The wind was blowing gently, and a light snow was gently drifting outside the window.

The gloomy clouds, like a boulder pressing down on the entire city, were so oppressive that people couldn't breathe.

Gray and the Pope sat quietly, but instead of facing each other, they looked out the window together. The location, also strangely speaking, was the balcony where he first came to Pierce Cathedral to meet Anthony III.

A year ago, Gray was thrilled to enter such a large church for the first time, and a year later, when he met the Pope, Gray's mood became extremely calm.

"Life has ups and downs, and so are things in the world. The Pope took a deep breath and said: "A moment ago, it was sunny, but now, it is snowing lightly. I used to think that the sun could shine on the earth forever, but then I realized that it was just a beautiful dream. ”

"Isn't that what we're trying to achieve?" asked Gray.

"Yes, we can always move towards our dreams, and the question of whether or not they can be achieved will always haunt you. Gradually, when the sound is loud enough, when your life is coming to an end and your dreams are still not realized, you will become lost. He even began to doubt his dreams. In this world, the vast majority of people are like this. Owning a dream is a simple thing, as long as you dare to think about it. Having a dream is also a tough thing because almost everyone, almost the whole world, is trying to persuade you to give up on your dreams. Including their own laziness, greed, and so on. The vast majority of people have not been able to hold on. It's not just a matter of strength. The bad thing is that some dreams are not a matter of one person, but of everyone. ”

"So, the Pope has given up on his dreams?"

Turning his face sideways, the Pope whispered: "It's not that I gave up, but I chose another dream." A dream that at least seems to be achievable in a lifetime. ”

"But ......," Gray asked softly, "Isn't it precisely because of the great place of the Holy See that it has been passed down from generation to generation in the long period of ten thousand years, towards one goal?"

The Pope smiled, lowered his head and took a sip of tea, and said softly: "Yesterday, I saw something interesting and specially brought it to the Paladin. I don't know if the paladin has seen it. ”

As he spoke, the Pope pulled out a book and gently pushed it in front of Gray.

Gray took a look.

It's "Lich Paladin", which is to be expected.

"I knew it was all foreshadowing! That's the key!" the black cat screamed, "Tell him I haven't seen it!" and pick it up and look at it, and pretend to be angry! Hurry up! Hurry up——!

Gray, however, didn't. He said softly: "I have read this book, and it is very well written. I already have one, though. ”

"Oh, is it? It's well written?" the Pope nodded: "I'll keep this copy for myself." ”

"Oh my God, please listen to me once! he's tempting, probing, you know, is that you trying to reveal your lich identity?" In their minds, Vivien and Catherine's voices were silent.

Gray said softly, "This book is indeed well written, and I suggest that the Pope can read it." ”

"You still say! " The black cat was already crying.

"Actually, I've already seen part of it. After a pause, the Pope continued: "I wonder what the Paladins think about the Lich being a Paladin?"

"I don't think it's a problem, as long as he's genuinely good, that's a good thing. ”

"Really, a lich is a paladin...... Is that a good thing?" Brushing his long beard, the Pope let out a long sigh: "I used to think so. Levi: They're still with you, right?"

"Yes. ”

"They have been out for a long time and should go back to the Holy See. ”

"It's a pity that they can't go back yet. ”

"Why?"

"Because they're not fit to be paladins. Paladins are supposed to be kind and upright, but they can't even do that. Not eligible to be a paladin. ”

The Pope said softly, "Do you think that a lich can become a paladin, but a paladin who was originally recommended by the Holy See and approved by the Holy Spirit is not qualified?"

"Yes. Gray replied without hesitation: "An upright and kind lich, a lich who abides by the virtues of knighthood, adheres to his teachings, and is willing to fight for justice, why can't he become a paladin?

"But that's not all the Paladin's responsibilities. "As I said, there are dreams that belong to all people, not to one person. Divine, such a dream. The paladin is responsible for protecting the Holy See, and it is also the support of the Holy See's armed forces, the object of admiration of the world, and the object of emulation by the knights of the entire continent. He is first a force of force, then a symbol, and then a believer in the divine. Their responsibilities are far greater than their own existence. One of the most important criteria you have just listed is loyalty to the Holy See. ”

"I wonder if loyalty to the Holy See is not the same as loyalty to the Holy Spirit, loyalty to the Divine. ”

"Yes. The Pope did not shy away from replying: "Have you heard the story of 'Ebstrald'?"

Gray nodded slightly: "Bishop Anthony III told me. ”

"In every cathedral, there is a famous painting of 'Ebselde', which is specially arranged, an admonition to every bishop. Don't we know that Abselde was an upright and good believer? No, to be precise, he was not a believer anymore. He is a saint. ”

Gray was stunned for a moment, and the soul fire in his eyes turned into an exclamation mark.

Looking out the window at the snowy scene, the Pope sighed lightly, and then said softly: "We all want to save him, the Pope, who knelt in the prayer hall for a whole month, went on a hunger strike, starved from water, and prayed for the Holy Spirit to protect him. However...... The Holy Spirit kept him alive but refused to help Ebselde. You know better than I do what it looks like when civilians become mobs. Between the common people and their own saints, the Holy Spirit chose the common people. Now, do you still feel that loyalty to the Holy Spirit is in harmony with loyalty to the Holy Spirit, loyalty to the Divine?"

Gray was silent.

"If the divine could be achieved by mere force, we would have done so long ago. There is no need to wait until now. Slowly closing his eyes, the Pope continued: "It has been said that if the paladin is a lich, it should be exposed. I don't agree with that entirely. Notice my choice of words, 'not 'not entirely agree', not 'disagree'. If a lich becomes a paladin, the revelation of his identity will cause great damage to the Holy See and to the sacred. This damage, in a way, is greater than that of a paladin whose faith is not pure enough. Making a pious lich a paladin is essentially the same as weighing the pros and cons of making a paladin a person who is not pure in faith but loyal enough to the Holy See, both using their strengths. And when the mask is lifted, both of them are destined to disappear into the long river of history. ”

"But, but, ......," Gray opened his mouth, but he couldn't get any more out of his mouth for a long time. He refused to be compared to Levi, but he couldn't deny his lich identity. And in the eyes of ordinary people, the danger of being a lich is indeed many, many times greater than that of a paladin who is not pious enough. That's the reality. At least for now, there is nothing he can do to change the reality.

The Pope touched the Lich Paladin on the table and whispered, "Before, I had many concerns and doubts about you. Until I read the book. You're right, the book is really well written. I also want the sacred, as it does in the book. Although it is only the sacredness of the Lich Paladin, we have reason to believe that if the Lich Paladin can stick to his original idea and keep moving forward, then he can at least make a difference in this world. This is particularly contradictory. He can make a difference in the world, but the more he changes, the more enemies he will make. And these enemies will do everything they can to lift his mask. Once revealed, he will in turn cause great damage to the faith of this world. What he originally achieved will be wiped out in an instant. ”

Gray looked silently at the Pope, and the Pope, on the other hand, quietly stared out the window at the snow.

The wind was blowing gently, and the white snowflakes were still gently fluttering. There was a blank place, and the entire lion king was covered in snow.

After a while, the Pope whispered: "Give Levi and them back to the Holy See." The Holy See needs them, although, they may not be competent. Just as the Holy See, including me as the Pope, is incompetent. However, in a short period of time, it is still necessary to maintain the situation. As for the rest...... I'm too old to see the day when the mask is lifted and the ashes are gone. Is that okay?"

......

The talks lasted from morning to afternoon. Until the snow stops and the sun sets in the west.

Gray walked out of Pierce Cathedral step by step. The clergy along the way saluted him one by one.

"How's it going?" said Irene, who was guarding the door, hurriedly greeted her.

Not just Irene, but Carl, Camilla, Count Gruglu, Benedict II. Because the meeting was going on for a long time, a lot of people came and waited for Gray outside the door.

Gray whispered, "Let Levi and them go." ”

"That's it? nothing else. ”

"And ...... The Pope canonized me as a saint and a paladin. Responsible for supervising bishops of various countries. ”

All of a sudden, the people guarding the door cheered.

"Gray. The black cat said in a near-collapse in Gray's armor, "This is a big victory, really." I can't think of a better outcome than this. ”

"The Pope already knows that I am a lich. ”

"Yes. He's already hinted at it obviously. But he won't reveal it for the time being, which is a good thing. ”

"But I still can't remove the mask. ”

"Yes. We should be glad that he is a Pope who still has a holy faith in his heart. ”

"Most importantly, you've become a Lich Saint! This is more powerful than a mere Lich Paladin! The Demon Lord will continue to protect you!" Vivien cheered in Gray's mind.

Catherine didn't say a word.

Gray glanced back at the eight-pointed star banner hanging high, and was silent.

Obviously, the result was already the best, but in his heart, he didn't know how, there was a sense of loss.

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