I Became The Pope, Now What?

Sylvester pressed more on the chest of the Archpriest and forced him to say it. "What is it?"

"His talents, my Lord! We found out Dungface has the talent of a... Diamond Knight! Second-highest Knightley talent! This is God's gift! This town can have so much support from the Holy Land if he remains here and learns under me!"

Pa!

Sylvester knelt and slapped the man with the back of his hand, though not too hard. "So you can eat up all the money the Holy Land shall send for his upkeep and training? Do you see 'fool' written on my face, Archpriest? And why were his talents never tested before? He's already in his thirties; he has lost so much precious time."

"I-I don't know, my lord! The previous priest likely didn't bother to test him since he was always slow in the head. Nobody in their right mind would expect him to have such high talent." The Archpriest cried, getting continuously slapped on the face softly.

Pa!

"This is what you will do now. You will go in there and bring Dungface out respectfully--without saying a word to him. If you fail to do that, your head and my light shall meet for one last time. And don't think I have no authority--I am a Sanctum Inspector." Sylvester ordered the man in a threatening tone.

It worked as the man quickly got up and ran into the Monastery, nearly panting and on the verge of crying.

"You did a number on that poor guy," Felix muttered, having woken up and come out of the carriage with Gabriel and Bishop Lazark.

"He's a scum but of a lower order. He was using Dungface for free labour and abusing him constantly." Sylvester replied.

Agreeing, Bishop Lazark added. "A man's true nature is shown when he's given power over others."

"He clearly failed that test," Gabriel muttered.

Soon, the door of the Monastery opened again, and Dungface walked out. He had a big smile and a crate of fruits on his shoulder. But he looked much different.

"Big Lord! You're back!" Dungface cheered up seeing Sylvester there.

"It seems they took good care of you, buddy. You have gained some good muscles and fat, it seems." Sylvester walked up to him and patted his shoulder.

In truth, Dungface appeared much better now than before. Before, he was dirty and thin, and now he had good clothes and a body. He was already in the perfect state to start training, building good muscles, and burning fat to make more muscles.

"I eat very good food, big Lord. Milan is very kind."

Sylvester narrowed his eyes at the Archpriest standing on the side with his head held low. Poor Dungface didn't even know that this was the normal life most people enjoy. To him, this was a luxury because he had never had it.

"Dungface, I have a crucial task for you, one that will require your blood, sweat and hard work." Sylvester looked into Dungface's innocent eyes.

The man straightened his back, releasing the scent of utmost worship towards Sylvester. Indeed, in Dungface's eyes, Sylvester was not just the preacher of the Lord, he was the Big Lord.

"Big Lord wants my blood? I will give it!"

"..."

Sylvester quickly reminded himself that he needed to be careful with this man and only use simple words and sentences. "No, buddy. I don't want your blood. What I meant was, would you like to join me and become my assistant? You will learn to become a Knight under my training and help me spread my light to the people and make everyone happy."

"Dungface can make people happy?" The man wondered excitedly. His eyes told everything.

At that, Felix walked up and put his arm on the man's shoulder. "My friend, you will become a mighty knight with great power. Even stronger than Archpriest Milan... and you will also become a church member. You can help people all you want."

"Can I help puppies too?" Dungface questioned out of nowhere.

Instantly, Sylvester was reminded of the past when he found Dungface sharing his food with stray puppies, even when he didn't have enough food for himself. Truly, the man was as much of a gentle soul as they could be.

"Yes, you can help as many puppies as you want. But first, you will need to work hard and become strong. It will hurt your body, it will make you tired, but you must never quit." Sylvester added. "Are you willing to do that?"

"Ugh..." Dungface looked left and right in panic.

Thud!

Then, he put the fruit crate away and knelt down like a Knight in front of Sylvester. He didn't have a sword, but he still acted as if his hands were resting on the hilt of an invisible sword in front of him. He kept his head low and proclaimed. "I-I will forever serve you, big lord--In mind, soul, blood and body!"

'Amazing! He must have seen some other knights do this in the past.' Sylvester thought.

But he went with the theatrics as he didn't see a mindless simpleton in front of him. Instead, what he saw was his most loyal, most faithful fanatic follower who would one day be quite strong. He may never command armies, but he can certainly help in times of need.

Sylvester raised his right palm towards the latter and started shining some light upon him while singing a short hymn dedicated to Dungface.

Thud!

The moment Sylvester started to sing, and the halo appeared, Archpriest Milan, other Clergymen from the Monastery, and the nearby town folks knelt to pray.

♫The Lord makes all men equal, but some he tests.

In your heart, don't let those tests create--unrest.

It's your fate to overcome life's quest.

For you, my friend, are the most blessed.♫

♫You are not born any lesser than a king.

You are not meant to feel cold in spring.

For you are meant to fly with your strong wings.

Wait and watch these hymns; even the heavens will sing.♫

♫Rise, the blessed son of the light.

For the good--For the sad--You are to fight.

Walk with me and help me shine bright.

You, my friend, shall be this Bard's Knight!♫

Sylvester ended singing and put his warm, shining hand on the kneeling man's head. He caressed it and made him stand up. "Rise to your feet, good Sir. You are not a common man anymore--you are a knight."

Sniff!

Sylvester noticed a small drop of water fall just underneath where Dungface's head was held low. 'Let them come out, buddy. I can't imagine how hard it was to live without parents and a normal brain in a world like this. You lived this long. It's already a miracle.'

Sylvester was a man who schemed and killed for his own interests as easy as breathing. But, seeing a man as unfortunate as this, even he felt some pity. Taking his chances with this man, he knew he had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"T-thank you, big Lord! My best friend once told me that I am very strong." Dungface said.

"Where is this best friend of yours?" Sylvester asked back, wondering if he could have another loyal person.

Cough!

A clergyman walked forward to explain, as he'd been in the Monastery for a long time. "She's dead, my Lord. She was another orphan but not as unfortunate as him. She cared for him like a little brother when he was young, but a fever claimed her life when she was eleven."

"May her soul rest in peace then. She had more heart than most others these days," Sylvester commented while staring daggers at the Archpriest. "Some are born unfortunate but with a heart bigger than those--fortunate."

"Dungface, rise and go gather your items. Take whatever you feel emotional about and come here. We shall leave this instant." Sylvester ordered the man.

"Yes, big lord!" Dungface wiped his face clean and ran back into the Monastery.

Meanwhile, Sylvester asked a few more questions to the older priest, who knew more about Dungface. "How old is Dungface, and where is his family?"

"He's thirty, my Lord. His family still lives on the eastern outskirts of the town. They have a large farm there. His father has died, but his mother and two brothers are still alive." The priest answered.

Sylvester remembered what the former Archpriest had revealed about Dungface being disowned and tortured by his own family, which led to the Archpriest taking the boy in.

He seriously looked at the priest. "Sins do not go unpunished when the soul reaches the embrace of the Lord. But, to punish sin in the mortal world is our duty. Make sure you tell the family that the Bard of the Lord was here, and he took their son to become a mighty Knight of the Church. A knight who shall one day attain the rank of Archbishop or--even a Cardinal."

All the clergymen gulped in silence, wondering how Dungface would look with an Archbishop's or Cardinal's mitre on the head. They imagined him smiling stupidly while in a fabulous Knight's armour.

To some jealous ones, it was an image that made them rage, but those real priests who felt pride just smiled. This was the proof that God writes man's destiny. Dungface was a prime example of a sad start but a mighty future.

"Dungface is ready!"

Just then, Dungface returned with a huge bag the size of Dungface himself on his back. It was made of thick, patched cotton clothes, and God knows what was inside them.

"Indeed, he's a Diamond Knight talent." Bishop Lazark muttered in nods.

Sylvester chuckled, seeing him. "What's in it?"

"Vegetables, fruits, farming tools, a little chair, and paintings!"

'That's probably all he's owned in his thirty years of life.'

He didn't deny him front taking it. "Good, then let's put everything on the roof of that carriage and move."

"I will!"

Dungface walked close to Lady Aurora's carriage and effortlessly threw the bag on top of it. Indeed, he was truly strong. It was now making sense how he survived years of abuse.

Soon, Felix tied everything on the roof, and they prepared to head out. They wished to reach Baron Strongarm's castle and spend the night there.

"Dungface, come here and sit with me," Sylvester called the man to the reinsman seat. He wished to talk to him more and slowly make him more devoted to himself. He also needed to impart knowledge about who he should trust and what to do in certain life-threatening situations.

"First of all, let's talk about your name. Have you thought about changing it?"

"Dungface not good?"

"It's good, but you will be a mighty knight now and need a mighty name. Do you have any suggestions?" Sylvester asked.

Dungface thought about it and started remembering all the names people called him. "Hmm... Poopy!"

"..."

_______________________

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APE TOGETHER STRONG!