In the early morning, the holy city of Frankfurt is solemn.

The cardinals of Tyre only slept for three hours before getting out of bed, bathing three times, putting on their most formal clothes, dispelling all the resident divine magic on their bodies, and ascending step by step to the spiraling baptismal seat, towards the church closest to the sun.

Every time these cardinals climbed five or six steps, they could see two bishops dressed in purple kneeling on either side of the steps, whispering prayers for the cardinals.

They had been walking slowly upwards from about two o'clock in the morning, and by the time they reached the topmost domed cathedral, three hours had passed.

Only such a slow pace could keep them from sweating and tarnish the holiness of the Dome Cathedral.

One by one, when they sat down, they did not look at any of the others present, but simply closed their eyes and prayed to Termer.

This prayer lasted for nearly two hours, and it was not far away that a bright light shone under the statue of Tyre.

At this time, there were still two empty seats at the table that could seat fourteen people.

With the exception of Jupiter IV, who was still praying under the idol of Tyre, there was still no one who had not arrived.

That was the seat to the right of Jupiter IV - the place that was supposed to belong to Cell.

With the exception of Cyra, who had a straight face, the other twelve cardinals simply sighed and began their daily morning prayers to the idol of Tyre. Cyra, on the other hand, had begun to recite the morning prayer silently before Jupiter began to pray.

“…… All glory be to Tyre. ”

As the sun fully rises, the sound of prayer subsides. The dazzling morning light faded, and the old Pope's transparent glass-like body regained the white color of his robes.

Then he slowly sat down in his seat. The cardinals immediately looked at Jupiter IV in awe.

"Cyra...... I guess you need to explain. ”

As Jupiter IV's slow and powerful words fell, the ninth, counting from Jupiter's left, stood up.

The man was none other than Cella.

But. His face was full of calmness, without the slightest hint of flinching.

"I killed the thirteenth Cardinal. Nothing to explain. ”

His voice was clear and steady, as if he were proclaiming the truth to the world: "This is what my lord Tyre says, that which has scales and feet, is filth, and you must not eat or touch it, or else you will be filthy." ”

"He that has eyes but no eyelids is filthy, and you shall not eat or touch it, or else you will be filthy."

"He who has no wings but flies in the air. or those who have thin wings and fly high, they are filthy, and ye shall not eat or touch them, or ye shall be filthy. ”

Cyra's face, as sharp as a handsome statue, was full of awe: "These are the words of "Looking at the Sun", the motto of Tyre. I have not deceived or altered a single word - Cell, he is an abomination to my lord and my father Tyre, and it is Tyre's will that I kill him. ”

"-But! You killed Cell, and you killed the people of Tyre! His cardinal! ”

Jupiter IV's words suddenly rose to a height, and a rumbling sound pierced through the domed cathedral. It has been preached throughout the spiral of the Baptismal Seat. All who heard his voice bowed their heads and closed their eyes in prayer.

Although they hadn't met Cell. But I can't help but feel sad for Cyra.

But unexpectedly, Cyrana's voice, which also rumbled like thunder, but was visibly much younger, rang out in the sky: "I am not killing the people of Tyre, but the people of Enzos!" ”

Those who heard Cyra's voice began to talk, even though they had tried to keep their voices down. But it also broke the silence of the holy city.

They can't be blamed for that.

This ability to rumble like thunder in the sky has so far been possessed by only the Pope of Tyre.

And now. In addition to Jupiter IV, Cyra also possessed such abilities - does that mean? Cardinal Cyra is the next generation of Pope?

After a moment of silence, Jupiter IV asked again in a low voice from an old man, "Cylla." I'll ask you one last time - are you guilty? ”

"For Tyre's sake, if you're willing to punish yourself and confine, I can take no blame for this......"

"—but I refuse."

Cyra also lowered her voice, and indifferently refused in her usual speaking attitude: "I am not wrong...... It's you who is at fault. ”

"My child, the Pope cannot make mistakes......"

"- So, you are not a competent pope."

Cyra interrupted Jupiter IV.

Suddenly, the Dome Cathedral fell into a dead silence.

As if in disbelief, Jupiter IV asked in a very soft voice: "Do you know what you are talking about, Cyra?" ”

"I know very well."

As if the conversation was repeated a few days ago, Cyra answered without hesitation, and the answer did not change in the slightest.

However, the nature of the conversation has changed.

Jupiter IV was silent again for a moment, and then said regretfully, "Then, you will take off the Ring of Killing...... Leave it to Bishop Og. ”

"I refuse. Tyre once said that cardinals could not be removed. ”

"It's not something you can refuse, my child. This is the greatest gift I can give you. Unless you want to be disfellowshipped and die as a heretic. ”

Jupiter IV shook his head: "That's right, the cardinal will not be able to take off his red robe until he dies...... But there are always exceptions. ”

"To put it more carefully, it is...... People will eventually die, do you understand? ”

The old Pope said slowly.

Cyra sighed and looked at the old Pope with condescending eyes: "I finally know what went wrong with you...... There's no way you're going to kill me. ”

"Do you want to fight to the death?"

Jupiter IV almost burst out laughing: "You may not know, I can deprive you of your magic ...... at will"

"Then you can give it a try."

Cyra's words brought Jupiter IV's voice to an abrupt halt.

Suddenly, the eyes of the other cardinals fluctuated violently, and their faces were incredulous.

Jupiter IV's actions froze - no doubt Tyre.

In this closest place to the sun, Thiel can already exert a certain amount of influence on the people here. It is clear that Tyre did not want Jupiter IV to kill Cylla.

"You're too proud, Paulnia...... You're trying to twist Tyre's will. Under the watchful eye of His Majesty Tyre, you can't kill me. ”

Cyra shook her head and took off her tie, "Now, you can choose to imprison me and then repent in front of Tyre; Or, you let me go and admit your arrogance - the choice. ”

"Arrogant...... You're the most arrogant of all, Cyra. ”

Jupiter IV stiffened like a stone statue for a long time, and then suddenly burst out laughing: "It's funny. Tyre's second spokesperson. Let me guess what you represent...... Is it justice? Is Tyre's justice? It's really good justice. ”

Without any movement, Jupiter IV saw several shadows emerge from the steps of his seat, subduing Cyra in an instant.

The old Pope coughed and staggered from his seat: "Oh. Our righteous fellow has been subdued. Any idea why you're losing? ”

Predictably, Jupiter IV did not receive a response from Cyra.

He chuckled and left his place, kneeling under the idol of Tyre.

His old voice echoed through the church: "Justice...... It's really a nice thing. But now Tyre doesn't need justice, he needs me. ”

Without looking back, the old Pope whispered: "There is no need for a great ceremony." I would pray for the Divine Descent and then go to the White Tower myself. ”

Long after his bodyguards escorted Cyra into the dungeon and the other cardinals left, Jupiter IV muttered softly, "Arrogance...... Of course I know. ”

"But, Tyre needs me. That's enough. ”

As if in response to his words, in front of him, the huge brass statue nodded slightly. (To be continued.) )

PS: Woo...... We had a cold again, and the fever was close to 38 degrees......

Thinking has started to get confused...... I hope the quality of this chapter is passable......