That night, Felix returned to his old room. Together with Mostima, he tidied the place up before finally lying down to sleep.
The next morning, he tried to put on his familiar heavy hood. To his dismay, he discovered that his horns had become translucent, just like the halos of the Sankta. Because of this, the hood could no longer conceal them.
After thinking it over, Felix decided there was no point in hiding them anymore and simply gave up on the idea. Besides, when he and Mostima had gone out for a late-night snack at the café the previous night, the owner had acted as though nothing was unusual. It seemed the man had mistaken him for a fallen Sankta.
For the Sankta, there were two kinds of falling.
The first was considered legitimate and lawful. A typical example was Mostima's case in another timeline. She had drawn her gun and fired when someone attempted to harm Lemuen. The Papal Court and the Notarial Hall pardoned her actions. She was allowed to continue living in Laterano as before, although she still had to endure the occasional strange glance from others.
The second type involved maliciously attacking fellow Sankta.
That, naturally, was strictly forbidden by law.
In such cases, the fallen Sankta would be placed on the Notarial Hall's wanted list without exception. One of Federico's cousins, for example, had remained near the top of that list for many years because of her actions, even though she herself had never actually fallen.
After breakfast, Felix and Mostima returned to the hotel.
Once the Kazdel delegation had finished washing up, they gathered in the lobby and waited for Felix.
During this period, Laterano had opened its doors to visitors. People from various races could now be seen walking along the streets. Although the Notarial Hall kept a close watch over the situation, it did not restrict the Kazdel delegation from going out.
Felix quickly announced that the group was free to disperse. Before the conference began, they were welcome to explore the Holy City of Laterano.
The members of the Kazdel delegation stood upright and solemnly promised not to embarrass Felix or cause trouble for Kazdel.
It was a good attitude to have, but Felix still offered a reminder. If any conflict arose, they should seek help from the nearest staff member of the Notarial Hall. Many people in Laterano had experienced the war with Kazdel firsthand, and their hostility toward the Sarkaz was often no different from the Sarkaz's feelings toward Terrans.
The most obvious example was Oren, who could probably be described as someone who wanted the Sarkaz dead more than anyone else.
Theresa, Qalaiša, and Mudrock soon departed, accompanied by several soldiers from Saviadel and Theresis' faction. Under the guidance of notarial officers, they set off to tour the Holy City.
The others also scattered, heading toward the places they wished to visit.
Felix had already arranged to meet Theresa and the others again that evening. For now, however, he needed to meet someone else.
Guided by Mostima and Lemuen, Felix stepped into the Papal Palace.
The busy staff members stopped their work and looked toward the entrance. When they recognized Felix, a variety of emotions flashed through their eyes.
Through the Sankta's shared empathy, Felix could sense them clearly.
Fear. Unease. Mockery. And somewhere among them, a faint trace of reverence and awe.
He was briefly surprised. He had not expected to sense such mixed emotions within the Papal Palace itself.
But then again, it was perfectly normal. Laterano had always been divided between two factions, the hawks and the doves, and the same division existed within the Papal Palace.
Velliv soon took over the task of leading the way. Felix temporarily parted from Mostima and Lemuen before entering the Pope's office.
Sunlight streamed into the room.
The white-bearded Pope stood by the balcony, carefully trimming a potted plant with a pair of scissors. Hearing footsteps, he lifted his gaze.
Felix smiled.
"Since you're back, would you like to try some Laterano sweets?"
"The Venus already has a chef from Laterano," Felix replied. "But I would be honored. Thank you."
A moment later, a trolley was pushed forward, piled high with desserts.
Felix fell silent when he saw it.
The top shelf of the trolley was filled entirely with cactus tarts. The lower shelves held various other desserts.
He took one and placed it in his mouth, savoring the sweet flavor. As he did, he unconsciously compared it with the desserts made by the Sankta chef aboard the Venus.
In his opinion, the ones on the Venus were still better.
After all, Felix naturally favored his own people.
Velliv bowed politely and withdrew from the room.
The Pope returned to his seat behind the desk.
"How does it feel to return this time?" he asked.
"Laterano hasn't changed," Felix replied. "Everything remains just as pure and beautiful as when I left ten years ago."
The Pope chuckled.
"Oh ho ho. That doesn't sound entirely like a compliment."
"It's half and half," Felix said calmly. "If Laterano wishes to maintain its elevated position, it must remain detached from worldly affairs. From my perspective, Laterano has developed better under your leadership than it did in the past."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The decision to hold an Summit of Nations likely serves the same purpose. By standing at a higher vantage point, Laterano can guide the nations of Terra forward together."
The Pope nodded slowly.
Then he sighed.
"I'm getting old. If you hadn't left Laterano, you might have been the one sitting in this chair now. The cardinals have nearly exhausted their brains trying to devise plans, and I'm not much better."
"What exactly did Laterano intend to do?"
Felix asked the most fundamental question.
"What made Laterano suddenly so eager to hold this international conference? Or does Your Holiness believe that the time has come for Laterano to express its own voice on Terra?"
"Both."
The Pope smiled and slowly rose to his feet.
"Why don't you walk with me for a while?"
"Of course."
Felix stood up as well.
The two walked through the quiet corridors, passed through the main entrance of the Papal Palace, and headed straight toward Laterano Cathedral. Their figures, one following the other, caused many passersby and even several cardinals to stop where they stood.
"Is that… a fallen angel?"
"No, isn't that the Dawnbreaker, the new legend?"
"Hey, where?"
"That young man walking with His Holiness the Pope."
Once again, Felix felt the strange gazes around him. He turned his head and saw that most of them came from the Sankta residents, whose eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Heh heh. It seems the Laterano people are not all stubborn old men clinging to the past," the Pope said with a soft laugh. "We are old, old enough to be familiar with intrigue, power struggles, provocation, and internal conflicts. But the vitality of the young has always remained."
"I'm just a little surprised."
"Don't be," the Pope continued. "You have already found your path. Can you feel it? That sense of empathy. It means that to this day, you have not violated the law or betrayed Laterano."
"With the law acknowledging you, how could Laterano possibly become your enemy?"
The Pope entered the cathedral first, with Felix following behind.
The two walked into the inner prayer chamber. The Pope took a deep breath, and soon the sound of turning gears echoed through the room. A hidden door slowly appeared, revealing a passage that led underground.
It was well known that beneath the cathedral lay the resting place of many saints.
They had been the most learned and outstanding figures throughout Laterano's long history. Their marble statues, polished smooth with time, stood silently along the path, their empty eyes gazing forward as though unaware of those passing by.
Downward they went.
Stone tablets recording the achievements of successive popes appeared one after another.
Among them had been the proud, the humble, the noble, and perhaps even the mad.
But none had ever brought shame upon Laterano.
Now they all remained silent.
Further down.
Here rested the oldest saints.
They had led the Sankta out of chaos. They possessed every virtue terranity could offer. Those who came after them merely imitated their example, leaving behind plaques that gradually dimmed beside the brilliance of the original miracles.
Deeper still.
Felix began to hear familiar sounds.
The vibration and roar of machines in operation echoed through the underground halls. Mixed within it was the gentle chime of electronics coming from the computer chamber. The sound was like the breathing of a giant beast, or the steady hum of a system running endlessly.
Lights flickered on one by one.
At the end of the corridor, a soft white glow illuminated the surroundings, revealing the mechanical structures pulsing with quiet rhythm.
That thing had shaped the Sankta.
That thing had created the Sankta halo.
That thing connected every Sankta together.
Felix stood before the central machine and looked up.
"The paths we walk are both guided by the Law," the Pope said with a faint smile, raising his head to gaze at the secret known only to successive popes. "It seems you are not surprised."
"I am still somewhat surprised," Felix replied. "What surprises me is that you chose to bring me here."
He stepped forward.
The machine seemed to awaken. A gentle light descended slowly, gathering around Felix.
"Project Lucifer-777. Welcome back."
Felix asked calmly, "What has happened on Terra recently that caused Laterano to feel such a sense of crisis?"
A gentle female voice answered.
"A fracture has appeared in the southeastern sky. The false starry sky has shattered. The land of Terra is now exposed to all."
"Speculation: This event was caused by a world-destroying weapon originating from the Shards."
"Conclusion: Laterano should unite with the nations of Terra to prepare for the impending catastrophe."
"I see."
Felix rested his chin in his hand. He briefly glanced at the Pope, whose eyes were wide with shock, before turning his attention back to the machine.
"As one of the planners who has previously come into contact with the Preservers, what should I do?"
The system remained silent for a moment before answering.
"Recommendation: Unite the nations of Terra."
"Conclusion: Breaking through the Starpod will initiate the Terra Expedition."
"How long will it take before the observers discover the civilization of Terra?"
The system remained silent for an even longer time before finally responding.
"Estimated time: three years."
Felix frowned slightly.
"That conclusion cannot be achieved in such a short time. I need a goal that can realistically be completed within three years."
"..."
Another stretch of silence followed.
Then the system spoke again.
"Conclusion: Establish contact with a message left by a Predecessor. Break through the Starpod barrier and launch an expedition. Estimated duration: three years. Success rate: 1%."
"Only one percent…" Felix sighed softly. "Understood."
"This is for the survival of the Sankta."
After the system finished speaking, the lights around them shut down one by one.
Felix rested his chin on his hand and thought for a while. Only then did he realize that the Pope had remained silent for a long time as well.
Turning his head, he saw the Pope deep in thought, his gaze distant and heavy. Noticing Felix's attention, the Pope coughed lightly and returned to his senses.
"You know about the Law?" the Pope asked.
"I saw something resembling the Law when I reverted to the ancestral Teekaz state," Felix said. "Or perhaps it wasn't an illusion at all."
He pointed to the halo above his head.
"The Law exists among the Sankta. When a Sankta attempts to break through their own limits, I believe the Law will appear."
"How much do you actually know?"
"About the Predecessor, their plans, and the past and future of Terra. I know quite a lot. I also know that Terra will face great danger in the coming years, and that this land may cease to exist."
"..."
The Pope slowly shook his head.
"I don't know about those things," he said. "If you don't mind, how about joining me for afternoon tea?"
"That's fine," Felix replied. "But let's skip the cactus tarts. The Sankta chef on the Venus told me you're the only one who actually likes that dessert."
"Hahaha!"
Felix knew many things.
The system before him was a command system created by the Predecessor. Among the Preservers, it was known as the Personality and Cognitive Synchronization system. In truth, it was quite similar to the Meliras system Felix had once created himself. To those Meliras, Felix had been their own Lord and Law.
More importantly, he now understood why Laterano had decided to hold this Summit of Nations.
Setting aside the private ambitions and calculations of the cardinals, the most practical reason was simple. The Law had detected something through its data analysis and issued instructions to the Pope. The Pope, in turn, had chosen to act on that guidance.
It was highly likely that The Law had detected the world-destroying Originium weapon hidden within the Shards of Londinium. Based on its calculations, if such a weapon were fired at the surface of Terra, the entire world might cease to exist within only a few years.
As for launching something into the sky, The Law had also reached a conclusion.
Terra had already been exposed to the observers.
Within three years, those observers would appear.
Among all the information Felix possessed, he still had no idea what exactly the observers were. They might be monsters, an advanced force, or even some incomprehensible cosmic phenomenon.
Facing such an unknown enemy made it difficult for Felix to make full preparations.
Yet as a "player" chosen by the Predecessor, this was the burden he had to carry.
After sharing part of that burden, the Pope fell into a long silence. Sitting quietly in his office chair, he watched as Felix left the room.
At that moment, Velliv pushed the door open and entered, hurriedly stuffing the remaining half of a cactus tart into her mouth.
"How did the conversation go?" she asked.
"Quite enlightening."
"Eh?"
"There is still much we must do," the Pope said with a relaxed smile. "At the very least, Laterano must stand at the forefront when facing the catastrophe that lies ahead."
"Inform the cardinals that I will be presiding over a meeting this afternoon. It is time for us to turn our attention toward the sky in terms of technological development."
"You mean the skyships?"
"No, Velliv," the Pope replied softly. "Even higher than that."
Meanwhile, Felix stepped into the hall and saw Mostima and Lemuen waiting for him.
Both of them reached out their hands toward him.
In public.
Well, they were practically an old married couple at this point, so Felix said nothing. He simply took one hand from each of them and walked off to meet Theresa.
Before the Summit of Nations officially began, they might even run into a few familiar faces.