Salute To The General

Baccio, the head of the Ten Elders from the Curia's Council of Elders, was the first to shoot down the suggestion. "That wouldn't be appropriate. There's no one more powerful than the pope, so how can he take back what he has said? If he does so because Nathan asked him to, what'll our believers think of that? How will he maintain his reputation? Moreover, it'll make the Curia seem fickle if we announce that Queenie is the next Holy Maiden, then change to someone else the next minute. That'd affect the Curia's reputation too." There, he turned to Eugene IV and continued loudly, "I don't suggest picking someone else as the Holy Maiden. The next Holy Maiden is Queenie Smith. Regardless of whether or not Nathan approves, he has to agree to it. Besides, it's only a matter of time before the future Holy Maiden is brought to the Curia for the believers to worship her. If Nathan is concerned about his daughter's safety, let's have him send her here now. We'll protect her, and we can teach her some of the Čuria's etiquette in advance so that she can learn how to be a competent Holy Maiden." While Hepburn had used a soft and gentle approach, Baccio demonstrated a typical example of a combative approach and was very aggressive.

Immediately after he spoke, all those present echoed their agreement. Most of them were on the same page as Baccio, and many felt that since the Curia was powerful and had the respect of numerous heads of state, there was no reason for them to give in to Nathan. Eugene IV was also inclined to take up Baccio's stance. Nonetheless, he still had some misgivings.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Hepburn quickly reasoned, "What Baccio has said does make some sense. However, allow me to reiterate why the Curia selected Queenie as the future Holy Maiden. It's all because her father is God's chosen one, and we want to bind him to us. But now, we're about to jeopardize our relationship with him just because we want Queenie to be the next Holy Maiden. By doing so, we'll be going against our original intention!"

Although Eugene IV was reluctant to admit it, she was right.

He cast his gaze toward the unyielding Baccio and inquired, "What do you think about what she just said?"

Narrowing his eyes, Baccio replied with an air of arrogance, "We roped Nathan in because we wanted to work with him. Unfortunately, he hasn't taken it seriously the entire time. I've only heard of the strong joining forces with each other, not so much a strong and a weak. Therefore, not only should we stand firm in our decision to make Queenie the next Holy Maiden, but we should also take this chance to teach Nathan a lesson and show him just how formidable we are lest he actually look down upon us."

The others nodded in agreement.

Baccio added smugly, "When Nathan realizes how capable we are, he

Besides,

it'll make him realize that cooperating with us will

words. Indeed, Nathan has looked down upon us. We need to give him a taste of how

lead a team

him while showcasing

glory?"

clear he's actually asking who's willing to go and intimidate Nathan as soon as he gets off his private jet. Daveth, the youngest and most handsome

willing to go," he declared loudly

Five War Gods of the Light. Hence, it'd be a meeting of the