I Became The Pope, Now What?
Chapter 70: [BONUS] 70. Race Against Time

It was their last night in the Holy Land, but Sylvester decided to spend it with Xavia instead, as he'd be with his friends anyway.

She was already frightened for him, worrying about how he was going to survive outside. She knew her son was strong but feared for his blood identity.

"Don't worry, if I want to keep getting the benefits from the Church, I have to prove myself too. And honestly, this work is not too harsh for me, because I will be away from the Holy Land, as I feel most threatened here." He tried calming her and ate dinner.

Ever since the whole Romel deal a few days ago, their relationship had not been on good terms. He did not talk much with her, while Xavia was too afraid to anger him more.

But Sylvester wished to at least leave after giving her some peace of mind. "You should eat healthy when I leave. I know you become lazy when I'm not around."

Xavia nodded her head as if she was the kid in this situation.

"And you don't need to overwork yourself. We're just slaves to the faith. We get nothing in return but hollow praises. So you better rest whenever you can… I wouldn't like it if something were to happen to you."

"I will." She chirped obediently.

"If you face any problems, just ask the Inquisitors. They are a bunch of scoundrels in most cases, but when it comes to me, they are always near orgasmic. Remember, mother, until I'm not a Grand Wizard, in fact, even then, living here will be a hazard." He added, ensuring she knew all the warnings beforehand.

Xavia looked at Sylvester's face. Her eyes twinkled as if on the verge of tearing up. She was, in fact, thankful to him and admired him, for being wise beyond his age. "Max, please take care of yourself. I knew your life would be one of hardships once they called you God's Favored. I never wanted this, but fate gave it to us."

"I don't blame you, mum. You did what you did to survive. But just remember, even a puppy can bite when hurt or annoyed. Never forget that you must always keep your head high. Look people in the eyes with confidence, and if someone tries harming you, then I am with you. Remember, once you show weakness, they will shred you to pieces.

"Even if you're scared, even if all the odds are stacked against you, never show fear or doubt—Never!"

Xavia nodded her head firmly and agreed with his words. She did live her life in fear all this while, but slowly Sylvester was helping her gain her confidence back.

"Also, we have enough money to afford any home items you want. Get new utensils, new flower pots, get a paintbrush and a canvas to draw. You've run enough. Nobody will harm you for enjoying some time for yourself." He advised as he finished his meal and got up.

"I need to prepare; I will be leaving at dawn. Have a serial murderer and r*pist to catch and kill. Good night." He washed his dishes in the kitchen and left silently.

All the while Xavia watched him and regretted them being in the Church.

Inside the locked room of Sylvester, he got Miraj to sit at the table. "Chonky, show me all our collected wealth. Before we leave, we should sort it out in smaller bags so you can hand me a certain bag whenever I need it."

"Okay." Miraj started to, as usual, vomit. But he had gotten used to it and had become a master of controlling power. So he didn't cover the things in saliva anymore.

"Uwaaaa…"

It was as if he had won a lottery from a machine. The hoard of gold coins and precious items came like a wave and covered half of the room. It was very loud too.

Knock! Knock!

"Max, what happened? I heard a loud noise. Are you okay?"

"It's nothing, mum. I was just practicing my light magic and air magic. You can go to sleep, I won't make any more noises." He replied and waited for her to leave his door.

Then he looked around in amazement and pride. He used to be a fake industrialist in the Soviet Union, so he was well aware of earning and managing black money. But, seeing this much made him feel proud for some reason.

"This is at least a few hundred thousand Gold Graces… and all these jewelry, rubies, and diamonds. We really are the biggest robbers, it seems, Chonky. Now come and help me stack them."

So the two boys sat side by side and counted their loot. Sylvester was happy that he took the cat in because having him made his life a bit easier. Meanwhile, Miraj was delighted he took Sylvester in because having him around kept him busy and fed.

It took them a few hours to sort everything into small bags of ten thousand Gold Graces. Sylvester never told Miraj to take anything below a gold.

But, he overestimated a little. "So there are about 120,069 Gold Graces, three gold rings, ten gold chains, one hundred diamonds, and nearly a thousand rubies. Ah… also the fake eye of that Archbishop and… what are these, Chonky? Where are there pebbles?"

Suddenly Miraj jumped over to hide the little shining colorful pebbles. "So smooth and shiny. They are my pebbles, Maxy. I like them, so I keep them."

Honestly, he felt like hugging the cat at that moment. Sometimes Miraj was just the joy of his heart. He chuckled and nodded. "Sure, if you like it. Keep as many pebbles as you want. I will even help look for new pebbles."

"You will?"

"Why not? Everyone deserves to have a hobby. It can be anything. For me, it's craftsmanship and restoration. For Felix, it's polishing his armor and sword. For Gabriel, it's praying to the lord, and for Markus… Well, I don't want to think about his hobby.

"Anyway, store all this back in and sleep. It's going to be a long journey tomorrow."

"Meow." Miraj gave a thumbs up, something he learned watching Felix.

…

Another day, nothing new. The birds tweeted around the window; the sun was peeking from the horizon, reminding everyone to get up and do the same thing they did yesterday.

Sylvester's eyes opened automatically. His brain clock was strong at this stage. He had learned the art of taking a nap anywhere, any time you can get some solace to stay fresh.

He got up, took a bath, groomed Miraj's fur a bit, and picked his bags to head out. His battle equipment was already at the school, so all he took from home were some clothes.

"Good luck, Max" Xavia came out of her room, meekly looking at him.

Sylvester sighed and returned to hug her so that she'd feel better these days. "Take care. I will have to return to make a detailed report, so it's not like I'm leaving forever. See you in a few days."

All he felt from Xavia was an unadulterated odor of motherly love. That was the only reason he stuck around her; otherwise, he'd have broken all his ties.

He could feel she was watching him all the way until he disappeared from the corridor and walked downstairs. Then she watched him go from the window until she could no longer.

Sylvester soon arrived at the School of Dawn. The air was particularly chilling that day, reminding that the cold winter was arriving soon.

"Is everyone ready?" He noticed Sir Dolorem, Gabriel, and Felix were present.

Gabriel frowned all of a sudden. "Markus is not with you?"

"Me? Why would he be with me? I saw him with you three last night." Sylvester responded. "Is he not in the room?"

"No, it's empty. All his luggage is gone. It's not in the carriage either… and his horse is gone too." Felix added.

'What tricks are those in the high castle playing now?'

"Let's go and check around the administration building. I have a feeling they'd know where he is." Sylvester suggested.

Without question, they all got on their horses and rushed to check. It was not too far away since it was all on Pope's Peninsula.

"I should go." Sir Dolorem volunteered. "They might not tell you, seeing your age and rank. I'm known around here very well."

"You have my thanks." Sylvester allowed him.

As they waited, he wondered what could be the reason for this disappearance. There was nothing much special about Markus except the fact he was too flexible.

"Did you check his room correctly? Was there any note left by him?" He asked.

But the two denied it.

"Both of us checked every corner of the room, but there was nothing," said Gabriel.

"He's been reassigned." Sir Dolorem returned just then. "He was reassigned on an emergency basis and sent away. They didn't tell me what profession, but I believe some intelligence office took him in."

"Intelligence? He's not even that smart, and he has dyslexia!" Sylvester exclaimed.

"Dyslexia?" Sir Dolorem wondered what that strange word was.

"Just the term I have for Markus' situation. But the matter stands, why such a hurry and him?" He wondered.

"It will take me some time, but I can likely get more information if I'm careful. But… we're leaving the Holy Land." Sir Dolorem suggested, but they were helpless.

Sylvester tried to think of a way to find him. But it was impossible without any information of his whereabouts.

He sighed helplessly. "We can't delay our assignment either, or we'll get penalized. So our only option is to catch this heathen quickly and return."

"Agreed." Sir Dolorem responded.

They all returned to the school with saddened faces and heavy hearts to get the carriage. But now they lacked one horse, and a mare with a stallion can't be put to pull the carriage.

"Felix, let your stallion and mine pull. You take Gab's mare. He and I will ride on the carriage." He suggested.

They were not in the mood to argue anyway, so Felix gave up his stallion. But he didn't take Gabriel's mare and instead sat beside Sylvester in the reinsman seat.

"Let's go." He said.

Sylvester nodded and loosened the reins and slightly whipped the horses with it. With that, they were on the move, headed towards the exit of the Holy Land, with a heavy heart and opposite of what they had planned.

"Wait!"

However, before they crossed the Holy Land's borders, a man came galloping on his horse, appearing tired and tense.

"I need Priest Sylvester Maximilian!"

"Here." Sylvester waved the hand at the Running Man, the world's postmen of sorts.

"The letter was sent from Saint Wazir's office—It's urgent!"

Sylvester quickly opened it and read it carefully. Momentarily a frown was apparent on his face. The mission that was already rushed now got hastened.

"That heathen!—He got another Bright Mother!"

WHERE MY FOOD?

**1069 Stones = Bonus Chapter!**

APE TOGETHER STRONG!