teasing and mockery, as if silently asking, "See this? Whose little darling is this, being 'persecuted' by sweets and having to secretly prepare water for herself?"

Lemuen received a look from the old Pope and finally couldn't help but chuckle, her cheeks slightly flushed. She looked at Su Rui's terrified expression, her aversion to sweetness palpable, and felt both amused and helpless. She gently put down the macaron she had only half-eaten (the sweetness was just right for her), wiped her mouth with a napkin, and decided to end this "farce" caused by dessert and get the conversation back on track.

"Your Majesty," Lemuen's smile faded, her tone returning to the seriousness and respect of an executor, but with a hint of urging, "The snacks were delicious, and the tea... was quite special. However, let's talk business first. There seems to be quite a commotion outside; everyone is curious about what has happened."

When Lemuen spoke, the old pope slowly dropped his joking expression, but his face still wore that cheerful look, as if nothing could truly make him nervous. He put down his teacup, placed his hands on his knees, and his gaze swept between Su Rui and Lemuen before finally settling on Lemuen.

"Alright, alright, young people are always so impatient." The old pope's tone remained unhurried. "Actually, it's nothing serious. It's just that lad Andoain has returned from Iberia."

Andoain?

The name startled both Su Rui and Lemuen. They had just returned from the Mobile City that had close ties with Andoain (where they had sent away the mixed-race residents), and they hadn't expected to hear news of him so soon.

The old pope continued, his tone as casual as if he were chatting about everyday matters. "He seems to be doing quite well in Iberia, and he needs quite a few people. He came back this time to recruit some like-minded Sankta in Laterano to help him realize his... um... 'ideal'."

At this point, the old Pope paused, a half-smile playing on his lips, "As you all know, Andoain's ideology has always been controversial within Laterano. Some young people think he's bold and decisive, a promising path; others think he's heretical and undermines the foundations. So, when he returned to give his public address, those who supported him and those who opposed him clashed over their differing ideologies. A few words weren't enough to resolve the conflict, and given the hot tempers of the young people, it was inevitable that... a fight broke out."

He shrugged, as if to say, "It's normal for kids to fight: 'It did make a bit of a ruckus, they even demolished several old firing ranges in the Practice Zone. But don't worry, the Tribunal has already mediated. Both sides are keeping to their limits, they know this is the Holy City, they won't really go all out, at most they'll just damage some public property, practice a bit, and vent their energy.'"

After hearing the old Pope's explanation, both Su Rui and Lemuen fell into a brief silence.

So that's how it is. The so-called "armed militants" and "riots" were actually rooted in a large-scale "internal debate" that escalated due to ideological clashes. Andoain's influence seems to be greater than they imagined.

Su Rui scoffed, his tone laced with his usual sarcasm. "Boring." In his view, arguing or even fighting over vague "ideas" was the least efficient way to conduct oneself. It would be better to use that time to improve one's practical abilities.

Lemuen, however, thought more deeply. She frowned slightly and asked, "Your Majesty, won't Andoain's open recruitment cause further division? What measures should we take?"

The old Pope chuckled and waved his hand. "It's better to guide than to suppress. Young people's ideas can't be stifled by mere pressure. Andoain has its path, Laterano has Laterano rules. As long as they don't cross the line or harm others, this kind of debate and exploration isn't necessarily all bad. At least, it can get some dormant minds moving." His gaze was profound, as if he could see into the distant future. "As for division... true faith won't collapse because of a few arguments. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

His words revealed a wisdom honed by experience and an absolute sense of control. It was as if the seemingly intense conflict outside the window was, in his eyes, merely a "youthful storm" that needed proper guidance.

At that moment, another rather muffled explosion came from a distance, and the room could even be felt to shake slightly.

The old Pope listened intently, clicked his tongue, and commented, "Hmm... that noise sounds like it set fire to Old Barton's Originium -powered target drone. That thing is quite old, what a pity."

Su Rui and Lemuen exchanged a glance, both somewhat speechless. It seemed their Pope's focus had strayed a little too far off track?

However, after the old pope's explanation, the tension in their hearts did indeed dissipate considerably. Since it was not an invasion by external enemies, but an internal ideological conflict, and the situation was within a controllable range, they didn't need to worry excessively.

Su Rui stood up and dusted off non-existent dust from his uniform. "Since everything's alright, let's go." He had no interest in participating in this kind of "ideological debate" and just wanted to go back to some peace and quiet.

Lemuen also bowed to the old pope and took her leave. "Your Majesty, we will be returning now. Please let us know if you need anything."

The old pope nodded with a smile, "Go on, go on, get some rest. Let the young people handle what's going on outside." He then pointed to the plate of pastries, "Take the pastries with you? I don't think Little Su likes them much, you can have some."

Lemuen chuckled, politely declined the old pope's offer, and pushed her wheelchair away from the lounge with Su Rui.

Stepping out of the Papal Hall, the clamor outside seemed unchanged, but now it carried a completely different meaning. Su Rui watched the occasional flashes of magical light and the rising wisps of smoke in the distance, a slightly mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Looks like I won't find peace even after coming back," he said casually.

Lemuen, on the other hand, was more optimistic. "At least we know what happened. It's better than guessing wildly."

The two walked side by side down the street, which was gradually returning to order (though still noisy), towards their lodgings. This unexpected "welcome ceremony," while disrupting their plans for rest, also gave them a more direct understanding of the undercurrents swirling within Laterano. Andoain's return would undoubtedly bring new changes to the Holy City. And they, it seemed, could no longer remain completely detached.

Leaving the Papal Hall's lounge, filled with the aroma of tea and sweetness, I stepped back onto the Holy City's slightly noisy but still orderly streets. The evening breeze carried a hint of gunpowder smoke and the faint, burnt smell of Originium Arts.

Volume 17, Chapter 1019: The commotion was quite significant.

In the distance, the halos of colliding spells and sporadic explosions still rose and fell, but compared to the chaos when they first returned, these sounds now seemed to have been given a new meaning—no longer an unknown threat, but the aftermath of a large-scale "internal debate".

Lemuen pushed her wheelchair, walking alongside Su Rui on the way back to their residence. Her gaze drifted thoughtfully towards the direction where the commotion was most intense, likely the city center's propaganda square or several large Practice Zone. A hint of curiosity and inquiry flickered in her lake-blue eyes.

"Su Rui," she spoke softly, breaking the silence between them, "Since this matter started Andoain, and it sounds like he's making quite a fuss about his return...should we...go and check it out?"

Her proposal carried the prudence and sense of responsibility typical of an executor. After all, Andoain was an extremely special and influential figure within Laterano, and his return and actions could have a profound impact on the future of the Holy City. As an executor, it was her duty to closely observe and assess the situation.

However, Su Rui's reaction was completely different. Upon hearing this, he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, a flash of undisguised annoyance crossing his dark eyes, and he bluntly uttered two words: "I'm not going."

"Why?" Lemuen looked at him, puzzled. "Wouldn't it be better to find out more about the situation? Besides, His Holiness the Pope said it's just an ideological conflict and there's no real danger."

Su Rui stopped, turned his head, and looked directly at Lemuen with his dark eyes that seemed to see through all pretense. His tone carried an almost cold, pragmatic logic. "The problem has been solved."

"Resolved?" Lemuen was taken aback.

"The old fox said that the Tribunal has intervened, and both sides are keeping their distance, so a real fight won't break out," Su Rui analyzed clearly, as if stating a simple fact. "Since the highest level has already characterized it as a 'controllable internal conflict' and sent people to handle it, our going there would be superfluous and a complete waste of time."

He paused, a slightly mocking smile playing on his lips, "What's there to watch? Watch a bunch of boring people argue until they're red in the face over a few empty words? Or watch Andoain's pretentious, sour face? You'd be better off going back to sleep." He had always scoffed at these kinds of "ideological debates," considering them nothing more than idle musings born of excess energy. In his eyes, only actions and results mattered; verbal and intellectual entanglements were the least efficient form of behavior.

Lemuen was momentarily speechless at his series of blunt and sarcastic rebuttals. She opened her mouth, but found it difficult to refute him from the perspective of "efficiency." Indeed, from a problem-solving perspective, going to the scene now, apart from satisfying their curiosity, seemed to offer no substantial help and might even cause more trouble.

Seeing Lemuen's somewhat speechless expression, Su Rui seemed to recall something even more unpleasant. His brows furrowed tightly, and his tone became even harsher. "And, don't let me touch any Sankta desserts again! Especially those given by that old man!" He was clearly still resentful about being "ambushed" by Sweet Tea earlier, and even harbored resentment towards the old Pope. "That's not even fit for human consumption!"

His sudden, childish outburst of anger made Lemuen chuckle. His earlier, smug look of being overwhelmed by sweetness and frantically searching for water in the Papal Hall was indeed both pitiful and hilarious.

"You're going too far," Lemuen said with a laugh and a hint of helpless indulgence. "Not all Sankta desserts are that sweet. Laterano has many delicately flavored pastries that emphasize the natural taste of the ingredients, like cookies made with slightly bitter dark chocolate and nuts, or madeleines with a subtle tea aroma... I'll take you to try those next time, and I promise it won't be like today."

She tried to correct Su Rui's extreme view of "generalizing from one example," speaking in a tone as if coaxing a picky eater.

Su Rui responded with a cold snort, his face clearly showing disbelief. "Hmph, your Sankta definition of 'sweet' is completely flawed. Even the 'lightest' dessert will have three spoonfuls of sugar added in your hands." He seemed to have a deep-seated prejudice against this, or perhaps he was too deeply hurt by his past experiences.

Lemuen was both amused and exasperated by his stubbornness. She knew that changing Su Rui's fixed mindset about food was harder than getting him to carry out an S-class mission. She gave up arguing and instead said in a gentler way, "Okay, okay, if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. But if I find something that really suits your taste, you can't just refuse it outright, okay?"

Su Rui turned her face away, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, which was tantamount to her acknowledging that she could "try," but not to have too high hopes.

This little incident diluted the debate about whether to meet Andoain. Lemuen also realized that although Su Rui's decision sounded inhumane, it was indeed in line with his usual style and the current situation. Now that the higher-ups had taken control of the situation, it might Tai He for them, as the newly returned executors, to intervene rashly.

"Alright," she sighed, giving in, "Then let's not go. Let's just go home. You're tired and need to rest." She spoke the word "home" very softly, with a reassuring tone.

Su Rui's expression softened somewhat. He grunted in agreement, resumed his steps, and pushed Lemuen's wheelchair towards their residence, leaving the noise and arguments behind.

His choice was simple and direct: stay away from trouble and return to peace. As for what Andoain did and what others thought, as long as it didn't get in his way, it was none of his concern. This almost selfish focus sometimes allowed him to avoid many unnecessary disturbances.

Lemuen leaned against him, feeling his steady push, and the slight regret that had arisen from her curiosity gradually subsided. She respected Su Rui's choice and understood his logic. Perhaps, at this time, maintaining distance and observing calmly was indeed the wiser course of action. After all, the turmoil within Laterano was not something that could be resolved overnight, nor could it be easily controlled by the two of them.

As night deepened, the lights of the Holy City stretched out behind them like a dazzling river of light, while the distant commotion seemed to gradually subside, eventually merging into the background noise of the city night. For Su Rui and Lemuen, this unexpected "welcome ceremony" finally ended with a return to the tranquility of daily life. The "war" over desserts, however, would continue in a unique way in their future daily lives.

Volume 17, Chapter 1020: Andoain is here?

A good night's sleep washed away the fatigue of the journey and the tension of yesterday's unexpected commotion. The morning sunlight streamed through the clean windows of Lemuen's apartment, casting warm dappled patterns. When Su Rui woke, he found himself unusually awake before Lemuen. He lay on his side, watching the peaceful sleeping face beside him, long, thick eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyes, her breathing even and deep. He didn't get up immediately, but simply watched quietly, savoring this rare tranquility after returning home.

When Lemuen slowly woke up, her lake-blue eyes were still hazy with sleepiness at first, but after seeing him, a gentle smile spread across them. She subconsciously snuggled into his arms and mumbled a "Good morning."

The two got up and had a simple breakfast (Su Rui resolutely refused any sweet sauces or drinks, only eating fried eggs and toast). During the meal, Lemuen the old issue again.

"Su Rui," she put down her milk glass, her tone pleading, "We couldn't go yesterday, but today... could we go check on things in Andoain? After all that commotion, we need to find out what's going on. Besides, I'm also curious about what he's really planning to do back here."

After a night's rest and calm reflection, Lemuen felt it was more appropriate to observe the situation now. The peak of the conflict had passed, the atmosphere should be relatively calm, and it would be more suitable for rational observation and communication.

Su Rui was poking at the last bit of egg white in his plate with his fork when he heard this, and his brows furrowed unconsciously. He clearly still lacked interest in the name "Andoain" and everything related to it. But seeing the earnest curiosity in Lemuen's eyes, and having already refused her once yesterday, he couldn't seem to find a stronger reason to refuse her today.

"... Whatever." He finally gave a reluctant hum, which was tantamount to acquiescing. "However, I'll just observe, and not interfere." He drew a clear line—he would never participate in any form of "ideological exchange" or conflict mediation.

"Of course!" Lemuen immediately agreed with a smile, "Let's just treat it as...going for a walk, and maybe see what's going on."

So, after breakfast, the two tidied themselves up a bit and went out again, heading towards the central area from which the commotion from yesterday had originated.

Unlike yesterday's tense atmosphere, the Holy City seemed to have regained some of its former order today, but a faint smell of gunpowder and the strange feeling of Originium Arts fluctuations still lingered in the air. Pedestrians on the streets had different expressions; some hurried along, while others gathered in twos and threes, discussing yesterday's events in hushed tones.

They soon arrived at the central square in the heart of the Holy City. This was one of the most intense areas of conflict the day before. Although it had been partially cleared, some burn marks, broken paving stones, and scattered debris from obstacles that had not yet been completely cleaned up were still visible. A crowd had gathered around the square, forming a loose circle at a distance, all eyes focused on the center of the square.

Instead of getting close to the crowd, Su Rui and Lemuen chose a slightly elevated section of the corridor steps, where they could enjoy a wide view while maintaining a certain distance.

In the center of the square, two groups stood facing each other, clearly divided. One group consisted of twenty or thirty people led by Andoain, most of them dressed in simple travel attire, looking travel-worn, but with firm eyes and an aura of resilience honed by hardship. Andoain himself stood at the forefront, his expression as calm as ever, tinged with a hint of compassion and determination, speaking to the people on the other side.

On the other side, the leader was none other than Fiammetta!

The Sankta girl, known for her fiery temper and formidable fighting prowess, stood with her hands on her hips, her pretty face contorted with rage, her crimson eyes burning with fury. She rudely interrupted Andoain: "Andoain! Stop spreading these fallacies! Laterano is our home! You bring back these twisted ideas, inciting unrest and creating chaos—what are you trying to do?!"

Her voice was clear and loud, carrying an unquestionable tone, clearly indicating her extreme dissatisfaction with Andoain's ideology and actions. Behind her gathered a group of supporters, mostly young Sankta, who were emotionally charged, a stark contrast to the calm on Andoain's side.

Two powerful auras collided in the center of the square, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed poised to erupt into conflict at any moment. The surrounding onlookers held their breath, afraid to utter a sound.

Su Rui stood on the veranda, arms crossed, staring blankly down below. He had no interest in the argument, finding it only noisy. Lemuen, on the other hand, frowned slightly, worried that the conflict might escalate again.

Just then, Andoain seemed to notice Su Rui and Lemuen in the corridor. His gaze swept over them, lingering for a moment on Lemuen, and he nodded slightly before calmly continuing to speak to Fiammetta, "Fiammetta, I understand your concerns. But I do not intend to overthrow Laterano; I merely hope to offer another possible path for those compatriots who feel lost and yearn for change. Iberia needs help; our brothers and sisters are there too..."

"Excuses!" Fiammetta wouldn't listen. She took a step forward, sparks already flickering on her skin, clearly her anger had reached its peak, and she was about to attack—

"Fiammetta!"

A gentle yet clear voice rang out, carrying a peculiar soothing power. It was Lemuen. She pushed her wheelchair, slowly gliding down the corridor to the edge of the square.

Fiammetta paused upon seeing Lemuen, her brow still furrowed. "Lemuen? You're back? Don't worry about this! Andoain, he..."

"Calm down, Fiammetta." Lemuen came to her side, looked up at her, a warm smile on her face, her voice gentle yet firm. "This is the center of the Holy City, not a battlefield. If there are any disagreements, we can sit down and talk. Violence won't solve anything."

Her words seemed to possess a certain magic, and the agitated anger emanating from Fiammetta visibly subsided somewhat. She glanced at Lemuen, then glared fiercely at Andoain, letting out a heavy "humph," but ultimately made no further move. Clearly, Lemuen enjoyed high prestige and affability among her companions.

Andoain also stopped speaking at the appropriate time, and bowed slightly to Lemuen to express his gratitude.

The tense atmosphere was temporarily eased by Lemuen's intervention.

Just as everyone's attention was focused on Lemuen and Fiammetta, a figure silently slipped up to Su Rui was still standing in the corridor, looking completely unconcerned.

It is Mostima.