A long silence fell over the great hall.
The kneeling knight lowered his head even further and softened even his breathing.
Only after a long while did the Pope speak, his voice aged but clear.
"Go, fetch a pen and parchment."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Soon, a fresh sheet of parchment was laid before the Pope.
The Pope picked up the quill himself, dipped it in golden ink, and swiftly swept its tip across the parchment. His handwriting was steady and forceful, showing not the slightest sign of age.
He neither rebuked Kael for his impulsiveness nor questioned his judgment.
In the letter, he first affirmed Kael's discovery, then changed his tone and sternly warned him.
"The Holy Son's arrival is a divine oracle."
"But his identity is special. You must not use any rough methods. You need to guide the Holy Son slowly onto the right path."
"Since God arranged for the Holy Son to be born in Great Xia and then descend upon Terra, there must be a deeper meaning."
"We believers need only follow God's guidance, watch patiently, and offer support."
"Let him feel the warmth of the holy light and come to understand his mission."
"That is what you need to do now."
After finishing the letter, he pressed his papal signet ring firmly into the sealing wax, leaving a clear imprint of the Cross Holy Emblem.
"Deliver this to Kael as quickly as possible."
"As you command!"
The knight accepted the letter and respectfully withdrew from the great hall.
Once again, the Pope was alone in the hall.
He returned to the enormous map, his withered fingers gently brushing over the region surrounded by black ink.
The Holy Son...
Was it true?
Through two hundred years of desperate struggle, the Holy Human Race had bled itself