Chapter 66: Selena, Could You Please Not Be This Useless?
Chapter 66: Selena, Could You Please Not Be This Useless?
“Hahaha! Duke Ous’s proposal is rather sensible. If the Holy Church finds the task too taxing, our Imperial Army would be glad to lighten the load.”
“Indeed, Pope Selena has only just assumed her role. I hear there’s quite a bit of unrest among the people—hardly ideal for unity. Perhaps Her Holiness should focus on internal affairs and leave the front-line logistics to our Imperial administration.”
“So, what will it be? Pope Selena, the decision is yours.”
The grand, solemn hall now echoed with the clamor of a marketplace. Laughter rippled among the Empire’s nobles, as if the Goddess’s radiance had already faded from these lands.
Even though the woman before them was the current Pope of the Holy Church—one of the most powerful figures in the world—not a hint of fear flickered in their eyes.
After all, the Pope could not act recklessly against mortals.
To harm a noble here, in the very heart of the Holy Church, without cause or due process—never mind whether the Goddess Alicia herself would descend in judgment—it would utterly destroy the Pope’s reputation.
Selena’s position was already precarious. One misstep, and she’d find herself utterly isolated.
Especially since the nobles’ accusations sounded perfectly reasonable. They were speaking in the name of the Empire, on behalf of the soldiers at the front, questioning the mysterious disappearance of supplies—not simply picking a fight. Unless the new Pope intended to abandon her post entirely, she had no choice but to endure their interrogation.
“You’re… demanding control over logistics from me?”
Selena’s voice was icy as she gazed down at the disrespectful Imperial nobles.
When her eyes swept across the impassive faces of the clergy, a chill flickered in her golden gaze.
This was not the reaction she expected from her own people.
Since the Empire had gone to war with the demons—and allied with the Northern Countries—the responsibility of gathering and transporting supplies to the front had always fallen to the Holy Church.
It was a measure set by the previous Pope before the war, to ensure fairness and minimize corruption.
Only with the Holy Church personally overseeing the allocation of supplies could the various factions at the front be assured of impartiality.
And now these Imperial nobles dared to snatch away control of logistics?
If even half of this authority were handed over to the Empire, those parasites would drain everything meant for the front lines.
Such a glaring threat—yet not one of those left behind in the Holy Church dared to speak up?
Were they truly clergy of the Holy Church, faithful to the Goddess Alicia, sworn to uphold justice and light?
“How can you call it ‘snatching control’? The Imperial Army is simply concerned that Pope Selena is overburdened. We’re offering to ease your burden, nothing more.”
Duke Ous—a portly, middle-aged noble—shot a smug glance at the silent clergy, a knowing smirk curling his lips.
His mountainous frame quivered with every movement, and his beady eyes gleamed with cunning—a schemer through and through.
“After all, it’s clear that managing all these supplies has become too much for Pope Selena alone.”
“Take the latest incident: the demons raided our front-line stores. This will gravely impact the campaign at the Northern Fortress.”
“What is your plan, Pope Selena? Can you possibly gather over ten thousand doses of potion in time—especially those top-grade elixirs reserved for the elite Transcendents?”
He asked as if her failure were a foregone conclusion. The Duke’s arrogance pressed down like a weight, determined to see her stumble.
“This concerns the safety of our most powerful warriors! Or do you intend to send them against high-ranking demons without any logistical support?”
“Pope Selena, even if you possess a trace of divinity, surely you’re not so heartless as to disregard the lives of the entire Coalition Army.”
It was a condemnation delivered from the highest moral ground. Even Veya, who struggled to keep her composure, couldn’t help but clench her fists beneath the table.
At this moment, there was simply no way to refute them.
“The missing supplies… I have already ordered every major Imperial bureau to work through the night to make up the shortfall. The upcoming campaign will not be delayed.”
Alone under such pressure, Veya drew a steadying breath, forcing herself to maintain an air of authority. Even as Pope, she could not afford to show weakness.
“The logistics were entrusted to the Holy Church at the very outset of this war. Since we accepted this burden, we will see it through to the end.”
“If the day truly comes when I can no longer manage it, there’ll be no need for Duke Ous to make suggestions—I will hand over the responsibility myself.”
“Hahaha! Pope Selena, you certainly have a way with words. But words alone aren’t enough. You say there’s no problem, but the Imperial Army no longer trusts you.”
Duke Ous abruptly rose to his feet, his shrewd gaze radiating an oppressive force.
As the Empire’s highest-ranking noble, his inherited might was not to be underestimated—he had clearly reached the standard peak of Level 70.
“And what if you don’t trust us?”
Veya’s expression grew frosty, her voice trembling with barely contained anger.
“Because we don’t trust the Holy Church. So the logistics authority—at least for the Imperial Army’s share—should be returned to us.”
“The Holy Church can continue managing supplies for the rest of the coalition. If any further issues arise, we can reconvene and discuss dividing the logistics then.”
The other nobles lifted their heads, broad grins spreading across their faces.
“Well, Pope Selena? The front lines are in crisis—surely you won’t be so stubborn as to cling to every last scrap of authority?”
“I’d hate to wake up tomorrow and see the Imperial Capital Daily headline: ‘Pope Loses Supplies, Clings to Power.’ That would hardly be good for the Holy Church’s reputation, don’t you think?”
“Your Holiness, the dignity of the Holy Church must not be tarnished.”
At that moment, a member of the clergy—silent until now—finally spoke. His golden, sacred eyes flashed with a powerful, intimidating light.
“You…”
Veya stared at him in disbelief. Not only were they failing to defend the Holy Church, they were actually siding with the Empire to demand authority?
What are these people thinking?!
If even her own clergy stood with the Empire, what could she do now? Was she truly about to surrender part of the Holy Church’s authority over logistics?
No. Absolutely not!
Bang!
Suddenly, the doors to the council chamber were violently flung open.
No one had expected such a scene. The nobles, who moments ago had been pressuring the Pope, all jumped in shock at the sudden commotion.
And when they saw who entered, even the swaggering Duke Ous flinched.
A proud figure strode in, snow-pale skin aglow beneath the vaulted arches, hand resting on the hilt of a Holy Lance. She moved with the weight of a mountain, every step radiating unshakable authority.
Golden eyes crackled with lightning, and her breathtakingly beautiful face was carved with icy indifference—a single glance from her could freeze the soul.
“That’s… Meilin, Grand Commander of the Judgement Knight?”
Duke Ous, moments earlier so overbearing, could not conceal the flicker of panic in his eyes.
Even the clergy swallowed nervously—none had expected her to appear at a time like this.
“I heard you were in the Empire’s south, pursuing leads on the Cult of the Evil God. Why are you—”
“Two things.”
Meilin cut him off without the slightest courtesy, her golden gaze sweeping through the hall and turning the air to ice.
“First: The Holy Church will not surrender control of logistics. Pope Selena will have the supplies ready for the front lines. If there is a delay, you can come and question us again.”
“B-but—”
A noble tried to protest, but under Meilin’s direct stare, the words died in his throat. Even his breath caught.
“Second.”
She swept her cold gaze around the chamber, then slammed the Holy Lance down on the marble floor. The crash echoed like thunder, arcs of lightning crackling from the impact—casting her in the aura of a war goddess.
“Now… every last one of you—get out!”