Lin Ye looked thoughtful. "So, you disagree with the Church's stance?"
"I do," the pope said frankly. "Your actions during the Dark Era showed me another possibility."
"You didn't fight Annihilation. You coexisted with it."
"That is what it means to truly understand the essence of Annihilation."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
The pope fell silent again, longer than before.
"I want to... withdraw from this concept war," it finally said.
"But I can't announce it outright. That would split the Church."
"So I would like to ask for your help."
"What kind of help?"
"Help me change the Church." The pope's voice was earnest.
"Start from within and gradually correct its misconceptions about Annihilation."
"Help them understand that Annihilation means accepting change, not opposing new life."
The request caught everyone off guard.
Primordial Origin spoke up. "You're the pope. Why not use your authority to drive the change directly?"
"Because faith cannot be forced through authority." The pope shook its head. "That would only backfire."
"I need them to reach that understanding themselves, rather than simply hear it from me."
Lin Ye considered for a moment. "We can help you, but on one condition."
"Please, go ahead."
"The Annihilation Church must publicly announce that it will not participate in the concept war against the Superconsciousness Network."
"That is acceptable," the pope readily agreed. "I'll find a suitable reason."
"Anything else?"
"Also, allow your followers to choose freely whether to join the network," Lin Ye continued.
"No coercion, no punishment. Entirely voluntary."
The pope hesitated, then finally nodded. "Agreed."
"If I intend to bring about change, I can no longer cling to the old ways."
"Exposing the faithful to outside ideas may hasten their awakening."
With an agreement reached, both sides discussed the details.
As the meeting ended,