Chapter 26 Roma

Ding*

The sound of a bell echoed across the church, indicating a new hour had come. The people inside the church were still moving vigorously despite being late hours.

" Cardinal, we received the news that northerners started a war among themselves. The alliance between the Vikings is divided among themselves."

The priest gave a scroll to the elderly man who was stroking his beard with a deep look. He turned his head around, looking at the giant map of the continent with a hint of worry in his eyes because the region had been stable for a decade. Even fearsome Arabs, Persians, and Nomads didn't start a war, yet the most troublesome region had started the war in the most troublesome period since the relationship between France and England was getting worse.

This war could led to all-out war in the north of the continent, inducing many conflicts among the nobles and nations who were drooling after a long period of hunger.

" What about His Holiness? Did he receive the news?"

The cardinal placed his hands on the armrests, believing the pope might have a way since he was the most influential person on the continent.

" Unfortunately, his Holiness is still struggling with the emperor. The current situation in the imperial family is affecting the overall structure of the country and our people are worried about this."

Hearing this made the cardinal sight with helplessness. Perhaps, the church might have stopped this if it wasn't for the internal struggle, the current pope was getting old and the new emperor was getting more ambitious.

He even dared to bare his fangs toward the church which oversaw the diplomatic and legal relationship between the countries. For him it was a good way to devour an entire continent through religion, creating a new empire like old times when great conquerors like Alexander, Caesar, and Charlemagne ruled the entire Europa.

The old painful memory of the war came back to his head. The bloody battlefield where many young brave men died for nothing but a few silver coins. The smell of blood lingered through the air and he saw anything except death.

" I will personally talk with His Holiness. You may leave now."

The cardinal took the scroll, leaving it to the area where the pope resided. As one of the closest aides of the pope, his quarter was relatively close to the pope's chamber and he could visit whenever he wanted.

The long stone halls of the church came into his vision as he saw various shadows of the past. He felt like he was walking through both hell and heaven at the same time under the gazes of the deceased people.

The shadows created by the candles gently illuminated the halls which brought the illusion of people inside the hall.

Knock*

He gently knocked on the door, waiting for the answer since the pope got up early every morning.

" Come in."

The hoarse voice of the pope echoed from behind of the door as the cardinal entered the room.

" Ah Gregory, my trusted aide. How may I help you?"

Cardinal Gregory saw the old man behind his table, looking through the documents with his murky eyes.

No one would believe this man was one of the deadliest men alive in his prime. He was the sole person who unified the fractured church factions, bringing them under one iron rule. His name is Innocent which symbolizes his status and power.

" Lord, the fire of the north had restarted once again. I am afraid turbulent times are coming to us."

Gregory placed the scroll on the table as Pope Innocent read the scroll in silence as the flames of the candle dawned on his face. His old face was slightly distorted upon reading the scroll, knowing the inevitable battle had descended upon them.

Perhaps this was the will of the God who challenged his people with great adversary but nonetheless, the time couldn't have been worse.

" What about the imperial family? Are they silent after messing with the north? Do they think this old man is nailed to his coffin?"

Innocent said coldly, looking at Gregory with a deep look.

" We don't know. They have been silent after the war. We also got Sir Henry was approached by the imperial army messenger."

The room atmosphere instantly fell into bone-chilling coldness as the pope took his quill up.