"Your Holiness."
Cardinal Matthias Blackthorne's voice carried formal respect undercut by something sharper. His gray eyes moved like a predator's, bloodstains, how naturally I held the Scythe.
I straightened. The weight of the papal crown felt heavier under his scrutiny.
"Cardinal Matthias." The name came to me without memory of learning it. "I trust the cathedral is secure."
"Completely." He stepped closer, red robes rustling against stone. Behind him, guards in dark armor positioned themselves throughout the nave. Strategic placement. Exits covered. Not protection but containment. "My men have eliminated the last pockets of resistance."
The Scythe grew warm in my grip. Subtle. Like holding metal that had been sitting in sunlight.
"Casualties?"
"Minimal among the faithful. The pretender's forces... less fortunate." Matthias watched my face. "Your decisive action saved many lives, Your Holiness."
Decisive action. Right. I had no memory of any action, decisive or otherwise.
"And the pretender himself?"
"Dead by your own hand. A masterful strike with the Scythe of Judgement." His voice carried theatrical admiration. "The way you severed his connection to that demonic artifact... truly inspired."
I'd killed someone. With this weapon. The Scythe pulsed warmer, as if responding to my thoughts.
[System Alert: Fabricated information detected]
[Cardinal Matthias trust level: 23%]
[Recommendation: Proceed with caution]
"The artifact troubled me," I said carefully. "Such corruptions have no place in sacred ground."
"Indeed. Though I confess surprise at your... thorough knowledge of its weaknesses. Where did you learn such techniques?"
A test. He was feeding me false information to see if I'd contradict it.
"Study has its rewards." I turned toward the altar, buying time to think. "What of the wounded among our forces?"
"Sister Evangeline tends them in the lower chambers. Your concern for the common soldiers impressed many." Matthias followed, his footsteps echoing. "Though some wonder why you chose to fight personally rather than direct from safety."
Another probe. What kind of Pope was I supposed to be? The kind who led from behind, or the kind who charged into battle?
"A shepherd protects his flock."
"Admirable sentiment. Your predecessor preferred... delegation."
The way he said 'predecessor' carried weight. Not respect. Almost relief.
"Pope Benedict served faithfully for thirty years," I said, testing.
"Thirty-two. And yes, his dedication to... traditional methods... was unwavering." Matthias smiled. "Your approach promises to be more... dynamic."
Wrong again. I was walking blind through conversations that should be second nature.
[System Alert: Inconsistency noted]
[Historical database unavailable]
[Recommend information gathering]
"The Church faces challenging times," I said. "Dynamic approaches may be necessary."
"Indeed. The heretical movements grow bolder. The noble houses question our authority. Foreign powers probe our borders." Matthias stopped beside a pillar carved with scenes of divine judgment. "Your recovery from the attempt on your life has taken... how long? The physicians were quite concerned."
Recovery? Someone had tried to kill me before this coup?
"Time blurs during healing." I traced a finger along the Scythe's handle. The weapon's warmth spread up my arm. "Sister Evangeline's skills are considerable."
"She mentioned your injuries were... unusual. Not typical blade wounds. More like spiritual trauma."
The Scythe suddenly felt hot. Warning or response to lies?
"The corruption touched deep."
"Fascinating. And your memories of the attack? The physicians worried about... gaps."
There it was. The real question. He knew something was wrong with my memory.
"Some things are best forgotten." I met his gray eyes. "Focus should remain on the future."
"Wise words. Speaking of the future..." Matthias clasped his hands behind his back. "The noble houses demand audience. They require reassurance about Church policy. Particularly regarding the new tax assessments."
Tax assessments? I knew nothing about Church finances.
"Their concerns?"
"Count Aldred fears the burden on merchant guilds. Baron Thornfield questions military tithing requirements. And Duke Aldwin..." Matthias paused. "Duke Aldwin suggests the assessment amounts to confiscation."
Political mine field. I needed more information before making commitments.
"Their arguments have merit?"
"Some validity. Though your predecessor designed the assessments specifically to fund the cathedral renovations and... other projects."
Projects. The way he said it suggested secrets.
"Other projects?"
"The Sanctum Defensorum. Sacred relic acquisition. Research into demon incursion patterns." His voice dropped. "Work you deemed essential before the attack."
I'd ordered all this? When? Why couldn't I remember any of it?
[System Alert: Memory gaps detected]
[Time frame: 3-6 months missing]
[Cause: Unknown]
"The work continues?"
"Awaiting your direct authorization. Brother Marcus leads the research team, but requires papal approval for the next phase."
Authorization for what? Research into demons sounded dangerous.
"Brother Marcus can proceed. With appropriate caution."
"Excellent. He'll be pleased." Matthias moved closer. Too close. "Your support for his theories about dimensional incursions was... unexpected. Given your previous stance on such matters."
Another inconsistency. I was supposed to know about dimensional incursions? That sounded like fantasy nonsense.
Unless it wasn't.
The Scythe pulsed again. Stronger this time. Like a heartbeat made of heat.
"Evidence changes perspectives."
"True. Your willingness to embrace Brother Marcus's more... controversial conclusions impressed many. Particularly his work with the Crimson Texts."
Crimson Texts. The name made my skin crawl.
"Controversial how?"
"The translation suggests active demon presence in our realm. Not theoretical invasion, but current infiltration. Brother Marcus believes certain noble houses may be compromised."
The cathedral suddenly felt colder. Political tensions were one thing. Actual demon infiltration was another entirely.
"His evidence?"
"Behavioral patterns. Economic manipulations. Strategic positions taken by certain families that benefit darkness more than light." Matthias watched my face. "Your investigation into House Ravencrest was particularly thorough."
I'd investigated nobles for demon connections? When? How?
"And the findings?"
"Suggestive but not conclusive. You planned to confront Lord Ravencrest directly after your recovery."
The Scythe grew hot enough to notice. Whatever Lord Ravencrest was involved in, my weapon didn't like it.
"We'll continue that investigation."
"Of course. Though Lord Ravencrest has requested immediate audience. Claims urgent business regarding trade agreements with the eastern kingdoms."
Trade agreements or demon business? How was I supposed to tell the difference
[System Alert: Hostile intent approaching][Multiple sources detected]
[ETA: Unknown]
"Perhaps audience should wait until …"
"Your Holiness." Matthias's tone shifted. Formal. Ceremonial. "Before addressing such matters, protocol requires confirmation of your authority."
Here it came. The real test.
"Confirmation?"
"The Sacred Oath of Ascension. Words spoken by every Pope since Saint Peter himself." Matthias stepped back, hands clasped. "A simple recitation to confirm divine blessing remains intact."
The cathedral fell silent. Even the guards had stopped moving.
I opened my mouth to confess ignorance. The words wouldn't come.
Instead, text began scrolling across my vision:
[Sacred Oath Retrieved]
[Divine Authority Confirmed]
[Recite as prompted…]
Golden letters burned themselves into my awareness:
"By light eternal and judgment divine, I stand as shepherd to the faithful..."
The choice hit me like a physical weight. Trust the mysterious system providing words I'd never heard, or admit complete ignorance to a man who might be enemy or ally.
Matthias waited. His gray eyes held no warmth.
The Scythe burned like molten metal in my grip.
[Warning: Hesitation detected as suspicious behavior]**
[Recommend immediate recitation]
I took a breath and made my choice.