Fate's Choice: Livestream at the Start Summoning Billions of Ravens

Bishop Michel, the chief theological advisor, immediately rose from his seat and quickly followed the Pope.

The two walked one after the other through the heavy oak doors of the Sistine Chapel and into a deep and solemn corridor.

The murals on both sides of the corridor appeared dim and unclear under the candlelight, with only the steady footsteps of two people echoing in the empty space.

They eventually stopped in front of an unremarkable wooden door.

Two Swiss Guard soldiers, holding halberds, stood guard on either side of the door like statues.

Upon seeing the Pope, they immediately put away their halberds and performed a standard salute with the sign of the cross on their chest.

The Pope nodded slightly, said nothing, and personally pushed open the door.

Inside the door was the prayer room, which was not open to the public.

The light was dimmer than in the corridor.

The air was filled with an ancient scent mixed with holy oil and dust.

The silver-armored girl sat quietly on a wooden chair. In front of her, the man, bound in mid-air by dozens of golden chains, was still unconscious, his body twitching slightly with the energy fluctuations of the chains.

The Pope stopped at the doorway and did not immediately step inside.

He straightened his solemn robes, then bowed deeply in Joan of Arc's direction, performing a standard salute—a salute unrelated to his papal status, but belonging solely to a devout believer.

Bishop Michel behind him immediately followed suit.

"Your Excellency, Holy Maiden."

The Pope straightened up and began to speak in a calm tone.

Joan of Arc raised her head, and her clear blue eyes looked at her.

"The government of the White Elephant Kingdom has lodged a formal protest and made demands to the Holy See through diplomatic channels."

The Pope stated the facts without any personal bias.

"The eyes of the world are now focused here. They want to know how the Church, and you, intend to deal with this... Berserker."

Joan of Arc's gaze shifted from the Pope's face to the bound Arjuna.

She remained silent for a moment.

"My duty is to oversee the proper conduct of the Holy Grail War and to deal with participants who commit serious violations."

"I have the authority to 'oversee,' but not the power to 'judge.'"

"The final judgment rests with the Holy Grail itself."

Bishop Michel, standing behind the Pope, stiffened almost imperceptibly.

This answer was worse than the worst-case scenario he had anticipated.

The Pope, however, remained calm. He continued to press for answers.

"You mean, he will remain under your supervision until the Holy Grail War ends?"

"Yes."

Joan of Arc gave an affirmative answer.

"I will not hand him over to any secular power, including the Vatican."

This statement completely blocked any possibility of diplomatic mediation.

Bishop Michel felt a wave of dizziness. He could almost imagine the violent political storm the Vatican would face once the news got out.

The Pope, however, seemed oblivious to the implications and continued with his questions.

"Then, please allow me to ask one more question: if... I mean if there are no winners in this war, or if this Berserker can never be healed, does that mean he will become a permanent prisoner of the Vatican?"

Joan of Arc fell silent once again.

This time, she took longer to think than before.

Inside the prayer room, only the faint hum of the golden chains and Arjuna's unconscious breathing could be heard.

Several minutes later, Joan of Arc spoke again.

"If he is the ultimate victor, then the world is destined to be destroyed; if he dies in the Holy Grail War, then the problem is solved."

Joan of Arc stood up, and the holy banner in her hand appeared silently.

She held the flagpole and walked up to Arjuna, her back to the Pope.

"My duty will continue until the war ends."

"Before that, the rules were everything."

The Pope understood.

I understand completely now.

The girl before me is not a political entity that can be communicated with, negotiated with, or compromised with.

She is the embodiment of rules.

Its very existence is an insurmountable red line.

In her world, there are no human relationships, no interests, and no compromises.

Only rules.

"I completely understand."

The Pope bowed deeply once again.

"The Holy See will fully respect your decision and provide you with all necessary assistance in upholding the rules."

Having said that, he turned and left the prayer room with Bishop Michel, who was still in shock.

The heavy wooden door slowly closed behind them, shutting out everything inside.

As he walked down the corridor back to the Sistine Chapel, Bishop Michel finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Your Majesty! You...you just agreed like that?"

"Her decision will push the Vatican to the brink of a diplomatic crisis! We will have to face the wrath of the White Elephant alone, a nation of over a billion people! This... this is gambling with the Church's centuries-old reputation!"

The Pope stopped walking.

He turned around and looked at his chief advisor, who was always known for his wisdom and composure, but now appeared completely flustered.

A mysterious expression suddenly appeared on the elderly pope's face.

"Michelle, haven't you understood what Her Majesty just said?"

"She has given us the best reason."

"We are not 'refusing to release them'."

The Pope spoke slowly and deliberately.

"We 'cannot let go'."

"Why can't we release it? Because this is the rule of 'God,' the will of the 'arbiter,' a higher rule that transcends all secular laws and national sovereignty."

"No secular state has the right or the ability to interfere."

Michelle's pupils contracted sharply.

He instantly understood the Pope's intention.

To shift all responsibility to a transcendent entity that cannot be held accountable.

This transforms the Vatican from a troublesome "party involved" into an innocent "venue provider" and "reciter of the rules."

Seeing Michel's enlightened expression, the Pope nodded in satisfaction and turned to continue walking forward.

"Go ahead and notify the press office."

"A global press conference will be held in one hour."

"This time, we don't need to be ambiguous."

……

One hour later.

The Vatican Press Office, at the press conference.

Reporters from hundreds of media outlets around the world filled the entire hall, and countless cameras were pointed at the podium.

The spokesperson stepped onto the stage, cleared his throat, and adopted an unusually serious expression.

He didn't say any pleasantries as usual, but went straight to the point.

"The Holy See hereby issues its official response to the unfortunate events that have occurred in New Delhi recently and the controversy that has followed."

"According to the fundamental principles of the Holy Grail War, the Ruler, or adjudicator, has the authority to enforce supervision over participants who commit serious violations, whose actions are entirely in accordance with the rules and are intended to prevent a larger-scale humanitarian catastrophe."

"The Vatican's position is to fully assist His Excellency Ruler in maintaining basic order in this war and protecting the lives of innocent civilians."

He paused for a moment, then dropped the final bombshell.

"Finally, His Holiness the Pope is deeply saddened by the loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives in the Delhi cleansing. He has decided to personally preside over a seven-day prayer and remembrance service in all Catholic churches around the world."

May the departed rest in peace, and may the living find strength.

May the glory of the Lord shine upon and comfort every wounded heart.