I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 742 Kindness in the heart is often the root of chaos! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Pamela's red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a unique magnetism: "Bishop Derek is right. A leaderless state is indeed a great taboo. However, the selection of this pope also needs careful consideration. He must be someone who can unite all parties and win the hearts of the people in order to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

Her words, though seemingly neutral, actually implied that Derek was not the only candidate and that she herself had strong support, with several bishops and a female paladin commander beside her showing expressions of approval.

On the other side of the round table, an elderly man with white hair and beard, a kind face but deep eyes, Cardinal Augustine, slowly shook his head.

He was a senior member of the Papacy with extensive experience.

He placed his hands clasped in front of him, his tone slow yet carrying undeniable weight: "Acting Pope? Easier said than done. His Holiness the Pope has only disappeared, not perished. Hastily appointing an acting Pope will only lead to chaos if His Holiness returns in the future."

If the Papacy splits at that time, who will bear the responsibility? I believe the most important thing right now is to devote all the Papacy's resources to finding His Holiness the Pope! We must find him alive or dead!

Until then, it is best to maintain the status quo and let us, the cardinals, decide important matters together; this is the prudent approach.

His supporters were mostly older, conservative bishops and ascetics, who nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Derek retorted bluntly: "Maintain the status quo? Bishop Augustine, that's outdated! Joint decision-making? Inefficient, prone to buck-passing, how can we deal with potential crises?"

Pamela interjected coolly, "Bishop Derek, aren't you being a bit too hasty? Do you perhaps think you're already the only choice to become the acting pope?"

"Pamela, you!"

"Enough! This is a sacred council chamber, not a marketplace!"

On the round table, arguments, rebuttals, and attempts to persuade each other mingled together. The round table meeting, which once represented sanctity and unity, was now filled with the restlessness of power and irreconcilable contradictions.

The vacant papal throne, like a giant vortex, attracts all ambition and scheming.

Among these quarreling cardinals and paladins, Emperor Charles of the Eternal Day had already planted several key spies.

Their mission was not to ensure victory for either side, but to subtly incite conflict, exacerbate tensions, and ensure the continuation of the chaos within the Papacy, preventing the formation of a unified voice. They even hoped to see the Papacy weakened by internal strife.

Only in this way can the imperial power better suppress the papacy, and Charles's plan can proceed smoothly.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace of the Eternal Day Empire, Emperor Charles's bedroom was filled with a suffocating smell of blood and medicine.

"Cough cough. Pfft." Charles suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a small mouthful of dark red blood. His face was as pale as paper, and his breathing was much weaker than usual.

He leaned against the luxurious brocade couch, the bandages wrapped around his chest faintly seeping blood.

"Your Majesty!" The trusted eunuch standing to the side was terrified upon seeing this. He hurriedly stepped forward to wipe the wound with a silk handkerchief, while lowering his voice and urgently ordering another trusted guard beside him, "Quickly! Go and fetch the imperial physician again! Remember, go through the secret passage. Under no circumstances should anyone know that His Majesty's injury has worsened!"

The head guard accepted the order and disappeared silently behind the screen like a ghost.

Charles's serious injuries were not, as some have speculated, the result of the Vatican's machinations. The Vatican would never do such a thing, at least not now.

Instead, it was a sudden and unexpected betrayal and assassination from within the royal family!

The one who made the move was none other than his own younger brother, Prince Chet!

Like Li Chen, Charles also had the habit of traveling incognito, often going to secluded locations to meet with his spies and learn about the true situation of the empire.

However, his strength was far from reaching the level of Li Chen, who was unfathomable and capable of ignoring most threats.

Just a few days ago, during a secret trip, he was ambushed. The assassin was highly skilled and ruthless, clearly intending to kill him.

If it weren't for the royal guards who risked their lives to protect him, and even the use of several life-saving trump cards, he would probably be dead by now.

After severe interrogation and secret investigation, all the clues eventually pointed to his brother, Prince Chet, who was notoriously greedy!

This result shocked and angered Charles.

"Cough cough, Chet, good, very good!"

Charles's eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tightly. The force aggravated his wounds, causing him to grimace again.

His original plan was ingenious; it seemed he could take advantage of the Pope's disappearance to gradually lead the Papacy into a trap of division and decline, thereby solving the problem that had plagued the royal family for a thousand years.

Who could have imagined that at this crucial moment, his own younger brother would be blinded by greed and, for the sake of the supreme throne, would so cruelly harm his own brother!

This was like being stabbed in the back by his closest confidant while he was fully focused on dealing with the enemy!

After drinking the bitter-smelling medicine carefully prepared by the royal physician, Charles felt the severe pain in his chest ease slightly.

He leaned back on the cushions, closed his eyes, and his mind involuntarily recalled something the young Emperor Tian Ce had said seemingly unintentionally during a meeting with Li Chen many years ago:

“Charles, when dealing with potential threats, especially blood-related competitors, you should either give them enough favors from the start to make them content with the status quo, or be decisive and eliminate any future troubles. Indecisiveness and kindness are often the root of trouble.”

At the time, he dismissed this, thinking Li Chen was too cold-hearted.

In retrospect, Li Chen's words have come true!
Charles was filled with regret: if only he had dealt with Chet, this potential threat, decisively after ascending the throne and consolidating his power!

Even if we don't kill him, we should at least completely strip him of his power and influence, let him live a peaceful life as a wealthy idler, and completely sever his desire for the throne!

Otherwise, he'll be resentful, and since he's still alive, he'll take action sooner or later!

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and began to think of a solution.

'If Li Chen were in my position, what would he do?'

Charles tried to adopt Li Chen's decisive and ruthless way of thinking.

'Should we first concentrate our forces to swiftly and decisively eliminate Chet's internal rebellion and purge his influence within the royal family to ensure our own safety and stability at home? Or should we temporarily suppress our injuries and continue pushing forward with our plan to cripple the Papacy, lest we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?'

Both options had their advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult for him to decide.

Cleaning up Chet would require mobilizing resources, which might alert the enemy and even give the Papacy a chance to catch its breath;
However, if left unchecked, a prince lurking in the shadows, ready to launch another fatal attack at any moment, is undoubtedly a sword hanging over our heads.

Charles could never have imagined that while he was struggling and overwhelmed with worries in the deep palace, the man he was studying in terms of his style of doing things was none other than Emperor Tian Ce, Li Chen.

Having already used his superb skills in disguise and concealment, he silently crossed the border and set foot on the land of the Eternal Day Empire, like a drop of water flowing into the sea, quietly merging into this country that was about to experience turbulent changes.

(End of this chapter)