Chapter 116#

Distant Star Reflection 24#

“Sharing dinner” constituted customary etiquette in this world, not limited to merely dinner. Invited guests arrived before mid-afternoon.

When the shuttle stopped at the Holy City’s entrance, both nearby guards and distant passing clergy observed without expression. Reasons obvious—just as Duke Landon was widely known among nobles, Bishop Tan Per remained universally familiar throughout the cathedral.

They possessed exceptional talent, achieved remarkable results, once considered His Holiness’s most beloved student, yet for unknown reasons became neglected. Red cardinals typically received appointments assisting major noble heirs, lifelong collaboration. Tan Per was assigned Landon—a less-than-ideal partnership.

People admired Tan Per’s talents yet doubted their future. Yet on the eve of Tan Per’s intended departure from the capital toward Landon star system, the Holy City suddenly transformed. The pope narrowly escaped assassination, while Tan Per proved to be the long-dormant rebel leader secretly operating within the cathedral for years. News of this revelation caused cathedral-wide uproar.

Yet even this wasn’t the main issue—opposition factions had existed for years, naturally requiring leadership. But subsequently, Tan Per, originally sentenced to lifetime exile on mining planets, returned. Not merely returned—even changed gender.

Previously, no one questioned Tan Per’s alpha status. Their actions displayed complete alpha radical style. Yet they were actually omega—and became Duke Landon’s omega. Knowing they’d previously shared poor relations made this remarkable.

Originally expecting Tan Per would accompany Duke Landon as ordinary person to distant star systems, living uneventfully ever after. Yet Duke Landon simultaneously became the hottest imperial candidate. People’s views of Landon shifted dramatically—previously an alpha destined for mania lacking suitable partners, now stabilized after calming his mania, becoming highest-tier alpha. Truly heaven and earth difference. Rumors even suggested Duke Landon felt deeply for Bishop Tan Per.

In summary, all impossible things occurred, and nobody could predict what came next—just as no one knew the pope’s intentions for summoning them.

When Yu Feichen opened the car door, helping Tan Per descend, he detected distant and close scrutinizing gazes.

Facing these gazes, Tan Per appeared entirely natural, as if they didn’t exist. Yu Feichen knew the supreme deity had been observed by countless eyes, and he himself frequently remained focal point of crowds.

Yet he still positioned himself sideways, preventing those people from seeing Tan Per clearly.

Unexpectedly, the pope’s welcoming entourage proved impressively large.

Beyond these two, His Holiness invited over a dozen others—two or three nobles, the rest clergy.

Last time Yu Feichen met the pope, General Toahsi had requested many people attend, occupying universal moral high ground, then silencing the pope. This time the pope invited others—Yu Feichen couldn’t help anticipating what trick His Holiness had prepared. Regardless, he was merely a passing guest, unconcerned with reputation and others’ opinions, only caring about remaining 30% progress.

The crowd included several familiar faces—Bishop Kaven who’d spoken for Tan Per at the extinguishing banquet, and that priest who’d believed Yu Feichen shouldn’t reveal mirror star truth.

Additionally, Bai Song stood beside the pope, while Windsor stood on the pope’s other side.

“Windsor, Kayan. When did you repair your relationship? I still vividly remember scenes of cracking skulls back then,” His Holiness spoke warmly with them about casual matters. Snow-white hair made him appear exceptionally benevolent and affectionate.

This benevolence and affection showed no diminution upon Yu Feichen and Tan Per’s arrival.

“Two children, you’ve come as well,” the pope gestured welcomingly toward Yu Feichen, warm gaze turning toward Tan Per, as if never having experienced estrangement.

Yet speaking of composure and grace, Tan Per surpassed. After all, the pope’s benevolence was performed; the deity’s bearing remained unchanged through millions of epochs. Tan Per’s expression held minimal emotion. They slightly bowed to the pope—the universal greeting in this world. That posture confirmed in Yu Feichen’s eyes that they truly viewed all beings equally, harboring no reservations even toward this greedy, ugly human.

Receiving this courtesy, Pope Paul suddenly felt strange sensation arise from unknown source—as if he’d committed some error.

Yet as lifelong believer in Truth Cathedral, understanding the world contained nothing supernatural beyond immutable truth, he quickly suppressed the strange feeling, returning Tan Per’s warmth with even more benevolent smile.

Immediately following this friendly greeting, several in the crowd’s expressions subtly changed, particularly Bishop Kaven’s troubled countenance.

Tan Per once said Kaven was his most loyally devoted subordinate, holding fervent conviction toward overthrowing papal rule.

Yu Feichen observed everything—so the pope intended this.

Indeed, after joining the crowd, Tan Per whispered softly in his ear: “Several rebels here.”

Yu Feichen: “I guessed correctly.”

The pope would definitely do something.

Tan Per’s eyelashes curved slightly: “Not entirely correct.”

They stood very close, voices lowered to only each other’s hearing, appearing intimate. This seemed perfectly normal between marked alphas and omegas, yet with Landon and Bishop Tan Per as subjects, especially before the pope’s eyes, people couldn’t help observing and speculating.

Yu Feichen raised his head. Both resumed walking side-by-side, though several gazes remained.

“Landon,” the pope said, “come beside me.”

Yu Feichen, bringing Tan Per forward, replaced Windsor’s position. Windsor then leisurely drifted behind Bai Song, gazing toward distant skies, continuing their previous topic in joking manner: “Perhaps Bishop Kayan finally remembered he’d spend decades ahead collaborating with me in Windsor star system! Should our relationship prove harmonious, we’d avoid much trouble.”

Bai Song entirely ignored Windsor’s nonsense.

The pope nodded, smiling: “Indeed so.”

This exchange essentially indicated Windsor wouldn’t become emperor—equivalent to expressing preference for Landon, and acceptance of Tan Per.

Thus Yu Feichen again confirmed the pope’s intentions.

To pacify major nobles now distanced from him, maintaining his position, the pope must agree letting Losh Landon be crowned. Just as Tan Per said, he wouldn’t risk his already-possessed position—yet the pope had no intention releasing Tan Per.

Religion’s greatest enemy remained heresy. Simons’ assassination made him feel crisis-laden. Now seeking peace, he must either sever Tan Per’s all connections with rebels, or find crucial clues eliminating the rebel organization. Undoubtedly, today’s accompanying bishops and priests included some on the pope’s suspicion list, others present to confuse matters.

With leadership missing for days, after several papal purges, rebels faced internal turmoil, unable withstanding provocation. Their trust in Tan Per wasn’t as solid as paradise citizens’ trust in the supreme deity.

Nothing better shook rebel morale than openly expressing goodwill toward Tan Per.

After various hypocritical pleasantries, finally reaching today’s main topic. The pope planned bringing these people viewing a newly-completed military base, discussing several feasible usage plans, then dining at the base.

The base sat near the Holy City’s entrance. Upon entry, guards swarmed, lethal coldness striking faces.