I Became The Pope, Now What?

Sylvester finished his short visit to the new City of Maximilia and decided to head back to the Holy Land the very next day. Thoroughly impressed by the results of all the advancements he had designed for the city, he now wished to implement it around the entire continent of Sol. 

However, it was no easy feat. Implementing everything in new cities was easier than those old ones with their broken down infrastructures and narrow streets. But magic was a thing, and he was going to use it to the fullest. 

"Your Holiness, this is the most recent report on Leyon the Conqueror." Gabriel came running as soon as he smelled Sylvester entering the Pope's Palace. It was expected by Sylvester at that point. 

"Did you place some spying instrument in my office or what? How do you always know when I'm back?" Sylvester asked him while taking the file from him. 

Gabriel shrugged proudly, "I ordered the guards to inform me as soon as you appear." 

"Tsk… You're making me work like a slave," Sylvester joked and looked down at the report with no amusement or shock. "Ah, so he's already taken over West Sol. I'm not much surprised. They weren't very strong after what I did to the Empire. But I am indeed amused by the fall of Warsong." 

"That's it?! Your Holiness, he's an enemy of the entire Sol. He's a menace to all the kingdoms," Gabriel argued and pointed his finger at the paper. "Look at the soldiers in his army. It's exceeded ten million already. Every kingdom he absorbed, he somehow made the soldiers join his side as well." 

"A good speaker, then." Sylvester suddenly remembered a certain man with a tiny square mustache, but Leyon wasn't evil like that one. "From what I can see in this report, we have no grounds to meddle in this situation. Leyon hasn't even killed ten thousand soldiers yet, nor civilians or Clergymen. Most of the Kingdoms surrendered to him." 

"But now he stands at the border of Gracia, near Sandwall County's Miraj City."

"And we'll wait for him to move before taking any action. Let's not forget that Miraj City is designated as the second Holy Land. It may be Sandwall County's capital, but it's also the Pope's second residence. Leyon is smart, and he knows he can't offend me. Now, I'm just curious about how he is going to pass this hurdle."

…

"Rivers." Leyon the Conqueror stood in his military camp's main tent and strategized with the Generals he had chosen to work for him.

Men who weren't personally that powerful but had enough mental fortitude and wit to manage and command armies. On top of that, his movement had gained many talents who came to serve him. Of course, some came with the intention of killing him and replacing him—death is mercy, was a famous quote in the camp.

"Your Majesty, even if we reach all the capital cities in each kingdom, we won't be able to win. Each of them has at least one Grand Wizard. While we have only been able to attain two Grand Wizards from the Warsong Kingdom." Commander Bayek of Warsong, now a member of the Leyon Empire, voiced his concern. 

It was a narcissistic thing to name a kingdom after one's first name, and not the surname. Sadly, Leyon didn't have a last name as he was once the lowest of the lowest among commoners. 

"Commander Bayek, the plan is to enter these cities secretly. Dealing with the West was easy with military might, but dealing with the East would require deeper planning. Sol is still recuperating from the devastation caused by previous wars, and we shall take advantage of it. We are not going to focus on the capital cities but rather the other population centers. Instigate the people, fund the militia, the thieves, the murderers, and overload the kingdom with heightened responsibility towards their citizens. 

"Once their armies are spread around far and wide, I shall attack the royal castles with our powerhouses. A few more Grand Wizards will soon be joining us, so do not worry about the end result," Leyon detailed his plan and looked at his commanders. "Commander Bayek, Commander Fritz, Commander Shing, and Commander Ornald, you are to head to one kingdom each, from top to bottom, in order. Take your time and play the game with patience, pride, and precision—May the Holy Light enlighten you." 

Pat!

The four men saluted back.

"Long Live the Emperor!"

…

Back in the Holy Land, a certain invention was being tested for the last time before being deployed. Considering how significant it was for his plans, Sylvester tested them out himself to ensure there were no backdoors or security threats. 

"It looks quite portable," Sylvester muttered when he saw the wireless magic communicator. No longer was it a massive box with a wire that connected to a huge tower somewhere outside. What Sylvester was looking at was the soldier's mobile communications unit. 

"How long can it be powered?" Sylvester asked while checking the backpack-like thing with a single, tall antennae of metal protruding out. It reminded him of his previous life's portable transceiver from that time in Vietnam. 

Cardinal Robert proudly showcased it. "Your Holiness, it can work continuously for one hour with each inch-sized Solarium Crystal. So, its operation limit is restricted by how many Solarium Crystals one has. We have tried to test the limits, and this unit has been running for the past three months without interruption." 

Sylvester looked at it with amusement, "Range?" 

"That antenna connects it with the nearest major tower and helps communicate through it. The range varies according to the terrain. In plain lands, it can go for almost five hundred kilometers. In the mountains, it depends on how high the tower is, and the position of the receiver as well as the transmitter," Cardinal Jinn explained in detail and also showcased a booklet that had the rune systems used to make the connections. "This is likely the most well-researched thing we have developed here, Your Holiness." 

Sylvester carefully checked everything. The last thing he wanted was for someone to be able to intercept the communication. He knew it was going to happen eventually, but he wanted at least a few decades of growth before it happened. 

"How far has your research for the reactor and the train come? I hope you two understand that electricity and railways will be the backbone of the new world we're creating. To increase the manufacturing output, we need these two as quickly as possible." Sylvester moved on to the next topic, "Ask me anything if you stumble across a hurdle." 

"Ehm." Cardinal Jinn had utter pride in his eyes. "The first prototype of the Solarium-Fusion Reactor is in the works. It's not hard, nor easy. A lot of it has to do with structural engineering, as we have to test various materials to see which suits best to hold that amount of tremendous energy. In the end, only Skygem worked for us. On top of that, I'm having to design an entire power station for the electric circuitry, as well as a grid system for the entire Sol that will need to be built before electricity can reach throughout." 

Sylvester hummed and oversaw all the information provided to him. 'I don't want to invent plastic. But finding its alternative isn't easy either. It seems like I'll have to work on this element myself. Otherwise, the speed of all the other projects will be hindered.'

He understood that not everything could be made from metals or wood. 

"What of the trains?" 

"Ah, that's something I shall answer," Saint Keymaster, the chief economist of the Holy Land, spoke up. It was the noble turned slave turned Clergyman with the ability to memorize anything, Cardinal Darius. "The rail lines are being laid in the Highland Kingdom, Riveria, and Gracia Kingdom. As for the Blackhart Kingdom, we are having some trouble. The temperature in the harsh south goes too high, and the steel rails can melt at times, Your Holiness." 

Sylvester understood that much. "Then start building a major road network in the Blackhart Kingdom. Connect it to train terminals in Highland. Remember, I don't want one kingdom to feel blessed and another to be cursed. That's what leads to internal strife and eventual rebellions. 

"Gabriel, I'll be speaking with Queen Xylena. Write it down on my to-do list," Sylvester ordered, giving his commands left and right as most of the Sanctum Council was there. "Felix, you are to go to the south, meet with the major administration position holders, and reaffirm to them that they are not forgotten. Saint Medico, how many Grace Hospitals have been built by now?" 

The old man, Healer Hendrix, groaned and replied. He hated participating in meetings since research, his wife, and his daughter were his only love. "Thirty in Gracia, nearly forty in Riveria, twenty-two in Highland, and ten in Blackhart Kingdom. While in the West, we have only begun, and ten Grace Hospitals have been built." 

Sylvester made an ugly, displeased face. "Too slow, Saint Medico. I want the thousand hospitals mark reached as soon as possible. Right away, order the construction of thirty more in Blackhart simultaneously. We need to pacify them with something, or else they will misunderstand the lack of railway as our bias."

"Not possible." Healer Hendrix was a blunt man, even towards the Pope. But he was still respectable. "Your Holiness, that's not possible since we don't have as many healers."

"Then train them."

"We don't have enough schools and funds. And to train healers, it takes years." Hendrix said.

"I will fund it," Sylvester instantly replied. 

Gabriel and Saint Keymaster's eyes sparkled at the idea as they stared at him. They were always worried about funds, even though the treasury was constantly filling.

"How rich are you, Your Holiness?" Gabriel asked. 

Sylvester folded his arms. "The richest."

"Of course, you're the richest in Sol." Gabriel self-depreciatingly laughed. 

"In the world." 

"..."

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